cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptual decision-making difficulty modulates feedforward effective connectivity to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Diverse cortical structures are known to coordinate activity as a network in relaying and processing of visual information to discriminate visual objects. However, how this discrimination is achieved is still largely unknown. To contribute to answering this question, we used face-house categorization tasks with three levels of noise in face and house images in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments involving thirty-three participants. The behavioral performance error and response time (RT) were correlated with noise in face-house images. We then built dynamical causal models (DCM) of fMRI blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signals from the face and house category-specific regions in ventral temporal (VT) cortex, the fusiform face area (FFA) and parahippocampal place area (PPA), and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). We found a strong feed-forward intrinsic connectivity pattern from FFA and PPA to dlPFC. Importantly, the feed-forward connectivity to dlPFC was significantly modulated by the perception of both faces and houses. The dlPFC-BOLD activity, the connectivity from FFA and PPA to the dlPFC all increased with noise level. These results suggest that the FFA-PPA-dlPFC network plays an important role for relaying and integrating competing sensory information to arrive at perceptual decisions.
NEW EXPERIMENTAL INSIGHTS INTO THE PRODUCTION OF SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS USING HEAVY ION REACTIONS

V Presented at the International Symposium on Superheavy Elements, Lubbock, TX, March 9 - 1 1 , 1978 LBL-7710 Co/or- y}Jon^ NEW EXPERIMENTAL INSIGHTS INTOTOEPRODUCTION OF SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS USING HEAVY ION REACTIONS R. J. Otto, D. J. Morrissey, G. T. Seaborg, and W. D. Loveland April 1978 Prepared for the U. S. Department of Energy under Contract W-7405-ENG-48 tmtsmmM or THIS DOC wsttr w vnuurrso
Volume‐controlled high frequency positive pressure ventilation for upper abdominal surgery

Summary Volume-controlled high-frequency positive pressure ventilation was evaluated and compared to intermittent positive pressure ventilation during anesthesia in 74 patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in oxygenation or ventilation. Significantly lower airway pressures and lower tidal volumes were recorded during high frequency positive pressure ventilation. This technique was also used in eight morbidly obese patients during gastric stapling surgery, and provided adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Used intra-operatively, it also produced a quiet operative field, which the surgeons appreciated during cannulation of the biliary duct and stapling of the stomach. At the end of the anaesthesia, high frequency positive pressure ventilation was superimposed on spontaneous breathing and operated as a new mode of intermittent mandatory ventilation. This reduced the risk of hypoxia at the time of emergence from anaesthesia and at tracheal suctioning.
Nobility in objectivity: A prosecutor's case for neutrality in forensic nursing

This article describes the three primary functions that Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) provide to the judicial process from a prosecutor's perspective. These three functions include comfort and care of patients complaining of sexual assault, competent and consistent evidence collection, and expert testimony on anatomy and tissue. The article makes the argument that all three of these functions are conducted more effectively when the SANE maintains her objectivity and neutrality as a medical and scientific professional. Finally, a recent Supreme Court ruling, Crawford v. Washington, might greatly affect a SANE's ability to repeat hearsay statements made to her by patients who become unavailable to testify. The article will discuss the impact of this case, as it relates to the SANE's function as an expert witness and the issue of hearsay admissibility.
US residential electricity consumption: the effect of states' pursuit of energy efficiency policies

This empirical note seeks to provide evidence identifying key factors that have influenced the per residential customer consumption of electricity in the United States during recent years, with particular emphasis on the degree to which each state has pursued energy efficiency policies. This preliminary empirical analysis takes the form of Panel Two-Stage Least Squares (P2SLS) estimations. State-level data are adopted for the 4-year period from 2002 through 2005. The P2SLS findings indicate that the consumption of electricity per residential customer is an increasing function of the annual number of cooling degree days, the real personal disposable income and the real price of natural gas, as well as the maximum electricity generation capacity, while being a decreasing function of the real unit price of electricity, the extent of usage of natural gas for residential heating and the degree to which each state has pursued energy efficiency policies.
Diesel Oxidation Catalyst Control of Hydrocarbon Aerosols From Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition Combustion

Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) is a novel combustion process that utilizes two fuels with different reactivity to stage and control combustion and enable homogeneous combustion. The technique has been proven experimentally in previous work with diesel and gasoline fuels; low NOx emissions and high efficiencies were observed from RCCI in comparison to conventional combustion. In previous studies on a multi-cylinder engine, particulate matter (PM) emission measurements from RCCI suggested that hydrocarbons were a major component of the PM mass. Further studies were conducted on this multi-cylinder engine platform to characterize the PM emissions in more detail and understand the effect of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) on the hydrocarbon-dominated PM emissions. Results from the study show that the DOC can effectively reduce the hydrocarbon emissions as well as the overall PM from RCCI combustion. The bimodal size distribution of PM from RCCI is altered by the DOC which reduces the smaller mode 10 nm size particles.
The Impact of Fantasy Football Participation on NFL Attendance

