cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Altered Brain Function in the Aged

Numerous behavioral procedures have been described in the literature which are intended to evaluate the presence and/or degree of altered brain function. Determination of the efficacy of these procedures is difficult enough in general, but becomes considerably more complicated when applied to the aged in particular. The purpose of this chapter is to consider some of the clinical issues including: the meaning of “organic brain dysfunction” that the behavioral procedures are supposed to measure, the problems of false positives and negatives, the circumstances under which the clinical examination is likely to occur, and the common problems of differential diagnosis encountered. There will be a review of the psychometric and clinical evaluation procedures commonly employed and, finally, measures which are most likely to be clinically useful will be recommended and described in detail.
Protein phosphatase-1 regulates outward K+ currents in sensory neurons of Aplysia californica.

The peptide neurotransmitter Phe-Met-Arg-PheNH 2 (FMRFamide) increases outward K + currents and promotes dephosphorylation of many phosphoproteins in Aplysia sensory neurons. We examined FMRFamide-induced current responses in sensory neurons injected with thiophosphorylated protein phosphate inhibitor-1 and inhibitor-2 (I-1 and I-2), two structurally different vertebrate protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) inhibitors to define a role for PP1 in the physiological actions of FMRFamide. Thiophosphorylated I-1 and I-2 both reduced the amplitude of outward currents elicited by FMRFamide by 50-60% and were as effective as microcystin-LR, which inhibited both PP1 and protein phosphatase-2A in Aplysia neuronal extracts. These data suggested that of the two major neuronal protein serine/threonine phosphatases, FMRFamide utilized primarily PPI to open serotonin-sensitive K + (S-K + ) channels. Earlier studies showed that a membrane-associated phosphatase regulated S-K + channels in cell-free patches from sensory neurons. Utilizing its unique substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity, we have characterized PP1 as the principal protein phosphatase associated with neuronal plasma membranes. Two protein phosphatase activities (apparent M r values of 170,000 and 38,000) extracted from crude membrane preparations from the Aplysia nervous system were shown to be isoforms of PP1. These biochemical and physiological studies suggest that PP1 is preferentially associated with neuronal membranes and that its activity may be required for the induction of outward K + currents in the Aplysia sensory neurons by FMRFamide
What underlies the Great Gatsby Curve? Psychological micro-foundations of the “vicious circle” of poverty

Societies with a higher level of income inequality tend to have lower levels of intergenerational income mobility. Known as the Great Gatsby Curve, this negative relationship in part derives from greater intergenerational economic heritance among the poor. Societies with higher rates of relative poverty will have a higher level of income inequality, but they will also tend to have lower intergenerational mobility due to the reduced capacity of low-income persons to become upwardly mobile. Reviewing relevant research in psychology, we describe how poverty is associated with decreased psychological resources that compromise the competitiveness of low-income persons for superior attainment in the educational system and for greater productivity in the labor market. Economic deprivation in itself thus leads to a “vicious circle” of disadvantage that diminishes intergenerational mobility even without the existence of any culture of poverty or monopolistic institutions in the economy.
The global race for foreign direct investment: Edited by Lars Oxelheim Springer, Berlin, 1993, 273 pp., ISBN 3 54056846B and 0387 568468

Abstract Is there enough financial capital to go around the world? This salient question is partly but insightfully addressed in The Global Race for Foreign Direct Investment edited by Lars Oxelheim (1993). The following observations constitute a set of commentaries on the book's contents from a financial perspective.
Urban ecology and location theory: Dominance and territory

Abstract Woods left on good farmland in Ohio and neighboring states are likely to be beech-maple woods. There may well be a dozen or more tree species present, but the most obvious, because the most common, will be beeches and sugar maples … these trees exhibit the phenomenon of ecological dominance. There can be little doubt that the other plants of the wood are adapted to the presence of the abundant beeches and maples so that to describe them as dominants in this way is good use of language. The beeches and maples determine the micro climate, and even the soil, to which all the other living things must adapt - PAUL COLINVAUX. In the social reality, despite all change, the domination of man by man is still the historical continuum that links pre-technological and technological reason. However, the society which projects and undertakes the technological transformation of nature alters the base of domination by gradually replacing personal dependence … with dependence on the “objective order of things” (on economic laws, the market, etc…) … domination now generates a higher rationality — that of a society which sustains its hierarchic structure while exploiting ever more efficiently the natural and mental resources… - HERBERT MARCUSE
An economic comparison of acceptance sampling and statistical process control

Abstract The quality costs involved in Statistical Process Control, SPC, and Military Stanford 105L acceptance sampling, MIL-STD-105D, are studied and summarized via mathematical formulations. In SPC emphasis is placed on study and control of the process in order to improve the process capability, whereas in MIL-STD-105D emphasis is placed on product control. Therefore, the percentage of defective products and the instantaneous cost of quality with respect to time will decrease in SPC, and can be assumed to stay constant in MIL-STD-105D. The rate of decrease of defects in SPC is defined as a reliability growth function. The cumulative quality cost for SPC and MIL-STD-105D are determined in order to enable comparison of the two quality control plans, and to discern the more cost effective plan. In conclusion this paper provides an analytical framework for cost comparison of two or more quality control plans.
Soluble factors from murine and human tumors induce suppressor cells.

