cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
33.3 An Automotive-Use 2MHz 100VOUT Flicker-Free Frequency-Modulated GaN-Based Buck-Boost LED Driver Achieving Bootstrap Charge Balancing and 16.8dBμV Radiated EMI Noise Reduction

Automotive headlamp and/or taillamp tend to integrate a high number of LEDs (up to 30 LEDs in series) for sequential turn signal light. As the LEDs are turned on/off sequentially, the output voltage across the LED string $(V_{{OUT}})$ can be below, equal to, or above the input battery voltage $(V_{{IN}})$ which also experiences a large transient from 4 to 60V. To achieve accurate and stable LED current regulation over such a wide operation voltage range, high-voltage buck-boost converters are desperately demanded [1] –[4]. Although high- switching-frequency $(f_{sw})$ solutions have been explored as in [4], [5], the stringent thermal and size limitations imposed by automotive applications have made it increasingly challenging to continue using silicon-FET-based converters. Gallium-Nitride (GaN) FET, which offers a $5\times$ lower capacitance and nearly zero reverse recovery to enable an efficient high-voltage operation at high $f_{SW}(\gt 2MHz)$, has been proven to be a very promising device in this scenario [5]. However, severe electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to high f sw operation and complicated bootstrap GaN gate driving become very challenging for GaN buck-boost LED drivers in automotive applications.
A Case of Severe Metabolic Acidosis due to Jardiance-Induced Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Metabolic acidosis is frequently encountered in the inpatient setting. It can occur due to either the accumulation of endogenous acids that consumes bicarbonate (high anion gap metabolic acidosis) or loss of bicarbonate from the gastrointestinal tract or the kidney. Jardiance® (empagliflozin) (Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, USA) is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, which reduces renal tubular glucose reabsorption, thereby decreasing blood glucose level without stimulating insulin release. This class of drugs is known for reducing cardiovascular events and delay in the progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However recent data has shown that SGLT2 inhibitors, particularly empagliflozin, carry the risk of inducing euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis under certain circumstances such as acute illness, and decreased carbohydrate intake, decrease in dose, or discontinuation of insulin. We herein report a 23-year-old female with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus on empagliflozin, who presented with dyspnea and coronavirus disease SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and found to have severe unexplained euglycemic metabolic acidosis, with elevated urine ketones.
Cardiac Fibroblasts Mediate a Sexually Dimorphic Fibrotic Response to β-Adrenergic Stimulation.

Background Biological sex is an important modifier of cardiovascular disease and women generally have better outcomes compared with men. However, the contribution of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) to th...
Quantifying neurotransmitter secretion at single-vesicle resolution using high-density complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor electrode array

Neuronal exocytosis facilitates the propagation of information through the nervous system pertaining to bodily function, memory, and emotions. Using amperometry, the sub-millisecond dynamics of exocytosis can be monitored and the modulation of exocytosis due to drug treatment or neurodegenerative diseases can be studied. Traditional single-cell amperometry is a powerful technique for studying the molecular mechanisms of exocytosis, but it is both costly and labor-intensive to accumulate statistically significant data. To surmount these limitations, we have developed a silicon-based electrode array with 1024 on-chip electrodes that measures oxidative signal in 0.1 millisecond intervals. Using the developed device, we are able to capture the modulation of exocytosis due to Parkinson's disease treatment (L-Dopa), with statistical significance, within 30 total minutes of recording. The validation study proves our device's capability to accelerate the study of many pharmaceutical treatments for various neurodegenerative disorders that affect neurotransmitter secretion to a matter of minutes.
Design of a Wireless Power and Data Transfer System for pH Sensing inside a Small Tube

This work presents a passive wireless measurement system for potentiometric chemical probes inside a small laboratory tube. An inductively coupled link is utilized with DC-to-frequency signal transduction via load modulation. The wireless power transfer part of the system features advantageous flexibility in coil separation distances and stability in the frequency providing maximum power transfer, as evidenced by the couple-mode theory analysis. We then demonstrate continuous pH sensing through a cap for a 50-ml centrifuge tube. Instrumentation and resultant data are presented, showcasing excellent linearity and tunable outputs. Our approach and system architecture can be used for numerous passive wireless potentiometric sensing applications in both laboratory and industry settings, as well as other wireless sensing systems, with minor circuit modification.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Hydroxyzine in the Treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Rationale and Evidence.

Objective: Despite lack of evidence, various pharmacological agents are judiciously used to manage anxiety in avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). We aimed to explore the effectivenes...
5th generation vs 4th generation troponin T in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized for non-cardiac indications: A cohort study.

