cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiphoton microscopy of cleared mouse organs.

Typical imaging depths with multiphoton microscopy (MPM) are limited to less than 300 µm in many tissues due to light scattering. Optical clearing significantly reduces light scattering by replacing water in the organ tissue with a fluid having a similar index of refraction to that of proteins. We demonstrate MPM of intact, fixed, cleared mouse organs with penetration depths and fields of view in excess of 2 mm. MPM enables the creation of large 3-D data sets with flexibility in pixel format and ready access to intrinsic fluorescence and second-harmonic generation. We present high-resolution images and 3-D image stacks of the brain, small intestine, large intestine, kidney, lung, and testicle with image sizes as large as 4096×4096 pixels.
THERMODYNAMICS OF ELECTROLYTES. VI. WEAK ELECTROLYTES INCLUDING H3PO4

Equations previously developed and widely applied to the thermodynamic properties of strong electrolytes are extended to solutions involving a dissociation equilibrium. Excellent agreement is obtained with the data for pure phosphoric acid to 6M and for phosphate buffer solutions. The parameters of the strong electrolyte components of the buffer solutions are taken from other work, and the remaining parameters for H+, H2PO 4 − , and H3PO4 are evaluated, including a pK of 2.146. The present method avoids ambiguities which formerly arose in treating weak acids with as small pK as this.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in spinal motoneurons of the male mouse is affected by castration and genotype

Abstract Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is found in motoneurons of the mammalian spinal cord, including motoneurons of the androgen-dependent spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) of the mouse. Motoneurons of the SNB innervate the bulbocavernosus (BC), a striated muscle involved in penile reflexes. CGRP is thought to be a trophic factor produced by motoneurons to regulate the expression of the acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction. In rats, the number of SNB motoneurons containing CGRP is increased by gonadal steroids. This regulation appears to rely on an activity-dependent factor produced by the BC muscle. The purpose of the present study was to examine, using immunohistochemistry, the steroid dependence of CGRP in the SNB of male house mice. Genotypic differences in the steroid regulation of CGRP immunoreactivity were examined in three strains of mice that differ in their behavioral sensitivity to castration. The results demonstrate that castration reduces the number of CGRP-positive SNB motoneurons in mice. The magnitude of the change in CGRP in response to castration and the length of time required following castration to alter CGRP were dependent on genotype. Interestingly, the effect of castration in mice, to reduce the number of CGRP-immunoreactive SNB motoneurons, is opposite in direction from the increase in CGRP SNB motoneurons observed in rats observed following castration. These experiments suggest that androgens may alter neuromuscular junction function of mouse SNB by regulating the production of CGRP in a species-specific, genotypically dependent fashion.
Preparation of composite dispersed phase morphologies in incompatible and compatible blends during melt processing

Most processing/morphology studies of multi-phase polymer blends have been concerned with controlling the size and shape of the dispersed phase. The dispersed phase is generally a pure homo- or copolymer (apart from low levels of interfacial modifier). This paper describes the preparation during melt processing of a complex polymer blend morphology known as a composite dispersed phase system. Microscopically this structure can be seen to be composed of three parts: two distinct phases with sub-inclusions within one of the phases. This system is a type of blend within a blend. Various microscopic techniques are used to show that a composite multi-phase morphology can be prepared in an incompatible polypropylene/ polycarbonate (PP/PC) blend as well as in a compatible polyethylene copolymer/polyamide blend. This structure has been generated at two compositions for polypropylene/ polycarbonate through melt blending. At 50% volume fraction (near the region of dual-phase continuity), simultaneous addition of components results in co-continuous polypropylene and polycarbonate phases with the latter containing small PP spherical sub-inclusions. At 25% PC (volume fraction) the generation of a composite dispersed phase in a polypropylene matrix is obtained by imposing phase inversion followed by controlling the mixing time. The morphology in this case consists of a polypropylene matrix, a polycarbonate dispersed phase and spherical polypropylene sub-inclusions within the dispersed polycarbonate. Partial stabilization of the composite morphology in incompatible blends with mixing time can be obtained through control of the viscosity of the dispersed phase. Polyethylene copolymer/polyamide blends have also been prepared by the phase inversion process and show that strong interfacial interactions between the polyamide sub-inclusions and polyethylene copolymer dispersed phase material results in complete stabilization of the composite dispersed phase morphology with very high retention of sub-inclusions persisting even after long mixing times.
Activity alters muscle reinnervation and terminal sprouting by reducing the number of Schwann cell pathways that grow to link synaptic sites

