cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Auger/loss studies of uranium, uranium oxidation, UO2, U308, and UF4☆

Abstract Auger/loss spectra were obtained from uranium metal free of detectable impurities in the α, β and γ phases. Loss excitations for the metal are in agreement with XPS levels of Fuggle et al. except for the O 4 loss peak which appears to couple to a transient state ca. 7.3 eV more energetic than in XPS. Good agreement is obtained with Auger spectra if experimental XPS valence bonding bands are used, and chemical shifts upon oxidation are accounted for accurately. Loss spectra for uranium compounds do not agree in general with XPS. Relaxation differences in the excited states appear to be the reason for this discrepancy. UO was identified as a stable surface compound on U metal under specific oxidizing conditions.
LOCALIZE: computer-assisted localization of peripheral nervous system lesions.

Abstract A computer program, LOCALIZE, has been developed to assist physicians with localization of lesions in the peripheral nervous system. It uses a knowledge base which embodies the connective relationships of peripheral nerves in the human nervous system. It accepts as input clinical and electromyographic evidence of specific muscle weaknesses, and then suggests sites where single or multiple lesions could account for the abnormalities. Heuristic guidelines are employed to detect incomplete or inaccurate data. In addition, an explanatory capability exists to justify the assertions of the program and to make LOCALIZE potentially useful as a teaching aid. LOCALIZE is the first localization program to use a symbolic representation of neuroanatomy as its source of expertise. This allows the program to localize lesions that have not been previously described, and gives the program the capability to generate explanations based on the neuroanatomy. Although not fully evaluated in clinical trials, LOCALIZE has performed successfully using sample patient cases of varying complexity.
Cylindrical Silicon on Insulator Solid State Nanopores for Charge Selective Nanoparticle Filtering

Rapid separation of specific biomolecules like virions and other nanoparticles through a solid state nanopore is of vital importance to various biomedical applications and bioanalytical studies. Several factors such as external applied transmembrane voltages, particle size and surface charge density of the nanopore are being investigated to improve the separation efficiency. However, in most cases the transmembrane electric field is not strong enough to pull the particles into the pore. Our goal is to use a voltage bias applied to the substrate of our specific silicon-on-insulator nanopore to significantly increase the nanoparticle translocation rate through the aperture, enhancing the performance of the device as a particle-selective filter.The ability to apply a substrate bias to single silicon-on-insulator cylindrical nanopores via the top silicon layer offers a tremendous advantage over regular silicon nitride nanopores. Moreover, the nanopore process flow is compatible with standard cleanroom facilities allowing a similar high throughput fabrication. The buried oxide layer provides a robust etch stop for the nanopore membrane and the sub-100nm aperture size is precisely controlled by electron beam lithography and thermal oxidation.The applied substrate bias changes the transverse conductance of the nanopore at low electrolyte concentrations (<10-4M HCl) when the Debye length is comparable to the dimensions of the nanopore. The bias depletes or attracts the H+ ions, being theions contributing to the ionic current flow within the nanopore, thereby decreasing or increasing the ionic current. When a positive substrate bias is applied to silicon device layer, it attracts negative charged nanoparticles such as polystyrene beads, which subsequently pass through the pore and repel positively charged particles away from the aperture entrance, acting as a charge-selective filter.
Reversal and transfer of spermatophores by Octopus vulgaris and O . hummelincki

Copulatory behavior in the octopus consists of a patterned series of movements whose individual functions are not well understood. Observations and experiments on mating in Octopus vulgaris and O. hummelincki from Bimini, Bahamas and Haiti were made over a number of years in the laboratory. The study reveals how the male octopus reverses its spermatophore prior to transferring it to the female. The male’s terminal organ (penis) extrudes the sperm end of the spermatophore as it exits from Needham’s sac up to the cap or filament thread and then, holding onto the cap thread, inserts the ejaculatory end of the spermatophore into the groove of the hectocotylus, thus reversing it. It is hypothesized that the primary function of the cap or filament thread, one part of the spermatophore, is to be a handle by which the reversal and transfer is accomplished. The siphon is merely a conduit through which the terminal organ functions and plays no role whatsoever in either the reversal of the spermatophore or in its insertion into the groove. The stimulus to which the male orients to find the groove of the hectocotylus is the apex of the retracted interbrachial membrane between the third and fourth right arms, which bears a fixed spatial relationship to the origin of the groove. A number of deviations from the successful transfer process, which represent loss of sperm from the reproductive process, are illustrated. Despite these deviations, the delicately balanced integration of the various movements serves to transfer the spermatophore to the female to ensure reproductive success.
Mineralogic and sulfur isotopic effects accompanying oxidation of pyrite in millimolar solutions of hydrogen peroxide at temperatures from 4 to 150 °C

