cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loss of Midline Function in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy Patients.

Background Loss of midline function impairs the child's ability to perform certain activities of daily living such as dressing, buttoning, and perineal care. The purpose of this study was to assess brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) patients with loss of midline function with respect to etiology and treatment. Methods A retrospective review of all BPBP patients with loss of midline function was performed. The modified Mallet scale was used with internal rotation assessed via hand on spine and hand to belly. Demographics, extent of BPBP, prior surgical intervention, procedure(s) performed to correct the loss of midline function, complications, and outcomes were assessed. Results In total, 20 patients were identified with loss of midline function as defined by the inability to reach midline and touch their umbilicus. Nineteen patients had previously undergone tendon transfers about the shoulder with or without arthroscopic capsular release to improve external rotation. After the initial surgery, modified Mallet scores improved 1 grade for abduction, hand to mouth, hand to neck, and external rotation without altering the hand to spine category. However, the internal rotation category (hand to umbilicus) decreased from an average 2.71 preoperatively to an average 2.15 postoperatively. Nine patients underwent a derotational humeral osteotomy to improve midline function. The average correction of internal rotation was 47.8 degrees (range, 20 to 85 degrees). After this surgery, modified Mallet scores remained unchanged for hand to spine; however, the scores improved back to 2.7 for the internal rotation category. Two complications were noted including 1 plate fracture and 1 fracture through a screw hole. Conclusions BPBP patients who undergo surgical procedures to improve shoulder external rotation and/or obtain joint reduction may inadvertently lose midline function. Derotational humeral osteotomy can effectively restore midline function, which is needed to perform activities of daily living. Surgical procedures to improve external rotation should be performed in a manner that minimizes limitation of midline functions. Level of evidence Level III-therapeutic.
Sequential versus sandwich chemotherapy and radiation for the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer.

e16513 Background: Combination chemotherapy and radiation is standard treatment for advanced stage endometrial cancer and can be given in a sequential or a sandwich fashion. Series have shown a sur...
“Not an Environmentalist”: Strategic Centrism, Cultural Stereotypes, and Disidentification:

Birding has long been associated with environmental activism, from its origins as a scientific hobby in the nineteenth century to today’s citizen scientist birders. My research with birders shows t...
A post-processing scheme for the performance improvement of vehicle detection in wide-area aerial imagery

In this paper, we present a post-processing scheme to improve the performance of vehicle detection in wide-area aerial imagery. Using low-resolution aerial frames for the performance analysis, we adapted nine algorithms for vehicle detection. We derived a three-stage scheme to measure performance improvement on the selected five object segmentation algorithms before and after post-processing. We compared automatic detections results to ground-truth objects, and classified each type of detections in terms of true positive, false negative and false positive. Several evaluation metrics are adopted for the experimental study.
Barium chloride injures myofibers through calcium-induced proteolysis with fragmentation of motor nerves and microvessels.

Local injection of BaCl2 is an established model of acute injury to study the regeneration of skeletal muscle. However, the mechanism by which BaCl2 causes muscle injury is unresolved. Because Ba2+ inhibits K+ channels, we hypothesized that BaCl2 induces myofiber depolarization leading to Ca2+ overload, proteolysis, and membrane disruption. While BaCl2 spares resident satellite cells, its effect on other tissue components integral to contractile function has not been defined. We therefore asked whether motor nerves and microvessels, which control and supply myofibers, are injured by BaCl2 treatment. The intact extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle was isolated from male mice (aged 3–4 months) and irrigated with physiological salt solution (PSS) at 37 °C. Myofiber membrane potential (Vm) was recorded using sharp microelectrodes while intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was evaluated with Fura 2 dye. Isometric force production of EDL was measured in situ, proteolytic activity was quantified by calpain degradation of αII-spectrin, and membrane disruption was marked by nuclear staining with propidium iodide (PI). To test for effects on motor nerves and microvessels, tibialis anterior or gluteus maximus muscles were injected with 1.2% BaCl2 (50–75 μL) in vivo followed by immunostaining to evaluate the integrity of respective tissue elements post injury. Data were analyzed using Students t test and analysis of variance with P ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Addition of 1.2% BaCl2 to PSS depolarized myofibers from − 79 ± 3 mV to − 17 ± 7 mV with a corresponding rise in [Ca2+]i; isometric force transiently increased from 7.4 ± 0.1 g to 11.1 ± 0.4 g. Following 1 h of BaCl2 exposure, 92 ± 3% of myonuclei stained with PI (vs. 8 ± 3% in controls) with enhanced cleavage of αII-spectrin. Eliminating Ca2+ from PSS prevented the rise in [Ca2+]i and ameliorated myonuclear staining with PI during BaCl2 exposure. Motor axons and capillary networks appeared fragmented within 24 h following injection of 1.2% BaCl2 and morphological integrity deteriorated through 72 h. BaCl2 injures myofibers through depolarization of the sarcolemma, causing Ca2+ overload with transient contraction, leading to proteolysis and membrane rupture. Motor innervation and capillarity appear disrupted concomitant with myofiber damage, further compromising muscle integrity.
Primary Sources in the College Classroom: The Beck Archives at the University of Denver Libraries

