cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feedback flow and permeation systems for the calibration of very low gas concentrations

The authors have developed two new absolute calibration techniques for low levels of atmospheric gases, using pure starting materials. The feedback flow system is a multistage dilution device with unreactive components, in which pure material is repetitively diluted with a single flow of zero gas, making available small flows of gas over the whole range from parts per trillion to percentages in one run. The permeation system is an extension of the work of Dietz et al, in which a sensitive low-cost system allows typical permeation rates to be measured in a few minutes.
Control of Firing Mode of Corticotectal and Corticopontine Layer V Burst-generating Neurons by Norepinephrine, Acetylcholine, and 1S,3R-ACPD.

The ionic mechanisms by which the firing mode of layer V burst-generating neurons is modulated by noradrenergic, cholinergic, and glutamate metabotropic receptors were investigated with intracellular and extracellular recordings obtained in slices of guinea pig sensorimotor and primary visual cortices maintained in vitro. Extracellular and intracellular recordings revealed that a subset of layer V cells spontaneously generated bursts of three to six action potentials with an interburst frequency of 0.2-4 Hz. Depolarization of these cells with the intracellular injection of current inhibited burst firing and switched the cells to the tonic, single-spike mode of action potential generation. Intracellular recording from retrogradely labeled layer V pyramidal cells that project to either the superior colliculus or pontine nuclei revealed that a substantial portion of these are burst-generating cells. Application of norepinephrine (NE), the glutamate metabotropic receptor agonist 1S,3R-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD), or ACh to layer V burst-generating cells resulted in depolarization and a subsequent shift in firing pattern from spontaneously bursting to single-spike activity. Pharmacological analysis of these responses indicated that they are mediated by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor for NE and the muscarinic subtype for ACh. Thus, the NE response was mimicked by the alpha-agonist phenylephrine but not by the beta-agonist isoprenaline, and was completely blocked by the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin but not by the alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine or the beta-antagonist propranolol. Finally, the ACh effect could be mimicked by the muscarinic agonist acetyl-beta-methylcholine (MCh) and was blocked by the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine. Intracellular recordings revealed that the NE-, MCh-, and ACPD-induced responses in bursting neurons are due to the direct activation of receptors on these cells, since block of synaptic transmission with local application of TTX or bath application of low [Ca2+]o and raised [Mg2+]o did not block the postsynaptic responses. Voltage-clamp analysis of the currents involved in the depolarizing responses of bursting cells revealed that activation of alpha 1-adrenergic, muscarinic, or glutamate metabotropic receptors resulted in a decrease in a potassium conductance that consisted of both a voltage-independent component and a voltage- and Ca(2+)-sensitive component. These results suggest that increased activity in noradrenergic, cholinergic, and glutamatergic pathways may control the firing mode of layer V corticotectal and corticopontine pyramidal cells by determining the resting membrane potential through modulation of both voltage-dependent and voltage-independent K+ conductances.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Comment on Moser's “Hypersexual Disorder: Searching for Clarity”

Dr. Moser is an outlier in this special issue, as he obviously opposes the notion of Hypersexual Disorder (HD). Indeed, he has opposed considering as disordered most forms of atypical sexual behavi...
Elderly Non-Demented Patients Have Better Outcome with Reperfusion Therapy Than Demented Patients Following Ischemic Stroke (P7.150)

Background: It is well known that elderly patients with dementia have a poor outcome with reperfusion therapy following an ischemic stroke. Of those demented patients with ischemic stroke who were given intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV TPA), mortality was found to be as high as 35% and greater. Our study compared the difference in mortality and morbidity of IV reperfusion therapy in non-demented elderly population compared to the demented population. Methods: From our registry we identified 250 elderly patients (ages 80-96 years) with ischemic stroke. Of those 250 patients, 110 patients were classified as non-demented based on life style and independent living. Primary outcome was based on inpatient mortality, discharge NIH stroke score, final destination of independent vs. assisted living (rehabilitation facility, hospice, skilled nursing facility) or withdrawal of care. Results: Of the 110 non-demented patients, 62 received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (56.4%) and 12% both IV and intraarterial (IA) TPA. The age varied between 80 to 96 years. Average age was 88 years. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 7% of patients. Neurological worsening from other causes occurred in an additional 5% of cases. The remaining 88% of patients who received IV TPA showed greater than 6 points of improvement on the NIH scale at 30 days and were discharged to independent living or rehabilitation. Conclusion: Non-demented elderly patients perform nearly as well as younger patients with ischemic stroke when treated appropriately with IV/IA TPA. Reperfusion therapy should be considered in treating non-demented elderly patients in contrast to elderly patients with dementia. Disclosure: Dr. Duggal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Myers has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ahmed has nothing to disclose.
Relationship of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Strain to Amount of Medial Olecranon Osteotomy

