cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of focal brain damage on sentence processing: An examination of the neurological organization of a mental module

The effects of prior semantic context upon lexical access during sentence processing were examined for three groups of subjects; nonfluent agrammatic (Broca's) aphasic patients; fluent (Wernicke's) aphasic patients; and neurologically intact control patients. Subjects were asked to comprehend auditorily presented, structurally simple sentences containing lexical ambiguities, which were in a context strongly biased toward just one interpretation of that ambiguity. While listening to each sentence, subjects also had to perform a lexical decision task upon a visually presented letter string. For the fluent Wernicke's patients, as for the controls, lexical decisions for visual words related to each of the meanings of the ambiguity were facilitated. By contrast, agrammatic Broca's patients showed significant facilitation only for visual words related to the a priori most frequent interpretation of the ambiguity. On the basis of these data, we suggest that normal form-based word retrieval processes are crucially reliant upon the cortical tissue implicated in agrammatism, but that even the focal brain damage yielding agrammatism does not destroy the normally encapsulated form of word access. That is, we propose that in agrammatism, the modularity of word access during sentence comprehension is rendered less efficient but not lost. Additionally, we consider a number of broader issues involved in the use of pathological material to infer characteristics of the neurological organization of cognitive architecture.
3-Hydroxypropylglucosinolate, a new glucosinolate in seeds of Erysimum hieracifolium and Malcolmia maritima

Abstract Glucosinolates from seed meals of Erysimum hieracifolium and Malcolmia maritima were treated with thioglucosidase (EC 3.2.3.1), and the resultant aglucon products investigated. A major product from E. hieracifolium was 3-hydroxypropyl isothiocyanate from the novel precursor 3-hydroxypropylglucosinolate. Other aglucon products were 3-methylsulfonylpropyl, 3-methylsulfinylpropyl, 3-methylthiopropyl, and allyl isothiocyanates. The aglucon products from M. maritima seed meal included 3-hydroxypropyl isothiocyanate, in addition to the previously known 3-methylsulfonylpropyl and 3-benzoyloxypropyl isothiocyanantes.
A Lay Perspective on the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony1

To understand more about what laypeople think they “know” about eyewitness testimony, 276 jury-eligible university students were asked to indicate what factors they believe affect the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. In contrast to the large proportion of eyewitness-memory research that concerns system variables, the lay respondents overwhelmingly generated factors related to estimator variables, while system-variable factors such as police questioning and identification procedures were rarely mentioned. Respondents also reported that their own common sense and everyday life experiences were their most important sources of information about the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. Not only do these results clarify the need for further research on the lay perspective of eyewitness testimony, but they also provide some insight into the way in which many jurors might approach cases involving eyewitness evidence.
Advection of axisymmetric interfaces by the volume‐of‐fluid method

SUMMARY A criterion is proposed for the advection of axisymmetric interfaces. The location of an interface is followed by a volume-tracking technique wherein a volume fraction parameter is assigned to each of the cells in a Eulerian grid system. The interface is discretized into a set of line segments fitted at the boundary of every pair of neighburing computational cells. The orientation of a line segment is obtained by inspecting the volume fractions of two neighbouring cells. The volume fractions are then advected using the velocity components at the boundary of the two cells. The following advection criterion is proposed: for advection in the axial direction the axial velocity I( is assumed constant in the vicinity of each cell face; for advection in the radial direction the radial velocity v times the radial distance r is assumed constant in the vicinity of each cell face, i.e. gv = const., where fi = 0 for Cartesian and fi = 1 for axisymmetric systems. The above criterion is used to develop an algorithm for the advection of axisymmetric interfaces which is referred to as the ‘axisymmetric flux line segment model for advection and interface reconstruction’ or A-FLAIR.
Experiments on the Active Control of Multiple Wave Types in Fluid Filled Piping Systems

This paper presents active control approaches for the control of structure borne and fluid borne waves in piping installations. At low frequencies the vibration in a fluid filled pipe travels dominantly as a fluid wave, bending waves, a shear wave and a compressive wave in the shell. Although one shell wave may be responsible for the majority of the vibration transmission into supporting structures it is still necessary to control all the waves since discontinuities in the system re-couple all of the wave types. A closed circuit fluid filled piping system, driven by a pump, is used as a test rig. A multi-channel filtered X-LMS feedforward active control system is used to drive a number of electromagnetic actuators attached to the pipe. Reference signal are taken from sensors on the pump and on the pipe. Error signals are taken from accelerometers and pressure sensors on the pipe. Using a set of vibration and pressure sensors both the power flow and amplitudes of the wave types are determined before and after control and the results from various combinations of actuator and sensor locations are presented. It is shown that structural actuators can be used to control all of the wave types.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
New controller for in-series cardiac-assist devices.

