cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microanatomy of the anterior cerebral artery

The microanatomic features of the anterior cerebral artery were studied in 30 unfixed human brains which were injected with tinted polyester resin via cannulation of the internal carotid arteries under microscopic dissection. The outer diameter, length, and number of perforating branches were measured for each of the following vessels: anterior cerebral artery (proximal A1 segment, distal A2 segment), anterior communicating artery, and recurrent artery of Heubner. The perforating branches of the proximal segment of the anterior cerebral artery penetrated the brain at the anterior perforated substance, lateral chiasm, and optic tracts. The perforating branches of the anterior communicating artery penetrated the brain at the lamina terminalis, anterior perforated substance, and medial chiasm. The first 5 mm of the distal anterior cerebral artery (A2) had perforating branches penetrating the brain at the gyrus rectus and olfactory sulcus. The recurrent artery of Heubner originated from the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery in 57% of the cases, from the anterior cerebral artery-anterior communicating artery junction in 35%, and from the A1 segment in 8%. The depth of the interhemispheric fissure at the genu was 36.0 +/- 0.5 mm and at the midbody of the corpus callosum, 35.0 +/- 0.5 mm. Extension of the dissection to approach the anterior communicating artery from the genu of the corpus callosum using the anterior interhemispheric route was an additional 31.7 +/- 0.7 mm. The callosal arterial supply from the anterior cerebral artery showed short callosal branches in all brain specimens and long callosal vessels in 10% of the specimens.
The role of max-min fairness in DOCSIS 3.0 downstream channel bonding

The concept of fairness in assigning access to network resources has been well defined in traditional networks. With the introduction of channel bonding into the DOCSIS 3.0 standard, where different flows may not have access to the same set of resources, the definition of fairness becomes less clear. In this paper we will investigate the application of max-min fairness in a channel bonded environment and implement an algorithm to allocate fair sharing of resources.
Simulating CH 4 physisorption on ionic crystals-Limitations of an atomic partial charge model

We use quantum chemical techniques to evaluate the electrostatic and polarization components of the interaction between a rigid CH4 molecule and a lattice of point charges representing the MgO(100) surface. We find that CH4 positioned above Mg adopts an edge-down configuration in which two H atoms are oriented downward towards the MgO(100) surface and point at O ions in the surface layer. The CH4–MgO(100) electrostatic interaction is substantially less favorable (but is still attractive) for the face-down configuration in which three H atoms point downward. Neither configuration is energetically favorable for CH4 molecules positioned above O ions. We show that for edge-down CH4 molecules above Mg, the electrostatic component of the CH4-substrate interaction varies considerably as the CH4 molecule rotates about the surface normal; the polarization component of the interaction, by contrast, is nearly constant during this rotation. We show that a point-charge model for the CH4 charge distribution, in which the C and H atoms carry effective partial charges, predicts that the CH4-surface electrostatic interaction should be more favorable for face-down CH4 molecules than for edge-down CH4 molecules, in disagreement with the quantum chemical results. We show that this is because the point-charge model poorly represents the high-order electric multipoles of CH4.
Behavior Therapy Techniques in Treatment of Exfoliative Dermatitis

• We report here a case study in which behavior therapy techniques were used to treat the persistent and severe scratching of a patient with long-standing exfoliative dermatitis. A multiple-baseline clinical design across different body areas was used to evaluate the behavioral treatment program. This program consisted of (1) training the patient to monitor his scratching behavior and to use an incompatible response and distraction procedure contingent on the occurrence of scratching, and (2) differential attention by the therapist, so that the therapist's attention was contingent on intervals of nonscratching, and the therapist ignored the patient when he did scratch. The results indicated that the program was effective in almost completely eliminating scratching when a variety of therapists were and were not present. This suggests that the procedures used might easily be taught to the nursing staff. ( Arch Dermatol 116:919-922, 1980)
Analysis of amorphous silicon thin-film transistors

Abstract In this paper we analyze the limits to the performance of amorphous silicon thin film transistors, with regard to voltage, current and speed criteria. In particular we interrelate the material properties to device characteristics by considering the device physics appropriate to a range of amorphous silicon thin film transistor structures.
Micromanagement During the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response can be initiated by the binding of various pathogen-associated compounds or cytokines to receptors on the surfaces of dendritic cells. These interactions result in the activation of many genes and gene products. Several different pathways converge to raise the abundance of specific microRNAs (miRNAs). In particular, activation of the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB results in an increase in the amount of miR-155. High levels of this miRNA are associated with several types of cancer. However, the mRNAs that may be targeted by miR-155 in the innate immune response remain to be determined.
The Debye-Falkenhagen effect: experimental fact or friction?