Athletes at risk for valgus extension overload are also at risk for tears of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament. Some athletes develop ligament tears after procedures for valgus extension overload such as posteromedial olecranon osteotomy. The amount of posteromedial olecranon that can be resected before ulnar collateral ligament strain, and risk of injury, increases is unknown. We dissected and mounted five fresh-frozen human cadaveric elbows to allow strain gauge monitoring of the ulnar collateral ligament with varying valgus stress, elbow flexion angle, and medial osteotomy. The average strain to failure was 11.96%+/-6.51%, corresponding to a load of 347.71+/-46.42 N. The maximum tensile force recorded at failure was 416.24 N. Three-way repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed no significant change in strain with change in the amount of osteotomy for a given applied load and angle of flexion. On the basis of these data, we conclude that the effect of medial olecranon osteotomy on ulnar collateral ligament strain may be small. Small sample size, elderly specimens, and the variables inherent in the experimental setup and mathematical modeling make it difficult to extrapolate these results to in vivo behavior of the anterior ulnar collateral ligament. Further work is needed before definitive guidelines for olecranon osteotomy can be formulated.
Ectopic dendritogenesis and associated synapse formation in swainsonine- induced neuronal storage disease

Ectopic dendrite growth and new synapse formation are known to occur on select kinds of neurons in a wide variety of neuronal storage diseases. As these changes in connectivity occur just proximal to the axonal initial segment, it has been hypothesized that they underlie the generation of abnormal neuronal function in these diseases. We have studied certain aspects of this phenomenon through the use of a plant- derived indolizadine alkaloid, swainsonine, which specifically inhibits the lysosomal hydrolase, alpha-mannosidase. These studies fully document the close morphological similarity between swainsonine-induced and inherited feline alpha-mannosidosis. This includes the presence of clear and floccule-filled storage vacuoles, as seen with routine EM, and axon hillock neurite growth on select cell types, as seen with Golgi staining. The latter was found only on cortical pyramidal neurons and multipolar cells of amygdala, and these same cell types are known to be involved in ectopic neuritogenesis in other storage diseases. Combined Golgi-electron-microscopic studies demonstrated the presence of normal-appearing synapses on these aberrant neuritic processes and also unusual, membranous inclusions specifically within the neurite- bearing pyramidal cells. The latter may be indicative of unique metabolic changes in these neurons and is consistent with the hypothesis that storage of gangliosides or other glycolipids underlies the recapitulation of dendritic growth features in these diseases. Experimental manipulation of the disease process using the swainsonine model indicated that induction of cortical pyramidal neuron neurite growth could be influenced by both age of onset and intensity of intraneuronal storage. Although Golgi studies clearly demonstrated neuritic sprouting in animals with disease onset as late as at 1 year, cortical pyramidal cells of older, adult animals appeared to undergo significant storage without a similar induction of neurite growth. These studies support the view that induced neuritogenesis in neuronal storage disease is associated with changes in metabolism, specifically within the neurite-bearing cells, that this change possibly involves gangliosides, and that the neuritogenic response may be limited to pre- adult stages of brain maturation.
Structure characteristics of halouracils containing chiral centers and their polymers with polyethylenimine

Uracil esters and acids containing both a chiral center and a halogen atom at the 5-position (fluoro, chloro and bromo) were preapred. The esters of these species were then grafted onto polyethylenimine via an amide bond. The precise nature of this bond was examined using 1H, 13C, 19F, and 13C-1H coupled spectroscopies. The results show that the polymers obtained under our experimental conditions possess both covalent and ionic bonds at the grafting position.
Individual histone deacetylases in Drosophila modulate transcription of distinct genes

Lysine residues on the N-terminal tails of histones in chromatin are the primary targets of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in eukaryotes. Regulation of histone acetylation by these two classes of enzymes plays significant roles in controlling transcriptional activity in cells. Eukaryotic organisms have several different HDACs, but the biological roles of each HDAC are still not clear. To understand the physiological functions of HDACs, we characterized six different Drosophila HDACs, including Rpd3, HDAC3, HDAC4, HDAC6-S, HDAC6-L, and Sir2, by developmental expression pattern, transcriptional profiles of target genes, and sensitivity to HDAC inhibitors. We found that each HDAC has a distinct temporal expression pattern and regulates transcription of a unique set of genes. Furthermore, we demonstrated differential sensitivity of HDACs to inhibitors. These results show that each individual HDAC plays different roles in regulating genes involved in various biological processes.
Compound vesicle fusion increases quantal size and potentiates synaptic transmission