A new control unit for in-series cardiac-assist devices is presented. This unit allows the control of the phase difference between the fundamental components of aortic pressure and flow using a single timing adjustment. To accomplish this the conventional ‘delay’ from the e.c.g. R-wave to device activation was replaced by the time interval from the R-wave to midpump systole (TMPS). The second adjustment, the ‘duration’ of pump systole, which in this control unit is symmetrical about the TMPS, does not affect the phase difference. A computer simulation of the control unit suggests that the phase difference is controlled by TMPS alone when the ‘duration’ is maintained above a threshold level. The control unit is being tested using intraaortic balloon pumping in dogs. Preliminary results from these experiments have substantiated the simulation results.
Time-resolved emission spectroscopy in laser-generated nitrogen plasmas

Extremely high-lying states of atomic and molecular nitrogen ions have been observed and analyzed in the transient plasma that results from focusing a Q-switched Nd:YAG (where YAG denotes yttrium aluminum garnet) laser into a pure nitrogen atmosphere ranging in pressure from 100 to 800 Torr. During the first 10 to 80 ns after plasma ignition several states of ${\mathrm{N}}^{3+}$ can be detected. Their Stark broadened linewidth is strongly time dependent due to the rapidly changing electron density in the decaying plasma. At around 20 to 40 \ensuremath{\mu}s after plasma ignition, rotationally resolved emission in the first negative system of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{+}$, $^{2}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}X $^{2}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{g}}^{+}$ indicates a rotational and vibrational temperature of about 9500 K. No significant interference from the second positive system ${\mathit{C}}^{3}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}_{\mathit{u}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}B $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}_{\mathit{g}}$ of the neutral molecule is observed. Under these conditions rotational levels up to N'=112 in the R branch of the (0,0) band have been identified. In this band, new perturbations at around N'=82 and 95 due to the v=12 and 13 vibrational levels of the ${\mathit{A}}^{2}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}_{\mathit{u}}$ state are reported.
A fuel element measurement system

Abstract An operational measurement system has been developed which collects, analyzes, and strores the measurement data for tubular fuel elements. The measurement system is used on both unirradiated and irradiated fuel elements. The description of the measurement concept, measuring equipment, and record system are given.
Teaching Chinese Through Chinese Literature

WITH THE SLOW but steady growth of Chinese language programs in the United States,1 courses in Chinese literature are now being gradually introduced into the curricula of American institutions of higher learning and even of high schools.2 As far as is known, many literature courses, unfortunately, have been taught purely as language courses, as little attention is focused on analysis, criticism, and interpretation in these courses.3 There is no doubt that literature contributes to the appreciation and enjoyment of language and culture; the study of literature reinforces the study of language itself. Emphasis should be placed on the essential relationship between language teaching and the humanities and on the need to introduce
Biomathematical model of aneurysm of the circle of Willis: A aqualitative analysis of the differential equation of Austin☆

Abstract The periodic solutions of the differential equation derived by Austin [ Mathematical Biosciences 11 , 163 (1971)] to describe an aneurysm of the circle of Willis are studied by using a qualitative method which is an extension of the method of Poincare. Austin's results suggest the danger of a high pulse rate or increased pressure. The results obtained here suggest this and also that a lowered pulse rate might be dangerous.
Determination of photo conversion efficiency of nanotubular titanium oxide photo-electrochemical cell for solar hydrogen generation

Abstract Anodized and annealed titanium oxide nanotubes show enhanced photo activity and can be used as photo anodes for water electrolysis in hydrogen generation. Application of an external potential to the photo anode is required for enhancement of the photocurrent. This additional electrical energy input complicates the photo conversion efficiency calculation. In this investigation, the photo-electrochemical behavior of anodized titanium oxide nanotubular arrays have been characterized in various electrolytes. Increase in the applied potential increased the photocurrent under illumination with visible light. A simple experimental method for calculating the photo conversion efficiency has been proposed. According to this method, the potential difference between the photo anode and cathode is measured with and without light illumination. The product of the photocurrent and the increase in potential due to light irradiation is considered as the net power output. The photocurrent and the conversion efficiency increased with increase in the pH of the electrolyte. TiO 2 nanotubular arrays annealed at 350 °C for 6 h in nitrogen atmosphere showed a maximum photo conversion efficiency of ∼4% in 1 M KOH electrolyte and ∼3% in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride solution. The results indicate that nanotubular TiO 2 can be potentially used for the photo electrolysis of seawater to generate hydrogen.
Desktop management: reeling in the great white whale

