cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Le Nouveau Monde et l’apologie du catholicisme dans le Dictionnaire de théologie (1789-1790) de l’abbé Bergier

A la fin du xviiie siecle, au moment ou la Revolution semble avoir enfin ecrase « l’Infâme », parait une apologie du catholicisme qui sut reinventer l’art de defendre et d’illustrer l’Eglise en fonction d’un nouvel ensemble de criteres et de savoirs. Avec l’abbe Nicolas-Sylvestre Bergier, apologiste de renom dont la reputation s’etait affirmee des les annees 1760 a l’occasion de fines analyses des textes des philosophes, les methodes inspirees de celles des encyclopedistes et les connaissances tirees de l’exploration du Nouveau Monde s’allient en faveur d’un discours apologetique renouvele destine a combattre l’ennemi protestant ou libre penseur. C’est ce dont temoigne en particulier son Dictionnaire de theologie, ouvrage de compilation commande par Panckoucke pour l’Encyclopedie methodique. L’examen d’une serie d’articles centree sur le role des missions catholiques dans le monde met en evidence la compatibilite, voire l’etroite complicite, entre la mission apostolique des Jesuites, la mission d’exploration, la collection et l’expansion des savoirs a une epoque ou s’annoncent la fin des Lumieres et celle des premiers empires coloniaux.
Gestational methylazoxymethanol acetate administration: A developmental disruption model of schizophrenia

Animal models are critical for the study of psychiatric disorders since they allow the use of invasive methods that cannot be used for ethical reasons in humans. Currently there are three general models of schizophrenia; (i) those produced with acute pharmacological intervention (i.e. MK-801, ketamine, PCP and amphetamine), (ii) genetic models (i.e. mutant DISC-1, D2-R over expression) and (iii) developmental disruption models (i.e. MAM, neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion, isolation rearing, maternal infection). Here we review evidence for the validity of gestational (day 17) MAM administration as a developmental disruption rodent model of schizophrenia. Offspring from MAM-treated dams are reported to display deficits consistent with those observed in schizophrenia patients, including anatomical changes, behavioral deficits and altered neuronal information processing. Thus gestational MAM administration has been demonstrated to induce a pathodevelopmental process leading to neuroanatomical and behavioral phenotypes consistent with that observed in schizophrenia in humans.
Predators usurp prey defenses? Toxicokinetics of tetrodotoxin in common garter snakes after consumption of rough-skinned newts

Snakes are common predators of organisms, such as amphibians, with toxic defenses that can be lethal to other predators. Because snakes do not have the option of dissecting prey into edible versus inedible components, they face a full dose of any chemical defenses encountered during attempted predation. This limitation has likely resulted in intense selection favoring the evolution of alternative mechanisms for dealing with prey toxins. These mechanisms can be physiological (e.g., resistance to prey toxins) or behavioral (e.g., toxin sampling and rejection). When physiological resistance arises, the possibility of bioaccumulation of a toxin results. We examined the coevolutionary interaction between the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa), which contains a powerful neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin (TTX). In some populations syntopic with newts, individuals of T. sirtalis have evolved resistance to TTX. We examined the persistence of TTX in T. sirtalis after administration of an oral dose of TTX to investigate the possibility that snakes are sequestering TTX. The half-life of TTX in snake liver was estimated at 8.1 days. Accordingly, clearance of 99% of a single dose of TTX averages 61 days. Negative fitness consequences of intoxication during and after newt consumption may be balanced by co-opting the newts’ chemical defense for protection from the snakes’ own predators. Accounting of the coevolutionary dynamic between snakes and newts must incorporate post-consumption affects of lingering TTX.
Lymphatic or Hematogenous Dissemination: How Does a Metastatic Tumor Cell Decide?

The formation of distant metastases is the deadliest phase of cancer progression. Although numerous studies have identified genes and mechanisms that affect metastasis after tumors have reached secondary sites, our knowledge about how cancer cells initially gain access to systemic circulation is limited. Since tumors can enter the blood directly by intravasating into venous capillaries or indirectly via lymphatics, it is important to evaluate the relative contributions of both pathways as routes of egress from the primary site. Insights into tumor and stromal factors governing the intravasation process may help explain why certain tumors exhibit "preferred" pathways for metastatic dissemination, both clinically and in experimental animal models.
Airway nitric oxide in infants with acute wheezy bronchitis.

Concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air are increased in children and adults with asthma, and NO measurements are used as a non-invasive marker to monitor airway inflammation in these patients. To define the role of NO in infants with acute wheezy bronchitis, we measured nasal and end-tidal NO concentrations in 17 infants with acute virus-associated wheezy bronchitis, in 22 term infants without respiratory disease, and in nine premature infants. Nasal NO measurements were performed with an olive placed in the infant's nose; end-tidal NO concentrations were assessed during tidal breathing through a snugly fitting face mask. Both end-tidal NO concentrations and nasal NO concentrations were reduced in infants with acute wheezy bronchitis. There were no differences in NO concentrations between term infants and premature infants. Measurements by both techniques were highly reproducible, as assessed by repeated measurements three times daily on three consecutive days in eight premature infants. Reduced airway NO concentrations in infants with virus-associated acute wheezy bronchitis are in contrast to findings in adults where both upper and lower airway NO levels are increased in patients with asthma. Whether this reflects a different inflammatory reaction to upper airway infections in acutely wheezy infants or pathophysiologic differences in airway response remains to be determined.
Visible persistence in paranoid schizophrenics

Abstract A visual temporal integration (i.e., visible persistence) task was performed by normal controls and paranoid schizophrenics. The task evaluated the critical duration (CD), which approximates the duration of peripheral persistence duration and post-CD persistence, which is possibly more associated with central processes. Subjects were required to report when temporally modulated spatial frequency patterns, which are known to have characteristic temporal processing rates, were pulsing "on-off" with a distinct "off" period. The dependent measure was the duration of visible persistence. An analysis of groups X spatial frequency duration (50, 75, 150, 300 msec) X spatial frequency (high, medium, low), with repeated measures on the last two variables, revealed that the second-order interaction was significant ( p Schizophrenics had shorter visible persistence only for the 300-msec presentation for the high spatial frequency pattern. Also, the CD of schizophrenics did not conform to the duration of normals on the high spatial frequency. The results are discussed in terms of the role high spatial frequencies plays in visual information processing and how shorter visible persistence by paranoid schizophrenics may reflect a premature termination of information necessary for synthesis into accurate percepts .
Gay Youth and AIDS

Gay male teenagers face considerable adversity during their "coming out" process due to the AIDS epidemic. They must decide whether to be tested for HIV-1 infection, whether to postpone sexual activity, how to select a partner, and which kinds of sexual practices to engage in. Gay youth often make such decisions based upon misinformation and faulty premises. This paper reviews what is known about gay youth and AIDS, and assesses their possible risk for HIV-1 infection. It is recommended that school and community-based health education programs be developed to teach gay and bisexual youth about safe sex. Moreover, research is needed into sociocultural variations among gay youth in order to develop appropriate and effective intervention strategies for AIDS risk reduction in this diverse population.
Gyracanthid gnathostome remains from the Carboniferous of Illinois

In his review of early chondrichthyan relationships, Zangerl (1973) included a short description and photograph of an impression in a concretion from the Francis Creek Shale of the Carbondale Forma...
Propagating Plane Disinclination Surfaces in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract We indicate how the use of the integral from of the balance of moment of momentum leads to a simplification of a theory of propagating plane disinclination surfaces in nematic liquid crystals proposed by Currie.1
Population attributable risk of aflatoxin-related liver cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Over 4 billion people worldwide are exposed to dietary aflatoxins, which cause liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) in humans. However, the population attributable risk (PAR) of aflatoxin-related HCC remains unclear.
Robust Multiple Frequency Trajectory Tracking Control of Piezoelectrically Driven Micro/Nanopositioning Systems

A novel modeling and control methodology is proposed in this paper for real-time compensation of nonlinearities along with precision trajectory control of piezoelectric actuators in various range of frequency operation. By integrating a modified Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis operator with a second-order linear dynamics, a nonlinear dynamic model and an inverse feedforward controller are developed and experimentally validated for a piezoelectrically driven nanopositioning stage. This modeling and control framework, however, lacks the accuracy due to the hysteresis model limitation, parametric uncertainties, and ever present unmodeled dynamics. Utilizing the sliding mode control strategy coupled with a perturbation estimation technique, a robust controller is then proposed for trajectory tracking of the actuator displacement. The controller gains are adjusted based on an intelligent comparison of the dynamic model and the control law. Eventually, the performance of the proposed controller is verified for the nanopositioning stage which is equipped with a high resolution capacitive position sensor. Experimental results demonstrate that the controller is capable of precisely tracking triangular and multiple frequency sinusoidal trajectories, which are common practices in many scanning probe microscopy systems.
Entry mode irreversibility, host market uncertainty, and foreign subsidiary exits

We examine how the exits of multinational companies’ foreign subsidiaries from host countries are foreshadowed by the irreversibility intrinsic to firms’ entry modes and the environmental uncertainty in host countries. For empirical testing, we run a Cox proportional hazard rate model on STATA 10 and deploy a dataset of Korean foreign direct investments (FDIs) for the period 1990–2007. We find a negative association between the greater irreversibility typical of wholly owned Greenfield investments or full acquisitions and subsidiary exits. We also note that host market uncertainty strengthens the impact of irreversible entry modes on subsidiary exits. Our findings support the argument that irreversible investments and uncertain environments are closely related to the probability of a subsidiary exiting.
A Diurnal Rhythm in the Excretion of Urinary Ketosteroids by Young Men1

