cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical manifestations of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Objectives/hypotheses To determine the symptoms, signs, and findings on diagnostic tests in patients with clinical manifestations of superior canal dehiscence. To investigate hypotheses about the effects of superior canal dehiscence. To analyze the outcomes in patients who underwent surgical repair of the dehiscence. Study design Review and analysis of clinical data obtained as a part of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with superior canal dehiscence at a tertiary care referral center. Methods Clinical manifestations of superior semicircular canal dehiscence were studied in patients identified with this abnormality over the time period of May 1995 to July 2004. Criteria for inclusion in this series were identification of the dehiscence of bone overlying the superior canal confirmed with a high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography and the presence of at least one sign on physiologic testing indicative of superior canal dehiscence. There were 65 patients who qualified for inclusion in this study on the basis of these criteria. Vestibular manifestations were present in 60 and exclusively auditory manifestations without vestibular symptoms or signs were noted in 5 patients. Results For the 60 patients with vestibular manifestations, symptoms induced by loud sounds were noted in 54 patients and pressure-induced symptoms (coughing, sneezing, straining) were present in 44. An air-bone on audiometry in these patients with vestibular manifestations measured (mean +/- SD) 19 +/- 14 dB at 250 Hz; 15 +/- 11 dB at 500 Hz; 11 +/- 9 dB at 1,000 Hz; and 4 +/- 6 dB at 2,000 Hz. An air-bone gap 10 dB or greater was present in 70% of ears with superior canal dehiscence tested at 250 Hz, 68% at 500 Hz, 64% at 1,000 Hz, and 21% at 2,000 Hz. Similar audiometric findings were noted in the five patients with exclusively auditory manifestations of dehiscence. The threshold for eliciting vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials from affected ears was (mean +/- SD) 81 +/- 9 dB normal hearing level. The threshold for unaffected ears was 99 +/- 7 dB, and the threshold for control ears was 98 +/- 4 dB. The thresholds in the affected ear were significantly different from both the unaffected ear and normal control thresholds (P Conclusions Superior canal dehiscence causes vestibular and auditory symptoms and signs as a consequence of the third mobile window in the inner ear created by the dehiscence. Surgical repair of the dehiscence can achieve control of the symptoms and signs. Canal plugging achieves long-term control more often than does resurfacing.
Satellite cells of the frog muscle spindle as revealed by electron microscopy.

The outer and inner capsule cells are two entities. The former are characterized by distribution along the whole muscle spindle, thick lamellae with typical vesicles and a coat of basement membrane material. The latter prevail in the reticular zone, have thin lamellae without typical vesicles, and lack a basement membrane. These characteristics suggest different functions. Schwann cells and intrafusal satellite cells share several features. However, the latter contain more filaments and exhibit intimate association with both nerve endings and muscle cells; they also have vesiculated membrane specializations toward the muscle cells. Extracellular material observed in the reticular zone consists of at least three entities: thin filaments, amorphous material, and a small number of collagen filaments. It is tentatively suggested that the inner capsule cells produce this material.
Radiation dose to the eyes and parotids during CT of the sinuses.

Objective To measure the radiation dose to the lens and parotid during high-resolution computed tomography scan of the sinuses. Study design and setting Nine cadaver heads were scanned in the axial plane by means of a fine-cut (0.75 mm) protocol. Images were then reconstructed in the coronal and sagittal planes for use with the image guidance software. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were taped over the eyes and parotids and used to measure the radiation dose absorbed by these organs. Results Doses obtained were 29.5 mGy for the lens and around 30 mGy for the parotid. Conclusion The measured doses are lower than the reported acute thresholds of 500-2000 mGy for lens opacities and well below the threshold of 2500 mGy for damage to the parotid. Significance These results demonstrate minimal risk from radiation through the use of high-resolution computed tomography and support the use of such a protocol for diagnosis and preoperative planning.
Fixed point indices in locally convex spaces

Abstract The primary objective of this paper is to show that semicomplex structures may be employed to define a local fixed point index on the category whose objects are all finite unions of compact, convex subsets of locally convex topological vector spaces and whose morphisms are all continuous maps between its objects. This is established via the use of the lc∗ spaces introduced by Lefschetz to generalize absolute neighborhood retracts.
Chronic arthritis of rabbits induced by mycoplasmas. III. Induction with nonviable mycoplasma arthritidis antigens

Preexposure of rabbits to Mycoplasma arthritidis predisposed them to subsequent development of chronic inflammation in knee joints challenged with nonviable M arthritidis antigens. Rabbits sensitized by hyperimmunization developed a more severe arthritis than those sensitized by infection. Unsensitized rabbits responded minimally to intraarticular injection of nonviable organisms. These results suggested that an immune response to a persisting mycoplasmal antigen might be capable of sustaining chronic inflammation in rabbits with arthritis induced by viable M arthritidis.
Hypothermic preservation and transplantation of brain