In partially denervated rodent muscle, terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) located at denervated end plates grow processes, some of which contact neighboring innervated end plates. Those processes that contact neighboring synapses (termed "bridges") appear to initiate nerve terminal sprouting and to guide the growth of the sprouts so that they reach and reinnervate denervated end plates. Studies conducted prior to knowledge of this potential involvement of Schwann cells showed that direct muscle stimulation inhibits terminal sprouting following partial denervation (Brown and Holland, 1979). We have investigated the possibility this inhibition results from an alteration in the growth of TSC processes. We find that stimulation of partially denervated rat soleus muscle does not alter the length or number of TSC processes but does reduce the number of TSC bridges. Stimulation also reduces the number of TSC bridges that form between end plates during reinnervation of a completely denervated muscle. The nerve processes ("escaped fibers") that normally grow onto TSC processes during reinnervation are also reduced in length. Therefore, stimulation alters at least two responses to denervation in muscles: (1) the ability of TSC processes to form or maintain bridges with innervated synaptic sites, and (2) the growth of axons along processes extended by TSCs.
Colonization factors andEscherichia coli belonging to enterotoxin-associated serotypes

Hemagglutination (HA) tests using human and bovine erythrocytes and microagglutination tests using pili-specific antisera (PSA) were performed to examine 168 strains ofEscherichia coli belonging to enterotoxin-associated serotypes for colonization factors (CFs). Seventy-one (42%) of these 168 strains possessed at CF, but only 10 (6%) were found positive by both HA and PSA tests. Groups of test strains from different sources (feces, urine, blood, and wounds) were not found to contain statistically different percentages of CF-positive strains. Strains producing heat-stable enterotoxin alone were less frequently associated with a CF than were other enterotoxigenic and nonenterotoxigenic strains. Strains showing heat-labile hemolytic activity and belonging to serotype O6: H—were less likely (P=0.014, Fisher's exact probability) to contain a CF than were similarly hemolytic strains belonging to other serotypes.
Evidence of an association between human papillomavirus and impaired chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.

Abstract Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine cervical cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis based on human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Methods. CaSki (HPV-positive) and C33A (HPV-negative) cells were treated with camptothecin or cisplatin. Cellular viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion. Apoptotic indexes were determined by flow cytometric analysis of annexin V labeling and morphological changes. Mitochondrial release of cytochrome c was determined by immunofluorescence using confocal microscopy. Caspase 3 activation and bax expression were assessed by immunoblotting. Results. CaSki cells displayed chemoresistance to both camptothecin and cisplatin. Low response to apoptogenic stimuli was evidenced by a marginal increase in the apoptotic cell fraction after camptothecin treatment (22.9 ± 2.56%) compared with control (17.8 ± 1.95%). Cisplatin (14.8 ± 1.01%) caused a slight decrease in apoptosis. Mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and cleavage of caspase 3 could not be demonstrated in CaSki cells after treatment. Despite p53 mutation, C33A cells were sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of camptothecin and cisplatin. Mean apoptotic events were 17.5 ± 0.33 for control, 42 ± 1.76 for cisplatin, and 38.1 ± 0.75 for camptothecin. An intact cytochrome c pathway was demonstrated in C33A cells leading to cleavage of caspase 3 after camptothecin treatment. The constitutive bax expression demonstrated in both cell lines displayed no change after camptothecin treatment. Conclusion. HPV-positive cervical cancer cells have an inherent resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. HPV-dependant inactivation of apoptotic regulators such as p53 and blockage of downstream events such as cytochrome c release and caspase 3 activation might be elemental to this cellular survival advantage provided by high-risk oncogenic papillomavirus.
A complex between Atg7 and caspase-9: a novel mechanism of cross-regulation between autophagy and apoptosis

Several cross-talk mechanisms between autophagy and apoptosis have been identified, in which certain co-regulators are shared, allowing the same protein to participate in these opposing processes. Our studies suggest that caspase-9 is a novel co-regulator of apoptosis and autophagy and that its caspase catalytic activity is dispensable for its autophagic role. We provide evidence that caspase-9 facilitates the early events leading to autophagosome formation; that it forms a complex with Atg7; that Atg7 is not a direct substrate for caspase-9 proteolytic activity; and that, depending on the cellular context, Atg7 represses the apoptotic capability of caspase-9, whereas the latter enhances the Atg7-mediated formation of light chain 3-II. The repression of caspase-9 apoptotic activity is mediated by its direct interaction with Atg7, and it is not related to the autophagic function of Atg7. We propose that the Atg7·caspase-9 complex performs a dual function of linking caspase-9 to the autophagic process while keeping in check its apoptotic activity.
The αVβ3 integrin regulates insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor phosphorylation by altering the rate of recruitment of the Src-homology 2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase-2 to the activated IGF-I receptor

The αVβ3 integrin is an important determinant of IGF-I-stimulated receptor phosphorylation and biological actions. Blocking ligand occupancy of αVβ3 with the distintegrin echistatin reduces IGF-I-stimulated receptor phosphorylation, and it inhibits cellular migration and DNA synthesis responses to IGF-I. We have shown that recruitment of the tyrosine phosphatase Src-homology 2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2) to the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) is an important determinant of the duration of IGF-IR phosphorylation. These studies were undertaken to determine whether an alteration in the recruitment of SHP-2 to the receptor in the presence of echistatin could account for the decrease in receptor phosphorylation. Following an overnight exposure of smooth muscle cell cultures to echistatin, the addition of IGF-I was accompanied by rapid dephosphorylation of IGF-IR compared with cells exposed to media alone. This was associated with an increase in the rate of SHP-2 recruitment to the IGF-IR. In cells...
Buoyancy-driven coalescence of spherical drops covered with incompressible surfactant at arbitrary Péclet number.