Managing desktop computers in an academic environment has historically been like swimming with sharks in murky waters. Adding to the challenge, the sharks multiply ad nauseam while the stretching of IT budgets and support staff continues at an alarming rate. With shrinking budgets and support staff in mind, support staff at California State University, Chico embarked upon an adventure in the grand tradition of Captain Ahab, in landing the big white whale of centralized desktop management. As with all adventures, it pays to prepare and it requires three things to make a successful journey: a realistic destination, willing sponsors, and enough resources to complete the journey. With the destination of centralized desktop management firmly established by support staff, finding a willing sponsor was the next step. In this quest, support staff received aid from an unlikely source, the sharks in the murky water. Aided by recent outbreaks of viruses, increased spyware and phishing activities (the sharks), the project found willing sponsors in the campus administrators. With destination and sponsor on board, support staff began loading their tackle box with tools that would be useful in reeling in the big one. Tools like Microsoft Active Directory, LANDesk, Microsoft Systems Update Server, and some good old homegrown programming have allowed the support staff to establish desktop baselines, standardize applications, secure desktop computers and provide solid statistics to provide for future budget guidelines; successfully reeling in the big white whale.
Effect of mechanical interaction on the development of strike-slip faults with echelon patterns

Abstract The overlapping geometry of echelon strike-slip faults is well-known. We have quantified this observation by measuring the amount of overlap and separation, and plotting them against each other for over 120 examples. Although there is large scatter, the data show a linear trend suggesting that the overlap increases proportionally with separation, up to a limiting value. We have analyzed this conspicuous relationship in terms of fault interaction by using a numerical model based on displacement discontinuity. The results show that fault interaction is, in fact, an important factor in contributing to the overlapping geometry of echelon strike-slip faults.
315 INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN ARYL HYDROCARBON HYDROXYLASE (AHH) INDUCIBILITY IN CULTURED AMNIOTIC FLUID CELLS(AFC)

315 INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN ARYL HYDROCARBON HYDROXYLASE (AHH) INDUCIBILITY IN CULTURED AMNIOTIC FLUID CELLS(AFC)
Metabolism and disposition of luminol in the rat

1. The metabolism and disposition of Luminol (LMN, 3-aminophthalhydrazide), a widely used forensic and laboratory reagent that chemiluminesses upon oxidation, was determined as part of its overall toxicological characterization. 2. Radiolabelled LMN was well absorbed, metabolized and excreted following p.o. administration of a range of doses. About 90% of the total dose was recovered within 24 h of administration in urine in the form of two metabolites identified as LMN N8-glucuronide and LMN N8-sulphamic acid. 3-Aminophthalic acid, the oxidative product of LMN in the light-emitting reaction, was apparently not formed in vivo. 3. Metabolism and disposition of an i.v. administered dose was similar to that following gavage. Little or no LMN-derived radioactivity was present in tissue within 12 h post-dosing. Excretion of radioactivity in bile following i.v. injection was minimal (~8% of the total dose in 6 h) and consisted of the same urinary-excreted glucuronide and sulphate conjugates. 4. LMN was not abso...
Preparation of sensitive and stable erythrocytes by the carbodiimide method for the detection of primary and secondary IgM and IgG antibody

Abstract The coupling of soluble protein antigens to sheep red blood cells with carbodiimide resulted in sensitized cells which were both stable and sensitive. Approximately 10-fold greater concentration of sensitizing antigen was required to obtain maximal hemagglutination titers with primary antisera than with secondary antisera. The differential sensitivity of cells coupled with varying concentrations of antigen for detecting IgM and IgG primary and secondary antibody was examined. The overall data suggested that cells sensitized with varying concentrations of antigen were selecting antibody on the basis of its avidity.
A systematic study of the Fasciculatae group of Vernonia (Compositae)

In the most recent monograph of the genus in North America, this species group was treated as four species (Vernonia fasciculata, V. corymbosa, V. marginata, andV. tenuifolia). Information from field studies, comparative morphology, biochemical systematics, transplant studies, hybridization experiments, and comparative distribution is presented and used to establish a new classification.Vernonia tenuifolia is considered to be a synonym ofV. marginata.Vernonia corymbosa is treated as a subspecies ofV. fasciculata. Keys, descriptions, synonymies, and distribution maps are provided. It is suggested that two taxa be referred to as hybrids,V. Xreverchonii Gleason (pro sp.) andV. Xvulturina Shinners (pro sp.).
Evaluation of the PHQ-9 Item 3 as a Screen for Sleep Disturbance in Primary Care

BACKGROUND Sleep disturbance is a significant problem for adults presenting to primary care. Though it is recommended that primary care providers screen for sleep problems, a brief, effective screening tool is not available.
Ergodicity and efficiency of cross-polarization in NMR of static solids.

Abstract Cross-polarization transfer is employed in virtually every solid-state NMR experiment to enhance magnetization of low-gamma spins. Theory and experiment is used to assess the magnitude of the final quasistationary magnetization amplitude. The many-body density matrix equation is solved for relatively large (up to N = 14) spin systems without the spin-temperature assumption for the final spin states. Simulations show that about 13% of the thermodynamic limit is still retained within the proton bath. To test this theoretical prediction, a combination of a reverse cross-polarization experiment and multiple contacts is employed to show that the thermodynamic limit of magnetization cannot be transferred from high- to low-gamma nuclei in a single contact. Multiple contacts, however, fully transfer the maximum magnetization. A simple diffusion on a cone model shows that slow dynamics can affect the build up profile for the transferred magnetization.
Diminished effects of L-thyroxine on some functions and enzymes of the heart in myopathic hamsters.

