cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aberrant axon-Schwann cell junctions in dystrophic mouse nerves

'Amyelinated' axons in the spinal roots of dystrophic mouse nerves lack typical nodal and paranodal membrane specializations. However, at the periphery of the amyelinated bundles some of the naked axons form aberrant junctions with Schwann cells belonging to neighbouring myelinated axons. These junctions are characterized by a narrow intercellular cleft containing regularly-spaced densities that closely resemble the 'transverse bands' found at paranodal axoglial junctions with respect to both configuration and spacing. In addition, the Schwann cells sometimes extend fingerlike projections towards amyelinated axons in regions where the axolemma has a dense cytoplasmic undercoating. Such regions resemble nodes of Ranvier, where Schwann cell processes interlace over the axolemma. Freeze-fracture replicas show no typical nodal or paranodal membrane specializations in the amyelinated fibres where they are apposed to each other. However, isolated paracrystalline patches of membrane occur corresponding to the aberrant junctions between amyelinated axons and Schwann cells at the periphery of the bundles. The observations show that structural differentiation of the axolemma occurs only where axons are in intimate contact with myelinating cells and does not develop independently in the amyelinated regions. Sodium channels, which are normally concentrated in the specialized nodal membrane, are, therefore, probably distributed uniformly along the amyelinated axon segments that show no sign of such regional differentiation. In addition, it is shown that Schwann cells are capable of forming specialized junctions with more than one axon at the same time.
Atherosclerosis and polyps of the colon. Quantification of precursors of coronary heart disease and colon cancer

The prevalence of adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps of the colon and the degree of involvement of the aorta by atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated in 842 autopsies from New Orleans. A positive statistical association between the two variables was found in white males under 75 years of age. In black males a positive correlation between atherosclerotic lesions and adenomatous (but not hyperplastic) polyps was found. The most extensive involvement of the aorta by atherosclerosis was found in patients in whom adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps coincided. The possibilities that dietary factors may account for these findings and its relevance in relation to colon cancer and coronary heart disease are discussed.
Estrogen receptor-β regulates transcript levels for oxytocin and arginine vasopressin in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of male mice

Estrogen receptor (ER)-beta, unlike ER-alpha, is localized in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) which also contains neuropeptide synthesizing neurons, such as oxytocin (OT), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Although it is known that some ER-beta containing neurons co-express OT and AVP, but not CRH, in the PVN, it is not yet determined whether ER-beta activation may indeed play a role in estrogenic regulation on syntheses of these neuropeptides. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis by comparing the effects of estrogen on the levels of OT, AVP and CRH messenger RNA (mRNA) between ER-beta knockout (betaERKO) and wild type (WT) control male mice. Mice were gonadectomized and implanted with either a pellet containing estradiol benzoate (2.5-5.0 microg/day) or a placebo pellet for 21 days. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that estrogen treatment resulted in a significant increase in OT transcripts (151.6+/-6.0%) and a decrease in AVP transcripts (77.8+/-5.2%) in the PVN of WT mice, compared to the placebo control group. This estrogenic regulation of OT and AVP mRNA levels in the PVN was completely abolished in betaERKO mice. Similar genotype differences in the effects of estrogen on the numbers of OT- and AVP-containing cells were found in immunocytochemical studies performed in a separate set of mice. On the other hand, the expression of CRH mRNA in the PVN was not affected by estrogen treatment in either WT or betaERKO mice. Furthermore, estrogen did not cause any changes in the levels of OT or AVP mRNA, regardless of genotype, in the supraoptic nucleus where, unlike in rats, ER-beta containing neurons are rarely found in mice. Finally, estrogen significantly increased OT mRNA levels in both betaERKO and WT in the medial preoptic area, which contains both ER-alpha and ER-beta. These results suggest that ER-beta activation may play a critical role in estrogenic regulation of OT and AVP gene expression in the PVN.
Vitamin E, but not pioglitazone, improved nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in nondiabetic patients

Source Citation Sanyal AJ, Chalasani N, Kowdley KV, et al. Pioglitazone, vitamin E, or placebo for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. N Engl J Med. 2010;362;1675-85. 20427778
The electropotential difference between the blastocoel and the external medium in the amphibian embryo: its similarity to the adult frog trans-skin potential.

Abstract Electrophysiological studies using micro-electrodes have shown that the blastocoel fluid of the Rana pipiens embryo was 35 to 40 mV positive with respect to an external solution of 0.1 strength Ringer's. There was no significant change in potential difference from developmental stage 8 to stage 10. Replacement of external sodium ion with choline ion was followed by a slow decrease in potential suggesting that the potential is a result of sodium transfer from the medium into the blastocoel fluid. The potential was also sensitive to antidiuretic hormone, increasing 20 per cent when 10 milli- units of Pitressin were added per ml of medium. The results suggest that the late blastula and early gastrula have a mechanism for accumulating sodium from a low external concentration similar to that reported for adult frog skin.
Judging Words by Their Covers and the Company They Keep: Probabilistic Cues Support Word Learning.