Abstract Coulomb interactions produce spatial correlations between ions in solution. Debye-Falkenhagen (DF) suggested in 1929 that translational motion of any ion requires neighboring ions to readjust their relative positions. The readjustment process is time-dependent, and leads to a frequency-dependent conductivity, σ(ω), and dielectric constant, ϵ(ω). Falkenhagen generated theoretical graphs showing a frequency dispersion of normalized conductance. Corresponding experimental data have never been reported. The present article considers the DF effect from an experimental standpoint. It is found that the predicted effect is extremely small in dilute electrolyte solutions. Impedance measurements on the water-p-dioxane and the methanol-toluene systems confirm this prediction. Both systems exhibit impedance dispersions entirely characterized by bulk dielectric constant and bulk conductance.
The integrated CAD/CAE system based on the common standard in information exchange and the common model in geometric representation

The integration of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) often requires the collaboration of diverse teams at separated sites; fast information exchange is necessary. Traditionally CAD and CAE often use different models and geometric representations. Continuous parametric models such as non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) are often used in CAD; discrete models such as mesh are used in CAE. The transition from CAD to CAE is tedious work and leads to accuracy loss in CAE. In this paper, a framework for the CAD/CAE integration was created based on the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and the internet for various work teams at geographically separated sites. Two CAD/CAE integration methods in the common model in geometric representation were discussed. They are: a single master model, the isogeometric method, and the subdivision method. This paper studied the method of the CAD/CAE integration based on the subdivision method, including the integration through subdivision and finite element analysis (FEA) for sheet metal structures and the integration through subdivision and boundary element analysis (BEA).
External insulation available to a non-nesting mammal, the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)

Abstract 1. 1. Cooling curves of dead little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) were used to generate values of conductance and insulation under a variety of conditions. 2. 2. Insulation increased by 30% when the animals were placed in a wooden roost; clustering with six other bats raised insulation by 103%, but clustering within the wooden roost increased total available insulation by 258%. 3. 3. Bats on the periphery of a cluster of seven bats cooled at the same rate as animals located in the center. 4. 4. Small wooden cavities (150 and 300ml) provided 28% more total insulation to solitary bats than did a large (900ml) cavity.
Thoracolumbar fascia does not influence proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscle spindles in the cat

The thoracolumbar fascia attaches to the lumbar spinous processes and encloses the paraspinal muscles to form a muscle compartment. Because muscle spindles can respond to transverse forces applied at a muscle's surface, we were interested in the mechanical effects this fascia may have on proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscles during vertebral movement. The discharge of paraspinal muscle spindles at rest and in response to muscle history were investigated in the presence and absence of the thoracolumbar fascia in anesthetized cats. Muscle-history was induced by positioning the L(6) vertebra in conditioning directions that lengthened and shortened the paraspinal muscles. The vertebra was then returned to an intermediate position for testing the spindles. Neither resting discharge (P = 0.49) nor the effects of muscle history (P > 0.30) was significantly different with the fascia intact vs. removed. Our data showed that the thoracolumbar fascia did not influence proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscles spindles during small passive vertebral movements in cats. In addition, comparison of the transverse threshold pressures needed to stimulate our sample of muscle spindles in the cat with the thoracolumbar fascia compartmental pressures measured in humans during previous studies suggests that the thoracolumbar fascia likely does not affect proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscle spindles in humans.
Genus inequalities and four-dimensional surgery

Abstract We obtain a new genus inequality for a topologically locally flat surface in a 4-dimensional manifold. This inequality provides new information about the fundamental group of the complement of such a surface and in many cases gives the minimum genus among surfaces within the same homology class. The general problem of finding an embedded surface of a small genus allowed by the inequality remains undecided and is directly related to the surgery conjecture of 4-dimensional topology.
Discrete wavelet transform: a tool in smoothing kinematic data.

Abstract Motion analysis systems typically introduce noise to the displacement data recorded. Butterworth digital filters have been used to smooth the displacement data in order to obtain smoothed velocities and accelerations. However, this technique does not yield satisfactory results, especially when dealing with complex kinematic motions that occupy the low- and high-frequency bands. The use of the discrete wavelet transform, as an alternative to digital filters, is presented in this paper. The transform passes the original signal through two complementary low- and high-pass FIR filters and decomposes the signal into an approximation function and a detail function. Further decomposition of the signal results in transforming the signal into a hierarchy set of orthogonal approximation and detail functions. A reverse process is employed to perfectly reconstruct the signal (inverse transform) back from its approximation and detail functions. The discrete wavelet transform was applied to the displacement data recorded by Pezzack et al., 1977. The smoothed displacement data were twice differentiated and compared to Pezzack et al.’s acceleration data in order to choose the most appropriate filter coefficients and decomposition level on the basis of maximizing the percentage of retained energy (PRE) and minimizing the root mean square error (RMSE). Daubechies wavelet of the fourth order (Db4) at the second decomposition level showed better results than both the biorthogonal and Coiflet wavelets (PRE=97.5%, RMSE=4.7 rad s-2). The Db4 wavelet was then used to compress complex displacement data obtained from a noisy mathematically generated function. Results clearly indicate superiority of this new smoothing approach over traditional filters.
Ca2+-Calmodulin-Dependent Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation of Rat Parotid Secretion Granules

