cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The SAMP8 mouse: a model of Alzheimer disease?

The SAMP8 mice develops early abnormalities in learning and memory. These are related to abnormalities in septo-hippocampal function with a decrease in serotonin leading to an increase in GABA and a decrease in acetylcholine. The cognitive defects in these animals are due to overproduction of β-amyloidand can be reversed by antibodies toβ-amyloid or specific antisenseoligo nucleotides. The major defect produced byβ-amyloid in these mice appears to be reduction in Δ9 desaturase activity leading to altered membrane phospholipid content. The SAMP8 mouse appears to be an excellent model to examine the pathophysiology of early defects seen in Alzheimer disease.
The Significance (If Any) for the Federal Criminal Justice System of Advances in Lie Detector Technology

Against a backdrop of accelerating developments in the science of lie detection certain to reopen the debate on the reliability and therefore admissibility of lie detector evidence in the federal courts, this Article examines whether the prohibition on hearsay evidence (or other evidentiary objections) will preclude admissibility of even scientifically reliable lie detector evidence. The Article concludes that the hearsay prohibition, which has been largely ignored by courts and commentators, is the primary obstacle to the future admission of scientifically valid lie detector evidence. The Article also suggests a potential solution to the hearsay problem that may allow admission of lie detector evidence in narrowly defined circumstances.
Activation of Adipose Tissue Lipase by Skeletal Muscle Cyclic Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate-stimulated Protein Kinase

Abstract A purified rabbit skeletal muscle adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-stimulated protein kinase enhanced lipolytic activity in adipose tissue homogenates. This effect required the presence of cyclic AMP and ATP and was completely blocked by a protein inhibitor of cyclic AMP-stimulated protein kinases. It is inferred that this effect is due to the phosphorylation and activation of a lipase in a system analogous to that involved in the activation of muscle glycogen phosphorylase.
Child Abuse and Neglect

Child maltreatment is associated with a range of negative outcomes, including mental health, medical, educational, and interpersonal problems. This chapter discusses (a) interventions designed specifically for common problems among children who have been maltreated, and (b) treatments to change abusive or neglectful behavior. The chapter draws from reviews conducted by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC). Additional models that have not yet been reviewed by CEBC, but would likely be highly rated, are also included in this chapter. The number of supported treatments in the child maltreatment domain has increased substantially over the past decade, including several that are adaptations of well-established models in related areas. Programs that have received the most empirical study and support to date are those designed to change physically abusive behavior among parents and those designed to address traumatic stress conditions among children. Models targeting child neglect have been studied less. Among models targeting sexually abusive behavior, there is evidence of good effectiveness for juvenile interventions, but mixed evidence for treatment of adult sexual abusers. The chapter emphasizes the diversity among children who have experienced maltreatment, and the corresponding need for services matched to the child's behavioral and emotional status and the child's coping needs. Keywords: child maltreatment; treatment; child abuse; neglect
Measurement of bovine sperm nuclear shape using Fourier harmonic amplitudes.

An objective method for measuring bovine sperm nuclear shape was developed. Digital images of bovine sperm stained with propidium iodide were collected and Fourier functions used to describe the perimeters of individual sperm nuclei. Har- monic amplitudes from Fourier functions were first shown to be independent of sperm orientation during digitization. Sperm from 12 different bulls were used, and 6 harmonic amplitudes per sperm were found to adequately describe sperm nuclear shape. Based on harmonic amplitudes 0 to 5, cluster analysis was used to gen- erate 20 different groups. Sperm within groups had similar mor- phologies and groups were distinguished by statistically unique shape characteristics. Harmonic amplitudes 0 to 5 can be used to distinguish previously reported abnormalities such as tapered, pyr- iform, macrocephalic, and microcephalic, as well as gradations in between. Furthermore, differences were detected among bull har- monic amplitude centroids (P.05), indicating that bulls differ in mean sperm nuclear shape.
Parametrial phlebectasia: A clinical-pathologic entity

A unique group of patients, representing 110 consecutive abdominal hysterectomies wherein parametrial varicosities were associated with pelvic transudate, mild uterine engorgement, cervical engorgement, and ovarian cystic enlargement, were studied conjointly by the pathologist and surgeon. A diagnosis of pathologic phlebectasia was assigned after appropriate criteria were applied. Speculation regarding pathogenesis and descriptions of results of therapy are given.
Cryosurgery/cryoablation in musculoskeletal neoplasms: history and state of the art

The field of cryosurgery began nearly 40 years ago with the open application of liquid nitrogen to ablate tumors. Recent developments in imaging and cryoprobe technology allow for percutaneous ablation of tumors. Computed tomography (CT)-guided cryoablation has particular use in treating musculoskeletal neoplasms because of the ability to image the lethal ice zone around both bone and soft tissue structures. This manuscript will review the development, indications, and results of cryoablation as applied to musculoskeletal neoplasms. This technique holds promise for the treatment of benign conditions as well as the palliation and durable treatment of musculoskeletal metastases; it is not commonly indicated in the curative treatment of primary malignant bone or soft tissue sarcomas.
The Relationship Between Friendship Quality and Self-Esteem in Adolescent Girls and Boys