Abstract A tumor-derived suppressor factor (TDSF) has been isolated from 3 M KCl extracts of a chemically induced fibrosarcoma of C 3 H/HeJ mice by preparative isoelectric focusing. Incubation of TDSF with normal spleen cells induces suppressor cells that enhance tumor growth and inhibit DTH to the chemical sensitizer 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene (DNCB). Similar suppressogenic activity has been detected in extracts of the 10T 1 2 fibroblast line, an ultraviolet-induced fibrosarcoma of C 3 H/HeN mice, the C57B1/6J Lewis lung carcinoma, and four human colonic adenocarcinomas. TDSF activity was not found in extracts of syngeneic muscle or spleen cells. Chemical characterization of TDSF from the murine fibrosarcoma MCA-F revealed sensitivity to treatment with heat and RNase, partial sensitivity to treatment with trypsin, but resistance to treatment with DNase, pronase, and neuraminidase. TDSF has an apparent molecular weight of greater than 300 kDa by high-performance gel permeation chromatography. Acidic soluble factors isolated from murine and human tumors induce suppressor cells to inhibit cell-mediated immunity in an intact host.
Single and Double Alternation Learning in Rats: The Role of Set Size and Correction.

Abstract In many experiments, rats have evidenced extreme difficulty mastering alternation patterns. In three experiments, we explored rats’ ability to learn double alternation patterns and possible reasons behind their past difficulties with such patterns. In Experiment 1, rats learned single and double alternation patterns. In the second and third experiment, we explored the role of correction and interference from stimulus set size on rats’ learning of double alternation patterns. Our results showed that rats easily learned both single and double alternation patterns and that stimulus set size had no noticeable effect on learning double alternation patterns. Findings additionally evidenced that correction played an important role in rats’ learning double alternation patterns.
Heavy primary cosmic-rays during 1957

This supplement to a previous article (1) adds heavy primary cosmic-ray results during the year 1957 forG. M. latitude of 41 °N, based on a Texas balloon flight, which exposed Ilford G.5-G.0 combination emulsions at about 130000 feet. A flux value for ≥10 at the top of the atmosphere of (2.40±0.29)-10-4 particles/cm2 s sr was found. Thus a new point is established on the 8-year incomplete curve of the previous paper. The charge spectrum, mean free path and angular distribution are also included.
Re-Imagining Long-Term Services and Supports: Towards Livable Environments, Service Capacity, and Enhanced Community Integration, Choice, and Quality of Life for Seniors

In the half century since enactment of the 1965 Great Society programs, accomplishments were gradually made to improve access to and quality of long-term services and supports (LTSS), including: mitigation of financial and care abuses in nursing facilities (NFs); substantial rebalancing of LTSS towards consumer-preferred home-and-community-based services (HCBS); increasing flexible consumer-centered HCBS including payment to family caregivers; and more assisted-living and housing options for seniors with heavy care needs. A unified planning and advocacy agenda across age and disability type and greater consumer transparency fueled progress. Nonetheless, LTSS is a broken system; persistent problems interfere with substantial and necessary change. These include; over-emphasis on safety for LTSS consumers; inattention to physical environments in all settings; regulatory and professional rigidity; and poor communication and information. Our recommendations are aimed at builders and designers, LTSS professionals, regulators, and educators/trainers; the last may be crucial in forging new consensus and over-coming entrenched beliefs. Policy recommendations include relatively narrow steps-for example, requiring single occupancy in all NFs and assisted living settings financed with public dollars-to broad reworking of the prerequisites for livable age-friendly (and dementia-friendly) communities and for a capable, flexible LTSS workforce.
Development and applications of the interfacial tension between water and organic or biological surfaces.

Abstract The interfacial tension (γSW) between a condensed-phase material (S) and water (W) is one of the most important terms occurring (directly or indirectly) in the major surface thermodynamic combining rules, such as the different variants of the Dupre equation, as well as the Young and the Young–Dupre equations. Since the late 1950s, γSL (where L stands for liquid in general) could be correctly expressed, as long as one only took van der Waals attractions and electrical double layer repulsions into account, i.e., as long as both S and L were apolar. However for interfacial interactions taking place in water among apolar as well as polar solutes, particles or surfaces, γSW was not properly worked out until the late 1980s, due in particular to uncertainties about the treatment of the polar properties of liquid water and other condensed-phase materials. In this review the historical development of the understanding of these polar properties is outlined and the polar equation for γSW, as well as the equations derived there from for the free energies of interaction between apolar or polar entities, immersed in water (ΔGSWS) are discussed. Also discussed is the role of the various terms of ΔGSWS, in hydrophobic attraction (the “hydrophobic effect”), hydrophilic repulsion (“hydration forces”) and in the quantitative expression of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity. The DLVO theory of attractive and repulsive free energies between particles immersed in liquids, as a function of distance between suspended particles, was extended to allow its use in the expression of the polar interactions occurring in water. Finally, the free energy term, ΔGSWS and the related γSW, have been directly linked to the aqueous solubility of organic and biological solutes, which allows the determination of interfacial tensions between such solutes and water from their solubilities.
Smart Parking Linked to Transit: Lessons Learned from Field Test in San Francisco Bay Area of California