Objective The frequency and implications of an elevated cardiac troponin (4th or 5th generation TnT) in patients outside of the emergency department or presenting with non-cardiac conditions is unclear. Methods Consecutive patients aged 18 years or older admitted for a primary non-cardiac condition who had the 4th generation TnT drawn had the 5th generation TnT run on the residual blood sample. Primary and secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality (ACM) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) respectively at 1 year. Results 918 patients were included (mean age 59.8 years, 55% male) in the cohort. 69% had elevated 5th generation TnT while 46% had elevated 4th generation TnT. 5th generation TnT was more sensitive and less specific than 4th generation TnT in predicting both ACM and MACE. The sensitivities for the 5th generation TnT assay were 85% for ACM and 90% for MACE rates, compared to 65% and 70% respectively for the 4th generation assay. 5th generation TnT positive patients that were missed by 4th generation TnT had a higher risk of ACM (27.5%) than patients with both assays negative (27.5% vs 11.1%, p<0.001), but lower than patients who had both assay positive (42.1%). MACE rates were not better stratified using the 5th generation TnT assay. Conclusions In patients admitted for a non-cardiac condition, 5th generation TnT is more sensitive although less specific in predicting MACE and ACM. 5th generation TnT identifies an intermediate risk group for ACM previously missed with the 4th generation assay.
Improvement of small and medium-sized enterprises thanks to coaching methods

Nowadays many owners and managers of Czech firms face a problem of finding the right way of development of their enterprise. There is a major share of almost 99 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises in the economy of the Czech Republic. The owners are very often the only one person in the top management of the firm and they do not have a sparring partner inside the own company do discuss strategic aims and decisions. This paper deals with the theme how to coach a firm on the size level of SME. Coaching instead of consulting can bring a better and quicker improvement in the development progress in a firm.
Electronic imaging in conservation collaborating on small systems

Over the past two years, the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) has become increasingly interested in practical applications of electronic imaging in conservation. Recently, our interest has crystalized in the form of information collection and dissemination, collaborative initiatives, research, and field study projects. Given the limited resources of museums and conservation organizations, the emergence of powerful microcomputer-based imaging hardware and software, and the need for low cost solutions, we are taking a small systems approach. This paper will focus on two aspects of our work: 1) a newly created conservation imaging consortium that provides direction and structure for a rapidly increasing number of imaging projects and for a growing network of conservation imaging professionals; and 2) in-house and extramural research and field projects
Extreme rainfall intensities and long-term rainfall risk from tropical cyclones

We develop a methodology to estimate the rate of extreme rainfalls at coastal sites due to tropical cyclones (TCs). A basic component of the methodology is the probability distribution of ID,max, the maximum rainfall intensity at the site over a period D during the passage of a TC with given characteristics θ. The long-term rainfall risk is obtained by combining the conditional distribution of (ID,max|θ) with a recurrence model for θ.
A Branch and Contract Algorithm for Problems with Concave Univariate, Bilinear and Linear Fractional Terms

A new deterministic branch and bound algorithm is presented in this paper for the global optimization of continuous problems that involve concave univariate, bilinear and linear fractional terms. The proposed algorithm, the branch and contract algorithm, relies on the use of a bounds-contraction subproblem that aims at reducing the size of the search region by eliminating portions of the domain in which the objective function takes only values above a known upper bound. The solution of contraction subproblems at selected branch and bound nodes is performed within a finite contraction operation that helps reducing the total number of nodes in the branch and bound solution tree. The use of the proposed algorithm is illustrated with several numerical examples.
How geophysicists’ intuition helps seismic data processing

In geophysics, signals come with noise. It is desirable to minimize the effect of this noise. If we knew the probabilities of different values of signal and noise, we could use statistical filtering techniques. In geophysics, however, we rarely know the exact values of these probabilities; instead, we have to rely on the expertise and intuition of experts. We show how fuzzy techniques can transform this expertise into precise de-noising methods, we explain that the resulting methods indeed satisfy several natural requirements, and that these methods are in good accordance with heuristic techniques successfully used by geophysicists.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP27 deletion mutants exhibit altered patterns of transcription and are DNA deficient.

Abstract Infected cell polypeptide 27 (ICP27, alpha 27, IE63) is the 63-kilodalton product of an immediate-early gene of herpes simplex virus. Functional analysis of temperature-sensitive mutants in herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP27 demonstrated that this protein plays an essential role in virus replication (W. R. Sacks, C. C. Greene, D. P. Aschman, and P. A. Schaffer, J. Virol. 55:796-805, 1985). Because the temperature-sensitive forms of ICP27 induced by the mutants affected gene expression to differing degrees, these mutants were not suitable for establishing the ICP27 null phenotype. For this purpose we generated deletion mutants in ICP27--3dl1.2 and 5dl1.2--lacking the transcriptional start site as well as portions of the promoter and coding sequences of the gene. These mutants failed to specify ICP27-specific transcripts and proteins and were replication incompetent. The mutants induced the synthesis of greatly reduced levels of viral DNA (18% of wild-type levels) and were characterized by the overexpression of early proteins, reduced levels of gamma 1 proteins, and the absence of detectable gamma 2 proteins. The alterations in viral protein synthesis appeared to occur at the level of transcription. The phenotypic properties of the mutants were consistent with the results of transient expression assays demonstrating that ICP27 acts to down-regulate transcription of early genes and to further up-regulate transcription of late genes whose expression is induced by ICP0 and ICP4. Because ICP27 is not thought to be directly involved in viral DNA synthesis, it is likely that the reduced levels of viral DNA characteristic of deletion mutant-infected cells is a consequence of aberrant regulation of certain early genes whose products are involved in viral DNA synthesis and late genes whose products are required to stabilize viral DNA once synthesized. Taken together, these findings suggest an essential role for ICP27 in the modulation of early and late gene expression at the transcriptional level.
Privacy tradeoffs in smartphone applications