Abstract Collision efficiencies are determined for two surfactant-covered spherical drops in the limits of nearly uniform surface coverage and bulk insolubility for Brownian and/or gravitational motion as a function of drop-size ratio, drop-to-medium viscosity ratio, and retardation parameter. For two equal-sized drops in Brownian motion in the limit of small viscosity ratio, the calculated collision efficiencies agree well with earlier results for bubbles. While the two-sphere relative mobility functions for motion parallel to the drops' line of centers tend to the same values in the limits of infinite viscosity ratio and infinite retardation parameter, the asymmetric mobility functions do not, because the coefficients for the rotational term in Lamb's singular solution are independent of the presence of surfactant. The complex dependence of the transverse mobility functions on the viscosity ratio and retardation parameter makes it possible for the gravitational collision efficiency to increase slightly with viscosity ratio at fixed size ratio and retardation parameter of O(103) or larger. Typical hydrosols are also studied in gravitational motion at arbitrary Peclet number, showing the combined influence of Brownian and gravitational motion.
Synaptic plasticity, AMPA-R trafficking, and Ras-MAPK signaling.

Synaptic modification of transmission is a general phenomenon expressed at almost every excitatory synapse in the mammalian brain. Over the last three decades, much has been discovered about the cellular, synaptic, molecular, and signaling mechanisms responsible for controlling synaptic transmission and plasticity. Here, we present a brief review of these mechanisms with emphasis on the current understanding of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPA-R) trafficking and Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling events involved in controlling synaptic transmission.
ArF Excimer Laser-Induced Epitaxial Growth Of Gallium Arsenide Films

Homo- and hetero-epitaxial gallium arsenide (GaAs) films have been deposited on single crystalline GaAs substrates of (100) orientation and on silicon (Si) substrates of 30 off the (100) orientation by ArF excimer laser (193 nm) induced metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Homoepitaxial GaAs films of good structural perfection have been deposited at 425° - 500°C, and their single crystallinity has been confirmed by transmission electron microcopy. The carrier concentration decreases with increasing AsH3/(CH3)3Ga molar ratio and with decreasing substrate temperature. The use of lower growth rate during the initial stage of deposition is necessary to obtain heteroepitaxial GaAs films on. Si substrates with good structural perfection. The transmission electron microscopic examination of GaAs films of 0.15-0.2 μm thickness deposited on Si substrates at 500°C has shown that the stacking faults were present in the GaAs films; however, there are no apparent threading dislocations in the surface region of the GaAs film. The GaAs films deposited on Si were also evaluated by the electroreflectance and Raman spectra. The electroreflectance spectra indicated that the carrier concentration distribution on the surface is uniform. The Raman spectra at different regions of the film are reproducible indicating the good quality of the deposited GaAs films.
Normal fetal foramen flap and transatrial Doppler velocity pattern.

To define the normal size of the foramen ovate and the transatrial Doppler velocity pattern in the fetus, we examined foramen ovate size, foramen flap angle, and motion in 48 consecutive normal human fetal ultrasound studies. The maximal foramen diameter was similar in size to aortic root diameter at all gestational ages, differing by no more than 1.0 mm in any study. Attachment angle at the junction of the foramen with the rim of the foramen varied from 30 degrees to 50 degrees; at least a 30-degree angle was present at some point in the cardiac cycle in all studies. A redundant flap, defined as flap reaching greater than one half of the way across to the left atrial free wall, was observed in only three (6%) fetuses. Seventeen patients had transatrial Doppler velocities recorded with sample volume placed in the trough of the foramen flap on the left atrial side of the foramen ovate. A triphasic pattern was evident in systole with predominantly right-to-left flow in all fetuses. A biphasic pattern was present in diastole with bidirectional flow in all fetuses; this is toward the left atrium in early diastole and toward the right atrium in late diastole. Maximal right-to-left velocity ranged from 15 to 40 cm/sec (mean, 23 cm/sec) and was always less than or equal to mitral A wave velocity. Maximal left-to-right velocity ranged from 5 to 20 cm/sec (mean, 13 cm/sec). These data indicate that normal foramen ovate size is similar to aortic diameter, and foramen flap angle should reach 30 degrees or greater. Maximal transatrial velocity is equal to or less than mitral valve A wave velocity. The presence of left-to-right shunting at the atrial level in the fetus may have important diagnostic implications.
EMCCD-based high resolution dynamic x-ray detector for neurovascular interventions

