cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bidirectional Interference Between Speech and Nonspeech Tasks in Younger, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine divided attention over a large age range by looking at the effects of 3 nonspeech tasks on concurrent speech motor performance. The nonspeech tasks were designed to facilitate measurement of bidirectional interference, allowing examination of their sensitivity to speech activity. A cross-sectional design was selected to explore possible changes in divided-attention effects associated with age. Method Sixty healthy participants were separated into 3 groups of 20: younger (20s), middle-aged (40s), and older (60s) adults. Each participant completed a speech task (sentence repetitions) once in isolation and once concurrently with each of 3 nonspeech tasks: a semantic-decision linguistic task, a quantitative-comparison cognitive task, and a manual motor task. The nonspeech tasks were also performed in isolation. Results Data from speech kinematics and nonspeech task performance indicated significant task-specific divided attention interference, with divided atte...
Fuzzy Model Based Fuzzy Predictive Controllers

This article presents a methodology to estimate fuzzy models for fuzzy c;ontrol of dynamic systems. The basic motivation is to develop fuzzy controllers that make use of the dynamics of the system. The fuzzy modeling is accomplished by an inductive learning algorithm that uses the concept of rough set theory. The fuzzy controller is constructed from the inverse of the fuzzy model. Therefore, it tries to cancel the dynamics of the system. We show that the fuzzy models can be obtained with a minimal a priori knowledge about the system and that they are good predictors. The inverse-model-based fuzzy controllers developed here are, in general, high pass filters that may amplify the noise and cause saturations. Two simulated examples illustrate the methodology.
Predicting Toxicity Equivalents in Fish Tissue

Toxicity equivalents is a measure of dioxin-like toxicity contributed by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (dioxins), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (furans). Calculation of toxicity equivalents require the use of analytical procedures that are expensive and slow, making them impractical for routine analysis. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Fish Tissue Study (2003) data were used to determine the most significant predictors of toxicity equivalents with multiple regression analysis. The strongest predictive model (P < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.97) included five compounds (PCB-118; PCB-126; 2,3,7,8-TCDD; 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD; 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF). However, the required lower limit of detection for an analytical method measuring these congeners is 0.1 ppt and would not provide much benefit over the current analytical method. An alternative model (P < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.68) that included three PCBs (PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB-118) would require a limit of detection of 1,000 ppt and be more practical. This research demonstrates that the measurement of selected compounds can be used to estimate toxicity equivalents and consequently serve as the impetus for the development of lower cost, rapid analytical methods for analysis of fish.
Critical activities in a successful cellular manufacturing implementation

A manufacturing cell consists of a cluster of functionally dissimilar machines or processes which are placed in close proximity to one another and are dedicated to the manufacture of a set of part families. Parts are grouped into part families depending on the similarity in parts' geometry, manufacturing processes required, or both. This paper presents an empirical analysis of the data collected in a survey of US firms that operate manufacturing cells. The objective was to identify several activities as variables describing the major implementation process. The ultimate goal was to determine which activities have greatest impacts on the degree of success. Best subsets of the variables (the ones which have the most impact on CM success) were generated using exploratory descriptive (rather than predictive) regression models. The results may provide a preliminary identification of 'best practices' for CM implementation.
Sugar? No Thank You, Just a Deep Breath of Oxygen for Cancer Stem Cells

Tumors are metabolically heterogeneous, and subpopulations of tumorigenic cells have been recently described to rely more on mitochondrial respiration than glycolysis for energy production. In this issue, Sancho et al. (2015) demonstrate that MYC is a master switch regulating metabolic programs in different subpopulations of pancreatic tumor cells.
820 TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH PHAGE GROUP I STAPHYLOCOCCI

Six otherwise normal children (ages 8-16 years) have presented sporadically in 1977 with a clinically distinct syndrome of high fever (40-41°C), headache, confusion, conjuctival hyperemia, a diffuse scarlatinaform erythroderma, subcutaneous edema, vomiting, watery diarrhea, hypotension, oliguria, and a propensity to develop acute renal failure, hepatic abnormalities, D.I.C., and severe prolonged shock. One patient died, one developed gangrene of the toes, and all have had fine desquamation of affected skin surfaces as well as marked peeling of palms and soles during convalescence. All five patients studied prospectively have grown phage group I Staphylococcus aureus from mucosal sites (nasopharyngeal, vaginal, tracheal) but not from the blood or CSF. These organisms have been shown to produce a toxin which causes a positive Nikolsky's sign in the newborn mouse model but is biochemically, pathologically, and immunologically distinct from the phage group II staphylococcal exfoliatin. Only one of seven contacts and 0/3 older children with other febrile exanthematous illness grew a similar phage group I staphylococcus. The toxic shock syndrome appears to be a dramatic new clinical entity possibly related to toxin production by certain staphylococci.
Early communication and microtechnology: Instructional sequence and case studies of children with severe multiple disabilities