Much has been written about the low self-esteem of adolescent girls relative to adolescent boys, but little research has explored the role that friendship quality may play in affecting self-esteem. Ninety-seven female and 67 male 11th and 12th graders completed measures of self-esteem and of friendship quality with both same- and cross-gender best friends. Ninety-five percent of the participants were White, and ranged across the socioeconomic spectrum with the majority coming from middle-class families. We found that girls' self-esteem was significantly lower than boys' self-esteem and that girls rated their relationships as stronger, more interpersonally rewarding, and more stressful than boys did. Boys reported that their friendship with their best female friend was more interpersonally rewarding than their friendship with their best male friend, whereas girls rated the quality of their same- and cross-gender friends similarly. As expected, girls' self-esteem was positively correlated with the friendship quality of their cross-gender best friend. However, their self-esteem was not correlated with the quality of their same-gender friendship. Boys' self-esteem did not correlate with the quality of their same- or cross-gender best friendship. Results may help us understand the relatively low self-esteem experienced by adolescent girls.
Tolerance to an anticholinergic agent is paralleled by increased binding to muscarinic receptors in rat brain and increased behavioral response to a centrally active cholinomimetic.

Pretreatment of rats with agents with strong antimuscarinic activity in the CNS (scopolamine, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, amitriptyline, and thioridazine) but not their inactive congeners (desipramine, fluphenazine, or haloperidol) led to significant increases in the maximum apparent density of binding sites for 3H-QNB in cerebral cortical or striatal membranes. The dopamine agonist bromocriptine induced a similar effect that was blocked by haloperidol in striatum. None of these treatments altered the apparent affinity of the test ligand. Tolerance to the behavioral activating action of scopolamine developed over two weeks of daily treatment. This change was paralleled by an increase in 3H-QNB binding in cerebral cortex which was dependent on the dose and duration of treatment with scopolamine and persisted for a week following two weeks of treatment. Scopolamine pretreatment led to a significant increase in basal, spontaneous motor activity in the rat, but also to a marked increase in the motor-inhibitory actions of the centrally active muscarinic agonist pilocarpine. These results add to the impression that decreased availability of ACh agonists can significantly increase the availability and functional activity of central muscarinic ACh receptors to reflect "disuse supersensitivity."
Intramyocardial Dissecting Hematoma

A26-year-old man was admitted to a private nursing home in December 1995 with the sudden onset of palpitations. He was diagnosed as having ventricular tachycardia (monomorphic, left-axis −60°; rate, 210 bpm) with pronounced hemodynamic instability. He was electrically cardioverted to sinus rhythm. Clinical examination revealed a normal heart with no obvious structural heart disease and no metabolic precipitants. Because he had repeated episodes of ventricular tachycardia, he was started on 1000 mg/d amiodarone, which was tapered to 400 mg/d by the end of 1 week. Echocardiographic results were normal. The patient remained asymptomatic until February 1996, when he had a similar episode of palpitations. At this stage, he was referred to us for further management. Physical examination was normal except for cardiomegaly, which was confirmed on chest roentgenography. Echocardiography revealed a uniformly echogenic mass of 8.5×8 cm in relation to the right ventricle (Fig 1A⇓), which was visualized as a crescentic cavity. The proximal right coronary artery was dilated; the remainder of the chambers were normal. A repeat echocardiogram after …
Acetone sensitized intramolecular ortho photocyclization of substituted 4-phenoxybut-1-enes and 5-phenoxypent-1-enes

Abstract Several ortho and para (3-butenoxy) and(4-pentenoxy)benzonitriles and benzoate esters undergo the same internal ortho [2+2] cycloadditions under both direct (254 nm in CH3CN) and triplet sensitized irradiation (313 nm in acetone). The size of the ether rings fused to the cyclooctatriene and bicyclooctadiene photoproducts govern the regio- and stereoselectivities of their ensuing electrocyclic reactions.
Photoinhibition: Impairment of the primary charge separation between P-680 and pheophytin in photosystem II of chloroplasts

Abstract The question of the primary site of photoinhibition was investigated using the light-induced absorbance change of pheophytin a (at 685 nm) in spinach chloroplasts and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells. Photoinhibition of spinach thylakoid membranes resulted in a parallel decrease in the amplitude of the pheophytin a (ΔA685) and QA (ΔA320) photoreduction signals. In intact Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells the pheophytin photoreduction and oxygen evolution activity exhibited a similar decrease during photoinhibition. A complete recovery of both activities was attained within 60 min incubation in normal growth conditions. It is concluded that the primary site of photoinhibition involves the components (P-680 and/or pheophytin) of the primary charge separation.
Voltage-Sensing Residues in the S2 and S4 Segments of the Shaker K+ Channel