We have designed and developed from the discrete component level a high resolution dynamic detector for neurovascular interventions. The heart of the detector is a 1024 × 1024 pixel electron multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) with a pixel size of 13 × 13 μm2, bonded to a fiber optic plate (FOP), and optically coupled to a 350 μm micro-columnar CsI(TI) scintillator via a 3.3:1 fiber optic taper (FOT). The detector provides x-ray images of 9 cycles/mm resolution at 15 frames/sec and real time live video at 30 frames/sec with binning at a lower resolution, both independent of gain applied to EMCCD, as needed for region-of-interest (ROI) image guidance during neurovascular interventions.
On the Application of the Infinite Reaction Rate Model in the Simulation of the Dynamics of Exothermic Mixing Layers

Abstract A post-transitional, spatially-developing, exothermically reacting shear-layer is simulated using the transport-element method. The scheme, which solves the unaveraged, time-dependent coupled scalar-transport and Navier-Stokes equations, in their gradient and vorticity transport forms, respectively, is Lagrangian, grid-free and adaptive. The Shvab- Zeldovich formulation is exploited to provide solutions for both moderately fast and infinitely fast reactions. In the case of a finite reaction rate, Arrhenius kinetics are assumed. Numerical results are used to evaluate the effectiveness- with respect to predicting the dynamic effects of combustion exothermicity on the flow- of the infinite reaction rate model in approximating finite reaction rate combustion. Results indicate that as long as the reaction is last compared to the flow and abrupt non-equilibrium transient phenomena, such as quenching, are avoided, the computationally more efficient infinite reaction rate model offers a reasonable substi...
Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) and Robust Control

QFT, a theory developed by Horowitz [H3], is claimed by its advocates to provide a complete and general treatment of feedback design for highly uncertain multi-input-output (MIMO) systems. This paper reviews QFT and shows that while the philosophy behind QFT is attractive, the claims for the theory are unjustified. In particular, counterexamples are given for the main theorem of QFT on which the claims are based. This is in spite of the severe assumptions (no rhp zeros and fixed relative degree) that QFT requires on the plant model.
Characterization of a β-nerve growth factor expression vector for mammalian cells

Abstract A mammalian expression vector that directs expression of murine β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) from a murine sarcoma virus long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter element was constructed and characterized. The vector, designated pLTRSNGF, was stably transfected into murine L-cells, and β-NGF mRNA and protein levels were quantified and compared to endogenous levels in control L-cells. Transfection of pLTRSNGF resulted in an approximate doubling of both β-NGF mRNA and mature β-NGF protein secreted into the media. Transfection of pLTRSNGF into rat PC 12 cells resulted in colonies of autocrine-differentiating cells that extended dense networks of neurites in the absence of added NGF, indicating that the β-NGF produced from the vector is biologically active.
Extradural en-plaque spinal meningioma with intraneural invasion.

Background Extradural spinal meningiomas are rare. Our understanding of purely extradural spinal meningiomas is incomplete because most reports rarely differentiate purely extradural meningiomas from extradural meningiomas with an intradural component. Occasionally, reports have described involvement of the adjacent nerve root, but there has never been a description of an extradural meningioma that actually infiltrates the nerve root. Case Description A 42-year-old woman presented with progressive lower extremity weakness and numbness below T3 during the span of 4 months with imaging evidence of an extradural lesion compressing the cord from T4 through T6. Surgical resection revealed an extradural mass extending through the foramen at T5-6 and encompassing the cord and T5 root on the left. Pathologically, the lesion was a World Health Organization grade I meningioma with nerve root invasion and a concerning elevated mindbomb homolog 1 (MIB-1) of 9.4%. Conclusions Purely extradural meningiomas are rare, and our case is one of the first to describe a patient with an extradural meningioma that actually infiltrates the nerve root. Extradural spinal meningiomas are usually not adherent to the dura, but only appear to be adherent or invade (as in our patient) the adjacent nerve root. They are easily mistaken preoperatively and grossly intraoperatively for malignant metastatic tumors and can change the proposed surgical treatment. The long-term prognosis remains uncertain, but our patient's last follow-up suggests a favorable prognosis.
An elementary description of partial indices of rational matrix functions

In his 1972 doctoral dissertation [12], S. Pattanayak formulated an elementary matrix test for the invertibility of a Toeplitz operator with non-singular rational matrix symbol on the unit circle. This criterion is elementary in the sense that the test matrix is explicit in terms of the symbol and requires knowing only the zeros of the determinant of the symbol inside the unit disc. The result of Pattanayak has not received much attention. See, however [4,10]. It develops that an appropriate version of Pattanayak's result formulated for an arbitrary contour leads in a simple manner to an elementary description of the partial (factorization) indices of a non-singular rational matrix function relative to a contour. Formulae for these partial indices were first given by Gohberg, Lerer and Rodman [8,9]. Here we derive an appropriate version of Pattanayak's test and the elementary formulae for the partial indices.
WHY IS TETRAZOLE NOT PRACTICAL AS A DIENE IN DIELS-ALDER REACTIONS? AN AB INITIO THEORETICAL STUDY