The fantasy sports industry, primarily led by fantasy football, has reportedly grown to 18 million unique players generating over $2 billion dollars annually according to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this impressive growth is also generating increased interest for the sports on which the games are based. We use survey data from the ESPN Sports Poll to determine whether fantasy football participation increases NFL game attendance. The results suggest that fantasy football participants are not only more likely to attend at least one game per year, but also that they attend between 0.22 and 0.57 more games per season.
Influence of soil oxidation-reduction potential and salinity on nutrition, N-15 uptake, and growth ofSpartina patens

Nutrition, photosynthesis, and growth responses ofSpartina patens to various intensities of sediment reduction (redox potentials, Eh) ranging between — 115 mV to +475 mV and/or salinity of < 1 and 6 ppt were evaluated under controiled environmental conditions. Reduction in soil Eh to — 115 mV seemed to have little effect on net photosynthesis, but 6 ppt salinity combined with low Eh significantly decreased net photosynthesis, indicating the adverse effects of combined low Eh and salinity on gas exchange functioning. The treatments showed striking differences in concentration of nutrients in the plants. In each Eh treatment, N content in the plants was low under 6 ppt salinity compared to the < 1 ppt treatment. N content and N-15 concentration in the plant also decreased as the soil Eh decreased. Data indicated that uptake of N was inhibited by low Eh due to reduced ability of roots to take up nitrogen and/or poor physical growth of roots. Plant Fe and Mn content increased considerably at low Eh treatments. However, salinity did not show consistent influence on Fe and Mn content of tissue. Concentration of K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu in plant tissue was not influenced by Eh or salinity. Root dry weight was significantly decreased in response to lowering of Eh. Within each Eh treatment, root dry weight was not influenced by salinity except in the aerated (high Eh) treatment. This finding indicates that under salinity concentrations tested, soil hypoxia is the dominant factor controlling nutrient uptake and growth ofSpartina patens. Results suggest that in submerged coastal environments, such as the Mississipppi River deltaic plain, increased flooding and soil redox conditions seem to be the primary stress factors affecting productivity ofSpartina patens unless salinity levels substantially exceed the present levels. Another primary reason for vegetation stress is the reduced uptake of nitrogen as a result of reduction in soil Eh.
Cost of Influenza Hospitalization at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital and its Impact on the Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Recommendation for Universal Influenza Immunization in Children Age 6 to 23 Months

Objective To calculate the costs of influenza hospitalization at a tertiary care children's hospital as the basis of a cost-benefit analysis of the new influenza vaccine recommendation for children age 6 to 23 months. Study design We reviewed the medical records of all patients admitted to Children's Memorial Hospital (CMH) in 2002 diagnosed with influenza. Total hospital costs were obtained from the Business Development Office. Results Thirty-five charts were analyzed. Both of the 2 patients requiring mechanical ventilation and 4 of 6 patients admitted to the intensive care unit had high-risk underlying medical conditions. Nine children were age 6 to 23 months; 4 of these 9 had no preexisting medical conditions. Had all 18 high-risk children over age 6 months been protected from influenza, approximately $350,000 in hospital charges could have been saved. Conclusions Preventing the additional 4 hospitalizations in the otherwise low-risk children age 6 to 23 months for whom vaccine is currently recommended would have cost approximately $281,000 ($46/child) more than the hospital charges saved. When all children age 6 to 23 months are considered, influenza vaccination is less costly than other prophylactic measures. Addition of indirect costs, deaths, outpatient costs, and the cost of secondary cases would favor the cost:benefit ratio for influenza vaccination of all children age 6 to 23 months.
The effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol on the oxidation of fatty acids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The effects of varying concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol on the oxidation of a series of saturated, aliphatic fatty acids byPs. aeruginosa were studied. The oxidation of C4, C6, C8, C10, C12, C13, C14 and C16 acids is stimulated by certain concentrations of this inhibitor. However, the concentration of 2,4-dinitrophenol which causes stimulation of oxygen uptake with capric acid does not produce an increase in numbers of the organisms in a medium containing the fatty acid as the sole carbon source.
Development and Validation of a New Blade Element Momentum Skewed-Wake Model within AeroDyn

Blade element momentum methods, though conceptually simple, are highly useful for analyzing wind turbines aerodynamics and are widely used in many design and analysis applications. A new version of AeroDyn is being developed to take advantage of new robust solution methodologies, conform to a new modularization framework for National Renewable Energy Laboratory's FAST, utilize advanced skewed-wake analysis methods, fix limitations with previous implementations, and to enable modeling of highly flexible and nonstraight blades. This paper reviews blade element momentum theory and several of the options available for analyzing skewed inflow. AeroDyn implementation details are described for the benefit of users and developers. These new options are compared to solutions from the previous version of AeroDyn and to experimental data. Finally, recommendations are given on how one might select from the various available solution approaches.
Applied Concepts of Holistic Nursing: A Spiritual Health Community Seminar Based on Religious Commitment Research