We use choice experiments to examine privacy tradeoffs in smartphone applications (“apps”). Results show that the representative consumer is willing to make a one-time payment for each app of about $2.28 to conceal their browser history, $4.05 to conceal their contacts, $1.19 to conceal their location, $1.75 to conceal their phone’s identification number, and $3.58 to conceal their texts. These valuations vary for different segments of society.
Enhanced thermoelectric power factor of Re-substituted higher manganese silicides with small islands of MnSi secondary phase

Higher manganese silicides (HMS) are promising thermoelectric materials owing to the abundance of the constituent elements in the earth crust, environmental friendliness and good chemical stability at high temperatures. However, the metallic MnSi layers with a lateral size as large as ∼50 μm are formed in the melt-grown HMS samples. These large MnSi layers are characterized with relatively high electrical and thermal conductivities and low Seebeck coefficient, which can degrade the thermoelectric performance of the melt-grown samples. Here, we report the synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Re-substituted HMS with relatively small-size MnSi platelets via melt-quenching, followed by ball-milling, and consolidated by spark plasma sintering. As compared to the samples prepared by either solid-state reaction or mechanical alloying, the reduced lateral size of MnSi in the quenched sample leads to an increased carrier concentration without a reduction in the carrier mobility according to our electrical transport measurements. As a result, the thermoelectric power factor is increased to 1.9 ± 0.2 × 10−3 W m−1 K−2 at 860 K, which is about 20% higher than that of the sample prepared by solid-state reaction. In addition, the lattice thermal conductivity of the quenched sample remains nearly the same as the samples prepared by two other synthesis methods. Therefore, a figure-of-merit ZT of 0.64 ± 0.08 at 823 K is obtained for the quenched sample, compared to 0.57 ± 0.07 and 0.26 ± 0.03 obtained from the two other samples prepared by different methods.
Block-spreading codes for impulse radio multiple access through ISI channels

Transmitting digital information using ultra-short pulses, impulse radio (IR) has received increasing interest for multiple access (MA). Analog IRMA utilizes pulse-position modulation (PPM) and random time-hopping codes to mitigate inter-symbol interference (ISI) and suppress multiuser interference (MUI) statistically. We develop an all-digital IRMA scheme that relies on block-spreading and judiciously designed transceiver pairs to eliminate MUI deterministically, and regardless of ISI multipath effects.
History of the University Government Industry Microelectronics Symposium

This paper and presentation will trace the history of the University Government Industry Microelectronics Symposium/Conference from its start in 1975 through 2012. The presentation will provide images from many of the conferences over the years. The stated purpose of the conference was to "assemble research workers, engineering educators, members of the microelectronics industry and representatives of funding agencies and microelectronics laboratories for a discussion of applied and basic research and educational programs in microelectronics and the role of government and industry concerning the philosophy, direction, content and support of such programs".
Resonance activation integrals of U238 and Th232

Abstract Resonance activation integrals of 281 ± 20 b for U 238 and 67 ± 5 for Th 232 were found by comparing induced beta activities with Au 197 , the resonance integral for the last being taken as 1513 b. The ratio of the U 238 to Th 232 integrals is 4·20 ± 0·16. The specific alpha activity of the alpha groups near 3·98 MeV leads to a half-life of (1·45 ± 0.05) × 10 10 yr for Th 232 .
LXR-Dependent Gene Expression Is Important for Macrophage Survival and the Innate Immune Response

The liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors with established roles in the regulation of lipid metabolism. We now show that LXR signaling not only regulates macrophage cholesterol metabolism but also impacts antimicrobial responses. Mice lacking LXRs are highly susceptible to infection with the intracellular bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (LM). Bone marrow transplant studies point to altered macrophage function as the major determinant of susceptibility. LXR-null macrophages undergo accelerated apoptosis when challenged with LM and exhibit defective bacterial clearance in vivo. These defects result, at least in part, from loss of regulation of the antiapoptotic factor SPalpha, a direct target for regulation by LXRalpha. Expression of LXRalpha or SPalpha in macrophages inhibits apoptosis in the setting of LM infection. Our results demonstrate that LXR-dependent gene expression plays an unexpected role in innate immunity and suggest that common nuclear receptor pathways mediate macrophage responses to modified lipoproteins and intracellular pathogens.
Aggressive Interactions and Resource Competition in Relation to Species Displacement Among Crayfish of the Genus Orconectes

ABSTRACT Aggressive interactions and competition for shelter were studied in simplified laboratory environments among the crayfish Orconectes virilis, O. propinquus, and O. rusticus. O. rusticus was clearly superior to O. virilis, with O. propinquus generally intermediate. These results are consistent with ongoing displacements in northern Wisconsin. However, in another part of the study involving competition for preferred substrate, little displacement occurred even at high densities; caution is therefore suggested in assessing the importance of aggressive interactions to species displacements.
Endometrioid carcinoma arising in an unusual ovarian cyst.