The mammalian brain is the most magnificent achievement of biological evolution. Before it all human accomplishment space travel, sophisticated computer design, unravelllng of the atomic and molecular structure are humbled. Cerebral tissue presents an almost unlimited array of morphologically defined cellular areas intimately linked to one another, but physiologically demonstrating marked divergences ln performance. The largest and least isolatable anatomically of these mega-cellular galaxies are believed to represent the organic substrates for the highest ordered functions of man: those of intelligence, memory, emotion and personality. Thus while the brain can be considered a composite of a series of mini-organs, each representative of certain cortical or subcortical functions, in the final analysis the brain provides the cellular characterization for what is human (or animal) life as well as the tissue reality for the individuality of man (or animal). To be able then drastically to alter the intrinsic physical environment of the brain by significantly lowering its temperature and suspending its delicately balanced functions for extended periods of time, or being capable of isolating and transplanting the brain to an entirely new somatic relationship without apparently damaging its biochemical matrix or physiological performance, must still remain amongst the most fascinating phenomena occurring in all biology. This is a review of the work in our laboratories dealing specifically with low-temperature and transplant phenomena in brain. In order to accomplish these studies a new generation of brain models had to be designed, primarily based on the concept of cerebral vascular isolation either within or outside of the body.
Toilet habits of children evaluated for urinary tract infection

The toilet habits of 77 girls and 24 boys who were evaluated after having a urinary tract infection were examined prospectively. Children with known urological conditions that can predispose to urinary tract infections were excluded. A voiding cystourethrogram and renal ultrasound were performed, and a diary of toilet habits was obtained for all patients. Six children were lost to followup. Of the remaining 95 children imaging studies were negative in 60 (negative imaging group) and positive in 35 (positive imaging group). Only 10% of the negative imaging group were without constipation or abnormal voiding compared to 60% of the positive imaging group (p = 0.0001). Toilet habits can affect the development of urinary tract infections. Our data suggest that the evaluation of urinary tract infection should include an inquiry into these habits. Among children with negative imaging studies there may be functional problems that promote the development of urinary tract infections.
Changes in biogenic amine contents and sensory quality of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) stored at 4C and 20C

Biogenic amines (tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, spermidine and spermine) in sardine during the storage at two temperatures (4C and 20C) were investigated. Changes in sensory scores were also recorded. Significant differences between storage times were found. The levels of tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine and histamine increased as decomposition of sardine progressed at both 4C and 20C. Spermidine and spermine did not change throughout storage. Putrescine was the main biogenic amine formed, followed by tyramine, cadaverine and histamine. Histamine remained lower than the toxic level of 100 mg/kg in the samples stored at 4C whereas it exceeded the toxic level after 16 h at 20C. The increase in histamine concentration was lower than tyramine and putrescine at both temperatures. Sensory scores gradually decreased during the storage.
Experimental and Numerical Assessment of an Advanced Labyrinth Seal

A previously validated finite difference computer model for seal leakage was used in developing an advanced seal with reduced leakage. A new design feature is an annular groove judiciously located in the stator housing. A detailed assessment of this preliminary groove configuration was conducted, both experimentally and computationally. It was found that the presence of the particular groove considered here contributes an approximately 20 percent decrease in leakage, while introducing no shaft speed effects. To enhance physical insight, detailed computed distributions of streamlines are included. Further, the interesting measured effect of the relative axial position of the rotor/stator sealing surfaces on leakage rate and stator wall axial pressure distribution is examined.
Do You Hear Voices? A Study of the Symbolic Reading Inventory

In an effort to make reading more visible and find out what goes on in the minds of adolescent readers, the author led a group of seventh-grade students in creating Symbolic Reading Inventories. The students created “snapshot” scenes from the books they were reading and placed themselves, as readers, in or around the picture. Reading is a complex puzzle made up of myriad pieces, some that fall easily into place and others that struggle to find some kind of fit. To make matters even more interesting, reading is an invisible process, deeply personal between the reader and the text. In interviewing chosen students, the author found that, in general, they were able to suspend reality and actively place themselves in the created scenes. In particular, the students engaged their imaginations, entering the text as they heard, saw, and felt aspects from chosen scenes. Not only did they bring life to the text, but they also brought their own lives to the text as they were actively engaged in creating meaning. Based on this information, the author encourages educators to provide situations that move our students from the commonplace to the extraordinary.
A repressor protein, Mnt, is a novel negative regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell hypertrophy by angiotensin II and neointimal hyperplasia by arterial injury

Objective The Max-interacting protein Mnt is a transcriptional repressor that can antagonize the transcriptional and proliferation-related activities of Myc. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Mnt is a negative regulator of pathological vascular remodeling.
Genetic and environmental risk factors in adolescent substance use.