Teachers and speech-language pathologists serving children who have dual sensory impairments combined with severe orthopedic impairments are often at a loss as to how to provide effective communication instruction. No systematic approach has been available to guide teachers through the intricacies of what is necessarily a difficult process. This paper describes the results of a 3-year investigation of the use of microtechnology to enable children with dual sensory impairments and severe orthopedic impairments to communicate. We present here an instructional sequence that applies across the wide variety of children who participated in the investigation. Some of these children initially appeared to have no voluntary behavior at all: others were able to produce some intentional motor behaviors, but these were not under any clear stimulus control; while others had some primitive but unreliable means of signalling, such as gross vocalizations. By the end of the project, all of these children had shown an abili...
Mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis toxic crystals in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Abstract The oral injection of suspensions of δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. galleriae mixed with radioisotopes indicated that the cellular membranes and the metabolism in the midgut epithelium began to change 10 min after toxin treatment. Histopathological evidence showed that complete cellular deterioration took place within 30–55 min after treatment, and at the same time radical changes took place in the flow of substances from the gut contents to the blood.
Venus: global surface radar reflectivity.

Observations of the surface of Venus, carried out by the Pioneer Venus radar mapper at a wavelength of 17 centimeters, reveal a global mean reflectivity at normal incidence of 0.13 + or - 0.03. Over the surface, variations from a low of 0.03 + or - 0.01 to a high of 0.4 + or - 0.1 are found, with Theia Mons, previously identified as possibly volcanic, showing a value of 0.28 + or - 0.07. Regions of high reflectivity may consist of rocks with substantial inclusions of highly conductive sulfides.
AGGLOMERATION CONTROL OF A CAKING COAL BY SUPERCRITICAL TETRALIN

Experiments were conducted to study the effectiveness of a hydrogen donor solvent (tetralin) in a supercritical phase in controlling agglomeration and adhering tendency of a caking coal. It was observed that supercritical tetralin was as effective as tetralin in the liquid phase in controlling agglomeration and adhering tendency.
A remote-readable graphite oxide (GO) based tamper-evident seal with self-reporting and self-authentication capabilities

The blossoming of sensing solutions based on the use of carbon materials and the pervasive exploration of compressed sensing (CS) for developing structural health monitoring applications suggest the possibility of combining these two research areas in a novel family of smart structures. Specifically, the authors propose an architecture for security-related applications that leverages the tunable electrical properties of a graphite oxide (GO) paper-based tamper-evident seal with a compressed-sensing (CS) encryption/authentication protocol. The electrical properties of GO are sensitive to the traditional methods that are commonly used to remove and replace paper-based tamper-evident seals (mechanical lifting, solvents, heat/cold temperature changes, steam). The sensitivity of the electro-chemical properties of GO to such malicious insults is exploited in this architecture. This is accomplished by using GO paper to physically realize the measurement matrix required to implement a compressive sampling procedure. The proposed architecture allows the seal to characterize its integrity, while simultaneously providing an encrypted/authentication feature making the seal difficult to counterfeit, spoof, or remove/replace. Traditional digital encryption/authentication techniques are often bit sensitive making them difficult to implement as part of a measurement process. CS is not bit sensitive and can tolerate deviation caused by noise and allows the seal to be robust with respect to environmental changes that can affect the electrical properties of the GO paper during normal operation. Further, the reduced amount of samples that need to be stored and transmitted makes the proposed solution highly attractive for power constrained applications where the seal is interrogated by a remote reader.
Three-shell model for independent-electron processes in heavy-ion--atom collisions

A model is developed for the treatment of multielectron ionization and exchange processes in fast ion-atom collisions under the condition that electron-electron interactions may be neglected. The model specifically takes into account ionization and capture from two electron shells of the target and one electron shell of the projectile. The predictions of the model for the case of ionization accompanied by loss of 1--4 electrons from the projectile are compared with experimental results for 40-MeV ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{4+}$ on Ar.
Computing positive semidefinite minimum rank for small graphs

The positive semidefinite minimum rank of a simple graph G is defined to be the smallest possible rank over all positive semidefinite real symmetric matrices whose ij-th entry (for i≠j) is nonzero whenever {i,j} is an edge in G and is zero otherwise. The computation of this parameter directly is difficult. However, there are a number of known bounding parameters and techniques which can be calculated and performed on a computer. We programmed an implementation of these bounds and techniques in the open-source mathematical software Sage. The program, in conjunction with the orthogonal representation method, establishes the positive semidefinite minimum rank for all graphs of order 7 or less.
Designing, Producing, and Evaluating an Instructional Telecourse: A Model for Involving the Adult Learner.