Statistical learning may be central to lexical and grammatical development. The phonological and distributional properties of words provide probabilistic cues to their grammatical and semantic properties. Infants can capitalize on such probabilistic cues to learn grammatical patterns in listening tasks. However, infants often struggle to learn labels when performance requires attending to less obvious cues, raising the question of whether probabilistic cues support word learning. The current experiment presented 22-month-olds with an artificial language containing probabilistic correlations between words' statistical and semantic properties. Only infants with higher levels of grammatical development capitalized on statistical cues to support learning word-referent mappings. These findings suggest that infants' sensitivity to correlations between sounds and meanings may support both word learning and grammatical development.
A MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL FACTORS IN THE FORCED EXPIRATION

A one compartment, mechanical model of the human lung-thorax system is presented and mathematically analyzed. The equation relating the thoracic muscular stress to the expired air volume is developed and investigated. Assuming that the pressure drop along the airways is a linear function of air flow rate and that the effective lung-thorax compliance is constant, a form for the muscular stress as a function of time is developed. This is used to predict volume-time and flow-volume curves, which are compared to those measured on a normal individual. It appears that these theoretical results have the essential characteristics of the experimental curves. These results, coupled with the one-to-one correspondence between the parameters of the model and those of the prototype, suggest that this model should have great utility in the study of ventilatory mechanics.
Pre-attentive processing of audition and touch: A high-density electrical mapping study of multisensory mismatch negativity

Human and animal neurophysiological studies have shown that the auditory and tactile systems interact both early in time, and early in the cortical processing hierarchy. The question remains as to the functional significance of these multisensory interactions that are observed prior to 100 ms post-stimulus onset in both auditory and tactile cortices. We sought to test the hypothesis that this cross-talk occurs during preattentive sensory processing. The mismatch negativity (MMN), an electrophysiological response associated with the pre-attentive detection of a change within the context of a regular pattern of stimulation, served as the dependent measure. High-density electrophysiological recordings were made in healthy adults who viewed a silent movie while they were presented a stream of blocked tactile, auditory or audio-tactile stimuli consisting of frequent and infrequent stimuli. The mismatch waveforms were calculated by subtracting the frequent from the infrequent evoked potential. In Experiment 1 and 2, we investigated the cross sensory interactions to duration and frequency change, respectively. For both experiments we measure tactile, auditory and audio-tactile MMN. The scalp data showed fronto-central negative topographies for both the frequency and duration multisensory MMNs, which is typical of auditory alone mismatches. Cross-sensory interactions between the sensory channels were assessed by testing for non-linearity of the multisensory MMNs when compared to the sum of the unisensory MMNs. In the duration change paradigm the multisensory mismatch showed no cross sensory interaction between audition and touch, suggesting that duration is processed in sensory specific cortices. In contrast, in the frequency change paradigm the multisensory mismatch exhibited non-linear interactions beginning at ∼180 ms, and was consistent with preattentive cross-talk among the tactile and auditory temporal frequency processing streams. Our results suggest that different networks might underlie the processing of duration whereas there is cross-sensory interaction at the sensory perceptual level of audition and tactile for frequency processing.
PCBs and OH-PCBs in Serum from Children and Mothers in Urban and Rural U.S. Communities

East Chicago, Indiana is a heavily industrialized community bisected by the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal, which volatilizes ∼7.5 kg/yr polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In contrast, the rural Columbus Junction, Iowa area has no known current or past PCB industrial sources. Blood from children and their mothers from these communities were collected April 2008 to January 2009 (n = 177). Sera were analyzed for all 209 PCBs and 4 hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs). Sum PCBs ranged from nondetect to 658 ng/g lw (median = 33.5 ng/g lw). Sum OH-PCBs ranged from nondetect to 1.2 ng/g fw (median = 0.07 ng/g fw). These concentrations are similar to those reported in other populations without high dietary PCB intake. Differences between the two communities were subtle. PCBs were detected in more East Chicago mothers and children than Columbus Junction mothers and children, and children from East Chicago were enriched in lower-molecular weight PCBs. East Chicago and Columbus Junction residents had similar levels of total a...
The Harmful Role of C5a on Innate Immunity in Sepsis

