cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-similarity in sensory neural signals

A variety of statistical measures are useful for identifying the form of the point process that describes the maintained discharge of retinal-ganglion-cell (RGC) and lateral-geniculate-nucleus (LGN) neurons in the cat visual system. These measures are based on both interevent intervals and counts, and include the interevent-interval histogram, rescaled range analysis, the event-number histogram, Fano factor, Allan factor, and periodogram. All of these measures have been applied to data sets derived from both RGC and LGN neurons, and to surrogate versions thereof generated by randomly shuffling the order of the interevent intervals. The counting statistics reveal multiscale (1/f-type) fluctuations in the data (long-duration power-law correlation), which can be identified with neuronal facilitation. These fractal fluctuations are eliminated by the process of shuffling. Certain short-term features of the RGC and LGN spike trains are well described by the gamma-r renewal process that is often used to model visual-system action-potential interevent intervals. However, this model fails to accommodate the long-duration correlation. The authors present a new model for visual-system action-potential firings comprising a gamma-r renewal process compounded with fractal binomial noise. This fractal doubly stochastic point process characterizes the statistical behavior of both RGC and LGN spike trains exceedingly well.
The growth of octacalcium phosphate on beta tricalcium phosphate

The crystallization of calcium phosphate phases from metastable supersaturated solutions following seeding with well characterized tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) solid has been studied at 37°C, using the constant composition method. The results confirm that at a pH of 6.00, it is impossible to precipitate β-TCP at ambient temperatures. Following a well-defined induction period, the crystallization of pure octacalcium phosphate (OCP) is induced in the supersaturated solutions. The linear dependence of the logarithm of the induction periods upon (log supersaturation)-2, is inducative of a surface nucleating process with an effective surface energy of 17 mJ m-2.
Hydrogen spillover on silica: II. Kinetics and mechanism of the induction of catalytic activity

To understand the potential significance of the phenomena associated with hydrogen spillover it is necessary to understand the mechanism by which catalytic activity is induced onto oxides and the relative activity of these sites. To quantify the relative activity, it is necessary to estimate the number of active sites that are created so that a “proper” turnover frequency can be calculated. We have studied the hydrogenation activity induced on silica by hydrogen spilled over from platinum as a function the pretreatment of the silica and the time and temperature of exposure to spillover hydrogen. The induction of activity requires long periods of exposure (>6 h, increasing to 12 h) at high temperatures (400–460 °C). With the optimum conditions the concentration of active sites approaches 1013/cm2 of silica surface and the maximum turnover frequency of the created sites is estimated as 10−1 s−1 for ethylene hydrogenation at 200 °C. The catalytic sites seem to be created from the reaction of specific “associated” (vicinal or geminal) hydroxyls on the silica with spillover hydrogen.
Health impact assessment: where does the law come in?

Abstract The European Convention on Human Rights has profound implications for HIA. Public authorities have a positive obligation to stop others from infringing citizens' rights to life and to respect for private and family life. These rights are qualified and have now been interpreted in many thousands of cases. Authorities must, as best they reasonably can, secure the safety of citizens and inform the citizens about the safety or otherwise of any development. Authorities have to strike a balance between the individuals rights and the public benefit. Any public authority before approving a scheme or reaching a regulatory decision which may impact on human rights must consider the nature of that impact, its seriousness and whether it can be justified on public interest grounds. A number of court judgements in cases concerning these issues are discussed. This article is not about how certain of the ideas underlying Health Impact Assessment, in certain circumstances, are or can be incorporated in existing legally recognised instruments such as Environmental Impact Assessments. Nor is it about the statutory powers which authorities—local and national—could, if so inclined, exercise, to further the health and well-being of their constituents. It is about something rather more general, important and yet rather formless, namely the duties identified by the European Court of Human Rights as resting upon public authorities to take steps to safeguard the public health rights of their citizens.
Shotgun correlations in software measures

Many software measures have been forwarded on the simple basis of a high linear correlation coefficient with some measurable quantities. The linear correlation coefficient is an unreliable statistic for deciding whether an observed correlation indicates significant association. Several published software measure experiments collected more than 20 different measurements, or have 14 or fewer observations. With considerable data from small samples, the probability of ‘discovering’ a ‘significant’ correlation is high. We present a computer simulation experiment where the correlation between sets of randomly generated numbers is calculated. We also look at randomly generated numbers in the ranges that would be expected in Halstead's Software Science [1] measures. Our results show that the average maximum linear correlation for randomly generated numbers is 0.70 or higher if the sample size is low compared to the number of variables. Alternative statistical approaches to obtaining meaningful significant results are presented.
A poverty profile for rural Botswana

Abstract Recognizing that for policy purposes it is important to learn in what ways households that are poor differ from households that have a more adequate income and recognizing that these differences may be cause or consequence of low economic status, this paper compiles a ‘poverty profile’ of rural Botswana. The data are taken from the Rural Income Distribution Survey conducted in 1975 by the Central Statistical Office of the Government of Botswana - a sample of 950 randomly selected households in 20 rural areas. The survey data enable the authors to determine how close each household comes to meeting its basic requirements. The paper begins by explaining the derivation of ‘poverty income ratios’; it then relates the PIRs to the demographic characteristics of households, their education, location and asset holdings. There follows a description of differences in time use and sources of income among the five poverty ratio groups. The authors conclude with a discussion of the implications for policies aimed at the alleviation of poverty.
A non-classical copper carbonyl on a tri-alkene hydrocarbon support.