Abstract An ab initio theoretical study of the reactivity of tetrazole tautomers, following the example of the ethylene cycloaddition reactions, was undertaken. The geometries of the reactants, the transition structures, and the products for the three tetrazole tautomers were generated at RHF/3-21G∗, RHF/6-31G∗, and MP2/6-31G∗. The energies were evaluated up to the MP4/6-31G∗//MP2/6-31G∗ level. The relative stabilities of the tetrazole tautomers were studied, and their relative reactivities were predicted from their frontier molecular Orbitals (FMO), the charge transfer between the reactants in the transition structures, the extent of the reaction calculated from the bond orders, and the electronic location of transition state calculated from the fraction of the overall charge transferred in the transition state. It was demonstrated that FMO and the charge transferred in transition states are not reliable methods for evaluation of relative reactivity of tetrazole tautomers. However the percentage of charge transferred, and the percentage of reaction advance can be useful when the energies of reactants and products are available. The calculated activation energies predict that the most reactive tetrazole tautomer is the non-aromatic 1T, while the least reactive is aromatic 3T. It was predicted that the cycloaddition reaction with tautomer 1T is experimentally achievable but other side reactions with either tautomer 1T or product 1TS might prevent the accumulation of the primary cycloaddition product in the reaction mixture.
Inpatient Glycemic Control: Best Practice Advice From the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians

Hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized medical and surgical patients. Although some early evidence showed benefits of intensive insulin therapy (IIT), recent evidence does not show a consistent benefit and even shows harm associated with the use of IIT. The overuse of some therapeutic interventions and the resulting harms to a patient are an important component of unnecessary health care costs. The goal of this article is to address the management of hyperglycemia and evaluate the benefits and harms associated with the use of IIT to achieve tight glycemic control in hospitalized patients with or without diabetes mellitus. This article is based on the evidence review and the guideline developed by the American College of Physicians on this topic. Best Practice Advice 1: Clinicians should target a blood glucose level of 7.8 to 11.1 mmol/L (140 to 200 mg/dL) if insulin therapy is used in SICU/MICU patients. Best Practice Advice 2: Clinicians should avoid targets less than 7.8 mmol/L (<140mg/dL) because harms are likely to increase with lower blood glucose targets.
Quantification of Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patient Plasma by Targeted Mass Spectrometry and Stable Isotope Dilution

Verification of candidate biomarkers requires specific assays to selectively detect and quantify target proteins in accessible biofluids. The primary objective of verification is to screen potential biomarkers to ensure that only the highest quality candidates from the discovery phase are taken forward into preclinical validation. Because antibody reagents for a clinical grade immunoassay often exist for a small number of candidates, alternative methodologies are required to credential new and unproven candidates in a statistically viable number of serum or plasma samples. Using multiple reaction monitoring coupled with stable isotope dilution MS, we developed quantitative, multiplexed assays in plasma for six proteins of clinical relevance to cardiac injury. The process described does not require antibodies for immunoaffinity enrichment of either proteins or peptides. Limits of detection and quantitation for each signature peptide used as surrogates for the target proteins were determined by the method of standard addition using synthetic peptides and plasma from a healthy donor. Limits of quantitation ranged from 2 to 15 ng/ml for most of the target proteins. Quantitative measurements were obtained for one to two signature peptides derived from each target protein, including low abundance protein markers of cardiac injury in the nanogram/milliliter range such as the cardiac troponins. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were predominantly <10 and 25%, respectively. The configured multiplex assay was then used to measure levels of these proteins across three time points in six patients undergoing alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. These results are the first demonstration of a multiplexed, MS-based assay for detection and quantification of changes in concentration of proteins associated with cardiac injury in the low nanogram/milliliter range. Our results also demonstrate that these assays retain the necessary precision, reproducibility, and sensitivity to be applied to novel and uncharacterized candidate biomarkers for verification of proteins in blood.
Chronic Critical Illness

Early in my intern year, I admitted an 80-year-old man with pneumonia to the intensive care unit (ICU). He had hypotension and was struggling to breathe, and my senior resident and I told his family that it was touch and go. Their response: Do everything. He had repaired cars for a living, and he was a tough guy, a fighter. Ten days later, his condition had stabilized, but he was delirious and unable to breathe on his own. We told his family that if we were to continue, he'd need a tracheotomy and feeding tube. They agreed without question. We . . .
A reinforcement-based therapeutic workplace for the treatment of drug abuse: three-year abstinence outcomes.