Rising demand for parking at suburban transit stations, such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District in San Francisco, California, necessitates strategies to manage traveler demand. To better manage parking supply, researchers implemented a smart parking field test at the Rockridge BART station from 2004 to 2006 to evaluate the effects of smart parking technologies [changeable message signs (CMSs), Internet reservations and billing, mobile phone and personal digital assistant communications, and a wireless parking lot counting system] on transit ridership and response to service pricing. Researchers used expert interviews, Internet surveys, focus groups, and parking reservation data to conduct this analysis. Survey data indicated that the field test increased BART trips and resulted in 9.7 fewer miles per participant per month on average. Key lessons learned include that it would have been beneficial to anticipate additional time for project scoping and permitting, and that fixed wayfinding signs we...
Crossing boundaries: ethics in interdisciplinary and intercultural relations: selected papers from the CEPE 2011 conference

The Ninth International Conference on Computer Ethics: Philosophical Enquiry (CEPE 2011) was held in Milwaukee, WI. Four papers originally presented at that conference are included in this issue of Computers and Society. The selected papers examine a wide range of information/computer-ethics-related issues, and taken together, they show great diversity in the field of information/computer ethics. We are continually negotiating with ethics, law, and policy in our technology-driven activities in the interconnected global arena. As we consider the themes within and among the papers here, we encourage readers to think deeply about fundamental principles such as trust, accountability, anonymity, and human rights. Each of these papers takes us back, philosophically, to seminal and long-standing principles of ethics, broadly speaking, and then, brings us forward, to significant and contemporary challenges in ethics. The authors each weave narratives about our place and space as individuals, as members of cultural collectives, and evolving socio-political-technical norms around us, governing us, defining us.
Mathematical model for flow in the heated Fleisch pneumotachometer.

A simple model is presented for description of flow in the pneumotachometer and its quantitative relationship to observed pressure drop, gas composition and viscosity, gas temperature and case temperature. The equations developed are readily applicable to online computer analysis of respiratory waveforms.
Differential cross-linking and radio-protective effects of genipin on mature bovine and human patella tendons

Gamma irradiation is a proven sterilization method, but is not widely used on allografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (e.g., patella tendon) due to radiation-induced decreases in mechanical strength. Addressing this drawback would improve the safety and supply of allografts to meet current and future demand. It was hypothesized that genipin-induced collagen cross-linking would increase the tensile modulus of patella tendon tissue such that 5 MRad gamma irradiation would not reduce the tissue mechanical strength below the original untreated values. Optimized genipin treatment increased the tensile modulus of bovine tendons by ~2.4-fold. After irradiation, genipin treated tissue did not significantly differ from native tissue, proving the hypothesis. Optimized genipin treatment of human tendons increased the tensile modulus by ~1.3-fold. After irradiation, both control and genipin-treated tissues possessed ~50-60% of their native tendon modulus, disproving the hypothesis. These results highlight possible age- and species- dependent effects of genipin cross-linking on tendon tissue. Cross-linking of human allografts may be beneficial only in younger donor tissues. Future research is warranted to better understand the mechanisms and applications of collagen cross-linking for clinical use.
Who experiences “America the beautiful”?: Ethnicity moderating the effect of acculturation on body image and risks for eating disorders among immigrant women

Abstract As body ideals are culturally constructed, how do ethnicity and acculturation affect body attitudes and risks for eating disorders (ED)? The present cross-sectional study explored this question among 353 women including samples of seldom-investigated ethnic groups. Assessments were made on self and body image, risks for ED and multiple measures of acculturation. Among first generation immigrants, Chinese had the lowest and Afro-Caribbeans the highest self and body image but ethnicity alone had no effect on disordered eating. Acculturation resulted in less healthy attitudes among the Eastern-Europeans but more healthy attitudes among the Chinese. In comparing immigrants with later generations, European-descended women persisted in less healthy attitudes while African-descended women held more positive body attitudes and lower risk for eating pathology. Implications for generational and ethnically sensitive body-related intervention programs are discussed.
Perioperative paraplegia and multiorgan failure from heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Abstract Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome is a rare but devastating completion. We report a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in whom heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome developed after a cardiac operation, complicated by acute thrombosis of the aorta followed by renal failure, paralysis, and ischemic necrosis of the lower extremities. The literature suggests aspirin, dipyridamoie, and iloprost as effective prophylactic agents for perioperative heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome. This unfortunate complication underscores the importance of close platelet count monitoring in all preoperative patients undergoing prolonged heparin therapy.
Structural and Optical Characterization of AlxGa1-xAs Grown at Low Temperatures by Organometallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy

We report on the low temperature growth of AlxGa1-xAs by conventional Organometallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy OMVPE for a substrate temperature of 500°C and V/III ratios extending to subunity. Optical, structural and electrical qualities are assessed with double crystal X-ray diffraction, Nomarski and atomic force microscopy, 1.6K and 300K photoluminescence, Rutherford backscattering and Hall measurements. Although our low temperature grown films are of good structural and optical quality, they exhibit high background p-doping (carbon) and high levels of hydrogen passivation. A method for extracting the carbon doping levels from lattice contraction measurements is suggested. The dependence of layer composition, free carrier concentration and hydrogen passivation on growth parameters are investigated. Moreover, the effects of post-growth annealing on free carrier concentration, lattice parameter and optical qualities are studied. The influence on the bandgap of bandtail states and compressive strain due to carbon are compared.
Pre-clinical whole-body fluorescence imaging: Review of instruments, methods and applications

Fluorescence sampling of cellular function is widely used in all aspects of biology, allowing the visualization of cellular and sub-cellular biological processes with spatial resolutions in the range from nanometers up to centimeters. Imaging of fluorescence in vivo has become the most commonly used radiological tool in all pre-clinical work. In the last decade, full-body pre-clinical imaging systems have emerged with a wide range of utilities and niche application areas. The range of fluorescent probes that can be excited in the visible to near-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum continues to expand, with the most value for in vivo use being beyond the 630 nm wavelength, because the absorption of light sharply decreases. Whole-body in vivo fluorescence imaging has not yet reached a state of maturity that allows its routine use in the scope of large-scale pre-clinical studies. This is in part due to an incomplete understanding of what the actual fundamental capabilities and limitations of this imaging modality are. However, progress is continuously being made in research laboratories pushing the limits of the approach to consistently improve its performance in terms of spatial resolution, sensitivity and quantification. This paper reviews this imaging technology with a particular emphasis on its potential uses and limitations, the required instrumentation, and the possible imaging geometries and applications. A detailed account of the main commercially available systems is provided as well as some perspective relating to the future of the technology development. Although the vast majority of applications of in vivo small animal imaging are based on epi-illumination planar imaging, the future success of the method relies heavily on the design of novel imaging systems based on state-of-the-art optical technology used in conjunction with high spatial resolution structural modalities such as MRI, CT or ultrasound.
Analysing Small DNA Constructs via a Chromophore Model within the Point Dipole Approximation

As all the genetic information contained within DNA is buried within the duplex helix, there must be a series of breathing fluctuations that expose the nucleic bases to aid roles like replication, transcription, and repair. The work presented here uses a classical chromophore model under the point dipole approximation to calculate the circular dichroism as well as the absorption spectra of oligonucleotides at individual conformational states. This analysis will aid in the evaluation of these breathing fluctuations by treating systems of dimers and small length oligonucleotides as local models of these fluctuations.
Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA for the dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase component of human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

Deoxynucleotide sequencing of a cDNA for the dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (PDC-E2) component of human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) revealed an open reading frame of 1848 base pairs corresponding to a leader sequence of 54 amino acids and a mature protein of 561 amino acids (59 551 Da). Both an amino-terminal lipoyl-bearing domain and a carboxy-terminal catalytic domain are present in the deduced amino acid sequence. The lipoyl-bearing domain contains two repeating units of 127 amino acids, each harboring one lipoic acid-binding lysine. Thus, mammalian PDC-E2 differs as to the number of lipoic acid-binding sites from other dihydrolipoamide acyltransferases in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Memory: brain systems and behavior

Abstract Certain questions about memory address a relatively global, structural level of analysis. Is there one kind of memory or many? What brain structures or systems are involved in memory and what jobs do they do? One useful approach to such questions has focused on studies of neurological patients with memory impairment and parallel studies with animal models.
Functional activity of murine CD34+and CD34− hematopoietic stem cell populations