Abstract Oxidation of pyrite by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) at millimolar levels has been studied from 4 to 150 °C in order to evaluate isotopic effects potentially associated with radiolytic oxidation of pyrite. Gaseous, aqueous, and solid phases were collected and measured following sealed-tube experiments that lasted from 1 to 14 days. The dominant gaseous product was molecular oxygen. No volatile sulfur species were recovered from any experiment. Sulfate was the only aqueous sulfur species detected in solution, with sulfite and thiosulfate below the detection limits. X-ray diffraction patterns and images from scanning electron microscopy reveal solid residues composed primarily of hydrated ferric iron sulfates and sporadic ferric–ferrous iron sulfates. Hematite was detected only in solid residue produced during high temperature experiments. Elemental sulfur and/or polysulfides are inferred to be form on reacting pyrite surface based on extraction with organic solvents. Pyrite oxidation by H 2 O 2 increases in rate with increasing H 2 O 2 concentration, pyrite surface area, and temperature. Rates measured in sealed-tube experiments at 25°C, for H 2 O 2 concentration of 2 × 10 −3 M are 8.8 × 10 −9 M/m 2 /sec, which are higher than previous estimates. A combination of reactive oxygen species from H 2 O 2 decomposition products and reactive iron species from pyrite dissolution is inferred to aggressively oxidize the receding pyrite surface. Competing oxidants with temperature-dependent oxidation efficiencies results in multiple reaction mechanisms for different temperatures and surface conditions. Sulfur isotope values of remaining pyrite were unchanged during the experiments, but showed distinct enrichment of 34 S in produced sulfate and depletion in elemental sulfur. The Δ sulfate–pyrite and Δ elemental sulfur–pyrite was +0.5 to +1.5‰ and was −0.2 to −1‰, respectively. Isotope data from high-temperature experiments indicate an additional 34 S-depleted sulfur fraction, with up to 4‰ depletion of 34 S, in the hematite. Sulfur isotope trends were not influenced by H 2 O 2 concentration, temperature, or reaction time. Results of this study indicate that radiolytically produced oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, could efficiently oxidize pyrite in an otherwise oxygen-limited environment. Although H 2 O 2 is generally regarded as being of minor geochemical significance on Earth, the H 2 O 2 molecule plays a pivotal role in Martian atmospheric and soil chemistry. Additional experimental and field studies are needed to characterize sulfur and oxygen isotope systematics during radiolytical oxidation of metallic sulfides and elemental sulfur.
Effects of the 13–14 March 1989 geomagnetic storm on the E region Tidal Ion Layer structure at Arecibo during AIDA

Abstract The formation and vertical motion of intermediate layers and so-called sporadic-E layers (80–150 km altitude) are thought to be predominantly under tidal control at middle and low latitudes. We refer to these layers as Tidal Ion Layers (TILs). Study of the time height trajectories of TILs, derived from Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) data obtained during the AIDA (Arecibo Initiative in Dynamics of the Atmosphere) campaign, reveals that layer trajectories are greatly influenced by geomagnetic activity when the Kp index rises above about 6 for periods greater than 3 h during the night-time. In particular, the large geomagnetic storm of 13–14 March 1989 resulted in the complete disruption of the TIL structure in the entire 80–150 km altitude range. The time of disruption of the layer structure coincided almost exactly with the time of the magnetic field disturbance recorded by mid-latitude magnetometers. We hypothesize that the layer disruption is caused by an electric field with a magnitude sufficient to overwhelm the usual V × B ion convergence mechanism (where V is the ion velocity and B is the geomagnetic field intensity). Computer simulation of ion motion, based on an ion momentum equation which incorporates both tidal wind and electric field effects, allows an estimate of the strength of the electric field for the observed disturbances. The model electric field strengths required to cause TIL disruption are in the range of 0.5 3 mV/m, perpendicular to the B field, and directed anywhere between eastward and southward.
Defibrillator Usability Study Among Paramedics

A usability test was conducted of two different manual defibrillators regularly used in the prehospital setting by emergency medical personnel. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate that design attention is needed to make manual defibrillators more error resistant and less hazardous to patient safety. Fourteen paramedics performed four tasks in a “laboratory” environment that included a computerized Laerdal SimMan™ patient simulator. Even without environmental factors and the urgency of actual life-saving situations, more than twenty user interaction problems were found. Ten of the more prominent or consistent problems found are discussed here, and a design solution is proposed for each problem.
Identifying the “typical” dysfunctional voider: Quantifying demographic, urological, and behavioural characteristics