Abstract In our studies on the control of fusion of secretion granules with the plasma membrane which occurs during exocytosis, we have recently found that Ca++ and calmodulin stimulated the fusion of isolated parotid secretion granules with isolated inside-out plasma membrane vesicles. We are now examining the possibility that they do so by stimulating protein phosphorylation. Secretion granules were isolated from rat parotid by differential and gradient centrifugation and incubated with [Y32P]ATP. The granules were solubilized with sodium dodecylsulfate and the proteins resolved on a 7-15% polyacrylamide gel. Calmodulin plus Ca++, but neither alone, stimulated phosphorylation of four proteins with molecular masses of 64, 58, 55 and 31 kDa, and decreased the phosphorylation of a 36 kDa protein. Trifluoperazine and calmidazolium inhibited these effects. results suggest that Ca++ and calmodulin may facilitate fusion of secretion granules with the plasma membrane by changing the phosphorylation state of one or more secretion granule proteins.
Reverse remodeling and improved regional function after repair of left ventricular aneurysm.

Abstract Background: Changes in regional left ventricular mechanics after anteroapical aneurysm repair in human subjects can be studied noninvasively by means of magnetic resonance tagging. We hypothesized that left ventricular intramyocardial function would improve throughout the left ventricle after repair. Methods: We studied 6 male patients with a left ventricular anteroapical aneurysm (mean age ± SD, 63 ± 5 years) using magnetic resonance tagging 3 ± 1 weeks before and 6 ± 1 weeks after aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass grafting, and mitral valve repair (n = 2). Breath-hold tagged imaging spanned the left ventricle in the short axis from apex to base. Left ventricular mass, end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction were measured. Two-dimensional strain analysis was applied; averaged for the apical, middle, and basal left ventricle and the whole left ventricle; and expressed as greatest lengthening (similar to wall thickening), greatest shortening, and angular deviation of the lengthening strain from the radial direction. Results: After aneurysm repair, left ventricular mass decreased from 373 ± 27 to 333 ± 25 g ( P P P P P P P P P =.10). Shortening strain did not change (10% ± 1% to 11% ± 1%, P = not significant). Conclusions: Left ventricular aneurysm repair is associated with reverse remodeling and an improvement in the extent and orientation of intramyocardial function, especially at the middle and basal left ventricle and inferior wall. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;123:700-6
Sex and the citadel of science

One hundred years on from Marie Curie being awarded her second Nobel Prize there has been only a handful of female scientists who have received the call from Stockholm. Why are women still under-represented? A lack of ability or passion, or could it be that we create labs into which women don't quite fit?
Effect of nutritional support team restructuring on the use of parenteral nutrition

Abstract Objective The inappropriate use of parenteral nutrition (PN) continues to be a problem, despite several decades of efforts to improve the situation. We restructured our existing nutritional support team employing methods involving the institution's systems and individual physician interaction and education. Our aim was to study the effects of these changes on the use of PN in our institution. Methods Records of all non-critically ill patients seen by our nutritional support team for PN during 2003–2004 (phase I, before restructuring) and 2005–2006 (phase II) were reviewed. Patients were classified under “appropriate,” “inappropriate,” and “marginal” categories based on published guidelines. During phase II, a new committee was formed, policies and procedures were updated, educational activities were increased, emphasis was placed on evidence-based guidelines, and periodic bedside rounds with the team physicians were initiated. Communication with referring physicians was improved. Results Three hundred three of 335 patients in phase I and 271 of 333 patients in phase II were eligible for inclusion in analysis. Appropriate PN increased from 71.3% to 83.4%; inappropriate PN decreased from 16.5% to 8.9% (P = 0.002). Conclusion Restructuring of the nutritional support team improved the proper utilization of PN and decreased inappropriate use of PN in a public teaching hospital.
Nitric oxide reduction by CO ON Rh(111): Temperature programmed reaction☆

Abstract The reaction of NO with CO on Rh(111) has been studied with temperature programmed reaction (TPR). Comparisons are made with the reaction of O2 with CO and the reaction of NO with H2. The rate-determining step for both CO oxidation reactions is CO(a) + O(a) → CO2(g). Repulsive interactions between adsorbed CO and adsorbed nitrogen atoms lead to desorption of CO in a peak at 415 K which is in the temperature range where the reaction between CO(a) and O(a) produces CO2(g). Thus the extent of reaction of CO(a) with NO(a) is less than that between CO(a) and O(a) due to the lower coverage of CO caused by adsorbed N atoms and NO. A similar repulsive interaction between NO(a) and H(a) suppresses the NO + H2 reaction. CO + NO reaction behavior on Rh(111) is compared to that observed on Pt(111).
O04.6 Mycoplasma Genitalium- Is It a Pathogen in Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

