cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategies for quantifying C60 fullerenes in environmental and biological samples and implications for studies in environmental health and ecotoxicology

Fullerenes are sphere-like molecules with unique physico-chemical properties, which render them of particular interest in biomedical research, consumer products and industrial applications. Human and environmental exposure to fullerenes is not a new phenomenon, due to a long history of hydrocarbon-combustion sources, and will only increase in the future, as incorporation of fullerenes into consumer products becomes more widespread for use as anti-aging, anti-bacterial or anti-apoptotic agents. An essential step in the determination of biological effects of fullerenes (and their surface-functionalized derivatives) is establishment of exposure-assessment techniques. However, in ecotoxicological studies, quantification of fullerenes is performed infrequently because robust, uniformly applicable analytical approaches have yet to be identified, due to the wide variety of sample types. Moreover, the unique physico-chemistry of fullerenes in aqueous matrices requires reassessment of conventional analytical approaches, especially in more complex biological matrices (e.g., urine, blood, plasma, milk, and tissue). Here, we present a review of current analytical approaches for the quantification of fullerenes and propose a consensus approach for determination of these nanomaterials in a variety of environmental and biological matrices.
Anharmonicity of weakly bound M(+)-H2 complexes.

The anharmonicity of weakly bound complexes is studied using the vibrational self-consistent field (VSCF) approach for a series of metal cation dihydrogen (M+−H2) complexes. The H−H stretching frequency shifts of M+−H2 (M+ = Li+, Na+, B+, and Al+) complexes are calculated with the coupled-cluster method including all single and double excitations with perturbative triples (CCSD(T)) level of theory with the cc-pVTZ basis set. The calculated H−H stretching frequency of Li+−H2, B+−H2, Na+−H2, and Al+−H2 is red-shifted by 121, 202, 74, and 62 cm-1, respectively, relative to that of unbound H2. The calculated red shifts and their trends are in good agreement with the available experimental and previously calculated data. Insight into the observed trends is provided by symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT).
Mitochondrial creatine phosphokinase deficiency in diabetic rat heart.

Abstract The role of the mitochondrial end of the phosphocreatine energy shuttle was studied in the streptozotocin diabetic rat heart. Diabetic rats had 45±5% lower body weight and yielded 46±6% less mitochondria/gm of protein than normals. Diabetic heart mitochondria had 32±7% lower creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and 59±10% lower oxygen consumption rate than normal heart mitochondria. Creatine (25 mM) did not stimulate oxygen uptake by diabetic heart although control (normal) heart mitochondria were stimulated. Inadequate mitochondrial energy production in the form of phosphocreatine could result in lower energy delivery to the myofibrillar contraction sites and might be an important factor in diabetic cardiomyopathy and weight loss.
Nanomechanical measurements with AFM in the elastic limit

With increasing interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology, the fundamental underpinnings of what makes materials strong and durable are under critical investigation. Recent findings suggest that when materials are reduced in extent to nanoscopic proportions, they exhibit enhanced strength, specifically in the form of higher moduli than are measured on macroscopic objects of the same composition. Force-deformation behavior of nanostructures subjected to concentrated loads, such as with atomic force microscopy (AFM), can yield detailed information and insight about their local mechanical properties. We review and evaluate the effectiveness of deformation and indentation tests used in determining the elastic modulus of nanobeams, nanosprings, thin films, biological samples, dendrimers, and fluid droplets. Obstacles yet remain in the determination of absolute, quantitative modulus data at the nanoscale. In spite of basic limitations, recent developments in advanced nanomechanical techniques will facilitate improvement in our understanding of material strength and aging from molecules and colloids to the macroscale.
The stability of several measures of association in small contingency tables

Measures of association are often used to describe the relationship between row and column variables in two—dimensional contingency tables. It is not uncommon in biomedical research to categorize continuous variables to obtain a two—dimensional table. In these situations it is desirable that the measure of association not be too sensitive to changes in the number of categories or to the choice of cut points. To accomplish this objective we attempt to find a measure of association that closely approximates the corresponding measure of association for the underlying distribution.Measures that are close to the underlying measure for various table sizes andcutpoints are called stable measures.
Free burning fires

A review is made of the data available for estimating the burning rates of free-burning fires. Free-burning, in this context, is taken to mean fires in an ambient, wind-free atmosphere, or in a room, but under such conditions that the presence of the room walls and air flow restrictions do not appreciably influence the burning rate. Some guidance is given for assessing when these conditions are not met. For certain well-studied categories of combustibles, simple estimating rules are given for predicting the burning rate from known material properties. In other cases, only measured data for a number of specimens are available, without a systematic estimating rule. The scope is restricted to combustibles which burn at a sufficient rate to be hazardous in building fires. Data are not included for reported measurements where specimens have not been quantitatively described, or if data are proprietary. The review suggests that while data for certain combustibles are plentiful, the catalog is by no means large, and for many design cases quantitative guidance would not be available.
Evidence from inelastic proton scattering for a giant quadrupole vibration in spherical nuclei