There is a need for spiritual health seminars at the work site and through hospital and other community venues. This article describes how the authors prepared for and conducted seminars in their community. The research demonstrates that religious commitment may play a beneficial role in an individual's health. Once the authors were armed with this research and a fundamentally sound and practical program, they were able to assist individuals in their community in designing and initiating their own individual spiritual health workouts, which may then influence their physical and mental health. In this way, the authors were able to apply holistic principles of spirit, mind, and body.
TEXTURAL STUDIES OF GRADING: VOLCANIC ASH FALLS

SUMMARY A theory of the lateral decrease of grain size and bed thickness with increasing distance of downwind transport is developed for ash falls. The theory is based on: the sediment load density of a turbulent slug of fluid, a turbulent diffusitivity coefficient, and the decay of turbulent velocity fluctuations. All three factors are founded on empirical observation and are generally accepted as having widespread applicability to turbulent sediment-fluid mixtures. The theory yields good qualitative agreement with observational data.
Regulatory pathways involved in the infection-induced production of IFN-γ by NK cells

The production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by natural killer (NK) cells provides an innate mechanism of resistance to many intracellular pathogens. These events are regulated by multiple cytokines and transcription factors which have both positive and negative effects. This article reviews the role of cytokines, as well as costimulatory and signaling pathways, involved in NK cell responses associated with resistance to infection.
The primary structure of rat ribosomal protein S16.

The amino acid sequence of rat ribosomal protein S16 was deduced from the sequence of nucleotides in a recombinant cDNA and confirmed from the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein. S16 contains 145 amino acids (the NH2-terminal methionine is removed after translation of the mRNA) and has a molecular mass of 16304. Hybridization of the cDNA to digests of nuclear DNA suggests that there are 11–13 copies of the S16 gene. The mRNA for the protein is about 700 nucleotides in length. Rat S16 is homologous to mouse S16 (there are 2 amino acid changes and a residue is deleted) and related to Halobacterium morismortui ribosomal protein S3 and to Escherichia coli S9.
Some features of the reaction between cobaltinitrite and hemoglobin

Abstract Sodium cobaltinitrite, sodium nitrite, and potassium ferricyanide have been compared with respect to certain aspects of their reaction with hemoglobin. In contrast to ferricyanide, neither nitrite nor cobaltinitrite effected a quantitative evolution of oxygen as followed manometrically during conversion of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin. Indeed, the addition of cobaltinitrite in high concentrations resulted in a net oxygen consumption. It is commonly held that the heme oxygen participates in the nitrite-hemoglobin reaction and is consumed. An additional oxygen-consuming reaction, however, must occur with some concentrations of cobaltinitrite. Ferricyanide is known to effect a quantitative release of carbon monoxide from carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin is resistant to concentrations of nitrite which can convert oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin. Cobaltinitrite can effect the oxidation of carboxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin, and the reaction is accompanied by a small net evolution of gas. A vigorous oxygenconsuming reaction, however, can be demonstrated polarographically. Thus, the oxidation of carboxyhemoglobin by cobaltinitrite appears to involve the contemporaneous release of carbon monoxide and the consumption of oxygen. The cobaltinitrite-oxyhemoglobin reaction has a sigmoid kinetic pattern which is characteristic of the nitrite-oxyhemoglobin reaction, but the lag phase with cobaltinitrite is much contracted. An unknown form of cobalt remains tightly bound to blood pigments after exposure to cobaltinitrite but not after exposure to cobaltous chloride or cobaltous chloride with sodium nitrite. At least 4 atoms of cobalt for each heme iron are found in the pigment exposed to cobaltinitrite whereas in the apparently similar case of ferricyanide two extra atoms of iron are bound for each heme iron. High concentrations of cobaltinitrite or a mixture of cobaltous chloride and sodium nitrite convert oxyhemoglobin to a green pigment with an absorption maximum in the 610–620 nm range. Because this pigment shows little or no reactivity toward cyanide it has properties in common with sulfhemoglobin. Cobaltinitrite converts carboxyhemoglobin to a spectroscopically similar pigment.
The effects of a wife's earnings on marital dissolution: The role of a husband's interpersonal competence

Abstract This article explores the meaning and the magnitude of the oftenobserved positive relationship between a wife's earnings and marital instability. It is shown that the magnitude of this relationship depends on the overall risk of marital instability, whether, a wife works overtime, and the interpersonal competence of the husband. Interpersonal competence is proxied using variables that measure locus of control, trust, need for affiliation, planfulness, and whether the husband angers easily. The sample, from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, contains data for 1855 families headed by men age 16 to 54 in 1968. The dependent variable, is whether a divorce or separation occurred between 1968 and 1972. The estimation method is Logit.
Longitudinal Gompertzian analysis of breast cancer mortality in the U.S., 1962-1987: demonstration of a disorder displaying complex deterministic mortality dynamics.