Exocytosis at synapses involves fusion between vesicles and the plasma membrane. Although compound fusion between vesicles was proposed to occur at ribbon-type synapses, whether it exists, how it is mediated, and what role it plays at conventional synapses remain unclear. Here we report the existence of compound fusion, its underlying mechanism, and its role at a nerve terminal containing conventional active zones in rats and mice. We found that high potassium application and high frequency firing induced giant capacitance up-steps, reflecting exocytosis of vesicles larger than regular ones, followed by giant down-steps, reflecting bulk endocytosis. These intense stimuli also induced giant vesicle-like structures, as observed with electron microscopy, and giant miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), reflecting more transmitter release. Calcium and its sensor for vesicle fusion, synaptotagmin, were required for these giant events. After high frequency firing, calcium/synaptotagmin-dependent mEPSC size increase was paralleled by calcium/synaptotagmin-dependent post-tetanic potentiation. These results suggest a new route of exocytosis and endocytosis composed of three steps. First, calcium/synaptotagmin mediates compound fusion between vesicles. Second, exocytosis of compound vesicles increases quantal size, which increases synaptic strength and contributes to the generation of post-tetanic potentiation. Third, exocytosed compound vesicles are retrieved via bulk endocytosis. We suggest that this vesicle cycling route be included in models of synapses in which only vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane is considered.
Psychophysiology of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract This study (1) explored the feasibility of using electrodermal activity (EDA) to characterize the arousal and sensory reactivity of children with high functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger's Syndrome (AS), (2) determined the reliability of electrodermal measures and (3) described the variability of EDA in this sample. Forty children with HFA and AS participated. All participants received a diagnostic psychological assessment and a physiological evaluation. Fourteen participated in the retest study on the physiological measures. Results indicated psychophysiologic testing was feasible with this sample. Seventy-three percent of the variables had reliability coefficients greater than .33, with a median variable reliability of .45. No significant differences were detected between HFA and AS groups. Visual inspection of skin conductance level (SCL) suggested two patterns: (1) high SCL (high arousal), with higher EDA magnitudes, faster latencies and slower habituation and (2) low SCL (low arousal), with lower EDA magnitudes, slower latencies and faster habituation. The presence of two EDA patterns applied equally when medications were eliminated. The previous inconsistency in studies of EDA in children with HFA and AS may be due to the presence of a high arousal groups and a low arousal group. Hence, this population should not be assumed to be homogeneous.
Photochemical reduction of triphosphopyridine nucleotide by cell-free extracts of blue-green algae.

THE photochemical reduction of triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPN) by extracts of photosynthetic organisms has been shown to be catalysed by a protein factor, photosynthetic pyridine nucleotide reductase (PPNR)1. PPNR has been detected in a variety of higher plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria1,2. It has been shown2 to be similar to, but not identical with, the electron transport factor ferredoxin which has been isolated from several non-photosynthetic bacteria3. Thus far, however, PPNR has not been demonstrated in blue-green algae. Indeed, it has not proved possible to obtain cell-free TPN reduction by these organisms4 although spectroscopic studies on whole cells5 have shown that endogenous pyridine nucleotides undergo oxidation-reduction changes under illumination. In this communication, we report the isolation and purification of PPNR from a blue-green alga and also a method of obtaining photochemical TPN reduction in a cell-free system.
Treating adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: it is time to grow up

5 ISSN 2045-1393 10.2217/IJH.12.25 © 2013 Future Medicine Ltd Int. J. Hematol. Oncol. (2013) 2(1), 5–8 The improvement in outcomes for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the great success stories in cancer history, and a holy grail for many adult oncologists who treat patients with ALL. An estimated 80% of children are now cured as a result of a succession of elegantly designed clinical trials employing multiagent, cytotoxic treatment modules [1]. This pediatric approach has formed the backbone of adult treatment regimens but, by contrast, long-term survival rates in adults range between 20 and 60%. Furthermore, in a provocative study comparing outcomes for adolescents treated on pediatric trials through the Children’s Cooperative Group with adult trials through the Cancer and Leukemia Group B, the 7-year event-free survival (EFS) was only 29% for patients aged 18–20 years of age treated through the Cancer and Leukemia Group B, compared with 55% for the same subset of patients treated through the Children’s Cooperative Group [2]. These findings spurred a flurry of studies treating adults with intensified, pediatric-inspired regimens. Huguet and colleagues reported outcomes for adult patients treated with pediatric-inspired regimens (GRAALL 2003) containing 16-fold more l-asparaginase, 3.7-fold more vincristine and 8.6-fold more prednisone than the former LALA-94 protocol [3], and noted signif icantly better complete remission (CR), EFS and overall survival (OS) rates compared with historical LALA-94 [4]. However, patients older than 45 years of age had significantly higher chemotherapy-related deaths (23 vs 5%, respectively), worse EFS (46 vs 58%, respectively) and worse OS (47 vs 64%, respectively) than their younger counterparts [4]. Similarly, in a study of 85 adults treated on a pediatricstyled regimen, induction mortality and 3-year OS were 28 and 52%, respectively, for patients older than 35 years of age, compared with 0 and 83%, respectively, for the younger patients [5]. Thus, treatment intensification with traditional cytotoxic agents appears to benefit generally younger adults with ALL. However, the incidence of ALL is bimodal, with peaks in early childhood and late
Considerations in Predicting Burnout of Cylinders in Flow Boiling