The transmembrane glycoprotein CD34 is expressed on human hematopoietic stem cells and committed progenitors in the bone marrow, and CD34-positive selection currently is used to isolate bone marrow repopulating cells in clinical transplantation protocols. Recently, CD34- hematopoietic stem cells were described in both humans and mice, and it was suggested that CD34+ murine bone marrow cells may lack long-term reconstituting ability. In this study, the long-term repopulating ability of CD34+Lin- vs CD34-Lin- cells was compared directly using syngeneic murine bone marrow transplantation. Highly purified populations of CD34+Lin- and CD34-Lin- cells each are able to reconstitute bone marrow, confirming that both populations contain hematopoietic stem cells; however, the number of hematopoietic stem cells in the CD34+Lin- fraction is approximately 100-fold greater than the number in the CD34-Lin- fraction. In competitive repopulation experiments, CD34+ stem cells are better able to engraft the bone marrow than are CD34- cells. CD34+Lin- cells provide both short- and long-term engraftment, but the CD34-Lin- cells are capable of only long-term engraftment. Ex vivo, the CD34+Lin- stem cells expand over 3 days in culture and maintain the ability to durably engraft animals in a serial transplant model. In contrast, when CD34-Lin- cells are cultured using the same conditions ex vivo, the cell number decreases, and the cells do not retain the ability to repopulate the bone marrow. Thus, the CD34+Lin- and CD34-Lin- cells constitute two functionally distinct populations that are capable of long-term bone marrow reconstitution.
Validation of the Diabetes Numeracy Test With Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

There is currently a lack of valid instruments to measure adolescent diabetes numeracy. The Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT) was adapted for type 1 diabetes and was administered to 2 samples of adolescents. Sample 1 was administered the 39-item version of the DNT (DNT-39) with measures of self-management, responsibility, reading, and glycemic control (A1C). Sample 2 was administered the 14-item version of the DNT (DNT-14) with measures of self-management, responsibility, problem solving, and A1C. Both versions of the DNT showed adequate internal reliability. In Sample 1, the DNT-39 and DNT-14 were related (r = .87, p = .001), and both DNT versions were related to parent education (for DNT-14, r = .31, p = .02; for DNT-39, r = .29, p = .03) and reading (for DNT-14, r = .36, p = .005; for DNT-39, r = .40, p = .001). In Sample 2, the DNT-14 was related to A1C (r = -.29, p = .001), reading skills (r = .36, p = .005), diabetes problem solving (r = .27, p = .02), adolescent age (r = .19, p = .03), and parent education (r = .31, p = .02). In combined analyses, 75% of items were answered correctly on the DNT-14 (range = 7-100), and performance was associated with age (r = .19, p = .03), pump use (r = .33 p = .001), and A1C (r = -.29, p = .001). The DNT-14 is a feasible, reliable, and valid numeracy assessment that indicated adolescents with type 1 diabetes have numeracy deficits that may affect their glycemic control.
Phases of chiral gauge theories

We discuss the behavior of two non-supersymmetric chiral SU(N) gauge theories, involving fermions in the symmetric and antisymmetric two-index tensor representations respectively. In addition to global anomaly matching, we employ a recently proposed inequality constraint on the number of effective low energy (massless) degrees of freedom of a theory, based on the thermodynamic free energy. Several possible zero temperature phases are consistent with the constraints. A simple picture for the phase structure emerges if these theories choose the phase, consistent with global anomaly matching, that minimizes the massless degree of freedom count defined through the free energy. This idea suggests that confinement with the preservation of the global symmetries through the formation of massless composite fermions is in general not preferred. While our discussion is restricted mainly to bilinear condensate formation, higher dimensional condensates are considered for one case. We conclude by commenting briefly on two related supersymmetric chiral theories. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
On operator splitting for unsteady boundary value problems

Abstract : A frozen Jacobian (locally linearized) analysis and again matrix approach is used to argue that a certain operator splitting of the two-dimensional, conservation form, Navier-Stokes equations is second-order accurate. MacCormack's intuitive result, which through the above approach can rigorously be shown valid only for linear systems, is also true in the presence of nonlinearity. Additional second-order splittings are obtained for the case in which derivative-free source terms are present in the fluid dynamics equations. Some discussion of operator optimality is given.
Design and Implementation for the Firewall Policy Analysis and Configuration Tools

The firewall is one of the most important network security facility and is widely used as a base infrastructure in a large enterprise network. When policy changes, the administrator must find all the potential conflicts between existing policies to ensure network security. That's a waste of time and energy. Proceeding from the demands, this paper analyzes key points and difficulties in the design process for the tools, applies mature algorithm of policy conflict detection, and finally proposes a flexible and scalable design. The prototype system proves that the tool does effectively detect all conflicts in policy set, and in the form of reports for the administrator.
Auger recombination in light-emitting materials

First-principles calculations show that phonon-assisted Auger recombination and its interplay with the polarization fields in polar nitride LEDs play an important role in the efficiency-droop and green-gap problems of these devices.
Conductivity of n -dimensional composites containing hyperspherical inclusion

A problem of determining the macroscopic or effective thermal conductivity of an N-dimensional composite medium containing N-dimensional nonoverlapping hyperspherical inclusions is considered. Since the macroscopic conductivity is expected to become less sensitive to the detailed spatial distribution of the inclusions for $N\geqq 4$, only the special case of periodic arrangement of the inclusions is considered. An expression for the macroscopic conductivity correct to $O( \chi ^{3N + 8} )$, $\chi $ being the ratio of “diameter” of the inclusions to the spacing between them, is derived and the numerical results for the conductivity are presented as a function of $\chi $ and N for the two special cases of perfectly conducting and insulating inclusions. The effective conductivity of the composite is found to approach that of the continuous matrix in higher dimensions.
FTIR spectroscopic studies of the matrix photoionization and photolysis products of methylene halides