Long-term Therapeutic Workplace effects were evaluated in heroin- and cocaine-dependent, unemployed, treatment-resistant young mothers. Participants were paid to work or to train in the Therapeutic Workplace but had to provide drug-free urine samples to gain daily access. Participants (N 40) were randomly assigned to a Therapeutic Workplace or usual care control group. Therapeutic Workplace participants could work for 3 years. Relative to controls, Therapeutic Workplace participants increased cocaine (28% vs. 54% negative; p .04) and opiate (37% vs. 60% negative; p .05) abstinence on the basis of monthly urine samples collected until 3 years after intake. The Therapeutic Workplace can be an effective long-term treatment of cocaine and heroin addiction in poor and chronically unemployed young mothers.
OLFACTORY RESPONSES OF FEMALE OSTRINIA NUBILALIS (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRAUSTINAE)1

An olfactometer was constructed for measuring the oviposition responses of female moths of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.)) to odors from its hostplant, using the number and location of egg masses to judge the response. This olfactometer seems especially suited to examine the reactions of insects which must fly before they respond to odors. The reaction to the odor from injured plants was of special interest. Whereas the odor from uninjured plants was attractive to moths ready to lay eggs, odor from injured plants was repellent. Observations of flights of moths indicate that the repellent odor from injured plants may cause dispersal flights of adults. Zusammenfassung EIN OLFAKTOMETER ZUR PRUFUNG DER REAKTIONEN WEIBLICHER MAISZUNSLER, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS Ein Olfaktometer wird beschrieben, das geeignet ist, die Reaktionen weiblicher Maiszunsler auf den Duft ihrer Wirtspflanzen zu messen. Die Reaktion besteht im Absetzen von Eigelegen. Zu ihrer Beurteilung wurde Anzahl und Lokalisation der Gelege benutzt. Die Reaktion konnte so einer Interpretation mit Hilfe statistischer Testverfahren zugefuhrt werden. Die Versuchsanordnung scheint besonders dazu geeignet, die Reaktionen von Insekten zu prufen, welche fliegen mussen, um auf Duftquellen reagieren zu konnen. Von besonderem Interesse war das Verhalten gegenuber dem Geruch verletzter Pflanzen, welcher die Maiszuns-ler-Weibchen von der Eiablage abhielt. Umgekehrt war der Duft unverletzter Pflanzen fur Falter, die legebereit waren, anziehend. Beobachtung des Fluges der Zunsler weisen darauf hin, das der abschreckende Duft verletzter Pflanzen Ausbreitungsfluge verursachen kann.
A near-linear constant-factor approximation for euclidean bipartite matching?

In the Euclidean bipartite matching problem, we are given a set R of "red" points and a set B of "blue" points in R3 where |R| = |B| = n, and we want to pair up each red point with a distinct blue point so that the sum of distances between the paired points is minimized. We present an approximation algorithm that given any parameter 0
Histofluorescence and ultrastructural evidence for catecholamine‐containing sensory neurons bordering the interventricular foramen of the toad brain

A population of catecholamine-containing cells that borders the interventricular foramen of the toad brain has been studied by both fluorescence histochemical and electron microscopic methods. The perikaryon of these cells, which lies immediately subjacent to the ependyma, sends a fluorescent apical process between the ependymal cells to border on the ventricular surface and a basal process displaying fluorescent varicosities into the underlying neuropil. A few cells possess a broad lateral extension which runs parallel to the ventricular surface. Histochemical and pharmacological specificity tests indicate that the cells contain catecholamines, including epinephrine. The most distinctive ultrastructural feature of the subependymal cells' cytoplasm is large numbers of dense cored vesicles that vary in diameter from 500 A to 2,400 A; these are found in the perikarya, apical and basal processes, and lateral extensions. In addition, bundles of filaments ($100 A in diameter) are seen lying adjacent to the nucleus, and numerous axosomatic synapses are found along the surface of the cell bodies. The luminal surface of the apical processes is covered by microvilli and extends a short distance into the ventricular lumen. The basal processes are narrow in diameter, measuring 0.5-1.1 $m, and contain some filaments, microtubules and dense cored vesicles, but no clusters of ribosomes and no granular endoplasmic reticulum. The characteristics of these subependymal cells, i.e., apical processes which contact the cerebrospinal fluid and basal processes which resemble axons, suggest that the cells may be sensory neurons, and as such, they may respond to the changing composition or pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid and relay this information via their axons to other neurons. The results of this study contribute further evidence that the cerebrospinal fluid provides a means of chemical communication within the brain.
Optimization of Peano-Gosper fractile arrays using genetic algorithms to reduce grating lobes during scanning

