cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced nigrostriatal neuron-specific, long-term expression by using neural-specific promoters in combination with targeted gene transfer by modified helper virus-free HSV-1 vector particles

Background Direct gene transfer into neurons has potential for developing gene therapy treatments for specific neurological conditions, and for elucidating neuronal physiology. Due to the complex cellular composition of specific brain areas, neuronal type-specific recombinant gene expression is required for many potential applications of neuronal gene transfer. One approach is to target gene transfer to a specific type of neuron. We developed modified Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) particles that contain chimeric glycoprotein C (gC) – glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) proteins. HSV-1 vector particles containing either gC – GDNF or gC – BDNF target gene transfer to nigrostriatal neurons, which contain specific receptors for GDNF or BDNF. A second approach to achieve neuronal type-specific expression is to use a cell type-specific promoter, and we have used the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter to restrict expression to catecholaminergic neurons or a modified neurofilament heavy gene promoter to restrict expression to neurons, and both of these promoters support long-term expression from HSV-1 vectors. To both improve nigrostriatal-neuron specific expression, and to establish that targeted gene transfer can be followed by long-term expression, we performed targeted gene transfer with vectors that support long-term, neuronal-specific expression.
Monocyte-Targeting Supramolecular Micellar Assemblies: A Molecular Diagnostic Tool for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease that can progress silently for decades and result in myocardial infarction, stroke, and death. Diagnostic imaging technologies have made great strides to define the degree of atherosclerotic plaque burden through the severity of arterial stenosis. However, current technologies cannot differentiate more lethal “vulnerable plaques,” and are not sensitive enough for preventive medicine. Imaging early molecular markers and quantifying the extent of disease progression continues to be a major challenge in the field. To this end, monocyte-targeting, peptide amphiphile micelles (PAMs) are engineered through the incorporation of the chemokine receptor CCR2-binding motif of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and MCP-1 PAMs are evaluated preclinically as diagnostic tools for atherosclerosis. Monocyte-targeting is desirable as the influx of monocytes is a marker of early lesions, accumulation of monocytes is linked to atherosclerosis progression, and rupture-prone plaques have higher numbers of monocytes. MCP-1 PAMs bind to monocytes in vitro, and MCP-1 PAMs detect and discriminate between early- and late-stage atherosclerotic aortas. Moreover, MCP-1 PAMs are found to be eliminated via renal clearance and the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) without adverse side effects. Thus, MCP-1 PAMs are a promising new class of diagnostic agents capable of monitoring the progression of atherosclerosis.
Pole-zero phase maps: visualization helps students develop s-plane intuition

This paper illustrates how pole-zero phase maps can help students to determine the phase of a transfer function from a plot of the poles and zeros. This visualization of the phase of L(s) helps students develop s-plane intuition and facilitates the introduction of the analytical tools of classical control, such as Bode plots, Nyquist diagrams, and Evans root-locus plots.
Reassessment of murine APOBEC1 as a retrovirus restriction factor in vivo

APOBEC1 is a cytidine deaminase involved in cholesterol metabolism that has been linked to retrovirus restriction, analogous to the evolutionarily-related APOBEC3 proteins. In particular, murine APOBEC1 was shown to inhibit Friend retrovirus (FV) in vitro, generating high levels of C-to-T and G-to-A mutations. These observations raised the possibility that FV infection might be altered in APOBEC1-null mice. To examine this question directly, we infected wild-type and APOBEC1-null mice with FV complex and evaluated acute infection levels. Surprisingly, APOBEC1-null mice exhibited similar cellular infection levels and plasma viremia relative to wild-type mice. Moreover, next-generation sequencing analyses revealed that in contrast to APOBEC3, APOBEC1 did not enhance retroviral C-to-T and G-to-A mutational frequencies in genomic DNA. Thus, APOBEC1 neither inhibited nor significantly drove the molecular evolution of FV in vivo. Our findings reinforce that not all retrovirus restriction factors characterized as potent in vitro may be functionally relevant in vivo.
Linear systems: be discrete-then continuous

A description is given of the key fundamental concepts needed for an introductory treatment of signals and systems. The position is taken that the discussion of discrete-time systems should precede the discussion of continuous-time systems. The advantages of this approach include reduced initial complexity, an early opportunity to introduce signal processing applications and computer methods, and a better route to the understanding of models, analysis, and design of signals and systems. Several key concepts for discrete and continuous linear systems are compared to demonstrate the benefits of the 'discrete-first' approach. >
Two Decades of Research Comparing For‐Profit and Nonprofit Health Provider Performance in the United States*