There is accumulating evidence in humans and in experimental sepsis that robust activation of the complement system occurs along with development of defects in the innate immune system. In this report we review evidence that the complement activation product, C5a, appears in the plasma of rodents following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). C5a interacts with its receptors (C5aR, C5L2) on phagocytes (polymorphonuclear neutrophils, PMNs, macrophages), ultimately paralyzing the ERK1/2 pathway of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. C5a is also interactive with its receptors on a variety of other cell types in various organs. Interaction of C5a with receptors on PMNs results in compromised innate immunity, with intense suppression of phagocytosis, chemotaxis and the respiratory burst. Endothelial cells acquire a pro-inflammatory phenotype (increased ICAM-1 and tissue factor expression), while macrophages are primed and produce large amounts of cytokines/chemokines. All of these outcomes are C5a and C5a receptor dependent. CLP also unleashes activation of clotting (and fibrinolytic) factors in a C5a-dependent manner. Finally, thymocytes upregulate C5aR and react with C5a, resulting in apoptosis via the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway. Collectively, these findings suggest that interception of C5a in sepsis preserves innate immune functions and may be a strategy for treatment of septic humans.
Local scale invariance, Cantorian space–time and unified field theory

Abstract We develop field theoretic arguments for the unification of relativistic gravity with standard model interactions on El Naschie's Cantorian space–time. The work proceeds by showing the equivalence between the fundamental principle of local gauge invariance and the local scale invariance of space–time and matter fields undergoing critical behavior on high-energy scales. We focus on the transition boundary between the classical and non-classical regimes, the latter being characterized by generalized scaling laws with continuously varying exponents. Both relativistic gravity and standard model interactions emerge from the underlying geometry of Cantorian space–time near this transition boundary.
Towards run-time adaptation of test cases for self-adaptive systems in the face of uncertainty

Self-adaptive systems (SAS) may be subjected to conditions for which they were not explicitly designed. For those high-assurance SAS applications that must deliver critical services, techniques are needed to ensure that only acceptable behavior is provided. While testing an SAS at design time can validate its expected behaviors in known circumstances, testing at run time provides assurance that the SAS will continue to behave as expected in uncertain situations. This paper introduces Veritas, an approach for using utility functions to guide the test adaptation process as part of a run-time testing framework. Specifically, Veritas adapts test cases for an SAS at run time to ensure that the SAS continues to execute in a safe and correct manner when adapting to handle changing environmental conditions.
Desipramine treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and tic disorder or Tourette's syndrome.

Abstract Although as many as 50% of patients with Tourette's syndrome (TS) also meet diagnostic criteria for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), until recently little attention has been paid to ADHD symptoms in the assessment of therapeutic outcome of TS or patients with chronic motor tics (CMT). Because antipsychotics are of limited value in controlling the symptoms of ADHD and stimulants can exacerbate tics, alternative treatments for patients with chronic tic disorder (CTD) (TS or CMT) plus ADHD (CTD + ADHD) patients are direly needed. We examined the efficacy of the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline in the treatment of pediatric patients with CTD + ADHD ascertained from systematic chart reviews of all subjects with this diagnosis treated with nortriptyline. Of the 12 identified patients, 67% had significant improvement in CTD symptomatology and 92% significantly improved ADHD symptoms without major adverse effects over an average follow-up period of 19 months. Although the conclusions from this retrospective report can be only seen as preliminary until replicated in a controlled investigation, the magnitude and persistence of the response is encouraging and suggest a therapeutic role for nortriptyline in the treatment of CTD + ADHD patients.
Managing Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

In patients with acute decompensated heart failure, an important first step is to determine the factors that precipitated the deterioration in cardiac function or increased the body’s demand. Such factors can include myocardial ischemia, poorly controlled hypertension, atrial fibrillation, anemia, thyroid disease, noncompliance with medications, excessive salt or fluid intake, as well as deterioration in kidney function. Patients often require management in an intensive care unit setting, which allows for gradual volume removal, telemetric monitoring, and ongoing electrolyte replacement. Patients with end-stage heart failure may progressively deteriorate despite maximal medical therapy. Some patients with end-stage heart failure are candidates for a ventricular assist device or cardiac transplantation; for those who are not, end-of-life care should be openly discussed. Precipitants of heart failure can include systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, acute dysrhythmia, or valvular heart disease. Vigilance for the triggers of heart failure exacerbations gives the physician the best chance of recognizing the occasional patient with a reversible cause.
Heparin-precipitable cryoprecipitate in a child with cold urticaria

Cold urticaria occurs occasionally in childhood and is associated at times with cryoglobulinemia, cold hemolysins, or cryofibrinogenemia. We describe here a patient who has cold urticaria associated with increased levels of heparin sodium-precipitable cryoprecipitate (HPC); to our knowledge, such a case has not been previously reported. Report of a Case .—A 10-year-old girl was first seen in November 1976 because of urticaria accompanied by arthralgia. The previously well child had an intensely pruritic eruption of the feet develop after a swimming lesson. This resolved spontaneously within eight hours. Two days later, urticaria was noted from the waist to the feet after attendance at a night football game. Subsequent long outdoor exposures induced urticaria on the trunk, face, and legs and swelling of the fingers. Occasionally, the eruptions were accompanied by pain in the hips, shoulders, and right ankle. Cyproheptadine hydrochloride therapy did not diminish the urticaria. The history was unremarkable,
Data-driven modeling of background and mine-related acidity and metals in river basins