Background: The present study was undertaken with the goal of understanding the causes of association between substance use and both conduct disturbance (CD) and depression in adolescent boys and girls. Method: Multivariate genetic structural equation models were fitted to multi-informant, multi-wave, longitudinal data collected in extensive home interviews with parents and children with respect to 307 MZ male, 392 MZ female, 185 DZ male, and 187 DZ female, same-sex twin pairs aged 12–17 years from the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD). Results: Although conduct disturbance and depression were moderately associated with substance use, the pattern of genetic and environmental risk differed for males and females and across the two disorders. Genetic factors were predominant in girls’ substance use whereas boys’ use was mediated primarily by shared environmental factors reflecting family dysfunction and deviant peers. The patterns of correlations across the two waves of the study were consistent with conduct disturbance leading to substance use in both males and females, but depression leading to smoking, drug use and, to a lesser extent, alcohol use in girls. Conclusions: The comorbidity between substance use and depression, and between substance use and conduct disturbance in childhood/adolescence, probably reflects rather different mediating mechanisms – as well as a different time frame, with conduct disturbance preceding substance use but depression following it. In both, the co-occurrence partially reflected a shared liability but, in girls, genetic influences played an important role in the comorbidity involving depression, whereas in both sexes (but especially in boys) environmental factors played a substantial role. The extent to which these differences reflect genuine differences in the causal mechanisms underlying substance use and CD/depression in boys and girls revealed in the present analysis awaits replication from studies of other general population samples.
A new type of enzyme electrode: The ascorbic acid eliminator electrode

Abstract A new type of enzyme electrode has been developed for in vivo electrochemical measurements which allows discrimination between ascorbic acid and catecholamines and their metabolites. The electrode employs the enzyme ascorbic acid oxidase held between the voltammetric electrode and solution by a dialysis membrane or immobilized on the outer surface of serous membrane from rat small intestine. The electrode gives linear calibration curves for all catecholamines and metabolites independent of any ascorbic acid concentrations significant in physiological measurements. The electrode has been tested in brain slice measurements and shown to respond to releases of catecholamines initiated by potassium ion stimulation.
Angiomesohyperplasia; a generalized noninflammatory occlusive arterial disease.

Abstract An adult Negro with occlusive vascular disease has been described. The disease was generalized, but affected principally the arteries of the lower extremities and heart. Thermocouple and plethysmographic studies confirmed the occlusive nature of the disease, which was further substantiated by biopsy studies. The etiological nature of the disease is not apparent; therefore, a descriptive name, “angiomesohyperplasia,” has been submitted for the syndrome.
Sequence analysis of the bovine coronavirus nucleocapsid and matrix protein genes

Abstract The 3′ end of the 20-kb genome of the Mebus strain of bovine enteric coronavirus (BCV) was copied into cDNA and cloned into the PstI site of the pUC9 vector. Four clones from the 3′ end of the genome were sequenced either completely or in part to determine the sequence of the first 2451 bases. Within this sequence were identified, in order, a 3′-noncoding region of 291 bases, the gene for a 448-amino acid nucleocapsid protein (N) having a molecular weight of 49,379, and the gene for a 230-amino acid matrix protein (M) having a molecular weight of 26,376. A third large open reading frame is contained entirely within the N gene sequence but is positioned in a different reading frame; it potentially encodes a polypeptide of 207 amino acids having a molecular weight of 23,057. A higher degree of amino acid sequence homology was found between the M proteins of BCV and MHV (87%) than between the N proteins (70%). For the M proteins of BCV and MHV, notable differences were found at the amino terminus, the most probable site of O-glycosylation, where the sequence is N-Met-Ser-Ser-Val-Thr-Thr for BCV and N-Met-Ser-Ser-Thr-Thr for MHV. BCV apparently uses two of its six potential O-glycosylation sites.
Learning to Read and Write Cherokee: Toward a Theory of Literacy Revitalization.

In an effort to revitalize the Cherokee language, Cherokee Nation launched an immersion program for preschool and elementary children in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Central to the curriculum is literacy in the Cherokee writing system known as syllabary. This study focuses on sociocultural and sociolinguistic evidence toward an understanding of the syllabary's role in Cherokee immersion, children's general literacy skills, and the micro- and macrolevel contexts of literacy in syllabary. We consider how an examination of Cherokee-literacy revitalization—as a feature of broader language revitalization—offers insight into the challenges and opportunities facing those who teach endangered languages through school-based immersion.
The vitamin d dose response in obesity.