Objective. This article reports on a systematic review of data-based, peer-reviewed scientific assessments of performance differences between private for-profit and private nonprofit U.S. health care providers published since 1980. Methods. Computerized bibliographic searches of all relevant databases yielded 149 studies (179 assessments) that compared the performance of for-profit and nonprofit health care providers on four performance criteria (access, quality, cost/efficiency, and/or amount of charity care). Reported findings on performance were coded in one of three ways: for-profit superiority, nonprofit superiority, or no difference/mixed results. Results. Overall, the nonprofits were judged superior 59 percent of the time, the for-profits superior only 12 percent of the time, and for the rest (29 percent), no difference was found or results were mixed. Conclusions. Caution is warranted on policies that encourage private for-profit entities to replace private nonprofit providers of health care services in the United States.
Processing, Properties and Electrical Reliability of Embedded Ultra-Thin Film Ceramic Capacitors in Organic Packages

Traditional ceramic thick films have served the need for decoupling applications but require too high a temperature processing to be embedded in organic packages. Copper foil compatible sol-gel-derived ferroelectric thin film integration addresses this problem due to its unique advantages such as the ability to precisely control the composition of the films, large-area manufacturability using simple and inexpensive equipment and ease of introducing dopants to engineer the dielectric properties like loss tangent and DC leakage characteristics. This paper presents synthesis, fabrication, electrical characterization and electrical reliability test of embedded ultra thin film (200-300nm) capacitors with capacitance density >2muF/cm2, low-loss, low leakage current and high breakdown voltage via sol-gel technology & foil lamination. Further, we investigated the effect of (i) smoothness of the foil and (ii) non-stochiometery on the microstructure as well as on the electrical properties of sol-gel barium titanate thin films on bare copper foil. The capacitance densities, leakage characteristics and electrical reliability data demonstrate the suitability of this technology for future embedded decoupling capacitor applications.
Carnap's work in the foundations of logic and mathematics in a historical perspective

This paper has a focus somewhat different from that of the majority of other papers published this year on Rudolf Carnap. I will not discuss the details of Carnap’s work, but will try to both put it in a perspective which also includes recent and current work on the same topics and to evaluate tentatively some of Carnap’s ideas in this perspective. My enterprise therefore has a systematic component, but it is not irrelevant to the purely historical task of understanding Carnap. The reason is that it often happens that a deeper understanding of a thinker’s historical ideas also presupposes understanding better the systematic context of his or her ideas. It seems to me that Carnap offers an instructive object lesson in this respect.
Novel organic materials that permanently increase conductivity upon thermal or photo treatment

Abstract In this work, we tested an approach towards novel organic materials that can permanently increase conductivity upon thermal or photo treatment, and potentially, change from insulator to conductor or semiconductor. Using dichlorodicyanoquinone (DDQ) doped thermo and photo responsive pentacene precursors as model systems, we found that conductivity of the thermal responsive material increased over 2 orders of magnitude to 10−3–10−2 S/cm after thermal treatment, while that of a photo responsive material did not significantly increase after photo irradiation even though the composites are same. Based on the results of conductivity measurement, SEM, XRD, UV–Vis, and FT–IR, the phenomena are attributed to that the crystalline morphology of thermally generated pentacene/DDQ thin films favored charge transfer while the amorphous morphology of the photo generated material favored solid-state Diels–Alder reaction. The result implies that the mechanism of solid-state reaction can be altered by controlling morphology.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a complex genetic cardiovascular disorder with substantial variability in phenotypic expression and natural progression. Recent research demonstrates the incremental utility of cardiac magnetic resonance in the diagnosis, therapeutic planning, and prognostication of this disease. The increasing incorporation of multimodality imaging of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in clinical practice will continue to improve our understanding of the subtle morphologic differences and their prognostic implications.
Long Distance Drifting of Ionization Electrons in Liquid Argon

As part of our continuing program to develop a liquid argon Time Projection Chamber (TPC), we have drifted ionization electrons produced by a 113Sn internal conversion electron source over a physical distance of 20 cm in fields of 0.8 to 1.6 kV/cm. This liquid purity was maintained over a period of many days. The liquid argon purity has been improved in the liquid state by the use of molecular sieves.
The postsocialist religious question: faith and power in Central Asia and East-Central Europe

The postsocialist religious question: faith and power in Central Asia and East-Central Europe, edited by Chris Hann and the ‘Civil Religion’ Group, Berlin, Lit Verlag, 2006, ix+340 pp., maps, index...
Field-Scale Nitrogen Balances Associated with Long-Term Continuous Corn Production

Excessive residual soil NO 3 -N indicates economic inefficiency for producers and increases the potential for nonpoint leaching of N to water resources. Our objective was to construct an approximate field-scale N budget for continuous corn (Zea mays L.) grown on deep loess soils in four 30- to 60-ha field-scale watersheds in western Iowa. Preplant and postemergence soil NO 3 -N levels were determined for the 0- to 30-cm, 30- to 60-cm, and 60- to 90-cm depths in April before N fertilizer was applied and again at the V6 growth stage. A simple root-zone water balance and N removal by corn grain were determined. The 4-yr average showed approximately 100 kg ha -1 of NO 3 -N in the upper 90 cm of the root zone before an average of 168 kg of fertilizer N ha -1 was applied. Grain removal accounted for 30 to 70% of the fertilizer N. There were significant differences in grain yield and N removal among the four watersheds. Factors contributing to those differences induded different fertilizer rates, tillage practices, and application times. During the four study years, an average of 50% of the applied N was available for leaching, denitrification, and/ or NH 3 volatilization. High levels of residual soil NO 3 -N following continuous corn production coupled with steady percolation of precipitation that infiltrated but was not used by the corn crop appear to be the two major factors supplying NO 3 -N to groundwater baseflow that enters streams draining the watersheds. Based on the seasonal water balance, the most successful N management strategies will be those that minimize the amount of residual NO 3 -N remaining in the soil profile at the end of the growing season.
Protein-deficient ribosomes in chloramphenicol-treated Escherichia coli.