Purpose This project examines the voiding and behavioural characteristics of children referred to a specialty voiding clinic, including the impact of incontinence on the child and family. Material and methods 175 patients have been recruited (expected recruitment by March, 2007 is 250). All new patients complete background information, including demographics and medical history, the Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Symptom Questionnaire (DVISQ; Akbal et al. J Urol 2005; 173: 969-73), school history, and questions about child and family quality of life prior to their first appointment. Results Patients are primarily female (53%) and Caucasian (70%). Mean age is 9 (range 2.5-17; SD = 3.5). 21% of parents had a high school education or less. 49% of patients were taking medication, and of those, 19% were on psychotropic medications. 14% of subjects were diagnosed with or suspected of having ADHD. Mean score on the DVISQ was 12 (range 1-29). The DVISQ was able to discriminate children with day wetting (mean score = 9.4) or night wetting (mean = 10.8) only from children wet day and night (mean = 17.1) and those who were never wet (mean = 5.1). Children with chronic health problems had higher DVISQ scores than healthy children. Higher DVISQ scores were also associated with single parent homes, poorer child and family quality of life, and poor school performance. Parents of children who were wet day and night reported poorer family quality of life as compared to parents of children who were bedwetters only. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first American study using the DVISQ scores to correlate with incontinence, social, and quality of life variables, suggesting it is a useful tool. This baseline data will enable ongoing monitoring of progress for these complex patients. Stratifying patients according to symptomatology and tailoring therapy should allow for more efficient treatment.
The Relational Health Indices for Youth: An Examination of Reliability and Validity Aspects.

Relational health, a termed coined by Liang et al. (2001) to reflect Relational-Cultural Theory concepts, is the presence of growth-fostering characteristics in significant relationships. Although ...
Energy dependence of the electron attachment cross section and the transient negative ion lifetime for p-benzoquinone and 1,4-naphthoquinone☆

Abstract Cross sections for nondissociative electron attachment to p-benzoquinone and 1,4-naphthoquinone are presented and discussed. Results are also reported showing the variation of the transient negative ion life time within the negative ion resonance for both nuclear- and electron-excited Feshbach resonances.
An optimum filter for direct A/D conversion

The author describes a design procedure to find the optimum finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter coefficients when the characteristics of the bandpass filter preceding the analog-to-digital (A/D) converter are known. A simulation of direct A/D conversion performance shows the improvement over the filter coefficients designed to minimize the maximum error over a specified band of frequencies. DC cancellation may be added to the process with very little change in the coefficients of the optimum FIR filter or its performance. >
PROPERTIES OF THE SELENIUM- AND MOLYBDENUM-CONTAINING NICOTINIC ACID HYDROXYLASE FROM CLOSTRIDIUM BARKERI

NADP+-coupled nicotinic acid hydroxylase (NAH) has been purified to near-homogeneity from Clostridium barkeri by an improved purification scheme that allowed the isolation of milligram amounts of enzyme of higher specific activity then previously reported. NAH is most stable at alkaline pH in the presence of glycerol. The protein which consists of four dissimilar subunits occurs in forms of different molecular masses. There are 5−7 Fe, 1 FAD, and 1 Mo per 160 kDa protein protomer. Mo in the enzyme is bound to a dinucleotide form of molybdopterin and is coordinated with selenium. Mo(V), flavin radical, and two Fe2S2 clusters could be observed with EPR spectroscopy. The Se cofactor which is essential for nicotinic acid hydroxylase activity could be released from NAH as a reactive low molecular weight compound by a number of denaturing procedures. Parallel losses of Se and catalytic activity were observed during purification and storage of the enzyme. Addition of sodium selenide or selenophosphate did not re...
Ultra-sensitive chip scale Sagnac gyroscope based on periodically modulated coupling of a coupled resonator optical waveguide

We analyze the sensitivity to inertial rotations Ω of a micron scale integrated gyroscope consisting of a coupled resonator optical waveguide (CROW). We show here that by periodic modulation of the evanescent coupling between resonators, the sensitivity to rotations can be enhanced by a factor up to 109 in comparison to a conventional CROW with uniform coupling between resonators. Moreover, the overall shape of the transmission through this CROW superlattice is qualitatively changed resulting in a single sharp transmission resonance located at Ω = 0s−1 instead of a broad transmission band. The modulated coupling therefore allows the CROW gyroscope to operate without phase biasing and with sensitivities suitable for inertial navigation even with the inclusion of resonator losses.
Acute management of foreign body injuries of the hand

A review of the identification of foreign body hand injuries is presented with criteria for removal of a foreign body in the emergency department. Indications for acute surgical intervention are presented, and expectant management is discussed.
Evaluating the ability of SDH to transport broadcast quality video

SDH networks have been developed to provide a common transport infrastructure which is capable of delivering not only today's voice and data services, but future broadband ATM applications. There is also an increasing demand to support broadcast television services at contribution-quality levels. Video services demand a more stringent level of timing and synchronisation performance than other services. Without care, using SDH networks to transport video will visibly degrade the quality of video service. This places new requirements on the performance, specification and evaluation of the SDH network, SDH terminal equipment and video codec equipment. This paper reviews the benefits and consequences of transporting video on SDH and the current specifications used to specify the timing performance of equipment and networks. Missing specifications are identified, which allow degradations to exist-unseen by conventional measurements. A new video wander tolerance template is presented that can be used to specify the timing performance. Finally, new methods for the evaluation of video transport performance on SDH are presented, describing the requirements for new specifications and the new metrics available.
Plasma edge and band structure of cubic HgS

