cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a biosafety level-2 facility for irradiation of biological cells using MeV ions

Abstract The development of a facility for irradiation of murine and primate tissue presents several challenges. First, extremely low fluences (106–1011 ions cm−2) are required to deliver doses of 1 mGy–50 Gy using MeV proton. Second, the tissues, particularly from non-human primate, may be infectious to humans. Third, protection of irradiated tissue samples from contamination by mold and bacteria is critical. Here we present an ultra-low flux irradiation facility and associated fluence control for biological cell and tissue irradiation under sterile biosafety level-2 conditions suitable for use with low energy (1–3.4 MeV) protons. The operation is demonstrated using murine astrocytes.
Effects of Estrogens and Progesterones on Collagen Metabolism

In attempting to evaluate effects of estrogens and progestational compounds on bone, it is important to consider how the components of the organic matrix may be affected. Bone consists of an inorganic mineral phase, which comprises approximately two thirds of the weight of the tissue, and an organic phase which is largely the protein collagen. Today I shall discuss selected studies on the effects of estrogens and progesterones on metabolism of collagen not only in bone but in other connective tissues as well. It is necessary, however, to review briefly some aspects of the chemistry and biology of collagen (1,2) in order to evaluate the results of such studies.
Do adolescents’ self-concepts moderate the relationship between STEM stereotypes and motivation?

Professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are often stereotyped as geniuses and nerds (e.g., socially awkward). These stereotypes may demotivate some individuals from pursuing or remaining in STEM. However, these beliefs may enhance motivation among individuals who feel that they fit in with the stereotype. Guided by balanced identity theory and expectancy-value theory, our study investigated the effect of trait-based stereotypes about people in STEM among a sample of 256 U.S. high school students (Mage = 16, 59% girls, 65% Asian, 15% Latinx, 10% White). We assessed students’ trait-based nerd and genius stereotypes about STEM and related self-concepts as well as their STEM motivation (competence and value beliefs). Consistent with balanced identity theory, the effect and direction of endorsing nerd-genius stereotypes was moderated by a student’s own self-concepts. Endorsing stereotypes was negatively related to motivation—but only among those low in the related self-concept. Among those high in related self-concepts (e.g., high in nerd-genius self-concept), endorsing STEM stereotypes (e.g., STEM is for geniuses) was unrelated to STEM motivation. Girls, underrepresented students of color, and potential first-generation college students may especially be negatively affected by the stereotypes due to a greater likelihood that these stereotypes will be incongruent with their self-concepts. Thus, trait-based stereotypes about people in STEM may perpetuate current gaps in STEM.
Inverse agonists of the 5-HT2A receptor reduce nicotine withdrawal signs in rats.

Abstract Previous work has shown that chronic nicotine administration causes adaptive changes in 5-HT2A receptor expression. Based on this relationship, it was hypothesized that inactivating 5-HT2A receptors with the inverse agonists pimavanserin and volinanserin (MDL100907), would reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal syndrome. Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered nicotine-dependent by subcutaneous infusion of nicotine bitartrate, 9 mg/kg/day for seven days. The infusions were then terminated, and 22 h later, rats were observed under “blind” conditions for somatically expressed behavioral nicotine withdrawal signs. One hour before observations, the nicotine dependent rats were injected i.p. with saline alone, or either 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg pimavanserin in saline. Total withdrawal signs were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. A one-way ANOVA (total withdrawal signs as a function of dose) was highly significant, as was the descending linear trend of withdrawal signs as a function of dose. The 1.0 mg/kg dose reduced withdrawal signs nearly to the level exhibited by a comparison group of non-dependent rats injected with saline. A second experiment was conducted in a similar manner, which showed that volinanserin at 1.0 mg/kg but not 0.25 mg/kg also reduced nicotine withdrawal signs to nearly the level of non-dependent rats. In vitro experiments demonstrated that both pimavanserin and volinanserin potently antagonize 5-HT2A receptors, with approximately 25-fold, and 300-fold selectivity over 5-HT2C receptors, respectively. The results suggest that the 5-HT2A receptor contributes to mediating nicotine withdrawal syndrome, and thus represents a potential target for interventions to aid smoking cessation.
Exposure to tobacco marketing in bars predicts subsequent use of multiple tobacco products among non-tobacco-using college students.