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy is high in obese individuals. Determining the response of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) to vitamin D3 supplementation in obese and nonobese individuals may lead to concurrent recommendations for optimal vitamin D intake in these populations. The objective of this study was to determine the dose response of vitamin D3 in subjects with a body mass index ≥35 kg/m2. METHODS Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. This study is an extension of our previous study of vitamin D dosing in healthy adults. After an assessment of baseline 25(OH)D levels, participants were randomized to a vitamin D supplementation arm (100 μg daily if baseline 25[OH]D was <50 nmol/L, or 50 μg daily if baseline 25[OH]D was ≥50 nmol/L) or placebo arm. Subjects with baseline 25(OH)D level ≥80 nmol/L were excluded from the study. Two months following randomization, a repeat 25(OH)D measurement was done. RESULTS Final analysis included 25 subjects (14 placebo, 11 active). At 2 months, serum 25(OH)D concentration increased to a mean of 75 nmol/L in the active group. Mean slope (i.e., vitamin D3 response), defined as 25(OH) D change/baseline dose, was 0.398 nmol/L/μg/day. CONCLUSION The dose response of vitamin D3 (slope) in obese subjects was significantly lower (P<.03) at 0.398 nmol/L/μg/day compared to the slope in the previous study of healthy subjects (0.66 nmol/L/μg/day). These results suggest that obese individuals may require 40% higher vitamin D intake than nonobese individuals to attain the same serum 25(OH)D concentration.
Waffle-grid polariser

A linear-to-circular polarisation converter consisting of four cascaded grids is presented. The grid geometry is a modified version of a strip grating, forming a waffle-grid pattern. The measured axial ratio is 1.5 dB and the insertion loss is 0.9 dB at 4 GHz.
Spring control of the Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in winter wheat using insecticides.

A series of field studies was conducted to assess the feasibility of controlling spring infestations of the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), in winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L. em Thell, using foliarly applied insecticides. Systemic and nonsystemic insecticides were equally effective in 1986, suggesting that insecticides acted by killing ovipositing adults and neonate larvae exposed on the leaf surface. Single applications of disulfoton were not effective in reducing Hessian fly numbers or preventing yield losses when applied after plant spike emergence. Hessian fly numbers were partly reduced in some trials when a single spray was applied during the stem elongation stage of plant development and 1-2 wk before peak deposition of Hessian fly eggs. Repeated applications (four to six sprays) reduced spring infestations and prevented losses of grain yield if spraying began during stem elongation and before peak egg deposition. Gain threshold calculations indicated that the yield response to repeated insecticide applications justified up to three treatments of disulfoton. However, because of inconsistent efficacy, marginal economic benefit, and difficulty of predicting Hessian fly ovipositional activity, management of spring infestations of the Hessian fly using foliarly applied insecticides is not currently feasible.
Space-charge effects in ballistic injection across heterojunctions (FETs)

Conditions under which ballistic injection across heterojunctions is suppressed in unipolar FET devices have been examined using two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation. Gate-induced lateral space charges influence via macroscopic current continuity the dipole layer at the heterojunction. A retarding dipole layer is shown to result in ballistic electron fractions and transit times comparable to those found in homojunction devices. Guidelines for avoiding the formation of a regarding dipole layer are given. >
Anti-jamming timing channels for wireless networks

Wireless communication is susceptible to radio interference, which prevents the reception of communications. Although evasion strategies have been proposed, such strategies are costly or ineffective against broadband jammers. In this paper, we explore an alternative to evasion strategies that involves the establishment of a timing channel that exists in spite of the presence of jamming. The timing channel is built using failed packet reception times. We first show that it is possible to detect failed packet events inspite of jamming. We then explore single sender and multisender timing channel constructions that may be used to build a low-rate overlay link-layer. We discuss implementation issues that we have overcome in constructing such jamming-resistant timing channel, and present the results of validation efforts using the MICA2 platform. Finally, we examine additional error correction and authentication mechanisms that may be used to cope with adversaries that both jam and seek to corrupt our timing channel.
Poincaré sphere analysis of liquid crystal optics.

The Poincare sphere representation, a geometrical method for solving problems involving the propagation of polarized light through birefringent and optically active media, is applied to several electrooptic liquid crystal problems. The emphasis is on the twisted nematic case, for which the quiescent state solution was given by Mauguin in 1911. The Poincare construction shows that the normal modes for the undeformed twisted nematic layer are slightly ellipticity. polarized and suggests convenient experiments for measuring the ellipticity. For the field-activated state, a construction is indicated as an alternative to matrix-multiplication methods.
Experimental Evaluation of Ground Motion Scaling Methods for Nonlinear Analysis of Structural Systems