Abstract A systematic study of inelastic proton continuum spectra produced at small angles by bombardment of 27Al, 54Fe, 120Sn and 209Bi with 62 MeV protons suggests the existence of a collective region in the continuum with properties of a giant quadrupole vibration.
Three Mechanisms for the Calcium Alleviation of Mineral Toxicities

Ca 2+ in rooting medium is essential for root elongation, even in the absence of added toxicants. In the presence of rhizotoxic levels of Al 3+ , H + , or Na + (or other cationic toxicants), supplementation of the medium with higher levels of Ca 2+ alleviates growth inhibition. Experiments to determine the mechanisms of alleviation entailed measurements of root elongation in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv Scout 66) seedlings in controlled medium. A Gouy-Chapman-Stern model was used to compute the electrical potentials and the activities of ions at the root-cell plasma membrane surfaces. Analysis of root elongation relative to the computed surface activities of ions revealed three separate mechanisms of Ca 2+ alleviation. Mechanism I is the displacement of cell-surface toxicant by the Ca 2+ -induced reduction in cell-surface negativity. Mechanism II is the restoration of Ca 2+ at the cell surface if the surface Ca 2+ has been reduced by the toxicant to growth-limiting levels. Mechanism III is the collective ameliorative effect of Ca 2+ beyond mechanisms I and II, and may involve Ca 2+ -toxicant interactions at the cell surface other than the displacement interactions of mechanisms I and II. Mechanism I operated in the alleviation of all of the tested toxicities; mechanism II was generally a minor component of alleviation; and mechanism III was toxicant specific and operated strongly in the alleviation of Na + toxicity, moderately in the alleviation of H + toxicity, and not at all in the alleviation of Al 3+ toxicity.
Corrosion and fracture of type 316 SMO orthopedic implants.

Orthopedic appliances of type 316 (SMO) stainless steel were examined in detail after being removed from human subjects. Techniques included conventional microscopy with various lighting methods, together with electron microscope fractography. Corrosion, fatigue failure, and manufacturing defects were identified and statistically tabulated. Corrosion damage occurred on 91% of all multicomponent devices and the overall incidence of fracture failure was 9%. These results indicate an urgent ueed for stronger, more corrosion-resistant implant alloys.
Cosmopolitanism with Room for Nationalism

Gillian Brock attempts to reconcile cosmopolitanism with nationalism in Global Justice: A Cosmopolitan Account. She claims that her cosmopolitanism leaves room for legitimate nationalism. I argue that her cosmopolitanism is not only a theory of global justice, but also a general theory of justice, according to which what justice may demand of us is fundamentally global in nature. As such, Brock’s cosmopolitanism cannot accommodate nationalism in the overall structure of what justice may demand of us, but has to relegate it to the discretionary space left open after what justice may demand of us globally has been met. This does not amount to much of a reconciliation or a particularly moderate cosmopolitanism, contrary to Brock’s claim. More important, I argue, Brock’s cosmopolitan theory of justice need not follow from the more fundamental view of moral cosmopolitanism.
The Composition of Particulate Organic Matter in the Euphotic Zone of Lake Superior

Abstract The composition of particulate organic matter (POM) as living and dead material in the euphotic zone of Lake Superior, May to November 1973, was derived by a regression method. The regression method reported in the literature was modified because it had a conceptual bias and overestimated detritus. POM composition expressed as chlorophyll, particulate organic carbon, particulate organic nitrogen, and particulate organic phosphorus was also analyzed. This analysis showed that living seston was the major component of POM during the 7 months. Detritus was minimal during the year and increased to 39% of POM by fall. Most detritus was autochthonous. The lack of correlation between the particulate organic phosphorus and the other components of POM shows that the available phosphorus is rapidly recycled in an efficient manner and not significantly bound in detrital material. The coupling of statistical techniques and data collected during the intensive study of Lake Superior has provided a good insight into the interrelationships and seasonal patterns of nutrients and chlorophyll.
An embedded atom method potential for the h.c.p. metal Zr

Abstract The embedded atom method is extended to the h.c.p. metal Zr. The non-ideal c: α ratio and the elastic responses, including contributions from internal degrees of freedom, are incorporated in the fitting procedure: Simple functional forms are assumed for the pair interaction, atomic electron density and embedding function. The functions are parametrized by fitting to experimental data: cohesive energy, equilibrium lattice constants, single crystal elastic constants and vacancy formation energy. An equation of state of the form proposed by Rose, Smith, Guinea and Ferrante is used to reproduce the pressure dependence of the cohesive energy, taking into account the anisotropic elastic response of the crystal. Dimer data and a high energy sputtering potential are also reproduced to extend the range of validity of the potential into regions of very high and low electron density. Good agreement is obtained between the experimental and calculated properties. The potential is applied to the calculation of...
Simultaneous Multielement Study of the Binding of Metals in Solution by an Algal Biomass, Chlorella Vulgaris