Abstract Optical measurements on n -type zincblende-structure HgS reveal a plasma edge in reflectivity at 0.10eV and an interband threshold in absorption at 0.25eV. The results provide evidence that β-HgS possesses the inverted band structure of gray tin, HgTe, and HgSe. The interband threshold is interpreted as the onset of transitions across the zero gap to the Fermi level in the conduction band.
Ovariectomy expands murine short-term hemopoietic stem cell function through T cell expressed CD40L and WNT10B

Estrogen deficiency expands hemopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and mature blood lineages, but the involved mechanism and the affected HSPC populations are mostly unknown. Here we show that ovariectomy (ovx) expands short-term HSPCs (ST-HSPCs) and improves blood cell engraftment and host survival after bone marrow (BM) transplantation through a dual role of the T-cell costimulatory molecule CD40 ligand (CD40L). This surface receptor is required for ovx to stimulate T-cell production of Wnt10b, a Wnt ligand that activates Wnt signaling in HSPCs and stromal cells (SCs). Moreover, CD40L is required for ovx to increase SC production of the hemopoietic cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-7, and granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor. Attesting to the relevance of CD40L and Wnt10b, ovx fails to expand ST-HSPCs in CD40L-null mice and in animals lacking global or T-cell expression of Wnt10b. In summary, T cells expressed CD40L, and the resulting increased production of Wnt10b and hemopoietic cytokines by T cells and SCs, respectively, plays a pivotal role in the mechanism by which ovx regulates hemopoiesis. The data suggest that antiestrogens may represent pharmacological targets to improve ST-HSPC function through activation of the microenvironment.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Thermal Conductivity of Methane Hydrate

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations with the nonpolarizable SPC/E (Berendsen et al., J. Phys. Chem. 1987, 91, 6269) and the polarizable COS/G2 (Yu and van Gunsteren, J. Chem. Phys. 2004, 121, 9549) force fields have been employed to calculate the thermal conductivity and other associated properties of methane hydrate over a temperature range from 30 to 260 K. The calculated results are compared to experimental data over this same range. The values of the thermal conductivity calculated with the COS/G2 model are closer to the experimental values than are those calculated with the nonpolarizable SPC/E model. The calculations match the temperature trend in the experimental data at temperatures below 50 K; however, they exhibit a slight decrease in thermal conductivity at higher temperatures in comparison to an opposite trend in the experimental data. The calculated thermal conductivity values are found to be relatively insensitive to the occupancy of the cages except at low (T ≤ 50 K) temperatures,...
Gene therapy in Parkinson's disease: rationale and current status.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder, typified by the progressive loss of substantia nigra pars compacta dopamine neurons and the consequent decrease in the neurotransmitter dopamine. Patients exhibit a range of clinical symptoms, with the most common affecting motor function and including resting tremor, rigidity, akinesia, bradykinesia and postural instability. Current pharmacological interventions are palliative and largely aimed at increasing dopamine levels through increased production and/or inhibition of metabolism of this key neuro transmitter. The gold standard for treatment of both familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease is the peripheral administration of the dopamine precursor, levodopa. However, many patients gradually develop levodopa-induced dyskinesias and motor fluctuations. In addition, dopamine enhancement therapies are most useful when a portion of the nigrostriatal pathway is intact. Consequently, as the number of substantia nigra dopamine neurons and striatal projections decrease, these treatments become less efficacious. Current translational research is focused on the development of novel disease-modifying therapies, including those utilizing gene therapeutic approaches. Herein we present an overview of current gene therapy clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease. Employing either recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (rAAV2) or lentivirus vectors, these clinical trials are focused on three overarching approaches: augmentation of dopamine levels via increased neurotransmitter production; modulation of the neuronal phenotype; and neuroprotection. The first two therapies discussed in this article focus on increasing dopamine production via direct delivery of genes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis (amino acid decarboxylase, tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP [guanosine triphosphate] cyclohydrolase 1). In an attempt to bypass the degenerating nigrostriatal pathway, a third clinical trial utilizes rAAV2 to deliver glutamic acid decarboxylase to the subthalamic nucleus, converting a subset of excitatory neurons to GABA-producing cells. In contrast, the final clinical trial is aimed at protecting the degenerating nigrostriatum by striatal delivery of rAAV2 harbouring the neuroprotective gene, neurturin. Based on preclinical studies, this gene therapeutic approach is posited to slow disease progression by enhancing neuronal survival. In addition, we discuss the outcome of each clinical trial and discuss the potential rationale for the marginal yet incremental clinical advancements that have thus far been realized for Parkinson’s disease gene therapy.
Protein kinase C activates the renal apical membrane Na+/H+ exchanger.

