cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A simple scheme for high-order nonlinear normal mode initialization

Abstract An algorithm for obtaining high-order mode initialization of the type first proposed by Baer and Tribbia is developed which is free from the major difficulty of previous methods—the necessity of calculating Frechet derivatives of the nonlinear terms. This new method is shown to be a logical extension of the technique proposed by Machenhauer; thus the asymptotic equivalence of the Machenhauer and Baer-Tribbia initialization methods is accomplished. A comparison between the new algorithm and the older method of calculating second-order initialization demonstrates the accuracy and ease of implementation of the new technique.
LANDMARC [land mine detection]

Discusses the detection of land mines. For this purpose the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LANL) has combined its micropower impulse radar and imaging technologies. The system is called the land-mine detection advanced radar concept, or LANDMARC.
Calibration in the Fiber Optic Region of the Near-Infrared

Chemical sensing in remote, hostile environments is possible with optical fiber technology. Telecommunications optical fiber transmits light in the near-infrared region. The least amount of attenuation of transmitted power is between 1050 nm and 1600 nm. It is a natural step to apply near-infrared analysis techniques to data remotely collected over optical fibers. A feasibility study is conducted to see how well calibration techniques, Multiple Linear Regression with either Step-up search or All Possible Combinations search, perform in the fiber optic region of the near-infrared. Calibration in the 1131–1531 nm region is compared to calibration in the 1131–2531 nm region. The latter region is considered more information-rich than the former. In spite of this, examination of the predictive power of calibration models formed strictly from fiber-optic-region absorbance data indicates that this region contains useful analytical informaton.
Effect of d-fenfluramine on the local immune response to the opportunistic microbial pathogen Candida albicans.

In this study the effects of systemic administration of d-fenfluramine on the local lymphocyte response to Candida albicans was evaluated. Experimental animals were challenged intradermally with Candida albicans and then administered d-fenfluramine (d-FEN 1 mg/kg per day, i.p.) or a balanced salts solution. At successive time intervals, lymphocytes were derived from the draining lymph nodes and from the dermal sites of active microbial challenge. A CD8+ lymphocytosis was observed in all animals challenged with Candida albicans. The CD8+ lymphocytosis was augmented in animals that received d-FEN. Phenotypically, lymph nodes from d-FEN treated animals showed a marked increase in CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, a modest increase in the numbers of NK1.1+ cells and a decrease in Ig+ lymphocytes. Functionally, lymphocytes from the site of active microbial challenge were capable of direct growth inhibition of Candida albicans. The anti-fungal activity was augmented in the animals that received d-FEN. These results suggest that d-FEN augments the local T lymphocyte response to an important microbial pathogen by increasing the number of T lymphocytes draining the site of microbial infection and by increasing the biological activity of the lymphocytes at the site of the infection.
Arsenic speciation and distribution in an arsenic hyperaccumulating plant.

Arsenic-contaminated soil is one of the major arsenic sources for drinking water.Phytoremediation, an emerging, plant-based technology for the removal of toxic contaminants from soil and water, has been receiving renewed attention.Although a number of plants have been identified as hyperaccumulators for the phytoextraction of a variety of metals, and some have been used in field applications, no hyperaccumulator for arsenic had been previously reported until the recent discovery of Brake fern (Pteris vittata), which can hyperaccumulate arsenic from soils.This finding may open a door for phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils.Speciation and distribution of arsenic in the plant can provide important information helpful to understanding the mechanisms for arsenic accumulation, translocation, and transformation.In this study, plant samples after 20 weeks of growth in an arsenic-contaminated soil were used for arsenic speciation and distribution study.A mixture of methanol ywater (1:1) was used to extract arsenic compounds from the plant tissue.Recoveries of 85 to 100% were obtained for most parts of the plant (rhizomes, fiddle heads, young fronds and old fronds) except for roots, for which extraction efficiency was approximately 60%.The results of this study demonstrate the ability of Brake fern as an arsenic hyperaccumulator. It transfers arsenic rapidly from soil to aboveground biomass with only minimal arsenic concentration in the roots. The arsenic is found to be predominantly as inorganic species; and it was hypothesized that the plant uptakes arsenic as arsenate wAs(V)x and arsenate was converted to arsenite wAs(III)x within the plant.The mechanisms of arsenic uptake, translocation, and transformation by this plant are not known and are the objectives of our on-going research. 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Risk awareness and decision support technique for bulk power system

A dispatch-oriented risk perception and fault disposal decision support technique for online monitoring and control is proposed in this paper. It helps to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of risk perception by multi-source information mining based on data from SCADA, relay, WAMS and other measurement systems. And it provides a direct means to grasp the whole process of incident handling by online fault perception, analysis, assessment and decision-making technique. Visualization scheme including information integration, function integration, hierarchical display and multi-theme window display technology are also introduced to enhance the capability of fault disposal of operators and help them to master the grid operation from a global perspective.
Susceptibility to Faking of a Sentence Completion Test of Ego Development