Background PID is a polymicrobial infectious condition of the female upper genital tract. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis(CT), long considered the predominant organisms involved in the pathogenesis of PID, are identified in fewer than half of U.S women diagnosed with acute PID. Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is associated with male urethritis and some evidence suggests an association with other STD syndromes including cervicitis and PID. Our objective was to examine the association between MG and acute PID. Methods The ACE Trial is a randomised double-blind study evaluating the value of anaerobic therapy for acute PID. At enrollment, specimens were collected from the cervix and endometrium for testing for GC, CT and MG by transcription-mediated amplification. Histology was performed on endometrial tissue. Identification of cervical and endometrial organisms was correlated with endometritis. Results Among the 125 women diagnosed with acute PID, twenty two percent (n = 27) tested positive for M. genitalium, while CT, GC and bacterial vaginosis were present in 14%, 7% and 54%, respectively. Forty six women (37%) had histologic endometritis. Histologic endometritis was more common among those having cervical infections with GC, CT or MG than uninfected women (66% vs. 24%, p Conclusion Mycoplasma genitalium is identified in 22% of women diagnosed with acute PID. Similar to CT and GC ,the presence of MG in the endometrium is highly associated with endometritis among women diagnosed with PID. This study suggests that M. genitalium may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PID.
Hypoxia, lipids, and cancer: surviving the harsh tumor microenvironment

Solid tumors typically develop hostile microenvironments characterized by irregular vascularization and poor oxygen (O2) and nutrient supply. Whereas normal cells modulate anabolic and catabolic pathways in response to changes in nutrient availability, cancer cells exhibit unregulated growth even under nutrient scarcity. Recent studies have demonstrated that constitutive activation of growth-promoting pathways results in dependence on unsaturated fatty acids for survival under O2 deprivation. In cancer cells, this dependence represents a critical metabolic vulnerability that could be exploited therapeutically. Here we review how this dependence on unsaturated lipids is affected by the microenvironmental conditions faced by cancer cells.
Neurotrophic factors [activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)] interrupt excitotoxic neurodegenerative cascades promoted by a PS1 mutation.

Although an excitotoxic mechanism of neuronal injury has been proposed to play a role in chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, and neurotrophic factors have been put forward as potential therapeutic agents, direct evidence is lacking. Taking advantage of the fact that mutations in the presenilin-1 (PS1) gene are causally linked to many cases of early-onset inherited Alzheimer’s disease, we generated PS1 mutant knock-in mice and directly tested the excitotoxic and neurotrophic hypotheses of Alzheimer’s disease. Primary hippocampal neurons from PS1 mutant knock-in mice exhibited increased production of amyloid β-peptide 42/43 and increased vulnerability to excitotoxicity, which occurred in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Neurons expressing mutant PS1 exhibited enhanced calcium responses to glutamate and increased oxyradical production and mitochondrial dysfunction. Pretreatment with either basic fibroblast growth factor or activity-dependent neurotrophic factor protected neurons expressing mutant PS1 against excitotoxicity. Both basic fibroblast growth factor and activity-dependent neurotrophic factor stabilized intracellular calcium levels and abrogated the increased oxyradical production and mitochondrial dysfunction otherwise caused by the PS1 mutation. Our data indicate that neurotrophic factors can interrupt excitotoxic neurodegenerative cascades promoted by PS1 mutations.
Identification and in silico characterization of a novel gene: TPA induced trans-membrane protein

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a potent tumor promoter with wide ranging, diverse, and sometimes opposite cellular effects. Using oligonucleotide microarray analysis, we have identified a novel gene that is upregulated following treatment with TPA in the pancreatic cancer cell line CD18. Real-time PCR validated the microarray results in CD18 and HeLa cells, and showed that upregulation of the gene is time- and concentration-dependent. In silico analysis showed the gene product to be a single-pass transmembrane protein of 217 residues that is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, thus the name TPA induced trans-membrane protein (TTMP). A luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that upregulation of TTMP by TPA is triggered at the promoter level.
Quark and Gluon Degrees of Freedom in High-Energy Heavy Ion Collisions

Abstract I discuss some recent progress in our understanding of high energy nuclear collisions. I will focus on two topics which I was lucky to co-pioneer in the recent past. One is recombination of quarks and its interpretation as a signal for deconfinement, the second is electromagnetic radiation from jets passing through a quark gluon plasma. This talk was given during the award ceremony for the 2007 IUPAP Young Scientist Award.
The effect of corticotropin on phospholipid metabolism in isolated adrenocortical cells.