Abstract A novel application of self-organizing map (SOM) and multivariate statistical techniques is used to model the nonlinear interaction among basin mineral-resources, mining activity, and surface-water quality. First, the SOM is trained using sparse measurements from 228 sample sites in the Animas River Basin, Colorado. The model performance is validated by comparing stochastic predictions of basin-alteration assemblages and mining activity at 104 independent sites. The SOM correctly predicts (>98%) the predominant type of basin hydrothermal alteration and presence (or absence) of mining activity. Second, application of the Davies–Bouldin criteria to k-means clustering of SOM neurons identified ten unique environmental groups. Median statistics of these groups define a nonlinear water-quality response along the spatiotemporal hydrothermal alteration-mining gradient. These results reveal that it is possible to differentiate among the continuum between inputs of background and mine-related acidity and metals, and it provides a basis for future research and empirical model development.
Spacelab experiments on space motion sickness

Recent research results from ground and flight experiments on motion sickness and space sickness conducted by the Man Vehicle Laboratory are reviewed. New tools developed include a mathematical model for motion sickness, a method for quantitative measurements of skin pallor and blush in ambulatory subjects, and a magnitude estimation technique for ratio scaling of nausea or discomfort. These have been used to experimentally study the time course of skin pallor and subjective symptoms in laboratory motion sickness. In prolonged sickness, subjects become hypersensitive to nauseogenic stimuli. Results of a Spacelab-1 flight experiment are described in which four observers documented the stimulus factors for and the symptoms/signs of space sickness. The clinical character of space sickness differs somewhat from acute laboratory motion sickness. However SL-1 findings support the view that space sickness is fundamentally a motion sickness. Symptoms were subjectively alleviated by head movement restriction, maintenance of a familiar orientation with respect to the visual environment, and wedging between or strapping onto surfaces which provided broad contact cues confirming the absence of body motion.
Calorimetric study of phase transitions in nanocomposites of quantum dots and a liquid crystal

The complex specific heat is measured over a wide temperature range for the liquid crystal (LC) 4-cyano-4-octylbiphenyl (8CB) and cadmium sulfate quantum dots (QDs) composites as a function of QD concentration. The thermal scans were performed under near-equilibrium conditions for all samples having QDs weight percent (φw) from 0 to 3wt% over a wide range of temperature well above and below the two transitions in pure 8CB. Isotropic (I) to nematic (N) and nematic to smectic-A (SmA) phase transitions evolve in character and their transition temperatures offset by (∼2.3 to 2.6 K) lower for all composite samples as compared to that in pure 8CB. The enthalpy change associated with I–N phase transitions shows slightly different behavior on heating and cooling and it also shows crossover behavior at lower and higher QD content. The enthalpy change associated with N–SmA phase transitions is independent of QD loading and thermal treatment. Given the homogeneous and random distribution of QD in these nanocomposite...
HUMAN TEAR pH—HOW INDIVIDUALISED?

Although tear pH variations regularly occurred within the sampled hours of the day, and at the same hours from day to day, these variations were small for the population as a whole, and were found to be considerably more restricted for the average patient.
The influence of oxymetholone on the HCG stimulated corpus luteum

Abstract To determine whether HCG administration during the luteal phase will counteract the “luteolytic” effects of oxymetholone in humans (shortening of luteal phase length and decrease of blood progesterone), five women were studied during a total of 15 cycles. Blood progesterone levels were estimated during treatment with oxymetholone only, with HCG only, and with HCG employed simultaneously with oxymetholone. In the presence of HCG, oxymetholone did not evoke precipitous menstrual bleeding; on the contrary, the luteal phase length was extended in the same way as with HCG treatment only. The ovarian progesterone output was increased: by an average of 70 percent over the control values, and by an average of 105 percent over values in the cycles with oxymetholone treatment only. It is concluded that although oxymetholone interferes with the corpus luteum function of the normal luteal phase, this action is insufficient to interfere with the HCG stimulated corpus luteum. It is suggested that the HCG test be performed with compounds designated for post-conceptional fertility control.
Individual Differences in Affective, Evaluative, and Behavioral Responses to an Erotic Film1