The University of Denver’s Libraries’ Special Collections, which include the Beck Archives of Rocky Mountain Jewish History, have made a concerted effort to encourage faculty to incorporate the use of primary sources into their undergraduate curricula. Teaching teams, consisting of special collections curators, reference and instruction librarians, and faculty members, used both digital and physical primary resources to engage students. These efforts led to the DU project’s being named the recipient of the 2018 Primary Source Award for Teaching from the Center of Research Libraries. This article details the project and highlights the Beck Archives items, which were especially effective as teaching materials.
Mitigating Armed Conflict Casualties in Children.

* Abbreviations: ISSOP — : International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health UN — : United Nations Similar to previous reports,1–12 the latest annual United Nations (UN) Report on Children and Armed Conflict identified 10 173 child casualties and 4019 children killed in armed conflicts the preceding year.6 Most of these children were victims of “internationalized” conflicts, defined as internal conflicts in which ≥1 third party governments are involved with combat personnel.13 Five such protracted conflicts involve the United States and allied armies (Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Mali). These account for 69% of total reported child casualties and 64% of children killed. We present examples of how children continue to be harmed in armed conflicts as well as practical suggestions for how pediatricians can help reduce the impact of armed conflicts on children. Children are inadvertently harmed in conflicts. However, many civilians, including children, are injured or killed because of policies and compromises made by military operation planners. For example, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria used civilians as human shields in urban areas. To expedite the operation to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Iraq and Syria while limiting US ground troops, US government policy makers increased the “non-combatant casualty value,” the number of civilians allowed to be killed per air strike.14 By 2018 at least 1139 civilians, including children, were killed in that operation over a 4-year period; many died as … Address correspondence to Tom Adamkiewicz, MD, FRCP(C), MSCR, Perimeter Pediatrics, 3020 Mercer University Dr, Atlanta, GA 30341. E-mail: tadamkiewicz{at}msm.edu
Encoding, model, and architecture: systematic optimization for spiking neural network in FPGAs

Spiking neural network (SNN) has drawn research interests as it mimics dynamic activities of human brain and has the potential to perform real-time cognitive tasks. However, latency, throughput and flexibility of existing hardware implemented SNNs are limited. The conventional rate coding is inefficient in terms of accuracy and latency. Oversimplified SNN models adopted by neuromorphic hardware discard characteristics such as neuron dynamics and filter effects etc., which are critical for neural information processing. Recent research advancements show that the potential of SNN can be better utilized by moving beyond rate-based model and considering temporal information embedded in the spike sequences. However, these works employ complex biologically realistic SNN models, posing challenges to hardware complexity. Furthermore, most existing neuromorphic hardware are developed for specific SNN models, or aiming at replicating biological behaviors. There is a lack of general methodology for SNN design optimization. Novel hardware architecture and systematic optimization techniques are required for efficient FPGA implementation and support flexible SNN models. To address above issues, in this work we proposed a holistic optimization framework for encoder, model, and architecture design of FPGA based neuromorphic hardware. We present an efficient neural coding scheme and training algorithm, which can optimize encoder parameters to enable fast inference. A flexible and hardware-friendly model is proposed, in which SNNs are represented as a network of Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters. Finally, an end-to-end framework is developed to optimize and deploy FPGA implementation. Experimental results show our work achieves state-of-the-art accuracy in various classification tasks, and outperforms various platforms including CPU, GPU and dedicated neuromorphic processors in terms of latency and throughput.
Analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data using artificial intelligence techniques

Abstract We have addressed the issue of improper and unreliable analysis of materials characterization data by developing an artificial intelligence based methodology that can reliably and more efficiently analyze experimental results from extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements. Such methods help address growing reproducibility problems that are slowing research progress, discouraging the quest for research excellence, and inhibiting effective technology transfer and manufacturing innovation. We have developed a machine learning system for automated analysis of EXAFS spectroscopy measurements and demonstrated its effectiveness on measurements collected at powerful, third generation synchrotron radiation facilities. Specifically, the system uses a genetic algorithm to efficiently find sets of structural parameters that lead to high quality fits of the experimental spectra. A human analyst suggests a set of chemical compounds potentially present in the sample, used as theoretical standards. The algorithm then searches the large multidimensional space of combinations of these materials to determine the set of structural paths using the theoretical standards that best reproduces the experimental data. The algorithm further calculates a goodness of fit value from the suggested standards that can be used to identify the chemical moieties present in the measured sample.
Miscellaneous Weighted Residual Methods

