cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of cone-beam CT system by 3D point-spread function

The three-dimensional (3D) imaging performance of a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system can be quantitatively characterized by its 3D point spread function (PSF). To avoid the pitfalls associated with 3D PSF measurement through the use of a micro point phantom, we adopt an edge-based technique, which iteratively blurs a step edge into a spread edge with a Gaussian blurring kernel. In experiment, a small Teflon solid ball (diameter ~6mm) is used to provide step edges along the scanlines across the ball center, in terms of x-ray linear attenuation coefficient. Correspondingly, the spread edge profiles are extracted from the digital volume ball reconstructed by a CBCT system. From a spread edge profile, a step edge can be established by a rectification procedure (essentially an edge identification). A 1D PSF along a scanline is modeled as a Gaussian distribution, which is determined by iterative edge-blurring technique. The 1D PSFs on a cross section of the ball constitute a 2D PSF, and the 2D PSFs at three orthogonal cross sections are used to represent the 3D PSF at the position of the ball. By repositioning the ball phantom and repeating the procedure, we measured the 3D PSFs at 126 positions over half of the support space. Experiment shows that a CBCT system is of spatial variance and anisotropy in terms of FWHMs (full width at half maximum) of the blurring kernel. Both numerical and graphical presentations of PSF results are provided. As a result, the FWHM of the 3D PSF in our CBCT system varies in the range between 0.66 mm and 1.39 mm.
Ising model simulations on the manifolds of two-dimensional quantum gravity

The Ising model is stimulated on the manifolds of 2-dimensional quantum gravity, which are represented by fixed random triangulations (so-called quenched Ising model). Unlike the case of the Ising model on a dynamical random triangulation, there is no analytical prediction for the quenched case, since these manifolds do not have internal Hausdorff dimension and the problem cannot be formulated in matrix model language. The recursive sampling technique is used to generate the triangulations, lattice sizes being up to ten thousand triangles. The Metropolis algorithm was used for the spin update in order to obtain the initial estimation of the Curie point. After that we used the Wolff cluster algorithm in the critical region. We observed a second order phase transition, similar to that for the Ising model on a regular 2-dimensional lattice, and measured the critical exponents.
Dietary α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols in lung cancer risk

Studies of vitamin E and cancer have focused on the alpha-tocopherol form of the vitamin. However, other forms of vitamin E, in particular gamma-tocopherol may have unique mechanistic characteristics relevant to lung cancer prevention. In an ongoing study of 1,088 incident lung cancer cases and 1,414 healthy matched controls, we studied the associations between 4 tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol) in the diet and lung cancer risk. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of lung cancer for increasing quartiles of dietary alpha-tocopherol intake were 1.0, 0.63 (0.50-0.79), 0.58 (0.44-0.76) and 0.39 (0.28-0.53), respectively (p-trend < 0.0001). For dietary intake of beta-tocopherol, the OR and 95% CI for all subjects were: 1.0, 0.79 (0.63-0.98), 0.59 (0.45-0.78) and 0.56 (0.42-0.74), respectively (p-trend < 0.0001). Similar results for dietary gamma-tocopherol intake were observed: 1.0, 0.84 (0.67-1.06), 0.76 (0.59-0.97) and 0.56 (0.42-0.75), respectively (p- trend = 0.0002). No significant association between delta-tocopherol intake and lung cancer risk was detected. When the 4 tocopherols were summed as total tocopherol intake, a monotonic risk reduction was also observed. When we entered the other tocopherols in our model, only the association with dietary alpha-tocopherol intake remained significant; i.e., increasing intake of dietary alpha-tocopherol accounted for 34-53% reductions in lung cancer risk. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the independent associations of the 4 forms of dietary tocopherol (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocohperol) on lung cancer risk. Given the limitations with case-control studies, these findings need to be confirmed in further investigations.
Mechanisms of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a symptom common to a wide variety of gastrointestinal illnesses, and is an important public health challenge in underdeveloped regions of the world. Normal intestinal absorption is a complex process. Recent research offers new insights into normal physiology and pathophysiology. The role of the enteric nervous system and neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is being actively investigated. In patients with IBD, ileal and sigmoid biopsies showed altered transepithelial sodium and fluid transport, specifically from decreased expression of the NHE3, NHERF-1, and NHE1 epithelial Na channel. This results in changes in normal intestinal electroneutral NaCl absorption and may be an additional factor contributing to the diarrhea in patients with IBD. Physiologic studies in humans suggest that primary bile acid malabsorption may be caused by an abnormal feedback system resulting in the increased bile salts, which may explain the watery diarrhea. Finally, the role of zinc in treatment of infectious diarrhea led to studies of its effect on intracellular human enterocyte ion secretion. Understanding such basic mechanisms may lead to better and novel therapies for treatment of diarrhea.
Statistical evaluation of hydraulic fracturing stress measurement parameters