Two rare copper complexes, a tri-alkene adduct [Cu(ttt-cdt)(FSbF5)] and a non-classical carbon monoxide complex [Cu(ttt-cdt)(CO)][SbF6] with a high CO stretching frequency (CO = 2160 cm−1), have been isolated using trans,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene (ttt-cdt) ligand.
The uniaxial ferromagnet NiZrF6⋅6H2O in a transverse field

The magnetic susceptibility of trigonal crystals of the uniaxial ferromagnet NiZrF6⋅6H2O has been measured parallel to the easy (trigonal) axis between 0.08 and 5K in a 3He‐4He dilution refrigerator by a mutual inductance method at 70 Hz. Data have been obtained with static fields, H⊥, up to ∼3000 Oe applied perpendicular to the easy axis. Keeping the amplitude of the oscillatory field below 1 Oe, χ∥ is found to exhibit a sharp peak at the Curie point Tc = 0.16K for H⊥ = 0. This peak remains sharp in the presence of large transverse fields indicating the persistence of the cooperative ferromagnetic ordering transition. The peak shifts to lower temperature with increasing H⊥ tracing out a boundary in the H⊥‐T plane separating ferro‐ and paramagnetic regions. This phase diagram is in reasonable agreement with predictions for models of uniaxial ferromagnets.
The thermoelastic state of a thermosensitive sphere and space with a spherical cavity subject to complex heat exchange

A solution is derived for the non-stationary heat-conduction problem involving a thermosensitive sphere and space with a spherical cavity under convective radial heat exchange with the environment. The influence of the material thermosensitivity on the temperature distribution and the stresses caused by it is analyzed for the cases when force loadings exist and when they are absent on the surface of the bodies considered.
Intra-aortic administration of epinephrine above aortic occlusion does not alter outcome of experimental cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Intra-aortic balloon occlusion during experimental cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves coronary perfusion pressure and resuscitability and provides unique access to the central circulation. It has been hypothesized that administration of epinephrine into the aortic arch in combination with aortic occlusion would further improve haemodynamics during CPR, resuscitability and 24 h survival. In 16 anaesthetised dogs intravascular catheters were placed for hemodynamic and blood gas monitoring. An aortic balloon catheter was placed by femoral artery insertion with its tip just distal to the left subclavian artery. Ventricular fibrillation for 7.5 min without CPR, 2.5 min of Basic Life Support with chest compressions and ventilation with 100% oxygen were followed by 30 min of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) with systemic canine drug dosages. The intra-aortic balloon was inflated when ACLS started and gradually deflated shortly after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Epinephrine, in 100 microg/kg boluses every 5 min until the heart was restarted or 30 min had elapsed was administered through the intra-aortic catheter in the experimental group (n = 8) and via a central venous catheter in the control group (n = 8). Coronary perfusion pressure increased during the ACLS period in both groups (P < 0.05) with no difference between the groups and there was no difference in the frequency of ROSC (experimental group 5/8, control group 4/8). Furthermore with respect to 24 h survival, there was no difference between the experimental group (2/8) and the control group (3/8). Severe macroscopic haemorrhagic necrosis of the myocardium in the dogs with ROSC was found in 4/5 in the experimental group compared to 1/4 in the control group. In conclusion, intra-aortic administration of 100 microg/kg epinephrine doses combined with aortic occlusion during experimental CPR did not alter outcome.
Polygon rendering on a stream architecture

The use of a programmable stream architecture in polygon rendering provides a powerful mechanism to address the high performance needs of today's complex scenes as well as the need for flexibility and programmability in the polygon rendering pipeline. We describe how a polygon rendering pipeline maps into data streams and kernels that operate on streams, and how this mapping is used to implement the polgyon rendering pipeline on Imagine, a programmable stream processor. We compare our results on a cycle-accurate simulation of Imagine to representative hardware and software renderers.
Corrigendum to “Structure and high temperature thermoelectric properties of SrAl2Si2” [J. Solid State Chem. 182 (2009) 240–245]

Corrigendum to ‘‘Structure and high temperature thermoelectric properties of SrAl2Si2’’ [J. Solid State Chem. 182 (2009) 240–245] Susan M. Kauzlarich , Cathie L. Condron , Jonathan K. Wassei , Teruyuki Ikeda , G. Jeffrey Snyder b a Department of Chemistry, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA b Materials Science, California Institute of Technology, 1200 California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
A numerical profile of commercial PL/I programs

A sample of 120 production PL/I programs from several commercial computing installations has been studied. Data about the programs in the sample have been extracted by a PL/I scanning program. The statistical results of the study are presented in this document The paper concentrates on statistical data and not on general conclusions. The data are only interpreted to the extent that it is not ill-defined and misleading. The data profile the use of basic PL/I elements and the structure of programs written in PL/I. The reader of this report will get a better understanding of how PL/I has been used in the commercial environment up to 1974.
Improving open circuit potential in hybrid P3HT:CdSe bulk heterojunction solar cells via colloidal tert-butylthiol ligand exchange.