A new model for planning, producing, and evaluating instructional television for the adult learner is described. The core of the model is an instructional design process that involves the interaction of faculty, television professionals, and students in curricular content planning and the development of television scripts. Student input was obtained through the creation of a series of seminars and a practicum on instructional television that involved class members directly in telecourse content development. This instructional design process also created a telecourse format that generated programs capable of holding the attention of home viewers. A method of formative evaluation using student input is also described. Pilot programs were viewed, discussed, and evaluated by students experienced in telecourse learning. The results of the evaluation were used to improve scripts, program organization, and visual content before final studio production began. The finished product was a 50 1/2-hour program series entitledChanging Life on Earth, an interdisciplinary life sciences telecourse. “You took a giant step forward. No doubt about it,” said a male voice from the back of the room.“Sure did,” said a woman, amid nods from other students. These were the closing minutes of a product evaluation session of the new telecourseChanging Life on Earth. Perhaps the previous months of planning and working to develop a creative and innovative approach to an instructional telecourse had, at last, achieved a successful educational experience for the student. The data had now to be tabulated and analyzed.
Basic protein induction of low amplitude energy-linked mitochondrial swelling.

Abstract Polycationic proteins cause an energy-dependent, low amplitude swelling of isolated mitochondria, supported either by substrate oxidation or by adenosine triphosphate. Inorganic phosphate (or arsenate) is required for maximal rate of swelling. Sodium or potassium significantly inhibits the basic protein-induced effect. Magnesium completely prevents the reaction regardless of the ionic constitution of the medium. An energy-dependent potassium ion efflux accompanies the basic protein-induced swelling. These effects are similar to those observed with parathyroid hormone.
NR3A NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression in schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder

Growing evidence suggests that NMDA receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction may be involved in schizophrenia. The NMDAR is a multimeric assembly derived from seven different genes (NR1, NR2A-2D and NR3A-3B). While region-specific changes in the expression of most NMDAR subunits have been reported in schizophrenia, possible abnormalities of NR3A expression have not been investigated. Both electrophysiological and anatomical data in rodents, however, suggest that NR3A subunits could play a role in this disorder. In this study, we measured NR3A transcript levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and inferior temporal neocortex in the brains of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and a comparison group. This transcript was elevated by 32% in schizophrenia relative to controls, but only in the DLPFC and not inferior temporal cortical regions. Interestingly, this effect was restricted to gyral aspects of the DLPFC and did not involve sulcal areas. NR3A mRNA was significantly decreased by 12% in bipolar disorder relative to the comparison group in DLPFC, although there were no gyral versus sulcal differences. As was the case in schizophrenia, no changes in NR3A expression were observed in the inferior temporal cortex in bipolar disorder. These data indicate that the NR3A subunit is abnormally expressed in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DECAY OF LOCALIZED ELECTRONS IN SOLIDS : ONE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL

The competing effects of transfer integral (bandwidth) and local vibronic coupling on space‐ and time‐dependent decay of initially localized electrons in anharmonic chains are investigated. The dynamics of electronic localization, caused by electron–vibrational interaction, and the energy redistribution between the electron and lattice is examined and shown to be changed drastically by the appearance of vibrations, localized by vibronic coupling. We consider effects of dynamical disorder, caused by thermal fluctuations, and find that increase in temperature produces diffuse (incoherent) transfer with the conductivity dropping off with temperature increase, as expected in a metal.
USE OF GENERIC ANTIBIOTICS IN CHILDREN

Most oral antibiotics have highly acceptable generic equivalents. The generic products are comparable in bioavailability, side-effect profile, and efficacy to their brand-name equivalents. Some are more palatable, and all are less costly that the trade-name products. Increased use of oral generic antibiotics will generate significant cost savings for both the patients and prescribers, without compromising therapeutic benefits.
Ion input/output budgets for five wetlands constructed for acid coal mine drainage treatment