Abstract The adsorption process of four metals in solution (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd) to Chlorella Vulgaris will be described and compared to a previous study using three metals (Pb,Cu,Zn) in solution. The binding capacity of Chlorella Vulgaris to four elements simultaneously increases with time, mass of algae, and up to a temperature of about 20.0°C. The equilibrium points for binding three metals simultaneously are at pH=4.55, with 7 mg of algae, and after 2.0 hrs. in a 5 ml aliquot of the solution. In the four metal system, the optimum values are significantly higher while the binding capacity is reduced. The competition between metals for binding sites in the algal cells is governed by kinetic properties as related to the pH, mass of algae, time, and concentration of solution. The binding process is also dependent upon thermodynamics with respect to the temperature of the solution.
Integrin-mediated preadipocyte adhesion and migration on laminin-1.

Cell adhesion and migration are key events in many biological processes and depend on extracellular matrix proteins. Understanding these cellular events in adipogenesis is paramount to elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying preadipocyte-specific aspects of obesity, diabetes, and adipose tissue development for the design of pharmaceutical screening and tissue engineering strategies. We quantitatively investigated preadipocyte adhesion and migration on laminin-1 surfaces and identified candidate cognate preadipocyte receptors for laminin-1. In adhesion studies, we found that preadipocytes readily adhered to laminin-1 as compared with other extracellular matrix proteins. In addition, immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that an array of integrin molecules was present on the surface of preadipocytes. Preadipocyte adhesion on laminin-1 was quantitatively assessed using a sedimentation adhesion assay, and results suggested that preadipocyte adhesion to laminin-1 was mediated by the α1β1 integrin. In addition, digital time-lapse microscopy and quantitative cell tracking revealed that inhibition of the α1β1 integrin resulted in abrogation of preadipocyte migration on laminin-1 surfaces. These results strongly support the hypothesis that preadipocyte adhesion to and migration on laminin-1 substrata are regulated, in part, by integrins. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2003: 8717Jj, 8715Kg, 8764Rr, 8714Ee
Statistical Assessment of Normal Mitral Annular Geometry Using Automated Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Analysis

Background The basis of mitral annuloplasty ring design has progressed from qualitative surgical intuition to experimental and theoretical analysis of annular geometry with quantitative imaging techniques. In this work, we present an automated three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic image analysis method that can be used to statistically assess variability in normal mitral annular geometry to support advancement in annuloplasty ring design. Methods Three-dimensional patient-specific models of the mitral annulus were automatically generated from 3D echocardiographic images acquired from subjects with normal mitral valve structure and function. Geometric annular measurements including annular circumference, annular height, septolateral diameter, intercommissural width, and the annular height to intercommissural width ratio were automatically calculated. A mean 3D annular contour was computed, and principal component analysis was used to evaluate variability in normal annular shape. Results The following mean ± standard deviations were obtained from 3D echocardiographic image analysis: annular circumference, 107.0 ± 14.6 mm; annular height, 7.6 ± 2.8 mm; septolateral diameter, 28.5 ± 3.7 mm; intercommissural width, 33.0 ± 5.3 mm; and annular height to intercommissural width ratio, 22.7% ± 6.9%. Principal component analysis indicated that shape variability was primarily related to overall annular size, with more subtle variation in the skewness and height of the anterior annular peak, independent of annular diameter. Conclusions Patient-specific 3D echocardiographic–based modeling of the human mitral valve enables statistical analysis of physiologically normal mitral annular geometry. The tool can potentially lead to the development of a new generation of annuloplasty rings that restore the diseased mitral valve annulus back to a truly normal geometry.
Optical interconnects in the Touchstone supercomputer program

ABSTRACT An optical interconnect has been designed for the Touchstone supercomputer program. The objective of the system is to demonstrate scalability of the Touchstone 2-D interconnect mesh and enhance system performance. The name of the opticalinterconnect system is the Fiber Optic Mesh Extender (FOME). The goal of this work to to demonstrate that fiber optics canprovide physical scalability in parallel supercomputing. Two ASICs were designed to control the fiber optic transmitter andreceiver now under development at Honeywell's Microswitch division. This paper describes the FOME design including systemarchitecture, planned implementation, and the resulting VHDL behavioral description. 1. INTRODUCTION Optical interconnects are a potential solution to the interconnect problems that arise as parallel processors require significantlyhigher bandwidth per interconnect and/or higher interconnect density1' 2• This paper describes the architecture, design, andplanned implementation of a gigabit per second (Gbps) optical interconnect system for a parallel supercomputer developed byIntel on the Touchstone program. The optical interconnect work is being done primarily by Honeywell, with support from Intel,who is providing system level expertise and a demonstration system.The program merges system-driven requirements with technology development. The system-driven aspect ensures that the finaldesign will meet performance and functionality specifications, and addresses such issues as electrical performance, interfacesignals, mechanical characteristics, manufacturability, and cost. The objective of the program is to provide scaiability for parallelprocessors through the use of Gbps optical interconnects. Prototype hardware will be demonstrated. The implementation must
Immune and Anticancer Responses Elicited by Fully Synthetic Aberrantly Glycosylated MUC1 Tripartite Vaccines Modified by a TLR2 or TLR9 Agonist