Age-adjusted mortality rates for breast cancer (BC) in the United States from 1962 to 1987 were subjected to longitudinal Gompertzian analysis. Age-adjusted BC mortality rate distributions for women display two distinct Gompertzian slopes. Between age 15 and 40 years, age-adjusted BC mortality rate distributions intercepted at age 33.5 years and mortality rate (per 100,000) 5.83. Between age 50 and 85 years, age-adjusted BC mortality rate distributions intercepted at age 60.4 years and mortality rate 77.0. These two distinct Gompertzian regions correspond to the clinical and biological classification of BC into pre- and post-menopausal varieties. The observation that postmenopausal BC increases in environments conducive to survival and that premenopausal BC increases in environments that are less favorable becomes understandable when BC mortality dynamics are viewed from a competitive and deterministic perspective.
Racial Disparities in Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stents

Previous research has documented that African-Americans compared with non-African-Americans have higher rates of adverse cardiac outcomes and are less likely to be referred for an invasive cardiac procedure. These differences persist even after controlling for co-morbidities and socioeconomic status. We sought to compare 1-year outcomes between African-American and non-African-American patients in a clinical registry of patients after percutaneous coronary intervention receiving drug-eluting stents. We compared 1,221 African-American patients with 4,335 non-African-American patients referred for percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were followed for 1 year with regard to major adverse cardiac events, including death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. We performed multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to adjust for confounding variables, including median household income by zip code, to assess the contribution of African-American race to 1-year outcomes. At 1 year, African-American patients had significantly higher rates of overall major adverse cardiac events (17.7% African-American vs 12.4% non-African-American, p <0.001) and each component of death (7.8% African-American vs 5.4% non-African-American, p = 0.001), Q-wave myocardial infarction (1.2% African-American vs 0.2% non-African-American, p <0.001), and target vessel revascularization (10.7% African-American vs 7.5% non-African-American, p <0.001). Stent thrombosis was also higher in the African-American population at 1 year (2.5% African-American vs 0.7% non-African-American, p <0.001). After multivariable analysis and adjustment for socioeconomic status, however, African-American race was not a significant predictor of major adverse cardiac events. In conclusion, in this referral population, traditional risk factors and socioeconomic status accounted for the disparity between African-American and non-African-American patients.
Reply to Sober

The paper (Shimony, 1989) which Elliott Sober (1989) has commented upon grew out of my efforts to understand the structure of the theory of evolution and to explain it to students. The absence of anything approaching a broadly accepted axiomatization of the theory of evolution makes it difficult to articulate this structure. But one should not complain about this fact. It may very well be that the theory of evolution resists axiomatization or would be little served by it. At a minimum, a good informal articulation of the structure of the theory is a precondition for an adequate formalization. Let me try, then -- before attempting to answer Sober's criticisms -- to lay down some desiderata for an informal articulation of any theory. (a) The domain of phenomena to which the theory applies should be indicated. (There are different ways in which this step may be performed. A theory applying to a very broad domain may be presupposed, and the scope of the theory of interest may be indicated by specialization; or the domain may be described phenomenologically, in a language which is fairly characterized by practitioners as an "observation language"; or some combination of these procedures may be used.) (b) The fundamental concepts of the theory should be presented explicitly. (These will be somehow connected to experience, but in this note I can reasonably ask to be excused from entering into the intricate problem of how this linkage is accomplished. In any case, what makes a concept fundamental is that it is not explicitly defined in terms of other concepts within the theory; definability in terms of concepts in a more basic or more general theory is not precluded, but that is another matter, which can be set aside in the formulation of the theory under consideration.) (c) A set of propositions, expressed in terms of the fundamental concepts mentioned in (b) and possibly also of phenomenological concepts and those of other scientific theories, should be designated as underived within the theory, and these are its principles. (Steps (b) and (c) should not be rigidified. We have plentiful examples from geometry and physics of equivalent formulations of the same theory which differ in the choice of principles and fundamental concepts. In other words, even
Effect of Long-term Transfusion on Growth in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia: Results of the Stop Trial