WE have found that when the ribosomes of Escherichia coli Q13 are treated with chloramphenicol (CM) for a long time they become deficient in protein and also defective in MS2 RNA directed in vitro protein synthesis. On removal of CM, for 90 min or longer, there was a lag before the rate of protein synthesis recovered. For example, a lag period of about 180 min was observed after 180 min with CM. It seems that CM has an effect besides its direct inhibitory action on peptide formation1. It may cause alterations in ribosomes which result in a delayed resumption of protein synthesis.
Morphological basis for the evolution of acoustic diversity in oscine songbirds

Acoustic properties of vocalizations arise through the interplay of neural control with the morphology and biomechanics of the sound generating organ, but in songbirds it is assumed that the main driver of acoustic diversity is variation in telencephalic motor control. Here we show, however, that variation in the composition of the vibrating tissues, the labia, underlies diversity in one acoustic parameter, fundamental frequency (F0) range. Lateral asymmetry and arrangement of fibrous proteins in the labia into distinct layers is correlated with expanded F0 range of species. The composition of the vibrating tissues thus represents an important morphological foundation for the generation of a broad F0 range, indicating that morphological specialization lays the foundation for the evolution of complex acoustic repertoires.
The Benefits of Attending Community College: A Review of the Evidence:

This article reviews the existing literature on the economic and other benefits of attending community college. First, the article reports on the earnings gains across all students and reviews the evidence for subgroups by gender, minority status, and credits accumulated. The article then reviews the methodological challenges associated with calculating earnings gains from attending a community college. Despite these challenges, the evidence for the significant earnings gains from community college attendance appears to be compelling. The second part of the article reviews the literature on a broader spectrum of gains, such as health, crime, and welfare reliance. This literature is very limited and potentially offers an important area for further research to establish the full returns from community college attendance.
Novel mechanisms of DNA topoisomerase II inhibition by pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives—eleutherin, α lapachone, and β lapachone∗

Pyranonaphthoquinones have diverse biological activities against Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasms, and, recently, there has also been an increasing interest in their anti-cancer activity. This study includes three derivatives: eleutherin (compound 1), beta lapachone (compound 2), and its structural isomer, alpha lapachone (compound 3). The mechanism of topoisomerase II inhibition by the three derivatives was examined systematically with respect to the steps of the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. Etoposide, the prototypical enzyme poison, was used as a control and in combination with compounds 1-3 to localize their mechanism of action. The study revealed that eleutherin (1) and beta lapachone (2) inhibited topoisomerase II by inducing religation and dissociation of the enzyme from DNA in the presence of ATP. Whereas compound 2 was an "irreversible" inhibitor of topoisomerase II, compound 1 merely slowed the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. alpha Lapachone (3), on the other hand, inhibited initial non-covalent binding of topoisomerase II to DNA and, in addition, induced religation of DNA breaks (even in pre-established ternary complexes) before dissociating the enzyme from DNA. Compound 3 was an "irreversible" inhibitor of topoisomerase II. The diverse and unique mechanisms of topoisomerase II inhibition by pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives reveal novel ways to target the enzyme with potential for anti-cancer drug design.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated with Neomycin Eardrops and Nonintact Tympanic Membranes

ObjectiveUse of neomycin eardrops in nonintact tympanic membranes (NITMs) due to tympanic membrane (TM) perforation or tympanostomy tubes (TTs) is controversial because of the potential for ototoxi...
Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback of event-related potentials (brain waves): historical perspective, review, future directions.

This paper reviews the efforts of workers in the 1960s–1980s to demonstrate voluntary control of exogenously evoked (event-related) potentials in visual, somatic sensory, and auditory systems in rats, cats, and humans. The first part of the paper reviews the conceptual foundation and development of the work — it actually arose from traditional sensory coding and neural correlates of behavior studies. The second part summarizes recent applications of the method in the area of pain control. In reviewing these matters, the major effort is directed at revealing how the ideas unfolded in very human, day-to-day, anecdotal terms. There is not much of an attempt to formally review the literature, which is cited for consultation elsewhere. In the same spirit, many possible future experiments are suggested by way of elucidating the key remaining questions in the area.
Muscle carnitine levels in neuromuscular disease