This paper describes an experimental investigation on the scaling of ground motion records for use in the nonlinear response history analysis of building structures. The study is based on the measured response from small-scale shake-table experiments of nonlinear multi-story building frame structures under ground motion suites that have been scaled using different methods. Four structural configurations with different fundamental periods and lateral strengths are investigated to assess the effectiveness of the scaling methods in reducing the dispersion in the seismic lateral displacement demands of the structures from a total of 720 shake-table tests. Four scaling methods are examined including three methods that depend on a priori knowledge of the properties of the structure being analyzed as well as a method based solely on the properties of the ground motions. The experimental results show that the method based solely on the properties of the ground motions generally produced demand results with less dispersion than the other evaluated scaling methods. However, the methods that rely on prior knowledge of the structure performed better at preserving the benchmark median demands for several of the cases considered.
Mineral evolution and Earth history

The field of mineral evolution—a merger of mineralogy and Earth history—coalesced in 2008 with the first of several global syntheses by Robert Hazen and coworkers in the American Mineralogist. They showed that the cumulative abundance of mineral species has a stepwise trend with first appearances tied to various transitions in Earth history such as the end of planetary accretion at ca. 4.55 Ga and the onset of bio-mediated mineralogy at ca. >2.5 Ga. A global age distribution is best established for zircon. Observed abundance of zircon fluctuates through more than an order of magnitude during successive supercontinent cycles. The pulse of the Earth is also recorded, albeit imperfectly, by the 87Sr/86Sr composition of marine biogenic calcite; the Sr-isotopic ratio of this mineral reflects the balance of inputs of primitive strontium at mid-ocean ridges and evolved strontium that drains off the continents. A global mineral evolution database, currently in the works, will greatly facilitate the compilation and analysis of extant data and the expansion of research in mineralogy outside its traditional bounds and into more interdisciplinary realms.
Classical electrodynamics as a distribution theory. II

In this paper a precise distribution-theoretic formalism for the description of point charges interacting through a classical electromagnetic field is given. The distribution solutions of the Maxwell equations are shown to reduce to the Lienard–Wiechert fields, which are summable over the whole of space-time. It is not possible to obtain directly a unique field intensity, on the world lines, from these distribution solutions. A brief analysis shows that analytic continuation methods also do not give a unique field intensity on the world lines. The energy tensor for the field is a distribution which can only be rigorously defined in terms of the motions of the charges. Thus only the value of the field energy or momentum residing in any finite region of space-time can be given any meaning. Equations of motion for the charges may be derived from the field energy tensor, using the principle of conservation of total energy and momentum for the system. These equations agree with those obtained previously by Dirac (2). Also any canonical formalism in which the field potentials and the particle variables enter in an equivalent manner is not possible. The difficulty of the definition of products of distributions in the stress tensor does not occur.
Impacts of Triclosan in Greywater on Soil Microorganisms

The use of greywater for irrigation is becoming a common practice in arid regions such as the Southwestern US, the Middle East, Australia, and China. While greywater supplies nutrients to soil ecosystems, the possible impact of trace contaminants, particularly pharmaceuticals and personal care products, has not been determined. This paper examined the impact of triclosan, an antibacterial agent commonly added to consumer products, on microbial populations and microbial diversity in soil irrigated with greywater. While there was no change in the total number of heterotrophic microorganisms in the soil, both the types and the antibiotic resistance of the microorganisms were significantly influenced by triclosan. The proportion of the microbial isolates resistant to antibiotics increased while at the same time, overall diversity of the microbial community decreased.
Code Optimization for a Code-Modulated RF Front End

Recently, a novel class of on-site coding receivers was proposed. The architecture is suitable for digital beamforming in addition to offering multiple-input multiple-output capabilities. Essential to its realization is a code division multiplexing technique aggregating multiple signal paths at the analog front end into a single analog-to-digital converter. As a result, a significant hardware reduction and a higher power efficiency are achieved when compared with the conventional digital beamforming techniques. In this paper, we examine the system’s performance with different types of spreading codes, both orthogonal and nonorthogonal, namely Walsh–Hadamard and Gold codes. Bit error rate calculations show that Walsh–Hadamard codes outperform Gold codes in achieving higher dynamic range with less signal-to-noise ratio degradation, assuming a perfectly synchronous system.
Case Study in Data Reduction

Recall that the aim of data reduction is to reduce (without using the outcome) the number of parameters needed in the outcome model.
Tight-Binding LMTO Approach to the Electronic Structure and Atomic Configuration in Extended Defects in Metals

A new quantum-mechanical method capable of determining atomic configurations of extended defects has been developed. The Hamiltonian is constructed using the first-principles tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital method in the atomic-sphere approximation. A semiempirical correction is employed to describe the effect of electrons in the interstitial region and the repulsive part of the total energy is described by a pair potential. The forces on atoms are calculated by differentiating the corresponding energy terms with respect to atomic positions. The equilibriun configuration is then found by minimizing the total energy. In this approach, the electronic and chemical aspects of defect structures can be accounted for more adequately than when using central-force pair or many-body potentials. In particular, the angular dependence of interatomic forces, which is important in transition metals with unfilled d-bands, is described correctly within the present quantum-mechanical treatment.
Effects of nicotine withdrawal on verbal working memory and associated brain response