Statistical analysis of hydraulic fracturing field data enhances the objectivity of determining shut-in and fracture reopening pressures and fracture orientations. Using nonlinear regression analysis (NLRA), we isolate the closed-fracture segment of the pressure-time curve by fitting it to an exponential decay model. The shut-in pressure (Ps) is expected to be in the range between Psepd−1 (the onset of the post fracture-closure segment) and Psepd−u (the pressure level of the best-fitting exponential curve extrapolated to the time of pump shut-off). We employ bilinear regression analysis to improve the objectivity of selecting Ps from the pressure-decay rate vs pressure plot. The same analysis helps to identify Ps in the pressure vs flowrate record obtained during steprate pressurization of the hydrofractured interval. We identify unambiguously the fracture reopening pressure (Pr) by superposing the ascending portion of the pressure-time curves in the fracture-inducing cycle and a subsequent cycle. Pr is the onset of deviation between the two curves, defined as the point where the difference in pressures is larger than a statistical “reference threshold”, provided the difference continues to increase from there on. Circular statistics and a sinusoidal curve-fitting method provide the means of objectively delineating the complete trace of induced hydrofractures from fragmented or splaying traces on the impression packer or on the borehole televiewer photograph. Examples of field hydraulic fracturing data and statistically determined pressures and fracture orientations are presented. A startling discovery was made in the course of determining Pr, with our new technique: it appears to be very nearly equal to the estimated Ps. A review of the literature shows that in a great number of cases Pr and Ps are indeed close to each other, which raises the question whether we are in fact reading the correct fracture reopening pressure.
MODIFIED PREGELATINIZED POTATO STARCH IN LOW-FAT GROUND BEEF PATTIES

Effects of modified pregelatinized potato starch (MPPS) in 5 and 20% fat ground beef patties were evaluated. In formulas containing starch, MPPS comprised 3.0% and added water 5.0% of the raw mixture. Use of 20% rather than 5% fat in the ground beef improved sensory tenderness measured early in chewing, while lowering many Instron measurements. The 20% fat patties had more intense beef flavor. MPPS increased tenderness, but reduced juiciness and beef flavor. The addition (1% of formulation) of concentrated butter flavor to ground beef with MPPS produced beef flavor equivalent to all-beef patties. The use of MPPS increased cooking yields and moisture content following cooking and reduced fat retention of 20% patties. MPPS increased heating rate while retaining substantial moisture during cooking. Inclusion of MPPS in beef patty formulations offers improvements in tenderness and cooking yield, while reducing fat retention during cooking.
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT COORDINATION MECHANISMS

There is growing interest from industry and academic disciplines regarding coordination in supply chains, particularly addressing coordination mechanisms available to eliminate sub-optimization within supply chains. However, there is a disconnect between what is known in academic research about coordination mechanisms and what mechanisms practitioners apply and consider useful. This research fills a gap in the literature by conducting an in-depth qualitative study of supply chain coordination mechanisms, primarily price, non-price, and flow coordination mechanisms. Results suggest that: (1) managers prefer flow coordination mechanisms over price and non-price coordination mechanisms; (2) supply chain orientation and learning orientation are important for the implementation of flow coordination mechanisms; and (3) technology, capital, and volume are not pre-requisites for flow coordination mechanisms.
Effect of anterior pituitary perfusion and intraventricular injection of catecholamines on prolactin release.

In rats, the median eminence, pituitary stalk and anterior pituitary were exposed parapharyngeally and catecholamines were injected into the third ventricle or infused into a stalk portal vessel, peduncular artery, or a tuberalis ramus of an infundibular artery. Ten min after 1.25 μg dopamine hydrochloride was injected into the third ventricle, the plasma prolactin concentration was 70% of the preinjection value; 47% at 20 min; 42% at 30 min; 57% at 60 min; 69% at 90 min; and 93% at 120 min. Similar responses occurred following the administration of 2.5 μg dopamine. Quantities of dopamine greater than 2.5 jug caused less inhibition of release, however. Intraventricular injection of 2.5 or 5 μg of epinephrine or norepinephrine bitartrate did not affect prolactin release although 100 μg did. Dopamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine, perfused into the anterior pituitary for 30 min via a hypophysial portal vein, had no effect on prolactin release. Dopamine, infused into the stalk-median eminence complex via t...
Digital One-Third Octave Spectral Analysis

An economical approach is described for estimating power spectra from sampled data through the application of Z-transform theory. The method consists of computing a weighting sequence whose frequency characteristics approximate a one-third octave bandwidth filter, and applying these coefficients recursively to the digitized data record. Filtering is followed by a variance calculation and a division by the appropriate filter bandwidth. A specific example of power spectra computed in the usual manner (Fourier transformation of the autocorrelation function) and power spectra computed by the method in this paper demonstrates the practicability of the technique. The most significant advantage is the economical aspect. It is shown that owing to the variable bandwidth and the small number of filtering coefficients, the savings that may be realized by the employment of this technique, in lieu of the autocorrelation transformation approach, may be quite considerable, depending on the record length and the number of lag products.
Demonstration of blood group substance A bound to Pasteurella pestis.