The mucin MUC1 is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated by many epithelial cancer cells manifested by truncated O-linked saccharides. Although tumor-associated MUC1 has generated considerable attention because of its potential for the development of a therapeutic cancer vaccine, it has been difficult to design constructs that consistently induce cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) and ADCC-mediating antibodies specific for the tumor form of MUC1. We have designed, chemically synthesized, and immunologically examined vaccine candidates each composed of a glycopeptide derived from MUC1, a promiscuous Thelper peptide, and a TLR2 (Pam3 CysSK4 ) or TLR9 (CpG-ODN 1826) agonist. It was found that the Pam3 CysSK4 -containing compound elicits more potent antigenic and cellular immune responses, resulting in a therapeutic effect in a mouse model of mammary cancer. It is thus shown, for the first time, that the nature of an inbuilt adjuvant of a tripartite vaccine can significantly impact the quality of immune responses elicited against a tumor-associated glycopeptide. The unique adjuvant properties of Pam3 CysSK4 , which can reduce the suppressive function of regulatory T cells and enhance the cytotoxicity of tumor-specific CTLs, are likely responsible for the superior properties of the vaccine candidate 1.
Structural basis of the relaxed state of a Ca2+-regulated myosin filament and its evolutionary implications

Myosin filaments of muscle are regulated either by phosphorylation of their regulatory light chains or Ca2+ binding to the essential light chains, contributing to on–off switching or modulation of contraction. Phosphorylation-regulated filaments in the relaxed state are characterized by an asymmetric interaction between the two myosin heads, inhibiting their actin binding or ATPase activity. Here, we have tested whether a similar interaction switches off activity in myosin filaments regulated by Ca2+ binding. Cryo-electron microscopy and single-particle image reconstruction of Ca2+-regulated (scallop) filaments reveals a helical array of myosin head-pair motifs above the filament surface. Docking of atomic models of scallop myosin head domains into the motifs reveals that the heads interact in a similar way to those in phosphorylation-regulated filaments. The results imply that the two major evolutionary branches of myosin regulation—involving phosphorylation or Ca2+ binding—share a common structural mechanism for switching off thick-filament activity in relaxed muscle. We suggest that the Ca2+-binding mechanism evolved from the more ancient phosphorylation-based system to enable rapid response of myosin-regulated muscles to activation. Although the motifs are similar in both systems, the scallop structure is more tilted and higher above the filament backbone, leading to different intermolecular interactions. The reconstruction reveals how the myosin tail emerges from the motif, connecting the heads to the filament backbone, and shows that the backbone is built from supramolecular assemblies of myosin tails. The reconstruction provides a native structural context for understanding past biochemical and biophysical studies of this model Ca2+-regulated myosin.
Is obesity a major cause of chronic kidney disease

Excess weight gain is a major risk factor for essential hypertension and for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Obesity raises blood pressure by increasing renal tubular sodium reabsorption, impairing pressure natriuresis, and causing volume expansion because of activation of the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system and by physical compression of the kidneys, especially when visceral obesity is present. Obesity also causes renal vasodilation and glomerular hyperfiltration that initially serve as compensatory mechanisms to maintain sodium balance in the face of increased tubular reabsorption. In the long-term, however, these changes, along with the increased systemic arterial pressure, create a hemodynamic burden on the kidneys that causes glomerular injury. With prolonged obesity, there is increasing urinary protein excretion and gradual loss of nephron function that worsens with time and exacerbates hypertension. With the worsening of metabolic disturbances and the development of type II diabetes in some obese patients, kidney disease progresses much more rapidly. Weight reduction is an essential first step in the management of obesity, hypertension, and kidney disease. Special considerations for the obese patient, in addition to adequately controlling the blood pressure, include correction of the metabolic abnormalities and protection of the kidneys from further injury.
Marriage and the Allocation of Assets in Women’s Defined Contribution Plans

The goal of this paper is to understand the effect of family decision-making on the investment decisions of married men and women. Using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, we investigate how the spouse’s relative control over financial resources in the household and the life-cycle stage affect the investment choices of married women and men. The results show that married women who have more control over the financial resources are less likely to invest their Defined Contribution Plans (DCPs) in risky assets. Also, women who are married to relatively older men are less likely to take on risk with their DCPs. There is little evidence that the wife’s characteristics affect the investment decisions of married men.
Cluster: A program for the identification of eye-fixation-cluster characteristics