Previous literature has reported effects of nicotine withdrawal on brain function during cognitive tasks such as verbal working memory (VWM). Mechanisms of these withdrawal effects have not been clearly identified. Functional neuroimaging offers an objective method to examine brain mechanisms associated with observable behavior and subjective reports. To investigate these mechanisms, 12 smokers were administered a 2-Back VWM challenge during two functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions. Participants abstained from smoking prior to both sessions; however, they applied a nicotine patch before one session and a placebo patch prior to the other. Among regions that exhibited a significant response to the 2-Back during either session, withdrawal was associated with significantly greater deactivation in left and right temporal poles and left medial frontal gyrus. The magnitude of task-related activation showed a significant inverse relationship to craving in the majority of regions during placebo administration. Also, individual brain responses varied more during placebo, suggesting inefficient neural processing. Results suggest that differences in brain response to a VWM challenge during abstinence may be attributed to increased craving. Further deactivation of regions associated with the default network (medial frontal and anterior temporal clusters) during the placebo condition suggests further suspension of default activity, possibly to compensate for inefficient neural processing.
Realizing what might be

Schulz has shown that the suppositional view of indicative conditionals leads to a corresponding view of epistemic modals. But his case backfires: the resulting theory of epistemic modals gets the facts wrong, and so we end up with a good argument against the suppositional view. I show how and why a dynamic view of indicative conditionals leads to a better theory of epistemic modals.
Two-way fixed effects analysis of variance when the error variances may be unequal

The method in Krutchkoff (1988b) for one-way ANOVA is extended to the two-way situation. The K- ANOVA application program is discussed.
Endoleaks following endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm: etiology and outcomes.

Purpose:To evaluate the incidence and natural history of endoleaks following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).Methods:A retrospective review was conduct...
Factors affecting cell population density during enrichment and subsequent molecular detection of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on lettuce contaminated during field production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the field survival and subsequent detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on leafy greens to understand factors that influence their detection by molecular methods. Both applied microorganisms experienced a drop in population after 4 days of inoculation. and after 10 days, recovery was achieved only through enrichment. Field survival of microorganisms was affected by lettuce cultivar and better survival of Salmonella in comparison to E. coli O157:H7 was determined. Detection through real-time PCR was affected by duration of sample enrichment; shorter times (4e12 h) resulted in more false negatives, however after 18 h, detection was achieved in all samples. Red-pigmented lettuce cultivars caused inhibition of most PCR reactions. Preparation of tissue mass composites of 375 or 125 g in comparison to 25 g samples increased the rate of false negatives, the effect was pronounced when comparison was done between field-inoculated material compared to plant inoculated in the laboratory. In contrast, liquid compositing resulted a reliable strategy to reduce the number of molecular tests. Results highlighted the importance of specific commodity validation of molecular detection methods that consider sample matrix composition, natural microbiota and the cell stress of the pathogens.
Weld Pool Impedance Identification for Size Measurement and Control

A primary indicator of weld quality is the size of the bead produced, and for full penetration welds this size parameter can be reduced to the width of the backbead. A method for determining this width in real-time is proposed that measures the natural frequency of pool motion when driven by a time varying arc plasma force. This method is developed analytically and verified experimentally for stationary weld pools. A control system based on this measurement scheme is also developed and simulation results are presented.
Inhibitory Control in Mind and Brain: An Interactive Race Model of Countermanding Saccades

The stop-signal task has been used to study normal cognitive control and clinical dysfunction. Its utility is derived from a race model that accounts for performance and provides an estimate of the time it takes to stop a movement. This model posits a race between go and stop processes with stochastically independent finish times. However, neurophysiological studies demonstrate that the neural correlates of the go and stop processes produce movements through a network of interacting neurons. The juxtaposition of the computational model with the neural data exposes a paradox-how can a network of interacting units produce behavior that appears to be the outcome of an independent race? The authors report how a simple, competitive network can solve this paradox and provide an account of what is measured by stop-signal reaction time.
Repeated third trimester-equivalent ethanol exposure inhibits long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region of neonatal rats