In the previous chapters, with an exception of GPG, the finite element formulations are based on the Galerkin methods in which test functions are chosen to be the same as the trial functions. This is not required in the weighted residual methods. Weighted residual methods other than the Galerkin methods include spectral element methods (SEM), least square methods (LSM), moment methods, or collocation methods, in which the test functions or weighting functions are not necessarily the same as the trial functions. In spectral element methods (SEM), polynomials in terms of nodal values of the variables are combined with special functions such as Chebyshev or Legendre polynomials. For least square methods, the test functions are constructed by the derivative of the residual with respect to the nodal values of the variables. Some arbitrary functions are chosen as test functions for the moment and collocation methods. Recently, the weighted residual concept has been used in meshless configurations, known as the finite point method (FPM), partition of unity method, meshless cloud method, or element-free method.
Cyberbiosecurity and Public Health in the Age of COVID-19

Cyberbiosecurity, the aspect of biosecurity involving the digital representation of biological data, had already been emerging as a matter of public concern even prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key issues of concern include, among others, the privacy of patient data, the security of public health databases, the integrity of diagnostic test data, the integrity of public biological databases, the security implications of automated laboratory systems and the security of proprietary biological engineering advances.
Immunohistochemistry in Gynecologic Carcinomas Practical Update with Diagnostic and Clinical Considerations Based on the 2020 WHO Classification of Tumors

This review provides an update on immunohistochemistry applications-diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive-in the pathology evaluation of gynecologic carcinomas. The 5th edition of the WHO Classification of Female Genital Tumors introduced important changes in the diagnostic classification of lower genital tract, endometrial, and ovarian carcinomas, with major influence on the routine pathology practice. Lower genital tract carcinomas and their precursor lesions are now classified based on their human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent pathogenesis, reflecting the clinically significant prognostic differences and impacting the therapeutic decision-making. Immunohistochemical markers have an increasing role in the pathology evaluation of endometrial carcinomas: in addition to their traditional use in the differential diagnosis and histologic subtyping, they have also been recently advocated for prognostic classification as surrogates for the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) molecular groups. New entities - mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma and gastric (gastrointestinal)-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the endometrium - have also been added and often require immunostains for diagnostic confirmation. Ovarian carcinomas frequently show overlapping morphologic patterns and heterogeneous appearance within the same tumor, necessitating immunohistochemical work-up. Beyond diagnostic applications, there is increasing clinical demand for screening of inherited cancer syndromes, prediction of prognosis and guiding targeted therapy. Practical issues and pitfalls related to mismatch repair protein immunohistochemistry, HER2, and PD-L1 testing are also discussed.
Is There a “Flow” of Time or Temporal “Becoming”?

It is clear that the anisotropy of time resulting from the existence of irreversible processes consists in the mere structural differences between the two opposite senses of time but provides no basis at all for singling out one of the two opposite senses as “the direction” of time. Hence the assertion that irreversible processes render time anisotropic is not at all equivalent to such statements as “time flows one way.”
Electron Microscopy and Imaging

This chapter gives a concise overview of various zeolite morphologies and continues with a general discussion regarding the historical development of electron microscopes and the integration of associated elemental analysis instrumentation. Various specialized forms of electron microscopy (e.g., high resolution imaging, electron tomography, etc.) are reviewed with respect to zeolites. Zeolite-specific sample preparation techniques for scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) are discussed in detail. General SEM, TEM and high angle annular dark field STEM imaging protocols for zeolite examination are reviewed with an emphasis on obtaining general microstructural information, pore/channel morphology, and small metal particle dispersion information. Elemental analysis of zeolites using energy dispersive spectrometry and electron energy loss spectrometry is examined.
Viruses and renal carcinoma of Rana pipiens. IX. The influence of temperature and host cell on replication of frog polyhedral cytoplasmic deoxyribovirus (PCDV).

Abstract PCDV replication was studied over the temperature range 8°–33° in cells originating from warm- and cold-blooded vertebrates of three classes: fish, mammals, and birds. These cells were fathead minnow (FHM), baby hamster kidney (BHK), and chicken embryo (CEF). No significant virus replication occurred in any cell type at either 8° or 10°, but at 12° replication occurred in all cell types used. However, yields of PCDV and rate of production at 12° were greater in cells from cold-blooded than from warm-blooded vertebrates (FHM > BHK > CEF). Furthermore, the viral latent period at 12° was shorter in FHM cells (12–24 hours) than in either BHK (2–3 days) or CEF cells (3–4 days). As the temperature was raised from 12 to 30 or 31°, the viral latent period decreased, the rate of multiplication increased, and high titers of infectious virus were obtained over a broad temperature range in all cells. At 30° to 31°, there was little difference in the latent periods (FHM cells, 3–4 hours; BHK cells, 4–6 hours) or in the rates of PCDV replication in cells originating from poikilotherms or homeotherms. Irrespective of cell type, both yield and rate of PCDV replication were reduced at 32°. Infectious progeny virus was not made in any cell type at 33°, but virus-specific macromolecules were formed at this temperature. Data from temperature shift experiments (33.5° → 24°) suggested that a temperature-sensitive event occurred late in the PCDV replication cycle, possibly at assembly of viral components. These results indicate that yields of PCDV and rate of replication are regulated by the host cell, but the permissive temperature zone is controlled by viral genes.
A feedback model of attention and context dependence in visual cortical networks.