Studies were performed on purified brush-border membranes from the kidney of the rabbit to examine the relation between protein kinase C and the Na+/H+ exchanger in these membranes. The brush-border membranes were transiently opened by exposure to hypotonic media and the membrane proteins phosphorylated by exposure to ATP and phorbol esters or partially purified protein kinase C. The membranes were resealed and the intravesicular space acidified by incubation in a sodium-free isotonic solution (pH 5.5). The rate of uptake of 1mm 22Na+ (pH 7.5), with and without amiloride (1mm), was assayed and the proton gradient-stimulated, amiloride-inhibitable component of22Na+ taken as a measure of the activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger. 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increased the amiloride-sensitive component of22Na+ uptake TPA did not affect the amiloride-insensitive component of22Na+ uptake or the equilibrium concentration of sodium. TPA also did not affect the rate of dissipation of the proton gradient in the absence of sodium or the rate of sodium-dependent or-independent uptake ofd-glucose. Other “active” phorbol esters stimulated the rate of Na+/H+ exchange, but phorbol esters of the 4 α configuration did not. Incubation of the opened membranes in partially purified protein kinase C increased the rate of proton gradient-stimulated, amiloride-inhibitable sodium uptake. The stimulatory effect of TPA and protein kinase C was not additive. In the absence of ATP, neither TPA nor protein kinase C affected Na+/H+ exchange transport. To determine the membrane-bound protein substrates, parallel experiments were conducted with γ-[32P] ATP in the phosphorylating solutions. The reaction was stopped by SDS and the phosphoproteins resolved by PAGE and autoradiography. TPA stimulation of protein kinase C resulted in phosphorylation of approximately 13 membrane-bound proteins ranging in apparent molecule from 15,000 to 140,000 daltons. These studies indicate that activation of endogenous renal brush-border protein kinase C by phorbol esters or exposure of these membranes to exogenous protein kinase C increases the rate of proton gradient-stimulated, amiloride-inhibitable sodium transport. Protein kinase C activation also results in phosphorylation of a finite number of membrane-bound proteins.
A case of pelvic arteriovenous malformation in a male.

Background: Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is rare especially in males. We present a case of pelvic AVM in a 38-year-old male. He was admitted to our hospital with left flank abdominal pain and painless gross hematuria. Methods/Discussion: Pelvic computed tomography demonstrated a homogeneous contrast-enhanced mass, 6 cm in diameter. For diagnosis, non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and color Doppler ultrasonography were very useful in our case. Though the treatment is controversial, we decided to monitor his clinical course.
Hole detection on aluminum plates using inductive learning

This work discusses the effects of inherent variabilities on the damage identification problem and the creation of a practical damage identification method. Variability is present any time there are factors which have the potential to change during the course of the damage identification process. There are many variabilities which are inherent in damage identification and can cause problems when attempting to detect damage. Manufacturing variability is one of these variabilities and is shown experimentally to be a `non-qualifiable' one. Inductive learning is a tool which has been proposed to be an effective method of performing damage identification. This method is modified to accommodate manufacturing variability and shown to successfully detect hole damage on aluminum plates.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A planned hybrid culotte stenting procedure in the setting of an acute STEMI.

Introduction: Bifurcation lesions have traditionally presented a unique problem for interventional cardiologists because of their inherent anatomy and risk of closure of the side branch, after a percutaneous intervention for the primary lesion of the main branch. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 57-year-old man who presented with acute STsegment elevation myocardial infarction secondary to a 100% occlusion at the ostium of first diagonal (D1) branch. Patient also had a 70% stenosis of the mid-segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery at the D1 branching point (1,1,1 Medina classification). A bare metal stent (BMS) was deployed at the site of the culprit lesion in the D1, while a drug eluting stent (DES) was placed in the LAD. We believe that the BMS at the culprit thrombotic, inflamed site in D1 is more likely to re endothelialize than a DES and the DES in the LAD, is less likely to re-stenose than a BMS. Conclusion: This is the only reported case, where in the setting of an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, a hybrid Culotte technique was successfully performed with excellent longterm results, thus achieving an acceptable balance of risks between restenosis (in the case of a BMS) and stent thrombosis (in the case of a DES).
Loneliness and Relationally Competent Communication

Loneliness is seen as a common social experience, best understood through the mechanisms whereby actors attribute causes for their loneliness. From an attributional perspective, the effects of loneliness chronicity on relational, or communicative, competence are delineated in three hypotheses and empirically tested among dyads involved in a conversational exercise. The hypotheses are generally supported, revealing that chronically lonely people generally do not perceive themselves or others as relationally competent and are perceived as incompetent by others as well.
On the Abstract Properties of Linear Dependence

Let C1 , C2 ,· · · ,Cm be the columns of a matrix M. Any subset of these columns is either linearly independent or linearly dependent; the subsets thus fall into two classes. These classes are not arbitrary; for instance, the two following theorems must hold
Motor system contributions to verbal and non-verbal working memory.