Abstract : Washed P. pestis bacilli prepared from a vaccine containing peptides and peptones of animal origin elicited human anti-A red cell hemolysins in rabbits, whereas similarly treated P. pestis from a vaccine containing peptones and peptides of plant origin did not. Whole vaccine and its various subfractions did not stimulate antibody production for any of the human red cell types when injected into rabbits. Apparently, human blood group A specifically is imparted to P. pestis by blood group contaminating sources present in the media used to cultivate the organism. The evidence shows that, in rabbits, the specific substance expresses itself antigenically only when a concentrated amount is bound to the cell, and that in soluble form it is weakly antigenic or present in subminimal antigenic concentrations.
Expression of the Receptor of Advanced Glycation End Products in the Gingival Tissue of Smokers With Generalized Periodontal Disease and After Nornicotine Induction in Primary Gingival Epithelial Cells

Background: The association between smoking and periodontal disease is well established; however, the mechanism by which smoking augments the destruction of periodontal tissue is not clear. We hypothesize that smoking is related to an increased expression of receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in gingival tissues of smokers.Methods: Gingival biopsies from five smokers and five age- and gender-matched non-smokers were examined. In addition, gingival epithelial cells (GECs) were reacted with 1 μM nornicotine for 4, 16, 24, and 48 hours for mRNA for RAGE and an additional 72 hours for protein expression. RAGE mRNA was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and expression of RAGE at the protein level in GECs was studied with Western blots.Results: In the gingival biopsies from all 10 subjects, RT-PCR with RAGE-specific primers produced a band of the predicted size. For all pairs, the smoker biopsies expressed a greater level of RAGE compared to the matched non-sm...
Quick-fix consulting: a user disservice

In the face of expanding technology and demands for service accompanied by less-rapidly expanding budgets, consultants in the user services sections of university computing centers must be creative in their approach to distributing their consulting expertise. Quick-fix consulting is a user disservice. It must be replaced by consulting which begins with identifying and serving the individual user's immediate need and is followed by user education along with planning and preparation for the future.
PROFLAVIN‐SENSITIZED PHOTOOXIDATION OF 3‐METHYL INDOLE TO 2‐METHYL‐2‐METHOXY‐1, 4‐BENZOXAZINE

— The dye-sensitized photochemical oxidation of 3-methyl indole was studied as a model for the photooxidation of the indole amino acid, tryptophan. The major product formed by proflavin-sensitized photooxidation is 2-methyl-2-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazine. The compound was isolated by preparative gas chromatography and identified by a combination of NMR, u.v., i.r., and mass spectroscopy on the photoproduct and its derivatives.
GaInSb/InAs superlattice-based infrared lasers

Mid-wave infrared lasers have been fabricated employing InAs/A1Sb superlattice cladding layers and multi-quantum well active regions consisting of Ga75In025Sb1InAs broken-gap superlattice wells and Ga75In025As023Sb,,77 barriers. Diodes demonstrated to date include lasers with emission wavelengths of 3.18j.tm at 255K, 3.40im at 195K, and 4.32p.m at 110K. Keywords: infrared, laser, diode, superlattice, multi-quantum well
Self-Tuning the Carrier Concentration of PbTe/Ag2Te Composites with Excess Ag for High Thermoelectric Performance

Thermoelectric materials can be optimized by tuning the carrier concentration with chemical doping. However, because the optimum dopant concentration typically increases with temperature, the optimum efficiency can not normally be achieved for a uniform material in a temperature gradient. Here, we show Ag-doped PbTe/Ag_2Te composites exhibit high thermoelectric performance (∼50% greater than La-doped composites) because of a temperature induced gradient in the doping concentration caused by the temperature-dependent solubility of Ag in the PbTe matrix. This demonstrates a new mechanism to achieve a higher thermoelectric efficiency afforded by a given material system, and should be applicable to other thermoelectric materials.
Evolution of the Murphy synclinorium, southern Appalachian Blue Ridge, USA

Abstract The western Blue Ridge allochthon of the southern Appalachians is dominated by the >180 km-long Murphy synclinorium, paired with anticlinoria to the northwest. These are first generation, northwest overturned, doubly plunging, large amplitude and wavelength (>10 km) isoclinal folds contemporaneous with peak Neo-Acadian orogeny (Visian, ∼335–345 Ma) regional metamorphism. The synclinorium folds a regional unconformity separating Neoproterozoic rift and lower Paleozoic drift sequences from a younger successor-basin sequence. Strain analysis of metaconglomerates from lithologic groups above and below the unconformity indicates coaxial, low to moderate, oblate to nearly plane strain in both groups. The synclinorium evolved via NNW-SSE-crustal shortening (∼32%), combined with orthogonal NNE-SSW-sub-horizontal flow (stretching) (∼35–45%) sub-parallel to the developing fold axes. Differences in metamorphic grade and paleodepth (∼10–17 km) of the exposed synclinorium had essentially no effect on strain magnitudes. Retrodeformation of the embedded regional unconformity reveals a very broad synclinal warping of the rift and drift-facies units predating superposition of the Murphy synclinorium, suggesting tectonic inheritance in the latter structure's origin. The earlier mild deformation is post-Early Cambrian and may represent the only vestige of the dynamic effects of the Middle Ordovician Taconic orogeny to be found in this region.
Low-Temperature Synthesis of Hexagonal (Wurtzite) ZnS Nanocrystals