Background Due to other marketing restrictions, one venue where tobacco companies concentrate their marketing efforts to reach young adults is bars/nightclubs. Objective This study examined the relationship between exposure to tobacco marketing in bars/nightclubs and number of alternative tobacco/nicotine products used 6 months later among college students. Methods Participants were 1,406 students aged 18–29 years old who reported going to bars or nightclubs at least rarely (M age=21.95; 67% female; 46% non-Hispanic white). Students completed an online survey in fall 2014/spring 2015 (wave 1) and again 6 months later (wave 2). Multilevel Poisson regression models were used to assess the relationship between exposure to three types of marketing at bars/nightclubs at wave 1 (tobacco/nicotine product advertisements; free samples; industry representatives) and number of tobacco products used (range=0–5) at wave 2, controlling for school type (2 year vs 4 year), age, sex, race/ethnicity and frequency of bar visits. An interaction between the number of wave 1 products and each marketing variable was tested. Results Greater exposure to free samples and tobacco industry representatives at bars/nightclubs predicted a greater number of products used 6 months later, but only among wave 1 non-tobacco users and not among tobacco users. Exposure to advertisements at bars/nightclubs did not predict the number of products used 6 months later. Conclusion Tobacco companies claim that marketing is targeted to those who already use the product, not to non-users. However, the current study indicates tobacco marketing in bars and nightclubs may encourage use among non-users and has no influence on current users.
Effect of Potassium Infusions on Serum Levels in Children during Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

A retrospective study was done to determine the effect of potassium (K+) infusions on serum levels in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Eighty-two percent of 92 cases studied received 40 mEq/L K+ infusion over the treatment period of median 13.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 7–18) hours. The median K+ value at the end of this period was 3.9 (IQR: 3.4–4.2) mEq/L. There were 31 data points of low K+ values ( 5.5 mEq/L) during this treatment period. The K+ infusions of 40 mEq/L may be sufficient to normalize serum K+ when treating DKA.
Chapter 19 – Computers and Transportation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of computers in transportation. Automobiles, airplanes, trains, and ships, which were themselves prime movers in advancing communications, are at present advancing further because of the information revolution. The auto industry has gone through many changes over the years; the most dramatic of these may well be the widespread use of microprocessors. Microprocessors perform numerous functions, including helping to reduce gasoline consumption and limiting exhaust emissions. Computers are used to synchronize traffic lights to improve traffic flow. Computerized traffic control systems can quickly change traffic light patterns to unwind a gridlock. Future traffic control systems may be able to prevent a gridlock from developing in the first place. The Air Force is currently developing a new computerized system that may revolutionize navigation. This computer system is called the Airborne Electronic Terrain Map System, which helps a pilot fly a plane safely at night, in poor weather conditions, or over unfamiliar territory.
Approximate Optimal Control Design for a Class of Nonlinear Systems by Lifting Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equation

We consider optimal control design of a class of affine nonlinear systems whose right-hand sides are analytic functions. We build upon ideas from Carleman linearization, which is a nonlinear procedure to transform (lift) a finite-dimensional nonlinear system into an infinite-dimensional linear system with no loss, and lift a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation into an infinite-dimensional quadratic form that resembles the familiar algebraic Riccati equation. Then, we propose an efficient method to calculate solution of the resulting infinite-dimensional equation using one algebraic Riccati equation (of the same dimension as the original nonlinear system) and a series of linear matrix equations in an iterative manner. One can obtain arbitrarily near-optimal solution using finite truncations. It is shown that the resulting approximate solutions are symmetric. Using these approximate solutions to the HJB equation, we construct approximate optimal control laws. Our simulation results assert that our method enjoys high accuracy in compared to the actual optimal feedback control laws and the accuracy increases as higher-order truncations are used.
The Bid-Ask Bias and The Size Effect: A Test of the Blume-Stambaugh Bid-Ask Bias Effect Hypothesis

Much CAPM-related research has explored the causes of the size effect anomaly. Blume and Stambaugh (1983) suggest that a ibid-ask biasi accounts for approximately one half of the size effect. The bid-ask bias results from the tendency of stocks to bounce between the bid and the ask price quotes. This bounce causes a difference between observed returns and a more realistic assessment of equilibrium market returns. Examination of a significantly larger data set suggests that the difference is caused by comparing value-weighted outcomes with equal-weighted outcomes.
The Ethics of Teaching Rhetorical Intertextuality

Three approaches to intertextual writing are available to college instructors: mechanical, ethical, and rhetorical. The mechanical approach, a staple of writing instruction, teaches the use of citation styles such as MLA or APA; methods of citing sources; and the conventions of quotation. The ethical approach is primarily concerned with the character of individual writers and their adherence to community standards categorized as “academic integrity.” The great majority of source-based writing instruction attends to one or both of these approaches. A third approach, rhetorical intertextuality, is overshadowed by the ethical concerns that currently permeate educational institutions. Rhetorical intertextuality does promote textual ethics, but in a positive way, through instruction in building meaning in a target text through collaboration with source texts. Rhetorical intertextuality brings the source texts themselves to life (rather than merely mining them for information) and aims to engage the audience in a conversation with target text and source texts. Drawing on Citation Project data, we advocate instruction in intertextual writing that hails students as authors, not transgressors. Rhetorical intertextuality can provide a positive frame for college instruction in intertextual writing, one that facilitates deep engagement with texts; intellectual approaches to paraphrasing and summarizing; and an emphasis on the rhetorical choices that writers make as they encounter and respond to the ideas of others. The objective of such instruction is a dialogic interface between writer, audience, and sources—a conversation.
De-globalization and Foreign Products’ Evaluations: Evidence from the U.S. – China trade war