Abstract The activation of Shaker K + channels is steeply voltage dependent. To determine whether conserved charged amino acids in putative transmembrane segments S2, S3, and S4 contribute to the gating charge of the channel, the total gating charge movement per channel was measured in channels containing neutralization mutations. Of eight residues tested, four contributed significantly to the gating charge: E293, an acidic residue in S2, and R365, R368, and R371, three basic residues in the S4 segment. The results indicate that these residues are a major component of the voltage sensor. Furthermore, the S4 segment is not solely resposible for gating charge movement in Shaker K + channels.
Diffusion Imaging based Markers of Abnormal Brain Tissue

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is a non-invasive tool for investigating the neural architecture of the brain. In this work, we present some results on developing a dMRI based biomarker for first-episode schizophrenia.
The Effect Of Repetition Rate On Electrode Material Performance In High Current Switches

Many applications of high current switches require operation in the burst mode or at high repetition rates. Under these conditions, it has been observed that electrode erosion rates increase signifi-cantly. An analytical solution to the heat conduction equation is discussed which determines the onset of the bulk surface erosion mode as a function of peak current, pulse width, rep-rate and material properties. The solution indicates that materials with lower thermal diffusivities can operate at higher rep-rates before gross melting of the electrode surface occurs. The overall effect of increasing rep-rate is to shift the point of transition on the standard electrode erosion graph to lower values of peak current or charge transfer.
Modeling infrared lunar radiance

Recently I encountered two remote sensing problems that required an estimate of direct lunar radiance at thermal IR wavelengths. One was the calculation of signal levels for atmospheric absorption spectroscopy using the moon as a source,1,2 and the other was the determination of the effect that moon glints have on IR polarization radiometry of water surfaces.3
The role of empathic concern, internalized moral principle, and anticipated guilt in college students' intentions to send or read text messages while driving

Although a growing amount of research has examined the consequences and prevalence of texting while driving, little research has examined the psychological factors that predict intentions to text while driving. Because texting while driving can potentially cause property damages and injure or kill people, it is particularly relevant to the moral aspect of a mobile communication and health behavior. Study 1 was based on a cross-sectional survey of 513 college students who responded to a battery of questions. Results revealed that participants' empathic concern predicted their feelings of anticipated guilt and internalized moral principle of care, which in turn negatively predicted intentions to text while driving. Study 2 was based on an experimental design where participants were randomly assigned to one of the three imagined conditions (i.e., severe car crash with no injuries, severe injuries with no deaths, and control). Results revealed that participants anticipated more guilt feelings in the two exper...
Properties of Muscle and Liver Lysosomes in Adrenalectomized Rats

The stability of lysosomes from liver and muscle of adrenalectomized, young rats has been tested by measuring the release of acid hydrolases (RNase, cathepsin D, β-glucuronidase and aryl sulphatase) from lysosomes under various conditions. Adrenalectomy increased the proportion of enzyme released from the lysosomal particles, as measured in tissue homogenates or fractions. The release, which may have occurred in vivo or during homogenization, probably reflects an increased lysosomal fragility. In muscle (but not in liver) an increase in the total activtiy of acid hydrolases could also be observed after adrenalectomy. The effects of adrenalectomy could not be corrected by saline treatment, and were not due to reduced food intake. All parameters were restored to normal by administration of 300 μg of corticosterone daily for 5 days, and higher doses (3 mg per day) led to further reduction in enzyme release. The stability of muscle and liver lysosomes in vitro was tested by exposing particles to osmotic stress, vitamin A alcohol and acid medium (pH 5). Liver and muscle lysosomes from adrenalectomized rats were less stable when exposed to osmotic stress or vitamin A, but hepatic lysosome were more stable towards acid incubation than particles prepared from normal rats. Differential centrifugation of liver homogenates indicated that more acid hydrolases were associated with the heavier fractions in homogenates from operated animals. An increased particle size in tissues from the adrenalectomized animals may possibly account for the observed changes in lysosomal stability.
Gas-to-particle conversion in photochemical smog: Aerosol growth laws and mechanisms for organics

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine particle growth rates as a function of particle size in the presence of reacting organic gases. Hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen were added to unfiltered ambient air in an 80 m3 Teflon bag exposed to natural solar radiation. The ensuing photochemical reactions resulted in growth of the particles originally present. The size distribution of the evolving aerosol was measured in the size range above 0.3 μm using a single particle optical counter. From the change in the size distribution with time, the particle growth rate was determined as a function of size and time. The results could be explained by a mechanism based on diffusion to the particles of condensable gases formed by chemical reaction, with a critical particle size below which growth did not occur (Kelvin effect). A growth law corresponding to this mechanism was used to compute a smog aerosol size distribution which agreed well with atmospheric measurements.
A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of multisolitons in a self-dual gauged sigma model