We have modeled biologically realistic neural networks that may be involved in contextual modulation of stimulus responses, as reported in the neurophysiological experiments of Motter (1994a, 1994b) (Journal of Neuroscience, 14:2179–2189 and 2190–2199). The networks of our model are structured hierarchically with feedforward, feedback, and lateral connections, totaling several thousand cells and about 300,000 synapses. The contextual modulation, arising from attention cues, is explicitly modeled as a feedback signal coming from the highest-order cortical network. The feedback signal arises from mutually inhibitory neurons with different stimulus preferences. Although our model is probably the simplest one consistent with available anatomical and physiological evidence and ignores the complexities that may exist in high-level cortical networks such as the prefrontal cortex, it reproduces the experimental results quite well and offers some guidance for future experiments. We also report the unexpected observation of 40 Hz oscillations in the model.
Abstract 15729: Performance on Hospitals on PCI Process Measures and Correlation With 30-Day Readmissions

Introduction: The National Quality Forum has endorsed the metric of 30-day risk-standardized readmissions rates (RSRR) following PCI as a measure of hospital quality. It is not known whether hospital performance on this publicly reported metric correlates with existing PCI process measures. This information could help hospitals decide on where to focus their quality improvement efforts. Methods: Using data from the NCDR CathPCI Registry from 2010-2011 linked with Medicare administrative claims data, we calculated hospital performance on existing PCI process measures (aspirin, thienopyridines, and statins upon discharge; door-to-balloon time under ninety minutes; referral to cardiac rehabilitation; and an overall composite measure). We calculated hospitals’ 30-day RSRRs using hierarchical models as specified in the NQF-approved measure. We then analyzed the association between hospital performance on process measures and 30-day RSRRs. We subsequently calculated the explained variance of the process metrics...
A Review and Perspective on Control Charting with Image Data

Control charts have been proposed for use with industrial or medical image data from machine-vision systems in a number of ways, several of which are examined here. There are differences between the standard uses of control charts and the ways they are ..
Choosing the best heuristic for seeded alignment of DNA sequences

Seeded alignment is an important component of algorithms for fast, large-scale DNA similarity search. A good seed matching heuristic can reduce the execution time of genomic-scale sequence comparison without degrading sensitivity. Recently, many types of seed have been proposed to improve on the performance of traditional contiguous seeds as used in, e.g., NCBI BLASTN. Choosing among these seed types, particularly those that use information besides the presence or absence of matching residue pairs, requires practical guidance based on a rigorous comparison, including assessment of sensitivity, specificity, and computational efficiency. This work performs such a comparison, focusing on alignments in DNA outside widely studied coding regions. We compare seeds of several types, including those allowing transition mutations rather than matches at fixed positions, those allowing transitions at arbitrary positions ("BLASTZ" seeds), and those using a more general scoring matrix. For each seed type, we use an extended version of our Mandala seed design software to choose seeds with optimized sensitivity for various levels of specificity. Our results show that, on a test set biased toward alignments of noncoding DNA, transition information significantly improves seed performance, while finer distinctions between different types of mismatches do not. BLASTZ seeds perform especially well. These results depend on properties of our test set that are not shared by EST-based test sets with a strong bias toward coding DNA. Practical seed design requires careful attention to the properties of the alignments being sought. For noncoding DNA sequences, seeds that use transition information, especially BLASTZ-style seeds, are particularly useful. The Mandala seed design software can be found at http://www.cse.wustl.edu/~yanni/mandala/ .
An automated determination of ratios of type 2 pneumocytes to alveolar wall area using an image analyzer.