Effects of faking on a sentence completion test. of ego development, explored in five experiments, partially confirmed the developmental hypothesis that persons can lower their ego level test scores but not increase them. When faking high on retest, subjects scores either stayed the same or increased by about a half step. Only intensive study of ego development seemed genuinely to increase scores. When faking a bad impression or a low ego level, subjects' scores decreased, typically to the pre-Conformist level. Unexpectedly, attempts to make a good impression lowered high scores, especially for women, Because the test is susceptible to factors which can artificially lower scores, careful planning and evaluation of testing conditions must accompany test use.
Morphology of early stage phase ordering

We present results of Monte Carlo simulations of critical quenches in Ising models with long range interactions indicating that linear theories of continuous ordering such as Cahn-Hilliard-Cook theory break down first at high wave numbers or small length scales. We connect this breakdown to the formation of isolated domains that resemble the stable phases. These domains grow and coalesce, causing deviations from the linear theory to appear at smaller wave numbers. When the domains of up (down) spins percolate the failure of the linear theory occurs on all length scales and the system has chosen the up (down) global magnetization state.
Improved sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter using time-stretching technique

The impact of the recently demonstrated time-stretch preprocessing on the performance of Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is reported. We calculate the influence of time-stretch on the quantization noise, thermal noise and shot noise of Nyquist type ADC. We also study the effect of time-stretch on the quantization noise of (Sigma) -(Delta) converters. The results suggest that if ideal time stretching can be achieved, the resolution is increased by 1.5 and 2.5 bits for every octave of time-stretch in a first and second order modulator, respectively.
Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation With Minimally Invasive Mitral Surgery

With the advent of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, transeptal exposure of the mitral valve has become increasingly popular. While this approach provides excellent exposure of the mitral valve, it necessitates development of novel strategies for concomitant ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation. We describe a technique for creation of a biatrial lesion set for atrial fibrillation ablation that is easily employed using the transeptal approach to the mitral valve.
An algebraic construction for integral Cech cohomology

Abstract We present a cohomology construction for a pair consisting of a commutative algebra and a space associated to the algebra; the space has as points some subcollection of the saturated multiplicative sets of the algebra, and topology a generalized version of the Zariski topology. We show that these cohomology modules coincide with the integral Cech cohomology modules of a compact Hausdorff space in a special case. The theory of compact ringed spaces is an essential tool in the approach taken. We indicate briefly how this approach simplifies the proof of a long established connection between a cohomology construction for a commutative algebra and the Cech cohomology of the maximal ideal space of a commutative Gelfand ring (of which the real Cech cohomology of a compact Hausdorff space is a special case).
Capturing intermediate structures of Alzheimer's β-amyloid, Aβ(1-40), by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Molecular structures of diffusible amyloid intermediates, commonly observed in misfolding of amyloid proteins into fibrils, have attracted broad interest because the intermediates may be potent neurotoxins responsible for amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and because the intermediate structures provide an experimental basis for defining the misfolding pathway. However, owing to the intrinsically unstable and noncrystalline nature of the systems, traditional approaches such as X-ray crystallography and solution NMR have been ineffective for elucidating molecular-level structures of the amyloid intermediates. We present a novel approach using solid-state NMR (SSNMR) that permitted the first site-resolved structural measurement of an intermediate species in fibril formation for a 40-residue Alzheimer's beta-amyloid peptide, Abeta(1-40). In this approach, we combined detection of conformation and morphology changes by fluorescence spectroscopy and electron microscopy and quantitative structural examination for freeze-trapped intermediates by SSNMR. The results provide the initial evidence that a spherical amyloid intermediate of 15-30 nm in diameter exists prior to fibril formation of Abeta(1-40) and that the intermediate involves well-ordered beta-sheets in the C-terminal and hydrophobic core regions. The SSNMR-based approach presented here could be applied to intermediate species of diverse amyloid proteins.
Spread-spectrum techniques for wireless communication

The primary goal of this paper is to provide a concise introduction to the use of spread spectrum in wireless communications. The symbiotic relationship between wireless communications and digital microelectronics is also developing rapidly. Indeed, mobile and personal communications is now at parity with the computer industry as a major driver in the development of high-speed, low-power integrated circuits. Underlying this is the deep relationship between the theories of signal processing and communication. This is the motivation behind the second objective of this article: to present the concepts and capabilities of spread spectrum so that engineers versed in DSP can quickly grasp its utility and exploit opportunities for further advancing the performance of spread-spectrum systems. To these ends, we first present a simple digital communication system that operates in discrete time. Then we build upon this model to show the basic concepts and resulting benefits of spread spectrum. Then we introduce the two basic spread-spectrum techniques of direct-sequence (DS) and frequency hopping (FH), followed by two methods that have been recently proposed. Next we present simple models for the multipath fading channel, and introduce solutions employing both DS and FH techniques. We then briefly discuss descriptive links to other nonspread modulation techniques and conclude with a brief introduction to the literature for further investigation by the reader.
The Effect of Knowledge of Results Delay and the Subjective Estimation of Movement Form on the Acquisition and Retention of a Motor Skill