This paper presents a resolution of the gaugedO(3) sigma model proposed by B.J. Schroers in which the matter field o mapsR2 intoS2 while the vector gauge potential gives rise to a magnetic field. It is shown that for each natural numberN there are solutions to saturate the classical energy lower boundE≧4πN for the field configurations in the topological family deg(o)=N if and only ifN≠1. Furthermore the solutions obtained depend on at least 4N−3 continuous parameters, the associated magnetic flux can assume its value in an open interval, and the decay rates of the field strengths may be specified in a suitable range. These solutions are multisolitons represented byN prescribed lumps of the magnetic field, simulatingN identical particles in equilibrium, and are governed by a nonlinear elliptic equation with both vortex and anti-vortex source terms.
Meeting Human Needs While Reducing Human Drudgery

In the late 1400’s, Leonardo da Vinci advised his future readers to study the science of machines to reduce the burden (drudgery) on humanity. Today, the question remains—what technologies can best meet the needs of mankind? This paper will outline the ability of the discipline of mechanical engineering to satisfy a spectrum of these needs and its potential to match the excitement and vitality of its neighboring disciplines (electronics, computer science, etc.). First, a representative selection of needs will be described along with a listing of technologies (present and future) that may be associated with the discipline of mechanical engineering. Then, a matrix of these needs and technologies will be used to establish the relative importance of the discipline’s development capacity and to prioritize five possible future areas for development of multi-disciplinary programs. Having done so, an example of a near-term utilization of these technologies (fully integrated and cost effective fettling cells) will be described which could dramatically reduce human drudgery associated with value-added manufacturing.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Proximity effects in a fine composite

Abstract A fine Nb-Cu composite displays three distinct Meissner effects, two of which are due to primary and secondary proximity effects in the copper caused by the geometry of the composite.
A bivariate beta distribution

Abstract The Dirichlet distribution is often used as a prior distribution for the parameters of a multinomial distribution. Because this distribution has support on the simplex 0⩽ x i ⩽1, ∑ x i =1, it does not serve as the prior for a correlated binomial distribution. We here present a bivariate beta distribution that has support on 0⩽ x i ⩽1, i =1,2. When expanded in a power series it is related to the hypergeometric function. This bivariate density is positively likelihood ratio dependent and hence is positive quadrant dependent.
Diphenylphosphino-substituted diphenylpolyenes for applications in nonlinear optics

The design of new organic chromophores with enhanced nonlinear optical (NLO) response over the past several years has focused on several structure-property relationship paradigms. The extension of the conjugation sequence leads to increases in both the second order and third order hyperpolarizabilities. Electron-donating or withdrawing substituents also affect the electron distribution along the conjugation sequence, and such substitution has been utilized in concert with the conjugation length dependence to tailor the molecular absorptivities and polarizabilities. In addition, previous studies of the NLO properties of organic chromophores have shown enhancement of the NLO response when second row elements replace first row elements in the structure. Various substituted amino groups have been used extensively in the design of both second and third order chromophores as strong donor groups. However, to date there have been no systematic studies of the effect of replacing P for N in various chromophore functionalities. In this presentation we will discuss the syntheses of several new chromophores with diphenylphosphino substituents, and compare their structure-property relationships to the equivalent, and more familiar, diphenylamino-substituted chromophores. In particular we will focus on their respective absorption properties in the visible portion of the spectrum, and the possible consequences for NLO applications.
The Antagonistic Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and Methylxanthine on the Gill Cilia of Mytilus Edulis

The laterofrontal (LF) cirri on isolated gill filaments of Mytilus edulis, prepared in natural seawater, are active and initially beat with an average frequency of about 8 Hz (with a range of 6-14 Hz). However, the lateral (L) cilia on these filaments are arrested in a position at the end of their recovery stroke. Perfusion of the filament with artificial seawater (ASW), with or without 1% ethanol, has little or no biological effect on the activity of the LF cirri, although a transitory decrease in frequency often accompanies the perfusion process. The L cilia remain arrested during perfusion with ASW. The exposure of the gill to low levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) (10(-8) less than 5HT less than 10(-7) M) has no effect on the activity of the LF cirri but stimulates the L cilia to beat. Exposure to higher concentrations of 5HT (greater than 10(-7) M) elevates the beat frequency of the L cilia and simultaneously inhibits the activity of the LF cirri, leading to their arrest in a position at the end of the effective stroke. This arrest of the LF cirri occurs as the L cilia attain a 5HT-induced beat frequency between 12 to 14 Hz. The influence of 5HT on the L cilia and the LF cirri can be reversibly mimicked or enhanced by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). A concentration of 0.5 mM IBMX mimics low 5HT concentrations (about 10(-7) M) by stimulating the L cilia to beat without affecting the beat frequency of the LF cirri. A combination of 10(-7) M 5HT and 0.5 mM IBMX in ASW mimics high (greater than 10(-6) M) 5HT concentrations by arresting the LF cirri and increasing the beat frequency of the L cilia. Under these conditions, the threshold of the LF cirri arrest response is again found to occur as the L cilia attain a beat frequency of 12-14 Hz. These results suggest that the mechanisms of LF cirri arrest and L cilia activation are mediated by 5HT-induced changes in intracellular cyclic AMP levels.
HIV/Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Accessory Virulence Factor Vpx Loads the Host Cell Restriction Factor SAMHD1 onto the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Complex CRL4DCAF1