We report a low-temperature (150 °C) and simple synthesis of quasi-monodispersed and uniform hexagonal (Wurtzite) ZnS nanocrystals in ethylene glycol medium. The samples structures were characterized with X-ray diffraction technique and transmission electron microscopy. It is believed that ethylene glycol medium plays a key role in forming hexagonal ZnS which is a stable phase at high temperatures.
Naltrexone improves learning and attention in self-injurious individuals with developmental disabilities

In the primary study, 10 patients were enrolled in a 10-week double-blind evaluation of the effectiveness of naltrexone in reducing self-injurious behavior (SIB) in adults with developmental disabilities. Within this study, the effects of naltrexone on acquisition of a paired associates task were investigated. The effects of three doses of naltrexone (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg orally) were tested on separate weeks. Learning evaluations were conducted on Wednesday of each week. Naltrexone improved measures of independence and attention, and decreased trial rate.
Observed behavior and perceived value of authors in usenet newsgroups: bridging the gap

In this paper we describe an evaluation of behavioral descriptors generated from an analysis of a large collection of Usenet newsgroup messages. The metrics describe aspects of newsgroup authors' behavior over time; such information can aid in filtering, sorting, and recommending content from public discussion spaces like newsgroups. To assess the value of a variety of these behavioral descriptors, we compared 22 participants' subjective evaluations of authors whose messages they read to behavioral metrics describing the same authors. We found that many metrics, particularly the longevity and frequency of participation, the number of newsgroups to which authors contribute messages, and the amount they contribute to each thread, correlate highly with readers' subjective evaluations of the authors
The effects of high levels of vitamin E on the progression of atherosclerosis in the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit

Abstract Watanabe rabbits (5–6 months of age) were divided into two groups (seven each). One group was fed standard Purina Rabbit Chow and the second was fed the same diet supplemented with 2000 mg/kg diet vitamin E. (Purina Rabbit Chow contains about 30 mg vitamin E/kg diet). After 9 months, the rabbits were sacrificed and plasma lipids were determined, and the area of plaque involvement in the aortas was measured. The extent of plaque formation (percentage of the total surface covered with fatty streaks) was not significantly different in the two groups. However, there were differences observed in plasma lipids. Plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were 20–30% lower in the vitamin E-fed group. Also, the concentration of cholesterol in the lesions of the aortic arch was about 25% lower in the vitamin E-fed group. These results indicate that high levels of vitamin E may have a beneficial effect on lowering plasma lipids observed in hyperlipidemia.
Defective in vitro IL-2 production in lupus is an early but secondary event paralleling disease activity: evidence from the murine parent-into-F1 model supports staging of IL-2 defects in human lupus.

T cell defects are a well described feature of both human and murine lupus however their exact significance is unclear. Evidence from an induced model of lupus, the P → F1 model of chronic lupus-like GVHD demonstrates that a secondary inducible T cell defect in in vitro IL-2 and CTL responses occurs early in the course of lupus-like disease and well in advance of clinical disease. Defective Th cell function was probed using a novel approach categorizing the response to two stimuli:1) the MHC self restricted response, termed self + X; and 2) the allogeneic response. Using this approach, lupus mice exhibited similar in vitro Th cell pattern i.e. and absent S + X response but preserved allogeneic (termed −/+). In contrast, human lupus patients exhibited three possible response patters, +/+, −/+ or −/− with more severe in vitro T cell impairment correlated with more severe disease. Similarly, patients with other T cell mediated conditions i.e. HIV infection or renal allograft recipients, also exhibited more severe in vitro T cell impairment with greater disease activity or greater immunosuppression respectively. The similar Th response patterns in human and murine T cell mediated conditions indicates that the underlying mechanisms involved are not disease specific but instead reflect common immune responses and validate the use of the P → F1 model for future studies of T cell mediated conditions. These results support the use of prospective monitoring of IL-2 responses in lupus patients. Successful adaptation of this approach to the clinical setting could allow not only earlier therapeutic intervention and reduced organ damage but also earlier tapering of pharmacological agents and reduced untoward effects.
Deletion mutants of nitrogen fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae: Mapping of a cluster of nif genes essential for nitrogenase activity