Five wetlands, each 6 m wide and 30 m long and containing 30 cm of an organic substrate (Sphagnum peat to which limestone and fertilizer were surface-applied on a quarterly basis, Sphagnum peat, sawdust, straw/manure, spent mushroom compost), were exposed to controlled inputs of acid coal mine drainage (AMD; pH 2.89, soluble Fe, Mn, and SO4 2− concentrations of 119, 19, and 3132 mg L−1, respectively) at a mean flow rate of 8513 L da−1 for 111 weeks, beginning in July of 1989. All wetlands were net sources, rather than sinks, for base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+). The Sphagnum peat wetland was the least effective in treating the AMD, retaining 35% of the soluble Fe influx, but not retaining substantial H+, soluble Mn, soluble Al, SO4 2−, or acidity. The straw/manure and mushroom compost wetlands were the most effective in treating the AMD, retaining 53 and 67% of the H+ influx, 80 and 78% of the soluble Fe influx, 7 and 20% of the soluble Mn influx, 54 and 53% of the soluble Al influx, 15 and 11% of the SO4 2− influx, and 57 and 63% of the acidity influx. For these two wetlands especially, treatment effectiveness was substantially diminished during the cold winter months of January through March. Moreover, from March through July of the final year of the study, treatment effectiveness was minimal with outflow pH and concentrations of soluble Fe, Mn, Al, SO4 2− and acidity that were similar to inflow values. Decreases in treatment effectiveness over time appeared to be related to a decrease in the ability to counter the substantial acid load entering the wetlands in the AMD. Lime or limestone dissolution and bacterial dissimilatory sulfate reduction may have contributed substantially to pH improvement and acidity consumption in the straw/manure and mushroom compost wetlands, but after 2 years the cumulative input of acidity apparently had overwhelmed biotic and abiotic alkalinity generating mechanisms, as reflected in a progressive decrease in both substrate pH and abiotic acid neutralization capacity (ANC) over time, especially in the surface substrates. Also over time, effluent H+ and acidity concentrations became more like influent and H+ and acidity concentrations. Although samples of wetland interstitial water were not collected for chemical analysis, as substrate pH and ANC decreased and as influent and effluent water chemistry became more similar, it is likely that wetland interstitial water became progressively more acidic, potentially inhibiting bacterial processes that could contribute to effective treatment, favoring dissolution rather than formation of insoluble metal precipitates, and thereby contributing to the eventual failure of the wetlands to effectively treat the AMD. In general, when constructed wetlands are used to treat particularly acidic (pH<4) AMD, if abiotic and biotic alkalinity generation cannot balance the influent acid load, long-term effective treatment will not be achieved.
Electron capture and emission for midgap centers

Abstract Important attributes of a deep-level center are the capture coefficients cn and Cp for electrons and holes respectively, and the emission coefficients en and ep respectively for the emission of an electron and a hole. Detailed balance arguments applied at thermodynamic equilibrium require that ( e n e p c n c p ) = n 2 i . While en and ep are inevitably strongly activated fo interesting features for one near enough to midgap so that en and ep are roughly comparable (within a few orders of magnitude). These considerations are applied to the well-known “EL2” defect donor level near midgap in GaAs, and the detailed balance method is used to predict the magnitude and temperature dependence of ep, which turns out to be ∼ 10−3en. Experimental data by Osaka et al. [18] for hole emission from two deep levels in GaAs are reviewed, and it is shown that the deeper of these is ∼ 100 times too efficient to correspond to EL2+→ EL20+h+.
Some observations on protease production in continuous suspension cultures of Bacillus firmus

Invariance of culture conditions in steady state continuous cultures make these a very valuable tool to study the influence of various culture parameters on cell growth and synthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. The result of a parametric study on production of protease in continuous suspension cultures of Bacillus firmus NRS 783 are reported in this article. This strain is a superior producer of an alkaline protease with major application in the detergent industry. The parameters investigated include dilution rate and concentrations of yeast extract, ammonium, and inorganic phosphate in the bioreactor feed, glucose being the principal carbon source in all experiments. The regulatory effects of the key culture parameters on cell growth, synthesis and secretion of protease, and production of acetic acid are investigated. The relations among the specific cell growth rate, specific utilization rates of the principal carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous sources, and specific production rates of two nonbiomass products, viz., acetic acid and protease, are examined, and the effects of the manipulated culture parameters on these relations, specific protease activity, and yields of cell mass, protease, and acetic acid on the basis of the principal carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous sources are studied. An increase in dilution rate led to increases in specific utilization rates of the principal carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous sources and specific production rates of acetic acid and protease and decreases in bulk activities/concentrations of the three products (acetic acid, cell mass, and protease). As a result, the productivities of the three species were maximized at an intermediate dilution rate. Increased supply of yeast extract (a rich source of amino acids, proteins, and vitamins, besides being an additional source of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) promoted cell mass formation but reduced protease production per unit cell mass. Increased supply of nitrogen and phosphorous sources stimulated protease synthesis up to certain threshold levels and repressed the enzyme synthesis beyond the threshold levels. With increased supply of the nitrogen source, the phosphorous source was more efficiently utilized for cell growth and protease synthesis. Stable maintenance of continuous cultures of B. firmus over prolonged period is demonstrated in this study. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Thermoelectric figure of merit of a one-dimensional conductor.