The totally automated quantitation of alveolar wall cells and wall area is a potential means of detecting subtle alterations of cell populations and supporting tissue by large scale sampling of the...
The Structure and Function of Nodavirus Particles: A Paradigm for Understanding Chemical Biology

Publisher Summary Genetic and particle complexity vary greatly among different viruses, there are general requirements for the sustenance of the extracellular portion of the virus life cycle that are remarkably similar for all animal viruses. This chapter applies the minimalistic approach to explore the extracellular portion of the virus life cycle and uses the insect nodaviruses as the subject of investigation. Nodavirus life cycle reflects a complex series of highly controlled events that reflect the behavior of animal viruses in general. The information presented is obtained with biophysical methods including crystallography, electron microscopy, and kinetic studies as well as with site-directed mutagenesis and other techniques of molecular biology. The goals are to understand dynamic processes associated with the viral processes including assembly, receptor-mediated interactions, a more detailed description of RNA release, and structural transitions that occur as a particle enters the cell. These studies required new methods of approach including computational chemistry, time-resolved analyses with spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, single crystal and solution X-ray scattering, and electron microscopy.
Determination of Serum Calcium by Glyoxal Bis (2-Hydroxyanil) Chelation

A simple micro (0.1 ml.) colorimetric method is described for the determination of serum calcium. This method employs the differential chelating characteristic of glyoxyl bis (2-hydroxyanil) in the presence of other divalent cations. The serum sample is placed in a colorimetric tube followed by additions of water, glyoxyl bis (2-hydroxyanil) reagent, and alkaline carbonate color developer. Chloroform is added to extract the chromogen, and its transmittance at 535 mµ is determined.
Repeatability of Mice Consumption Discrimination of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties across Field Experiments and Mouse Cohorts.

UNLABELLED Whole grain wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) foods can provide critical nutrients for health and nutrition in the human diet. Potential flavor differences among varieties can be examined using consumption discrimination of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) as a model system. This study examines consistency and repeatability of the mouse model and potentially, wheat grain flavor. A single elimination tournament design was used to measure relative consumption preference for hard red spring and hard white spring varieties across all 3 experiments in combination with 2 mouse cohorts. Fifteen replicate mice were used in 24-h trials to examine differences in preference among paired wheat varieties until an overall "winner" was established as the most highly preferred variety of wheat. In all 3 experiment-cohort combinations, the same varieties were preferred as the "winner" of both the hard red spring and hard white spring wheat varieties, Hollis and BR 7030, respectively. Despite the consistent preference for these varieties across experiments, the degree (magnitude) to which the mice preferred these varieties varied across experiments. For the hard white spring wheat varieties, the small number of varieties and confounding effects of experiment and cohort limited our ability to accurately gauge repeatability. Conversely, for the hard red spring wheat varieties, consumption preferences were consistent across experiments and mice cohorts. The single-elimination tournament model was effective in providing repeatable results in an effort to more fully understand the mouse model system and possible flavor differences among wheat varieties. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The mouse model system used here is effective in identifying wheat varieties that may be more or less desirable to humans in whole wheat foods. The system identifies consistent differences across different mouse cohorts and crop years.
Chorismate mutase isoenzymes from Sorghum bicolor: purification and properties.

Abstract Two forms of chorismate mutase (EC 5.4.99.5), designated as CM-1 and CM-2, have been detected in etiolated seedlings of Sorghum bicolor after DEAE-cellulose chromatography. CM-1 and CM-2 contained 44 and 56%, respectively, of the total activity measured after DEAE-cellulose chromatography. CM-1 was activated by tryptophan and inhibited by phenylalanine and tyrosine. In contrast, CM-2 was insensitive to all three aromatic amino acids. CM-1 and CM-2 were purified 1389- and 1018-fold, respectively, by anion exchange, hydrophobic, and dye matrix chromatography. The molecular weights estimated by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 were 56,000 for CM-1 and 48,000 for CM-2. Subunit molecular weights of the two forms were estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis at 36,000 and 51,000 for CM-1 and CM-2, respectively. Tryptophan was required for the stability of CM-1 at all stages of purification. Both isoenzymes were stable at 0 or −20 °C and had broad pH optima (6–10 for CM-1 and 7.5–9.5 for CM-2).
Family Caregiver Acceptance and Use of Environmental Strategies Provided in an Occupational Therapy Intervention

Statement: This article describes the specific environmental strategies that were accepted and used by 100 family caregivers who participated in a home-based occupational therapy intervention. The intervention was designed to enhance the skills of caregivers in using the physical and social environment to address troublesome behaviors and dependency associated with the progression of dementia. The intervention involved five 90-minute home visits by occupational therapists who worked with families to identify caregiving issues and generate environmental-based solutions. Solutions ranged from no cost recommendations (e.g., removing clutter, simplifying the environment), to resource dependent recommendations (e.g., installing grab bars or handrails).Method of Study: Study participants were interviewed at home prior to intervention to gather basic demographic information and level of functioning of the person with dementia. During intervention, the occupational therapist recorded the number and types of careg...
The acquisition and maintenance of voluntary ethanol drinking in the rat: effects of dopaminergic lesions and naloxone