From a relative micro perspective, this paper investigates de-globalization socio-political consequences. We argue that customers’ evaluations towards products of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) w...
Whither genomics

The flood of data from genome-wide analysis is transforming biology. We need to develop new, interdisciplinary approaches to convert these data into information about the components and structures of individual biological pathways and to use the resulting information to yield knowledge about general principles that explain the functions and evolution of life.
Predicting Diabetes Diagnosis with Binary-To-Fuzzy Extrapolations and Weights Tuned via Genetic Algorithm

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose, which over time has potential to cause catastrophic damage to bodily tissue, namely the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes. Despite severe consequences that can occur from untreated diabetes, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that in the United States of America (USA), over 21% of people with diabetes are unaware they have it [1]. Testing for diabetes can be costly, and access to the specific laboratory equipment required may not be possible for all those who need it. Alternative methods to detect the presence of diabetes are needed, so patients can be accurately identified and treated. Using a dataset containing 520 patient entries and 16 attributes obtained through survey results (age, visual blurring, delayed healing, etc., nearly all binary), we developed a novel method using fuzzy relation-based feature maps, which are multiplied by weights tuned via Genetic Algorithm, then passed through a Logistic Function and rounded back to binary to predict diabetes diagnosis with a classification accuracy of 96% and an F1 Score of 97.1%.
Molecular Simulations of Aqueous Electrolytes: Role of Explicit Inclusion of Charge Transfer into Force Fields

We describe here simulations of aqueous salt solutions that are performed using an explicit charge transfer force field. The emphasis of the discussion is on the calculation of a dynamical property of the solutions: self-diffusion of water. While force fields that are based on pairwise additive potentials or on potentials with explicit inclusion of polarization or with scaled charges can provide at best a qualitative agreement with experiments, force fields with explicit inclusion of charge transfer can produce quantitative agreement with experiment for NaCl and KCl solutions. We argue that a force field with explicit charge transfer contains new physics absent in the previously used force fields described in recent reviews of molecular simulations of aqueous electrolytes.
Serum immune response to common pathogenic Neisseria antigen H8 in patients with uncomplicated gonococcal infection and pelvic inflammatory disease

A distinct outer membrane antigen, H8, is expressed in all strains of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis but is rarely found in nonpathogenic Neisseria. H8 has been shown previously to be immunogenic in disseminated gonococcal and meningococcal infections. In this study we examined the IgG antibody responses to H8 in 160 serum samples obtained serially from 33 patients who experienced 42 separate episodes of uncomplicated gonococcal infection (UGC) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). 7/21 patients with PID and 13/21 patients with UGC demonstrated an immune response to H8 that was generally short-lived (< 6 months). Mean peak titers were higher in patients with UGC than in patients with PID but were not influenced by a history of prior infection. The 9 patients who were reinfected during the study either showed no antibody response to H8 or had experienced a fourfold drop in titer at the time of diagnosis of reinfection.
Enhancement of UV-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis by hydroxyurea: Demonstration by combined biochemical and autoradiographic techniques

Abstract A dual technique for measuring radioactivity incorporated into DNA is presented in which quantitative scintillation counting and autoradiography may be performed on the same preparation of cultured cells. Incubation of UV-irradiated cells with hydroxyurea depressed the incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine in semi-conservative replication but enhanced incorporation in repair synthesis. A possible mechanism for this increase is discussed. The use of the combination of these simple techniques introduces greater sensitivity and flexibility into the estimation of unscheduled DNA synthesis in cells in various growth states.
Drs. McCarthy and Dolan Reply

We agree with Dr. Cochran that precipitation of silver nitrate by the chloride ion in a saline rinse solution may occur, as first commented on by Barson.1 On page 891 of our article, we remark that rapid removal of the silver nitrate solution by the rinse may also render the prophylaxis less effective. We are unaware, however, of a controlled study indicating that the saline rinse increases the risk of gonococcal ophthalmia. That neither precipitation nor rapid removal of silver nitrate accounts for all 43 cases of gonococcal ophthalmia is supported by two facts.
The Quest for Consistency: Principles Governing the Interrelation of the WTO Agreements

Ensuring consistency and avoiding conflicts between agreements have been longstanding problems in the GATT/WTO system. For the most part, GATT — the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade — itself seems to be basically internally consistent.1 However, in the Tokyo Round, the coherence of GATT was undermined by the negotiation of side agreements, which dealt with GATT-related topics — such as dumping, subsidies, valuation and standards, but to which many GATT members were not parties.2 This resulted in the socalled GATT a la carte. From a legal perspective, it raised difficult issues as to when GATT members, who were not parties to a side agreement, might nonetheless benefit from it because of GATT’s most-favored-nation clause.3
Efficient seed utilization for reseeding based compression [logic testing]