Abstract Matrix photoionization of methylene bromide produced absorptions at 1019, 897, and 788 cm −1 identified previously as CBr 2 + , CHBr 2 + , and CHBr 2 . High-resolution FTIR spectra revealed overlapping 1/2/1 triplets for natural bromine isotopes with individual linewidths near 0.2 cm −1 . New absorptions at 3121, 2897, and 1345 cm −1 are assigned to the (CH 2 Br + )Br cation complex which yields CHBr 2 + on photolysis. A substantially increased yield of the CHCl 2 + species made possible observation of the CH stretching mode at 3033 cm −1 and the symmetric CCl 2 stretching mode at 845 cm −1 along with the previously observed stronger 1291- and 1044-cm −1 fundamentals. The high resolution and enhanced signal-to-noise capability of the FTIR are clearly demonstrated in this investigation.
Traditional systems of medicine

Traditional ways of healing illnesses originating in ancient societies are called complementary medicine today. Many of the traditional medical systems are based on sound fundamental principles and centuries of practices by healers. This article reviews some of the most commonly practiced traditional medical systems. A common factor noted in several traditional systems is a holistic approach to the well-being of a person's body, mind, and spirit.
Bovine fibrinogens: Reversible polymer formation

Abstract Reversible flbrinogen polymer formation was examined at pH 6.6 and Γ/2 0.3. The equilibrium fraction of fibrinogen present as polymer, ( P mf ) e , was determined by gel filtration for fibrinogen concentrations, F O , from 48 to 166 μ m . Using F O in molarity, the experimental relation is ln [ F O ( P mf ) e ] = 3.53 ln[ F O (1 − ( P mf ) e )] + 23.73. This relation and attendant confidence limits are examined assuming, during filtration, that the original polymer population is either stable or selected polymer species dissociate to monomer. The possibility that all polymers are open is excluded since the calculated microscopic association constant would then increase with F O . Acceptable models are based on the assumptions that polymers are open, with association constant K a , until restricted by closure, with association constant K r , at an integral degree of polymerization, n . Values are selected on the basis that interaction parameters are independent of F O and that the required molar decrease in free energy is a minimum. Assuming polymer stability, the experimental relation at 273 °K gives n = 4, K r K a = 1.2 m, and K a = 736 m −1 . Temperature dependence gives ΔH= −16.9 kcal/mol and ΔS O a = −48.8 e.u. K r K a indicates a relation between changes in entropy. The probability is >0.90 that K r K a ⩽ 56 m , which indicates a greater loss of degrees of freedom on closure than on association. Conclusions are not altered by the assumption that only the closed polymer species is stable. As ionic strength is decreased at pH 6.6, K a increases. The clotting time of an otherwise constant system decreases as system P mf is increased.
Evaluation of dyspnea in the elderly

Dyspnea is due to an imbalance between the demand to breathe and the ability to breathe. The prevalence is ∼30% for those 65 years or older with walking on a level surface or up an incline. Dyspnea is a strong predictor of mortality in elderly individuals. Anemia, cardiovascular disease, deconditioning, psychological disorders, and respiratory diseases are common causes of dyspnea. Initial treatments to relieve breathing discomfort should be directed toward improving the pathophysiology of the underlying disease. Simple and inexpensive strategies to relieve dyspnea are available. This article provides an update on the evaluation of chronic dyspnea in elderly individuals.
The oxidation of ferrocene to ferricenium ion in zeolite Y: a resonance raman study

Abstract Resonance Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the oxidation of ferrocene in zeolite cavities. The formation of the ferricenium cation in the presence of oxygen is strongly influenced by the co-cations present inside the zeolite cavities.
Tracking of Acoustic Sources Using Random Set Theory

In a passive acoustical tracking, sources are not expected to cooperate with the system. They may enter and leave the sensing area at various speed and directions. They may even stop vocalizing at any time. The standard solution divides this problem into two steps: estimating the number of sources, followed by tracking their geo-kinematic states. Instead, we propose using the random set theory to jointly estimate both the number of sources and their geo-kinematic states. The random set theory is a mathematical framework that gives a complete picture of the joint estimation problem. With this framework, one can analytically develop a tracking system that is robust against node failures or dynamic multiple source scenario. To cover the common wireless sensing deployment strategy, we investigate two topologies: a uniform grid, and a distributed sub-array. With each topology, we validate the proposed tracking system solution with simulations. For the distributed sub-array topology, we use results from a controlled field experiment and found this approach to be both practical and robust.
Hyperspectral imaging for measurement of oxygen saturation in the optic nerve head.