A new class of modular broadband low-sidelobe arrays has been recently introduced that are based on the theory of fractile (fractal tile) geometry. In this paper, the radiation properties of the Peano-Gosper fractile array are compared to those of the conventional square and hexagonal arrays. It is demonstrated that the Peano-Gosper array has the same desirable grating lobe conditions as the hexagonal array, while achieving a much lower overall sidelobe level. When a Peano-Gosper fractile array with minimum element spacing of one wavelength is scanned, grating lobes occur. It is shown that a genetic algorithm can perturb the element locations of the Peano-Gosper fractile array in order to reduce side lobe levels to an acceptable level. The genetic algorithm implements the two-point crossover technique along with mutations. The genetically optimized stage 1 Peano-Gosper curve with perturbed element locations can be used to create higher order stage arrays, which allows the highly desirable recursive property to be preserved. The genetically optimized Peano-Gosper fractile array remains relatively broadband.
A Square-Loop Magnetic Core Model for Computer-Aided Circuit Transient Analysis

Square-loop magnetic core models presently used by automated circuit-analysis computer programs are inadequate. Instead, the effect of MMF F on flux ? is described by a more appropriate nonlinear core model, ? = ??(F,F) + ?i(F,?), based on the elastic and inelastic ? components. The core parameters may be measured or derived from a manufacturer catalog. The model has been incorporated into the automated computer-program TRAC (Transient Radiation Analysis by Computer), which was subsequently applied to transient analyses of several magnetic circuits. Machine-computed voltage and current waveforms agree satisfactorily with experimental oscillograms.
A Review: Lessons From an Animal Model of Intra-abdominal Sepsis

Intra-abdominal sepsis that involves multiple aerobic and anaerobic bacteria derived from the colonic flora was studied in Wistar rats to determine the relative roles of various microbial species. The rats challenged with pooled colonic contents showed a biphasic disease. Initially, there was acute peritonitis, Escherichia coli bacteremia, and high mortality. In rats that survived this acute peritonitis stage, intra-abdominal abscesses developed, and anaerobic bacteria were the preponderant organisms. Subsequent experiments showed that antibiotics directed against coliforms prevented mortality, whereas agents active against anaerobes reduced the incidence of abscesses. Challenges with Escherichia coli alone produced bacteremia and death, whereas pure cultures of Bacteroides fragilis caused intra-abdominal abscesses. These observations suggest that both coliforms and anaerobes are important pathogens in intra-abdominal sepsis, although the different types of microbes appear to play distinctive roles in the sequence of pathological events.
A Chebyshev spectral collocation method using a staggered grid for the stability of cylindrical flows

A staggered spectral collocation method for the stability of cylindrical flows is developed. In this method the pressure is evaluated at different nodal points than the three velocity components. These modified nodal points do not include the two boundary nodes; therefore the need for the two artificial pressure boundary conditions employed by Khorrami et al. is eliminated. It is shown that the method produces very accurate results and has a better convergence rate than the spectral tau formulation. However, through extensive convergence tests it was found that elimination of the artificial pressure boundary conditions does not result in any significant change in the convergence behavior of spectral collocation methods.
Design and implementation of an "approximate" communication system for wireless media applications

All practical wireless communication systems are prone to errors. At the symbol level such wireless errors have a well-defined structure: when a receiver decodes a symbol erroneously, it is more likely that the decoded symbol is a good "approximation" of the transmitted symbol than a randomly chosen symbol among all possible transmitted symbols. Based on this property, we define approximate communication, a method that exploits this error structure to natively provide unequal error protection to data bits. Unlike traditional (FEC-based) mechanisms of unequal error protection that consumes additional network and spectrum resources to encode redundant data, the approximate communication technique achieves this property at the PHY layer without consuming any additional network or spectrum resources (apart from a minimal signaling overhead). Approximate communication is particularly useful to media delivery applications that can benefit significantly from unequal error protection of data bits. We show the usefulness of this method to such applications by designing and implementing an end-to-end media delivery system, called Apex. Our Software Defined Radio (SDR)-based experiments reveal that Apex can improve video quality by 5 to 20 dB (PSNR) across a diverse set of wireless conditions, when compared to traditional approaches. We believe that mechanisms such as Apex can be a cornerstone in designing future wireless media delivery systems under any error-prone channel condition.
Self-Knowledge Development as a Cognitive, Affective, Relational and Spiritual Journey

What do graduate students experience when they have a structured opportunity for self-study, and on what inner levels do these students attempt to make sense of themselves? This article explores students’ engagement in self-knowledge development on cognitive, affective, relational, and spiritual levels. After briefly tracing the evolution of self-knowledge theories, the author shares 2 case studies that describe and explain students’ experiences of the course, Education of Self for Professionals. These case studies illustrate students’ willingness, ability, and need to explore and understand self on multiple, interrelated levels, and highlight the centrality of spirituality and relationship in their experiences of self-knowledge development.
Thermal management system modelling and component sizing for heavy duty series hybrid electric vehicles

A thermodynamics-based Vehicle Thermal Management System (VTMS) model for a heavy-duty, off-road vehicle with a series hybrid electric powertrain is developed for analysing thermal behaviour and investigating power consumption under different vehicle driving conditions. The developed model is first used to define an acceptable and reasonable VTMS configuration; design space exploration techniques are then applied to determine optimal component sizes subject to performance and geometry constraints.
Low temperature characterization of ceramic and film power capacitors