The conventional LFSR reseeding technique for test data compression generates one test pattern from each LFSR seed. The seed size is determined by the maximum number of specified bits in a test pattern belonging to a given test set. However, for most practical designs the majority of test patterns have significantly fewer specified bits compared to the maximum. This limits the amount of compression that can be achieved with conventional reseeding. This paper presents a new reseeding technique that overcomes this problem by generating a single test pattern from multiple seeds and multiple test patterns from a single seed. The new reseeding technique is applied to two industrial designs, resulting in significant reduction in tester memory requirement and test application time compared to the conventional reseeding technique.
Glucagon and Glucagon‐like Peptide Production and Degradation

The sections in this article are: 1 History 1.1 Glucagon 1.2 Glucagon-like Peptides 2 The Glucagon Superfamily of Peptide Hormones 3 Tissue Distribution of Proglucagon Expression 3.1 Pancreas 3.2 Intestine 3.3 Brain 4 Proglucagon Biosynthesis 4.1 Organization and Structure of the Proglucagon Gene 4.2 Regulation of Glucagon Gene Expression 4.3 Posttranslational Processing of Proglucagon 4.4 Chemistry and Structure 5 Regulation of Glucagon Secretion 5.1 Overview 5.2 Intracellular Signals 5.3 Nutrients 5.4 Endocrine/Paracrine 5.5 Neural 5.6 Pulsatility 6 Regulation of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Secretion 6.1 Overview 6.2 Intracellular Signals 6.3 Nutrients 6.4 Endocrine 6.5 Neural 7 Metabolism and Degradation 7.1 Overview 7.2 Renal Clearance 7.3 Hepatic Clearance 7.4 Degradation in the Circulation 7.5 Biologically Active Fragments 8 Physiological Actions 8.1 Glucagon 8.2 Glucagon-like Peptide-1 8.3 Glucagon-like Peptide-2 9 Mechanisms of Action 9.1 Glucagon 9.2 Glucagon-like Peptide-1 9.3 Glucagon-like Peptide-2 10 Human Disease 10.1 Glucagon 10.2 Glucagon-like Peptide-1 10.3 Glucagon-like Peptide-2
The Role of Previous Mother-Child Scaffolding in Head Start Children’s Structuring of Problem-Solving Tasks With a Peer

This study further extends scaffolding research to mother-child dyads (N = 51) in poverty, examining relationships between maternal scaffolding and 4-year-old Head Start children’s own later scaffolding behaviors. At Time 1, experimental group children received maternal scaffolding during problem-solving tasks, whereas control group children carried out the tasks without assistance. At Time 2, all children provided scaffolding to a novice adult who acted as a peer unfamiliar with the task. Verbal and nonverbal scaffolding strategies were coded, and children’s verbal skills and social competence were measured. The simple presence or absence of earlier scaffolding did not differentiate child tutors. However, tutoring strategies used by experimental group children during the child-novice problem-solving task were similar to those used earlier by their mothers. After controlling for children’s verbal skills and social competence, mothers’ use of active nonverbal strategies (but not active verbal strategies) w...
Memantine-induced Myoclonus in a Patient with Alzheimer Disease

Background : Myoclonus can be a clinical manifestation of numerous neurodegenerative disorders and an adverse drug reaction to medications used in their treatment. Case report : Herein, we report memantine-induced myoclonus in a patient with Alzheimer disease. The myoclonus seen in our patient was generalized (proximal limbs and trunk), present at rest and with action, and stimulus sensitive. A structured evaluation with the Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale showed that that myoclonus had no significant effect on functional capacity. After discontinuation of memantine, myoclonus slowly resolved over the course of several weeks. Discussion : Memantine may cause myoclonus in susceptible individuals.
Parameter estimation of FM signals using cyclic statistics

Estimating the modulation index of an FM signal in stationary additive noise is encountered in many applications. The authors propose a simple scheme which relies on the cyclostationarity of the FM process, and employs relevant cyclic statistics. The large sample variance expression of the modulation index estimator is also derived. Numerical examples corroborate the theoretical results. >
Transthoracic echocardiographic assistance for interatrial stenting in low birth‐Weight neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and intact atrial septum

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and intact or highly restrictive atrial septum require emergent therapy to relieve pulmonary congestion. Transcatheter stenting has become, in most large centers, the mainstay of therapy for relief of left atrial hypertension. Normally, this procedure is performed with the assistance of transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. However, the transesophageal approach is untenable in neonates of low birth weight, as the transducers can be traumatic and can cause ventilatory difficulty. We present two cases in which transthoracic echocardiographic guidance was used to guide atrial perforation and stenting in low birth-weight neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with intact or highly restrictive atrial septum. Both procedures were straightforward and there were no complications. Real-time biplane imaging greatly assisted in the intervention in one case. The advantages of this approach are discussed. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Instabilities In Four-Wave Mixing

Recent research on instabilites in the four-wave mixing process is summarized. The four-wave mixing process can cause a laser beam to become unstable to the growth of new frequency components as the beam propagates through a nonlinear medium. Similar instabilities can occur in more complicated optical systems such as lasers and bistable optical devices. The nature of the instability is very different for nonlinearities resulting from one- and two-photon resonances in the susceptibility describing four-wave mixing. The four wave mixing process can lead to chaotic behavior in a self-pumped phase conjugate mirror.
Human rape: An evolutionary analysis