Abstract The effects of chronic administration of l -thyroxine on some functions of the heart in normal and myopathic Syrian hamsters (strain BIO 14.6) were investigated. In contrast to normal controls, in myopathic hamsters administration of low doses of l -thyroxine for 4 weeks failed to induce tachycardia, increase the total activity of NaK-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) within the cells or improve contractility of the heart muscle. In addition, l -thyroxine treatment decreased the activity of adenyl cyclase in the myopathic and that of soluble protein kinases in both normal and myopathic hearts. Some mechanism(s) that mediate the action of l -thyroxine in the myocardium therefore may be altered or deficient in this form of hereditary cardiomyopathy of the hamster.
Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma in children.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of changes in the diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma in a pediatric population. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all children who had resection of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma at a major children’s hospital since 1968. Results Fifteen children underwent surgery at 11.9 ± 4.2 years of age. Presenting symptoms included headache, hypertension, and sweating. Three children had a mutation of the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, and 1 child had nonsyndromic, familial pheochromocytoma. The most sensitive diagnostic modalities included 24-hour urinary and plasma norepinephrine and 24-hour urinary total metanephrines, magnetic resonance imaging, and 123I–meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. Laparoscopic cortical-sparing adrenalectomy was performed in 3 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Compared with those with open procedures (n = 7), patients who had laparoscopic resection (n = 5) had a statistically shorter hospital length of stay, and time to eating ambulation. Conclusions The addition of 123I–meta-iodobenzylguanidine scanning, genetic testing, and laparoscopic surgery has changed the diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma in children. Laparoscopic cortical-sparing adrenalectomy can be accomplished safely and is the preferred treatment for children at risk for multifocal disease.
Short-term and long-term failure of laparoscopic splenectomy in adult immune thrombocytopenic purpura patients: A systematic review

Splenectomy is a common therapy for adults with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Thisstudy was designed to estimate both the short-term surgical non-response rate and the long-term relapse rate after laparoscopic splenectomy. A systematic review was conducted of articles published between January 1, 1991 and January 1, 2008. Selection criteria included: chronic ITP, study enrollment in 1990 or later, > or =12 months of follow-up, > or =15 patients with ITP, > or =75% of patients at least 14 years of age, not HIV positive, not undergoing a second splenectomy, and type of performed splenectomy clearly reported. Data were pooled across studies to estimate rates. We identified 170 articles, of which 23 met our inclusion criteria (all observational studies). These studies represent 1,223 laparoscopic splenectomies (71 or 5.6% were converted to open splenectomy during surgery). The pooled short-term surgical non-response rate among the 18 studies reporting data was 8.2% (95% CI 5.4-11.0). The pooled long-term relapse rate across all 23 studies was 43.6 per 1,000 patient years (95% CI 28.2-67.2). This translates to an approximate failure rate of 28% at 5 years for all patients undergoing splenectomy. Studies with shorter durations of follow-up had significantly higher pooled relapse rates than studies with longer follow-up (P = 0.04). Laparoscopicsplenectomy is effective for most patients. Splenectomy may have higher initial relapse rates, particularly, in the first 2 years after surgery, and the rate may decline over time. Am. J. Hematol. 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
GSR and breathing amplitude related to emotional reactions to music

A variety of musical selections was presented to 19 Ss while GSR and respiratory reactions were simultaneously recorded. Ss rated the stimuli in terms of their affective and effective reactions to the music immediately after the presentation of each selection. The results indicated that the GSR was not related to affective reactions to music and was related to effective reactivity only when measures of extroversion-introversion were included. Breathing amplitude was found to be significantly correlated with affective and effective reactivity to the music. It was concluded that this latter measure seemed more promising in this type of research.
On the Scalability of Redundancy based SER Mitigation Schemes

A novel circuit-level simulation strategy to assess the impact of charge sharing on the upset rate of redundancy based radiation hardened designs is introduced. Accelerated measurements conducted at the Los Alamos National Laboratory show a 10s or better reliability of hardened latches over standard latches for 45nm and 90nm implementations. Despite this encouraging trend, our simulations project that compact redundancy hardened designs will have soft error rates similar to non-hardened designs within a few technology generations if no additional mitigation techniques are applied to reduce the impact of charge sharing.
Galerkin solutions of stiff two-point boundary-value problems