THE PRESENCE of a diurnal cycle in the urinary output of 17-ketosteroids might have some consequence in consideration of their functional significance. The marked quantitative changes in excretion accompanying various pathologic states (1, 2) may indicate that the processes involving ketosteroid secretion may be labile to ordinary daily stresses. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Seven young men ranging in age from 22 to 29 years undertook the collection of consecutive night and day urine specimens for periods ranging from 5 to 9 days. In most cases the attempt was made to collect 4 specimens for each 24-hour period, but this was not always possible. Toluol was added as preservative and the urines hydrolyzed and extracted within 48 hours of collection. Our usual method of acid hydrolysis and ether extraction was practiced (3). The dried neutral fractions of the ether extract were separated into ketonic and nonketonic fractions by the micro-Girard reaction (3).
Factors Affecting Broiler Processing Parameters and Plasma Corticosterone

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of broiler strain, sex, and age on resting plasma corticosterone levels and the latter's relationship to various broiler production and processing parameters. In Experiment 1, strain and sex differences in 58-day farm weight (FWT), dressed carcass weight (DC), yield (Y), abdominal fat (AF), abdominal fat expressed as a percentage of DC (PAF), and plasma corticosterone (C) measures were assessed in five commercial broiler strains fed a lower [3086 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg] versus higher (3306 kcal ME/kg) energy ration. The higher energy diet was formulated and used to produce excess abdominal fat. In Experiment 2, the effect of broiler age (4, 6, and 8 weeks) on resting plasma C was determined. Results of Experiment 1 indicated that although strain significantly influenced AF, and although feeding the higher energy diet significantly elevated FWT, DC, Y, AF, and PAF, strain and dietary energy effects on plasma C were nil. However, a significant strain × dietary energy interaction on plasma C levels was observed. Likewise, although female broilers had greater PAF measures than male birds, sex did not influence resting plasma C values. Plasma C was not correlated to AF measures. Experiment 2 results showed plasma C at 6 (3.3 ng/ml) and 8 weeks (2.9 ng/ml) was significantly depressed from the 4-week (4.9 ng/ml) sampling. Thus, future studies involving adrenal functioning in broilers should take into consideration the influence bird age might have on interpretation of results.
Gamma-Ray Bursts and Very High Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy

The current status of gamma-ray burst astronomy is reviewed briefly, with emphasis on experiments which might determine the burster distance scale. Recent observations by the EGRET experiment aboard the Compton Observatory, indicating the presence of delayed, high energy emission, are summarized. It is shown that searches for TeV emission from burst sources are feasible, and may be fruitful. Detection of such emission might resolve the question of whether burst sources are at cosmological distances.
Selenium in milk from feeding small supplements.

Supplements of 0, 1, 2, or 5 mg of selenium from sodium selenite fed per cow daily from 90 days prepartum through approximately 6 mo of lactation had no significant effect on selenium in milk of Hereford cows. Selenium in milk was assayed 2 to 3 days postpartum (average of .014 to .023 ppm) and approximately 3 mo post parturition (average of .016 to .021 ppm). The basal diet consisted of medium quality grass-legume hay (.069 mg/kg), ad libitum liquid supplement (.152 mg/kg), and 1.36 kg shelled corn (.018 mg/kg) starting in early lactation. Treatments of selenium were administered via free-choice liquid supplement.
Stool patterns of healthy adult males.

From 115 healthy adult males, 8,267 serial stool specimens were collected. The statistical variables of weight and consistency of stools, hours of interval between stools, daily frequency, and time of day of defecation are discussed. Some of the more pertinent findings are as follows: The subjects tended to show distinctive individual patterns during their period of observation. Examples of variability within individuals and between individuals are shown.
Effects of alpha-methyl-meta-tyrosine on operant behavior, auditory evoked potentials and postreinforcement electrocortical synchronization in the cat

Abstract Cats injected with α-methyl-meta-tyrosine (50 mg/kg i.p.) exhibited a severe and prolonged (48 hr) inhibition of bar pressing for milk rewards which was concomitant with an increase in auditory evoked potentials recorded from both specific and nonspecific cortical projections as well as an increase in high amplitude slow wave activity in the general ECoG background. Subjects also displayed a marked but transitory increase (10 min–1 hr) in post-reinforcement electrocortical synchronization amplitude. Observation revealed no changes in home-cage eating behavior. Since the drug is known to reduce norepinephrine (NE) levels in the brain for at least 48 hr without markedly affecting dopamine or serotonin levels, it was hypothesized that NE is critical to the operation of nonspecific motivation and/or reinforcement in an appetitive instrumental conditioning situation.
Exploration as a predictor of congruence in adolescents' career choices

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that adolescents who explore a variety of career alternatives will make career choices that are more congruent with their personality styles than will adolescents who explore less broadly. The sample of 57 female and 45 male high school seniors (mean age = 17.6 years) completed an ego identity interview, from which each occupation they reported considering was coded for four dimensions: occupational prestige, substantive complexity, interest environment, and gender dominance. Participants also completed the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory and a verbal ability measure. Two indices were constructed to assess the degree of congruence between the adolescent's primary career choice and personality style. Regression analyses indicated that breadth of exploration in the four career dimensions, particularly in gender dominance exploration, was predictive of congruence for males and females.
The 31st Rovenstine Lecture. The changing horizons in anesthesiology.