Abstract This study examined the effects of knowledge of results (KR) delay and subjective estimation of movement form on the acquisition and retention of a motor skill. During acquisition, four groups of participants performed 60 trials of a throwing accuracy task under the following conditions: (a) immediate KR, (b) delayed KR, (c) immediate KR + form estimation, and (d) delayed KR + form estimation. Retention tests of throwing accuracy and outcome error estimation in the absence of visual KR were administered 5 min and 24 hours following acquisition. Throwing accuracy was significantly higher during acquisition but significantly lower during retention for immediate-KR participants than for delayed-KR participants. However, participants who estimated their movement form during acquisition produced significantly higher throwing accuracy and lower estimation error during retention than those who did not.
Maintenance of object-oriented systems during structural evolution

We have previously developed a mathematical treatment of a calculus for class transformations that preserve or extend a set of objects. Methods for automating the maintenance of structural and behavioral consistency in systems based on evolving class structures have been provided for the object-preserving and object-extending transformations. This work extends the calculus of class transformations to include certain transformations that reflect not only the extension and reclassification of existing objects, but also structural changes (other than addition of attributes) in the original objects. Language-preserving transformations are a special case of transformations that change the structure of existing objects. If an object schema is decorated with concrete syntax, it defines not only a class structure, but also a language for describing the objects. When two schemas define the same language but different classes, the language may be used to guide the transportation of functionality between domains. The languagepreserving transformations defined here form the basis of a complete transformation system for a subset of class graphs powerful enough to express the regular languages. c 1997 John Wiley & Sons
Internet Governance and the Internet Governance Forum Redux

There are many interests and incentives driving further evolution, development, and use of the Internet. It becomes apparent that a distributed, multistakeholder Internet governance model serves the needs of the Internet community best. It is important to preserve and support the institutions that comprise this current distributed governance model.
Genetic analysis of muscle development in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract In Caenorhabditis elegans, mutations in about 25 genes are known to alter the normal lattice structure of nematode muscle, and several of these genes have been shown to encode specific contractile proteins including a myosin heavy chain, paramyosin, and actins. These assignments have served as the basis for further genetic, molecular, and ultrastructural studies of the expression of these genes and the roles of their products in muscle assembly and function. These studies are reviewed here, and discussed in the context of the mechanisms directing the assembly of the contractile apparatus during muscle differentiation and growth.
Parameter Identification of a Nonlinear Joint Within a Noise Path Synthesis Framework

An efficient noise path synthesis (NPS) approach which has been previously developed has been enhanced by coupling it with a parameter identification (PI) scheme to estimate effective joint properties.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The development of nonverbal communication of emotion: A functionalist perspective

A functionalist perspective on the development of nonverbal communication of emotion is presented. This perspective is distinguished from other current conceptualizations by the following features: (a) Emphasis is placed on the functional implications of emotion-relevant movements for social regulation (communication), intrapersonal (internal) regulation, and behavior regulation. (b) Emotions are viewed as “members of families of emotions.” Emotion families are composed of emotion processes with similar functional relationships to the environment, which also differ in particular communicative features as a function of contextual demands, socialization history, and developmental abilities of the organism. (c) Facial movements are treated as only one of many forms of communication of emotion, rather than as having special status as “the” clearcut indicators of emotion. (d) Communication of emotion always is embedded in a context: There are no movements that can be considered clearcut, context-free expressions of emotion, at any period of development. (e) The role of socialization in the development of emotion and emotion communication is emphasized. (f) The multiple influences on communicative behavior, and the implications of such multicausality for clearcut communication, are acknowledged.
Benefits of a Unified LaSRS++ Simulation for NAS-Wide and High-Fidelity Modeling

The LaSRS++ high-fidelity vehicle simulation was extended in 2012 to support a NAS-wide simulation mode. Since the initial proof-of-concept, the LaSRS++ NAS-wide simulation is maturing into a research-ready tool. A primary benefit of this new capability is the consolidation of the two modeling paradigms under a single framework to save cost, facilitate iterative concept testing between the two tools, and to promote communication and model sharing between user communities at Langley. Specific benefits of each type of modeling are discussed along with the expected benefits of the unified framework. Current capability details of the LaSRS++ NAS-wide simulations are provided, including the visualization tool, live data interface, trajectory generators, terminal routing for arrivals and departures, maneuvering, re-routing, navigation, winds, and turbulence. The plan for future development is also described.
Pancreatic cancer–associated stroma production