Abstract Trypsin-dispersed cat adrenocortical cells were incubated at 37°C in modified Eagle's medium containing [14C]arachidonic acid or sodium [14C]-acetate and then in non-radioactive medium. Radioactive incorporation was obtained in all phospholipids, with the greatest amount of radioactivity in phosphatidylcholine, followed by phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyl-serine, and phosphatidylinositol. Concentrations of individual phospholipids generally paralleled the relative amounts of corresponding radiolabeled phos-pholipids, although the percentage of phosphatidylinositol was considerably lower than its radioactive counterpart, resulting in a high specific activity of this particular phospholipid. Although a potently steroidogenic concentration of corticotropin failed to enhance release of label from any particular phospholipid, analysis of specific activity showed that corticotropin stimulation was accompanied by an increased turnover of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid. These studies demonstrate that isolated cortical cells have the capacity to synthesize phospholipids from radioactive precursors. The finding that the acute effects of corticotropin are associated with changes in specific phospholipids, including phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid, conforms to the general pattern observed in other secretory systems.
Diagnosing Global Case Influence on MAR Versus MNAR Model Comparisons

When missingness is suspected to be not at random (MNAR) in longitudinal studies, researchers sometimes compare the fit of a target model that assumes missingness at random (here termed a MAR model) and a model that accommodates a hypothesized MNAR missingness mechanism (here termed a MNAR model). It is well known that such comparisons are only interpretable conditional on the validity of the chosen MNAR model’s assumptions about the missingness mechanism. For that reason, researchers often perform a sensitivity analysis comparing the MAR model to not one, but several, plausible alternative MNAR models. In the social sciences, it is not widely known that such model comparisons can be particularly sensitive to case influence, such that conclusions drawn could depend on a single case. This article describes two convenient diagnostics suited for detecting case influence on MAR–MNAR model comparisons. Both diagnostics require much less computational burden than global influence diagnostics that have been used...
Sprayed-Zinc Sacrificial Anodes for Reinforced Concrete in Marine Service

Abstract The use of sacrificial anodes consisting of sprayed zinc on the surface of concrete containing corroding reinforcing steel bars was examined infield tests and laboratory experiments. The a...
Effects of nitrogen mustard on protein and nucleic acid synthesis in mouse fibroblasts growing in vitro.

Nitrogen mustard, added at 0.1 μgml to the culture medium of mouse fibroblasts growing in vitro, led to rapid cessation of cell division and of DNA synthesis. RNA and protein synthesis continued at a rapid rate for several days, leading to greatly enlarged cells. Although the accumulation of DNA showed an abrupt halt shortly after nitrogen mustard addition, the inhibited cells nevertheless had up to twice the amount of DNA found in a normal, rapidly growing cell. Cells whose growth was limited by depriving them of an essential amino acid, leucine, showed no such effect. It is suggested that nitrogen mustard halts the division process at a time after the replication of DNA that occurs in preparation for division.
L-Type Calcium Channels Play a Critical Role in Maintaining Lens Transparency by Regulating Phosphorylation of Aquaporin-0 and Myosin Light Chain and Expression of Connexins

Homeostasis of intracellular calcium is crucial for lens cytoarchitecture and transparency, however, the identity of specific channel proteins regulating calcium influx within the lens is not completely understood. Here we examined the expression and distribution profiles of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) and explored their role in morphological integrity and transparency of the mouse lens, using cDNA microarray, RT-PCR, immunoblot, pharmacological inhibitors and immunofluorescence analyses. The results revealed that Ca (V) 1.2 and 1.3 channels are expressed and distributed in both the epithelium and cortical fiber cells in mouse lens. Inhibition of LTCCs with felodipine or nifedipine induces progressive cortical cataract formation with time, in association with decreased lens weight in ex-vivo mouse lenses. Histological analyses of felodipine treated lenses revealed extensive disorganization and swelling of cortical fiber cells resembling the phenotype reported for altered aquaporin-0 activity without detectable cytotoxic effects. Analysis of both soluble and membrane rich fractions from felodipine treated lenses by SDS-PAGE in conjunction with mass spectrometry and immunoblot analyses revealed decreases in β-B1-crystallin, Hsp-90, spectrin and filensin. Significantly, loss of transparency in the felodipine treated lenses was preceded by an increase in aquaporin-0 serine-235 phosphorylation and levels of connexin-50, together with decreases in myosin light chain phosphorylation and the levels of 14-3-3e, a phosphoprotein-binding regulatory protein. Felodipine treatment led to a significant increase in gene expression of connexin-50 and 46 in the mouse lens. Additionally, felodipine inhibition of LTCCs in primary cultures of mouse lens epithelial cells resulted in decreased intracellular calcium, and decreased actin stress fibers and myosin light chain phosphorylation, without detectable cytotoxic response. Taken together, these observations reveal a crucial role for LTCCs in regulation of expression, activity and stability of aquaporin-0, connexins, cytoskeletal proteins, and the mechanical properties of lens, all of which have a vital role in maintaining lens function and cytoarchitecture.
Autonomic function and QT interval measurements from ambulatory electrocardiography in normal and CAD subjects