The current research sought to replicate and explore further unexpected pilot data indicating that negative reactions to filmed erotica may be associated with post-exposure increases in sexual activity. Subjects (31 males, 31 females) viewed an erotic film; background variables, affective, evaluative, and sexual-behavioral responses were assessed. Compared to individuals who evaluated the film as relatively nonpornographic, those who rated it as pornographic reported more restrictive sexual socialization experiences and more negative attitudes towards sex, responded to the film with more negative affect, and showed greater increases in sexual activity subsequent to exposure (all p <.05). Additional analyses provided some evidence that evaluations mediated behavioral responses to the stimulus. Cognitive labeling, transfer of arousal, and disinhibition considerations which may account for the relationship between responses to erotica and post-exposure sexual activity were discussed.
Some remarks on the Gu $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{n} $$ agu $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{n} $$ ibhedabha $$\dot n$$ ga chapter in Udayana's ?tmatattvaviveka

But under the requirement of philosophic consistency, and the impact of the perfectly valid reflection that experience is always my experience, and never part of some object independent of me, the world shrinks to the extension of my experience only, and I am left with bundles of my sensations. What are the natural consequences of such an epistemological sophistication?
High frequency AlN MEMS resonators with integrated nano hot plate for temperature controlled operation

This paper presents the design and experimental verification of the first MEMS resonator ovenized by means of an integrated nano hot plate suspended over the micromechanical resonant element. This first prototype is formed by a composite structure in which a fully anchored Aluminum Nitride (AlN) Lateral Field Excited-Floating (LFE-F) Contour-Mode MEMS resonator (CMR) and a nanoscale heating element are perfectly overlapped and separated by a sub-micron air gap. The placement of the heating element outside the body of the resonator, but suspended over it, allowed maintaining the electromechanical properties of the device unchanged (same k t 2·Q compared to the non-ovenized case). This resulted in a 968 MHz ovenized microresonator with quality factor, Q, of ∼1800, electromechanical coupling coefficient, k t 2, of ∼0.9% and motional resistance, R m , of ∼50 Ω. At the same time, efficient ovenization of the MEMS resonator (CMR temperature rise factor of 18.3 K/mW) is achieved by scaling the dimensions of the heating element (i.e. implementing a nano hot plate) and minimizing the air gap between the resonator and the heater.
Basalts as temperature probes of Earth's mantle

The Earth is cooling down by convecting its heat from the interior to the surface, where it can be dissipated into space. Ambient mantle that rises to deliver its heat melts before it reaches the surface, and the basaltic magma forms new crust along oceanic ridges ([Ahern and Turcotte, 1979][1]; [
Value of fiber overlays in WDM metro networks

In wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) networks, multiple fibers can be used to provide the needed capacity for highly congested WDM routes. Such fiber overlays effectively serve to reduce wavelength blocking in transparent optical networks. In this letter we show, by performing wavelength allocation simulations, that the use of fiber overlays on the central ring of a typical interconnected-ring transparent metro network can significantly reduce wavelength blocking. We derive the optimum number of overlays and show that connection churn has negligible effect on blocking.
A Latent Failure Mechanism for Surface Acoustic Wave Components Utilizing Lithium Niobate

A latent failure mechanism for surface acoustic wave components which utilize lithium niobate as the piezoelectric has been, identified. This failure mechanism involves the growth of aluminum oxide on the thin film aluminum metal which constitutes the interdigitated electrical/mechanical transducer structure. This failure mechanism has been successfully eliminated in high-reliability components by making certain that a necessary condition for the growth of the oxide does not exist. The necessary condition is the existence of a dc electric field within the transducer structure. The exact conditions necessary for the initiation of the oxide growth have not, as yet, been determined. It is known that electric field values of the order of 104 volts per centimeter with ambient temperature of 125°C for 168 hours can cause the growth. The effect of the growth is to reduce the effective electroacoustical coupling factor which results in the component exhibiting added insertion loss and a skewing of pass band RF characteristics as the growth progresses.
Apathy and cognitive and functional decline in community- dwelling older adults: Results from the Baltimore ECA longitudinal study

Background Apathy, a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome, commonly affects patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Prevalence estimates for apathy range widely and are based on cross-sectional data and / or clinic samples. This study examines the relationships between apathy and cognitive and functional declines in non-depressed community-based older adults.
Dynamics of coupled nonlinear maps and its application to ecological modeling

This paper investigates the behavior of coupled nonlinear dynamical systems. We take two such dynamical systems (or units), couple them together, and study the effect of coupling on the dynamics. We demonstrate that coupling two chaotic units can indeed stabilize both of them. Several results describing the global dynamics of the coupled nonlinear system are established. Using them, we show that, by-and-large, the presence of coupling appears to increase the orderliness of the coupled system's response, producing periodicity, synchronicity, and quasi-symmetry. Using exponential maps which are commonly used to simulate-population dynamics, we establish the applicability of our results to population dynamics.
Inbuilt-Burstification Urgency-Driven Scheduling (iBUS) Algorithm for Packet Transport in IP-over-WDM Networks