Abstract Human evolutionary history was apparently one of polygyny. Polygyny favors the use of different reproductive options by human males with different competitive abilities. These options or alternatives collectively represent a single conditional strategy; which alternatives are employed depend on conditions encountered during a man's life history. It is hypothesized that human rape is an evolved facultative alternative that is primarily employed when men are unable to complete for resources and status necessary to attract and reproduce successfully with desirable mates. According to this hypothesis males that cannot effectively compete may employ rape as the only behavioral alternative, or depending on circumstances of relative status and family composition, they may incorporate rape into a repertoire of other behavioral patterns, including low commital pairbonding with one or more females and/or investing available resources toward sister's offspring. The evolutionary view of rape we propose is completely testable. The view provides predictions about the rapist's and victim's behavior and about rape laws and taboos, several of which we attempt to test. This study indicates that an evolutionary view promises considerable understanding of rape and related phenomena.
Candidate Strategies and Electoral Competition in the Russian Federation: Democracy without Foundation

1. Elections and the development of democratic capacity 2. One step forward, two steps back: Russia's failed consolidation in comparative context 3. The micro-foundations of democratic responsiveness: candidate strategies and electoral infrastructure 4. Many candidates, few choices 5. To join or not to join: candidate affiliation in transitional Russia 6. Finding fit: candidates and their districts 7. Campaigning for the Duma: mixed markets, mixed messages 8. Democrats, democratic transitions, and Russian democracy.
Some contrasts between good and bad forecasts of warm season MCS rainfall

Abstract Large variations in the accuracy of warm season MCS rainfall predictions are investigated by examining several well-forecasted and poorly forecasted cases from a sample of 20 events simulated using a 10 km grid spacing version of the Eta model. Two different convective schemes, the Betts–Miller–Janjic and Kain–Fritsch, have been used in the simulations to investigate in detail differences in simulated rainfall fields. The accuracy of the forecasts is evaluated using both subjective analysis and objective skill measures. The fact that subjective analysis does not necessarily agree with an objective analysis further argues for the development of new objective verification methods for quantitative precipitation forecasting. To gain some insight into possible causes of errors in the most poorly forecasted events, tests are performed where initialized relative humidity is adjusted to either encourage or discourage rainfall formation in specific regions.
Electrophysiological study of the corticonuclear projection in the cat cerebellum

Abstract 1. Experiments were designed to examine the relationship between the responses of Purkinje cells to natural peripheral stimuli and the location of these neurons within identified zones of the corticonuclear projection in lobule V of the cat cerebellar cortex. It was hypothesized that the corticonuclear zones are sharply demarcated and that the responses of Purkinje cells to a restricted natural stimulus is not localized to only one zone but rather is present and varies in character across these 3 zones. 2. Initially the spatial distribution of the antidromic field potential evoked by stimulating in the fastigial (FN), lateral vestibular (LVN), and anterior interposed nuclei (AIN) was determined in sublobules Va-Vc in unanesthetized decerebrate cats. In some animals the corticonuclear projection was further examined by evaluating the location of Purkinje cells responding antidromically to stimuli in the FN, LVN and AIN, or FN, AIN and the posterior interposed nuclei (PIN). Once a Purkinje cell was identified, its simple and complex spike responses to a step-like flexion-extension passive movement of the ipsilateral forepaw were determined. 3. The boundary based on the antidromic activation of Purkinje cells between the fastigial zone (FZ) and the anterior interposed zone (AIZ) in sublobules Va-Vc of the cerebellar cortex was highly reproducible from cat to cat, although there was a slight overlap between these zones based on the antidromic field potential. The FZ-AIZ border was located at 2.1 ± 0.12mm lateral and parallel to the midline. The FZ also contained a few cells projecting to the LVN. However, the AIZ only contained neurons projecting to the AIN. The boundary between AIZ and PIZ in lobule Va-Vc was between 3.3 and 3.8 mm from the midline and ran parallel to it. 4. The peristimulus time histograms (PSTHs) of the simple and complex spike activity to a passive forepaw displacement revealed extensive modulation of neurons located across the mediolateral extent of the AIZ and PIZ. Both the simple and complex spike discharge of Purkinje cells projecting to the FN also were modulated, but to a lesser degree than cells in AIZ or PIZ. The spatial distribution of simple and complex spike responses recorded from Purkinje cells overlapped extensively. 5. The data support previous findings that the corticonuclear projection is organized into longitudinally oriented sagittal zones. Electrophysiologically the boundaries were remarkably reproducible from animal to animal. The results also show that information processing involving the modulation of Purkinje cell activity in response to the forepaw stimulus occurs in all 3 zones examined. The tight spatial correlation between simple and complex spike modulation is consistent with the hypothesis that the climbing fiber input acts to increase the responsiveness of Purkinje cells and their neighboring neurons to mossy fiber inputs.
Quasi index matching for minimum reflectance at a dielectric-conductor interface for obliquely incident p - and s -polarized light