The sterile alpha motif and HD domain-containing protein-1 (SAMHD1) inhibits infection of myeloid cells by human and related primate immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV). This potent inhibition is counteracted by the Vpx accessory virulence factor of HIV-2/SIVsm viruses, which targets SAMHD1 for proteasome-dependent degradation, by reprogramming cellular CRL4DCAF1 E3 ubiquitin ligase. However, the precise mechanism of Vpx-dependent recruitment of human SAMHD1 onto the ligase, and the molecular interfaces on the respective molecules have not been defined. Here, we show that human SAMHD1 is recruited to the CRL4DCAF1-Vpx E3 ubiquitin ligase complex by interacting with the DCAF1 substrate receptor subunit in a Vpx-dependent manner. No stable association is detectable with DCAF1 alone. The SAMHD1 determinant for the interaction is a short peptide located distal to the SAMHD1 catalytic domain and requires the presence of Vpx for stable engagement. This peptide is sufficient to confer Vpx-dependent recruitment to CRL4DCAF1 and ubiquitination when fused to heterologous proteins. The precise amino acid sequence of the peptide diverges among SAMHD1 proteins from different vertebrate species, explaining selective down-regulation of human SAMHD1 levels by Vpx. Critical amino acid residues of SAMHD1 and Vpx involved in the DCAF1-Vpx-SAMDH1 interaction were identified by mutagenesis. Our findings show that the N terminus of Vpx, bound to DCAF1, recruits SAMHD1 via its C terminus to CRL4, in a species-specific manner for proteasomal degradation.
Numerical analysis of a tape spring hinge folded about two axes

The ability to fold and unfold large sensor structures in space using hinges is important for space-based sensor technology. Tape spring hinges have become common in deployable space structures due to their simplicity, repeatability and unique folding properties. The mechanical response of these hinges (i.e., momentcurvature, energy stored) is important for deployment accuracy, safety and low cost of the structure. Finite element software, Abaqus™, was employed to analyze the folding and unfolding properties of a hinge using multidirectional bending. Uniform tape springs require a higher moment to overcome the curvature of the cross section when they are folded. In order to flatten the moment-curvature response of tape springs, a length of the middle segment of the hinge was first flattened, thereby removing the initial curvature about the long axis of the hinge. With the middle segment flattened, the hinge was subjected to opposite-sense bending about the hinge’s short axis (axis perpendicular to the length of the tape spring). In addition to providing the means to determine stress (and potential damage) during folding and unfolding, the study determined the optimum method of hinge folding.
Developmental toxicity of carbon black oil in mice.

Background: Carbon black oil (CBO) is a refinery side-stream product used to produce asphalt and other commercial products. CBO contains several classes of hydrocarbons, several of which are known to exhibit systemic and gestational toxicities, making this mixture a candidate for causing reproductive toxicity. Methods: Swiss-Webster mice were administered CBO (300, 350, 400 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage in a dosage volume of 10 μl/g body weight on gestation days (GD) 6-15. Uterine contents were evaluated on GD 18. Results: Treatment with CBO at all dosage levels resulted in a high frequency of maternal clinical symptoms and a decrease in maternal weight gain. Decreased fetal viability was observed, manifested as a decrease in viable implants and, in a high percentage of treated dams, as early resorption of the entire litter. A significant reduction in fetal weight was also observed. However, neither structural malformations nor developmental delays in ossification were observed in any of the living offspring. To minimize maternal toxicity, the dosage range was lowered (100, 200, 300 mg/kg/day), and the concentration was adjusted such that the volume administered to each dam was decreased by 20%. In this trial, the only maternal effect observed was an increase in maternal liver weight at 200 and 300 mg/kg. The fetal lethality effects observed previously were reduced substantially. Nevertheless, the frequency of resorption among all treatment groups was higher statistically than in controls. Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that CBO is reproductively toxic in Swiss-Webster mice at oral doses of ≥100 mg/kg/day.
Fuzzy multiresolution signal representation

We present a multiresolution signal representation technique which uses fuzzy rules. A fuzzy tree is used to connect different levels of resolution. We apply our representation to several random processes, and demonstrate some useful properties of our representation when applied to fractals.
Investigation of the cardiovascular response of the dog to 1-phenyl-2-hydrazinopropane