Innovations in software for the analysis of eye movements have not kept pace with the develop­ ment of hardware for collecting samples of eye position (Scinto & Barnette, 1986). Eye fixation and duration have been the primary measures for gleaning knowledge of subjects' performance while the subjects are engaged in cognitive visual tasks. The program Cluster was developed as a means of investigating the dynamics of target examination characteristics that do not lend themselves to traditional methods of eye-movement analysis. This tool has proved to be a valu­ able means of assessing visual activity at a micro level, in comparison with the gross measures of distribution of visual attention in various areas of the visual field. In this report, we describe the history surrounding the development of Cluster as an analytical tool, the source of input re­ quired for its execution, the mechanics of the execution as an interactive process, the replicabil­ ity of raters' judgments, the program's products of visual displays and data file output, and the potential application of such a tool for analyzing visual activity. Scientific research does not always adhere to ex­ perimental protocol in a simple, straightforward manner. In the statistical analysis of the data obtained from even a well-designed research study, unexpected aspects of human behavior and performance are often exposed. In the present paper, we describe a computer program de­ signed and written to handle just such a situation, which arose during a research endeavor (Birkmire, Karsh, Bar­ nette, Pillalamarri, & Breitenbach, 1991) of the U.S. Army Human Engineering Laboratory (HEL) to aid designers of military tracked vehicles at the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM). Specifically, these designers were interested in determining what ve­ hicle design features (e.g., gun barrels, turrets, etc.) were more or less critical in the identification of a vehicle viewed through an electronic imaging device, such as a forward-looking infrared (FUR) sensor. HEL's visual performance team developed a research program to ascertain whether eye movements could be useful for the attempt to determine what vehicle features might be critical for target discrimination. We designed an experiment in which we used a method developed and reported by Gerhart, Graziano, and Carter (1983), whereby a stored image of a vehicle silhouette could be combined with a background of digitally generated Gauss­ ian noise. The result is a quantifiable simulation of a non­ specific sensor system image. The subject's task was to visually examine a series of these images to identify one of eight different targets embedded in varying levels of target signal-to-background noise ratios (SNR).
Maximum Sample Volume for Permittivity Measurements by Cavity Perturbation Technique

The maximum sample volume for accurate permittivity measurements of dielectric materials having various geometries (rod/bar, strip/disk, and sphere) by cavity perturbation technique has been investigated by determining the maximum volume ratio of sample to cavity (Vs/Vc)max based on analysis of the measurement theory. It is demonstrated that (Vs/Vc)max of a dielectric rod/bar with the height equal to that of resonant cavity relies exclusively on the relative dielectric constant, whereas (Vs/Vc)max of a dielectric strip/disk or sphere depends on both the relative dielectric constant and the dielectric loss factor. There is a relatively weak permittivity dependence of (Vs/Vc)max for dielectric property measurements of dielectric strips/disks compared with rods/bars or spheres. The maximum sample volume used in the measurements for different sample geometries follows the order: . Comparison between (Vs/Vc)max of low-loss Al2O3 and high-loss SiC reveals that low-loss materials can have a larger sample volume than high-loss materials for measurement. High-loss materials may require a strip/disk geometry to meet the measurement requirements. The variation in (Vs/Vc)max of Al2O3 having different geometries in a broad temperature range up to ~ 1400°C shows that (Vs/Vc)max of the sample decreases with increasing temperature and the change in (Vs/Vc)max should be considered during the high-temperature permittivity measurements.
Age and influence tactics: a life-stage development theory perspective

This article provides a life-stage development theory perspective that is used to examine the relationship between age and the motivation to use influence tactics in work organizations. It examines how life-stage development sometimes encourages, and at other times discourages, the propensity to use influence tactics in a workplace. Thus, this article examines the quantitative, more versus less, use of influence tactics, rather than looking at specific tactics used as one grows older. Also, the work setting is extended to include both traditional organizations and distributed work environments. Research propositions, implications for practice and directions for future work are also discussed.
The Demand for Australian Rules Football

Declining attendances at Australian Rules football games organized by the VFL recently have become the focus of much concern. An econometric analysis of the demand for football is presented, using annual average attendance data for the years 1950–86. It is found that increases in admission prices had a significant negative effect on demand, and increases in real income a positive impact. Amongst other variables of importance in explaining demand are lagged attendance and uncertainty of outcome. Elasticities of demand are calculated and it is shown how they might be used to predict attendance under different pricing scenarios. Copyright © 1987, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved
Direct measurement of translingual epithelial NaCl and KCl currents during the chorda tympani taste response