Objective To determine whether long-term transfusion improves growth in children with sickle cell anemia. Study design In the Stroke Prevention Trial for Sickle Cell Anemia Study, patients were randomized to receive long-term transfusion (CTX) or standard care (STC). Transfusions were administered every 3 to 5 weeks, and hemoglobin S levels were maintained at 30% pretransfusion for an average of 2 years. Serial height and weight measurements (obtained every 3 months), body mass index (BMI) values, and growth z-scores were analyzed. Results Children in the CTX (n=53) and STC (n=41) groups were similar at baseline. After 24 months, the z-scores for height, weight, and BMI of those receiving CTX had improved significantly, whereas no changes occurred in the STC group. Patients in the CTX group approached normal height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores. Patients from a large historical control group had significantly lower weight and height growth velocities than patients in the CTX group. Conclusions Patients in the Stroke Prevention Trial for Sickle Cell Anemia Study who received CTX had improved height and weight and BMI over a 2-year period. Higher hemoglobin levels resulting from transfusion may improve growth by lowering energy expenditure. In addition to the prevention of vasoocclusive events, CTX results in significant improvement in the growth of children with sickle cell disease.
Effects of Vegfr2 (KDR/Flk-1) inhibition on trans-endothelial migration of thyroid cancer cells

Abstract Introduction: The angiogenic mediator, vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF is strongly associated with tumor metastases. We postulated that VEGF-induced trans-endothelial migration of neoplastic thyroid cells is mediated by VEGF receptor 2, (KDR/Flk-1) and phosphorylation of the adherens junction protein, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE cadherin). Methods: Transmigration of two labeled thyroid cancer cell lines, DRO’90 and NPA-’87 across human umbilical vein (HUVEC) monolayers was examined in the presence or absence of an antibody (2C3, 10 μg/ml) which prevents binding of VEGF to KDR/Flk-1, or an isotype-matched control antibody, C44 (10 μg/ml). VEGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of, VE cadherin was also examined in the presence of these antibodies. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Results: Compared to vehicle controls and C44, 2C3 significantly blocked the transmigration of both thyroid cancer cell lines across intact HUVEC monolayers, (see figure below) p Download : Download high-res image (47KB) Download : Download full-size image
The determination of urinary pregnanetriol and the neutral 17-ketosteroids by gas-liquid chromatography

Abstract Pregnanetriol (pregnane-3α, 17, 20α-triol (PT), androsterone (3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one)(A), etiocholanolone (3α-hydroxy-5β-androstan-17-one) (E) and dehydroepiandrosterone (3β-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one) (DHEA) were determined in the urine of fifty five subjects using gas liquid chromatography. Increased titers of urinary pregnanetriol were encountered in nine patients with the non-tumorous form of the adrenogenital syndrome, in three of four patients with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal hyperplasia, in three patients with “idiopathic” hirsutism. Normal titers were found in a patient with Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma, in six of seven patients with idiopathic hirsutism and in eleven patients with various other endocrinopathies. In three patients with adrenal insufficiency urinary pregnanetriol was low.
Surface Hydroxyl Content Controls the Thermolysis Stoichiometry of a Surface Bound Organometallic Complex

The thermal decomposition profile for the product of organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD) of tetra(tert-butoxy)zirconium on an oxide-modified aluminum surface depends on the initial sur...
Novel Therapies in Multiple Myeloma

The discovery of the activity of thalidomide in myeloma in the late 1990s transformed the therapy of myeloma dramatically. Apart from providing a useful treatment option for patients with myeloma, it has spurred clinical investigation of several other nonchemotherapeutic agents for this disease. These active, promising agents include CC-5013 (a thalidomide analog) and bortezomib (a proteasome inhibitor), as well as other agents, such as arsenic trioxide, ENMD 0995 and 2-methoxyestradiol. Preliminary data show that a number of these agents are active in treating disease that has relapsed after conventional chemotherapy as well as after high-dose therapy and transplantation, and some agents are active even after other novel agents have failed.The only novel drug that is commercially available currently is thalidomide, which has a therapeutically relevant benefit at all stages of the disease.A therapeutic trial of thalidomide is essential for all patients with myeloma. There are in vitro and in vivo data showing synergy between some of the novel agents. Although these novel drugs are typically used for treating disease that is refractory to or has relapsed after cytotoxic therapy, it is likely that they will start being used as part of frontline therapy, either by themselves or in combination with chemotherapy.
Exuberant growth and synapse formation of olfactory sensory neuron axonal arborizations

Neural connections in the adult nervous system are established with a high degree of precision. Several examples throughout the nervous system indicate that this precision is achieved by first establishing an initial exuberant immature pattern of connectivity that is then sculpted into the adult pattern via pruning. This often emerges as an activity-dependent process. In the olfactory system, sensory axons from neurons expressing the same odorant receptor project with high precision to specific glomerular structures in the olfactory bulb. This process undergoes maturation-dependent refinements that are not fully understood. Due to technical impediments that have made it difficult to focus on single axons, it is unknown whether olfactory sensory projections are established in an exuberant fashion. Here we developed a novel technique of electroporation that allowed us to simultaneously label single olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axonal arbors and their presynaptic specializations. Using this method we were able to incorporate plasmids into OSNs at an immature stage, thereby allowing a time-course study of axonal arbor development and synapse formation in single olfactory sensory axons. We observed that the number of branch points, the total branch length, and the number and density of presynaptic specializations peaked at postnatal day 8 and decreased afterwards. Our data demonstrate that olfactory sensory axons develop in an exuberant way, both in terms of branch growth and synaptic composition. We hypothesize that exuberant branches and synapses are eliminated to achieve the mature pattern in a process likely to be regulated by neural activity. J. Comp. Neurol.519:3713-3726, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Environmental protection in the people's republic of China