Abstract An endometrioid carcinoma arising in a squamous and mucinous epithelial cyst of the ovary is described. The histogenesis of this unusual lesion is discussed. It is concluded that this case represents an example of the pluripotentiality of the coelomic epithelium.
Application of permutations to lossless compression of multispectral thematic mapper images

The goal of data compression is to find shorter representations for any given data. In a data storage application, this is done in order to save storage space on an auxiliary device or, in the case of a communication scenario, to increase channel throughput. Because remotely sensed data require tremendous amounts of transmission and storage space, it is essential to find good algorithms that utilize the spatial and spectral characteristics of these data to compress them. A new technique is presented that uses a spectral and spatial correlation to create orderly data for the compression of multispectral remote sensing data, such as those acquired by the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor system. The method described simply compresses one of the bands using the standard Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) compression, and then orders the next band’s data with respect to the previous sorting permutation. Then, the move-to-front coding technique is used to lower the source entropy before actually encoding the data. Owing to the correlation between visible bands of TM images, it was observed that this method yields tremendous gain on these bands (on an average 0.3 to 0.5 bits/pixel compared with lossless JPEG) and can be successfully used for multispectral images where the spectral distances between bands are close.
Early Homo sapiens Remains from the Omo River Region of South-west Ethiopia: Geological Interpretation of Two Pleistocene Hominid Sites in the Lower Omo Basin

Early Homo sapiens Remains from the Omo River Region of South-west Ethiopia: Geological Interpretation of Two Pleistocene Hominid Sites in the Lower Omo Basin
Tin-protoporphyrin-mediated disruption in vivo of heme oxygenase-2 protein integrity and activity in rat brain.

ABSTRACT: The ability of synthetic metalloporphyrins to suppress heme oxygenase activity and bilirubin formation has recently become of considerable clinical and experimental interest for suppression of jaundice in humans, including neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The present investigation compares the biochemical effects of Sn- and Znprotoporphyrins on the predominant heme oxygenase iso-zyme present in the brain (HO-2) at activity, protein, and transcript levels and describes the ability of Sn-protopor-phyrin to adversely affect this isozyme. Specifically, 6 h after a modest dose (50 μmol/kg, i.v.) of Sn-protoporphyrin, heme oxygenase activity in rat brain was nearly undetectable. In addition, as revealed by Western blot analysis, HO-2 protein level was decreased by 20% and the electrophoretic behavior of the protein in the microsomal membranes was altered. Moreover, the activity of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, which is required for the oxidation of heme molecule, was markedly decreased (60% of control). Western immunoblot analysis revealed also a pronounced decrease in the reductase protein level. The inducible form of heme oxygenase, HO-1, was not detectable by immunoblotting in brain microsomes of either control or Sn-protoporphyrin-treated animals. Northern blot analyses did not reveal decreases in the levels of the single HO-1 mRNA (1.8 kb) or the two HO-2 transcripts (1.3 and 1.9 kb), suggesting that Sn-protoporphyrin mediates its effects on heme oxygenase isozymes at the protein level. Zn-protoporphyrin, on the other hand, had no deleterious effect on brain parameters presently investigated. The data suggest that Sn-protoporphyrin exerts its inhibitory effects on heme oxygenase activity in the brain through multiple mechanisms involving direct effect on HO-2 protein and its cellular level, inhibiting NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity, decreasing the cellular content of the reductase, as well as inhibiting heme oxygenase activity by serving as a competitive inhibitor. We suggest that Zn-protoporphyrin may be the safer alternative if metalloporphyrins are to be used to control hyperbilirubinemia.
New species and new combinations in Briquetia and Hochreutinera, and a discussion of the Briquetia generic alliance (Malvaceae)

Two new species ofBriquetia,B. sonorae andB. inermis, are described from northern Mexico, and another species that ranges from Mexico to Bolivia is transferred into the genus asB. spicata. The genus (previously known as monotypic, Paraguayan-Brazilian) is thereby enlarged from one species to four, and its geographical and morphological limits are greatly expanded. Also, a Mexican species ofAbutilon is transferred toHochreutinera, asH. amplexifolia, enlarging that genus from one to two species. On the basis of this new information, the limits of the informalBriquetia alliance are reconsidered; it is considered to include onlyBriquetia, Dirhamphis, andBatesimalva.
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