We have measured the NaCl or KCl currents under voltage clamp across the dorsal lingual epithelium of the rat and simultaneously the response of the taste nerves. Under short-circuit conditions a NaCl stimulus evoked an inward current (first current) that coincided with excitation of the chorda tympani. This was followed by a slower inward current (second current) that matched the kinetics of taste nerve adaptation. The peak first current and the coincident neural response satisfied the same saturating NaCl concentration dependence. Both first and second currents were partially blocked by amiloride as were the phasic and tonic components of the neural response. The NaCl-evoked second current was completely blocked by ouabain. Investigation of the NaCl-evoked current and the neural response over a range of clamped voltages showed that inward negative potentials enhanced the inward current and the neural response to 0.3 M NaCl. Sufficiently high inward positive potentials reversed the current, and made the neural response independent of further changes in voltage. Therefore, one of the NaCl taste transduction mechanisms is voltage dependent while the other is voltage independent. A KCl stimulus also evoked an inward short-circuit current, but this and the neural response were not amiloride-sensitive. The data indicate that neural adaptation to a NaCl stimulus, but not a KCl stimulus, is mediated by cell Na/K pumps. A model is proposed in which the connection between the NaCl-evoked second current and cell repolarization is demonstrated.
Wavefront singularities associated with the conical point in elastic solids with cubic symmetry

Abstract The wavefronts from a point source in a solid with cubic symmetry are examined with particular attention paid to the contribution from the conical points of the slowness surface. An asymptotic solution is developed that is uniform across the edge of the cone in real space, the interior of which contains the plane lid wavefront analyzed by Burridge [R. Burridge, The singularity on the plane lids of the wave surface of elastic media with cubic symmetry, Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 20 (1967), 41–56]. The uniform solution also contains the regular wavefronts away from the cone edge, a delta pulse on one side and its Hilbert transform on the other. In the direction of the cone edge the three wavefronts merge to produce a singularity of the form H(t)t−3/4.
Anorexia nervosa and estrogen: current status of the hypothesis.

Anorexia nervosa occurs predominantly in young women. Also, recent data suggest that a heritable, genetic defect may contribute to this feeding disorder. These observations support the hypothesis that an inherited, abnormal response of the brain to rising levels of estrogens at puberty may contribute to the symptoms of weight loss in anorexia. To evaluate the merits of this hypothesis, the current literature on feeding depression by estrogens in anorexic patients and possible genetic or developmental mechanisms that could alter brain responsiveness to estrogens are reviewed. It is concluded that a number of specific biochemical or developmental pathways—abnormalities in the classical or membrane-bound forms of estrogen receptors, in co-activators for estrogen, in thyroxine receptors, in steroid metabolizing enzymes, in quantitative trait loci, in perinatal androgenization, and in processes of puberty—could converge to produce an abnormal response to estrogen and the onset of anorexia nervosa.
Evaluating the Markov assumption in Markov Decision Processes for spoken dialogue management

The goal of dialogue management in a spoken dialogue system is to take actions based on observations and inferred beliefs. To ensure that the actions optimize the performance or robustness of the system, researchers have turned to reinforcement learning methods to learn policies for action selection. To derive an optimal policy from data, the dynamics of the system is often represented as a Markov Decision Process (MDP), which assumes that the state of the dialogue depends only on the previous state and action. In this article, we investigate whether constraining the state space by the Markov assumption, especially when the structure of the state space may be unknown, truly affords the highest reward. In simulation experiments conducted in the context of a dialogue system for interacting with a speech-enabled web browser, models under the Markov assumption did not perform as well as an alternative model which classifies the total reward with accumulating features. We discuss the implications of the study as well as its limitations.
A Sociological Model of Societal Collapse

Abstract In his best-selling book Collapse, Jared Diamond employs a five-point framework that can be used to predict a society’s likelihood of declining from prosperity. These five points include 1. environmental damage, 2. climate change, 3. hostile neighbors, 4. friendly trade partners, and 5. a society’s response to its environmental problems. This paper re-interprets Jared Diamond’s model of societal collapse by using a sociological lens. Previous work in theoretical sociology is applied to Diamond’s framework to produce a predictive model of societal collapse. A path model and formal propositions are provided.
Perturbations in the sof the double layer at an enzymic surface

Abstract The surfaces of cells are both charged and enzymically active; furthermore, mass transfer across the surface is occurring constantly. These dynamic processes are capable of perturbing the equilibrium double layer that would be present in the absence of mass transfer and reactions. This paper investigates the influence of enzymic surface reactions on the structure of the diffuse double layer, and conversely the influence of potential on concentration profiles and reaction rates. It is shown that (1) mobility differences in substrate and product can lead to more or less extended double layers and to extrema in the potential profile depending on kinetic factors such as reaction rate and ion mobility of substrate and product and (2) surface reactions can act as a surface concentration switch or amplifier wherein comparatively small variations in bulk concentration produce large variations in surface concentration. Deviations from equilibrium potentials are described by a dimensionless parameter involving reaction rate, ionic strength and the substrate-product mobility difference. Deviations from equilibrium concentrations are described by two electrostatic reaction-diffusion moduli. One of these expresses the effect of differing ion mobilities between substrate and product. Depending on the sign of this parameter, the surface substrate concentration may be either displaced above or below the case (usually hypothetical) of equal ion mobilities. The physiological significance of a reaction or mass flow perturbed surface potential is discussed.
An Systematic Approach for the Evaluation of Therapeutic Agents for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia † 1017