One of the defining features of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the presence of extensive desmoplasia. The desmoplastic stroma consists of proliferating fibroblasts and pancreatic stellate cells that produce and deposit fibronectin and collagens, inflammatory cells and macrophages that produce chemokines and cytokines, nerve fibers that release nerve growth factors, and marrow-derived stem cells. Stroma production is facilitated by the abundance of growth factors, including fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligands, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms, and connective tissue growth factor. Due to its location in the pancreas, stromal cells and pancreatic cancer cells are also exposed to high insulin levels. The stromal compartment stores and synthesizes multiple growth factors and the heparan sulfate proteoglycans glypican-1 and syndecan-1. This unique microenvironment harbors and nourishes the cancer cells, facilitating their invasive and metastatic potential. Targeting the stroma may thus provide novel therapeutic options in this deadly malignancy.
High-resolution, analytical, and preparative peptide mapping by a combination of ion-exchange and thin-layer chromatographies.

Abstract A method is presented which combines ion-exchange chromatography (iec) of peptide mixtures and thin-layer chromatography of the iec effluent to give a highly resolved peptide map. The resolution of the tryptic peptides of oxidized hemoglobin is demonstrated on 10-μg to 10-mg quantities of protein using fluorescamine and radioactive reductive methylation as the detection methods. The use of reductive methylation in conjunction with the mapping procedure increases the sensitivity to the ≤microgram level but alters the mobility of individual peptides as compared to unlabeled peptide maps. Double-isotope labeling alleviates the problem in comparative mapping at high sensitivity.
Surface Chemistry of SO2 on Zn and ZnO: Photoemission and Molecular Orbital Studies

The reaction of SO2 with polycrystalline Zn and ZnO surfaces has been investigated using synchrotron-based high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio self-consistent-field calculations. The chemistry of SO2 on Zn surfaces is quite complex and depends on both the temperature of adsorption and the SO2 exposure. At 300 K, SO2 dissociates on a clean Zn surface to form atomic sulfur and atomic oxygen (SO2,gas → Sa + 2Oa; SO2,gas → SOgas + Oa). The Zn ↔ SO2 bonding interactions induce a significant weakening of the S−O bonds. The theoretical calculations suggest the η2-O,O and η2-S,O bonding conformations of SO2 as the two possible precursors for the dissociation of the molecule. The dissociation reactions are much more exothermic than the formation of SO3 or SO4: SO2,gas + nOa → SOx, where x = 3 or 4. At high SO2 exposures (300 K), when most surface sites are blocked and dissociation of SO2 cannot occur, SO3 and SO4 are formed on the Zn surface. Adsorption at 100 K suppresses the SO2 dissociatio...
Niobium(V) extraction by butyl lauryl phosphoric acid-dodecane from nitric acid☆

Abstract Extraction of niobium by tributyl phosphate (TBP) in the Purex process is inefficient; and in spite of this, niobium is found in solvent streams. Alternate mechanisms for niobium transfer into the solvent were sought. Butyl lauryl phosphoric acid (HBLP), a model compound of secondary degradation products of the solvent used in the process, was found to enhance niobium extraction above a threshold concentration of 5 × 10−4 M. A study of the niobium distribution coefficient dependences in the system HNO3-HBLP-dodecane on the HBLP, hydrogen ion and nitrate ion concentration suggests an extraction mechanism involving neutralization of an hydroxyl group bound to the niobium and no incorporation of nitrate into the extracted species. These results are supported by chemical analysis of the extracted species which show an empirical formula corresponding to Nb(OH)4BLP. Silica and zirconium monobutyl phosphate, under certain conditions, disperse adsorbed niobium in the solvent phase in the form of emulsions or suspensions. Centrifugation of these give no net enhancement of niobium transfer.
Efficient permutation instructions for fast software cryptography

Performing permutations in software can facilitate more widespread use of secure information processing and faster multimedia processing, but current instruction set architectures, even when augmented with subword-parallel multimedia instructions, do not provide efficient, bit-level software permutations. Four new instructions each offer a solution. They are: PPERM (a new, lower-cost version of PPERM3R that selects bits for one byte of the result); GRP (a permutation instruction that separates bits into left and right parts); CROSS (a permutation instruction using Benes interconnection network theory); and OMFLIP (a permutation instruction using enhanced Omega-Flip interconnection network theory).
Using block-based spectral angle measure for iris pattern matching

Iris pattern matching is a key step in iris patter recognition system. This paper proposes a new approach for iris pattern matching using block-based spectral angle measure (SAM). The iris patterns in this paper are extracted using Log-Gabor wavelet method. The proposed SAM method will capture not only the phase information, but also the magnitude information. The block based method will enable the flexibility in the pattern matching step, which improves the accuracy and is more tolerable of the pattern dilation/constrain resulted from imperfect preprocessing. The preliminary experimental results show that the proposed method has an encouraging performance.
Psychopathic personality features and risks for criminal justice system involvement among emancipating foster youth