Abstract Wistar male rats were microinfused bilaterally with 6-hydroxydopamine or vehicle into the ventral tegmental area. After recovery, ethanol drinking was established using a sucrose-fading paradigm, i.e. rats were given twice a day access to drinks containing increasing amounts of ethanol and decreasing amounts of sucrose. Mean daily intakes at each ethanol/sucrose concentration were similar irrespective of the level of dopamine depletion that, in some animals, reached 80–90%. The percentage of rats testing as ethanol preferers in a two-bottle choice test also appeared similar in both the lesioned and control groups. After completing the sucrose-fading protocol, all rats were switched to one access per day during which they were presented with a drink containing 10% ethanol with 5% sucrose. Naloxone administration (15 min before the daily access period) decreased ethanol beverage consumption by about 50%, irrespective of the level of dopamine depletion. Total daily water intake was not altered by naloxone. In a two-bottle choice situation, naloxone suppressed intake of an ethanol drink (10% ethanol/5% sucrose), but not the intake of 5% sucrose alone. Thus, a lesion of the dopaminergic cell bodies that results in extensive depletion of dopamine in mesolimbic target regions produced no measurable effect on intake of the sweetened ethanol drinks during the acquisition phase of the sucrose-fading paradigm. Furthermore, during the maintenance phase of drinking, the marked effect of naloxone in inhibiting ethanol beverage ingestion (but not water ingestion or sucrose alone solutions) occurred despite extensive loss of dopaminergic innervation to telencephalic target regions. A preliminary account of these experiments appeared in an abstract form [48] and as an Internet publication [49] . (Supported by NIAAA grants P50-03510 and T32-0720).
Feynman path integration in quantum dynamics

Abstract This article discusses the use of path integral techniques for the study of dynamical processes in many-body quantum systems. Recently developed approaches are described, which enable the evaluation of the real-time path integral with Monte Carlo methodology. Various methods for accelerating the convergence of the discretized path integral are also discussed. Several numerical examples are presented, which illustrate the basic ideas described in the paper.
Para onde vai o multilateralismo nas américas?: projetos superpostos num período de mudanças globais

To explain the proliferation of regional and sub-regional international organizations in the Americas after the end of the Cold War, it is necessary to study the purposes of such organizations, their objectives (integration or political cooperation) and the place they play in the foreign policy strategies of the main actors in the Hemisphere, including how they are building their relationships with the new global system. A review of the interplay among old and new regional and sub-regional organizations (taking into account its purposes, resources, and capabilities for policy coordination), the reach of their mandates, and the role they could have vis-a-vis global institutions and extra-hemispheric powers will illuminate the new structure of multilateralism in the Americas.
Dynamic analysis of stacked rigid blocks

The dynamic behavior of a structural model of two stacked rigid blocks subjected to ground excitation is examined. Assuming no sliding, the rocking response of the system standing free on a rigid foundation is investigated. The derivation of the equations of motion accounts for the consecutive transition from one pattern of motion to another, each being governed by a set of highly nonlinear differential equations. The system behavior is described in terms of four possible patterns of response and impact between either the two blocks or the base block and the ground. The equations governing the rocking response of the system to horizontal and vertical ground accelerations are derived for each pattern, and an impact model is developed by conservation of angular momentum considerations. Numerical results are obtained by developing an ad hoc computational scheme that is capable of determining the response of the system under an arbitrary base excitation. This feature is demonstrated by using accelerograms from the Northridge, CA, 1994, earthquake. It is hoped that the two-blocks model used herein can facilitate the development of more sophisticated multi-block structural models.
Effects of selective vagal and stellate ganglion stimulation on atrial refractoriness

This study reports results of selective right and left vagosympathetic trunk (VST) and stellate ganglion stimulation (supra-maximal intensity) on atrial refractory period (ARP) in dogs. The effect of selective stellate stimulation on A-V conduction was also evaluated. During right and left VST stimulation, the region of the sinus node exhibited greater ARP shortening than most of the tested sites on the right atrium and all of the tested sites on the left atrium. The right VST exerted a greater effect on the right atrium than on the left atrium. Right VST stimulation shortened ARP at most tested right atrial sites more than did left VST stimulation. Selective vagal stimulation could result in three-fold difference in ARPs at the same electrode site. During right or left stellate ganglion stimulation, the refractory period change at any atrial site was usually minimal and often did not change at all. Supra-maximal right or left stellate stimulation shortened A-H (nodal) conduction by 50% or more in some experiments but shortened conduction time distal to the bundle of His by only 1 to 3 msec.
Differences in c-fos immunoreactivity due to age and mode of seizure induction