Environmental degradation in China has become a serious problem of substantial magnitude, and, despite notable efforts at pollution control, as Chinese industrialization and economic growth continue there will be increasing pressures on the environment. This paper provides perspective on environmental pollution in China and an analysis of the policy response. Recent environmental data are summarized followed by consideration of the centrally planned nature of China's economy, features of Chinese law and bureaucracy, aspects of economic reform and a critical description of policies adopted.
Molecular genetics of myotonic and Duchenne muscular dystrophies

Advances in molecular genetics are being applied to several of the inherited muscular dystrophies. Strategies designed to identify DNA polymorphisms that are closely linked to disease loci have extended the accuracy of diagnosis in some patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy. Current research is designed to increase the accuracy by using flanking markers and to increase the proportion of informative matings by creating DNA haplotypes around known linked loci. Several types of experiments designed to identify linked DNA polymorphisms as well as the putative site of the mutation responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy are also under way. Progress that can have a dramatic impact on clinical diagnosis and genetic counselling can be expected shortly. Delineation of the biochemical defects and the design of rational therapies can be expected to follow.
The Role of Object-Hypotheses in the Organization of Fragmented Figures:

The effect of an object-hypothesis on the organization of fragmented figures was investigated by varying instruction given prior to stimulus presentation. One group was uninformed as to the possibility of seeing a figure; a second group was instructed that it is possible to see a meaningful object; a third group was further instructed as to which class of object was presented. It was found that, in order to achieve organization of fragmented figures, the observer must have knowledge that a meaningful object may be integrated from the fragments. Knowledge of the class of object, while increasing the likelihood of recognition, does not significantly decrease search time.
Using Commercially Available Techniques To Make Organic Chemistry Representations Tactile and More Accessible to Students with Blindness or Low Vision

Organic chemistry courses can present major obstacles to access for students with blindness or low vision (BLV). In recent years, efforts have been made to represent organic chemistry concepts in tactile forms for blind students. These methodologies are described in this manuscript. Further work being done at Illinois State University is also described that allows a student with BLV to independently make properly Braille labeled structures from the organic chemistry online database via ChemDraw.
Upside down crossed cerebellar diaschisis: proposing chronic stimulation of the dentatothalamocortical pathway for post-stroke motor recovery.

Background: Stroke remains the leading cause for long-term motor impairment in the industrialized world. New techniques are needed to improve outcomes. Objective: To propose chronic electrical stimulation of the dentatothalamocortical pathway as a method for enhancing cortical excitability and improving motor recovery following stroke. Method: In previous studies, motor evoked potentials (MEP) were derived from intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and used to index cortical excitability in rats undergoing continuous, asynchronous deep cerebellar stimulation. In a separate set of experiments, the effect of chronic deep cerebellar stimulation on motor recovery was tested in rats following large ischemic strokes. Results: Deep cerebellar stimulation modulated cortical excitability in a frequency dependent fashion. Beta band stimulation yielded sustained increment in excitability and was associated with enhanced motor recovery compared to sham stimulation. Conclusion: Chronic deep cerebellar stimulation enhances recovery of motor function following large ischemic strokes in the rat. The effect can be attributed to increased cortical excitability. Given that deep brain stimulation is already a well established method, this new approach to motor recovery may be a viable option for human translation in stroke rehabilitation.
Systematic Identification and Analysis of Exonic Splicing Silencers

Exonic splicing silencers (ESSs) are cis-regulatory elements that inhibit the use of adjacent splice sites, often contributing to alternative splicing (AS). To systematically identify ESSs, an in vivo splicing reporter system was developed to screen a library of random decanucleotides. The screen yielded 141 ESS decamers, 133 of which were unique. The silencer activity of over a dozen of these sequences was also confirmed in a heterologous exon/intron context and in a second cell type. Of the unique ESS decamers, most could be clustered into groups to yield seven putative ESS motifs, some resembling known motifs bound by hnRNPs H and A1. Potential roles of ESSs in constitutive splicing were explored using an algorithm, ExonScan, which simulates splicing based on known or putative splicing-related motifs. ExonScan and related bioinformatic analyses suggest that these ESS motifs play important roles in suppression of pseudoexons, in splice site definition, and in AS.
Integrated optical directional couplers in silicon-on-insulator