An Systematic Approach for the Evaluation of Therapeutic Agents for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia † 1017
The nuclear electric quadrupole interaction

Abstract The nuclear electric quadrupole interaction energy for a nucleus situated on the figure axis of a symmetric top molecule has been calculated through fourth order using nondegenerate perturbation theory. Tables for the third- and fourth-order energy contributions are presented for odd-half-integral nuclear spins since these spins are normally associated with large nuclear quadrupole coupling constants. Recent high resolution spectroscopy of TII has required the consideration of these higher-order effects. It is expected that these higher-order contributions to the energy may give significant contributions for some symmetric rotors.
P05.70. Polypharmacy, interactions and collaborative care in the middle-aged and beyond

Purpose The popular perception of herb-drug and drug-nutrient interactions is that they are unintended and problematic. Actually, purposeful coadministration of therapeutic agents within a clinical strategy represents a valuable approach to complex and evolving patient-centered care. As individuals age, they are more likely to be prescribed pharmaceutical medications: many also take herbs and nutrients, which may interact. The occurrence of polypharmacy may be orchestrated or unsupervised, beneficial or risky, depending upon the individual patient’s physiology, health status and medical condition(s) and the communication and collaboration among the involved healthcare providers.
Lexical Phonology and Nonconcatenative Morphology in the History of Chaha

Cet article examine un probleme de la phonologie historique du Chaha, une langue semitique de l’Ethiopie, dans la perspective de la theorie de la phonologie lexicale et de la morphologie non concatenative. Il sera demontre que les exceptions systematiques au devoisement des obstruentes geminees sont explicables par l’interaction des principes de l’Inalterabilite des geminees, de la cyclicite stricte et du telescopage des niveaux (« tiers »).
A note on the effect of nitrogen source on growth of and solvent production by Clostridium acetobutylicum

A number of mono- and dicarboxylic acid amino acids, amides and inorganic ammonium sources were tested to determine their effect on the growth of and solvent production by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824. Optimum cell growth (A650= 0.96) and solvent production (total solvents = 10.85 g/l) were obtained with the medium containing glutamic acid as the ammonium source. Similar results were obtained through three successive serial subcultures although changes in the fermentation were noted with the third subculture. Cell growth and solvent production fell after the second subculture when ammonium acetate was used as the ammonium source. Adaptation was shown to occur in a medium which contained asparagine.
Mechanisms of defibrillation: Critical points and the upper limit of vulnerability*

The upper limit of vulnerability hypothesis for defibrillation states that a successful defibrillation shock must both stop the fibrillation wave fronts on the heart at the time that the shock is delivered and not start new wave fronts that will lead to reentrant circuits being formed, causing the heart to refibrillate. Mapping studies have demonstrated that defibrillation shocks can halt all wave fronts on the heart but fibrillation will begin again with an initial activation pattern that is different from the activation pattern on the heart just before the shock is delivered. In a fashion similar to the reinitiation of fibrillation following a failed defibrillation shock, properly sized and timed shocks can be delivered to the heart during paced rhythm to induce functional reentry that will initiate fibrillation. If the shocks are made incrementally larger, a shock level will be reached that is high enough not to start fibrillation in regular rhythm regardless of when it is delivered during the cardiac cycle. This shock level is called the upper limit of vulnerability. In this study, the formation of reentrant circuits with defibrillation-sized shocks and how this formation of reentrant circuits may be related to mechanism of defibrillation, via the upper limit of vulnerability hypothesis are discussed.
In vivo production of neuraminidase by Pasteurella haemolytica A1 in goats after transthoracic challenge.

Six goats were injected transthoracically with live Pasteurella multocida A:3 to examine if an extracellular enzyme, neuraminidase, was produced in vivo during infection with this organism. The principal group of goats (n = 6) each received 1 ml of live 7.5 × 104 cfu of P. multocida mixed with polyacrylate beads transthoracically in the left lung on day 0 and 1 ml of live P. multocida (2.2 × 108 cfu) mixed with polyacrylate beads transthoracically in the left lung on day 22. Six goats were used as negative controls and received 0.3 g of polyacrylate beads subcutaneously in the right flank on days 0 and 22. Serum was obtained from all animals on days 0, 7, 14, 22, 29, and 36. Preimmune sera from all animals showed no detectable antibody to P. multocida A:3 neuraminidase in an enzyme neutralization assay. None of the sera from the negative control animals demonstrated a significant antibody titer against the P. multocida A:3 neuraminidase. On day 36, serum samples from the six infected animals possessed complete enzyme-neutralizing activity. Anti-neuraminidase antibody could be detected as early as day 14 in the infected animals. These data show that neuraminidase is produced in vivo during an active P. multocida A:3 lobar infection.
Crystal chemistry of basic lead carbonates. II.Crystal structure of synthetic 'plumbonacrite'