We are trying to understand mysteries of nature by looking at extra large (Cosmology and Astrophysics) and extra small distances (Weak/Strong interactions High energy Physics) while it can be seen in the physics of life systems. In previous presentations I developed some theoretical vision about conformational motion and non-equilibrium dancing of biological macromolecules by giving definitions of non-equilibrium entropy and geometrical motion. Those two key definitions and formulations are believed to be enough to answer the questions what is big energetic fluctuation is induced by in non-equilibrium systems and how the life system functions properly under that fluctuations. Self-organization is dynamic process where hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions take a crucial role. Non-equilibrium dancing may induce ‘hydrophobic-hydrophilic’ waves which may be felt by other molecules. One may think that the suggestion about conformational motion may complicate quantitative and qualitative description of hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions. Nevertheless, geometrical motion itself indicates changes of hydrophobicisity of the surfaces and can be completely described if it is taken into account dynamic processes of the surfaces solvent interactions. Since, in solvents, we have large number of interacting molecules statistical physics supposed to have crucial role in describing those dynamic processes but tusk is complicated by non-equilibrium nature of the processes. Fluctuation theorem guarantees reversibility of non-equilibrium processes but caries probabilistic nature so can not strictly predict whether entropy will decrees or increase in time. The problem becomes solvable in theory of conformational motion which gives possibility to be written time evolution equation of the entropy. Up together, taking into account previously presented equation of conformational motion and non-equilibrium entropy definition, solves hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions problem. Preliminary calculations show excellent matching with experimental data. Complete picture of hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions and time evolution equation of the entropy will be presented.
A statistical approach for intensity loss compensation of confocal microscopy images.

Summary In this paper, a probabilistic technique for compensation of intensity loss in confocal microscopy images is presented. For single-colour-labelled specimen, confocal microscopy images are modelled as a mixture of two Gaussian probability distribution functions, one representing the background and another corresponding to the foreground. Images are segmented into foreground and background by applying Expectation Maximization algorithm to the mixture. Final intensity compensation is carried out by scaling and shifting the original intensities with the help of parameters estimated for the foreground. Since foreground is separated to calculate the compensation parameters, the method is effective even when image structure changes from frame to frame. As intensity decay function is not used, complexity associated with estimation of the intensity decay function parameters is eliminated. In addition, images can be compensated out of order, as only information from the reference image is required for the compensation of any image. These properties make our method an ideal tool for intensity compensation of confocal microscopy images that suffer intensity loss due to absorption/scattering of light as well as photobleaching and the image can change structure from optical/temporal section-to-section due to changes in the depth of specimen or due to a live specimen. The proposed method was tested with a number of confocal microscopy image stacks and results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
A study on the NiVO3 system

Abstract The reaction of NiO and VO 2 at high pressure yielded a distorted ilmenite phase, NiVO 3 (I). The black crystalline product was characterized by crystallographic, electrical, and magnetic properties. This new phase was found to be a semiconductor and possess antiferromagnetic properties. The Neel temperature is 153°K and the moment corresponds to the valence states Ni 2+ V 4+ O 3 . The properties of NiVO 3 are quite similar to those reported for the isostructural CoVO 3 . A model is proposed which is consistent with the structural and magnetic properties.
The hydration of proteoglycans of bovine cornea

The water sorptive and retentive capacities of three corneal proteoglycans with different keratan sulfate/chondroitin-4-sulfate compositions were investigated. The calcium salt of a predominantly keratan sulfate containing proteoglycan had hydration properties similar to that of calcium keratan sulfate. The proteoglycan containing predominantly calcium chondroitin-4-sulfate side chains sorbed water to a greater extent than pure calcium chondroitin-4-sulfate but its retentive power was somewhat less. The proteoglycan containing about twice as much keratan sulfate as chondroitin-4-sulfate, on a dissaccharidic molar basis and had hydration properties which were closer to the behavior of chondroitin-4-sulfate than keratan sulfate. The results are discussed in terms of structure and polymer interaction in the proteoglycan matrices.
Aristotle’s Voluntary/Deliberate Distinction, Double-effect Reasoning, and Ethical Relevance

I articulate Aristotle’s account of the voluntary with a view to weighing in on a contemporary ethical debate concerning the moral relevance of the intended/foreseen (i/f) distinction. Natural lawyers employ the i/f distinction to contrast consequentially comparable acts with different intentional structures. They propose that consequentially comparable acts of, for example, terror and tactical bombing morally differ based on their diverse structures of intention. Opponents of DER hold that one best captures the widely acknowledged intuitive appeal of the distinction by contrasting agents, not acts. These thinkers hold that the terror bomber differs from the tactical bomber while terror and tactical bombing do not differ ethically. Aristotle’s accounts of the voluntary and the deliberately decided upon provide grounds for the ethical relevance of the i/f distinction as applied to both acts and agents.
Carbachol-Induced Long-Term Synaptic Depression Is Enhanced During Senescence at Hippocampal CA3–CA1 Synapses

Dysregulation of the cholinergic transmitter system is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and contributes to an age-associated decline in memory performance. The current study examined the influence...
Time course of apoptotic cell death within mesencephalic cell suspension grafts: implications for improving grafted dopamine neuron survival.