Results of a further attempt to determine a basis for the qualitative difference in blood pressure response of the human and the dog to l-phenyl-2-hydrazinopropane are reported. Elimination of arterial pressure level as a factor influencing the circulatory response of the dog to this compound removes the last possibility for a circumstantial basis for the difference. Mechanism studies indicate that the canine pressor response is a neurotropic, sympathetic effect mediated, for the most part, as a direct action on myoneural junction receptor sites with a lesser component of indirect action on these sites related to MAO inhibition or the peripheral release of catecholamines from blood vessel walls. Evidence presented by certain clinical investigators points to either a ganglionic or an adrenergic block as responsible for the human antihypertensive effect.
Rationalizing Directed Evolution through Protein Dynamics

Directed evolution is an experimental technique used to improve catalytic activity of low performing enzymes. However, the underlying principles behind directed evolution are not well understood. In addition to the structure of an enzyme, recent studies have shown the dynamics of the enzyme to affect the catalytic activity. We are analyzing the impact of protein dynamics on the catalytic activity of an enzyme through certain dynamic metrics such as distance and velocity time correlation functions. These metrics can give an insight into the coupling of motions of various residues with the active site. Recent efforts in directed evolution have shown very promising results for artificially designed Kemp Eliminases, in the form of a 200 fold increase in activity over seven rounds of directed evolution. Dynamic metrics can be used to rationalize the mutations that occurred over the rounds of directed evolution. These metrics can then be used as predictive tools, to predict new potential targets for mutation, thus reducing the search space for potential mutations by many orders of magnitude.
Tarphonomus, a new genus of ovenbird (Aves: Passeriformes: Furnariidae) from South America

ABSTRACT Tarphonomus, a new genus of ovenbird (Aves: Passeriformes: Furnariidae) from South America, is described. Species included in the new genus, formerly placed in Upucerthia, are T. certhioides and T. harterti.
Postoperative techniques for corneal protection in Mohs micrographic surgery.

. Corneal abrasion or injury can complicate periorbital surgery. In micrographic surgery of the eyelids and canthal regions, enough palpebral tissue may be sacrificed so that corneal exposure and injury can occur. In the interim between surgery and reconstruction, adequate measures must be taken to ensure protection of the globe. Techniques that protect the corneal epithelium for small or large surgical defects are described. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1988; 14:951–955.
Efficient methods for sensitivity analysis

Sensitivity analysis is usually difficult because to test exhaustively too many trials are required for the available time, money, or patience. This article discusses Latin hyper-cube sampling and Taguchi methods, both of which are methods for experimental design that allow testing of all combinations of parameter values with a manageable number of trials. The procedures for use of the Taguchi methods are presented in some detail.
A Signaling Scheme and Experimental Receiver for Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Communication

The advantages of utilizing the extremely low frequency (ELF) band for communications to submarines are principally the low attenuation rate of ELF signals in seawater and the low attenuation rate in the earth-ionospheric waveguide. ELF transmitters, however, require high input power. Efficient signaling schemes and sophisticated receiver designs help minimize the required transmitter power and hence system cost. One such signaling schemeconvolutional encoding and binary antipodal modulation-and an experimental receiver were successfully field tested and are described. Tests included real-time reception of messages aboard a submerged submarine in the Atlantic Ocean. It is concluded that the receiver, which included adaptive nonlinear noise processing, notch filtering, ocean channel compensation, and sequential decoding makes extremely efficient usage of available signal strength and demonstrates the technical feasibility of communication in the ELF band.
Frank Porter Graham and the 1950 Senate Race in North Carolina

The tumultuous North Carolina Senate primaries of 1950 are still viewed as the most bitter chapter in the state's modern political history. The central figure in that frenzied race was the appointed incumbent, Frank Porter Graham, former president of the University of North Carolina (1931-49) and liberal activist of national stature.As a Senate candidate, Graham was unrelentingly attacked for both his social activism and his racial views, and the vicious tactics used against him shocked his supporters and alarmed national observers. Peeling away the myths that have accumulated over the years, the authors present the first thoroughly researched account of Graham's eventual defeat by Raleigh attorney Willis Smith. The result, a balanced study of North Carolina politics at mid-century, is a convincing explanation of the 1950 election.Using the campaign as a prism, the authors assess the factional struggles within the state, showing that Graham was defeated by a massive loss of support among white voters in eastern North Carolina. The principal force behind this switch was the fear promulgated by the Smith campaign that a vote for Graham was a vote to end statutory segregation in North Carolina. The authors also offer the fullest portrait to date of Frank Porter Graham as political candidate and social reformer. They examine his career as an educator and public activist, the steps that led to his unorthodox appointment, and his strengths and weaknesses as a political candidate."Frank Porter Graham and the 1950 Senate Race in North Carolina" is based on manuscript materials never before examined, on interviews with more than 50 campaign participants and associates of both Graham and Smith, and on a thorough analysis of newspaper coverage and campaign literature.Originally published in 1990.A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
Enhancing the “think loop process” with consistent interactions: VAST 2012 Mini Challenge 1 award: Honorable mention for good interaction techniques