Previous investigations of the critical heat flux in flow boiling have resulted in widely different hydrodynamic mechanisms for the occurrence of burnout. Results of the present study indicate that existing models are not completely realistic representations of the process. The present study sorts out the influences of the far-wake bubble breakoff and vapor sheet characteristics, gravity, surface wettability, and heater surface temperature distribution on the peak heat flux in flow boiling on cylindrical heaters. The results indicate that burnout is dictated by near-surface effects. The controlling factor appears to be the vapor escape pattern close to the heater surface. It is also shown that a deficiency of liquid at the downstream end of the heater surface is not the cause of burnout.
Aging: effects on chronotropic actions of muscarinic agonists in isolated rat atria.

Abstract Negative chronotropic effects of acetylcholine and carbachol were compared in right atria isolated from adult and aged Fischer 344 rats. Preparations from aged rats were more sensitive to the action of acetylcholine; however, there was no difference in responsiveness to carbachol or to acetylcholine after pretreatment with diisopropylfluorophosphate, an irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor. These data suggest that the enhanced sensitivity to the direct chronotropic action of acetylcholine is the result of aging-related reductions in acetylcholinestrase activity.
Liquidity constraints, productivity, employment and output: evidence from non-agricultural activities in Bangladesh

This paper examines the role played by liquidity constraints in determining non-agricultural employment, labour productivity and output among poor, landless households. The hypothesis that the provision of credit to poor non-agricultural households on reasonable terms can greatly enhance labour use, and output, thereby reducing poverty is empirically investigated using survey data from rural landless households in Bangladesh. The study's findings indicate that even small amounts of credit on reasonable terms can substantially enhance labour use and income for poor households and that the impact is greatest for the poorest households.
Segregation and linkage studies of allozyme loci in pair crosses of the oyster Crassostrea virginica

The genetic control of 11 electrophoretically detected allozyme polymorphisms in the oysterCrassostrea virginica was investigated in 10 pair crosses. For nine allozyme loci, each offspring shared at least one band (electromorph) with each parent. For the remaining two loci (mannosephosphate isomerase and leucine aminopeptidase-2), some offspring failed to share a band with one or both parents. Several lines of evidence indicated that these anomalous results were due to transmission of null alleles. There was evidence of distorted segregation at 8 of the 11 loci. The departures from the Mendelian expectations within the pair crosses might be due either to viability selection in the offspring or to gametic selection in one or both parents, although the possibility that the distortion is due to a locus linked to the allozyme locus cannot be ruled out. However, there was no evidence that heterozygosity per se had an effect on viability of offspring within a cross. Linkage analysis revealed two linkage groups, one consisting of four allozyme loci and the other consisting of three loci.
Ordering and Energetics of Hg Overlayers on Cu(O01)

The growth, ordering, and energetics of Hg overlayers on Cu(O01) have been studied using atom beam scattering, LEED and angle-resolved photoemission. Two stable ordered phases have been identified: one phase is a c(2↑2) and the other phase is a higher density square lattice which has a coincidence c(4↑4) structure. A phase diagram has been determined using LEED and atom beam diffraction data for surface temperatures between 180 and 330 K. ABS data suggest out that there is a narrow coexistance region between these two phases. The isosteric heat of adsorption has been determined as a function of coverage.
Fiber optic SERS-based plasmonics nanobiosensing in single living cells

We describe the development of small molecule-sensitive plasmonics-active fiber-optic nanoprobes suitable for intracellular bioanalysis in single living human cells using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. The practical utility of SERS-based fiber-optic nanoprobes is illustrated by measurements of intracellular pH in HMEC- 15/hTERT immortalized "normal" human mammary epithelial cells and PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. The results indicate that fiber-optic nanoprobe insertion and interrogation provide a sensitive and selective means to monitor biologically-relevant small molecules at the single cell level.
A MULTIPLICATIVE DETERMINANT FOR 2m-DIMENSIONAL MATRICES

A multiplication for a specific nested collection of multidimensional matrices is defined by association with a system of n = 2m-dimensional hypercomplex numbers. A totally symmetric and multiplicative determinant is then derived from the system which extends the Cayley hyperdeterminant to these higher dimensions. The determinant is related to the zero divisors of the system of hypercomplex numbers. Properties of the determinant are then discussed.
Platelet 3H-imipramine binding, serotonin uptake, and plasma α1 acid glycoprotein in disruptive behavior disorders