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) subjects have a higher QT-interval variability on Ambulatory Electrocardiography (AECG) than normal subjects. We studied whether or not this variability is spontaneous or mediated by autonomic function. AECG data was used to describe the correlation of autonomic function to the QT-interval in normal and CAD subjects. Methods AECG monitoring (24-hour) was conducted on 106 normal (69 male) and 79 CAD subjects (54 male). RR and QT-intervals were measured from the recordings. Time-domain autonomic parameters of parasympathetic function (rMSSD) and total power (SDNN) were calculated for 24-hours and every 6-hours. Results Higher correlations were found in normal subjects between rMSSD and QT-intervals than in CAD subjects (r=0.394, r=0.238, respectively, p<0.001). The largest difference was seen between 12A and 6A. SDNN was higher in CAD subjects than in the normal subjects. Results are shown in table 1. Conclusions rMSSD was higher in normal subjects. SDNN is higher in CAD subjects. Therefore, we have indirectly shown that CAD subjects are more sympathetically activated than normal subjects. The lack of parasympathetic activity, and longer corrected QT-interval might contribute to a higher rate of arrhythmic death in CAD subjects. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P6–P6; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.021 Table 1. 12A to 6A 6A to 12P 12P to 6P 6P to 12A Overall rMSSD v QT CAD 0.112 0.259 0.284 0.202 0.238 Normal 0.333 0.402 0.387 0.388 0.394 SDNN v QT CAD 0.097 0.289 0.297 0.196 0.249 Normal 0.138 0.245 0.236 0.226 0.212
Simulation of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines With Variable Pitch Foils

A dynamic computer model of a turbine was developed in MATLAB in order to study the behavior of vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) with variable pitch (articulating) foils. The simulation results corroborated the findings of several empirical studies on VAWTs. The model was used to analyze theories of pitch articulation and to inform the discussion on turbine design. Simulations of various models showed that pitch articulation allowed Darrieus-style vertical axis wind turbines to start from rest. Once in motion, the rotor was found to accelerate rapidly to very high rotational velocities. The simulations revealed a plateau region of high efficiency for small-scale Darrieus-style VAWTs with symmetric airfoils at tip speed ratios in the range of 3 to 4 and demonstrated the advantages of using a dynamic generator load.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Resonating valence bond theory of coupled Heisenberg chains.

Using numerical results from a density matrix renormalization group study as a guide, we develop a resonating valence bond (RVB) theory for coupled Heisenberg chains. We argue that simple topological effects mandate a short-range RVB description of systems with an even number of chains ${n}_{c}$, with a spin gap, short-range correlations, and confinement of topological spin defects. Odd-${n}_{c}$ systems have long-range RVB ground states, no gap, and power-law correlations.
SOME NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS — ITS TEACHING, LEARNING, AND TEXTBOOKS

ABSTRACT The history of mathematics is attracting more attention in undergraduate classrooms. What should its learning objectives be? How can they best be realized? What is the place of a textbook in teaching the subject? These and other issues concerning the learning and teaching of the history of mathematics will be discussed in this article.
Activation of PI3Kα by physiological effectors and by oncogenic mutations: structural and dynamic effects

PI3Kα, a heterodimeric lipid kinase, catalyzes the conversion of phosphoinositide-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to phosphoinositide-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), a lipid that recruits to the plasma membrane proteins that regulate signaling cascades that control key cellular processes such as cell proliferation, carbohydrate metabolism, cell motility, and apoptosis. PI3Kα is composed of two subunits, p110α and p85, that are activated by binding to phosphorylated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) or their substrates. The gene coding for p110α, PIK3CA, has been found to be mutated in a large number of tumors; these mutations result in increased PI3Kα kinase activity. The structure of the complex of p110α with a fragment of p85 containing the nSH2 and the iSH2 domains has provided valuable information about the mechanisms underlying the physiological activation of PI3Kα and its pathological activation by oncogenic mutations. This review discusses information derived from x-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations regarding the structural and dynamic effects of mutations in four highly mutated regions of PI3K p110α, as well as the proposed mechanisms by which these mutations increase kinase activity. During the physiological activation of PI3Kα, the phosphorylated tyrosine of RTKs binds to the nSH2 domain of p85, dislodging an inhibitory interaction between the p85 nSH2 and a loop of the helical domain of p110α. Several of the oncogenic mutations in p110α activate the enzyme by weakening this autoinhibitory interaction. These effects involve structural changes as well as changes in the dynamics of the enzyme. One of the most common p110α mutations, H1047R, activates PI3Kα by a different mechanism: it increases the interaction of the enzyme with the membrane, maximizing the access of the PI3Kα to its substrate PIP2, a membrane lipid.
Vanadium Dioxide Thin Films for Thermo-Optical Switching Applications

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films were fabricated by e-beam evaporation of vanadium thin films followed by thermal oxidation in oxygen ambient. The properties of the VO2 films were investigated for thermo-optical switching applications. Synthesized VO2 film displays a phase transition at 65 – 68 °C. It exhibits an abrupt change in optical reflectivity over the phase transition temperature range. Results for VO2 on a highly reflective metal layer are strongly dependent on the VO2 thickness. The optical switching has a major hysteresis of about 15 °C between the heating and cooling branches. The evolution of the surface morphology with the oxidation time was studied with a SEM. The VO2 film was patterned on microplatforms by metal lift-off technique. We conclude that the evaporation followed by oxidation is an effective method to produce active VO2 film for thermo-optical switching devices.
Palenque: an interactive multimedia digital video interactive prototype for children