With emerging applications in packet-transport networks such as IP-over-WDM networks (e.g., eBanking), packets need to be delivered within a bounded delay (i.e., given deadlines) with high probability. To satisfy such requirement, we propose an Inbuilt-Burstification Urgency-driven Scheduling (iBUS) Algorithm in IP-over-WDM networks. In this approach, packets are assembled into bursts according to their destinations by a preset timer. The timing burstification can reduce the amount of contentions, and support deadline constraints. Then all assembled bursts need to be scheduled efficiently with the deadline constraint. We introduce the concept of urgency degree as a scheduling metric. Bursts are scheduled according to their urgency degrees so that utilization of available network resources can be maximized under the constraint of deadlines. We also study a high-level variant of our algorithm, beta-iBUS, where the parameter beta is used to truncate the acceptable range of urgency degrees [0, 1] into [0, beta] (where beta les 1) so that invalid scheduling caused by high urgency degrees can be minimized. Simulation experiments demonstrate that our proposal can achieve limited loss probabilities with the constraint of bounded delay.
Palaeomagnetism of the Canary Islands and Madeira

Summary Palaeomagnetic results are presented for 1144 specimens from a total of 359 igneous bodies from the Canary Islands and Madeira. Available stratigraphic control, together with 90 K:Ar age determinations enable the data to be reliably assigned to the Pleistocene (t= 0–1.6 My); Pliocene (t= 1.6–5.1 My); and Miocene (t= 5.2–25 My) periods. The mean virtual geomagnetic pole positions for each of these periods are indistinguishable and are significantly different from the present geographic pole in a sense consistent with Wilson's offset dipole hypothesis. If considered as part of a polar wander path for the Tertiary era, the results suggest that if any marked change of polar wander rate occurred during the Mid-Tertiary, a slowing (rather than an increase) in the rate is likely to have occurred.
The ElderSmile TimeMap: Benefits of Connecting Statistics With Time and Place.

Community-based programs are critical for locally targeted public health education and accessible service delivery. Deriving useful information from such programs is important for their own evaluation and improvement and may facilitate research collaboration with partners and experts. Here we present an interactive Web-based application designed for a community-based oral health outreach program called ElderSmile to demonstrate how data can be summarized, filtered, compared, and visualized by time and place to inform program planning, evaluation, and research. The ElderSmile TimeMap (http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/∼smetcalf/resources/timemap.html) is an emergent product of a US National Institutes of Health–funded collaboration of knowledge sharing among multidisciplinary team members at the University at Buffalo, Columbia University, and New York University.
Three dimensional water and ice quantification using neutron imaging.

Neutron radiography (NR) and computed tomography (NCT) are important non-destructive testing tools which determine information about an object’s interior structure and material properties. Although water quantification using 2-D neutron imaging has been applied to fuel cells for over a decade, the development of an accurate 3-D method has only recently been demonstrated. The 3-D water quantification technique developed at the Pennsylvania State University’s Radiation Science and Engineering Center has been applied to the quantification of both liquid and ice phase water. Quantification results of water and ice inside a known small channel test object were accurate to within 2%. This capability allows the quantification of ice within a fuel cell flow field under cold-start conditions.
Non-viral eNOS gene delivery and transfection with stents for the treatment of restenosis

Background: In this study, we have examined local non-viral gene delivery, transfection, and therapeutic efficacy of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) encoding plasmid DNA administered using coated stents in a rabbit iliac artery restenosis model. Methods: Lipopolyplexes (LPPs) with eNOS expressing plasmid DNA were immobilized on stainless steel stents using poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and type B gelatin coatings. The gene-eluting stents were implanted bilaterally in the denuded iliac arteries and eNOS transfection and therapeutic efficacy were examined 14 days after implantation. Results: The results show that non-viral lipopolyplex-coated stents can efficiently tranfect eNOS locally in the arterial lumen assessed by PCR and ELISA. Human eNOS ELISA levels were significantly raised 24 hours after transfection compared to controls (125 pg eNOS compared to <50 pg for all controls including naked DNA). Local eNOS production suppressed smooth muscle cell proliferation and promoted re-endothelialization of the artery showing a significant reduction in restenosis of 1.75 neointima/media ratio for stents with lipoplexes encoding eNOS compared with 2.3 neointima/media ratio for stents with lipoplexes encosing an empty vector.
Epicardial boundary detection using fuzzy reasoning