Organic ligands have the potential to contribute to the reduction potential, or lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy, of semiconductor nanocrystals. Rationally introducing small, strongly binding, electron-donating ligands should enable improvement in the open circuit potential of hybrid organic/inorganic solar cells by raising the LUMO energy level of the nanocrystal acceptor phase and thereby increasing the energy offset from the polymer highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Hybrid organic/inorganic solar cells fabricated from blends of tert-butylthiol-treated CdSe nanocrystals and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) achieved power conversion efficiencies of 1.9%. Compared to devices made from pyridine-treated and nonligand exchanged CdSe, the thiol-treated CdSe nanocrystals are found to consistently exhibit the highest open circuit potentials with VOC = 0.80 V. Electrochemical determination of LUMO levels using cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry suggest that the thiol-treated Cd...
Voltage and concentration dependence of Ca2+ permeability in recombinant glutamate receptor subtypes

The channels associated with glutamate receptor (GluR) subtypes, namely N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), and Ca2+-permeable α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptors (AMPARs) and kainate receptors (KARs), are to varying degrees permeable to Ca2+. To compare the mechanism of Ca2+ influx, we measured Ca2+ permeability relative to that of Na+ (PCa/PNa) using fractional Ca2+ currents (Pf) and reversal potential measurements over a wide voltage and Ca2+ concentration range in recombinant NMDAR NR1-NR2A, AMPAR GluR-A(Q) and KAR GluR-6(Q) channels. For NR1-NR2A channels, PCa/PNa derived from Pf measurements was voltage independent but showed a weak concentration dependence. A stronger concentration dependence was found when PCa/PNa was derived from changes in reversal potentials on going from a Na+ reference solution to a solution with Ca2+ as the only permeant ion (‘biionic’ condition). In contrast, PCa/PNa was concentration independent when derived from changes in reversal potentials on going from a Na+ reference solution to the same solution with added Ca2+ (‘high monovalent’ condition). For GluR-A(Q) channels, PCa/PNa derived from all three approaches was concentration independent, and for the reversal potential-based approaches were of comparable magnitude. Their most distinctive property was that PCa/PNa derived from Pf measurements was strongly voltage dependent. For GluR-6(Q) channels, PCa/PNa derived from Pf measurements was weakly voltage dependent. On the other hand, PCa/PNa derived from all three approaches was the most strongly concentration dependent of any GluR subtype and, except for low Ca2+ concentrations, the values were of comparable magnitude. Thus, the three Ca2+-permeable GluR subtypes showed unique patterns of Ca2+ permeability, indicating that distinct biophysical and molecular events underlie Ca2+ influx in each subtype.
Comparison of Shuttle Flight Pressure Data to Computational and Wind-Tunnel Results

A comparison between orbiter development flight instrumentation (DFI) forward fuselage flight pressure data, obtained from OV-102 during the space transportation system's (STS-1) re-entry, and ground facility and computational results is presented. Wind-tunnel data were obtained on a 0.04-scale orbiter forebody model. Computational data were obtained from the high alpha inviscid solutions (HALIS) computer code. These comparisons will be used to validate the existing experimental data base and optimize pressure modeling techniques developed in support of the Shuttle entry air data system (SEADS). The SEADS is a proposed acrossthe-speed-range second-generation air data system for the orbiter, using an array of flush pressure taps to be installed in the orbiter nose cap and forward fuselage. Knowledge derived from these comparisons will contribute to an improved capability to predict the performance of existing flight systems as well as an improved capability to design space transportation and general flight systems.
Neuroendocrine correlates of changes in brain activity thresholds by sex steroids and pituitary hormones.

A neurophysiological study has been made in rabbits of the effects of sex steroids and pituitary and placcntal hormones on sex behavior and pituitary function as related to changes in thresholds of two opposing cerebral systems: the EEG arousal threshold involving the brain stem rcticular formation (I), and the EEG after-reaction threshold involving the rhinencephalon and hypothalamus (TI). In the estrous or estrogen-primed female rabbit, progesterone at first lowers both thresholds for a few hours and subsequently elevates them to supranormal levels until withdrawal or rebound brings them clown again. The early phase is related to estrus and a lowered threshold of pituitary activation, whereas the elevated thresholds correlate with anestrus and pituitary inhibition. Testosterone, certain pituitary and placental hormones, seasonal influences and even prolonged treatment with female sex steroids affect the two thresholds differentially. Relating the effects on thresholds to behavior and to known thresholds...
A Pilot Study of BRCA Mutation Carriers’ Knowledge About the Clinical Impact of Prophylactic-oophorectomy and Views on Fertility Consultation: A Single-Center Pilot Study