Purpose To evaluate a hyperspectral imaging technique for monitoring relative spatial changes in retinal oxygen saturation. Methods The optic nerve head (ONH) and overlying vessels in cynomolgus monkey eyes were imaged with a fundus camera attached to a hyperspectral imaging system. Images were acquired with inspiration of room air and pure oxygen and at controlled intraocular pressures (IOP) of 15 mm Hg (normal) and 60 mm Hg (sustained for up to 5 minutes). Changes in relative blood oxygen saturation in the vessels and ONH were assessed from reflectance spectra. Saturation maps were derived from contributions of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin spectral signatures extracted from hyperspectral images. The results obtained with hyperspectral imaging were compared with known experimental outcomes. Results Pure oxygen markedly increased oxygen saturation in veins. Increases in arteries and the ONH were smaller. The results obtained with hyperspectral image analysis agreed with known changes in oxygen saturation from breathing experiments. Raising IOP reduced saturation in all structures and resulted in profound desaturation of arteries. During sustained high IOP, a rebound in saturation was observed in the ONH. Spatial maps clearly showed the saturation changes in arteries, veins, and surrounding tissues. Conclusions Hyperspectral imaging can be adapted to measure and map relative oxygen saturation in retinal structures and the ONH in nonhuman primate eyes.
Weight and activity in male mice after daily inhalation of cannabis smoke in an automated smoke exposure chamber.

An automatic smoking machine capable of delivering marihuana smoke to groups of 10 mice at a time at a constant concentration of Δ9-THC is described. In all cases the flow rate (50 ml s−1 or 100 ml s-1) of a smoke: air mixture, and the dilution factor (1:20 or 1:10 smoke:air) was adjusted to give the same equilibrium concentration of Δ9-THC in the chamber atmosphere. At a concentration of 0–123 mg Δ9-THC litre−1 of exposure chamber atmosphere (1:20 smoke: air; 100 ml s−1 flow rate), a seven day schedule of 20 min daily treatments significantly decreased activity of the marihuana-treated animals by the sixth day over both air and placebo smoke controls. This concentration and exposure schedule failed to affect weight gain during this same period. A significant decrease in activity, although not as great as in the marihuana-treated group, was also seen in the placebo control group compared with the air control animals, indicating the need for a smoke control group in all experiments involving the administration of marihuana via inhalation. An exposure period of 102 min, with marihuana smoke diluted with air 1:10 (50 ml s-1 flow rate), at the same equilibrium concentration of 0·123 mg Δ9-THC litre−1, resulted in a mortality of 90% following administration or within 48 h. 102 min of exposure to an atmosphere of placebo smoke at a smoke:air dilution of 1:10 (50 ml s-1 flow rate), resulted in no mortality.
The Ratio Method for Analyzing Infrared Spectra of Mixtures

A method is described for determining the spectra of the pure components from spectra of the mixtures. A computer simulation of the method demonstrates its feasibility and outlines possible sources of error. Application of the method to several polymer systems yielded satisfactory spectra of their pure components.
Incidence and Clinical Spectrum of Thiazide-associated Hypercalcemia

Abstract Purpose The study determines the incidence of thiazide-associated hypercalcemia and clarifies its clinical features and natural history. Methods In a population-based descriptive study, Olmsted County, Minn, residents with thiazide-associated hypercalcemia were identified through the Rochester Epidemiology Project and the Mayo Clinic Laboratory Information System. Changes in incidence rates were evaluated by Poisson regression. Results Seventy-two Olmsted County residents (68 women and 4 men; mean age, 64 years) with thiazide-associated hypercalcemia first recognized in 1992 to 2001 were identified. The overall annual age- and sex-adjusted (to 2000 US whites) incidence was 7.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9-9.5) per 100,000. There was an increase in incidence after 1996, peaking at 16.3 (95% CI, 8.3-24.3) per 100,000 in 1998. The highest rate was 55.3 per 100,000 in 70- to 79-year-old women. Hypercalcemia was identified a mean of 6±7 years after thiazide initiation, and the average highest serum calcium was 10.7±0.3 mg/dL with serum parathyroid hormone (obtained in 53 patients) of 4.8±2.7 pmol/L. Of 33 patients who discontinued the thiazide, 21 (64%) had persistent hypercalcemia. Patients subsequently diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism had the highest average serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels of 11.0±0.3 mg/dL and 6.3±2.4 pmol/L, respectively. Conclusion The persistence of hypercalcemia in patients discontinuing thiazides, and similarities in the clinical spectrum, suggest that underlying primary hyperparathyroidism is common in patients who develop hypercalcemia while taking thiazide diuretics.
Drying up cows and the effect of different methods upon milk production.