Modern anesthesiology differs widely from what it was 40-50 years ago, not only because of what anesthesiology now involves in the operating room, but also because anesthesiology has expanded its horizons and activities above and beyond the provision of surgical anesthesia. These changes and the identity of modern anesthesiology are, however, but poorly understood, if understood at all, by the majority of laity and physicians alike. Such lack of identity, especially in the minds of those at the policy- and decision-making level, can only endanger the vitality and future of anesthesiology in an era of sweeping changes in health care-delivery systems. The problem of public identity of our specialty includes the historically correct, but, contemporaneously, all too often misleading name of our specialty
Pulmonary vascular volume, resistance, and compliance in man.

Pulmonary blood volume was measured in 19 patients, with use of a dye-dilution method and simultaneous bilateral cardiac catheterization. Pulmonary mean transit time was measured by subtracting left atrial-to-peripheral artery mean transit time from pulmonary artery-to-peripheral artery mean transit time. Average pulmonary blood volume was 365 ml. per M.2 (range 126 to 598 ml. per M.2). This value is significantly smaller than previous estimates by less direct methods. The ratio of pulmonary blood volume to mean intravascular pressure was used as an indication of pulmonary vascular compliance. Patients with high pulmonary vascular resistance had relatively low pulmonary vascular compliance. A significant correlation between pulmonary blood volume and stroke volume was found, lending support to the hypothesis that the volume and elasticity of the pulmonary vascular bed contribute to the regulation of cardiac output.
Effects of the small components of the nucleon on pionic disintegration of deuterium near threshold

Abstract We have recalculated the nucleon pole diagram for pionic disintegration of deuterium, including the effects of the small components of the interacting nucleon by keeping all four invariants of the Blankenbecler and Cook vertex. We obtain the leading contribution to the cross section near threshold, in agreement with the Adler Dothan theorem. Following this result we reexamine the S-wave rescattering mechanism generally required to explain the threshold region data.
Oxygen-induced retinopathy: lack of adverse heparin effect.

ABSTRACT: Retinopathy of prematurity is a disorder of abnormal retinal vascular proliferation, and one hypothesis for its pathogenesis involves abnormal activity of angiogenic growth factors in the retina. One of these, acidic fibroblast growth factor, is found primarily in retina and brain tissues. Its mitogenic effect is greatly potentiated in vitro by heparin. Because retinopathy of prematurity occurs most often in premature infants who receive the greatest amount of heparin, we tested the hypothesis that heparin may adversely affect the retinopathy observed in kittens after hyperoxic (80% oxygen) exposure. Seventeen litters of kittens were randomly assigned to receive either saline or heparin s.c. injections from d 2 through recovery to 28 d of age; 65 h of high oxygen exposure was started on d 3 to induce a standard retinal injury in our model. There were no differences in the degree of retinopathy between the heparin-treated group [severity score 5.9 ± 2.2 (mean ± SD)], and the saline-treated group (severity score 7.1 ± 1.7, p>0.20, 80% power to detect a 2-point difference in score at a=0.05). These findings do not support a concern that clinical doses of heparin potentiate retinopathy of prematurity.
The rod-and-frame illusion in erect and supine observers

Previous studies have found that the effect of a tilted frame on egocentric rod adjustments is greater when an overhead display in a horizontal plane is viewed from a supine body position than when a vertical display is viewed from an erect body position. The present studies were designed to see whether this phenomenon could be attributed to an intravisual orientation contrast effect or to the effects of visually induced eye torsion. No significant erect-supine differences were found on measures of either effect. Errors in the direction of frame tilt were significantly greater in the supine position when observers were asked to align a visible rod or an unseen hand-held disk with the head, but no effect of body position was found in matching the orientation of the disk with the rod. The data suggest that erect-supine differences in frame effects are not attributable simply to intravisual factors. The results are discussed in terms used by Harris (1974) to describe “straight-ahead shifts” in judging spatial directions with respect to the median plane.
Electrochemical synthesis of a novel compound, 5-acetyl-2,9-decanedione, and theoretical analysis of its lithium ion complex

Reported is the electrosynthesis of a novel liquid compound, 5-acetyl-2,9-decanedione (TK) [n35d = 1.4524 and Tm 200 °C], the molecule has unique hierarchic “Y” structure with three carbonyl groups anchored at the end of each arm. The TK is formed though the electrochemical reformation of bio-derived levulinic acid in MeOH/H2O system. The possible mechanism of formation of the TK via a side reaction of Kolbe electrolysis has been proposed. Theoretical analysis of the TK coordination with lithium ions, forming bidentate Li+ (TK)Li-O1O2, or Li+ (TK)Li-O2O3, or tridentate Li+ (TK)Li-O1O2O3 complexes has been conducted. The results suggest that one TK can possess two Li+ ions, thus, it might be a competitive solvent for lithium ion batteries.
Arthur Andersen & Co. and the two-part opinion in the auditor's report: 1946–1962*