Working memory (WM) involves the ability to maintain and manipulate information held in mind. Neuroimaging studies have shown that secondary motor areas activate during WM for verbal content (e.g., words or letters), in the absence of primary motor area activation. This activation pattern may reflect an inner speech mechanism supporting online phonological rehearsal. Here, we examined the causal relationship between motor system activity and WM processing by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to manipulate motor system activity during WM rehearsal. We tested WM performance for verbalizable (words and pseudowords) and non-verbalizable (Chinese characters) visual information. We predicted that disruption of motor circuits would specifically affect WM processing of verbalizable information. We found that TMS targeting motor cortex slowed response times on verbal WM trials with high (pseudoword) vs. low (real word) phonological load. However, non-verbal WM trials were also significantly slowed with motor TMS. WM performance was unaffected by sham stimulation or TMS over visual cortex. Self-reported use of motor strategy predicted the degree of motor stimulation disruption on WM performance. These results provide evidence of the motor system’s contributions to verbal and non-verbal WM processing. We speculate that the motor system supports WM by creating motor traces consistent with the type of information being rehearsed during maintenance.
Crazing and shear deformation in crosslinked polystyrene

Thin films of polystyrene (PS) are bonded to copper grids and crosslinked with electron irradiation. When the films are strained in tension regions of local plastic deformation, either crazed or plane stress deformation zones (DZs), nucleate and grow from dust particles. the nature of the local deformation, as well as the local extension ration λ, is determined by transmission electron microscopy. The behavior of the PS glass is consistent with its being a network of molecular strands of total density v = vE + vX, where vE is the entangled strand density inferred from melt elasticity measurements of uncrosslinked PS and vX is the density of crosslinked strands determined from the ratio of the applied electron dose to the electron dose for gelation. when v is less than 4 × 1025 m−3 ( 20% in PS with v = 33 × 1025 m−3 (v = 10vE); crosslinking to still higher crosslink densities, e.g., v = 14vE, results in cracks which propagate in a catastrophic manner at low applied strains. An optimum v thus exists, one not too high to suppress local shear ductility but high enough to suppress crazes which can act as crack nucleation sites. these results are compared with previous results on a variety of linear homopolymers, copolymers, and polymer blends that are characterized by a wide range of v (v = vE). The transitions from crazing to crazing plus shear and from crazing plus shear to shear only take place at almost identical values of v. In addition the correlation between λ in the crazes and DZs and λmax for a single network strand is the same for both classes of polymers. This agreement implies that chain scission is the major mechanism by which strands in the entanglement network are removed in forming fibril surfaces. Craze suppression, by either increasing v in the crosslinked polymer or vE in the uncrosslinked ones, is due to the extra energy required to break more main-chain bonds to form these surfaces.
Optimization of LPCVD silicon nitride deposition process by use of designed experiments

A low-pressure chemical-vapor-deposition (LPCVD) nitride process that was characterized for film uniformity and particle density is described. The appropriate factors and levels for an optimization experiment were established. A full factorial experiment and a Taguchi orthogonal array were selected. A confirmation run was processed to verify the optimum factor level settings from two design methodologies. SPC methods, (as measured by C/sub p/) were used to measure an overall process improvement for film uniformity. Particle trends for the implemented process are compared to particle trends on a previously used process. >
EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNE COMPLEX DISEASE OF THE LUNG THE PATHOGENESIS OF A LABORATORY MODEL RESEMBLING CERTAIN HUMAN INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASES

Membranous and/or proliferative pneumonitis, similar in certain features to human interstitial pneumonitis, developed in rabbits making hyperactive antibody response to daily injections of bovine serum albumin (BSA) administered in multiple large doses sufficient to maintain the state of relative antigen-antibody equivalence. The pulmonary lesions were associated with deposition in alveolar capillary walls and interstitium of antigen, host globulin and complement, presumably in immune complexes. In some rabbits chronic interstitial pneumonitis, characterized by thickening of alveolar capillary walls, interstitial fibrosis and deposition of fibrinogen, was observed. The production of immune complex pneumonitis seems to depend on the degree of the antibody response because rabbits developing chronic serum sickness with low doses of BSA, rabbits with acute serum sickness as well as nonresponders showed no pulmonary alterations. This observation is comparable to that described by Dixon in his studies on experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis. It is conceivable that the pulmonary pathology shown here is produced by formation of larger amounts of complexes which may persist longer at critical levels in the circulation than in rabbits immunized with a single daily injection of BSA. In conclusion this study suggests: first, that experimental chronic serum sickness can be used as a model, not only for glomerulonephritis, but also for experimental systemic disease, comparable to human systemic diseases produced by circulating antigen-antibody complexes; and second, that the pathogenesis proposed here offers an alternative to using antilung basement membrane pneumonitis for the experimental approach to the study of human lung immunopathology.
The bromoketone - phenol rearrangement