Abstract The production of energy in muscle from long-chain fatty acid oxidation is dependent upon the presence of carnitine. An abnormally low level of muscle carnitine, as seen in patients with the carnitine deficiency syndrome, results in marked muscle weakness. Muscle from 83 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic muscle biopsy was assayed for carnitine. Carnitine levels (mean ± SEM, expressed as nmoles carnitine per mg noncollagen protein) in muscle from patients with Duchenne dystrophy (8.1 ± 1.7) and possible Becker dystrophy (10.6 ± 3.0) were significantly (P
Applicability of a Vacuum Interrupter as the Basic Switch Element in HVDC Breakers

High voltage, high current vacuum interrupters were experimentally tested in a simulated HVDC breaker circuit. Fault currents which rose to ~10 kA in 5 mS were commutated to zero by a charged capacitor in 5-10 ?S. Negative recovery voltage across the interrupter developed to 150 kV in 1-2 XIS and positive recovery voltage to 110 kV in 50-60 ?S. Either a saturable or linear reactor was placed in series with the interrupter. Results indicate that a linear reactor sufficies for reliable interruption of 8 KA dc against >100 kV.
A RAPID METHOD FOR ASSAYING ENZYMES WHOSE SUBSTRATES AND PRODUCTS DIFFER BY CHARGE. APPLICATION TO BRAIN l‐GLUTAMATE DECARBOXYLASE

— A simple, rapid, sensitive and economical assay technique has been developed for any enzyme whose substrate and product differ by charge. It is based on a combination of rapid vacuum filtration with an ion exchange resin. The technique has been successfully applied to brain glutamate decarboxylase.
Storage limit of two-photon-based three-dimensional memories with parallel access

For systems that use parallel access by simultaneous writing or reading of bits located in an entire common plane, diffraction sets a limit to the storage density that is far smaller than that for sequential operation. Comparable densities can be achieved by using a three-dimensional waveguiding structure.
A molecular based scale for solvent basicity

The charge distribution on isolated polar molecules has been determined in the gas phase on the basis of the natural bond order (NBO) analysis. It is shown that the fractional negative charge on the heteroatom or atoms associated with solvent basicity is linearly correlated to popular empirical measures of this parameter in the liquid phase, namely, the solvent’s donor number, DN, and its solvatochromic basicity B SC.
The diagnosis and treatment of chancroid

Chancroid, a disappearing disease in the United States, was reintroduced into the country in 1980 by immigrants from the Caribbean, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. Point epidemics resulted, each of them associated with prostitution. During the 4-month period between March 1 to June 30, 1985, forty-five patients were diagnosed and treated in Massachusetts, thirty-seven from Boston alone. By means of these case records, the morphologic characteristics, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment regimens are described.
RH 3421, an insecticidal dihydropyrazole, inhibits sodium channel-dependent sodium uptake in mouse brain preparations

Abstract Assays of radiosodium uptake into mouse brain vesicles were used to assess the actions of RH 3421, an insecticidal dihydropyrazole, on voltage-sensitive sodium channels. Survey experiments showed that RH 3421 acted as a general inhibitor of sodium channel-specific sodium uptake, blocking the uptake stimulated by veratridine, batrachotoxin, crude scorpion ( Leiurus quinquestriatus ) venom, and pumiliotoxin B. Reciprocal competitive interactions were found between RH 3421 and two activating neurotoxins, veratridine and batrachotoxin. The inhibition by RH 3421 of the sodium uptake stimulated by either veratridine or batrachotoxin was concentration-dependent, but the potency of RH 3421 in these assays depended on the concentration of the activator used to stimulate uptake. RH 3421 also decreased the potency of veratridine as a sodium channel activator. We conclude from our findings that RH 3421 blocks sodium channels by binding to a domain of the sodium channel that is allosterically coupled to the recognition site for veratridine and batrachotoxin. The recognition site for RH 3421 is distinct from the binding domains involved in the actions of N -alkylamides and of pyrethroids and DDT analogs, two other classes of sodium channel-directed insecticides, and therefore defines a new binding site on the sodium channel that is involved in insecticide action.
Innate antiviral immune signaling, viral evasion and modulation by HIV-1.

The intracellular innate antiviral response in human cells is an essential component of immunity against virus infection. As obligate intracellular parasites, all viruses must evade the actions of the host cell's innate immune response in order to replicate and persist. Innate immunity is induced when pathogen recognition receptors of the host cell sense viral products including nucleic acid as “non-self”. This process induces downstream signaling through adaptor proteins to activate latent transcription factors that drive the expression of genes encoding antiviral and immune modulatory effector proteins that restrict virus replication and regulate adaptive immunity. The interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are transcription factors that play major roles in innate immunity. In particular, IRF3 is activated in response to infection by a range of viruses including RNA viruses, DNA viruses and retroviruses. Among these viruses, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a major global health problem mediating chronic infection in millions of people wherein recent studies show that viral persistence is linked with the ability of the virus to dysregulate and evade the innate immune response. In this review, we discuss viral pathogen sensing, innate immune signaling pathways and effectors that respond to viral infection, the role of IRF3 in these processes and how it is regulated by pathogenic viruses. We present a contemporary overview of the interplay between HIV-1 and innate immunity, with a focus on understanding how innate immune control impacts infection outcome and disease.
Watermarking via optimization algorithms for quantizing randomized semi-global image statistics