Abstract Deletions of the nitrogen fixation (nif) region of the Klebsiella genome were isolated by selecting for resistance to virulent phages whose resistance loci are adjacent to nif. The extent of the various deletions was monitored by assaying several different enzymes or gene products coded for by this segment of DNA. Three classes of deletion mutants were detected: (1) gluconate-6-phosphate dehydrogenase minus (gnd−), histidine minus but histidinol dehydrogenase plus (his−, his D+), nitrogenase plus (nif+), shikimate utilization plus (shu+); (2) gnd−, his D−, nif−, shu+; (3) gnd−, his D−, nif−, shu−. From these studies we conclude that the cluster of nif genes essential for nitrogenase activity is located on the genetic linkage map of Klebsiella between his and shu; the gene order in this region in thus phage-resistance locus (rfb?), gnd, his operon, nif, shu. Genetic analysis substantiates the finding that the nif cluster is located proximally to the operator end of the his operon.
Feminist identity, collective action, and individual resistance among contemporary U.S. feminists

Synopsis This article examines the relationship between feminist identities and engagement with feminist activism in everyday life, including collective action and individual resistance. I draw on in-depth interviews with women and men in knitting communities, which some have identified as part of contemporary feminist culture. I found variety in feminist identities, including those who identified publicly as feminists and those who identified as feminists only privately. Other participants held postfeminist positions, represented by support for feminist issues but declining a feminist identity. I found that feminist identity was inconsistently associated with feminist activism. Participants with public feminist identities, with definitions of feminism that drew on discourses of equality (rather than choice), and those with broader knowledge of feminist issues were more likely to be engaged with feminist activism. In defining activism, participants put significant emphasis on individual resistance or everyday feminism.
Inhibition of [3H]batrachotoxinin A 20-α-benzoate binding to mouse brain sodium channels by the dihydropyrazole insecticide RH 3421

Abstract The potent dihydropyrazole insecticide RH 3421 (methyl 1-( N -(α,α,α,-trifluoro- p -tolyl)carbamoyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-pyrazolin-4-ylcarboxylate), which has previously been shown to block voltage-gated and neurotoxin-activated sodium currents through sodium channels in insect nerves and insect and mammalian synaptic vesicles, inhibited the binding of [ 3 H]batrachotoxinin A 20-α-benzoate (BTX-B) to the alkaloid activator recognition site (Site 2) of voltage-sensitive sodium channels in mouse brain preparations. The presence of veratridine or a high concentration of BTX-B reduced the potency of RH 3421 as an inhibitor of BTX-B binding, but a concentration of RH 3421 close to its I 50 value did not alter the inhibitory potency of veratridine. Equilibrium saturation studies showed that RH 3421 at 0.2 μ M acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of BTX-B binding, decreasing the apparent density of BTX-B binding sites in mouse brain vesicles by approximately 40% without affecting the affinity of mouse brain sodium channels for this ligand. Kinetic experiments showed that RH 3421 at 0.2 μ M had no effect on the rates of association or dissociation of BTX-B, but RH 3421 at 10 μ M increased the dissociation rate approximately threefold. Preincubation of vesicles with RH 3421 followed by repeated washing and resuspension produced a progressive recovery of specific BTX-B binding, thereby demonstrating that the binding of RH 3421 to sodium channels was slowly reversible. These results show that RH 3421 binds to a site on the voltage-sensitive sodium channel that is allosterically coupled to Site 2, the activator recognition site, and acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of the binding of Site 2 ligands. The dihydropyrazole recognition site exhibits properties similar to the binding site(s) for local anesthetics, class I anticonvulsants, and class I antiarrhythmics on the sodium channel.
Eicosenoic acid and other fatty acids ofSapindaceae seed oils.

The seed oils of 11 species ofSapindaceae were examined, and their fatty acid composition was determined.cis-11-Eicosenoic acid was identified as the major fatty acid ofKoelreuteria paniculata. It was present in nine of the 11 species in amounts from 8–60% of the total fatty acids and is evidently a common component of oils of this plant family. Arachidic acid was present in amounts up to 11%. Only three of the oils had acids of chain length greater than C-20. Seed oils of certain species ofKoelreuteria andCardiospermum are good potential sources of 11-eicosenoic acid.
Deficient Suppression of Default Mode Regions during Working Memory in Individuals with Early Psychosis and at Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis

Background: The default mode network (DMN) is a set of brain regions typically activated at rest and suppressed during extrinsic cognition. Schizophrenia has been associated with deficient DMN suppression, though the extent to which DMN dysfunction predates psychosis onset is unclear. This study examined DMN suppression during working memory (WM) performance in youth at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis, early schizophrenia patients (ESZ), and healthy controls (HC). We hypothesized that the DMN would show load-dependent suppression during WM retrieval in HC but not in ESZ, with CHR participants showing an intermediate pattern. Methods: FMRI data were collected from CHR (n=32), ESZ (n=22), and HC (n=54) participants, ages 12-30. DMN regions were defined via seed-based connectivity analysis of resting state fMRI data from an independent HC sample. Load-dependent deactivations of these DMN regions in response to WM probes were interrogated. Results: HC showed linear load-dependent increases in DMN deactivation. Significant Group-by-Load interactions were observed in DMN regions including medial prefrontal and lateral posterior parietal cortices. Group-by-Load effects in posterior DMN nodes resulted from less suppression at higher WM loads in ESZ relative to HC, with CHR differing from neither group. In medial prefrontal cortex, suppression of activity at higher WM loads was significantly diminished in both CHR and ESZ groups, relative to HC. In addition, investigation of dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC) activations revealed that ESZ activated right DLPFC significantly more than HC, with CHR differing from neither group. Conclusion: While HC showed WM load-dependent modulation of DMN suppression, CHR individuals had deficient higher-load DMN suppression that was similar to, but less pronounced than, the distributed suppression deficits evident in ESZ patients. These results suggest that DMN dysregulation associated with schizophrenia predates psychosis onset
Comparison of memory and combined exercise and memory-anchoring procedures on ratings of perceived exertion during short duration, near-peak-intensity cycle ergometer exercise.

The purpose of this study was to compare ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) following memory-anchoring and two different types of combined exercise and memory-anchoring during short duration, near...
Metastable phase of vanadium

The epitaxial Bain path for vanadium, calculated by first-principles theory, reveals the existence of a metastable body-centered-tetragonal (bct) phase with $c/a=1.78.$ Experiments aimed at stabilizing this phase by pseudomorphic epitaxy on a Ni{001} substrate were successful insofar as the ultrathin films grown have a bct structure with $c/a$ between 1.73 and 1.77. The bulk structure of the V films was determined by quantitative low-energy electron diffraction, but the accuracy of the results is worse than usual owing to high densities of defects in the grown films.
Horizontal inhomogeneities in the particulate carbon component of the Arctic haze

Abstract We present results obtained during the ‘AGASP 1983’ Arctic haze aircraft sampling experiment. During this program we operated the aethalometer, an instrument that responds to the aerosol graphitic (‘black’) carbon concentration in real time. Previous results showed strong vertical layering of this component of the Arctic haze. In this paper we present for the first time evidence of horizontal variations of aerosol black carbon concentration. Some of these variations correlate with meteorological parameters, but we also observed horizontal inhomogeneities with a characteristic scale of 50–100 km occurring in the absence of meteorological activity.
Fractional dispersion in a sand bed river

[1] Random walk models of fluvial bed load transport use probability distributions to describe the distance a grain travels during an episode of transport and the time it rests after deposition. These models typically employ probability distributions with finite first and second moments, reflecting an underlying assumption that all the factors that influence sediment transport tend to combine in such a way that the length of a step or the duration of a rest can be characterized by a mean value surrounded by a specific amount of variability. The observation that many transport systems exhibit apparent scale-dependent behavior and non-Fickian dispersion suggests that this assumption is not always valid. We revisit a nearly 50 year old tracer experiment in which the tracer plume exhibits the hallmarks of dispersive transport described by a step length distribution with a divergent second moment and no characteristic dispersive size. The governing equation of this type of random walk contains fractional-order derivatives. We use the data from the experiment to test two versions of a fractional-order model of dispersive fluvial bed load transport. The first version uses a heavy-tailed particle step length distribution with a divergent second moment to reproduce the anomalously high fraction of tracer mass observed in the downstream tail of the spatial distribution. The second version adds a feature that partitions mass into a detectable mobile phase and an undetectable, immobile phase. This two-phase transport model predicts other features observed in the data: a decrease in the amount of detected tracer mass over the course of the experiment and enhanced particle retention near the source. The fractional-order models match the observed plume shape and growth rates better than prior attempts with classical models.
Expression of heat shock proteins by isolated mouse spermatogenic cells

Proteins of the hsp70 family are abundant in mouse spermatogenic cells. These cells also synthesize relatively large amounts of a 70,000-molecular-weight protein (P70) that appears to be a cell-specific isoform of hsp70, the major heat-inducible protein (R.L. Allen, D.A. O'Brien, and E.M. Eddy, Mol. Cell. Biol. 8:828-832, 1988). In this study, proteins of unstressed and heat-stressed spermatogenic cells consisting of purified preparations of preleptotene, leptotene-zygotene, pachytene spermatocytes, and round spermatids were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Unstressed preleptotene and leptotene-zygotene spermatocytes contained little P70, whereas relatively large amounts of P70 were present in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Labeling studies showed that P70 was synthesized primarily in pachytene spermatocytes and that little synthesis occurred in round spermatids or in preleptotene and leptotene-zygotene stages of spermatogenesis. Synthesis of hsp70 was not detectable in unstressed cells but was induced in all stages of isolated germ cells following heat stress. These results indicate that P70 is expressed in a stage-specific manner during cell differentiation, whereas hsp70 is synthesized in response to stress in all populations of isolated spermatogenic cells examined.
Response of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Mitogenic Stimulation in Young Calves