Abstract Reaction of ketone 1 with phosphorus pentabromide or bromine results in bromination (or dibromination) at C-4. The resulting α-bromoketones rearrange rapidly in acid solutions to yield phenols 2 and 3 .
Acoustical evaluation of a prototype sector-vortex phased-array applicator

A prototype sector-vortex phased-array applicator for ultrasound hyperthermia was constructed and acoustically evaluated. The array transducer consists of special lead-titanate ceramic elements of 16 sectors and two tracks attached on a element is driven by a complementary pair of power MOSFETs at 750 kHz. An annular focal field approximated by the Mth order Bessel function is theoretically predicted to be formed when the array elements are driven with a phase distribution that rotates M ( >
Manifold Clustering of Shapes

Shape clustering can significantly facilitate the automatic labeling of objects present in image collections. For example, it could outline the existing groups of pathological cells in a bank of cyto-images; the groups of species on photographs collected from certain aerials; or the groups of objects observed on surveillance scenes from an office building. Here we demonstrate that a nonlinear projection algorithm such as Isomap can attract together shapes of similar objects, suggesting the existence of isometry between the shape space and a low dimensional nonlinear embedding. Whenever there is a relatively small amount of noise in the data, the projection forms compact, convex clusters that can easily be learned by a subsequent partitioning scheme. We further propose a modification of the Isomap projection based on the concept of degree-bounded minimum spanning trees. The proposed approach is demonstrated to move apart bridged clusters and to alleviate the effect of noise in the data.
Glucocorticoids and dietary iron regulate postnatal intestinal heavy and light ferritin expression in rats

To cope with increasing dietary iron exposure, the intestinal epithelium of weaning rats must control intracellular labile iron pools. Intestinal expression of heavy (H) and light (L) ferritin subu...
Knowledge of the animal welfare act and animal welfare regulations influences attitudes toward animal research.

Recent public-opinion polls indicate that Americans have shown a decline in support for animal experimentation, and several reports suggest a relationship between people's knowledge of animal welfare regulations and their attitudes toward animal research. Therefore, this study was designed to assess respondent's knowledge of several provisions in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and Animal Welfare Regulations (AWR), and determine whether exposure to elements of this legislation would influence an individual's attitudes toward the use of animals in research. A survey was used to assess knowledge of animal research regulations and attitudes toward animal research from a sample of individuals recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing marketplace. Results from study 1 confirmed the hypothesis that respondents had little knowledge of various federal regulations that govern animal research activities. Data from study 2 revealed that exposure to elements of the AWA and AWR influenced participants’ attitudes toward the use of animals in research. These results suggest that providing information to the general public about the AWA and AWR that protect laboratory animals from abuse and neglect may help alleviate concerns about using animals in research settings.
Reducing gastrointestinal anastomotic leak rates: review of challenges and solutions

Various techniques and interventions have been developed in an effort to obviate gas- trointestinal anastomotic leaks. This review is intended to delineate potential modifications that can be made to reduce the risk of anastomotic leaks following gastrointestinal surgery. It may also serve to aid in identifying patients who are at increased risk of anastomotic leak. Modifiable risk factors for leak discussed include malnutrition, smoking, steroid use, bowel preparation, chemotherapy, duration of surgery, use of pressors, intravenous fluid administration, blood transfusion, and sur - gical anastomotic technique. Based upon literature review, operative techniques should include minimizing operative time, reducing ischemia, and utilizing stapled anastomoses. Buttressing of anastomoses with omentum has proven utility for esophageal surgery. Further recommendations include 5-7 days of immune-modifying nutritional supplementation for malnourished patients, discontinuation of smoking in the perioperative period, limiting steroid use, utilization of oral antibiotic preparation for colorectal surgery, avoidance of early operations (,4 weeks) following
Non‐Salient Geographic Variation in Birdsong in a Species That Learns by Improvisation

Geographic variation in birdsong and differential responses of territorial males to local and non-local song variants have been documented in a number of songbird species in which males learn their songs through imitation. Here, we investigated geographic song variation and responses to local and non-local song in the grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), a species in which males develop song by improvisation rather than imitation, as a first step toward understanding how the extent and salience of geographic song variation is related to the mode of song development. To describe the geographic variation in song, we compared songs from populations in eastern Maryland and central Ohio, USA, using multiple acoustic analysis techniques. We then conducted a playback experiment in Maryland using local and non-local (Ohio) songs to test how territorial males responded to this geographic variation. We found acoustic differences between songs from the two sites. However, males responded similarly to playback of these songs, suggesting that this geographic variation is not behaviorally salient in a territorial context. Together with previous studies, our results suggest that across species, geographic song variation and the extent to which this variation functions in communication may be correlated with the accuracy with which song models are imitated during song development.
Abstract 5365: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in subsets of precursor B-cells isolated from umbilical cord blood.