Through the example of Conte (Ref. 6), the Galerkin procedure with a small number (N⩽6) of low-degree polynomial modes is illustrated as a computationally rapid and effective technique for solving extremely stiff linear two-point boundary-value problems. Numerical solutions are provided for eigenvalue spreads σ ranging from 20 through 106. They agree with the exact solution to at least 2N decimal places. The errors are insensitive to the eigenvalue spread. Comparisons are made with the continuation technique of Roberts and Shipman (Ref. 1), who did not succeed in solving this example for σ=√(36,000).
Dual wideband monolithically integrated millimeter-wave passive front-end sub-systems

Recent advances in micromachining have enabled the development of wideband millimeter-wave antennas with integrated beamformers presented in this paper. A combination of two radiators, both having consistent radiation patterns, is used to cover K-through W-band frequencies. Two planar log-periodic antennas are monolithically integrated with respective multi-stage micro-coaxial impedance transformers and filters to instantaneously cover K through Q-band and V through W-band with high rejection at the cross-over frequency. The low-band antenna uses a low-pass filter having a maximum insertion loss of 1.5dB at 50GHz. The band-pass filter of the high-band antenna achieves insertion loss < 1dB for the pass-band with very deep rejection outside the pass-band. In addition, an end-fire log-periodic antenna operating in the higher band is also designed and integrated with the band-pass filter. VSWR of the end-fire log-periodic antenna with integrated band-pass filter is shown to be < 2:1. A prototype 18 to 110GHz planar log-periodic antenna is fabricated and measured to demonstrate the validity of the computational models.
The General Circulation and Robust Relative Humidity

Abstract The sensitivity of free-tropospheric relative humidity to cloud microphysics and dynamics is explored using a simple 2D humidity model and various configurations of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model version 3 (CAM3) atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). In one configuration the imposed surface temperatures and radiative perturbations effectively eliminated the Hadley and Walker circulations and the main westerly jet, creating instead a homogeneous “boiling kettle” world in low and midlatitudes. A similarly homogeneous state was created in the 2D model by rapid horizontal mixing. Relative humidity R simulated by the AGCM was insensitive to surface warming. Doubling a parameter governing cloud water reevaporation increased tropical mean R near the midtroposphere by about 4% with a realistic circulation, but by more than 10% in the horizontally homogeneous states. This was consistent in both models. AGCM microphysical sensitivity decreased in the ...
Management of Cysts Arising after Radiosurgery to Treat Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations

OBJECTIVE: The proper treatment for patients with cyst formation after arteriovenous malformation radiosurgery is unknown. METHODS: The treatment of six patients who developed cysts after arteriovenous malformation radiosurgery is described. Four patients had undergone gamma knife radiosurgery (two patients developed cysts after repeat procedures), and two patients had undergone linear accelerator-based radiosurgery. The median prescription isodose volume at the time of the first radiosurgical procedure was 13.2 cm 3 (range, 8.0-28.7 cm 3 ). RESULTS: The cysts were discovered a median of 48 months (range, 24-89 mo) after radiosurgery. Three patients were originally without symptoms, and observation with serial imaging was performed; two of those patients developed symptoms 13 and 40 months later, whereas one patient has remained without symptoms for 51 months. Initial treatments for patients with symptomatic cysts included cyst aspiration (n = 3) and placement of a cystoperitoneal shunt (CPS) (n = 2). The median cyst volume was 14 cm 3 (range, 4-63 cm 3 ). Cyst recurrence occurred within 2 months for patients who underwent aspiration alone, necessitating placement of a CPS. Shunt placement eliminated the cysts for four patients, at a median follow-up time of 16 months (range, 9-27 mo). One patient's cyst persisted despite CPS placement, and cyst excision was performed. No morbidity occurred with any of the cyst treatments. CONCLUSION: Cyst formation after arteriovenous malformation radiosurgery may occur many years after the procedure. Although most symptomatic cysts can be effectively treated with CPSs, cyst excision may be necessary if the mass effect is not relieved with the less invasive approach.
CV imaging for fellows in training: challenges and opportunities.

Today’s trainees and early career physicians in cardiology have seen unprecedented changes in the health care landscape. Rapidly advancing imaging technology has helped clinicians take great strides in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. Diagnostic tools have augmented
Tiotropium for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

SUMMARY Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, defined as a partially reversible, progressive airflow obstructive process associated with underlying pulmonary as well as systemic inflammation, is a common disorder and a leading cause of poor health status, medical disability and death. While not curable, the disease is eminently treatable with a variety of pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures. Tiotropium, a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist that causes bronchodilation lasting ≥24 h, has been shown, in randomized controlled trials, to produce sustained bronchodilation and reductions in air-trapping and hyperinflation, as well as improvements in patient-reported outcomes, including health-related quality of life, dyspnea, reduced need for rescue medication and reduced risk of exacerbations and hospitalizations for exacerbations. Benefits have been found across the spectrum of disease severity from moderate to very severe. Side effects include those consistent with the drug’s anticholiner...
Quantitation of dexfenfluramine/d-norfenfluramine concentration in primate brain using 19F NMR spectroscopy