BRCA mutation carriers will experience early surgically induced menopause following prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (PBSO). This pilot study aimed to investigate their (1) knowledge about the clinical impact of PBSO; (2) views on fertility consultation (FC)/fertility preservation (FP) treatment; and (3) difficulties in conceiving compared to non-carriers. A cross-sectional, single institution web-survey was performed at a university-based IVF center. Women aged 18–50 years who were screened for BRCA gene mutations from 2005 to 2013 were recruited via mail. Forty-one BRCA-positive and 110 BRCA-negative women completed the survey (response rate: 50 %). The knowledge about the reproductive impact of PBSO was limited, with the majority of women in this highly educated sample only identifying the correct response 64 % of the time. Among BRCA mutation carriers, 24 (59 %) had positive views about FC/FP treatments. A larger proportion of women with no children at the time of BRCA testing, and those who were non-white tended to have positive views toward FP. Women with, versus without, BRCA mutations were more likely to have difficulty in conceiving (p = 0.08). This well-educated group had limited knowledge about the reproductive clinical impact of PBSO, or the benefit of a FP before PBSO. Most women with BRCA mutations were interested in FC/FP treatment if they had not completed childbearing at the time of screening. Targeted referrals for FC at the time of BRCA screening may help women improve knowledge and allow improved decision-making about reproductive options.
Diseases of the canine esophagus due to prenatal influence.

The congenital esophageal anomalies—eg, tracheo-esophageal fistula, atresia, diverticulum, heterotropia, and stenosis—are very rare. Persistent right aortic arch, the most common congenital vascular anomaly, produces esophageal dilatation anterior to the heart. It can be accurately diagnosed and treated with relative success. Hereditary esophageal dilatation, with or without achalasia of the terminal esophagus, resembles persistent right aortic arch except that the esophagus posterior to the heart is enlarged. Esophagomyotomy also facilitates drainage into the stomach in animals with achalasia, or with narrowing of the cardiac portion of the esophagus. Intussusception of the stomach into the esophagus is associated with hereditary esophageal dilatation while diverticula may be observed in dogs with this condition or with persistent right aortic arch.
The Effects of Crosslinking of Scaffolds Engineered from Cartilage ECM on the Chondrogenic Differentiation of MSCs

Scaffolds fabricated from cartilage extracellular matrix provide a chondroinductive environment that stimulates cartilaginous matrix synthesis in a variety of cell types. A limitation of these cartilage-derived matrix (CDM) scaffolds is that they contract during in vitro culture, which unpredictably alters their shape. The current study examined the hypothesis that collagen crosslinking techniques could inhibit cell-mediated contraction of CDM scaffolds. We analyzed the effects of dehydrothermal (DHT) treatment, ultraviolet light irradiation (UV), and the chemical crosslinker carbodiimide (CAR) on scaffold contraction and chondrogenic differentiation of adult human bone marrow-derived stem cells (MSCs). Both physical and chemical crosslinking treatments retained the original scaffold dimensions. DHT and UV treatments produced significantly higher glycosaminoglycan and collagen contents than CAR crosslinked and non-crosslinked constructs. Crosslinking treatments influenced the composition of newly synthesized matrix, and DHT treatment best matched the composition of native cartilage. DHT, UV, and non-crosslinked CDM films supported cell attachment, while CAR crosslinking inhibited cell adhesion. These results affirm that collagen crosslinking treatments can prevent cell-mediated contraction of CDM scaffolds. Interestingly, crosslinking treatments influence chondrogenic differentiation. These effects seem to be mediated by modifications to cell-matrix interactions between MSCs and the CDM; however, further work is necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms involved in this process.
Microfabrication Using Elastomeric Stamp Deformation

Elastomeric stamp deformation has been utilized for the contact printing (CP) of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and, more recently, polymers and proteins. Here, we take advantage of this well-studied phenomenon to fabricate a series of new metal thin-film patterns not present on the original stamp. The rounded patterns are of nanoscale thickness, long-range order, and are created from elastomeric stamps with only straight-edged features. The metal was printed onto the surface of an α,ω-alkanedithiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The new shapes are controlled by a combination of stamp geometry design and the application of external pressure. Previously published rules on stamp deformation for contact printing of SAMs are invalid because the coating is instead a thin-metal film. This method represents a new pathway to micropatterning metal thin films, leading to shapes with higher complexity than the original lithographic masters.
Reversible nephrotoxicity of onconase and effect of lysine pH on renal onconase uptake