The aim of this study was to determine whether the regional distribution and time course of immunoreactivity to the c-fos protein varies with maturation and method of seizure induction. The effect of the two chemical convulsants, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and flurothyl, on the spatial and temporal pattern of c-fos-like immunoreactivity in immature (postnatal day (P) 10) was compared to that in adult rats. Patterns of c-fos-like immunoreactivity following O2 deprivation were also evaluated at the 2 ages because hypoxia is acutely epileptogenic in immature animals but not adults. C-fos-like immunoreactivity was examined at 2, 4, and 6 h after onset of chemically induced seizures or O2 deprivation at both ages. After PTZ or flurothyl seizures, both ages exhibited similar patterns of IR in amygdala, pyriform cortex, and hypothalamus. Age-dependent regional differences were most prominent in cortex: superficial layers of retrosplenial, cingulate, and neocortex stained in adults; staining was confined to deep layers of neocortex in P10 rats. Intense staining of dentate gyrus and hippocampus occurred with more prolonged seizures, but not brief seizures. PTZ administration resulted in staining at 2 h after seizure onset and was reduced by 4 h in adults, but immunoreactivity was not seen until 4 and 6 h after seizure onset in immature rats, indicating an age effect on the time course of IR. In immature rats, immunoreactivity patterns after hypoxia were markedly different from PTZ or flurothyl: staining was confined to layer VI of neocortex in these animals, and rarely involved limbic structures. These differences in the pattern of c-fos immunoreactivity suggest that the neuronal populations involved in epileptogenesis are influenced by age as well as seizure phenotype and intensity.
A preliminary phytochemical investigation of Digitalis ferruginea

The cardiac glycosides of the fresh first-year leaves of Digitalis ferruginea have been resolved into alpha acetyl digitoxin and an amorphous glycoside whose properties resemble digitoxin. The saponin tigonin was also very readily isolated in the amount of about two per cent of the dry weight of the leaves.
Simulation of Quantum Transport in Small Semiconductor Devices

We describe a formulation of quantum electron transport in small devices based on the Master equation. We sketch its derivation from the Liouville-von Neumann equation, especially alluding to the subtle issues related to irreversibility. We compare this approach to alternative formulations of quantum transport and present results regarding ballistic and dissipative transport in double gate Si FETs.
A FORMAÇÃO DA LEITURA NO BRASIL

Trata-se de um livro que aborda a trajetoria do surgimento dopublico leitor ilustrado com fragmentos dos classicos da literaturabrasileira e com livros historiograficos, reformulando a historia doleitor no Brasil. A obra e focada em quatro capitulos que mostramcomo o leitor e representado nos classicos, o mercado das letras noseculo XIX, o leitor na sala de aula e como as leitoras adquiriam suaautonomia.A figura do leitor esta associada ao desenvolvimento da sociedadeburguesa. O livro comeca explanando o surgimento do leitor,indicando a familia burguesa como cultivadora da leitura. Com asrevolucoes europeias no seculo XVIII, as familias reestruturam o seupadrao, tornando-se uma instituicao democratica. E e neste novomolde que se intensifica o gosto pela leitura. O saber ler era necessarioa formacao moral dos individuos, as leituras religiosas tornavamsecada vez mais comuns nas familias cristas.No Brasil, so por volta de 1840 e que comeca a expandir-se aleitura, no Rio de Janeiro, como sede da monarquia, e que se obtemespacos propicios para a difusao da pratica fortalecendo os primeirosleitores brasileiros, de maneira que se desenvolve a criacao literaria ea sua circulacao atraves de livrarias e bibliotecas.
Optimization of cottontail rabbit papilloma virus challenge technique

Disease induced by Cottontail Rabbit Papilloma Virus (CRPV) scarification in domestic rabbits shares many attributes with disease induced by human papilloma virus (HPV). CRPV induces squamous papillomas in domestic rabbits, of which approximately 70% transform into invasive carcinomas. In advanced tumors, virus is often undetectable, and occasionally, some rabbits undergo spontaneous regression of papillomas. Techniques utilized to scarify rabbit skin are diverse, often labor intensive and time consuming with the possibility for significant variability. Using four unique infection techniques, resultant papilloma incidence, time to onset, and total papilloma volumes were compared to determine an optimal challenge method. Five rabbits were each infected with CRPV via a tattoo gun with and without ink, an intradermal injection, manual use of a tattoo needle, or a sterile blade followed by manual use of a tattoo needle. Papilloma formation was monitored weekly after inoculation for 6 weeks. CRPV papillomas began as pinpoint foci at 3 weeks post challenge and grew exponentially throughout the course of measurement. Individual foci coalesced rapidly to form larger papilloma aggregates. Although intradermal injection was well tolerated and easily performed, it was the worst method of papilloma production (2.2 mm(3) at 6 weeks). The best method, a sterile blade followed by manual use of a tattoo needle, produced significantly larger papillomas over all time periods (>1100 mm(3) at 6 weeks, P<0.01). Inoculation of CRPV using this method produces highly repeatable papillomas beginning 3 weeks post-infection.
SIZE AND COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSES OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE AEROSOLS FROM A CO2 AND DIODE LASER PLUME