Conditions for reducing the reflectance of a dielectric-conductor interface for p- and s-polarized light to a minimum at any angle of incidence ϕ are determined. The refractive indices of a transparent immersion medium (liquid) that achieve minimum reflectance at normal incidence, ϕ=0, and at ϕ=45° are independent of polarization. These indices provide sufficient data to determine the real and imaginary parts of the complex refractive index of an absorbing substrate. Reflection at a dielectric-Au interface at 500 nm wavelength is considered as an example. It is shown that the lowest possible reflectance is attained for p-polarized light at ϕ=45° and that the associated p-reflection phase shift is also minimum at that angle. For ϕ≥65° the lowest reflectance of p-polarized light occurs when the ambient is vacuum or air. However, this lowest reflectance at the air-Au interface is not a true minimum in a mathematical sense.
Anesthesia and cor triatriatum.

Aims and Objectives: Cor triatriatum sinistrum (CTS) and cor triatriatum dextrum (CTD) are rare congenital anomalies characterized by the presence of a perforated septum which divides the respective atrium into a proximal and distal chamber. This report reviews the perioperative course of patients with uncorrected cor triatriatum (CT) undergoing procedures requiring anesthesia. In addition, we performed a literature search that examines the experience of others regarding the peri-operative course of patients with CT. Materials and Methods: A computerized search of a medical record database was conducted to identify patients with a clinical diagnosis of uncorrected CTD and CTS undergoing surgical procedures. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: We identified 12 adult patients with asymptomatic CTS (n = 7) and CTD (n = 5) who underwent 23 anesthetics. There were no perioperative complications which could be attributed directly to the anatomy of CT. Conclusions: Our observation and review of the literature suggest that patients with asymptomatic CT typically tolerate anesthesia and surgical procedures well.
Interactions among genes for transcription factors in hypothalamic neurons: implications for reproductive behaviors

Gene products for nuclear hormone receptors, which are transcription factors, interact in the cell nuclei of neurons in a manner important for the hypothalamic control of instinctive behaviors. In doing so, the combinatorial logic of their competition or synergy may serve to integrate environmental and physiological constraints upon those behaviors.
Copping crack: The travel behavior of crack users

Considerable attention has been directed to the incidence and distribution of crack in urban areas. In response to public concern about the presence of crack in residential neighborhoods, law enforcement agencies have implemented various law enforcement strategies aimed at reducing or eradicating drugs from urban environments. These strategies, however, have failed to consider crack users' mobility patterns. Because any effort to reduce crack consumption and distribution should consider these patterns, this research assesses the journey to purchase crack and suggests some areas of future research. Initially the research determines how far crack users travel to purchase drugs and considers whether crack users who travel less than .5 mile on average differ significantly from those who travel more than .5 mile. This study examines whether this difference is due to individuals' socioeconomic factors to characteristics associated with the drug-buying event. Discriminant analysis shows that crack users travel v...
Spontaneous learning based on fuzzy catastrophe

Main task before training or teaching a device having artificial intelligence is how to make communication among the environment and AI device. During training or teaching process, AI has to decide what kind of features of environment are necessary to sense and use in activities, and what kind of actuators must be set for tuning environmental features to reach the required results. Spontaneous learning by environment recognition is based on “intellectual capability” of AI device to set itself up to the required task.
A rapid determination of dihydroxyacid dehydratase activity in microbial cell suspensions.

Abstract The enzyme, dihydroxyacid dehydratase, catalyzes an intermediate step in valine-isoleucine biosynthesis in Escherichia coli and other microorganisms. A sensitive and rapid assay for this dehydratase was developed for cell suspensions of Aerobacter areogenes (0.2 to 0.6 mg dry weight of cells/assay tube). This assay was shown to require: Tris buffer, pH 7.9, Mg ++ —20 m M , α,β-dihydroxyisovalerate as substrate—20 m M , and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide—1.0 m M . A quaternary nitrogenous detergent was needed to increase the cell permeability for this substrate with A. aerogenes or E. coli ; other lipophilic agents were less effective. This assay was used to demonstrate dehydratase activity in A. aerogenes cells grown aerobically or anaerobically on 29 different single carbon sources, in E. coli cells grown on 5 carbon sources, and in extracts of Pseudomonas fluorescens grown on 4 carbon sources. These and other cited observations are consistent with an extension of the glucose-grown E. coli pathway of valine-isoleucine biosynthesis to micro-organisms grown with the above diverse carbon sources.
Determination of aerodynamic sensitivity coefficients based on the three-dimensional full potential equation

The quasi-analytical approach is applied to the three-dimensional full potential equation to compute wing aerodynamic sensitivity coefficients in the transonic regime. Symbolic manipulation is used to reduce the effort associated with obtaining the sensitivity equations, and the large sensitivity system is solved using 'state of the art' routines. Results are compared to those obtained by the direct finite difference approach and both methods are evaluated to determine their computational accuracy and efficiency. The quasi-analytical approach is shown to be accurate and efficient for large aerodynamic systems.
Addition of BCD digits using non-standard codes