Purpose: To examine the histopathology of the kidney in mice following repeated injections of the antitumor drug onconase, and to determine whether lysine, which reportedly blocks kidney uptake of other basic proteins, blocks the high renal uptake of onconase. Methods: Mice received repeated intraperitoneal onconase injections over 3 weeks. Kidneys were examined by light microscopy after 1 week, 3 weeks, and 5 weeks (2 weeks after cessation of injections) and compared to kidneys from animals receiving a similar schedule of PBS injections. Renal uptake of radioiodinated onconase was measured in animals receiving intraperitoneal injections of lysine solutions of acidic and neutral pH given at −30, 0 and +5 min relative to intravenous onconase injection. Renal onconase uptake was also measured in animals made metabolically acidotic by ingestion of ammonium chloride, arginine chloride or lysine dihydrochloride from the drinking water. Results: Onconase caused acute moderate multifocal proximal renal tubular necrosis, and this toxicity was reversed by 2 weeks after drug withdrawal. Intraperitoneal injections of lysine dihydrochloride in PBS (pH 1.5) reduced renal onconase uptake at 15 min from 67.9 ± 13.4% to 17.0 ± 3.8% of the injected dose without affecting the plasma concentration and also reduced the fraction of degraded onconase in the urine. However, neutral solutions of lysine dihydrochloride at pH 7.4 or lysine acetate at pH 7.1 were ineffective at blocking renal onconase uptake. Furthermore, renal onconase uptake was minimally or not affected by a state of metabolic acidosis. Conclusions: Proximal tubular toxicity of onconase was reversible. Renal onconase uptake was blocked by lysine at pH 1.5 but not at neutral pH.
Effectiveness of oral antibiotic treatment in nursing home-acquired pneumonia.

Effectiveness of Oral Antibiotic Treatment in Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with success or failure of oral antibiotic treatment for nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). DESIGN: Retrospective study of outcomes for all identifiable NHAP cases in 1991. SETTING: The Nursing Home Services Program of St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center and 31 metropolitan St. Paul, Minnesota, community nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home (NH) cohort: 124 patients (mean age 85.2 years) with a new respiratory symptom and new infiltrate on portable chest X-ray for whom oral antibiotics were prescribed. Hospital cohort: 74 NH patients (mean age 84.3 years) admitted to hospital with new X-ray infiltrate and pneumonia diagnosis. Supportive care status patients were excluded. Forty-three physician/nurse practitioner (MD/NP) teams were represented. MEASUREMENTS: Nursing home cohort: Outcomes of hospitalization within 14 days or 30-day mortality. A discriminant model was applied to predict outcome and discriminant rule performance was analyzed. Hospital cohort: 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Of 198 episodes of NH pneumonia, 63% were treated in the facility; 30.6% (38) failed NH treatment. Thirty-day mortality was 13%. There was no examination by the MD or NP for 59% of NH-treated episodes. The hospital cohort had a higher mean pulse (P 90/min, temperature > 100.5°F, respirations > 30/min, feeding dependence, and mechanically altered diets. A discriminant model using these factors was significant (P = .002). The NH treatment failure rate was 11% for no factors present, 23% for two or fewer factors, and 59.5% for three or more (likelihood ratio 3.1). Thirty-two percent of the hospital cohort had zero or one factor present and were alive at 30 days. CONCLUSION: The majority of NHAP episodes were treated successfully with oral antibiotics, but 31% failed treatment in the NH. Patients with a mechanically altered diet or requiring feeding assistance by staff had significantly higher failure rates. Feeding dependence and need for a mechanically altered diet as well as abnormal vital signs are associated with oral antibiotic treatment failure. These factors should be considered in treatment decisions for NHAP. J Am Geriatr Soc 43: 245–251, 1995.
Acute effects of amperozide and paroxetine on social cohesion in male conspecifics.

Abstract The effects of acute administration of the selective 5-hydroxytrypamine (5-HT; serotonin) uptake inhibitor, paroxetine, and the potent 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist, N -ethyl-4-[4′,4′-bis( ρ -flourophenyl)butyl]-1-piperazinecarboxamide (amperozide) on social cohesion was determined by using a tether paradigm, in which the movement of one of a pair of rats was restricted to one-half of an observation chamber. Administration of 0.1 mg/kg paroxetine, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mg/kg amperozide but neither 1.0 nor 10.0 mg/kg paroxetine increased time spent in contact with the untreated, tethered rat. Whereas only the lowest dose of paroxetine (0.1 mg/kg) promoted social cohesion, all doses of amperozide (1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mg/kg) promoted social cohesion. The amperozide-induced increases in time spent in contact were greater than the paroxetine-induced increases in seconds spent in contact, regardless of dose. Acute administration of amperozide is more effective than acute administration of paroxetine in promoting social cohesion between pairs of male conspecifics. Amperozide may be an effective alternative treatment for patients with social anxiety disorder suffering from adverse side effects of paroxetine. Amperozide may prove to be a more effective treatment for social anxiety disorder than paroxetine, which is supported by our results.
Spectral characteristics of non-stationary random processes: Theory and applications to linear structural models

The spectral characteristics are important quantities in describing random processes. Proper definitions of these quantities are available for real-valued stationary and non-stationary processes. In this paper, the well-established definitions of spectral characteristics for real-valued stationary and non-stationary processes are extended to general complex-valued non-stationary random processes. This extension allows to derive the exact solution in closed-form for the classical problem of computing the time-variant central frequency and bandwidth parameter of the response processes of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and both classically and non-classically damped multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) linear elastic systems subjected to white noise excitation from at rest initial conditions. These new exact closed-form solutions are also used to gain deeper insight into the time-variant and stationary behavior of the central frequency and bandwidth parameter of these linear response processes.
Toxicity and Environmental Risks of Nanomaterials: Challenges and Future Needs