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology offers tremendous potential for integration of optoelectronic functions on a silicon substrate. The authors have demonstrated an integrated 3 dB optical directional coupler using SOI rib waveguides. The device has an excess insertion loss of 1.9 dB and represents a key component for the realisation of wavelength filters in silicon integrated circuit technology.
Household tenure choice and migration

Abstract A model of the joint tenure choice and migration decision is estimated. Unlike previous work that has considered each decision separately or examined the premigration tenure status choice jointly with the migration decision, this analysis addresses change in tenure status as well. The empirical findings indicate that variables often thought to affect either or both tenure status of the residence location change decision have offsetting or augmenting effects on their joint probabilities which are masked if the decisions are examined independently.
AN ALLELOTYPE OF PAPILLARY THYROID CANCER

Although papillary carcinoma accounts for approximately 70% of all thyroid cancers, preliminary studies of allelic loss have thus far not identified any areas of chromosomal deletion. We evaluated 30 papillary thyroid carcinomas for chromosomal loss/allelic imbalance by testing at least 2 microsatellite markers from every autosomal arm. Fifteen of the 30 tumors tested exhibited loss of heterozygosity/allelic imbalance (LOH/AI) at one or more loci. Chromosomal arms with frequent LOH/AI included 4q, 5p, 7p and 11p. An average of 1.1 chromosomal arms displayed LOH/AI in each individual tumor. Therefore, 4q, 5p, 7p and, to a lesser extent, 11p display significant LOH/AI in papillary thyroid cancer, which indicates the presence of putative tumor-suppressor gene loci at these chromosomal arms.
The role of singlet oxygen in photooxidation of excitable cell membranes.

— Giant nerve axons from lobsters were photooxidized by visible light from a Xe arc using eosin Y, rose bengal and methylene blue as sensitizers. The degree of modification was assayed as the rate constant for block of sodium channels during illumination. Protection or enhancement of modification was tested for several reagents known to interact with singlet oxygen. Deuterium oxide enhanced the modification up to 57% while sodium azide protected up to 60%. β -Carotene, triethylamine and DABCO exerted no effect. From a consideration of the probable low polarity environment of the sensitization sites and diffusional restrictions on reagents it is concluded that intramembranously created singlet oxygen plays a significant role in membrane modification.
Ground beetle abundance in organic and conventional corn fields.

The abundance of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) was compared on 4 pairs of conventional and organic farms. All farms compared had identical locations, soil types, and cropping histories, but differed in that one farm in each pair was conventionally managed; the other, organically (no use of commercial fertilizers or pesticides). During the summer sampling period, organic farms had significantly greater numbers of carabids captured in pitfall traps in 3 of 4 pairs. Differences in abundance during this time ranged from 20 percent to almost 7-times greater on organic farms. Organic farms also had about twice the number of species found on conventional farms, but had approximately the same level of diversity as measured by the Shannon-Wiener index.
Toward a Sociology of Black Studies.

Black studies is one of the newest and most challenging academic disciplines and has aroused great interest in colleges and universities throughout the country. Generally, the academic community has considered black studies to be an intellectually valid field of study. And, as expected, many different specific approaches to the area have been formulated on both an intellectual and organizational level; others will be forthcoming as the discipline develops. This paper will be a discussion of the sociological approach to the black studies which, since black studies is at a beginning stage, can best be utilized as an exploration of its basic orientation. Since the basic assumptions and principles will guide the development of the field, it is not premature to outline them. Although not all students of black studies will agree with the points made and positions taken within this paper, discussions of points of agreement and disagreement have to be undertaken. Fortunately, the task of explicating the assumptions and principles is facilitated by the fact that many of them are explicit in the demands on black people. Although the demands are sometimes viewed as being intimidating it should not be forgotten that all academic studies result or
Field Tests of Acoustic Telemetry for a Portable Coastal Observatory