Sixteen Holstein bull calves were used to evaluate effects of increasing blood BHBA, as a consequence of ruminal development, on response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to mitogenic stimulation. Calves were blocked by date of birth and assigned to weaning at 35 or 49 d of the study. Calves began the study at 4 d of age. Milk replacer was fed at 10% of BW to d 7 prior to weaning; thereafter, milk replacer offered was reduced by 50%. Calf starter was offered from d 1. Blood was sampled at wk 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 at 4 h after the a.m. feeding. Blood glucose declined, and blood BHBA increased, as calf starter intake increased. Blood BHBA increased at weaning in each treatment group and exceeded 1 mM during the week of weaning. Responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to stimulation with concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, or phytohemagglutinin were unaffected by increasing blood BHBA and increased with age. Increased concentration of blood BHBA in young calves from increased starter intake did not impair immune response.
SLIC: a selfish link-based incentive mechanism for unstructured peer-to-peer networks

Most peer-to-peer (P2P) systems assume that all peers are cooperating for the benefit of the community. However in practice, there is a significant portion of peers who leech resources from the system without contributing any in return. We propose a simple selfish link-based incentive (SLIC) mechanism for unstructured P2P file sharing systems to create an incentive structure where in exchange for better service, peers are encouraged to share more data, give more capacity to handle other peers' queries, and establish more connections to improve the P2P overlay network. Our SLIC algorithm does not require nodes to be altruistic and does not rely on third parties to provide accurate information about other peers. We demonstrate, through simulation, that SLIC's locally selfish and greedy approach is sufficient for the system to evolve into a "good" state.
Experiencing Breast Cancer in Managed Care

The interest of managed care organizations (MCOs) in decreasing care and outcome variance and lowering costs has created many concerns including those pertaining to the complex and costly nature of cancer care. In this study, we used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach involving semistructured interviews of 14 women with breast cancer to examine MCO enrollees' experiences related to their cancer treatment. Results comprise two themes: managed care tasks and managing or mediating between the MCO and the cancer. These themes, and their accompanying categories, depict the increased burden encountered by women experiencing breast cancer in a managed care system who perceived that they were solely responsible for mediating between their care providers and MCO. Though enrolled in less-restrictive MCOs, participants expressed many difficulties in managing dissimilar and disconnected demands posed by the cancer and the MCO. These findings might serve as a basis for policy and practice changes to decrease this real patient burden.
A Counterexample to Generalized Accessibility

Throughout this paper, G ×T → T will be an action of the group G on the tree T. Unless noted, our actions are simplicial and without inversions. In [BF], we showed that if a) G is finitely presented and b) G ×T → T satisfies certain other conditions reviewed below, then the number of vertices and edges of T/G is bounded in terms of G alone. The main point of this paper is to produce actions G 0 ×T → T of a fixed finitely generated group which satisfy b) and yet have arbitrarily many vertices. By taking the limit of a sequence of more and more complicated actions, we obtain an interesting action of G o on an ℝ-tree.
A computational steering model applied to problems in medicine

We describe a computational steering model which allows users to interactively change boundary conditions, model geometry, and computational parameters via a graphical user interface. To replace the typical simulation mode -- in which the researcher manually sets input parameters, computes results, stores data off to disk, visualizes the results via a separate visualization package, then starts again at the beginning -- we have designed software to "close the loop" and allow the visualization to help guide (steer) the design and computation phases of the simulation. We have applied the computational steering model to problems in medicine, specifically to applications in bioelectric field phenomena and biomedical device design.
Injection-Locked Frequency Dividers based on Ring Oscillators with Optimum Injection for Wide Lock Range

Divide-by-2 and divide-by-6 ring oscillators use multi-phase injection to operate from near DC to 1.7 and 1.2 GHz input frequencies, respectively. In 0.13-mum CMOS, the circuits consume 0.25 mA per stage
Successful conversion of unstable supraventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm with adenosine.

Study purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of adenosine in the treatment of emergency department patients with unstable paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Design: A retrospective chart review conducted over two years. Setting: A university-affiliated hospital ED. Participants: Patients with unstable PSVT (systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg, chest pain, pulmonary edema, and/or altered mental status) who were treated with adenosine. Interventions: Patients' preadenosine and postadenosine heart rates, symptoms, and blood pressure were recorded, as were complications and recurrence of PSVT. PSVT was diagnosed by surface ECG. Results: Twelve patients were identified (three men and nine women with a mean age of 47.6 years). Nine patients presented with hypotension (mean systolic blood pressure, 79 mm Hg), ten with chest pain, and six with both chest pain and hypotension. There were no patients with altered mental status or pulmonary edema. Eight patients converted to sinus rhythm with a single 6-mg bolus of adenosine; the remaining four required an additional 12-mg bolus. In all cases, chest pain and hypotension resolved within minutes of conversion to sinus rhythm. There were no clinically significant adverse effects or recurrence of PSVT during ED observation (mean, 1.8 hours). All patients responded to adenosine; none required electrical cardioversion. Conclusion: In the unstable patient with PSVT, adenosine appears to be a safe and effective alternative to current advanced cardiac life support-recommended immediate electrical cardioversion.
Outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication are not influenced by the pattern of reflux.