Abstract Although there has been a surge of interest in the study of psychopathy among juveniles, few investigations have been initiated on non-correctional samples thus reducing the potential generalizability of findings. The current objective was to examine the construct of psychopathy in a community sample of 404 foster care youths transitioning out of care. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore psychopathic personality traits among a foster care sample. In total, the models indicated that psychopathic personality traits measured by the PPI-SF Narcissism, PPI-SF Extraversion, PPI-SF Unemotionality, and PPI-SF Fearless-Nonconformity were significant yet inconsistent risk factors for diverse forms of criminal behavior and subsequent involvement with the criminal justice system.
Growth kinetics of dislocation loops and voids—the role of divacancies

Abstract The effect of divacancies on the growth or shrinkage of dislocation loops and voids has been investigated by using the general rate equations which include the reactions of vacancy association, divacancy dissociation, divacancy-interstitial interaction, and divacancy loss to unsaturable sinks. Simple analytic expressions have been derived, which provide an estimate for the role of divacancies for given sink strength, temperature, and vacancy supersaturation. Based on the available defect parameters for f.c.c. metals it was found that divacancies arc most important in Al and Ni, moderately important in Cu and Ag, and not important in Au. Numerical calculations for Al and Ni under various irradiation conditions show that void swelling is enhanced by divacancies in the recombination-dominant regime of the growth kinetics, whereas in the sink-dominant regime void swelling is reduced due to the preferential flux of divacancies to dislocations. The effect of divacancies on the growth of interstitial lo...
Poration of Lipid Bilayers by Shock-Induced Nanobubble Collapse

Sonoporation is a promising noninvasive drug- and gene-delivery approach, in which cavitation bubbles generated by ultrasound are used to enhance the cell membrane permeability. We have performed multimillion-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the impact of shock waves on nanobubbles in the vicinity of a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer. The MD simulations reveal that the nanojet impact generates shear flow of water on bilayer leaflets and pressure gradients across them, which transiently enhance the bilayer permeability by creating nanopores and water molecules translocation across the bilayer. Effects of nanobubble size and temperature on the porosity of lipid bilayers will be discussed.Fig.: Nanojet (blue, green and red are velocity streamlines) impact deforming the lipid membrane (yellow). The nanopore created in the membrane (blue) is shown in the bottom inset. The top inset shows the time evolution of lateral flow on the lipid membrane surface.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
A new look at state-space models for neural data

State space methods have proven indispensable in neural data analysis. However, common methods for performing inference in state-space models with non-Gaussian observations rely on certain approximations which are not always accurate. Here we review direct optimization methods that avoid these approximations, but that nonetheless retain the computational efficiency of the approximate methods. We discuss a variety of examples, applying these direct optimization techniques to problems in spike train smoothing, stimulus decoding, parameter estimation, and inference of synaptic properties. Along the way, we point out connections to some related standard statistical methods, including spline smoothing and isotonic regression. Finally, we note that the computational methods reviewed here do not in fact depend on the state-space setting at all; instead, the key property we are exploiting involves the bandedness of certain matrices. We close by discussing some applications of this more general point of view, including Markov chain Monte Carlo methods for neural decoding and efficient estimation of spatially-varying firing rates.
The effectiveness of nonverbal symbolic signs and metaphors in advertisements: An experimental inquiry

This research investigates the effectiveness of nonverbal symbolic signs and rhetorical metaphors in advertisements. Hypotheses are made based on appeals to both interpretive and psychological theoretical perspectives. In contrast to previous research that has assumed nonverbal ad elements are effortlessly and automatically processed, it is proposed here that consumers must devote a nontrivial level of cognitive effort if they are to comprehend nonverbal symbolic signs and metaphors. The hypotheses suggest boundary conditions for the effectiveness of nonverbal elements in advertising. An experiment is conducted as a test of the hypotheses, and the observations support the hypotheses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stimulatory effects of serotonin on maturational gonadotropin release in the Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus

The effects of serotonin (5HT) injection alone, and in combination with des Gly” [D-Trp6]-htteinizing hormone-releasing hormone ethylamide (LHRHa), on plasma maturational gonadotropin (GtH) levels in the Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus, were examined. An injection of 5-HT (20 p&g body wt) alone did not significantly elevate GtH levels, whereas simultaneous administration of LHRHa (20 rig/g body wt) and S-HT elicited a greater elevation of plasma GtH levels than that induced by LHRHa alone. Pretreatment of l-year-old fish with fluoxetine (10 tcgig), a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, only slightly augmented the effect of 5-HT on GtH levels, whereas pretreatment with ketanserin (10 ug/g), a 5-HT receptor antagonist, completely inhibited the potentiating effect of 5-HT on the GtH response to LHRHa. Administration of LHRHa (20 rig/g) or 5-HT (20 *g/g) significantly elevated GtH levels in the 2- and 3-year-old croaker, but the combined treatment failed to increase GtH levels above those induced by LHRHa alone. However, with a lower dose of LHRHa (5 rig/g), the combination produced an additive effect. Serotonin (20 t&ml media) alone, and in combination with LHRHa (10 q/ml media), significantly stimulated GtH release from the pituitaries of gonadally mature 2- and 3-year-old female croaker during an IS-hr incubation in vitro, but not from pituitaries of gonadally regressed fish. The combined treatment of LHRHa with 5-HT also significantly stimulated in vitro GtH release during 6and 12-hr pituitary incubations, whereas these treatments alone were ineffective. The results demonstrate that a serotonergic stimulatory system for the control of GtH secretion is present in the Atlantic croaker, although preliminary results suggest that this system is only functional during certain stages of the reproductive cycle.
Molecular Architecture via Coordination: Marriage of Crown Ethers and Calixarenes with Molecular Squares, Unique Tetranuclear Metallamacrocycles from Metallacrown Ether and Metallacalixarene Complexes via Self-Assembly

Reaction of metallacrown and metallacalixarene platinum bistriflates with bipyridine as well as other bidentate connector ligands results in the formation of tetranuclear macrocycles via self-assembly that combine crown ether and calixarene chemistry with molecular squares. Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry are employed to characterize these unique supramolecular species. The calixarene metallamacrocycles are used in simple transport experiments to carry sulfonate salts from one aqueous phase into another through chloroform.
Methohexital, succinylcholine, ECS,and the estrous cycle

The effects of methohexital, succinylcholine, and electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on the estrous cycle were investigated. Eighty-eight rats, chosen on the basis of estrous stability, were selected from a subject pool of 106 animals and were randomly assigned to one of eight treatment conditions, with the restriction that each condition contain 11 animals. Treatments were as follows: one ECS, five ECSs, one ECS with methohexital and succinylcholine, five ECSs with methohexital and succinylcholine, one sham ECS (SECS), five SECSs, one SECS with methohexital and succinylcholine, and five SECSs with methohexital and succinylcholine. Consistent with previous reports, the five-, but not the one-, ECS treatment produced a significant delay in estrus. However, the data indicated that when five ECS treatments were given to rats that had received methohexital and succinylcholine, no significant delay in estrus was observed. No estrous delays were observed following any of the remaining treatments, nor were additional delays observed after cycling began in the five-ECS treatment conditions.
Effect of Beta-Adrenergic Blockade on Exercise Performance in Patients With Chronic Atrial Fibrillation

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents are commonly used in combination with digitalis to control excessive heart rate during exercise in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. However, little is known about the effect of betaadrenergic blockade on exercise capacity in these patients. Accordingly, a randomized, double-blind, crossover placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the efficacy of Celiprolol, a new cardioselective betablocker with partial intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, on exercise performance in nine men with chronic atrial fibrillation. All but one patient was receiving maintenance digitalis during the study. Heart rate, blood pressure and gas exchange variables were measured at rest and during treadmill exercise testing while the patients were receiving maintenance Celiprolol or placebo. Significant reductions in heart rate and systolic blood pressure compared with control values were observed at submaximal exercise, at the gas exchange anaerobic threshold and at maximal exertion while the patients were taking Celiprolol. However, oxygen uptake at the gas exchange anaerobic threshold during Celiprolol therapy was 12.3 versus 14.0 ml oxygen/kg per min during placebo administration (a 12% difference, p These results indicate that in patients with atrial fibrillation the major beneficial effects of beta—adrenergic blockade-reduced submaximal and maximal exercise heart rate and blood pressure—must be weighed against the decrease in exercise capacity.
The ontogeny of infant bimanual reaching during the first year

Handedness and pattern of coordination during bimanual reaching were assessed separately for six groups of infants, 7 to 12 months old. Infants reached bimanually for a transparent toy-filled box. On some presentations of the box a low barrier was placed in the path of either the right or left hand, while on other presentations there was no barrier. The youngest and two oldest groups of infants were more likely thon the other age groups to perform simultaneous bimanual reaches with no barrier present, but when a barrier was present the 11.month-olds were most likely to continue to perform simultaneous reaches. This suggests that while infants as young as 7 months perform simultaneous reaches, the organization of these reaches may be different than for older infants. Hand-use preference contributed significantly to selection of a lead hand in non-simultaneous bimanual reaching. The 8-month group, which had the highest proportion of infants with a hand preference, was the only group likely to hit the barrier when it was placed on the nonpreferred side. Hand preference may, thus, bias the use of information about what the environment affords for action.
Metabolomic profiling of anionic metabolites by capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry.