Long-term field tests of a low-cost acoustic telemetry system were carried out at two sites in Massachusetts Bay. At each site, an acoustic Doppler current profiler mounted on a bottom tripod was fitted with an acoustic modem to transmit data to a surface buoy; electronics mounted on the buoy relayed these data to shore via radio modem. The mooring at one site (24 m water depth) was custom-designed for the telemetry application, with a custom designed small buoy, a flexible electro-mechanical buoy to mooring joint using a molded chain connection to the buoy, quick-release electro-mechanical couplings, and dual hydrophones suspended 7 m above the bottom. The surface buoy at the second site (33 m water depth) was a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) channel buoy fitted with telemetry electronics and clamps to hold the hydrophones. The telemetry was tested in several configurations for a period of about four years. The custom-designed buoy and mooring provided nearly error-free data transmission through the acoustic link under a variety of oceanographic conditions for 261 days at the 24 m site. The electro mechanical joint, cables and couplings required minimal servicing and were very reliable, lasting 862 days deployed before needing repairs. The acoustic communication results from the USCG buoy were poor, apparently due to the hard cobble bottom, noise from the all-steel buoy, and failure of the hydrophone assembly. Access to the USCG buoy at sea required ideal weather.
cPLA2 activator peptide, PLAP, increases arachidonic acid release and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has recently drawn a lot of interest in various laboratories due to its importance in atherogenesis. We have shown previously that nitric-oxide (NO) can induce apoptosis of VSMCs and that the NO-induced apoptosis is accompanied by an increase in arachidonic acid release via cytoplasmic Ca2+-dependent phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). We have demonstrated here that NO-induced activation of cPLA2 leading to increased arachidonic acid release can be mimicked via direct activation of cPLA2 with a cPLA2 activator peptide, PLAP. The PLAP induced arachidonic acid release and apoptosis is inhibitable by a cPLA2-specific inhibitor, AACOCF3, indicating the direct involvement of cPLA2. In this study, activation of cPLA2 appears to be preceded by activation and binding by PLAP indicating that the cPLA2 functions are mediated via PLAP. J. Cell. Physiol. 198: 48–52, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES OF ALKALI DOPED C60 PREPARED BY PRECIPITATION FROM LIQUID METHYLAMINE OR AMMONIA

Abstract An extremely convenient method of preparing alkali doped face-centered cubic phases of C60 consists of the partial solubilization of the constituent materials in liquid ammonia or monomethylamine followed by precipitation and annealing. The preparation and properties of Rb3C60, K3C60 and Rb2CsC60 prepared in this manner from monomethylamine are decribed. When attempting to prepare Rb2NaC60 from liquid ammonia, one obtains a phase separated material, consisting of the energetically more stable superconducting Rb3C60 and nonsuperconducting NaxC60. This sample exhibits a very sharp superconducting transition temperature at 26.3 K. The decrease in Tc with respect to that of pure-phase Rb3C60 is explained as the result of the decrease in density of states in Josephson-like junctions formed between the two phases. This composition displays a large volume fraction of superconductivity, and all measurements of superconducting parameters are extremely well defined, implying high phase purity of the Rb3C60...
Fatigue and fracture of cylindrical shells containing a circumferential crack

Fatigue and fracture in elastic cylindrical shells with circumferential crack under axial tension, noting precracked specimens
Stagnation flowfield analysis for an aeroassisted vehicle

Hypersonic reactive flowfield results are presented for the flow about an axisymmetric representation of a three-dimensional aeroassisted vehicle using the viscous shock-layer (VSL) and Navier-Stokes (NS) equations for low- and high-altitude entry conditions, respectively. Solutions are limited to the stagnation region. The NS results have been obtained by employing the surface recombination boundary condition for an 11-species air model, whereas the VSL calculations are carried out by using a 5-species model. Three widely used surface recombination rate models are implemented with these two flowfield calculation procedures. The low-density (or high altitude) NS solutions are obtained with surface slip equations and compare quite well with the direct simulation Monte Carlo predictions. For higher densities (or lower altitudes), the no-slip VSL solutions are considered adequate. Results from this study highlight the effect of surface catalyticity on surface heating and electron number density.
CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β Mediates the Activation of the Murine α1(I) Collagen Promoter by Acetaldehyde

Abstract Acetaldehyde was previously shown to activate the α 1 (I) and α 2 (I) collagen promoters and to increase collagen production in activated stellate cells. Also, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) binds and activates the mouse α 1 (I) collagen promoter. This study investigates the role of C/EBPβ in mediating the activation of the α 1 (I) collagen promoter by acetaldehyde. Nuclear extracts isolated from cultured activated rat hepatic stellate cells formed four protein–DNA complexes on electrophoretic mobility shift assay with an oligonucleotide including the C/EBP binding site between −365 and −335 in the α 1 (I) collagen promoter. The four complexes were identified to represent C/EBPβ binding to the oligonucleotide by supershift with C/EBPβ antibody. The principal C/EBP isoform found in the nuclear extracts from stellate cells was C/EBPβ, with very low amounts of C/EBPα detected. Acetaldehyde (200 μM) increased C/EBPβ protein in stellate nuclear extracts, increased its binding to the promoter, and activated the α 1 (I) collagen promoter in transfected stellate cells. Mutation of the C/EBPβ binding site markedly decreased nuclear protein binding. A transfected promoter, mutated at the C/EBP binding site, had decreased basal activity, was not activated by acetaldehyde, and was not activated when cotransfected with a C/EBPβ expression vector. This study shows that C/EBPβ is the predominant C/EBP isoform found in activated stellate cells and that increased C/EBPβ protein and C/EBPβ binding to a proximal C/EBP binding site in the promoter mediates the activating effect of acetaldehyde.