The vast majority ( congruent with 90%) of embryonic mesencephalic dopamine (DA) neurons die following transplantation to the striatum. Recent reports indicate that at least a subpopulation of grafted cells undergo apoptotic cell death at early times following implantation. This study examines the temporal pattern and magnitude of apoptotic cell death following the implantation of mesencephalic cell suspension grafts. Two techniques, a modified terminal deoxynucleotide-mediated nucleotide end labeling (TUNEL) technique and cresyl violet staining, are used to assess apoptotic cell death by detection of its biochemical and morphological identifiers, respectively. Male, Fischer 344 rats were examined at 1, 4, 7, and 28 days following implantation of embryonic day 14 (E14) ventral mesencephalic cells to the DA-denervated striatum. Results indicate that the overwhelming majority of apoptotic cell death occurs within the first 7 days after transplantation. However, the impact of the apoptosis that occurs over the first week following grafting only appears to limit grafted tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (THir) neuron survival during the first 4 days. No significant differences between the survival rates of THir neurons at 4 days after grafting and at 28 days after grafting were found. Therefore, it appears that the critical interval during which an estimated 90% of grafted DA neurons die is during the first 4 days postimplantation and that a major contributor to this cell death is apoptosis.
Creep anisotropy of zinc using impression tests

Etude experimentale sur les 3 faces adjacentes de l'echantillon sous une contrainte d'impression de 25,09 MPa. Determination des courbes temps-profondeur d'impression. Determination des energies d'activation de temperature par des essais de variation de temperature (398 a 498 K). Bon accord avec les essais de fluage conventionnels
The use of methylphenidate in paediatric traumatic brain injury

Methylphenidate (MPH) has been used safely and effectively for many years in children for the treatment of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD). Behavioural and cognitive sequelae to traumatic brain injury (TBI) have features in common with ADHD, and MPH has been reported to be an effective treatment in adults with TBI. There is little literature documenting the efficacy of MPH in children with TBI. A chart review of 10 children who had sustained TBI and were subsequently treated with MPH was performed. Nine of the cases resulted from motor-vehicle accidents, and one from a fall. The severity of TBI ranged from mild to severe. In eight of the cases, MPH was used for cognitive and behavioural problems, and in two cases it was used to stimulate minimally responsive patients. The introduction of MPH improved cognitive function, behaviour and arousal as measured by parental and teacher reports, evaluation by in-/outpatient rehabilitation team, and/or neuropsychometric testing. MPH appears to b...
Fine structure of the developing gastric epithelium of the chick

The fine structure of the developing gizzard of the chick embryo has been studied to define the sequence of events in cytodifferentiation of the epithelium and to look for morphological evidence of epithelio-mesenchymal interaction. During the fourth day of incubation epithelial cells begin to form mucous secretory granules, later massive glycogen deposits appear, and finally by day 8 numerous cell processes have formed. Tissue was prepared by a number of methods to stain material associated with cell surfaces. At the time induction is presumbably occurring such stainable material is abundant. Epithelial and mesenchymal tissue components when cultured transfilter show no inductive effects and stainable cell surface material is greatly reduced near the epithelium.
Truncated pStat5B is associated with the Idd4 locus in NOD mice.

We investigate JAK-STAT5 activation and its relationship to full-length Stat5B (FL-Stat5) and constitutive phosphorylated carboxy-truncated Stat5B (ct-pStat5) in four different strains of mouse. Our electrophoresis mobility shift assays data indicate constitutive phosphorylation of full-length-Stat5 (p < 0.001) and DNA binding in NOD but not in B6 mice. Our data suggest that the relative ratio of FL-Stat5: ct-Stat5 in NOD is 5- to 8-fold lower (p < 0.0001) when compared with normal B6 mice. Additionally, EMSAs data from B6.NOD/c11 suggest contribution of Idd4 susceptibility locus on chromosome 11 in constitutive phosphorylation of Stat5 in NOD mice. The presence of ct-pStat5 in regulatory T cells of NOD mice suggests this form of Stat5 is associated with impaired function of Tregs in NOD mouse. In agreement with our previous report the JAK-Stat5B defective pathway in NOD mice along with other defective factors is associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.
Characteristics of online pharmacy users in a nationally representative sample.