Nanotechnology has gained a great deal of public interest because of the needs and applications of nanomaterials in many areas of human endeavors including industry, agriculture, business, medicine, and public health. Environmental exposure to nanomaterials is inevitable as nanomaterials become part of our daily life, and, as a result, nanotoxicity research is gaining attention. This review presents a summary of recent research efforts on fate, behavior, and toxicity of different classes of nanomaterials in the environment. A critical evaluation of challenges and future needs for the safe environmental nanotechnology are discussed.
Single-cell force spectroscopy as a technique to quantify human red blood cell adhesion to subendothelial laminin

Single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS), an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based assay, enables quantitative study of cell adhesion while maintaining the native state of surface receptors in physiological conditions. Human healthy and pathological red blood cells (RBCs) express a large number of surface proteins which mediate cell-cell interactions, or cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. In particular, RBCs adhere with high affinity to subendothelial matrix laminin via the basal cell adhesion molecule and Lutheran protein (BCAM/Lu). Here, we established SCFS as an in vitro technique to study human RBC adhesion at baseline and following biochemical treatment. Using blood obtained from healthy human subjects, we recorded adhesion forces from single RBCs attached to AFM cantilevers as the cell was pulled-off of substrates coated with laminin protein. We found that an increase in the overall cell adhesion measured via SCFS is correlated with an increase in the resultant total force measured on 1 µm(2) areas of the RBC membrane. Further, we showed that SCFS can detect significant changes in the adhesive response of RBCs to modulation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Lastly, we identified variability in the RBC adhesion force to laminin amongst the human subjects, suggesting that RBCs maintain diverse levels of active BCAM/Lu adhesion receptors. By using single-cell measurements, we established a powerful new method for the quantitative measurement of single RBC adhesion with specific receptor-mediated binding.
Electroencephalogram in narcolepsy.

Abstract One hundred patients with the clinical diagnosis of narcolepsy were examined electroencephalographically. The basal or alert electroencephalograms were found to be within normal limits. Drowsiness beginning within the first 4 min. of the recording occurred in the majority of patients. Almost all patients manifested drowsiness at some time during the recording. Sustained drowsiness lasting for periods up to 30 min. was characteristic of these patients. Opening and closing the eyes, counting, hyperventilation and photic stimulation, measures which alert the normal patient, were commonly ineffective in narcoleptics. In spite of persistent drowsiness, actual sleep was uncommon under the circumstances in which the recordings were made. Electroencephalograms made during cataplectic attacks and an attack of sleep paralysis were normal. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Intestinal calcium waves coordinate a behavioral motor program in C. elegans

Abstract Periodic behavioral motor patterns are normally controlled by neural circuits, such as central pattern generators. We here report a novel mechanism of motor pattern generation by non-neural cells. The defecation motor program in Caenorhabditis elegans consists of three stereotyped motor steps with precise timing and this behavior has been studied as a model system of a ultradian biological clock [J.H. Thomas, Genetic analysis of defecation in C. elegans , Genetics 124 (1990) 855–872; D.W. Liu, J.H. Thomas, Regulation of a periodic motor program in C. elegans , J. Neurosci. 14 (1994) 1953–1962; K. Iwasaki, D.W. Liu, J.H. Thomas, Genes that control a temperature-compensated ultradian clock in Caenorhabditis elegans , Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92 (1995), 10317–10321]. It was previously implied that the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor in the intestine was necessary for this periodic behavior [P. Dal Santo, M.A. Logan, A.D. Chisholm, E.M. Jorgensen, The inositol trisphosphate receptor regulates a 50 s behavioral rhythm in C. elegans , Cell 98 (1999) 757–767]. Therefore, we developed a new assay system to study a relationship between this behavioral timing and intestinal Ca 2+ dynamics. Using this assay system, we found that the timing between the first and second motor steps is coordinated by intercellular Ca 2+ -wave propagation in the intestine. Lack of the Ca 2+ -wave propagation correlated with no coordination of the motor steps in the CaMKII mutant. Also, when the Ca 2+ -wave propagation was blocked by the IP3 receptor inhibitor heparin at the mid-intestine in wild type, the second/third motor steps were eliminated, which phenocopied ablation of the motor neurons AVL and DVB. These observations suggest that an intestinal Ca 2+ -wave propagation governs the timing of neural activities that controls specific behavioral patterns in C. elegans .
Systolic array simulation for quantification of speed/area parameters