A fully automated system for detecting the endocardial and epicardial boundaries in a two-dimensional echocardiography by using fuzzy reasoning techniques is proposed. The image is first enhanced by applying the Laplacian-of-Gaussian edge detector. Second, the center of the left ventricle is determined automatically by analyzing the original image. Next, a search process radiated from the estimated center is performed to locate the endocardial boundary by using the zero-crossing points. After this step, the estimation of the range of radius of a possible epicardial boundary is carried out by comparing the high-level knowledge of intensity changes along all directions with the actual image intensity changes. The high-level knowledge of global intensity change in the image is acquired from experts in advance, and is represented in the form of fuzzy linguistic descriptions and relations. Knowledge of local intensity change can therefore be deduced from the knowledge of global intensity change through fuzzy reasoning. >
Read Laser Power Effects In Magneto-optic Data Recording

Nonlinear effects of laser power on readout signals from magnetooptic media are discussed. Impact on pulse width modulation recording is evaluated.
Response to Published Article: Nursing Diagnosis

Recently a response was received from a Journal reader regarding Leininger's article entitled “Issues, Questions and Concerns Related to the Nursing Diagnosis Cultural Movement From a Transcultural Nursing Perspective” (1990, 2,(1) Summer). Since we normally have not included such responses (except letters), the Editorial Board decided to include Ms. Feild's thoughtful response. We believe that such a response will expand the readers thinking about an important issue in nursing. Moreover, we believe that transcultural nursing experts can make a unique and important contribution to the nursing diagnosis movement in order to help nurses gain fresh insights and a comparative and an expanded perspective about nursing diagnoses. We have therefore, added this Response To Published Article section to achieve this goal. We appreciate Ms. Feild's thoughtful response for the Journal of Transcultural Nursing. Lucy Feild, M.S., R.N., C.S. is a doctoral student, School of Nursing, Boston College.
CYTOCHROME=P450=DEPENDENT BIOTRANSFORMATION OF XENOBIOTICS IN HUMAN AND RODENT EMBRYONIC TISSUES*

Profound species differences and developmental stage differences as well as a lack of solid data prevent broad, sweeping generalizations in terms of statements that can be made concerning the prenatal expression of individual P450 isoforms. It is clear, however, that several of such isoforms are expressed at levels that can be toxicologically significant. At present, the greatest interest appears to be in P450s 1A1, 1B1, 2E1, and 3A7, each of which has been reported to be expressed at toxicologically significant levels or at least at potentially toxicologically significant levels during organogenesis. Reports of the expression of other P450 isoforms at later stages of gestation also have appeared in the recent literature.
SOME ASPECTS OF STRESS-CORROSION-CRACKING ANALYSIS FOR GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINES

ABSTRACT Factors controlling the dissolution based stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) of line pipe in a carbonate-bicarbonate system are presented and discussed as the basis to formulate a model to analyze pipeline cracking. This model for SCC crack initiation and early growth has been adapted for analysis of the tapered-tension-test (TTT) specimen using slow-strain-rate data as the independent material–environment calibration of the model. Quantitatively correct predictions of the SCC growth behavior of line-pipe TTT specimens tested at high maximum stress with a small amplitude cyclic component in a carbonate-bicarbonate environment provide the motivation to explore trends and implications of the model when it is extended concept to deal with pipeline cracking. One important implication is that the mechanism which supports long-term pipeline cracking involves cyclic softening of the line-pipe steel. Related important implications involve (1) the design of laboratory tests to simulate field applications, (2) the use of hydrotests to alter the softening behavior and thereby limit or control cracking of in-service pipelines, and (3) the design of economical line-pipe steels that limit softening and, thereby, enhance SCC resistance of steels to be selected for new pipelines.
The Psychology Behind Why Underwater Investment Properties are Not Listed for Sale

This study investigates the reasons why people do not list underwater real estate investment properties for sale. Conventional wisdom is that these investors simply cannot afford to sell (the affordability constraint). However, we demonstrate that economic reasons explain as little as 31.7% of the sample. Behavioral explanations make up the rest. Specifically, familiarity bias, false reference points, and to a lesser extent, status quo deviation aversion are the true drivers of the listing decision. Underlying respondent behavioral traits were not found to systematically explain who would be more likely to follow each behavioral reason not to list. The inability to create a definitive behavioral traits profile is consistent with past studies that were unable to significantly link demographic characteristics to behavior.
Keep the skies open

The principles of equal access and open skies are being undermined by one satellite company for commercial reasons and by another for security reasons. And the operating principles of all three favor some customers over others.
Redescription and Range Extension of the Shrimp Parapenaeopsis Balli (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

ABSTRACT Parapenaeopsisballi, the only representative of the genus in American waters, was originally described from two small males. On the basis of over 100 specimens, among which are many females, it is redescribed in detail, including the first accounts of the appendix masculina, thelycum, and seminal receptacles. Variations in several morphological features are assessed and differences of the species from its closest relatives are discussed. The range of this shrimp along the Pacific American coast, previously recorded only from El Salvador, is found to extend as far north as Bahia de Banderas, Jalisco, Mexico.
History of Subsection Eb: Regulatory