Decimal arithmetic is gaining prominence in many commercial applications where a high degree of accuracy is desired. Some of these include currency conversion and internet based financial transactions. This paper explores various weighted Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) coding schemes to find one efficient representation that can be used to design a hardware and delay efficient BCD adder. Out of the wide range of possibilities, some representations are more desirable than the others because of certain inherent properties they possess. This paper summarizes the properties that make a particular BCD representation more attractive than others to implement a decimal adder. It is found that one of the 4221 encoding schemes possesses most of these properties. Finally, it also provides the design and implementation of a multi-digit decimal adder using the best coding scheme. The implementation is on a Spartan 3E FPGA chip. The proposed design is compared with an excess-three adder which is one of the fastest adders using alternative coding methods.
302 EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR BINDS TO EMBRYONIC TISSUES AND STIMULATES THYMIDINE INCORPORATION INTO DNA

The binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its effects on 3H-thymidine (3H-T) incorporation into DNA were examined in mouse embryos. With isolated tissues from 11 to 15 day embryos, specific EGF binding was most active in amnion, lung, trophoblast and visceral yolk sac. 3H-T incorporation into amnion, limb bud and lung increased with EGF concentration to a maximum at 1-5 ng/ml EGF. Above 10 ng/ml EGF there was reduced incorporation which may indicate down regulation of EGF receptors. To assess the significance of these data, EGF binding and 3H-T incorporation were studied in vivo. Two hours after injection of EGF through the uterine wall into the yolk sac specific binding was found in amnion and visceral yolk sac with binding also seen in lung, placenta, heart, brain and liver in decreasing order. These data were similar to in vitro binding of EGF to embryonic tissues and crude membrane fractions. Sixteen hours after EGF injection (5-100 ng/ml), incorporation of 3H-T was reduced in amnion, visceral yolk sac and placenta and to a lesser degree in lung, brain, limb, liver and heart suggesting down regulation of EGF receptors. These studies demonstrate specific EGF binding to a variety of embryonic tissues and provide evidence for biological activity of EGF in mouse embryos.
Predictors of digital rectal examination in U.S. Latinos

Abstract Background: Little is known about prostate and colorectal cancer knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices among U.S. Latino men. Even less is known about the population’s subgroup variations. This study assessed predictors of having obtained digital rectal examinations (DREs) among four Latino subgroups. Methods: Findings in this report are based on a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted between October 1993 and June 1994 as part of a multisite demonstration project for cancer prevention and control. The survey was conducted in eight U.S. cities identified via census data as having relatively high concentrations of targeted Latino subgroups. The analysis included 1499 Latino men aged ≥40 who self-identified as Central American, Cuban American, Mexican American, or Puerto Rican. Results: Overall, 53% of the sample reported ever having had a DRE and 68% reported ever having heard of the procedure. For all subgroups, the only significant predictor for obtaining a DRE was “ever heard of DRE.” “Having your doctor discuss DRE” was a significant factor for Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans. Conclusions: The lack of a universal DRE cancer-screening model among Latino groups highlights the need to address barriers in the context of the population’s diversity. Ecologic approaches and clinician communication with Latinos need to be tailored to accommodate subgroup differences in knowledge, attitude, and practices related to DRE.
Silent Myocardial Ischaemia in the Elderly

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death and disability in the elderly. Several recent studies have shown that silent myocardial ischaemia (SMI) is a common manifestation of CAD, especially in the elderly. As many as 40% of elderly patients with no prior history of CAD may have underlying asymptomatic disease and up to 50% of elderly patients with known CAD might have evidence of SMI. The results of studies in elderly patients with CAD have also shown that SMI might exist despite antianginal therapy that is considered adequate for symptom control. In order to diagnose such residual SMI, the clinician would need to perform 24- to 48-hour Holter monitoring in the ambulatory setting while the patient is performing routine daily activities. Although a number of anti-ischaemic drugs have been evaluated for the treatment of SMI, available data suggest that beta-blocker given alone or in combination with a nitrate compound or calcium antagonist provides the best therapeutic choice. The long term benefit of SMI suppression in elderly patients has not been established. Future studies need to evaluate the clinical benefits of therapy given for SMI in the elderly.
Developing recyclable pH-responsive magnetic nanoparticles for oil–water separation