Summary Results of an investigation using 18 cows in which three methods of drying off cows were studied and compared are reported. The methods considered were incomplete milking, intermittent milking, and complete cessation of milking. The data show that complete cessation of milking can safely be recommended as a method for drying off cows producing at least up to 20 pounds daily. Cows can be dried off in less time by this method than by either of the other two methods considered. No significant difference was noted in the quantity or quality of milk in the lactations following the drying up of cows by the three methods used. Attention is called to the probable desirability of not disturbing the re-sorption phenomenon through intermittent or partial milking when drying off cows. Drying off cows through complete cessation of milking conserves leucocytes that may have an important function in resorption.
Animal manures as feedstuffs: Nutrient characteristics

Abstract This study critically evaluates the potential value of animal manures as feedstuffs for livestock and poultry using information in the published literature. The paper provides an assessment of the nutrient and economic value of manures as a function of their composition when compared with conventional feedstuffs. Subsequent papers provide an assessment of the value of manures based upon animal performance in feeding trials. The information presented in this paper indicates that dried poultry waste (DPW), broiler litter, dairy cow manure and beef cattle manure are most comparable to forages, rather than to energy or protein feeds, when utilised as ruminant feedstuffs. When DPW is utilised as a feedstuff for laying hens it is best considered as a source of minerals and amino acids.
A receptor for the lipocalin placental protein 14 on human monocytes

Abstract Human placental protein 14 (PP14), a member of the lipocalin structural superfamily, is an abundant amniotic fluid glycoprotein with documented immunoinhibitory activities. While receptors have been characterized for several other lipocalins, none have been reported to date for PP14. In the present study, two-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry was used to screen peripheral blood mononuclear cell subpopulations for their capacity to engage fluoresceinated recombinant PP14. The tagged PP14 bound strongly in a specific and saturable fashion to CD14 + (monocyte lineage) cells, but not to CD20 + (B cell lineage) or CD3 + (T cell lineage) cells. This binding was both pH- and temperature-sensitive, and was reduced by proteolytic pre-digestion of the cells with trypsin or proteinase K. Scatchard analysis demonstrated a single class of receptors on CD14 + cells, with a K D of ∼1×10 −8 and ∼10–35 000 receptors per cell. These findings constitute the first report of a cell surface-associated binding protein for PP14 and set the stage for exploring the molecular mechanisms of PP14-mediated signaling and immunomodulation.
Specular and diffuse scattering of X-rays from a fusion-drawn glass surface

Abstract The specular reflectivity and diffuse intensity of 11.28 keV X-rays scattered from the surface of Corning Code 1737 glass cleaned in an oxygen plasma have been measured. The specular reflectivity is consistent with the glass being constituted of two layers on top of the bulk: a top layer 2 A thick with an average electron density 70% of the bulk and an intermediate layer 18 A thick with an electron density 91% of the bulk. A fit of both reflectivity and diffuse intensity to a model of surface roughness that includes gradients in electron density indicates a surface roughness of 4.7 A. This measurement is consistent with rms surface roughness measurements made with atomic force microscopy.
MATRIX REGULAR OPERATOR SPACES

The concept of the regular (or Riesz) norm on ordered real Banach spaces is generalized to matrix ordered complex operator spaces in a way that respects the matricial structure of the operator space. A norm on an ordered real Banach spaceEis regular if: (1) −x⩽y⩽ximplies that ‖y‖⩽‖x‖; and (2) ‖y‖<1 implies the existence ofx∈Esuch that ‖x‖<1 and −x⩽y⩽x. A matrix ordered operator space is called matrix regular if, at each matrix level, the restriction of the norm to the self-adjoint elements is a regular norm. In such a space, elements at each matrix level can be written as linear combinations of four positive elements. The concept of the matrix ordered operator space is made specific in such a way as to be a natural generalization of ordered real and complex Banach spaces. For the case whereVis a matrix ordered operator space, a natural cone is defined on the operator spaceX*⊗hV⊗hX, with ⊗hindicating the Haagerup tensor product, so as to make it a matrix ordered operator space. Exploiting the advantages gained by takingXto be the column Hilbert spaceHc, an equivalence is established between the matrix regularity of a space and that of its operator dual. This concept of matrix regularity also provides for more accessible proofs of the Christensen–Sinclair Multilinear Representation and Multilinear Decomposition theorems.
Wave propagation in anisotropic poroelastic beam with axial–flexural coupling

The exact solution of the governing partial differential equations describing the motion of an anisotropic porous beam with axial-flexural coupling is presented. The motion of the beam is described by the classical Euler–Bernoulli theory. The pore-fluid pressure is governed by the generalized Darcy’s law with relaxation and retardation time parameters to account for the inertia and viscosity of the fluid. Solutions are sought in the frequency domain where the governing equations are converted into a polynomial eigenvalue structure and solved exactly. The wavenumbers and group speeds of propagating waves in the beam are studied in detail. It is found that the presence of fluid-filled porous micro-structure introduces three additional propagating modes, other than the axial and bending modes predicted by the classical beam theory. The effect of diffusion boundary conditions on the transverse motion of a porous beam is investigated in detail. It is also found that the material parameters have considerable influence on the magnitude of the transverse velocity, the group speed of propagation and the behavior of the pressure resultants.