Tritiated imipramine labels with high affinity a recognition site associated with the serotonergic transporter in blood piatelets (Langer and Galzin 1988). Concomitant measurement of platelet 3Himipramine binding (IB) and 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake in various diseases does not usually reveal parallel changes in these parameters. De~ eased platelet 5-HT uptake without accompanying changes in platelet IB has been observed in depression or schizophrenia (Wood et al 1983), panic disorder (Pecknold and Suranyi-Cadotte 1986), alcoholic cirrhosis (Ahtee et al 198 ! ), hypertension (Kamal et al 1984), Alzheimcr's dis~a~ (Suranyi-Cadotte et al 1985), and Parkinson's disease (Suranyi-Cadotte et al 1985). Decreased platelet IB but no corresponding changes in platelet 5-HT uptake has been found in depressed women (Roy et al 1987) and adolescents with obsessive--compulsive disorder (Weizman et al 1986a), anore,da nervosa
Maywood II: A Congenitally Abnormal Plasminogen with Defective Lysine-Binding Sites Associated with Stroke in a 16-Year-Old Male

Summary A 16-year-old male with a right-sided cerebral infarct was found to have low levels of functional plasminogen. Plasma was obtained from his mother, brother and sister for analysis. Both the propositus and his mother have a lowered ratio of plasma plasminogen functional to antigen levels of 0.47 and 0.77, respectively, indicating a dysplasminogenemia. The brother and sister have normal levels of plasminogen, both functional and antigen, with a functional to antigen ratio of about 1:1. An ELISA that measures the concentration of plasminogen kringles-1,2,3 (lysine-binding sites) gave values that did not agree with a conventional nephelometric assay for plasminogen; the propositus and his mother have very low levels of Plg by this assay, less than 60%. The yield of plasminogen recovered by affinity chromatography of the plasma on L-lysine-substituted Sepharose was low for the propositus and his mother, and correlated with the concentration of plasminogen determined by the ELISA. All four of the highly purified plasminogens from the four family members had low specific activities, low active site generation in the equimolar plasminogen.streptokinase complex, and low plasmin generation in solution. Isoelectric focusing gels showed that these plasminogens had fewer isoelectric forms than normal plasminogen and had several bands with a more basic pI than normal. All four of these plasminogens bound to the surface of U937 cells, but the binding was not inhibitable by 10 mM lysine, suggesting that the mode of interaction with the cell surface was not through the lysine-binding sites, as is normally the case. The propositus's plasminogen could not be activated to plasmin on the cell surface, but the other three family members' plasminogens did generate plasmin on the cell surface, however, greater than normal. Fibrinolytic activity determined in a purified system with a noncrosslinked fibrin clot and three direct plasminogen activators gave normal clot lysis times for the propositus with all three activators. The sister had prolonged clot lysis times when the equimolar plasminogen.streptokinase complex and urokinase were used as the activators; while the mother and brother had prolonged clot lysis times only when tissue plasminogen activator was used. However, all four family members had abnormal kinetics of plasminogen activation parameters with at least two of the activators used. The propositus had a Type 1 dysplasminogenemia with an active centre defect, charge mutation, kinetic defect and abnormal lysine binding sites. This defect is present in the other, asymptomatic, three family members, but is expressed differently and to a different extent in each individual.
Chaos, communications, and signal processing

Recent work using chaotic signals to drive nonlinear systems shows that chaotic dynamics is rich in new application possibilities. Among these are stable system design and synchronization. New Driving Signals Driven systems are easily visualized as dynamical systems which have as one of their input parameters a dynamical variable from another, often autonomous, dynamical system. We often refer to the source of the driving signal as the drive system and to the driven system as the response system. This can be viewed as the drive sending a signal to the response which then alters its behavior according to the signal. Typically, when driven systems are studied or engineered the driving signals come from constant forces or sine wave forcing. The use of signals from a chaotic system to drive a nonlinear system offers a new type of driving signal. In our approach [1,2,3,4] two major themes stand out. One is the idea of stability as generalized to chaotic systems. Another is the use of a constructive approach to building useful, chaotically driven systems. We cut apart, duplicate, and paste together nonlinear dynamical systems. Many things can be done with some guidance from what is now known in nonlinear dynamics. We first examine stability. Stability of Chaotically Driven Systems Consider a general «-dimensional, nonlinear response system, w = h(w,v), where the w=dw/dt, the driving signal v is supplied by a chaotic system and w and h are «-dimensional vector functions. The question of stability arises when we ask: given a trajectory w(t) generated by this system for a particular drive v, when is w(t) immune to small differences in initial conditions, i.e. when is the final trajectory unique, in some sense? Fig. 1 shows this schematically.
Jones revisited: A second look at the labor management relationship at one rural school district

This case study is a follow up to a previous case study using data collected from the same rural school district in Ohio. An examination of the faculty-administrative relationship using the same climate inventory used in 1999 allows for comparison of the relationship between faculty and management in 1999 and 2002. Conclusions suggested about the impact interest based bargaining can have on the relationship between the administration and faculty at an educational system are re-examined in light of the above-mentioned comparisons. Data collected in 2002 stand in contrast to the data collected in 1999. A closer look may indicate that the mechanism used in negotiations might not have as big an impact as suggested in the first report of this case.
On Designing Time-Multiplexed Pilots for Doubly-Selective Channel Estimation using Discrete Prolate Spheroidal Basis Expansion Models