Abstract Objective To identify health care–related factors associated with online pharmacy use by considering patients’ prescription drug insurance coverage, number of prescriptions, health care expenditures, types of medications purchased, and health status. Methods Data were obtained from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's 2002–2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Online pharmacy users were compared with nonusers across study variables in unadjusted and adjusted comparisons using logistic regression. Survey weights were applied to generate nationally representative estimates. Results A total of 443 online pharmacy users were identified, representing an average of 1.5 million individuals per year. Online users were found to be older and to have more prescriptions compared with nonusers, as well as to have higher health care expenditures and higher Charlson comorbidity index scores. Online users were also more likely to be privately insured, white, and married, and to be more educated. In logistic regression models, higher prescription expenditures (odds ratio [OR] 1.17 [1.05–1.32]), higher number of prescriptions (OR 5.13 [1.4–19]), medium to high income (OR 1.82 (1.3–2.5)], and use of erectile dysfunction drugs (OR 2.09 [1.06–4.10]) were associated with greater odds of online pharmacy use. Black race (OR 0.47 [0.3–0.72]), Medicaid insurance coverage (OR 0.23 [0.1–0.5]), and use of narcotic medications (OR 0.72 [0.53–0.97]) were associated with decreased odds of online pharmacy use. Conclusion This study showed that age, race, income level, insurance coverage, high health care expenditures, and higher number of prescriptions are predictors for online pharmacy use.
Identification of Transient Vibration Characteristics Using Absolute Harmonic Wavelet Coefficients

Traditional vibration analysis methods for rotating machinery consider steady state or near steady state behavior. Perhaps a key to identifying the source of some complex behaviors lies in characterizing the transients associated with such phenomena. In an effort to develop a means of identifying transient vibration characteristics, harmonic wavelet analysis was explored. Simplified vibratory models were studied using harmonic wavelet analysis, and observations of the characteristics associated with particular behaviors were made. A relationship between the transient vibration patterns and the absolute value of the harmonic wavelet coefficients for a particular level was identified as a promising means of characterizing such behavior. Some example cases are presented to illustrate the proposed methodology.
A middleware performance characterization of Linux using IBM WebSphere Application Server

As an open-source operating system, LinuxTM made an impressive mark in the history of computing when interest from the corporate IT industry soared toward the end of 1990s. Linux, however, still faces some challenges in the areas of high performance, especially on symmetrical multiprocessor systems. This paper describes an initiative to investigate Linux performance using IBM WebSphere® Application Server software. The primary goal was to study how Linux performance and scalability could be improved by applying some of the new enhancements put into the kernel as well as by fine-tuning the middleware. We describe the results of this investigation and explain in detail how issues were resolved through our collaboration with the open-source community as well as within the IBM product teams.
Illustration and Language in Technical Communication

Many technical documents present information both graphically and verbally. While much is known about the verbal tools of technical professionals, technical graphics have been less fully examined. Here the drawings of a United States patent are examined revealing a system for organizing and presenting visual information that is analogous to commonly-used models for organizing and presenting verbal information.
Depression of Pulmonary Metabolic Function by Cardiopulmonary Bypass Procedures Increases Levels of Circulating Norepinephrine

Abstract We measured plasma levels of endogenous norepinephrine radioenzymatically in mixed venous and arterial blood simultaneously sampled from anesthetized dogs before, during, and after 1 to 4 hours of total cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or 2 hours of left heart bypass. Prior to bypass, arterial levels of norepinephrine were 0.41 ± 0.04 ng/ml and pulmonary extraction of norepinephrine was 25 ± 3% (N = 20). During bypass, norepinephrine levels significantly increased from control to 1.41 ± 0.15 (1 or 2 hours of CPB; N=8) and 1.97 ± 0.30 (3 or 4 hours of CPB; N=8) or 0.97 ± 0.29 (2 hours of left heart bypass) ng/ml. Restoration of normal pulmonary blood flow was associated with a rapid and significant decrease in arterial levels of norepinephrine, which, after 1 or 2 hours of CPB or 2 hours of left heart bypass, returned to levels obtained before bypass. However, arterial levels of norepinephrine remained higher than 1 ng/ml in the 3-hour recovery period after prolonged bypass. In these animals, pulmonary extraction of norepinephrine was significantly less than control. These data suggest that the lung's ability to remove norepinephrine is altered by CPB and that the severity of the alterations is directly related to pump time. The impairment in extraction allows higher than normal concentrations of norepinephrine to enter the arterial circulation and may contribute to systemic hypertension after bypass.
Melting of small Sn clusters by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

Ab initio Langevin molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the structural transformation of tin clusters Sn x (x=6, 7, 10, and 13) at high temperatures. The melting temperatures of these clusters were estimated to be 1300 K, 2100 K, 2000 K, and 1900 K, respectively, which are all above the melting temperature (505 K) of bulk tin. These results are consistent with recent ion mobility measurements.
Nanotopography of synthetic and natural dolomite crystals