The enormous trove of discovered and undiscovered species of plants and animals that inhabit the earth has captured the attention of scientists, politicians, and laypersons alike. Efforts to understand and preserve this diverse resource have led to extensive international cooperation, public support, and political action. Indeed, the theme of the ESA's 1988 national meeting was diversity, which is certainly fitting in view of the role of the topic as a rallying point around which scientists and the public gather with common interest and cause.
The Effect of Photoperiod, Light Intensity, and Temperature on Copulation, Oviposition, and Fertility of the Mexican Fruit Fly

The influence of photoperiod, light intensity, and temperature on the late afternoon or early evening mating habit of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), was investigated in bioclimatic cabinets. The normal diurnal cycle was reversed, daylight simulated from 6 PM to 6 AM, and light intensities increased or decreased during 15-min periods at the beginning and end of the 12-hr simulated-daylight period. When maximum light intensity of 375 ft-c was reduced to 75 ft-c during the simulated sunset to sunrise period, and temperature fluctuated from 70°-80°F, with RH 70%-80%, flies reached sexual maturity in 12 days. Copulatory rhythm changed to be in phase with reversed diurnal cycle. Decreasing light intensities were not obligatory for copulation. Gravid flies held in constant darkness continued to oviposit normally.
Abstract 1826: Characterization of HPV-positive head and neck cancer cell lines as preclinical models for targeted therapy

Background:Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 6th most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in the world. Risk factors associated with HNSCC include smoking, alcohol use and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. With the decline in tobacco use, there has been an increase in the incidence of HPV-associated head and neck cancers. Our increased understanding of the mutational landscape demonstrates that HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC are molecularly distinct. Additionally, patients with HPV-positive tumors respond better to therapy and have better prognosis overall. However, there are no targeted therapies for HPV+ HNSCC. Human cell lines can serve as preclinical models for studying cancer progression and identifying possible therapeutic targets. Our aim was to determine if HNSCC tumors and cell lines derived from head and neck tumors display similar proteomic profiles. Methods: Reverse phase protein array (RPPA) analysis was performed on 66 HNSCC cell lines. The HPV-status of these cell lines was determined by quantitative and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Real-time PCR analysis confirmed that 9 of the 66 cell lines were HPV-positive. Differential expression of 156 proteins was analyzed and proteomic pathway scores were determined by t-test in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines. We identified significant proteomic differences between HPV-positive and negative HNSCC cell lines. As observed in HPV-positive head and neck tumors, the clinical biomarker p16 was overexpressed in HPV-positive cell lines (p-value Citation Format: Nene N. Kalu, Tuhina Mazumdar, Lixia Diao, Patrick Kwok Shing Ng, Jing Wang, Jeffery Myers, Faye M. Johnson, Lauren Averett Byers. Characterization of HPV-positive head and neck cancer cell lines as preclinical models for targeted therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1826. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1826
New Approaches for the Treatment of the Failing Myocardium: Myofibrillar Proteins as Potential Targets for Pharmacotherapy

A new approach for the development of pharmacological agents to treat myocardial cell failure that is fundamentally different from the more traditional approaches used in the development of positive inotropic agents is beginning to emerge. The traditional approaches, in general, rely heavily on screening chemical compounds in a biological system with the aim of identifying compounds that have inotropic activity. The new approach is different in that a specific enzyme or cellular process that is identified to be defective in failing heart muscle is targeted for chemical modification with the goal of improving diastolic and/or systolic performance of the heart and raising cardiac output. Associated with the new approach is the possibility that by reversing the defect in failing heart muscle cells the progression of the disease may be slowed or even prevented. Although in both the new approach and traditional approach the final objective in treating myocardial cell failure may be the same, the pathways leading to the objective are very different, as could be the potential long range result.
Using Knowledge-automation Expert Systems to Enhance the Use and Understanding of Traffic Monitoring Data in State DOTs

Abstract Traffic monitoring is the process of observing and collecting data that describes the use and performance of the roadway systems. Strong and effective traffic monitoring program not only improves the mobility on roadways and reliability of decisions based on traffic data, but also ensures states are receiving appropriate federal funding. Rapidly evolving traffic data collection technologies; changing computing and communication technologies; receiving, processing and understanding of big data sets; economic, environmental and geographic constraints for data collection; and many other general or state specific limitations increased the complexity of traffic monitoring programs. This study aims to investigate the use of knowledge-automation expert systems in states’ traffic monitoring programs. This proposed approach is expected to increase the understanding and use of traffic data by providing situation specific advice based on user input and requests.