We describe a sheath flow capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS) method in the negative mode using a platinum electrospray ionization (ESI) spray needle, which allows the comprehensive analysis of anionic metabolites. The material of the spray needle had significant effect on the measurement of anions. A stainless steel spray needle was oxidized and corroded at the anodic electrode due to electrolysis. The precipitation of iron oxides (rust) plugged the capillary outlet, resulting in shortened capillary lifetime. Many anionic metabolites also formed complexes with the iron oxides or migrating nickel ion, which was also generated by electrolysis and moved toward the cathode (the capillary inlet). The metal−anion complex formation significantly reduced detection sensitivity of the anionic compounds. The use of a platinum ESI needle prevented both oxidation of the metals and needle corrosion. Sensitivity using the platinum needle increased from several- to 63-fold, with the lar...
Megalodiscus temperatus: scanning electron microscopy of the tegumental surfaces.

Abstract The tegumental surface of Megalodiscus temperatus forms cobblestonelike areas with rows of indentations encircling the worm. This pattern merges in several areas into folds and ridges, some of which represent the musculature of the posterior sucker and genital pore. Papillae surrounding the base of the oral sucker appear as two types: one with a bulb-like base and a short apical knob; the second typified by a hair-like structure (cilium?) of variable length projecting from a pit. From their location on the oral sucker and the resemblance to previously described structures, they are presumed to be sensory receptors. A circle of papillae on the closed posterior sucker was also observed. Rod-shaped bacteria were seen adhering to some of the worms observed but they were not found to be in any special association with the tegument or in any specific areas of the worm's surface.
Corticosteroidogenic potential of regenerated rat adrenal autografts and enucleated glands.

The corticosteroidogenic potential of regenerated rat adrenal autografts to mesenteric and intramuscular sites and of enucleated glands regenerated in situ was measured in vitro by blue tetrazolium and ultraviolet-analysis of methylenc dichloride extract residues of Krebs-Ringer incubation medium and in vivo by the water intoxication test. Compared to intact controls, adrenals regenerated 30 days or more exhibited normal in vitro output rates/unit tissue weight in the absence or presence of ACTHar (10 I.U./IOO mg. adrenal) irrespective of regeneration site or age. Mesenteric transplants regenerated 14 days showed approximately 50% reduction in output rates without apparent loss of ACTH sensitivity. None afforded normal protection against water intoxication after regenerating 30, 60 or 90 dajys. In vivo, enucleated glands were functionally superior to transplants at all periods, while the mesenteric were superior at 60 but similar at 90 days to intramuscular transplants. Relative functional ability was gen...
Effects of Age and Dentition Status on Measures of Food Acceptability

The current cross-sectional investigation was undertaken to determine whether observed losses in masticatory function due to missing teeth impair perceptual estimates of food acceptability. To quantify the effect of impaired masticatory ability, 566 male participants from the Veterans Administration Dental Longitudinal Study were subdivided into three age groups (less than 40 years, 40 to 49 years, and 50 or more years) and three dentition categories (intact, partially compromised, and compromised). Bivariate analysis revealed that dentition status significantly influenced the acceptance modalities of taste, texture, perceived ease of chewing, and frequency of ingestion. Age, per se, had little effect. Significant changes in the acceptance variables were noted only in persons with compromised dentition. These findings suggested that a moderate degree of unreplaced tooth loss had no significant effect on perceptual estimates of food acceptability, and unilateral intact dentition can provide sufficient masticatory performance for maintaining food acceptance.
A linear-time algorithm for computing collision-free path on reconfigurable mesh

The reconfigurable mesh (RMESH) is an array of mesh-connected processors equipped with a reconfigurable bus system, which can dynamically connect the processors in various patterns. A 2D reconfigurable mesh can be used to solve motion planning problems in robotics research, in which the 2D image of robot and obstacles are digitized and represented one pixel per processor. In this paper, we present an algorithm to compute a collision-free path between two points in an environment containing obstacles. The time complexity of the algorithm is O(k) for each pair of source/destination points, with O(log^2N) preprocessing time, where k is the number of obstacles in the working environment, and N is the size of the reconfigurable mesh.
Experimental investigation of the damping of structural vibrations by vorticity production

Abstract An experimental investigation has been made of the damping of a plate vibrating at zero angle of attack to a nominally steady, high Reynolds number mean flow. The plate is perforated with a distribution of small circular apertures in which vorticity is produced by the unsteady loading of the plate. The kinetic energy of the vorticity is swept downstream by the flow. Damping occurs by the transfer of energy from the plate to the vortex field provided the Strouhal number ω R/U , based on the radian frequency ω of the vibration, the aperture radius R and the mean stream velocity U , lies between about 0·4 and 0·8. The peak attenuation is of the order of 5 dB relative to an identical unperforated plate. The results are interpreted in terms of recent calculations of the unsteady flow through an aperture in the presence of mean flow, and are expected to be relevant to the alleviation of fatigue failure of aerodynamic control surfaces such as jet nozzle flaps.
A Simplified 4-DOF Suspension Model for Dynamic Load/Unload Simulation and Its Application