SUMMARY. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with different types of gastroesophageal reflux disease (upright, supine, or bipositional) after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and determine if patients with upright reflux have worse outcomes. Two hundred and twenty-five patients with reflux confirmed by 24-h pH monitoring were divided into three groups based on the type of reflux present. Patients were questioned pre- and post-fundoplication regarding the presence and duration of symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, cough and chest pain). Symptoms were scored using a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 4 (disabling symptom). Esophageal manometry and pH results were also compared. There was no statistically significant difference in lower esophageal sphincter length, pressure or function between the three groups. There was no significant difference in any of the postoperative symptom categories between the three groups. The type of reflux identified preoperatively does not have an adverse effect on postoperative outcomes after Nissen fundoplication and should not discourage physicians from offering antireflux surgery to patients with upright reflux.
Development of a tip-leakage flow - Part 1: The flow over a range of Reynolds numbers

An extensive experimental investigation was carried out to examine the tip-leakage flow on ducted propulsors. The flow field around three-bladed, ducted rotors operating in uniform inflow was measured in detail with three-dimensional laser Doppler velocimetry and planar particle imaging velocimetry. Two geometrically similar, ducted rotors were tested over a Reynolds number range from 0.7 × 10 6 to 9.2 × 10 6 in order to determine how the tip-leakage flow varied with Reynolds number. An identification procedure was used to discern and quantify regions of concentrated vorticity in instantaneous flow fields. Multiple vortices were identified in the wake of the blade tip, with the largest vortex being associated with the tip-leakage flow, and the secondary vortices being associated with the trailing edge vortex and other blade-wake vortices. The evolution of identified vortex quantities with downstream distance is examined. It was found that the strength and core size of the vortices are weakly dependent on Reynolds number, but there are indications that they are affected by variations in the inflowing wall boundary layer on the duct. The core size of the tip-leakage vortex does not vary strongly with varying boundary layer thickness on the blades. Instead, its dimension is on the order of the tip clearance. There is significant flow variability for all Reynolds numbers and rotor configurations. Scaled velocity fluctuations near the axis of the primary vortex increase significantly with downstream distance, suggesting the presence of spatially uncorrelated fine scale secondary vortices and the possible existence of three-dimensional vortex-vortex interactions.
Towards an Understanding of the Conceptual Underpinnings of Agile Development Methodologies

While the growing popularity of agile development methodologies is undeniable, there has been little systematic exploration of its intellectual foundation. Such an effort would be an important first step in understanding this paradigm’s underlying premises. This understanding, in turn, would be invaluable in our assessment of current practices as well as in our efforts to advance the field of software engineering. Drawing on a variety of sources, both within and outside the discipline, we argue that the concepts underpinning agile development methodologies are by no means novel. In the tradition of General Systems Theory this paper advocates a transdisciplinary examination of agile development methodologies to extend the intellectual boundaries of software development. This is particularly important as the field moves beyond instrumental processes aimed at satisfying mere technical considerations.
Insulin in the Brain Increases Gain of Baroreflex Control of Heart Rate and Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Activity

Chronic central administration of insulin increases the gain of baroreflex control of heart rate, but whether baroreflex control of the sympathetic nervous system is similarly affected is unknown. The sites and mechanisms by which brain insulin influences the baroreflex are also unclear. Therefore, the present study tested the hypothesis that acute infusion of insulin into the brain ventricles of urethane-anesthetized rats increases gain of baroreflex control of heart rate and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity and that this action is gender specific. Furthermore, to identify the location within the brain that mediates these effects, insulin was infused into either the lateral ventricle or the fourth ventricle. Lateral ventricular insulin infusion increased the gain of baroreflex control of heart rate (2.1±0.3 to 4.0±0.6 bpm/mm Hg; P P P P
Differential post-depositional mobility of phosphorus species in lake sediments

Historically, paleolimnologists have been cautious about interpreting sedimentary total phosphorus (P) profiles because of the well-documented post-depositional mobility of P. There is recent new attention given to the interpretation of component P fractions that are generally indicative of broad categories of chemical P species in sediments. Using homogenized sediments collected from 5 lakes with differing characteristics, the mobilities of total P, and of NH4Cl-, BD-, NaOH-, and HCl-extractible P were measured in short term incubations (15–24 weeks). Almost all of the observed mobility of total P could be explained by the mobility of reductant-soluble BD–P, with a smaller contribution from NaOH–P. In contrast, HCl–P (apatite) and organic-P showed no significant movement. These results reaffirm that sedimentary TP profiles should be interpreted with caution, and that component P species, particularly NH4Cl-, BD-, and NaOH–P are also prone to post-depositional mobility. In contrast, HCl–P and organic-P appear to be more reliable proxies for paleolimnological reconstructions.