Fluorine (19F) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to quantify the combined concentration of the anorectic drug dexfenfluramine (DF) and its active metabolite d-norfenfluramine (dNF) in rhesus monkey brain. The accuracy of the MRS technique was assessed by comparison with gas chromatography. Brain 19F MRS signals were converted to brain DF + dNF concentrations after correction for signal relaxation losses and drug distribution in nonbrain tissue. Gas chromatography (GC) was used to assay brain DF and dNF concentrations following MRS evaluation. DF + dNF concentrations measured by 19F MRS averaged 104 +/- 36 microM (mean +/- SD) and GC measurements averaged 71 +/- 12 microM. Correction for the distribution of DF and its metabolites in nonbrain tissue yielded a DF + metabolite brain concentration that was within one standard deviation of the GC-derived value. The concentration of DF plus dNF measured by 19F MRS was similar to or greater than the value obtained by GC, which indicates that DF and its active metabolite dNF are fully detected by 19F MRS in primate brain in vivo. The application of these techniques to human subjects should enable the measurement of low micromolar-range brain concentrations of DF and other fluorinated drugs.
On the comparative ecological and evolutionary significance of total and mass-specific rates of metabolism.

Energy expenditure is widely used in the study of ecological phenomena, in evolutionary theory, and as a subject of interest in its own right. Many analyses of physiological and ecological phenomena have depended on a correlation with body mass that is parallel to the correlation of rate of metabolism with body mass. Therefore, our understanding of these phenomena has often depended on our analysis of the correlation of rate of metabolism with body mass. Because total rates of metabolism are proportional to body mass (m) raised to a power (b) !1.0, mass-specific rates of metabolism decrease with an increase in mass. That is, if when has the units of cm O2 h 1 and m is in b Vo = am Vo 2 2
Solid State Studies by Means of Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

A commercially available Michelson interferometer has been adapted to meet the needs of our research. Transmission and reflection measurements of solid state materials can be made over the wavelength range of 25-1000 micro (400-10 cm(-1)). Provision has been made for the samples in each case to be studied from 4 degrees K to 700 degrees K with suitable cryostats and heated sample holders. These devices can easily be interchanged in the interferometer and also in a single beam far ir vacuum gratings pectrometer so that the measurements can be duplicated when necessary, using conventional spectroscopic techniques. The interferometer has the unique advantage of covering a broad frequency range without changing the operating conditions. A suitable choice of beam splitter thickness and ionic crystal powder filter combinations provides maximum efficiency in the area of interest. The region beyond 250 micro shows a rapid deterioration in signal to noise, and the relative merits of various cooled detectors and the Golay detector have been studied. Polarization measurements on solids have also been of interest, and various polarizers have been investigated. Applications of interferometry applied to a number of solid state problems are described. These include the dielectric dispersion in perovskites, compound semiconductors, internal molecular and lattice vibrations in inorganic materials and other related compounds. The relative advantages of single-sided vs double-sided interferograms in terms of accurate intensity measurements are compared. Examples of each are discussed.
Giving‐up densities and ideal pre‐emptive patch use in a predatory benthic stream fish

Summary 1. We used observational and experimental field studies together with an individual-based simulation model to demonstrate that behaviours of mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) were broadly consistent with the expectations of Giving-Up Density theory and an Ideal Pre-emptive Distribution habitat selection model. 2. Specifically we found that: (i) adult mottled sculpin established territories within patches characterised by significantly higher prey densities and prey renewal rates than patches occupied by juveniles or randomly selected patches; (ii) patches abandoned by adult sculpin possessed significantly lower prey densities than newly occupied patches, although this was not true for juveniles; (iii) the observed giving-up density (GUD) for adult sculpin (i.e. average prey density in patches recently abandoned) increased linearly with increasing fish size up to the average prey density measured in randomly selected patches (i.e. 350 prey items per 0.1 m2) and decreased with increasing sculpin density and (iv) juveniles rapidly shifted their distribution towards the highest quality patches following removal of competitively dominant adult sculpin. 3. These results provide the first evidence of the applicability of GUD theory to a stream-dwelling organism, and they elucidate the underlying factors influencing juvenile and adult sculpin habitat selection and movement behaviours. Furthermore, optimal patch use, ideal pre-emptive habitat selection and juvenile ‘floating’ provide behavioural mechanisms linking environmental heterogeneity in the stream benthos to density-dependent regulation of mottled sculpin populations in this system.
Regulation of Powder Mass Flow Rate in Gravity-Fed Powder Feeder Systems

Precise regulation of powder mass flow in laser-based manufacturing processes is critical to achieving excellent part dimensional and microstructure quality. Control of powder mass flow is challenging because low flow rates, where nonlinear effects are significant, are typically required. Also, gravity-fed powder feeder systems have significant material transport delays, making the control of powder mass flow even more challenging. This paper presents a control strategy for regulating the powder mass flow rate in a gravity-fed powder feeder system. A dynamic model of the powder feeder system, including material transport delay, is constructed, and a modified proportional plus integral (PI) controller is designed. An observer is used to estimate powder mass flow rate using the powder feeder motor encoder signal. The control strategy is implemented in a Smith Predictor Corrector Structure, which has been adjusted such that it can be applied to the modified PI controller, to account for the inherent material transport delay. Experimental studies are conducted that validate the dynamic model and controller strategy.
Organic synthesis: Better chemistry through radicals.