Channel estimation for single-input single-output frequency- and time-selective channels is considered using time- multiplexed training. The time-varying channel is assumed to be well-described by a basis expansion model using discrete prolate spheroidal sequences as the bases (DPS-BEM). First, the popular linear least-squares approach is exploited to estimate the basis expansion coefficients. Then the issue of training power allocation is addressed. Finally, computer simulation examples are presented where the channel is generated via Jakes' model.
Three-dimensional histology; a 35 mm photographic method

SUMMARY Commercially available photographic equipment can be used to study specimens histologically in three dimensions. Thirty-five millimetre colour transparencies are made of serial sections at desired intervals using a photomicroscope with a rotatable stage. The series of transparencies is projected in alternate fashion using two identical projectors linked by a dissolve control. The method has proved useful in anatomic and embryologie studies and presentations as well as in evaluation of pathologic material in which initial histology revealed an abnormality that could be clarified by three-dimensional study.
A model-based theory for déjà vu and related psychological phenomena

Abstract An explanatory mechanism is discussed that leads to a so-called sufficiency theory of certain psychological phenomena, such as standard recognition as opposed to deja vu, imagined novel experience, jamais vu, disturbed recognition, incorrect recognition, and hallucination—experiences that have not been explained before in a satisfactory scientific manner. Sufficiency theory, in general, means that a proposed structure of plausible mechanisms is sufficient but may not be uniquely necessary to explain, understand, and predict the behavior of the phenomenon under study.
Automated Literature Alerting System.

The Automated Literature Alerting System (ALAS) was developed at Eli Lilly and Company and implemented in January 1967 as a successor to the Chemical Titles tape program. The magnetic tapes received weekly from the Institute for Scientific Information contain title information from about 1800 journals which produce an average of 5600 article titles per week. However, during processing, about 600 non-pertinent journals are deleted. The program began with an initial group of 58 CT subscribers, and new users are continually being added. Each user has been receiving from 0 to 400 citation cards per week, depending upon his profile of key words. The median is about 70 to 80. The system consists of eleven programs for profile and key word generation and maintenance, indexing, searching, and printing, and uses an average of 3.2 hours of machine time a week on an IBM S/360 F30. With 82 users currently in the system, this amounts to about 2.3 minutes of computer time per user per week. Searching is based on a key word system which allows the use of words, authors, prefixes, and suffixes, and employs AND, OR, and NOT logic.
Processing of intervening sequences: a new yeast mutant which fails to excise intervening sequences from precursor tRNAs.

Summary By using conditional loss of suppression as an assay, we have been successful in screening for a yeast mutant which is defective in tRNA processing. The los 1-1 mutation causes an accumulation of a subset of precursor tRNAs at the nonpermissive temperature. These pre-tRNAs are like those which accumulate in the yeast mutant tauthor36 ( rna 1) in that they have transcribed intervening sequences. The mutations at los 1-1 and rna 1 complement and segregate independently of each other. The los 1-1 mutation affects the expression of all 8 tyrosine-inserting suppressor loci, but does not seem to affect rRNA or mRNA synthesis.
A Different Approach to Generating the Fibrogram from Fiber-length-array Data. Part I: Theory

Two theories of generating the fibrogram from fiber-length-array data are presented. The first calculates a fiber-length distribution by number, which is integrated twice from the longest to the sh...
An explicit bijection between semistandard tableaux and non-elliptic sl3 webs

The sl 3 spider is a diagrammatic category used to study the representation theory of the quantum group U q (sl 3). The morphisms in this category are generated by a basis of non-elliptic webs. Khovanov–Kuperberg observe that non-elliptic webs are indexed by semistandard Young tableaux. They establish this bijection via a recursive growth algorithm. Recently, Tymoczko gave a simple version of this bijection in the case that the tableaux are standard and used it to study rotation and join of webs. This article builds on Tymoczko’s bijection to give a simple and explicit algorithm for constructing all non-elliptic sl 3 webs. As an application, we generalize results of Petersen–Pylyavskyy–Rhoades and Tymoczko proving that, for all non-elliptic sl 3 webs, rotation corresponds to jeu de taquin promotion and join corresponds to shuffling.
Smart and genetically engineered biomaterials and drug delivery systems

The design, synthesis, and properties of novel stimuli-sensitive and genetically engineered biomaterials and drug delivery systems are reviewed. Two approaches to their engineering are presented. One approach is to improve the traditional methods of synthesis, as demonstrated by the example of controlled copolymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides. The other approach, discussed in more detail, uses genetic engineering methods. The design of hybrid hydrogel systems whose components derive from at least two distinct classes of molecules, e.g., synthetic macromolecules and protein domains, is assessed. The design of self-assembling block copolymers is discussed in detail. Finally, the pharmaceutics related applications of these materials are presented.
Ventricular restraint therapy for heart failure: the right ventricle is different from the left ventricle.