Developmental ethanol exposure damages the hippocampus, causing long-lasting learning and memory deficits. Synaptic plasticity mechanisms (e.g., long-term potentiation [LTP]) contribute to synapse formation and refinement during development. We recently showed that acute ethanol exposure inhibits glutamatergic synaptic transmission and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent LTP in the CA1 hippocampal region of postnatal day (P)7-9 rats. The objective of this study was to further characterize the effect of ethanol on LTP in the developing CA1 hippocampus during the third trimester equivalent. To more closely model human ethanol exposure during this period, rat pups were exposed to ethanol vapor (2 or 4.5 g/dL in air, serum ethanol concentrations=96.6-147.2 or 322-395.6 mg/dL) from P2-9 (4h/d). Brain slices were prepared immediately after the end of the 4-h exposure on P7-9 and extracellular electrophysiological recordings were performed 1-7h later under ethanol-free conditions to model early withdrawal. LTP was not different than group-matched controls in the 96.6-147.2mg/dL group; however, it was impaired in the 322-395.6 mg/dL group. Neither alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate receptor (AMPAR)/NMDAR function nor glutamate release were affected in the 322-395.6 mg/dL ethanol exposure group. These data suggest that repeated in vivo exposure to elevated ethanol doses during the third trimester-equivalent period impairs synaptic plasticity, which may alter maturation of hippocampal circuits and ultimately contribute to the long-lasting cognitive deficits associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Ventral and dorsal streams for choosing word order during sentence production

Proficient language use requires speakers to vary word order and choose between different ways of expressing the same meaning. Prior statistical associations between individual verbs and different word orders are known to influence speakers' choices, but the underlying neural mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that distinct neural pathways are used for verbs with different statistical associations. We manipulated statistical experience by training participants in a language containing novel verbs and two alternative word orders (agent-before-patient, AP; patient-before-agent, PA). Some verbs appeared exclusively in AP, others exclusively in PA, and yet others in both orders. Subsequently, we used sparse sampling neuroimaging to examine the neural substrates as participants generated new sentences in the scanner. Behaviorally, participants showed an overall preference for AP order, but also increased PA order for verbs experienced in that order, reflecting statistical learning. Functional activation and connectivity analyses revealed distinct networks underlying the increased PA production. Verbs experienced in both orders during training preferentially recruited a ventral stream, indicating the use of conceptual processing for mapping meaning to word order. In contrast, verbs experienced solely in PA order recruited dorsal pathways, indicating the use of selective attention and sensorimotor integration for choosing words in the right order. These results show that the brain tracks the structural associations of individual verbs and that the same structural output may be achieved via ventral or dorsal streams, depending on the type of regularities in the input.
STUDIES ON THE HUMAN T LYMPHOCYTE – SHEEP ERYTHROCYTE RECEPTOR

Publisher Summary Proteolytic digestion of the human T lymphoblastoid cell line (Molt-4) and of peripheral blood lymphocytes by trypsin, chymotrypsin and pronase results in a progressive, time- and dose-dependent diminution of T-lymphocyte-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) rosette formation, whereas thrombin, plasmin, collagenase, DNAse, and phospholipase have no effect. In a study described in the chapter, preincubation of SRBC with the 10 and 20 min lymphocyte digest supernates inhibited their subsequent binding by normal T lymphocytes by as much as 50%. Thirty-minute digests were less inhibitory. Equivalent digests from several human B lymphoblastoid cell lines and from a nonrosetting clone of Molt-4 cells were not inhibitory.
Steady-state photoluminescent excitation characterization of semiconductor carrier recombination

Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy is a contactless characterization technique that can provide valuable information about the surface and bulk recombination parameters of a semiconductor device, distinct from other sorts of photoluminescent measurements. For this technique, a temperature-tuned light emitting diode (LED) has several advantages over other light sources. The large radiation density offered by LEDs from near-infrared to ultraviolet region at a low cost enables efficient and fast photoluminescence measurements. A simple and inexpensive LED-based setup facilitates measurement of surface recombination velocity and bulk Shockley-Read-Hall lifetime, which are key parameters to assess device performance. Under the right conditions, this technique can also provide a contactless way to measure the external quantum efficiency of a solar cell.
Characteristics of Mergers and Aquisitions by Small Manufacturing Firms

While acquisitions by large firms receive a great deal of media and researcher attention, acquisitions by small firms tend to be overlooked. This study compares a sample of M&As by small U.S. manufacturing firms that occurred between 1992 and 1999 with a sample of M&As conducted by large U.S. manufacturing firms that occurred during the same period Characteristics examined include the type of transaction, the type of ownership of the target firm and the relationship between the target and acquirer's primary products and geographic locations. Results indicate that many small firms are active acquirers and are involved in a wide range of M&A activities that are often quite similar to that undertaken by large firms. There are, however, several important differences. Small firms are found to be more likely to purchase privately held targets and to make acquisitions of targets that were primarily involved in industries outside of manufacturing. Large acquirers are more likely to make acquisitions of partial interest in a target and to make cross-border transactions. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Water-Soluble Organometallic Compounds. 8[1]. Synthesis, Spectral Properties, and Crystal Structures of 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) Derivatives of Metal Carbonyl Clusters: Ru3(CO)9(PTA)3 and Ir4(CO)7(PTA)5