Tissue specific DNA methylation is accountable for regulating gene expression and cellular differentiation during normal human development. Aberrant tissue specific gene regulation may lead to the development of many disease states including cancer. Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation (methylome) in both healthy and diseased tissue is essential to understand the functional consequence of altered DNA methylation. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy associated with precursor B-cells. In order to gain a better understanding of the role of altered DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of ALL, it is essential that we characterize the DNA methylation present in healthy precursor B-cells. Umbilical cord blood is enriched for precursor B-cells and is used as a source of hematopoietic stem cells in the treatment of blood related disorders and malignancies. To study the methylome in healthy precursor B-cells, we have optimized a protocol to isolate 4 subsets of precursor B-cells from umbilical cord blood, and to then generate MBD-seq libraries from the small amount of genomic DNA ( Subsets of precursor B-cells were isolated from cord blood based on the level of expression of cell surface antigen. Initially mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-plaque followed by magnetic labeling and depletion of non B-cells. B-cells were labeled with antibodies against CD19, CD34 and CD45 surface antigens and sorted by flow cytometry. Based on expression level of surface antigen, four different subsets of precursor B-cells were sorted (CD19+/CD34+; CD19+/CD34-/CD45low; CD19+/CD34-/CD45med; and CD19+/CD34-/CD45high). Immediately after cell sorting, DNA was isolated by using a commercially available kit. The entire amount of DNA from CD19+/CD34+ and CD19+/CD34-/CD45low ( Citation Format: Md Almamun, Kristen H. Taylor. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in subsets of precursor B-cells isolated from umbilical cord blood. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5365. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5365
The New Reality: Media Technology and Urban Fortress

Advocates of the “information superhighway” claim that it will create a more democratic society and that it will help abolish ethnic and social barriers. On the contrary, the new technology is more likely to further segregation than to establish a forum for interaction among all fragments of society. This article, based on a series of case studies, explores the impact of the information superhighway on America's urban landscape—from the privatization of public space to the fortification of the backyard—and reveals a changing attitude toward public space in America.
Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Intra-Provincial Economic Inequality in Less Developed Provinces

This paper investigates regional inequality in Guangxi, one of the poorest provinces in China, with the multistage nested Theil decomposition method and the Markov chain analysis. It follows the multi-scale framework based on a dataset of 89 counties in Guangxi province from 1989 to 2012.The conclusions are drawn as follows: Regional inequality in Guangxi is sensitive to geographical scale, and inter-county inequality is the widest. The gap of inter-municipality is also wide, but there is a relatively balanced economic development among the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone, the Xijiang River Economic Belt and the resource- rich area of Western Guangxi. We also find that increasing regional inequality is mainly a result of rising interregional inequality. The uneven development of the Xijiang River Economic Belt has accounted for 55.62%of the overall inter-county inequality. We reveal a trend of increasing rural-urban disparity and find internal inequality between rural counties and urban districts is the dominant driving force. The Markov chain analysis reveals that there are four convergence clubs of regional economic development during 1989~2012, namely, the rich club,the developed club, the less developed club and the poor club. The results show that less developed regions are likely to fall into the"poverty trap". Compared with the period from 1989 to 1999, club convergence is more obvious during2000~2012. The four convergence clubs distribute in a ring-shape pattern. The rich club locates at the core area, including mainly municipal districts and gradually spreading to neighboring counties, while the poor club mainly distributes in the resource- rich area of Western Guangxi. The less developed club is concentrated around the developed club, which aggregates around the rich club. A majority of the counties remain a steady status, with increasing number of counties moving up.
Recombinant protein of Schistosoma japonicum calpain induced antibody production and detection of schistosoma infection.

Objective To study the immunogenicity of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum (S japonicum) calpain and its application in the detection of Schistosome infection Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant calpain,IgG antibodies and its subclass (IgG1,IgG2 a,IgG2 b,IgG3) were detected with ELISA,and calpain recombinant protein was used as diagnostic antigen in the detection of antibody against S japonicum form patients The sera from patients with Clonorchis sinensis were used as cross-reaction control Results Specific antibody reached its highest level,IgG1,IgG2 a,IgG2 b significantly increased in the sera of immunized mice 4 weeks after immunization as compared with that of the control mice The coincidence rate of detection of S japonicum infection using recombinant calpain diagnostic antigen was 100% with that of stool examination It was also noticed that lightly infected sera showed a stronger reaction with the recombinant calpain than those of moderate and heavily infected sera 37% patients with Clonorchis sinensis showed cross-reaction with S japonicum recombinant calpain protein Conclusion S japonicum calpain is an immunogenic protein that is capable of stimulating the production of high level antibody against S japanicum,indicating that it can be used as a candidate vaccine and the antigen for immunodiagnosis of patients with S japanicum