Objective Effects of ventricular restraint on the left ventricle are well documented, but effects on the right ventricle are not. We hypothesized that restraint affects the right and left ventricles differently. Methods We studied acute effects of restraint on left and right ventricular mechanics in healthy sheep (n = 14) with our previously described technique of adjustable and measurable restraint. Transmural pressure, myocardial oxygen consumption indices, diastolic compliance, and end-systolic elastance were assessed at 4 restraint levels for both ventricles. We then studied long-term effects of restraint for 4 months in an ovine model of ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 6). Heart failure was induced by coronary artery ligation, and polypropylene mesh was wrapped around the heart to simulate clinical restraint therapy. All subjects were followed up with serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to assess left and right ventricular volumes and function. Results Restraint decreased left ventricular transmural pressure ( P P P = .52). Restraint had no effect on right ventricular transmural pressure ( P = .82) or myocardial oxygen consumption indices ( P = .72) but reduced right ventricular diastolic compliance ( P P P = .82). Conclusions Ventricular restraint affects the left and right ventricles differently. Benefits of restraint for right ventricular function are unclear. The left ventricle can tolerate more restraint than the right ventricle. With current devices, the right ventricle may limit overall therapeutic efficacy.
Cathode and interdigitated air distributor geometry optimization in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells

A steady-state single-phase three-dimensional electro-chemical model is combined with a nonlinear constrained optimization procedure to maximize the performance of the cathode and the interdigitated air distributor in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The cathode and the interdigitated air distributor design parameters considered include: the cathode thickness, the thickness of the interdigitated air distributor channels and the width of the interdigitated air distributor channels. A statistical sensitivity analysis is used to determine robustness of the optimal PEM fuel cell design. The results of the optimization analysis show that higher current densities at the membrane/cathode interface are obtained in the PEM cathode and the interdigitated air distributor geometries that promote convective oxygen transport to the membrane/cathode interface and reduce the thickness of the boundary diffusion layer at the same interface. The statistical sensitivity analysis results show that, while the predicted average current density at the membrane/cathode interface is affected by uncertainties in a number of model parameters, the optimal designs of the PEM cathode and the interdigitated air distributor are quite robust.
Neuroleptic drug exposure and treatment of parkinsonism in the elderly: A case-control study

PURPOSE : Despite the widespread use of neuroleptic medications for the elderly, little is known about the frequency of treatment for drug-induced parkinsonian syndromes in this age group, particularly with L-dopa-type drugs, which are more appropriate for the treatment of true idiopathic Parkinson's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS : We identified 3,512 patients aged 65 to 99 enrolled in a large state Medicaid program who were newly prescribed a drug to treat parkinsonian symptoms. Controls were comparable program enrollees of similar age who had not been prescribed an antiparkinsonian drug. In a case-control study, we evaluated the use of neuroleptic drugs in the 90 days before initiation of antiparkinsonian therapy. RESULTS : Patients taking neuroleptics were 5.4 times more likely to begin antiparkinsonian medication than were nonusers (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8 to 6.1). They also had a greater than two-fold increase in risk of beginning therapy with a dopaminergic drug specific for idiopathic Parkinson's disease, not generally indicated for treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism (adjusted odds ratio 2.2, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.7). Clear dose-response relationships were demonstrated, as were differences among neuroleptics. Among all patients started on dopaminergic drugs in this population, 37% of such therapy was attributable to prior neuroleptic use. Continuation of the neuroleptic persisted in 71% of patients so treated. CONCLUSION : Neuroleptic use is a common cause of extrapyramidal dysfunction in the elderly, and the side effect is frequently treated by adding an anticholinergic or dopaminergic drug to the regimen. The use of anticholinergic drugs presents risks of additional drug side effects ; the use of dopaminergic drugs, generally not appropriate for drug-induced parkinsonian syndrome, suggests that extrapyramidal neuroleptic side effects may often be mistaken for idiopathic Parkinson's disease in older patients.
Comparison of human adult and fetal hemoglobin: Aminophenol-induced methemoglobin formation

Human fetal hemoglobin was more susceptible to methemoglobin formation in the presence of aminophenols than was adult hemoglobin. This was due to the intrinsic properties of the proteins rather than the presence of methemoglobin reductases.
MEASURES OF UNCERTAINTY AND INFORMATION BASED ON POSSIBILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

Abstract A measure of uncertainly and information for possibility theory is introduced in this paper The measure is called the U-uncertainty or, alternatively, the U-information. Due to its properties, the U-uncertainty/information can be viewed as a possibilistic counterpart or the Shannon entropy and, at the same time, a generalization or the Hartley uncertainty/information. A conditional U-uncertainty is also derived in this paper, it depends on the U-uncertainties or the joint and marginal possibility distributions in exactly the same way as the conditional Shannon entropy depends on the entropies or the joint and marginal probability distributions. The conditional U-uncertainty is derived without the use of the notion of conditional possibilities, thus avoiding a current controversy in possibility theory. The proposed measures of U-uncertainty and conditional U-uncertainty provide a foundation for developing an alternative theory of information, one based on possibility theory rather than probability...
Atypical pulmonary diseases associated with AIDS.