The Palenque interactive multimedia digital video interactive prototype is based on themes, locations, and characters from The Second Voyage of the Mimi television show, which is being produced at Bank Street College. In the TV show, a cast of scientists and children explore the Yucatan's ancient Maya ruins and are introduced to the science of archeology. The Palenque prototype incorporates this theme to the extent that the user's experience is based on a virtual travel exploration of an ancient Maya site, Palenque, and on the perusal of a multimedia Palenque Museum database. One of our goals was to create a visually interesting database environment in which information in many formats could be browsed through spatially and thematically by children. In addition, we experimented with icon and window-based interface conventions that would make navigation around the video environment motivating and comprehensible for young users.
Fiber Fracture in Unidirectional Composites

In this paper, an analysis is developed to predict the stress redistribution in the presence of single and multiple fractured fibers in a unidirectional composite material. This analysis includes the effects of constituent properties, fiber volume fraction, and crack size on the strain concentrations experienced by the adjacent fibers. These effects are not included in other predictions such as shear lag or those of Hedgepeth and Van Dyke. In addition, the predictions are compared with direct experimental measurements obtained from model composite tests.
Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene. I. Tetrabenzyl titanium/methylaluminoxane catalyst

Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene (S) was catalyzed by Bz4Ti/MAO (tetrabenzyltitanium/methylaluminoxane). The product was separated into syndiotactic polystyrene (s-PS) and atactic polystyrene (a-PS) by extraction of the latter with boiling 2-butanone. Over the broad range of catalyst concentrations, compositions, and polymerization temperatures, the catalytic activity is 150 ± 80kg PS (mol Ti mo S h)−1 with 89 ± 5% yield of s-PS (SY). The concentration of active species has been determined by radiolabeling. Only about 1.7% of Bz4Ti initiates syndiospecific polymerization at 60°C with values of rate constants for propagation and for chain transfer to MAO of 1.38 (M s)−1 and 5.2 × 10−4s−1, respectively. Nonspecific polymerization was initiated by 16.8% of the Ti having values of 0.056 (M s)−1 and 6.5 × 10−4 s−1 for the rate constants of propagation and transfer, respectively. The effect of solvent polarity on the polymerization was studied using toluene mixed with chlorobenzene of o-dichlorobenzene as solvents. An increase of effective dielectric constant from 2.43 to 5.92 reduces the polymerization activity by a factor of two and lowers SY to mere 39%. In 1 : 1 toluene/chlorobenzene solvent mixture, it was found that 1.3% and 26% of the Bz4Ti initiate syndiospecific and nonspecific polymerizations of styrene, respectively. The Bz4Ti/MAO catalyst is poor in both productivity and stereoselectivity.
The effects of superheat and surface roughness on boiling coefficients

The effects of liquid superheat and surface roughness on boiling coefficients were investigated in a series of experiments in which water, acetone, n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride, and carbon disulfide were boiled on a flat plate. In addition to the usual thermal measurements, the number of active boiling centers was determined, whenever possible, by visual means, and a quantitative measure of surface roughness was made. It was found that the number of active boiling centers on the plate increased with increasing surface roughness and that the calculated boiling coefficients were proportional to the one-third power of the number of bubble columns rising from the heated surface. An equation has been derived relating boiling coefficients to fluid properties and the number of active boiling centers on a surface. A second equation, based on the theory of thermal fluctuations, has been proposed to relate the number of active boiling centers to the independent variables of surface-roughness and temperature-difference driving force. The limited data available have been found to follow this proposed relation. The results of this work suggest a quantitative method of relating the boiling coefficient to the character of the surface which may explain the discrepancies observed in the slopes of boiling curves reported in the literature and in the actual values reported for the boiling coefficients measured on different surfaces.
The effect of incubation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I on subsequent determinations of IgG, IgM, and IgM rheumatoid factor by ELISA.

Staphylococcus C(Urem Cowan I strain (SAC) is a polyclonal B-cell activator used for in vitro lymphocyte stimulation studies [l]. Its cell wall is rich in protein A, which reacts with the Fc fraction of IgG [2,3], but may also react with Fab fractions [2,4,5], and with IgM [6]. The B-cell stimulation is mediated through protein A interaction with their surface immunoglobulins (Ig) [7], and is T-cell independent [8], although subsequent maturation into Ig-secreting cells is T-cell dependent [8]. SAC in concentrations of 0.0005 to 0.1% has been shown to stimulate lymphocytes in vitro to secrete IgG, IgM, and IgM RF [8-121. The Ig responses in these studies are measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SAC may potentially interfere with subsequent ELISA readings of Ig concentrations in supernatant of such lymphocyte stimulation assays: Protein A on the SAC cells might bind IgG (and other Ig) secreted by lymphocytes, lowering their concentration in the supernatant. Furthermore, protein A could elute off SAC cells [13] then bind to IgG in the solid phase of the ELISA. This may result in either inhibition of Ig binding causing false negative readings, or binding of protein A to the enzymelabelled Ig, causing false positive readings. To determine whether SAC in concentrations used to stimulate lymphocytes, inteferes significantly with determination of Ig concentration by ELISAs, we have studied in vitro the effects of preincubation of SAC with IgG, IgM, and IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), on the subsequent determination of these Ig by ELISA.
Constructing Couples’ Stories: Narrative Practice Insights from a Dyadic Dementia Intervention