The 2012 VAST Mini-Challenge 1 presented in excess of 158 million data points for analysis. The data consisted of network events from Bank of Money, a large organization whose branches spanned the entirety of fictional BankWorld, as well as the assets generating the events. Two network event datasets were used to analyze the network's state and determine what anomalies could be affecting it. The first dataset contained snapshot data of the network at 2 PM BankWorld Mean Time (BMT). The second contained all events from across the Bank of Money organization for the span of two days. Using the CoMotion® platform, analysts determined several different causes for concern within the data, such as compromised machine statuses, missing datacenter events and anomalous events encompassing entire Regions.
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE SILICON MICROMACHINED MICRO HEAT PIPE ARRAYS USING WATER AND METHANOL AS WORKING FLUIDS

An experimental test facility was constructed to test and verify the operation of two parallel arrays of anisotropicalfy micromachined (etched) micro heal pipes (MHPs) on a single crystalline (100) semiconductor silicon wafer, A micro heat pipe is a small-scale device used to transport energy from a heat source to a heat sink in nearly isothermal operation. The individual MHP was an isosceles triangle with a length of 25.4 mm, and a width of 100 /xm and 260 fim for the arrays. A 7740 Pyrtx glass wafer was used to seal the pipe array hermetically. The transparent glass allowed visual inspection of the level of the working fluid filling the pipe array. Two working fluids were tested, pure water and methanol. A Kapton heater was used to supply the heat input, and cooling water flowing through the condenser (to remove the applied heat) was used as a heat sink. Filling charges of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, and 80% were tested. The axial temperature drop along the length of the pipe was measured using K-type therm...
Temporal and spatial fluctuations in ground cover surface temperature at a Northern New England site

Abstract Ground cover surface temperature at a field site in South Royalton, Vermont, is calculated from 30-minute averages of upwelling longwave (3–50 μm) radiation measured with a pyrgeometer, resulting in 48 estimations of surface temperature each day. The ground covers are a seasonal sequence of (1) dormant grass prior to snowfall, (2) snow cover, (3) an irregular distribution of thatch, exposed soil and new-growth grass following final snowmelt and (4) lush, continuous grass cover. Diurnal variation in ground cover surface temperature and also seasonal differences in temperature spread and rate of temperature change are evident. Daily ranges (maximum-minimum) in ground cover surface temperature are 9–13°C (dormant grass), 1–12°C (midwinter snow cover), 22–25°C (late winter snow cover), 21–45°C (grass-thatch-soil), and 23–37°C (lush grass). The associated maximum rates of change of ground cover surface temperature are 5°C/h, 3°C/h, 10°C/h, 20°C/h and 10°C/h, respectively. An indication of relative spatial uniformity of surface temperature for these ground covers is obtained by monitoring the surface with a second instrument, a passive infrared sensor system that responds to differential changes in thermal radiance from the ground cover. The snow cover is a thermally uniform background (on the scale of field of view of the passive infrared sensor system), and the grass-thatch-soil is thermally the most diverse, while the lush grass is thermally heterogeneous when sunlit grass blades blow in the wind. The use of such a passive infrared sensor system provides information on the variability of ground cover surface temperature, and by implication, on changes in radiant-energy loading and heat exchange processes, on a spatial scale larger than that of a standard ground-based pyrgeometer.
HENOCH-SCHONLEIN NEPHRITIS: PROGNOSTIC FEATURES AND THE CHALLENGE OF THERAPY

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is an intriguing entity of uncertain etiology associated with circulating IaA immune complexes, enhanced spontaneous immunoglobulin production, and an apparent imbalance in T cell regualtory functions. The associated glomerulonephritis is highly variable in nature and may profoundly influence clinical outcome. Prognostic features are reviewed in an effort to identify high-risk patients. Age, non-renal manifestations, non-selectivity of proteinuria, and evidence of preceding streptococcal infection are relatively weak predictors of end-stage renal disease. The presenting clinical and histologic expressions of nephritis are more useful prognosticators, but neither are completely reliable. Patients with greater than 50% crescents, and those with nephrotic syndrome complicated by various combinations of hypertension, azotemia, oliguria, and/or hypoproteinemia, are at increased risk of renal failure and might benefit from therapeutic interventions. Experience with various modalities is reviewed. Faced with uncontrolled clinical data, it is unclear whether immunosuppressive agents or plasmapheresis offer a therapeutic advantage over oral corticosteroids alone.
Environmental Issues Course for Dietetic Students