Abstract. This paper constitutes a historical study of the roots of the decision by Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1946 to adopt a two-part auditor's opinion for all of its engagements, and of its eventual decision in 1962 to return to the standard form of the auditor's report. The essence of the two-part opinion was to decouple the auditor's opinion on fairness of presentation from the opinion on conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The paper also treats the factors that prompted the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants to adopt a two-part opinion, and the reasons why it opted to return to the single-opinion format in 1976. Resume. L'auteur retrace l'historique de la decision prise en 1946 par Arthur Andersen & Cie de presenter l'opinion du verificateur en deux volets dans toutes ses missions, et de sa decision ulterieure, en 1962, de ramener le rapport du verificateur a sa forme standard. Le choix de l'opinion en deux volets reposait sur l'intention de distinguer l'opinion du verificateur quant a la fidelite avec laquelle est presentee l'information de l'opinion du verificateur relative au respect des principes comptables generalement reconnus. L'auteur traite egalement des facteurs qui ont amene l'Institut Canadien des Comptables Agrees a adopter l'opinion en deux volets, et des raisons pour lesquelles il a choisi de retablir l'opinion unique en 1976.
Acquisition of Airborne Imagery in Support of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Recovery Assessments

Remote sensing imagery was collected from a low flying aircraft along the near coastal waters of the Florida Panhandle and northern Gulf of Mexico and into Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA, during March 2011. Imagery was acquired from an aircraft that simultaneously collected traditional photogrammetric film imagery, digital video, digital still images, and digital hyperspectral imagery. The original purpose of the project was to collect airborne imagery to support assessment of weathered oil in littoral areas influenced by the Deepwater Horizon oil and gas spill that occurred during the spring and summer of 2010. This paper describes the data acquired and presents information that demonstrates the utility of small spatial scale imagery to detect the presence of weathered oil along littoral areas in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Flight tracks and examples of imagery collected are presented and methods used to plan and acquire the imagery are described. Results suggest weathered oil in littoral areas after the spill was contained at the source.
Intercultural differences in responses to health messages on social media from spokespeople with varying levels of ethnic identity

In this study respondents were exposed to a social media page with either an African American avatar communicating high ethnic identity or low ethnic identity, encouraging them to read a story on the dangers of heart disease. Respondents were then asked to rate perceived response efficacy and behavioral intentions. Caucasians and African Americans did not differ on response efficacy across conditions; however African Americans in the high ethnic identity group indicated a change in behavioral intentions whereas other respondents did not. The results are discussed in relation to healthcare information targeting, future healthcare campaigns and emergent technologies.
Generalized q-Schur algebras and quantum Frobenius

The quantum Frobenius map and it splitting are shown to descend to maps between generalized q-Schur algebras at a root of unity. We also define analogs of q-Schur algebras for any affine algebra, and prove the corresponding results for them.
Performance bounds for dynamic causal modeling of brain connectivity

The use of complex dynamical models have been proposed for describing the connections and causal interactions between different regions of the brain. The goal of these models is to accurately mimic the event-related potentials observed by EEG/MEG measurement systems, and are useful in understanding overall brain functionality. In this paper, we focus on a class of nonlinear dynamic causal models (DCM) that are described by a set of connectivity parameters. In practice, the DCM parameters are inferred using data obtained by an EEG or MEG sensor array in response to a certain event or stimulus, and the resulting estimates are used to analyze the strength and direction of the causal interactions between different brain regions. The usefulness of the parameter estimates will depend on how accurately they can be estimated, which in turn will depend on noise, the sampling rate, number of data samples collected, the accuracy of the source localization and reconstruction steps, etc. The goal of this paper is to derive Cramer-Rao performance bounds for DCM estimates, and examine the behavior of the bounds under different operating conditions.
Incidence of prostatic carcinoma in the elderly

Published reports vary greatly in their estimation of the incidence of prostatic carcinoma. To obtain statistically valid data on the occurrence of this entity in the elderly, serial sections of the entire prostate obtained at 57 consecutive autopsies in males eighty years of age and over were analyzed. The incidence of prostatic carcinoma in this group was 66.7 per cent. The stage and grade of lesions are noted, and a correlation between specimen weight and incidence of malignancy is confirmed. Apparently disparate reports are analyzed.
Observation of temperature-dependent transport in the TFTR tokamak.