We introduce a novel approach for blind and semi-blind watermarking and apply it to images. We derive randomized robust semi-global statistics of images in a suitable transform domain (wavelets in case of images) and quantize them in order to embed the watermark. Quantization is effectively carried out by embedding to the host a computed sequence, which is obtained by solving an optimization problem whose parameters are known to the information hider but unknown to the attacker. An essential emphasis of the proposed method is randomization, which is crucial for security and robustness against arbitrary quality-preserving attacks. We formally show that malicious optimal estimation attacks that are specifically derived for our algorithm are ineffective in practice. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate that our watermarking method survives many generic benchmark attacks for a large number of images.
Pharmacology and clinical experience with alosetron.

Alosetron (Lotronex) is a potent, highly selective 5-HT(3) antagonist. Animal models have shown it to be active in anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment, emesis and drug withdrawal, though its application in humans has been almost entirely restricted to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Alosetron does not cause adverse pharmacodynamic effects, is absorbed rapidly after oral administration and is widely distributed throughout tissues after oral or iv. dosing in animals. Its metabolism is rapid and extensive with N-demethylation, hydroxylation and oxidation. The drug, or its two principal metabolites, is equally excreted through the biliary tract and kidneys. Alosetron has proved safe in a range of toxicity studies; at high repeated dosing, clinical signs were transient and repeated administration produced no significant adverse effects on fertility, reproductive performance or fetal development. In pharmacokinetic studies, bioavailability of alosetron in healthy volunteers is approximately 60% and the plasma half-life is about 1.5 h. There are some gender differences in the pharmacokinetic profile, with 30 - 50% higher alosetron concentrations in females. No consistent differences in alosetron serum concentrations between the young and elderly were observed. The pharmacokinetics of single, oral doses of alosetron are linear up to 8 mg. In human pharmacodynamic studies, alosetron increased basal jejunal water and electrolyte absorption, increased colonic transit time and, consequently, whole gut transit time. Alosetron has been evaluated in two large Phase II trials (randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled) and in Phase III trials which included a four-week observation period after cessation. Dose response studies suggested that the effective dosages could be between 1 and 2 mg, twice-daily. In Phase II trials, alosetron, 1 mg b.i.d., resulted in a greater proportion of non-constipated IBS patients reporting adequate relief of pain and discomfort, as well as improvement of bowel symptoms, frequency, urgency and stool consistency when compared with placebo. However, this beneficial effect was seen exclusively among females. Phase III studies evaluated exclusively females with non-constipated IBS and confirmed the results of the Phase II studies. Alosetron was well-tolerated in all studies, with the most frequently recorded adverse event being constipation. Thus, alosetron appears promising in the treatment of abdominal pain and discomfort and normalising of bowel function in patients with non-constipated IBS. It also improves quality of life, has a high degree of tolerability and has an excellent safety profile to date.
On using index cases in the study of late-onset diseases

Abstract The method of index cases (Weinberg, 1927; Haldane, 1938; Fisher, 1934; Gold et al., 1967) is used to construct a non-parametric estimator for the average cumulative risk of a late-onset disease in a population, under censoring, which is consistent even if the risk is suspected to vary with the individual in an unknown manner. In contrast, illustrations show the need for caution when index cases are used for testing whether a disease is familial.
Tensor electrical conductivity of atmospheric cesium-seeded argon.

Third Chapman-Enskog approximation to tensor electrical conductivity of partially ionized gas applied to two conductivity mixture rules for atmospheric cesium seeded argon
Effect of Problem Solving on Right and Left Hemisphere 40 Hertz EEG Activity

EEG activity within the alpha, beta II and 40 Hz bands was monitored during periods of problem solving and non-problem solving. Concomitant 40 Hz EMG activity was also monitored to show a dissociation between it and 40 Hz EEG activity. Twenty-four right-handed subjects were used. Results indicate that during problem solving there is a reduction in activity within the alpha and beta II bands relative to non-problem solving periods. Within the 40 Hz EEG band there was increased activity over the hemisphere assumed to be maximally engaged in the problem solving task. Activity within the 40 Hz EMG band showed bilateral increases during problem solving. It was also found that 40 Hz EMG activity made little, if any, contribution to 40 Hz EEG activity.
Corticotropin releasing activity of lysine vasopressin analogues.