Among the key requirements for advanced electronic systems is the ability to withstand harsh environments while maintaining reliable and efficient operation. Efforts were taken to design and develop power capacitors capable of wide temperature operation. Ceramic and film power capacitors were developed and characterized as a function of temperature from 20/spl deg/C to -185/spl deg/C in terms of their dielectric properties. These properties included capacitance stability and dielectric loss in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz. DC leakage current measurements were also performed on the capacitors. The paper presents the results that indicate good operational characteristic behavior and stability of the components tested at low temperatures.
Sustainable ecological economies

Abstract A brief accounting is presented of the evolution of natural ecosystems and human cultures including industrialization and its ecologically-significant interactions with natural abiotic and biotic processes of the earth. These accounts show, among other things, that excess resource harvest rates and material releases into the natural environment have been ecological risks of growing scope and scale throughout the history of political economies. The growing ecological risks of industrialization are attributed to disparities between the rates and directions of evolution in the ecological features of process and structure of corporate and political economies relative to the rates and directions of evolution in their cultural institutions of control. Many social and political organizations are now calling for adaptations toward sustainable industrialization by promoting evolution in the cultural institutions of control through research, education, ethics, politics and government. What is required are on-line institutional processes for effectively translating emerging ecological risk assessments into economic incentives for feasible adaptations throughout the systems. Institutionalization of such on-line adaptive processes requires broad moral-ethical enlightenment and social-political commitment to make the emerging scientific, technological and economic dimensions productive (Faber et al., 1996). This paper presents on-line strategies of ecological risk assessment and control which are believed to be superior to alternatives that require a prior consensus on economic valuations of natural resource stocks, natural processes and environmental damages; and incentives have advantages over prescriptive regulations. When viewed in their greater economic context, the proposed strategies are formulated as coordinated institutions of on-line ecological and fiscal control processes on what is here defined as the ecological economies of corporate and political economies. The objective of the proposed control strategies is to pursue trajectories of joint ecological and cultural evolution toward systems that are ecologically and culturally both satisfying and sustainable.
Plant Proteins Involved in Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation

Agrobacterium species genetically transform plants by transferring a region of plasmid DNA, T-DNA, into host plant cells. The bacteria also transfer several virulence effector proteins. T-DNA and virulence proteins presumably form T-complexes within the plant cell. Super-T-complexes likely also form by interaction of plant-encoded proteins with T-complexes. These protein-nucleic acid complexes traffic through the plant cytoplasm, enter the nucleus, and eventually deliver T-DNA to plant chromatin. Integration of T-DNA into the plant genome establishes a permanent transformation event, permitting stable expression of T-DNA-encoded transgenes. The transformation process is complex and requires participation of numerous plant proteins. This review discusses our current knowledge of plant proteins that contribute to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, the roles these proteins play in the transformation process, and the modern technologies that have been employed to elucidate the cell biology of transformation.
Non-coherent detection of GFSK using Extended Kalman Filtering for Non-Gaussian noise

Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK), a special case of Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) schemes, is the modulation scheme chosen for achieving basic data rate of 1 Mbps with Bluetooth receivers. In this article, we present a new non-coherent demodulation technique based on the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) that does not require the knowledge of the modulation index to detect the GFSK modulated signal in Bluetooth receivers. The paper examines the performance of our proposed receiver in the presence of Non-Gaussian impulsive noise since this type of noise is considered to be a severe noise for wireless technologies including Bluetooth. Bit Error Rate (BER) was used as the measurement metric for the performance for our proposed receiver at the physical level while Packet Error Rate (PER) and Residual Bit Error Rate (RBER) were used as the measurement metrics at the system level. Experimental results obtained for the Extended Kalman Filter detector for Non-Gaussian noise are provided.
Models of Tropical Cyclone Wind Distribution and Beta-Effect Propagation for Application to Tropical Cyclone Track Forecasting

Abstract A model of the tangential wind speed in the outer regions of tropical cyclones is proposed based on approximate conservation of angular momentum. The purpose is to derive an operationally useful model of the beta-effect propagation (BEP), which barotropic numerical models have shown to be primarily related to the outer wind structure. The functional dependence of the predicted BEP speeds over a range of latitudes and the radii Ro at which the cyclonic winds are reduced to zero is determined from dimensional analysis. Given the empirical nature of the profile and imprecise estimates of Ro, only four tropical cyclone sizes or outer wind structures are defined based on the magnitude of the BEP speeds and their relative contributions to the total motion. A second aspect of BEP from the barotropic model integrations is the development of a trailing anticyclone to the southeast of the tropical cyclone as a result of Rossby wave dispersion. The four tropical cyclone size categories or outer wind structu...
Branchial Cleft Remnants

Branchial fistulas, sinuses, and/or cysts result from incomplete obliteration and resorption of a branchial cleft. They are most often identified in childhood.