We present three patients with pulmonary diseases not usually associated with AIDS. Early recognition and treatment allowed a favorable outcome. The cases are discussed and the literature is reviewed. (Chest 1991; 100:675-77)
Experimental studies of anode sheath phenomena in a Hall thruster discharge

Both electron-repelling and electron-attracting anode sheaths in a Hall thruster were characterized by measuring the plasma potential with biased and emissive probes [L. Dorf, Y. Raitses, V. Semenov, and N. J. Fisch, Appl. Phys. Lett. 84, 1070 (2004)]. In the present work, two-dimensional structures of the plasma potential, electron temperature, and plasma density in the near-anode region of a Hall thruster with clean and dielectrically coated anodes are identified. Possible mechanisms of anode sheath formation in a Hall thruster are analyzed. The path for current closure to the anode appears to be the determining factor in the anode sheath formation process. The main conclusion of this work is that the anode sheath formation in Hall thrusters differs essentially from that in the other gas discharge devices, such as a glow discharge or a hollow anode, because the Hall thruster utilizes long electron residence times to ionize rather than high neutral pressures.
Detection And Characterization Of Low-Temperature Phast Transitions By Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

The application of FT-IR spectroscopy to study low-temperature phase transitions in crystalline solids is illustrated by our investigations of (NH4)2NaFeF6 and Cd(C104)2.6H20 between 10 and 300 K. The possibilities of this technique and its limitations are discussed.
Electroplasmolysis and other treatments to improve apple juice yield

A study was undertaken to compare juice yield from electroplasmolysis treated (EP, US Patent 4 723 483) apple pomace with other standard methods of juice extraction, enzyme treatments, a heat treatment and a control. On a 15-min press cycle yields among treatments were similar, with the heated mash sample and the EP sample slightly higher than the others. Rate of juice expression from press cake was very different between treatments, with the heat treated sample and the EP being among the highest.
Fabrication and characterization of novel silicon-compatible high-density capacitors

System integration and miniaturization demands are driving component technologies towards integrated thin films with higher volumetric efficiencies and component densities. Among the various system components, achieving higher densities with capacitors, integrated in thin film form has been a major challenge for the past few decades. This paper reports the first proof-of-concept demonstration of a novel silicon-compatible high-density capacitor technology. The key novelty stems from the tremendous enhancement in surface area from thin and porous copper nanoelectrodes and conformal alumina dielectric on such nanoelectrodes. Atomic Layer Deposition was chosen as the dielectric process because of its self-limiting, defect-free and conformal deposition on 3-D structures. Alumina with its moderate permittivity and superior dielectric properties over large voltage ranges was employed as the representative dielectric. Thin copper particulate electrodes with conformal counter electrodes showed 10 times higher capacitance density compared to the planar devices, with similar leakage properties. Thicker electrodes showed enormous enhancement in surface area but inferior leakage properties. Combination of compositional and morphological techniques was used to show alumina conformality on complex 3-D structures of copper particulate electrode. Capacitance–Voltage and Current–Voltage characterizations were carried out to confirm the feasibility of the novel high density 3-D capacitor structure.
HPV vaccination among lesbian and bisexual women: Findings from a national survey of young adults

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated cervical disease are common among all women, regardless of sexual identity, yet limited research has examined HPV vaccination among lesbian and bisexual women. Methods A national sample of lesbian and bisexual women ages 18–26 (n = 543) completed our online survey during Fall 2013. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify correlates of HPV vaccine initiation (receipt of at least 1 dose) and completion (receipt of all 3 recommended doses among initiators). Results Overall, 45% of respondents had initiated HPV vaccine and 70% of initiators reported completing the series. HPV vaccine initiation was higher among respondents who were students, had received a healthcare provider's recommendation, perceived greater positive social vaccination norms, or anticipated greater regret if they did not get vaccinated and later got HPV. Initiation was lower among those who perceived greater HPV vaccine harms or greater barriers to getting the vaccine (all p < .05). HPV vaccine completion was higher among initiators who had a college degree while it was lower among those who perceived a greater likelihood of acquiring HPV or who anticipated greater regret if they got the vaccine and fainted (all p < .05). Among HPV vaccine initiators who had not yet completed the series, about half (47%) intended to get the remaining doses. Conclusions Many lesbian and bisexual women are not getting vaccinated against HPV. Healthcare provider recommendations and women's health beliefs may be important leverage points for increasing vaccination among this population.