We investigate the effect on the thermoelectric figure of merit of preparing materials in the form of one-dimensional conductors or quantum wires. Our calculations show that this approach has the potential to achieve a significant increase in the figure of merit over both the bulk value and the calculated superlattice values.
Effects of antimutagens on development of drug/antibiotic resistance in microorganisms

The effects of polyamines and related compounds on the development of drug/antibiotic resistance in a variety of bacterial strains were studied. Methods employed included standard toxicity assays, modified Ames tests for mutation frequencies and antimutagenic effects, prophage induction assays, and recA-lacZ and ada-lacZ induction assays. Using these methods, we have shown that the polyamines produce strong antimutagenic effects against EMS and MMS-induced antibiotic resistance. Spermidine also seems to have antimutagenic potential against 4NQO-induced mutations. DNA fidelity assays suggest that polyamines play a vital role in DNA synthesis, and several polyamines prevent the development of resistance to dihydrostreptomycin. The polyamine putrescine appears to be required for streptomycin action and also enhances the activity of some antibiotics (e.g., neomycin, kanamycin) but shows no enhancing effect on tetracycline or erythromycin. The potential significance of these studies for infectious diseases and tumor therapy is discussed.
Six-hour food and barium retention test.

A 6-hour upright abdominal X-ray film, taken after ingestion of a standardized breakfast meal tagged with barium, is very helpful in properly evaluating gastric outlet stenosis and gastric retention. This X-ray may indicate outlet stenosis, with impairment of gastric emptying in the absence of symptoms or typical findings by conventional X-ray examination. It may also be used to evaluate improvement in gastric emptying after medical therapy of manifest abnormal retention. Thus, this simple procedure has diagnostic and prognostic value, and should be used in conjunction with X-ray examination and fiberoptic gastroscopy.
Sexual function in women after rectocele repair with acellular porcine dermis graft vs site-specific rectovaginal fascia repair.

The objective of the study was to compare preoperative and postoperative sexual function between women undergoing rectocele repair with porcine dermis graft and women undergoing site-specific repair of rectovaginal fascia. A standardized, validated questionnaire (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire [PISQ]) was used to collect preoperative sexual function data from 100 patients with rectocele pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage 2 or greater. Fifty women underwent rectocele repair utilizing porcine dermis graft (group 1) and 50 women underwent a site-specific repair of the rectovaginal fascia (group 2). The same questionnaire was administered to all subjects 6 months after surgery. The two groups were similar in age, race, parity, prior hysterectomy, and postmenopausal hormone use. Preoperative sexual function scores were similar in the two groups (group 1 81.4 ± 7.3 and group 2: 83.6 ± 8.2, p = 1.0). Six months after surgery, PISQ scores in group 1 significantly increased (score increase 19.9 ± 2.2, p = 0.01). The mean increase in PISQ scores for group 2 was 6.9 ± 3.1 (p = 0.08). When compared with group 2, subjects undergoing rectocele repair with porcine dermis graft scored significantly higher on the PISQ 6 months after surgery (group 1 101.3 ± 6.4 and group 2 89.7 ± 7.1, p = 0.01). We conclude that rectocele repair using porcine dermis graft is associated with improved sexual functioning when compared with site-specific rectovaginal fascia repair.
DNA shape and separation efficiency in polymer media: A computerized method based on electrophoretic mobility data

The computer program ELPHOFIT for evaluation of the nonlinear plots of log-(mobility) vs. polymer concentration (Ferguson plots) in terms of molecular and polymer properties has been extended to yield a measure of the molecular sieving capacity of the polymer medium. The usefulness of the extended program, version 2.2, was exemplified by the evaluation of DNA shape and separation efficiency in solutions and gels of agarose and polyacrylamide, using previous reports in the literature as a data base. That application of the extended program yields the following results:(i) The size of migrating DNA can be compared with an equivalent sphere having the same free mobility for a particular set of experimental conditions. The decrease in size of the equivalent sphere with polymer concentration previously demonstrated for agarose solutions applies to all of these polymer media; it reveals a steep, hyperbolic decline of that radius in uncrosslinked polyacrylamide solutions in contrast to the shallow decline in the other three media. (ii) The separation efficiency of polyacrylamide gels exceeds that of uncrosslinked polyacrylamide solutions; the separation efficiency of agarose solutions for DNA smaller than 1 kb in length is higher than that of polyacrylamide solutions. Program ELPHOFIT 2.2 is available on request from the first author.
Afghan Refugees in California: Mental Health Issues