A comprehensive circuit simulation of a VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) systolic array processor for band matrix triangula tion is developed. A systolic array structure is composed of sim ple, regularly connected processing elements configured to rap idly triangulate large, band form, linear equation systems. I/O circuit models are developed which provide operand demulti plexinglmultiplexing necessary to convert serial operand I/O, at the chip boundaries, to a parallel broadcasting of operands to/from the processing cells.The complete layout of the model is a tessellated design of pro cessing elements and I/O modules which ideally will be fabri cated on a single chip. Fundamental design parameters which may be manipulated in the simulation include a scalable litho graphic linewidth, the number of bits per word and matrix bandwidth.Comparisons are made of total propagation delay time and chip size versus matrix bandwidth. These results, in turn, lead to an assessment of the feasibility and advantages o...
All About Mitochondrial Eve: An Interview with Rebecca Cann

In unearthing the genetic history of human populations, the recent pace of discovery has been so rapid that we can lose sight of the impact made by a single paper. In a 1987 Nature article, Rebecca Cann and her co-workers, Mark Stoneking and the late Allan Wilson, painstakingly analyzed mitochondrial DNA purified from placentas that had been collected from women of many different ancestral origins. By comparing the mitochondrial DNA variants to each other, the authors produced a phylogenetic tree that showed how human mitochondria are all related to each other and, by implication, how all living females, through whom mitochondria are transmitted, are descended from a single maternal ancestor. Not only that, they localized the root of the tree in Africa. The report left a wake, still rippling today, that stimulated not just geneticists and paleo-anthropologists, but the layperson as well, especially as the ancestor was quickly dubbed “Mitochondrial Eve.” Indeed, the cover of Newsweek one year later depicted an Eden, replete with apple tree and serpent, but with the iconic blonde couple of Durer now supplanted by an Adam and Eve of African descent.
Response of Holstein cows to corn gluten meal used to increase undegradable protein in early or later lactation

Supplemental corn gluten meal was used to raise CP by 1.1 to 1.5 percentage units and undegradable intake protein from 35 to 39% of CP in the corn-based diet of parity 1 or greater Holstein cows to study effects of undegradability, parity, stage of lactation, and interactions on DMI, milk yield and composition, BW, and related traits during complete lactations. Cows were assigned at calving to treatments (n = 30, 8 primiparous): control, supplement wk 1 to 8 postpartum (early), or supplement wk 9 to 44 postpartum (late). Total lactation means were not affected significantly by treatments. Supplementation with undegradable protein enhanced forage and, thus, total DMI in later lactation by pluriparous cows; it apparently spared BW loss wk 1 to 8 postpartum and enhanced BW recovery thereafter in first lactation cows with no effect in older cows. Effects of supplementation on milk yield were small, and they were negative in early lactation and generally positive in late lactation; effects were positive on fat test in early lactation for both parity categories but distinctly negative for parity 1 cows in late lactation. Supplementation of undegradable protein in late lactation also decreased milk protein content in parity 1 cows and raised it in older cows. Data suggest that Lys may have been first-limiting, followed by Ile in early lactation and Met in late lactation, and that AA adequacy may be more important than undegradability in ration protein balancing. For most traits measured, treatment by parity interactions were significant, indicating that parity 1 cows did not respond in the same way as older ones to protein supplementation.
The sequence of the rat pyruvate carboxylase-encoding cDNA

A composite 3945-bp cDNA that encodes rat pyruvate carboxylase (PC) has been constructed from clones isolated from a rat liver cell cDNA library and the nucleotide sequence has been determined. The rat cDNAs open reading frame encodes a protein of 1178 amino acids that is 98.6% identical (99.0% similar) to that of mouse PC and 96.0% identical (97.8% similar) to that of human PC.
Spin polarized electron scattering studies of surface magnetism

Abstract The asymmetry in the scattered intensity of an electron beam with spins polarized parallel or antiparallel to the target magnetization provides a sensitive measure of the magnetization of the outer few atomic layers of the target surface. We discuss the spin dependent scattering process itself as well as results, such as surface hysteresis curves, the temperature dependence of the magnetization, and data for magnetic structure determination, which illustrate the kind of information that can be obtained about the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic surfaces.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of human saliva

FT-IR spectra of male and female dried human saliva were obtained. The assignments of the observed spectral peaks are presented. The possibility of the application of FT-IR spectroscopy of human saliva in monitoring the status of a wide variety of human diseases is discussed.
Coordinative flexibility in hydrotris(methimazolyl)borate divalent metal compounds

Three divalent closed d shell metal complexes of the hydrotris(methimazolyl)borate ligand, [Ca(mt)2]·6H2O, [Ba(mt)2](H2O)2, and Hg4(mt)4Cl4, were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction; the three structures reveal very different ligand binding modes for each metal ion.
Archaeological evidence for precolumbian introduction of portulaca oleracea and mollugo verticillata into Eastern North America

Three observations can be made. First,P. oleracea andM. verticillata were present in temperate eastern North America 2500-3000 years ago. Second, the intimate association of purslane and carpetweed with human activities leads us to speculate that the spread of these weeds was in part due to the American Indian. It is likely that purslane occurred in the same plots where the Salts Cave inhabitants cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus), sumpweed (Iva annua), chenopod (Chenopodium sp.), squash (Cucurbita pepo), and gourd (Lagenaria siceraria). Third, the identifications of these two species emphasizes the potential and the need for cooperation between scientists in various disciplines. Paleoethnobotany can contribute much to the understanding of plant histories and their relationships to man.
Genomic profiling of messenger RNAs and microRNAs reveals potential mechanisms of TWEAK-induced skeletal muscle wasting in mice.