CRF activity of l-deamino-4-decarboxamido-8-lysine-vasopressin (DEAMVP) and 4-decarboxamido-8-lysine-vasopressin (DECARB-VP) was determined using rats treated with chlorpromazine, morphine and Nembutal (CPZ-M-N) and was compared with CRF activity of 8-lysine-vasopressin and a pig hypothalamic CRF preparation. These lysinevasopressin analogues possess a low pressor but high antidiuretic activity. At 12.5 pressor mU, DEAM-VP induced a maximum response, and DECARB-VP caused a significant but somewhat smaller response. On a weight basis, DEAM-VP hada CRF activity comparable to that of lysinevasopressin. CRF activity of DEAM-VP was 6 times that of DECARB-VP, but the antidiuretic activities of these compounds were similar and the pressor potency of DEAM-VP is approximately one third that of DECARB-VP. It is apparent that the CRF activity of these vasopressin analogues is not related to pressor or antidiuretic activity. CRF/pressor ratio was also the largest in DEAM-VP, which was approximately 98 times that of l...
Nonconvective ion cyclotron instability

Abstract The electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability is shown to be nonconvective for a wide range of plasma β 's and ring current proton anisotropies A . The addition of cold plasma to the ring current enlarges the region of the β - A parameter space for nonconvective instability. Thus, despite the high Alfven speed outside the plasmasphere, ion cyclotron wave amplitudes could grow to appreciable levels and contribute to the pitch-angle and energy diffusion of ring current protons.
On the Privacy Risks of Virtual Keyboards: Automatic Reconstruction of Typed Input from Compromising Reflections

We investigate the implications of the ubiquity of personal mobile devices and reveal new techniques for compromising the privacy of users typing on virtual keyboards. Specifically, we show that so-called compromising reflections (in, for example, a victim's sunglasses) of a device's screen are sufficient to enable automated reconstruction, from video, of text typed on a virtual keyboard. Through the use of advanced computer vision and machine learning techniques, we are able to operate under extremely realistic threat models, in real-world operating conditions, which are far beyond the range of more traditional OCR-based attacks. In particular, our system does not require expensive and bulky telescopic lenses: rather, we make use of off-the-shelf, handheld video cameras. In addition, we make no limiting assumptions about the motion of the phone or of the camera, nor the typing style of the user, and are able to reconstruct accurate transcripts of recorded input, even when using footage captured in challenging environments (e.g., on a moving bus). To further underscore the extent of this threat, our system is able to achieve accurate results even at very large distances-up to 61 m for direct surveillance, and 12 m for sunglass reflections. We believe these results highlight the importance of adjusting privacy expectations in response to emerging technologies.
Interaction of penetrating missiles with tissues: some common misapprehensions and implications for wound management.

It is apparent from review of published papers and books that misunderstanding and confusion exists in the minds of many authors describing the interaction of penetrating missiles with tissues. These misapprehensions may influence the management of wounds by suggesting didactic approaches based upon a preconceived notion of the nature and severity of the wound for different types of projectiles. This review considers the biophysics of penetrating missile wounds, highlights some of the more common misconceptions and seeks to reconcile the conflicting and confusing management doctrines that are promulgated in the literature - differences that arise not only from two scenarios, peace and war, but also from misapprehensions of the wounding process. Wounds of war and of peacetime differ both in the nature of the wound and in the propensity for wound infection. Additionally, the limitations imposed by war dictate the type of management that may be practised and result in procedures that would be considered inappropriate by some in civilian clinical practice. Many of the procedures described in civilian peacetime settings, such as reliance on antibiotics alone for the control of infection in penetrating wounds, or minimal excision and debridement, can yield good results but would herald disaster if transposed to a war setting.
Systemic and local factors and the maintenance of bone quality

Bone formation, an essential process for the maintenance of bone mass and strength, depends on changes in osteoblast number or function. Bone formation is modified by systemic hormones such as parathyroid hormone, growth hormone, insulin and steroids, and by local factors that act in an antocrine or paracrine fashion on the osteoblast. Skeletal cells synthesize platelet-derived growth factors and fibroblast growth factors, agents which affect osteoblast cell replication. In addition, skeletal cells synthesize insulin-like growth factors and transforming growth factors beta, agents which also affect the differentiated function of the osteoblast. Systemic and local factors that modify bone formation are likely critical in the maintenance of normal bone.
Phenomenological and Evidence Based Research in Ego State Therapy: Recognized and Unrecognized Successes and Future Directions

The status of research in ego state therapy is examined against the backdrop of 20th and 21st century developments in the philosophy of science and the emerging recognition of the subjective as a vital element in all science. Attention is paid to the phenomenological method because until recently phenomenological studies have been the basis for the standards of care and training in ego state therapy as well as in many aspects of hypnotically facilitated psychotherapy. The importance of bringing an end to the "science wars" through the integration of the subjective and the objective, of phenomenological studies and evidence-based studies in ego state therapy and hypnosis research, is proposed.
A Review of Hurricane and Tropical Meteorology