Refugees are a particularly vulnerable population that is at risk for mental health problems for a variety of reasons: traumatic experiences in and escapes from their countries of origin, difficult camp or transit experiences, culture conflict and adjustment problems in the country of resettlement, and multiple losses--family members, country, and way of life. Afghan refugees comprise the largest refugee population in the world, at its peak numbering more than 6 million, living mainly in Pakistan and Iran. Based on an ethnographic study of Afghan refugees in Northern California, this article describes common antecedents to and examples of mental health problems in this population, such as depression, somatic symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder. It reviews some of the literature on traumatized refugees and makes some suggestions to mental health providers.
Improving 4-D shape measurement by using projector defocusing

This paper presents a real-time 3-D, or 4-D, shape measurement technique that can reach the speed limit of a digital fringe projection system without significantly increasing the system cost. Instead of generating sinusoidal fringe patterns by a computer directly, they are produced by defocusing binary structured patterns. By this means, with a relatively inexpensive camera, the 3-D shape measurement system can double the previously maximum achievable speed, and reaches the refreshing rate of a digital-light-processing (DLP) projector: 120 Hz.
Chronic ethanol treatment alters the behavioral effects of Ro 15-4513, a partially negative ligand for benzodiazepine binding sites.

Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsion were studied in control, chronic ethanol-maintained, and ethanol-withdrawal rats. The convulsive doses of PTZ varied among the different groups of rats. Ethanol-maintained rats required higher doses of PTZ to produce convulsions, compared to control and ethanol-withdrawal rats. The partially negative ligands for benzodiazepine binding sites, Ro 15-4513 (2 mg/kg, i.p.) and FG 7142 (20 mg/kg, i.p.) produced proconvulsant effect in saline (control) and ethanol-withdrawal rats as they potentiated the effect of subconvulsive dose of PTZ. A higher dose of Ro 15-4513 (4 mg/kg, i.p.), but not FG 7142 (up to 80 mg/kg, i.p.), also produced proconvulsant effect in ethanol-maintained rats. Furthermore, Ro 15-4513 (5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), but not FG 7142 (up to 80 mg/kg, i.p.), produced clonic-tonic seizures of short duration in ethanol-withdrawal rats. These effects of Ro 15-4513 and FG 7142 were reversed by diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.), as well as by the GABA-neutral Ro 15-1788 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), thereby, indicating the involvement of central benzodiazepine receptors in the action of Ro 15-4513 and FG 7142. These observations suggest that chronic ethanol treatment selectively alters the receptor sensitivity to Ro 15-4513, an ethanol antagonist and partially negative ligand for BZ sites, and this observation supports the notion that ethanol effects are more susceptible to reversal by the imidazobenzodiazepine as compared to other negative ligand for BZ binding sites.
Time-related factors in research on diet and cancer

Time-related factors have been an integral aspect of laboratory and epidemiologic studies concerning the effects of diet on cancer. In this survey, we illustrate several ways in which consideration of time factors has furthered our understanding in this area. As one of the key dimensions in descriptive studies of secular trends and migrant populations, time factors suggest general associations between diet and cancer. The investigation of time-related parameters such as age, duration of dietary exposure, and time from exposure to cancer, lends greater specificity to the diet-cancer relationship. Both micro- and macro-nutrients are examined, as well as nutrition-mediated factors such as growth and anthropometry. Time-related issues relevant to the design of future observational and intervention studies of diet and cancer (i.e. critical etiologic periods, timing of dietary assessment, biological indicators, and secular trends) are also discussed.
Gastroesophageal reflux leads to esophageal cancer in a surgical model with mice

Esophago-gastroduodenal anastomosis with rats mimics the development of human Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma by introducing mixed reflux of gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus. However, use of this rat model for mechanistic and chemopreventive studies is limited due to lack of genetically modified rat strains. Therefore, a mouse model of esophageal adenocarcinoma is needed. We performed reflux surgery on wild-type, p53 A135V transgenic, and INK4a/Arf +/- mice of A/J strain. Some mice were also treated with omeprazole (1,400 ppm in diet), iron (50 mg/kg/m, i.p.), or gastrectomy plus iron. Mouse esophagi were harvested at 20, 40 or 80 weeks after surgery for histopathological analysis. At week 20, we observed metaplasia in wild-type mice (5%, 1/20) and p53 A135V mice (5.3%, 1/19). At week 40, metaplasia was found in wild-type mice (16.2%, 6/37), p53 A135V mice (4.8%, 2/42), and wild-type mice also receiving gastrectomy and iron (6.7%, 1/15). Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma developed in INK4a/Arf +/- mice (7.1%, 1/14), and wild-type mice receiving gastrectomy and iron (21.4%, 3/14). Among 13 wild-type mice which were given iron from week 40 to 80, twelve (92.3%) developed squamous cell carcinoma at week 80. None of these mice developed esophageal adenocarcinoma. Surgically induced gastroesophageal reflux produced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but not esophageal adenocarcinoma, in mice. Dominant negative p53 mutation, heterozygous loss of INK4a/Arf, antacid treatment, iron supplementation, or gastrectomy failed to promote esophageal adenocarcinoma in these mice. Further studies are needed in order to develop a mouse model of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Movements of the Vocal Cords