Examination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning force microscopy (SFM) revealed etch pits, layers and islands on dolomite crystal faces synthesized from calcite in Ca-Mg-Cl solutions at 200 °C and a wide variety of natural dolomites. Layers are broad, flat structures bounded by steps less than 100 nm high and greater than 1 μm wide. Islands are rounded topographic highs <20 nm high and <200 nm wide. The nanotopography of synthetic dolomite changed from islands throughout most of the reaction to layers at 100% dolomite. Island nanotopography formed on both Ca-rich and near-stoichiometric dolomite. Analyses of reaction products from dolomite synthesis indicates that there are no SFM-detectable products formed in <10 h. SEM-detectable products formed in 15 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD)-detectable products formed in ≈18 h, and the reaction went to completion in ≈40 h. Based on SFM analyses, the induction period for dolomitization in these experiments accounts for ≈20% of the total reaction time necessary to dolomitize CaCO3 completely under the experimental conditions used here. Island nano- topography is inferred to occur at higher degrees of supersaturation than layer nanotopography for three reasons. First, island nanotopography on synthetic calcite and gypsum forms at higher supersaturations than layer nanotopography. Secondly, island nanotopography formed in solutions with higher degrees of supersaturation with respect to dolomite. Thirdly, the greater surface roughness of a crystal face composed of islands compared with layers indicates that island surfaces have higher surface energy than layer surfaces. Therefore, the stability of island surfaces requires a higher degree of supersaturation. Because islands and layers form under a wide range of conditions, their presence provides broadly applicable criteria for evaluating relative degrees of supersaturation under which ancient dolomite formed. Comparison of synthetic dolomites with natural dolomites demonstrates (1) similar nanotopography on natural and synthetic dolomites and (2) both natural planar and non-planar dolomite may have island nanotopography.
Empirical calibration of oxygen isotope fractionation in zircon

New empirical calibrations for the fractionation of oxygen isotopes among zircon, almandine-rich garnet, titanite, and quartz are combined with experimental values for quartz-grossular. The resulting A-coefficients (‰K2) are: Zrc Alm Grs Ttn Qtz 2.64 2.71 3.03 3.66 Zrc 0.07 0.39 1.02 Alm 0.32 0.95 Grs 0.63 Full-size table Table options View in workspace Download as CSV for the relation 1000 ln αY-X = AY-X (106/T2). The fractionation of oxygen isotopes between zircon and coexisting minerals can provide otherwise unavailable evidence of magmatic processes, including crystallization, remelting, and assimilation-fractional crystallization.
An air-assisted spinning disc nozzle and its performance on spray deposition and reduction of drift potential

Abstract An air-assisted system was used with a Micromax III speed spinning disc nozzle and assess its effects on spray penetration, deposition and reduction of drift in an artificial canopy representing cotton plants. The effects of air-assist velocities (10, 15, 25 m s−1) to carry droplets and application volumes (20 and 40 l ha−1) and two droplet sizes obtained by changing disc speed on spray deposition and drift potential were investigated with different cross-wind velocities (1.5, 2.5, 3.5 m s−1) in a wind tunnel. Deposition data produced by the spinning disc nozzle with and without air assistance were compared using a fluorometric method. Spray pattern displacement (SPD) was also determined using a spray patternator in the wind tunnel. Wind velocity, air assistance, application volume, droplet diameter and their interactions significantly affected deposition on plants. The highest deposit on plants was obtained with the combination of no cross-wind, spray volume of 20 l ha−1, an air-assist velocity of 25 m s−1 and droplet diameter of 210 μm. Downwind drift was partly controlled at an air-assist velocity of 25 m s−1 when drift potential could be reduced up to 39%.
On the First Passage Time Probability Problem

We have derived an exact solution for the first passage time probability of a stationary one-dimensional Markoffian random function from an integral equation. A recursion formula for the moments is given for the case that the conditional probability density describing the random function satisfies a Fokker-Planck equation. Various known solutions for special applications (noise, Brownian motion) are shown to be special cases of our solution. The Wiener-Rice series for the recurrence time probability density is derived from a generalization of Schr\"odinger's integral equation, for the case of a two-dimensional Markoffian random function.
How college students can help delinquents

Abstract Sociologists and government agencies have advocated for a long time that delinquents be made to associate with conventional role models and, by this means, be drawn away from delinquency. Unfortunately, the advocates of this position have not been able to offer practical and efficient methods by which such association can be accomplished on a large scale without creating adverse side effects. This note describes a program that makes it possible for large numbers of identified delinquents to have routine contact with college students in a way that is convenient and enjoyable both for students and juveniles. It is also efficient (throughout the meetings, values are brought to the fore, discussed, and compared). The program is called Discovery. It has been offered in juvenile detention facilities in western Massachusetts since 1982. Approximately 200 juveniles and an equal number of college students have participated. All of the college students, ninety-five percent of the juveniles, and all of the staff members surveyed have expressed satisfaction with the program. No one has complained of being harmed or degraded by the program. Compared to other programs designed to enable college students to serve as confidants or counselors of juveniles, this one is much more tightly structured; consequently, it requires less training of the students and fewer meetings between students and juveniles. This, in turn, makes it possible for more students to get involved.