The mathematical models are critical for accurate simulation of the dynamic load/unload (L/UL) process in disk drives. The air bearing slider and the suspension are the most important parts in the L/UL mechanism. The air bearing modeling has been well researched, but an adequate and efficient suspension model is not available. A simplified 4-DOF suspension model is proposed in this paper. In this model the slider's pitch angle change due to the motion of the L/UL tab on the ramp is included in the simulation, and the forces applied by the ramp can be directly obtained. The effects of the suspension inertia are included in the effective inertia moments of the slider to improve the loading simulation. The model is implemented and applied to simulate the L/UL process of a pico slider that has been used in recent IBM mobile drives. The effects of the pitch static attitude (PSA), the roll static attitude (RSA), and some initial disturbances to the loading process are investigated. It is found that a positive PSA can significantly smoothen the loading process. The effects of the PSA, the disk rpm, and the unload velocity on the unloading process are also simulated, and it is found that a positive PSA can also greatly improve the unloading performance of the slider. The results show that the unloading process can be accurately simulated by using the proposed model, and the loading process can be more accurately simulated by using this 4-DOF model than the 3-DOF model.
Studies of Diamond Growth Mechanisms in a Hot Filament Reactor

The incorporation of methane into low-pressure CVD diamond thin films has been compared to that of acetylene. 13CH4 and 12C2H2 were used as the hydrocarbon sources in a heated-filament CVD diamond growth process at a total concentration of 0.5% hydrocarbon in 99.5% hydrogen. Results indicated that methane and/or methyl radical is the dominant carbon source for diamond growth in a hot filament reactor under steady state conditions and that acetylene is rapidly hydrogenated to methane. Results also indicated that diamond surface reactions play an important role in determining the relative methane to acetylene ratios.
Production of localized lesions in the nervous system using silver nitrate

Abstract 1. 1. A method is described which permits the production of small localized lesions in neural tissue by the pressure injection of 150 mM silver nitrate. 2. 2. Electrophysiological evidence is presented which shows that silver nitrate blocks axonal conduction in an identified interneuron. 3. 3. After producing a lesion, the AgNO 3 reacts with the chloride in extracellular fluid leaving an insoluble precipitate of AgCl which remains permanently at the lesioned site. 4. 4. The precipitate of AgCl remains intact throughout histological preparation of neural tissue and provides a readily identified marker for the lesioned area.
Cloning of the β3 chain gene (LAMB3) of human laminin 5, a candidate gene in junctional epidermolysis bullosa

Abstract Laminin 5 consists of three polypeptides, α3, β3, and γ2, encoded by the genes LAMA3, LAMB3, and LAMC2, respectively. In this study, we have elucidated the exon—intron organization of the human LAMB3 gene. Characterization of five overlapping λ phage DNA clones revealed that the gene was approximately 29 kb in size. Subsequent sequence data revealed that the gene consisted of 23 exons that varied from 64 to 379 bp in size, accounting for the full-length cDNA with an open reading frame of 3516 bp encoding 1172 amino acids. Comparison of the LAMB3 gene structure with the previously characterized LAMB1 gene revealed that LAMB3 was considerably more compact. Knowledge of the exon—intron organization of the LAMB3 gene will facilitate elucidation of mutations in patients with the junctional forms of epidermolysis bullosa, some of which have been associated with mutations in the laminin 5 genes.
Compatibilizers for Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer/Polyethylene Blends Prepared by Reactive Mixing

This paper describes the effects of composition and processing conditions on the efficiency of the compatibilizer prepared from a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) and the sodium salt of a poly(ethylene-co-r-acrylic acid) ionomer (EAA-Na) in TLCP/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blends and TLCP/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blends. The TLCP-ionomer graft copolymer formed by a melt acidolysis reaction effectively reduced the interfacial tension between TLCP and polyethylene, which improved impact strength and toughness of the compatibilized blends. Higher processing temperatures for the reactive extrusion produced a more efficient compatibilizer, presumably due to increased graft-copolymer formation, but the reaction temperature had little effect on the impact strength of compatibilized blends for temperatures above 300°C. The addition of the compatibilizer to TLCP/LDPE blends significantly increased the melt viscosity due to increased interfacial adhesion. The TLCP/EAA-Na ratio used to prepare the compatibilizer had little effect on the performance of the compatibilizer. Although the compatibilizer can be prepared in situ by blending and extruding a ternary blend of TLCP/EAA-Na/polyethylene, pre-reacting the compatibilizer resulted in blends with improved toughness and elongation.