Memory loss and dementia can be devastating for both caregivers and care recipients. Narrative therapeutic approaches offer promise, as well as challenges, for social interventions with couples where one partner has dementia. The Couples Life Story Approach is a recently-developed method by which practitioners work with such couples to help them narrate the story of their life together. This narrative approach is augmented by mementoes (e.g., photos, cards) that are collected by the couple during the intervention. Significant memories are elicited from both partners and developed into a Life Story Book. Drawing on data from this clinical research intervention with 20 older couples, we ask: What are some of the challenges of conducting narrative-based therapeutic interventions with older couples with memory loss? Clinical themes were identified utilizing a multiple case study approach during weekly team meetings. Six of the most prominent themes are presented here. Specifically, how to: (1) construct a narrative from disparate stories, (2) tell a mutual story, (3) tell the story of a couple that has been in a shorter relationship, (4) incorporate others in the story, (5) include difficult life moments, and, (6) end the story. Within each theme, we utilize case examples to illuminate relevant issues and describe strategies that were developed to resolve these clinical challenges. Implications for practitioners and clinical researchers who are engaged in dyadic interventions are discussed.
Modification of attention in honey bees

Honey bees were trained in two consecutive two-dimensional (color-position) problems with one dimension (color or position) relevant and the other irrelevant in each problem. As in analogous experiments on dimensional transfer in rats and monkeys, performance in the second problem was more accurate when the relevant and irrelevant dimensions were the same as in the first problem than when they were interchanged. The results of further experiments suggest that the transfer is mediated by different modes of responding that develop in color and position problems rather than by some special process of dimensional selection, such as has been assumed to operate in vertebrates.
Genetic Line Effect on Peripheral Blood Leukocyte Cell Surface Marker Expression in Chickens

To determine the role of genetics in baseline lymphocyte parameters, several distinct lines of chickens were examined for differences in peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) populations. Four highly inbred chicken lines (MHC congenic Fayoumi lines M15.2 and M5.1, and MHC congenic Leghorn lines G-B1 and G-B2), two advanced intercrosses [F5 (Broiler x G-B2) and F5 (Broiler x M15.2)], and an outbred population of broilers were used. Leukocytes isolated from healthy adult birds were labeled with monoclonal antibodies: chCD3, chCD4, chCD8, chBu-1, and hCD14. Flow cytometry was used to determine the total percentage of positively labeled cells for each surface marker in a sample, as well as the mean fluorescent intensity, or surface marker density, of a labeled subset. Significant line differences for percentage positive CD3 T cells and the ratio of B cells:T cells (represented by the Bu-1:CD3 ratio) were found. The effect of line was also significant for CD3 and CD8 T cell receptor density. Effects of sex and MHC on PBL cell surface marker expression were not significant in the lines examined. This study demonstrates the effect of genetic line on resting leukocyte composition of peripheral blood in the chicken lines examined. Observed PBL differences add to our growing knowledge of the varied roles that immune system status (defined by specific cell populations) and genetic background have in determining susceptibility and disease progression in chickens.
Weighted reproducing kernels and the Bergman space

Using weighted reproducing kernels, we give a description of the orthocomplement of BM in M when M is a singly generated shift invariant subspace of the Bergman space and B is a Blaschke product vanishing at the origin. We also obtain an approximation result for weighted kernels corresponding to Blaschke products.
Atypical Antipsychotics in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

The treatment of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) is a challenging task, which should include behavioral therapy modifications as well as pharmacologic therapy. There has been a lack of data on using medications in children with PDDs until recent years. Within the last 10 years, an increase in clinical research has attempted to provide efficacy and safety data to support the use of medications in children with PDDs. Double-blinded and open-label research of atypical antipsychotics has been of particular focus. Evidence shows that atypical antipsychotics (AAs) may be useful in treating certain symptoms associated with PDDs, such as aggression, irritability, and self-injurious behavior. This article reviews the literature regarding the use of AAs in children with PDDs. Of the AAs, risperidone has the largest amount of evidence with five published double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials and nine open-label trials. These risperidone trials have consistently shown improvements in aggression, irritability, self-injurious behavior, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods associated with autistic disorder and other PDDs. Data for the other AAs are limited, but ziprasidone and aripiprazole appear to be promising treatment options. Based on clinical trials, olanzapine and quetiapine have shown minimal clinical benefit and a high incidence of weight gain and sedation. It should be noted that all AAs do have a risk of metabolic syndrome, and patients should be monitored appropriately while receiving these medications. Overall, AAs can be beneficial in alleviating behavioral symptoms, and should be considered an appropriate therapeutic option, as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy, for children with PDD.