Background Skeletal muscle wasting is a devastating complication of several physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the loss of skeletal muscle mass in various chronic diseases. We have recently reported that proinflammatory cytokine TWEAK is a major muscle-wasting cytokine. Emerging evidence suggests that gene expression is regulated not only at transcriptional level but also at post-transcriptional level through the expression of specific non-coding microRNAs (miRs) which can affect the stability and/or translation of target mRNA. However, the role of miRs in skeletal muscle wasting is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings To understand the mechanism of action of TWEAK in skeletal muscle, we performed mRNA and miRs expression profile of control and TWEAK-treated myotubes. TWEAK increased the expression of a number of genes involved in inflammatory response and fibrosis and reduced the expression of few cytoskeletal gene (e.g. Myh4, Ankrd2, and TCap) and metabolic enzymes (e.g. Pgam2). Low density miR array demonstrated that TWEAK inhibits the expression of several miRs including muscle-specific miR-1-1, miR-1-2, miR-133a, miR-133b and miR-206. The expression of a few miRs including miR-146a and miR-455 was found to be significantly increased in response to TWEAK treatment. Ingenuity pathway analysis showed that several genes affected by TWEAK are known/putative targets of miRs. Our cDNA microarray data are consistent with miRs profiling. The levels of specific mRNAs and miRs were also found to be similarly regulated in atrophying skeletal muscle of transgenic mice (Tg) mice expressing TWEAK. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that TWEAK affects the expression of several genes and microRNAs involved in inflammatory response, fibrosis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and proteolytic degradation which might be responsible for TWEAK-induced skeletal muscle loss.
Action Theory and Action Research

The relevance and value of action theory for action research is clear, but at one crucial point the Parsonian version of action theory proves inadequate. Many of the resistances and obstacles to successful institutionalization derive from the ascriptive elements of modern social structure. Parsons' theory, by concentrating on hierarchical and exchange relations between institutional spheres in a modern highly differentiated society, tends to under-estimate the functions and consequences of ascription. Action theory must incorporate an adequate theory of the non-normative elements of social structure before it can successfully account for the process of institutionalization. At first glance the use of the word "action" in sociological discourse to modify both "theory" and "research" might seem confusing. Does the word have the same meaning in both instances? What is common to both the
Perceptual measures of speech from individuals with Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis: intelligibility and beyond.

Purpose The primary purpose of this study was to compare percent correct word and sentence intelligibility scores for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) with scal...
Impact of reintervention for failing upper-extremity arteriovenous autogenous access for hemodialysis.

Abstract Purpose: Although large published series have described their experience with the management of failed or failing prosthetic arteriovenous grafts for hemodialysis, there are scant data regarding failing arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs). To analyze the management of nonfunctioning or nonmaturing AVFs, we reviewed our experience with salvage procedures for these AVFs. Material and Methods: Of the 474 AVFs placed at our institution in 380 patients between June 1997 and March 2001, 75 revisions were performed in 46 patients (49 AVFs). Ages of these patients ranged from 29 to 94 years (mean, 68 ± 1.4 years). Diabetic patients comprised 51%, and hypertensive patients comprised 75%. Twenty patients underwent 26 vein patch angioplasties, and 17 patients underwent 24 balloon angioplasties. Four patients required four vein interpositions, and 12 patients underwent 12 revisions of the fistula to a more proximal level. Extended salvage procedures consisted of four turn-downs to the basilic vein for proximal cephalic vein thrombosis or stenosis and five extension bypasses to the axillary or jugular vein for subclavian vein thrombosis. Results: Follow-up ranged from 1 to 31 months (mean, 10 months). The patients who underwent open revisions tended to need fewer subsequent procedures. However, primary patency of the vein patch angioplasty was not significantly better as compared with balloon angioplasty ( P =.8) by life table analysis. Patency after revision of a radial cephalic fistula and brachial cephalic fistula were not statistically different. One interposition failed during the follow-up, and one revision to a more proximal level thrombosed during the follow-up. Two of the turn-down procedures had thrombosed at 2 and 11 months. The remaining two turn-down procedures have remained functional at 1 and 24 months. One of the extensions thrombosed at 8 months whereas the other four have remained functional at 1, 6, and 8 months. Conclusions: Despite the limited follow-up data, this review suggests that simple and extended salvage procedures may allow maturation and add to the life span of AVFs for hemodialysis. In addition, these data suggest an advantage for open techniques as compared with percutaneous techniques but only in terms of requiring fewer subsequent procedures. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:1004-9.)
A categorical approach to the theory of computation

On developpe une approche par la theorie des categories de la theorie du calcul (constructions elementaires dans les topos recursifs, role des fonctionnelles de Banach-Mazur dans le calcul, theorie synthetique du calcul)