Abstract Hybrid magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with well-defined core-shell structure, pH-tunable interfacial activity and strong magnetic responsiveness were developed as recyclable stabilizers for oil–water separation. The Fe3O4 magnetic core was synthesized using a solvothermal method involving hydrolysis of Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts in basic condition, followed by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate to grow the PDMAEMA shell. The magnetic core allowed rapid separation of the oil droplets from emulsions under external magnetic field, while the pH-responsive polymer shell offered the hybrid MNPs tunable interfacial activity to form and break Pickering emulsion reversibly for recyclable use of the hybrid MNPs. Results showed that MNPs with longer PDMAEMA arms exhibited broader suitable pH range to form Pickering emulsion, but slower magnetic responsiveness. An optimized sample MNP3 with DP of PDMAEMA ca. 65 was screened out and tested to prove efficient separation of diesel emulsion droplets from water and the recyclability of the hybrid MNPs.
Interrater reliabilities for two measures of nursing care quality

The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to estimate the interrater reliability for two instruments designed to measure the quality of nursing care. The two instruments tested were the Quality Patient Care Scale (QualPacs) and the Methodology for Monitoring Quality of Nursing Care (Rush-Medicus instrument). The following minimal standards were proposed for evaluating the results of interrater reliability: (a) the ICC estimate obtained must have a value of at least .75, and (b) the 95% confidence interval should not include zero, in order to ensure that the obtained value differs from zero in a nonchance fashion. The results demonstrated that the QualPacs instrument did not meet these criteria in any instance for the six subscales and one total-scale score for two sets of observers in two replications. The Rush-Medicus instrument met the criteria in only 12 of 20 instances of testing (five of the six subscales for two sets of observers in two replications). The authors highly recommend the routine performance of interrater reliability testing using the ICC prior to and during data collection and acceptance of the minimal standards of empirical verification suggested previously.
Measurement of thermal diffusivity of semiconductors by Ångström's method

An apparatus for the accurate determination of the thermal diffusivity of semiconductors, which utilizes the thermoelectric properties of such materials, is described. In its present form, the apparatus can be used between room temperatures and 180° C. The application of the method is illustrated by an experiment using a single-crystal specimen of bismuth telluride.
Calcium and cation-anion balance effects on feed intake, body weight gain, and humoral response of dairy calves.

Our objective was to examine whether feeding low cation-anion diets altered the Ca status of the growing calf. Holstein calves (n = 32; 16 males) were blocked at 56 to 70 d after birth according to sex and birth date and assigned randomly to dietary treatments containing Ca content and cation-anion balances as milliequivalents of (Na+K)-(Cl+S)/100 g of dietary DM of .42% and -18, .52% and -18, .42% and 13, and .52% and 13. Feed intake did not differ among treatments. Calves fed the diet with cation-anion balance of 13 had higher gain (.85 vs. .71 kg/d) than those fed the diet with balance of -18. Venous blood pH (7.374 vs. 7.323), partial pressure of CO2 (47.9 vs. 45.6 mm Hg), and bicarbonate (28.3 vs. 23.3 mmol/L) were higher for calves fed the 13 versus -18 balances. Plasma Ca and P were unaffected by Ca or cation-anion balance. Urinary pH was higher for calves fed the high than the low balance (7.442 vs. 6.047). Urinary Cl and Ca excretion was higher for calves fed the low than the high balance. Breaking strengths for 7th and 9th ribs were higher for calves fed the high balance and higher for the 7th rib only for calves fed the high Ca diet. Cation-anion balance altered Ca metabolism, but it is unclear whether Ca requirements were also altered.
Hammer-Purgstall, Hajji Baba, and the Moriers

None of the editions of Hajji Baba of Isfahan nor the monographs and articles on its author, James Morier, that have come to my attention so far has made any comments on the introduction to this book. This introduction is couched in the form of a letter to the Reverend Doctor Fundgruben, Chaplain to the Swedish Embassy at the Ottoman Porte, and is dated London, 1st December, 1823. Doctor Fundgruben is characterized as being preoccupied with “hieroglyphic lore” and as the author of the book The Biography of Celebrated Mummies .
Body Composition Measured by Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry Half‐body Scans in Obese Adults

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has become a common measurement of human body composition. However, obese subjects have been understudied largely due to weight and scan area restrictions. Newer DXA instruments allow for heavier subjects to be supported by the DXA scanner, but the imaging area is still smaller than the body size of some obese subjects. In this study, we determined the validity of an automated half-scan methodology by comparing to the standard whole-body scans in a cohort of obese volunteers. Fifty-two subjects whose BMI >30 kg/m2 completed whole-body iDXA (GE Lunar) scans. The resulting scans were analyzed in three ways: the standard whole-body scan, total body estimated from the left side, and from the right side. Fat mass, nonbone lean mass, bone mineral content (BMC), and percent fat derived from each half scan were compared to the whole-body scans. Total fat mass, nonbone lean mass, or percent fat was comparable for the whole-body scans, left, and right side scans (>97% within individuals and >99.9% for the group). The BMC estimate using the right side scan was slightly but statistically higher than the whole-body BMC (∼30 g or 1%, P < 0.001), while the left side scan BMC estimate was lower than the whole-body BMC by the same magnitude. No significant magnitude bias was found for any of the composition variables. We conclude that the new iDXA half-body analysis in obese subjects appears to be closely comparable to whole-body analysis for fat mass, nonbone lean mass, and percent fat.