Abstract Progress in hurricane and tropical meteorology is reviewed over the period 1960–1971. The recognition of the role of scale-interaction; the necessity to include energy sources and sinks in the general circulation models; the complexity of the problem of subgrid scale processes; the growth of a quantiative observational base in the tropics, the advent of the meteorological satellite; and the power of the computer have collectively led to great effort and considerable progress in the realm of tropical meteorology during this period. This progress and the areas of weakness are presented within a framework of spatial and temporal sales ranging from the planetary to the turbulent. Without minimizing the difficulties that lie ahead there is reason for a degree of optimisim. A coherent picture of the tropical atmosphere is emerging. Theory and observations are finding common ground. Critical tests of both lie ahead in the first major experiment of the Global Atmospheric Research Program: the GARP Atlant...
An estimate of hydrothermal fluid residence times and vent chimney growth rates based on210Pb/Pb ratios and mineralogic studies of sulfides dredged from the Juan de Fuca Ridge

Abstract The210PbPb ratios across two sulfide samples dredged from the Juan de Fuca Ridge are used to estimate the growth rate of the sulfide material and the residence time of the hydrothermal fluid within the oceanic crust from the onset of basalt alteration.210Pb is added to the hydrothermal fluid by two processes: (1) high-temperature alteration of basalt and (2) if the residence time of the fluid is on the order of the 22.3-year half-life of210Pb, by in-situ growth from222Rn ( Krishnaswami and Turekian, 1982 ). Stable lead is derived only from the alteration of basalt. The210Pb/Pb ratio across one sample was ∼ 0.5 dpm/10−6 g Pb, and across the other it was ∼ 0.4 dpm/10−6 g Pb. These values are quite close to the238UP/b ratios of basalts from the area, suggesting that the residence time of the hydrothermal fluid from the onset of basalt alteration is appreciably less than the mean life of210Pb, i.e., the time required for ingrowth from the radon. An apparent growth rate of 1.2 cm/yr is derived from the slope of the210Pb/Pb curve for one of the samples. This is consistent with its mineralogy and texture which suggest an accretionary pattern of development. There is no obvious sequential growth pattern, and virtually no gradient in210Pb/Pb across the second sample. This is consistent with alteration of the original210Pb/Pb distribution by extensive remobilization reactions which are inferred from the mineralogic and textural relationships of the sample.
Polymers with Multiple Ligand Sites for Metal Extractions in Dense-Phase Carbon Dioxide†

We have synthesized a series of CO2-soluble polymeric extractants with multiple ligand sites for CO2-based metal extractions. The CO2-soluble polymers were prepared via free-radical copolymerization of a fluorinated acrylate with a series of acrylate- or styrene-based monomers functionalized with ligand sites or ligand precursors. These polymers have high solubility in CO2; up to 30 wt % of a polymer with 15 mol % of a ligand-based monomer can be solubilized in liquid CO2 at 25 °C at 140 bar. Copper and europium extractions have been performed with β-diketone- and phosphonate-functionalized polymers, respectively. Preliminary extractions with copper nitrate were carried out at ligand-to-metal ratios of 1:1 and 2.7:1, resulting in 25−37% and 59% efficiency, respectively, suggesting a ligand binding stoichiometry of 2 for efficient extraction. Europium luminescence studies demonstrate that europium is bound to the polymer along with four water molecules in the inner coordination sphere.
Detailed Composition Analyses of Diverse Oat Genotype Kernels Grown in Different Environments in North Dakota

ABSTRACT Nutritional composition of oat kernels from 18 genotypes grown in six environments in North Dakota, U.S.A., was analyzed by chemical means. Of the macronutrients, mean starch concentration was 56.5%, protein was 18.1%, oil was 7.9%, neutral detergent fiber (insoluble fiber) was 6.0%, β-glucan (soluble fiber) was 5.2%, ash was 1.9%, and soluble carbohydrate was 0.6%. These add up to 96.2%, which appears to account for most of the mass of the oat kernel. Protein amino acid analysis indicated 4.5% lysine and 1.8% methionine. Free amino acid analysis indicated 1,129 μg of asparagine per gram of flour. The 18:1 and 18:2 fatty acids were the most abundant in oat lipids. Mean micronutrient concentrations in oat kernels included potassium (3,419 ppm), magnesium (1,416 ppm), calcium (441 ppm), iron (52 ppm), zinc (26 ppm), and selenium (0.38 ppm). Analysis of variance indicated significant genotypic and environmental variation, as well as significant genotype × environmental interaction for most of the nu...
Degradation and Mineralization of Organic Pollutants Contained in Actual Pulp and Paper Mill Wastewaters by a UV/H2O2 Process

In this work, UV/H2O2 treatment of actual pulp and paper mill wastewater (PPMW) was investigated. To determine optimal conditions, the effects of some experimental parameters (initial pH, initial H2O2 concentration, temperature, and organics load) on the UV/H2O2 process efficiency in terms of absorbance at 330 and 281 nm and chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) removals were studied. The results show that the UV/H2O2 system leads successfully to the almost-complete elimination of absorbance at 330 and 281 nm, COD, and TOC from an actual PPMW containing 270 mg of C L−1 under natural pH (pH 11.25) using 2.1 g of H2O2 L−1 at 28 °C. Under these optimal conditions, pseudo-first-order kinetics was determined for absorbance at 330 and 281 nm and COD decay with rate constants of 0.029, 0.02, and 0.008 min−1, respectively. Furthermore, the evolution with time of the H2O2 concentration exhibits two parts: a linear decrease to 300 min and then exponential change until the end of the treatment....
Quantifiers as modal operators