The crystal stfl!cture of synthetic 0 'plumbonacrite', PbsO(OHMC03h, hexagonal, P63cm,a = 9.0921(7), c = 24.923(3) A, V = 1784.3(3) A , Z = 6, has been solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.049. There are six symmetrically independent Pb2+positions in the structure, the coordination polyhedra of which are strongly distorted due to the effect of i lone-electron pairs on the Pb2+ cations. The Pb(6) position is disordered with a Pb-Pb distance of 1.24 A. The structure of 'plumbonacrite' is built from complex Pb-O layers parallel to the (001) plane similar to those observed in polymorphs of Pb4(OHMS04)(C03h- The structure of these layers can be described in terms of Pb-O,OH motifs and C03 groups. The smallest structural subunit is the oxocentred [OPb4J tetrahedron that shares three of its Pb-Pb edges with three [(OH)Pb3J distorted triangles to form [O(OHhPb7J clusters. These clusters are surrounded by C03 groups, forming more complex clusters. Due to the disorder in the Pb(6) site, the clusters comprising this site are linked with each other via OH(IO) groups to give continuous sheets of Pb-O,OH bonds which are parallel to the (00 I) plane. The [O(OHhPb7 J clusters in 'plumbonacrite' may be important in more complex Pb carbonate oxo/hydroxo complexes that may exist in aqueous environments.
Hafnium-based high-k dielectrics

Hafnium-based high-K dielectrics such as HfO/sub 2/, HfON and HfSiON have attracted a great deal of attention because of their potential for successful integration into CMOS technology. However, channel mobility degradation, charge trapping and reliability are major concerns. In this paper, we review our recent research results, namely, the charge trapping characteristics, the effects of nitrogen on minority carrier lifetime and channel mobility, and Hf-Ti-O dielectrics. We have investigated how N affects the minority carrier lifetime in the Si substrate and how it relates to /spl mu//sub eff/. A new dielectric stack consists of TiO/sub 2//HfO/sub 2/ bi-layer has shown improved thermal stability and increased K value (thus scaled EOT < 1.0nm) without the disadvantages of incorporated N.
Meeting state recognition from visual and aural labels

In this paper we present a meeting state recognizer based on a combination of multi-modal sensor data in a smart room. Our approach is based on the training of a statistical model to use semantical cues generated by perceptual components. These perceptual components generate these cues in processing the output of one or multiple sensors. The presented recognizer is designed to work with an arbitrary combination of multi-modal input sensors. We have defined a set of states representing both meeting and non-meeting situations, and a set of features we base our classification on. Thus, we can model situations like presentation or break which are important information for many applications. We have hand-annotated a set of meeting recordings to verify our statistical classification, as appropriate multi-modal corpora are currently very sparse. We have also used several statistical classification methods for the best classification, which we validated on the hand-annotated corpus of real meeting data.
[1‐Desaminopenicillamine, 8‐α‐hydroxyisocaproic acid] oxytocin. A selective inhibitor in rats of the uterine response to oxytocin

[1-Desaminopenicillamine, 8-alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid] oxytocin was synthesized by a 6 + 3 fragment condensation from precursors which had been formed by solution methods. This analog inhibited uterine responses to oxytocin (pA2 7.37, 7.9, 6.17; uterus in vitro without Mg++, in vitro with Mg++, and in vivo, respectively) and showed little or no activity in other bioassays.
Concurrent Cytogenetic, Interphase Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization and DNA Flow Cytometric Analyses of a Carcinoma Ex-Pleomorphic Adenoma of Parotid Gland

Abstract We report the cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and DNA ploidy analyses of a high grade carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland. Our overall combined analyses showed a marked DNA aneuploidy and numerical abnormalities involving all chromosomes. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a near tetraploid modal chromosomal number with tetraploid loss of chromosomes Y, 1, 6, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, and 19–21 and hypertetraploid gain of chromosomes 7, 8, and 22. The structural abnormalities included der(1;14)(q10;q10),del(6)(q15q34),+del(6)(q15q34),+der(8)t(1;8)(q12;q12.2),der(9;19)(q10;q10),add(14)(p11.2),i(20)(q10),der(21)t(8;21)(q11.2;q22.3),+der(21)t(8;21)(q11.2;q22.3). Interphase FISH of the primary and short-term cultured cells using directly labeled peri-centromeric probes for chromosomes 6–12, 17, 18, and Y resulted in alterations corresponding to the cytogenetic findings. DNA ploidy analysis of both the primary and cultured tumor cells showed a hyperdiploid stemline with DNA indices of 2.6. The results indicate that: (1) marked numerical, structural chromosomal, and DNA content abnormalities are present in this tumor; and (2) alteration at 8q and 6q regions, together with previous results, suggest an association between these events and the development and/or progression of this tumor.