Local particle and heat transport coefficients have been measured in a temperature scan of neutral-beam--heated plasmas with {ital n}, {ital I}{sub {ital p}}, and {ital B}{sub {ital c}{ital p}{ital h}{ital i}} held constant. The electron transport is ascertained from a flux analysis of a small density perturbation, and the heat transport is obtained from the equilibrium power balance. The transport coefficients vary as {ital T}{sub {ital e}}{sup {alpha}}, where {alpha}=1.5--2.5. The observed temperature dependence is predicted by numerical calculations of anomalous transport due to trapped-particle drift-type microinstabilities.
Measuring mechanical properties of fine-wire cross-sections used in medical devices.

In this study, it was demonstrated that the nanoindentation technique can be used to measure the elastic modulus and hardness of fine-wire cross-sections with diameters ranging from 100–200 μm. Using miniature optics and a specially developed micrometer positioning system, measurements were successfully performed on the wire cross-sections with an accuracy of 1 μm. Homogeneous wire cross-sections, such as MP35N (high-strength nickel–cobalt alloy), composite wires such as MP35N with a silver core (MP35N/Ag-core), and platinum-clad tantalum (Pt-clad Ta) were studied. From the nanoindentation measurements, the elastic modulus and hardness at different positions and depths were calculated. It was found that both elastic modulus and hardness reached a constant value below the hardened surface, which resulted from mechanical polishing. Material properties obtained from the measurements were compared with the literature values of bulk materials as well as available results on fine wires. The data from the wire cross-sections, especially the uniform material samples, showed that both the elastic modulus and hardness were significantly lower near the outer 10–15 μm of the wire as compared to the rest of the wire, which is due to surface weakening during manufacturing. In addition, both modulus and hardness showed a small but consistent “sawtooth” variation across the diameter of the wires, excluding the outer 10–15 μm, that is postulated to be induced by the distribution of residual stress. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 70B: 106–113, 2004
Epidermal growth factor potentiates renal cell death in hydronephrotic neonatal mice, but cell survival in rats.

Epidermal growth factor potentiates renal cell death in hy- dronephrotic neonatal mice, but cell survival in rats. Background. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) markedly attenuates tubular apoptosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in the neonatal rat, and reduces apopto- sis induced by mechanical stretch of cultured rat tubular cells. Methods. To investigate the role of EGF in modulating apop- tosis resulting from UUO, neonatal wild type and mutant mice lacking EGF (knockout), or with diminished EGF receptor ac- tivity (waved-2 mutant) were compared to control mice for tubular apoptosis and atrophy. Rat and mouse kidneys were compared for localization of the EGF receptor. Apoptosis was also measured in cultured mouse tubular cells subjected to stretch and exposed to EGF. Results. UUO reduced endogenous renal EGF expression in wild-type mice. Unlike the rat, exogenous EGF did not de- crease tubular apoptosis or atrophy in the obstructed kidney, and significantly increased stretch-induced apoptosis of cul- tured mouse tubular cells. Tubular apoptosis was 50% lower in the obstructed kidney of EGF knockout and waved-2 mice relative to wild type and heterozygous animals. Exogenous EGF increased tubular apoptosis and doubled atrophy in the ob- structed kidney of waved-2 mice. Species differences in EGF receptor localization were detected in 3-day-old kidneys. Conclusion. EGF acts as a survival factor in the neonatal rat, but potentiates tubular cell death in the neonatal mouse. Species differences are maintained in cultured cells, suggest- ing that differences in EGF receptor signaling underlie these opposing effects.
Hypnotic Susceptibility and the Endogenous Eyeblink: A Brief Communication

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between hypnotic susceptibility, hypnotic state, and the endogenous eyeblink with 36 undergraduates, who were assigned to four independent groups (waking-low, hypnotized-low, waking-high, and hypnotized-high susceptibles) on the basis of combined cutoff scores on both the Creative Imagination Scale and the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults. The auditory vigilance task required subjects to discriminate between 200 ms and 300 ms tones over a 35-minute period. Hypnotic depth was controlled across trials using the Long Stanford Scale of Hypnotic Depth. As predicted, high-susceptible subjects had a significantly lower blink rate than low-susceptible subjects. The predicted interaction between susceptibility and hypnotic state was also confirmed. High-susceptible subjects showed a significant decrease in blinking for the hypnotized condition, whereas low-susceptible subjects did not. The need for replication with more adequate measures of susceptibilit...
Corneal hydration imaging using dual-wavelength optical coherence tomography