An iron catalyst has been developed that mediates bond formation between a wide range of alkene reactants, opening up short synthetic routes to compounds that were previously accessible only through arduous pathways. See Article p.343 This paper reports the development of a new type of carbon–carbon bond forming reaction that allows for the simple construction of molecules that were previously either impossible or laborious to access. The procedure exploits an interaction between heteroatom-substituted olefins and electron-deficient olefins to construct highly substituted carbon–carbon bonds using a simple iron catalyst and an inexpensive silane. The authors present than sixty examples of this reaction, covering a broad range of substrates. This reaction is of relevance to the design of organic compounds including polymers, dyes, and pharmaceutical agents and semiconductors.
The effect of logging on vegetation composition in Western Massachusetts

Forest harvesting is one of the most significant disturbances affecting forest plant composition and structure in eastern North American forests, yet few studies have quantified the landscape-scale effects of widespread, low-intensity harvests by non-industrial private forest owners. Using spatially explicit data on all harvests over the last 20 years, we sampled the vegetation at 126 sites throughout central and western Massachusetts, one-third of which had not been harvested, and two-thirds of which had been harvested once since 1984. Seedling and sapling densities increased with increasing harvest intensity, but decreased to levels similar to unharvested sites by year 20 for all but the most intensive harvests. The composition of understory trees appears to be only slightly changed by harvesting, and was strongly correlated with adult tree composition. Regeneration was dominated by Betula lenta followed by Pinus strobus; Quercus spp. exhibited little sapling recruitment, even in Quercus-dominated stands. Total vascular plant species richness increased substantially with harvesting on low C:N sites (i.e., rich soils), but was only slightly increased on high C:N sites. While harvesting was associated with a statistically significant change in vascular plant composition, non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed that climate (temperature, precipitation) and C:N ratios were the major correlates of composition. Overall, the compositional impacts of harvesting were minor, perhaps because of the low-intensity of harvesting. However, our results support observations from elsewhere in the northeastern U.S. of limited oak regeneration on both harvested and unharvested sites. In addition, our results suggest that increased harvest intensity may be expected to alter forest composition, particularly on rich sites where invasive species may increase as a result of harvesting.
A Simulation Study of Operating Policies in a Hypothetical Dual-Constrained Job Shop

This paper describes a simulation study of the relative impact of due-date assignment, dispatching and labor assignment decision rules on the performance of a hypothetical dual-constrained job shop. Six criteria are used to measure the performance of the decision rules. They are mean flow-time, variance of flow-time, mean lateness, variance of lateness, proportion of jobs late, and total labor transfers. Multiple regression is the principal method of analysis of the results of the experiments. This technique provides regression coefficients and analysis of variance statistics for the decision rules for the various performance measures. Since the objective of this study is to go beyond simple statements of the significance of the various decision rules, the multiple regression results are used with analysis of variance statistics to indicate the relative impact of the decision rules. The regression coefficients and the omega squared ω2 indices [Hays, W. L. 1962. Statistics. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 406--408.] indicate that the relative importance of the due-date assignment, dispatching and labor assignment decision rules is dependent upon the measure of performance considered. In addition, the relative importance and optimality of the dispatching rules is dependent upon the due-date tightness for selected performance measures.
Using plusTipTracker software to measure microtubule dynamics in Xenopus laevis growth cones.

Microtubule (MT) plus-end-tracking proteins (+TIPs) localize to the growing plus-ends of MTs and regulate MT dynamics1,2. One of the most well-known and widely-utilized +TIPs for analyzing MT dynamics is the End-Binding protein, EB1, which binds all growing MT plus-ends, and thus, is a marker for MT polymerization1. Many studies of EB1 behavior within growth cones have used time-consuming and biased computer-assisted, hand-tracking methods to analyze individual MTs1-3. Our approach is to quantify global parameters of MT dynamics using the software package, plusTipTracker4, following the acquisition of high-resolution, live images of tagged EB1 in cultured embryonic growth cones5. This software is a MATLAB-based, open-source, user-friendly package that combines automated detection, tracking, visualization, and analysis for movies of fluorescently-labeled +TIPs. Here, we present the protocol for using plusTipTracker for the analysis of fluorescently-labeled +TIP comets in cultured Xenopus laevis growth cones. However, this software can also be used to characterize MT dynamics in various cell types6-8.
Church attendance, age, and belief in the afterlife: Some additional evidence