Abstract A new course was designed to address the environmental issues' competency statement in the Standards of Education. The course was taught on campus and by distance using the Internet. Selected course objectives included: apply knowledge of governmental regulations in the management of natural resources and solid waste, conduct waste stream analysis, apply conservation practices in the management of natural resources, develop a recycling plan for selected operations, select appropriate waste management practices, and implement food recovery programs hi a food service operation. Students completed an individual waste stream analysis for three days and identify alternative waste management and ecopurchasing practices they could implement. Responses to mis assignment have been positive; students indicated it increased their awareness of the quantity and type of solid waste they discard and alternatives they could implement to be more environmentally responsible. Other assignments included reaction papers, recycling plan for an operation, and case studies. Results of an attitude survey using pre-and post analysis revealed a significant increase in the students' attitude toward environmental concerns and a willingness to change personal practices. After completing the course students have the knowledge and skills to integrate conservation practices in their personal lifestyles and to apply knowledge hi management practice and within their community.
Marijuana and self-regulation: Examining likelihood and intensity of use and problems

It is important to understand the individual differences that contribute to greater frequency or intensity of marijuana use, or greater frequency of experiencing marijuana-related problems. The current study examined several elements of behavioral and emotional self-regulation as predictors of the likelihood and intensity of both marijuana use and marijuana-related problems. As predicted, indices of behavioral self-regulation (self-control, sensation seeking) were better predictors of marijuana use, while indices of emotional self-regulation (affect, distress tolerance, and emotional instability) better predicted marijuana-related problems. Surprisingly, urgency was not related to use but was predictive of problems, and there were no significant interactions between behavioral and emotional self-regulation in predicting either use or problems. From these findings we conclude that while behavioral dysregulation may put individuals at risk for using marijuana, or using it more frequently, it is those individuals with difficulty in emotional self-regulation that are at risk for experiencing negative consequences as a result of their marijuana use. Clinically, these data are relevant; clinicians might focus more on addressing emotional regulation in order to lessen or eliminate the consequences of marijuana use.
A low-power smart vision system-on-a-chip design for ultra-fast machine vision applications

In this paper, an ultra-fast smart vision system-on-a-chip design is proposed to provide effective solutions for real time machine vision applications by taking advantages of recent advances in integrated sensing/processing designs, electronic neural networks, advanced microprocessors and sub- micron VLSI technology. The smart vision system mimics what is inherent in biological vision systems. It is programmable to perform vision processing in all levels such as image acquisition, image fusion, image analysis, and scene interpretation. A system-on-a-chip implementation of this smart vision system is shown to be feasible by integrating the whole system into a 3-cm by 3-cm chip design in a 0.18- micrometer CMOS technology. The system achieves one tea- operation-per-second computing power that is a two order-of- magnitude increase over the state-of-the-art microcomputer and DSP chips. Its high performance is due to massively parallel computing structures, high data throughput rates, fast learning capabilities, and advanced VLSI system-on-a-chip implementation. This highly integrated smart vision system can be used for various NASA scientific missions and other military, industrial or commercial vision applications.
Altered Neurocircuitry in the Dopamine Transporter Knockout Mouse Brain

The plasma membrane transporters for the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine modulate the dynamics of these monoamine neurotransmitters. Thus, activity of these transporters has significant consequences for monoamine activity throughout the brain and for a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Gene knockout (KO) mice that reduce or eliminate expression of each of these monoamine transporters have provided a wealth of new information about the function of these proteins at molecular, physiological and behavioral levels. In the present work we use the unique properties of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to probe the effects of altered dopaminergic dynamics on meso-scale neuronal circuitry and overall brain morphology, since changes at these levels of organization might help to account for some of the extensive pharmacological and behavioral differences observed in dopamine transporter (DAT) KO mice. Despite the smaller size of these animals, voxel-wise statistical comparison of high resolution structural MR images indicated little morphological change as a consequence of DAT KO. Likewise, proton magnetic resonance spectra recorded in the striatum indicated no significant changes in detectable metabolite concentrations between DAT KO and wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast, alterations in the circuitry from the prefrontal cortex to the mesocortical limbic system, an important brain component intimately tied to function of mesolimbic/mesocortical dopamine reward pathways, were revealed by manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI). Analysis of co-registered MEMRI images taken over the 26 hours after introduction of Mn2+ into the prefrontal cortex indicated that DAT KO mice have a truncated Mn2+ distribution within this circuitry with little accumulation beyond the thalamus or contralateral to the injection site. By contrast, WT littermates exhibit Mn2+ transport into more posterior midbrain nuclei and contralateral mesolimbic structures at 26 hr post-injection. Thus, DAT KO mice appear, at this level of anatomic resolution, to have preserved cortico-striatal-thalamic connectivity but diminished robustness of reward-modulating circuitry distal to the thalamus. This is in contradistinction to the state of this circuitry in serotonin transporter KO mice where we observed more robust connectivity in more posterior brain regions using methods identical to those employed here.