Vocal cord movement induced by laryngeal nerve stimulation was compared with that of respiration, phonation and deglutition, and the results of electrical stimulation of the external superior laryngeal and recurrent nerves and their branches in dogs at different frequencies and voltages are described. The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (abductor) has a low frequency characteristic when compared with the adductor muscles. The frequency characteristics of the cricothyroid muscle (tensor) is between the abductor and the adductor.
Characterization of Subtle Brain Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of Hedgehog Pathway Antagonist-Induced Cleft Lip and Palate

Subtle behavioral and cognitive deficits have been documented in patient cohorts with orofacial clefts (OFCs). Recent neuroimaging studies argue that these traits are associated with structural brain abnormalities but have been limited to adolescent and adult populations where brain plasticity during infancy and childhood may be a confounding factor. Here, we employed high resolution magnetic resonance microscopy to examine primary brain morphology in a mouse model of OFCs. Transient in utero exposure to the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway antagonist cyclopamine resulted in a spectrum of facial dysmorphology, including unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate, cleft of the secondary palate only, and a non-cleft phenotype marked by midfacial hypoplasia. Relative to controls, cyclopamine-exposed fetuses exhibited volumetric differences in several brain regions, including hypoplasia of the pituitary gland and olfactory bulbs, hyperplasia of the forebrain septal region, and expansion of the third ventricle. However, in affected fetuses the corpus callosum was intact and normal division of the forebrain was observed. This argues that temporally-specific Hh signaling perturbation can result in typical appearing OFCs in the absence of holoprosencephaly—a condition classically associated with Hh pathway inhibition and frequently co-occurring with OFCs. Supporting the premise that some forms of OFCs co-occur with subtle brain malformations, these results provide a possible ontological basis for traits identified in clinical populations. They also argue in favor of future investigations into genetic and/or environmental modulation of the Hh pathway in the etiopathogenesis of orofacial clefting.
On the intersection of controllable and reachable sets

In this paper, we prove that the intersection of the controllable set to and the reachable set from a point target is connected, and that points within the intersection have the same controllable and reachable sets. We further demonstrate that the intersection is positive invariant whenever the intersection is not a single point. We then introduce the concept of a maneuverable set which allows us to generalize the results by replacing the point target with a maneuverable set. Use of the theory is illustrated.
Morphological and Performance Measures of Polyurethane Foams Using X-Ray CT and Mechanical Testing

Meso-scale structure in polymeric foams determines the mechanical properties of the material. Density variations, even more than variations in the anisotropic void structure, can greatly vary the compressive and tensile response of the material. With their diverse use as both a structural material and space filler, polyurethane (PU) foams are widely studied. In this manuscript, quantitative measures of the density and anisotropic structure are provided by using micro X-ray computed tomography (microCT) to better understand the results of mechanical testing. MicroCT illustrates the variation in the density, cell morphology, size, shape, and orientation in different regions in blown foam due to the velocity profile near the casting surface. “Interrupted” in situ imaging of the material during compression of these sub-regions indicates the pathways of the structural response to the mechanical load and the changes in cell morphology as a result. It is found that molded PU foam has a 6 mm thick “skin” of higher density and highly eccentric morphological structure that leads to wide variations in mechanical performance depending upon sampling location. This comparison is necessary to understand the mechanical performance of the anisotropic structure.
Planned neck dissection after definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background. To define the role of planned neck dissection after definitive radiotherapy for patients with node-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods. Review of the pertinent literature. Results. Radiotherapy alone produces a relatively high likelihood of regional control for patients with early-stage neck disease. Patients with more advanced neck disease have a higher probability of regional control if a planned neck dissection follows radiotherapy. However, for patients who have a complete response to radiotherapy, the likelihood of an isolated recurrence in the neck is low. Radiographic evaluation of the response to radiotherapy may better define the subset of patients who are likely to benefit from a neck dissection. Conclusions. Neck dissection after definitive radiotherapy improves regional control for patients with advanced neck disease. Patients who have a complete clinical and radiographic regional response to radiotherapy have a low probability of an isolated recurrence in the neck. It is advisable to proceed with a neck dissection for patients who have an equivocal response to radiotherapy, because the likelihood of salvage of an isolated recurrence in the neck is remote. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 1012–1018, 2002
Ion-Beam Reactive Sputter Deposition of MgO Thin Films on Silicon and Sapphire Substrates