This mixed bag of empirical evidence does not resolve the theological and econmic questions raised in conjunction with the “afterlife capital” model of church attendance, including not only afterlife but a mixture of current benefits as well, is present in all of the evidence cited. What evidence we have to offer suggests a decline in the afterlife motivation between 1973 and 1980 and a strengthening of other current consumption motives, but the afterlife motive is clearly still present in varying degrees of strength in some religious groups. What our findings do strongly suggest is that self-reported religious intensity, which undoubtedly contains elements of current consumption benefits, is a more important determinant of church attendance than belief in an afterlife.
The Green Guide to Specification, 4th edn

Jane Anderson, David Shiers and Kristian Steele, Wiley‐Blackwell, Bracknell, 2009, 220 pp., ISBN 978 1 84806 071 5, £69.50 According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), buildings accou...
Retinal Thickness Analysis for Quantitative Assessment of Diabetic Macular Edema

• Diabetic macular edema is a major cause of vision loss and is evaluated with qualitative or semiquantitative techniques. A new quantitative method for assessment of macular edema using retinal thickness analysis was applied to 19 patients with diabetic macular edema. Foveal thickening was frequently coupled with poor visual acuity. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and stereophotography detected 80% and 78% of local areas of thickening, respectively, but failed to detect locations with average thicknesses of 1.5 and 1.6 times normal, respectively. Fluorescein leakage on angiography was generally associated with retinal thickening, but locations with similar degrees of leakage had widely varying retinal thickening. Fluorescein leakage in the posterior vitreous correlated poorly with the degree of foveal thickening. These results indicate that quantitative measurement of retinal thickness may become useful in the management of diabetic patients with macular edema.
Correlates of syllogistic reasoning skills in middle childhood and early adolescence

Sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders, and college students, were given a preliminary test of categorical syllogistic reasoning ability. In a subsequent session, subjects were given other categorical syllogisms and asked to depict as many of the possible relationships between the A, B, and C terms of the syllogism as they could. The number of possible relationships, and the time it took to decide if other relationships were possible, did not differ among the noncollege groups. The results indicated, however, that the correlates of reasoning proficiency differed for those subjects younger and those older than about age 13.
“Weighing” Two Qualitative Methods: Self-report Interviews and Direct Observations of Participant Food Choices

Two primary forms of qualitative data collection in the health and social sciences include self-report interviews and direct observations. This study compared these two methods in the context of weight management for people who had varying degrees of success with weight loss (n = 20). We asked general habits of eating as well as barriers to weight loss and maintaining a healthy diet. Video-recorded observations (20 minutes) followed audio-recorded interviews (45 minutes). Data were organized into four primary sections: (1) confirmatory data, where the interviews and observations held similar information; (2) discrepancies between what was reported in the interview and what was observed in the home; (3) new information that was unique to the observation and was not mentioned during the interview; and (4) clarification of data collected in the interview and observation. In general, the observations contained more confirmatory data for participants who had been successful at weight control than those who had...
A Monte Carlo Study of Analysis of Covariance Under Violations of the Assumptions of Normality and Equal Regression Slopes

The present study indicates that ANCOVA is robust with respect to dual violations of the assumptions of equal regression slopes and normality of distributions provided that group sizes are equal. I...
Regulation of articular chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation by indian hedgehog and parathyroid hormone–related protein in mice

Objective Chondrocytes of the epiphyseal growth zone are regulated by the Indian hedgehog (IHH)–parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP) axis. In weight-bearing joints, this growth zone comes to be subdivided by the secondary ossification center into distinct articular and growth cartilage structures. The purpose of this study was to explore the cells of origin, localization, regulation of expression, and putative functions of IHH and PTHrP in articular cartilage in the mouse. Methods We assessed IHH and PTHrP expression in an allelic PTHrP-LacZ–knockin mouse and several versions of PTHrP-null mice. Selected joints were unloaded surgically to examine load-induction of PTHrP and IHH. Results The embryonic growth zone appears to serve as the source of PTHrP-expressing proliferative chondrocytes that populate both the forming articular cartilage and growth plate structures. In articular cartilage, these cells take the form of articular chondrocytes in the midzone. In PTHrP-knockout mice, mineralizing chondrocytes encroach upon developing articular cartilage but appear to be prevented from mineralizing the joint space by IHH-driven surface chondrocyte proliferation. In growing and adult mice, PTHrP expression in articular chondrocytes is load-induced, and unloading is associated with rapid changes in PTHrP expression and articular chondrocyte differentiation. Conclusion We conclude that the IHH–PTHrP axis participates in the maintenance of articular cartilage. Dysregulation of this system might contribute to the pathogenesis of arthritis.