Corneal hydration plays an essential role in maintaining optimal vision. During laser ablation surgery, corneal hydration varies greatly and is likely to affect the outcome. Quantitative measurements of this interaction may help improve the results of vision correction surgery. In addition, prescreening of corneal hydration could be used to correct the laser surgery procedure for hydration variation in the patient population. We present a functional extension of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to measure cornea hydration in vitro using two light sources simultaneously, one at 1294 nm (negligible water absorption loss) and another at 1410 nm (large water absorption loss). Measuring the ratio of the intensity profile at these two wavelengths allows us to separate the effect of absorptive attenuation from the reflectivity structure of the sample. We first measured the differential absorption coefficient of a calibration target: a 1 mm cuvette containing controlled mixtures of water (H2O) and heavy water (D2O). The optical properties of heavy water are almost identical with those of water, except that it has negligible absorption near 1410 nm. Next, we scanned in vitro fresh cornea bathed in Optisol. We then scraped off the epithelium and immersed the cornea into Balanced Salt Solution in order to increase the hydration through swelling. Then, the cornea was immersed in a 15% Dextran solution to reverse the swelling. After the OCT scans, the cornea hydration level was evaluated by standard weight measurement. The result of the calibration experiment showed that a strong correlation exists between measured differential water absorption coefficient and actual water content within the cuvette. We derived the hydration level profile over corneal depth from a least squares fit of the log-intensity ratio. Average hydration from the OCT data agreed with the hydration determined by weight measurement.
Differential Inhibition of Functional Dilation of Small Arterioles by Indomethacin and Glibenclamide

Indomethacin or glibenclamide treatments attenuate functional dilation of larger-diameter “feed” arterioles paired with venules in hamster cremaster muscle. We tested the hypothesis that release of cyclooxygenase products from venules is important for functional dilation of third- and fourth-order arterioles. We also tested whether ATP-sensitive potassium channels are important during functional dilation of smaller arterioles. The microcirculation of hamster cremaster muscle was visualized with in vivo video microscopy. We measured diameter responses of third- and fourth-order arterioles paired and unpaired with venules in response to 2 minutes of muscle field stimulation (40 μs, 10 V, 1 Hz). Control diameters of vessels were 31±2 (n=19), 13±1 (n=12), 12±2 (n=12), and 10±1 (n=12) for paired and unpaired third-order and paired and unpaired fourth-order arterioles, respectively. In all groups, field stimulation resulted in increases in mean control diameter of >80%. Indomethacin (28 μmol/L) superfused on the preparation was used to inhibit cyclooxygenase metabolism, or glibenclamide (10 μmol/L) was used to block ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Indomethacin attenuated arteriolar vasodilations to electrical stimulation in paired third-order vessels only, whereas glibenclamide attenuated this vasodilation in all 4 groups. These results support a role for ATP-sensitive potassium channels in functional dilation of arterioles of all sizes regardless of whether or not they are paired with venules. Conversely, a role for cyclooxygenase products is limited to larger “feed arterioles” paired with venules. This study provides further evidence that venules may be the source of prostaglandin release during functional hyperemia.
Identifying key missing data for inference under uncertainty

Abstract In many applications of knowledge-based systems, initial facts are insufficient to lead to any conclusion, and the systems need to ask users to provide more information. A question-asking strategy decides the questions to ask and their sequence. We present a question-asking strategy for Horn clause knowledge bases under uncertainties. The strategy selects questions quickly by considering both conclusion certainties and costs of reaching conclusions. The experiments on randomly generated knowledge bases show that the proposed strategy is significantly better than the contingent strategies being used with forward-chaining or backward-chaining procedures.
The complexity of mining maximal frequent itemsets and maximal frequent patterns

Mining maximal frequent itemsets is one of the most fundamental problems in data mining. In this paper we study the complexity-theoretic aspects of maximal frequent itemset mining, from the perspective of counting the number of solutions. We present the first formal proof that the problem of counting the number of distinct maximal frequent itemsets in a database of transactions, given an arbitrary support threshold, is #P-complete, thereby providing strong theoretical evidence that the problem of mining maximal frequent itemsets is NP-hard. This result is of particular interest since the associated decision problem of checking the existence of a maximal frequent itemset is in P.We also extend our complexity analysis to other similar data mining problems dealing with complex data structures, such as sequences, trees, and graphs, which have attracted intensive research interests in recent years. Normally, in these problems a partial order among frequent patterns can be defined in such a way as to preserve the downward closure property, with maximal frequent patterns being those without any successor with respect to this partial order. We investigate several variants of these mining problems in which the patterns of interest are subsequences, subtrees, or subgraphs, and show that the associated problems of counting the number of maximal frequent patterns are all either #P-complete or #P-hard.
Calculation of the Shannon information

Abstract Let ( Ω, β, μ X ) and (ʌ, F, μ N ) be probability spaces, with f: Ω × ʌ ⇒ ʌ a β × F|F measurable map. Define μXY on β × F by μXY(A) = μX ⊗ μN{(x, y): (x, f(x, y)) ϵ A}, and let μY = (μX ⊗ μN)o f−1. An expression is determined for computing the Shannon information in the measure μXY. This expression is used to compute the information for the non-linear additive Gaussian channel, and can be used to solve the channel capacity problem.
Monitoring of Toxic Compounds in Air Using a Handheld Rectilinear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer

A miniature, handheld mass spectrometer, based on the rectilinear ion trap mass analyzer, has been applied to air monitoring for traces of toxic compounds. The instrument is battery-operated, hand-portable, and rugged. We anticipate its use in public safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental monitoring. Gaseous samples of nine toxic industrial compounds, phosgene, ethylene oxide, sulfur dioxide, acrylonitrile, cyanogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, formaldehyde, and ethyl parathion, were tested. A sorption trap inlet was constructed to serve as the interface between atmosphere and the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. After selective collection of analytes on the sorbent bed, the sorbent tube was evacuated and then heated to desorb analyte into the instrument. Sampling, detection, identification, and quantitation of all compounds were readily achieved in times of less than 2 min, with detection limits ranging from 800 parts per trillion to 3 parts per million depending on the analyte. F...
Laparoscopic removal of translocated retro-peritoneal IUDs

The successful laparoscopic removal from 3 patients of IUDs translocated into the abdominal cavity but not perforating the peritoneal layer is described in this report. The 3 cases demonstrate the utility of laparoscopy in removing IUDs under similar circumstances. 2 IUDs were inserted in the postpartum period and 1 after lysis of intrauterine adhesions a significant factor in their translocation. Due to the closeness of the endometrial cavity to the translocated IUD and its associated movement upon motion of the uterus diagnosis was a problem. The patients were initially subjected to multiple x-ray examinations and intrauterine manipulations. Although hysterography was some help the IUD particularly the Cu-7 was not definitely located until hysteroscopy ruled out the intrauterine position of any portion of the IUD and laparoscopy directly demonstrated that the IUD was translocated and covered by peritoneum. Delicate important structures such as the vessels and ureter lie under the peritoneal cover and for this reason laparoscopic removal of translocated IUDs should be attempted only with the following precautions: 1) the procedure should be performed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation; 2) the IUD should impinge upon and cause tenting of the peritoneal layer and be mobile when assessed with an exploring probe; 3) electrocautery units should be immediately available for coagulation of bleeding points; 4) the peritoneum should be easily opened at the tenting and impinging portion of the IUD so that the danger of injury to surrounding structures is reduced; and 5) surgical equipment should be available for immediate laparotomy in case laparoscopy fails to retrieve the IUD. In order to prevent undue damage to surrounding structures an accessory 3rd puncture in the opposite lower quadrant may be helpful in dissection.
Synthesis of N-Methylene-N,N-Bis(2-Chloroethyl) Ammonium Hexachlorostannate

Abstract Because of the exceptional antineoplastic activity exhibited by methylene-diammonium salt 1 against a variety of key experimental tumor systems, this substance is being prepared for clinical trial2 by the National Cancer Institute. Since the analogous counterpart 2 might also display potentially important anticancer properties, as well as function as a useful synthon for Mannich-type condensations3,4 a new and convenient synthetic route to this very reactive iminium cation was developed.
Cinethetic Racism: White Redemption and Black Stereotypes in Magical Negro Films

Recent research on African American media representations describes a trend of progressive, antiracist film production. Specifically, "magical negro" films (cinema highlighting lower-class, uneducated, and magical black characters who transform disheveled, uncultured, or broken white characters into competent people) have garnered both popular and critical acclaim. I build upon such evidence as a cause for both celebration and alarm. I first examine how notions of historical racism in cinema inform our comprehension of racial representations today. These understandings create an interpretive environment whereby magical black characters are relationally constructed as both positive and progressive. I then advance a production of culture approach that examines 26 films that resonate with mainstream audiences' understanding of race relations and racialized fantasies. I find that these films constitute "cinethetic racism"—a synthesis of overt manifestations of racial cooperation and egalitarianism with latent expressions of white normativity and antiblack stereotypes. "Magical negro" films thus function to marginalize black agency, empower normalized and hegemonic forms of whiteness, and glorify powerful black characters in so long as they are placed in racially subservient positions. The narratives of these films thereby subversively reaffirm the racial status quo and relations of domination by echoing the changing and mystified forms of contemporary racism rather than serving as evidence of racial progress or a decline in the significance of race.
Synchrotron emissivity from mildly relativistic particles

Approximate analytic expressions are presented for evaluation of the frequency and angular dependence of synchrotron emissivity from mildly relativistic particles with arbitrary energy spectrum and pitch angle distribution in a given magnetic field. Results agree with previous expressions for a nonrelativistic Maxwellian particle distribution, and when extrapolated to nonrelativistic and extreme relativistic regimes, they also agree with the previous expressions obtained under those limiting conditions. The results from the analytic expression are compared with results from detailed numerical evaluations. Excellent agreement is found not only at frequencies large compared to the gyro-frequency but also at lower frequencies, in fact, all the way down to the gyro-frequency, where the analytic approximations are expected to be less accurate.
New clinical classification for iris neovascularization

Abstract A new classification scheme for neovascularization of the iris (NVI) is presented. This system designates the location of the new vessels by a letter and the number of quadrants involved by a numeral. The presence of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is denoted by a "+" sign. It was found to be a reliable method in the evaluation of the clinical course and results of treatment in patients with NVI.