MgO thin films were deposited on silicon and sapphire substrates using ion-beam reactive sputtering. Films have been analyzed using x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Highly oriented (100) MgO films have been obtained on Si (100) substrates. The in-plane orientation is predominantly [100]MgO//[100]Si, although a twist of up to ±10° between grains is observed. Epitaxial films of MgO were deposited on four different orientations of sapphire. The MgO film orientation was (111) on c-cut (0001) Al 2 O 3 and exhibited double positioning boundaries in TEM analysis. On r-cut (1102) Al 2 O 3 , the MgO appeared to be oriented (730) with tilt and twist of ±2° between the grains. Epitaxial MgO films oriented (110) and (111) were obtained on m-cut (1010) and a-cut (1120) sapphire orientations, respectively. In-plane directions were extracted from TEM analysis on all the samples. Atomic force microscopy revealed fairly smooth MgO films on sapphire, varying from 0.35 nm average roughness for the MgO film on the m-cut substrate to 0.80 nm on the r-cut substrate.
Partial separation of Sendai virus-fused lymphocytes by velocity sedimentation.

Abstract The partial separation of Sendai virus-fused mouse lymphocytes by velocity sedimentation, a technique that separates cells on the basis of size, is described. In addition, density separation of cultures containing fused cells with iso-osmotic BSA allows study of viable cells after 72 hr in culture.
The evolution of institutions in India and its relationship with economic growth

This paper examines the evolution in a few public institutions over time in India. It presents three types of evidence: on institutional outcomes (such as losses in power generation, backlogs in disposal of court cases); on perceptions-based measures of governance, some going back to the 1960s; and, finally, on customs administration and whether it has been more effective at detecting evasion over time. All the evidence suggests that institutional quality has not improved over time. It then addresses the two-way relationship between growth and institutions in terms of two apparent paradoxes. The first is why growth has turned around so dramatically in India despite the relatively limited nature of reforms, especially compared with other countries. The second paradox is why, despite nearly 30 years of rapid growth, institutions have not improved. The paper offers some explanations that might help explain these paradoxes.
Self-Reported Violent Victimization Among Young Adults in Miami, Florida: Immigration, Race/Ethnic and Gender Contrasts*:

Does being an immigrant place an individual at greater risk than non-immigrants for violent victimization? Could residence in homogeneous communities, such as ethnic enclaves, serve to protect or m...
Quantum criticality for few-body systems: Path-integral approach

We present the path-integral approach to treat quantum phase transitions and critical phenomena for few-body quantum systems. Allowing the space and time variables to have discrete values, we turn the quantum problem into an effective classical lattice problem. Imposing the constraint that any change in space time must preserve the scaling invariance of Brownian paths, we show that the mapped classical lattice system has a known scaling behavior when the particle is free, which breaks down when the strength of the interaction potential reaches a certain value. In principle, any quantity with known scaling behavior may be used to determine the transition point. We illustrate the method by numerically evaluating the correlation length and the radial mean distance for a system composed of a single particle in the presence of an attractive Poschl-Teller potential in one and three dimensions. The method is general and has potential applicability for large systems.
Taking the Lead: the States' Expanding Role in Domestic Policymaking

To an increasing degree, the American states in recent years have taken the lead in domestic policymaking. In many areas — education, economic development, welfare reform, health care, housing and the environment, among others — state governors and legislatures are providing the initiative in identifying public needs, setting policy agenda and devising effective programmes to implement them.
Genetic immunodeficiencies: Cutaneous manifestations and recent progress

Abstract In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in elucidating the pathophysiology of genetic immunodeficiency disorders. Dermatologic manifestations are prominent in these conditions; because of advances in diagnosis and therapy, patients are living longer, increasing the likelihood that dermatologists will encounter patients with these diseases. The genes of many of these disorders have been cloned, including chronic granulomatous disease, X-linked immunodeficiencies, and myeloperoxidase deficiency. Understanding the regulation and function of these genes will not only affect patients with these rare disorders, but may provide an insight into common dermatologic conditions, such as eczema and cutaneous infection. Diagnosis, dermatologic manifestations, and therapy are discussed.
Pairwise-Difference Estimation of a Dynamic Optimization Model

We develop a new estimation methodology for dynamic optimization models with unobserved shocks and deterministic accumulation of the observed state variables. Investment models are an important example of such models. Our pairwise-difference approach exploits two common features of these models: (1) the monotonicity of the agent's decision (policy) function in the shocks, conditional on the observed state variables; and (2) the state-contingent nature of optimal decision making which implies that, conditional on the observed state variables, the variation in observed choices across agents must be due to randomness in the shocks across agents. We illustrate our procedure by estimating a dynamic trading model for the milk production quota market in Ontario, Canada.