Modern medical procedures, including laser surgery, can generate fine aerosols that may carry biologically active agents. With such procedures becoming more commonplace, it is evident that we need to look at the health implications on hospital staff when dealing with highly contagious patients with bacterial and/or viral infections, such as AIDS. The focus of this study is not to determine what portion that population is actually harmful, only to deduce what segment is still biologically active after vaporization from tissues. We have developed procedures to collect and analyze aerosols by size (from >10 μm to less than 0.07 μm) and by time (from minutes to ~ 4 hour increments). Health relevant size cuts for aerosols in a work environment have been adopted by the International Organization for Standardization and the Comite of European de Normalisation. We examined both the nature of the aerosols generated and the efficiency of hospital masks used by personnel in screening aerosols and simulated conditions under which aerosols might be inhaled. Four sets of data were recorded: Mask filtered physical, mask filtered biological, unfiltered physical and unfiltered biological. A combination of PIXE analyses on impactor and filter samples were matched with filters and strips plated on agarose plates and counted for colony forming units to determine the biologically active subset of the population.
Multi-channel analysis of surface waves MASW of models with high shear-wave velocity contrast

We use the multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method to analyze synthetic seismic data calculated using models with high shear-wave velocity (Vs) contrast. The MASW dispersion-curve images of the Rayleigh wave are obtained using various sets of source-offset and spread-size configurations from the synthetic seismic data and compared with the theoretically calculated fundamentaland highermode dispersion-curves. Such tests showed that most of the dispersion-curve images are dominated by higher-mode energy at the low frequencies, especially when analyzing data from long receiver offsets and thus significantly divert from numerically expected dispersion-curve trends, which can lead to significant Vs overestimation. Further analysis showed that using data with relatively short spread lengths and source offsets can image the desired fundamental-mode of the Rayleigh wave that matches the numerically expected dispersioncurve pattern. As a result, it was concluded that it might be possible to avoid higher-mode contamination at low frequencies at sites with high (Vs) contrast by appropriate selection of spread size and seismic source offset.
SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE WORLD

Abstract. The suddenness of phase change is examined as an example of a discontinuity in nature, in which an apparently random microscopic event can trigger a macroscopic change of state such as the crystallization of a liquid. Recent advances in nucleation theory that have helped to quantify but not eliminate this randomness are described, and analogies with the modes of God's action in the world are explored.
General Theory of Mortality and Aging

A theory of the kinetics of death is presented which is based upon the experimentally determined Gompertz function and the postulates that the distribution of stress magnitudes is a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution and an organism dies when stress magnitude exceeds the organism's maximum ability to compensate therefor. The theory predicts a zero-order loss of function versus age. This is borne out in human males by independent observation. The theory permits several independent calculations of the value of B, the percent of loss per year of physiologic function. The calculated values range from 0.9 to 1.4 percent per year and agree closely with the observed rates in human males. The theory predicts an inverse linear relationship between Gompertz slope and ln R/ sub 0/ (intercept), which is closely confirmed by observation. The theory predicts that the mean ratio of maximum reserve capacity to average demand lies between 7 and 11. Independent physiologic measurement data are in reasonable agreement with these values. The theory predicts the observed effects of prolonged or instantaneous exposure of experimental animals to ionizing radiation. The relative deleteriousness (D) of various national environments can be calculated. They have been found to differ by approximately 50 percent. We have beenmore » unable to make an independent test of these relative values. Despite the fact that it is derived for a homogeneous population the theory is shown to be not inconsistent with individual variability within a population. (auth)« less
A knowledge‐based software environment (KBSE) for designing concurrent processes

In this paper, we describe a knowledge‐based software environment (KBSE) which supports concurrent programming based on the framework of object‐oriented knowledge base. The object‐oriented knowledge base framework combines an object‐oriented data model with the logic programming paradigm. In KBSE, the user can describe a concurrent process with a set of (sequential) flowcharts and a set of coordination constraints and integrity constraints specified in a high level description language. The description is then synthesized into a Petri net representation. With the Petri net representation, existing analysis tools for Petri net can be fully utilized to assist the design and analysis of concurrent processes.
A time-series approach to exploring aggregate optimal capital structure: cointegration analysis

Although there are a substantive number of corporate capital structure models which postulate the existence of an optimal capital structure, only Miller's model (1977) explicitly addresses the issue of an optimal aggregate capital structure. To date, there is very little empirical evidence to substantiate or refute the existence of an aggregate optimal capital structure. Johansen's procedure for cointegration testing is employed to test Miller's hypothesis, along with other theories of optimal capital structure. The cointegration approach is advantageous in that it allows for the testing of long-run equilibrium relationships between series which are non-stationary. The Johansen's procedure utilizes tests which have well-defined limiting distributions unlike those employed in the Engle and Granger procedure. Additionally, this methodology allows us to explicitly define the number of cointegrating vectors and, therefore, the number of common stochastic trends. The results indicate that there is an equilibri...