The syntheses of Ru3(CO)9(PTA)3 and Ir4(CO)7(PTA)5 were accomplished through the thermal reactions of Ru3(CO)12 or Ir4(CO)12 with the water-soluble phosphine, PTA(1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane). The ruthenium derivative was shown by X-ray crystallography to consist of a triangular Ru3 core with three nearly equal Ru–Ru bonds, with each ruthenium atom bearing an equatorially positioned PTA ligand. In Ir4(CO)7(PTA)5 the iridium atoms define a tetrahedron which is bridged on three edges by CO ligands. One basal iridium atom contains two PTA ligands, while the other two basal and the apical iridium atoms each possess one PTA ligand in their coordination spheres. Although, Ru3(CO)9(PTA)3 is only sparingly soluble in pure water, it is very soluble in aqueous solution of pH 24 h).
Research in residency: do research curricula impact post-residency practice?

Background: The Residency Review Committee for Family Medicine recommends that research during residency be encouraged as a means of preparing residents for lifetime self-education after residency. No studies, however, have demonstrated the influence of these curricula on postgraduate practice. This study identified differences in attitudes, knowledge, or behavior between residency graduates who were or were not exposed to research training during residency. Methods: A survey was mailed to 234 graduates of 13 family medicine residency programs in Michigan; eight of the programs included research curricula. The survey included questions on research training, confidence in reading medical articles, sources used for answering clinical questions, and current teaching and research activities. Responses were compared between graduates from programs with and without formal research training. Results: The response rate was 53%. Graduates with research training reported significantly greater appreciation for research and its importance in guiding treatment decisions. There were no differences between groups in knowledge of statistics, comfort with reading research articles, or sources used for answering clinical questions, with the exception of greater use of Medline searches for research-trained residents. There were also no differences between groups in additional training or research experiences. Graduates with no formal research training reported being more involved after residency with student teaching and practice audits. Conclusions: Formal research training during residency appears to alter attitudes toward research and searches of the medical literature but does not to lead to greater participation in teaching or practice audits.
A comparison of grid-definition schemes for DSMC

This paper examines spatial-discretization approaches for the direct simulation Monte Carlo method for axisymmetric and three-dimensional flows. Computations using the three schemes, a uniform Cartesian grid, a structured body-fitted grid, and an unstructured tetrahedral grid, are presented for the hypersonic flow past a blunted cone for two angles of attack. The results indicate that the approaches return very similar flow field and surface results, and that these results show fair agreement with available experimental data. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the Cartesian scheme is significantly more efficient on a per-particle basis, but yields overall solution times significantly greater then those for the other two algorithms. (Author)
The Synthesis of Composite Particles made up of Titanium Nitride Nano Particles and Carbon Black

A composite particle of ultra fine titanium nitride particles and carbon black fine particles was prepared by reductive nitrification in N2 from titania ultra fine particles coated on carbon black fine particles. The nitrification temperature of the titania was lower than that of titania mechanically mixed with carbon black powder. As the amount of titania coated on the carbon black particles was larger, the size of the nitrified particles on the carbon black particle became larger and the remaining titanium oxide increased. The size of the titanium nitride particles varied with the content of ZrO2 in the titania coating on the carbon black particles.
Field evaluation of three formulations of aldicarb for control of cotton insects.

Formulations of aldicarb on charcoal and on corn cob grits were equally effective in controlling the cotton fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter); the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover; and thrips in a field test. The charcoal formulation of aldicarb was less damaging to plant stands and had less adverse effect than the corn cob formulations on beneficial insects.
Fostering Interdisciplinary Thinking Through an International Development Case Study

ABSTRACTDespite widespread acknowledgment of the importance of interdisciplinary pedagogy, disciplinary teaching remains the norm on most campuses, primarily due to cost and institutional constraints. Bridging the gap between literature on interdisciplinary teaching and active-learning techniques, this article describes an innovative and less costly approach through the linkage of case-study active-learning techniques with interdisciplinary principles at a small liberal arts college. We apply this student-centered approach to teaching international development, a field that critically needs integration across several social sciences. A practical way for political scientists to encourage undergraduate-level interdisciplinary thinking is to develop a case study that asks students to utilize practical problem-solving skills and policy analysis. We analyze the implementation and assessment of such a case study, discuss its successes and shortcomings and provide suggestions for expanded implementation. We also...
Applications of Slow Light in Telecom and Quantum Information

We describe recent progress in the development of techniques for controlling the velocity of light pulses and for using these effects to develop buffers for telecommunication and devices for quantum information.