Montague, Prior, von Wright and others drew attention to resemblances between modal operators and quantifiers. In this paper we show that classical quantifiers can, in fact, be regarded as “S5-like” operators in a purely propositional modal logic. This logic is axiomatized and some interesting fragments of it are investigated.
Loitering by patients on methadone maintenance: A perception or a problem

Loitering has become an increasing matter of concern to both communities and staff involved in drug treatment programs. In order to determine the prevalence of this problem a retrospective two-year study was performed among clients enrolled in a community methadone maintenance treatment program (MM). Of 1064 persons enrolled in MM during this time, 190 (17.8%) were identified as loiterers with 121 (63.7%) loiterers actively enrolled in MM. No significant differences between loiterers and a matched group of MM clients were seen with respect to time in treatment, presence of drug abuse or excessive alcohol intake. Differences between loiterers and non-loiterers were observed with respect to criminal activity (29% vs. 11%, respectively, P < 0.001), non-opioid drug abuse (78% vs. 67%, respectively, P < 0.01) and productive activity (44% vs. 61%, respectively, P < 0.01). Excessive alcohol intake was seen in 15.4% of the study group. No relationship existed between excessive consumption of alcohol and loitering, arrests, and use of mood altering drugs as determined by urinalysis. No relationship could be demonstrated between loitering and residence in the community surrounding the program. Only 11 (6%) of all loiterers lived within two blocks of the program boundaries, and only 59 (31%) resided within East Harlem. These findings suggest that loitering is a real cause for concern being engaged in mainly by individuals who are neither socially productive nor residents of the immediate community surrounding the program. It is therefore important to develop strategies for dealing with this problem not only to reassure the community but to facilitate rehabilitation.
A new model of the location of the plasmapause: CRRES results

[1] A new empirical model of the plasmapause location has been developed using density data from the plasma wave receiver onboard the CRRES spacecraft for nearly 1000 orbits. The “plasmapause” is identified here as the innermost sharp gradient in density (change of a factor of 5 in <0.5 L). Such a sharp gradient was observed on 73% of the CRRES inbound and outbound orbits that returned data. The plasmapause location is expressed as a linear function of Kp (previous 12 hour maximum) and local time. The model gives the linear best fit location of the plasmapause as well as the standard deviations of the model parameters. We found a slight noon-midnight asymmetry with the plasmapause located on average an L shell farther from the Earth at midnight than in the noon sector. This is in the opposite sense to the noon-midnight asymmetry found previously. Significant variability (with standard deviations up to +/− 1 L shell) in the plasmapause location is seen and suggests that though the mean plasmapause is roughly circular, the instantaneous plasmapause has significant time variable localized structure at all local times but most especially in the duskside sector.
FROM THE HISTORY OF IDEAS TO IDEAS IN HISTORY

The story of American intellectual history's decline, fall, and phoenix-like rebirth in recent decades has become trite with the retelling: knocked from its position of prominence by the new social history and plunged into the chastened soul-searching of the famed Wingspread Conference of 1977, only to find itself rescued in part by the linguistic and cultural “turns” that swept the entire discipline of American history in the 1980s and 1990s. Like many a narrative, this one undoubtedly imposes too clear a pattern of meaning on a messier reality, but also like many a narrative, it has powerfully shaped the professional identities of American intellectual historians by giving them a sense of where they have been and how they arrived at their current place. That current place is a hospitable one, in many ways, for in the last couple of decades American historians seem to have grown increasingly receptive to the notion that ideas have mattered in history.
The combining of multiple hemispheric resources in learning-disabled and skilled readers' recall of words: a test of three information-processing models.

Abstract Three theoretical models (additive, independence, maximum rule) that characterize and predict the influence of independent hemispheric resources on learning-disabled and skilled readers' simultaneous processing were tested. Predictions related to word recall performance during simultaneous encoding conditions (diotic listening task) were made from unilateral (dichotic listening task) presentations. The maximum rule model best characterized both ability groups in that simultaneous encoding produced no better recall than unilateral presentations. While the results support the hypothesis that both ability groups use similar processes in the combining of hemispheric resources (i.e., weak/dominant processing), ability group differences do occur in the coordination of such resources.
Microfabrication techniques using focused ion beams and emergent applications

The application of focused ion beam (FIB) machining in several technologies aimed at microstructure fabrication is presented. These emergent applications include the production of micromilling tools for machining of metals and the production of microsurgical tools. An example of the use of microsurgical manipulators in a circulatory system measurement is presented. The steps needed to transform the laboratory fabrication of these tools and manipulators into a routine FIB production process are discussed. The ion milling of three-dimensional cavities by the exact solution of a mathematical model of the FIB deflection is demonstrated. A good agreement between the model calculation and the ion beam control has been obtained for parabolic and cosine cross-section features with planes of symmetry.