cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE DISTRIBUTION OF SYNAPSES ON A PHYSIOLOGICALLY IDENTIFIED MOTOR NEURON IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE LEECH An Electron Microscope Study after the Injection of the Fluorescent Dye Procion Yellow

The fine structure of a physiologically identified motor neuron in the segmental ganglion of the leech central nervous system and the morphology of synapses on it were studied after injection of the fluorescent dye Procion yellow as a marker. The injected cell and its processes within the neuropil were located in thick or thin sections with fluorescence optics after initial fixation with glutaraldehyde and brief treatment with osmium tetroxide. The same or adjacent thin sections could then be examined in the electron microscope. Comparison with uninjected cells showed that the general features of the injected cell are retained although some organelles are distorted. The main features of the geometry of this neuron are the same from animal to animal: a single large process runs from the soma through the neuropil to bifurcate and enter the contralateral roots. Within the neuropil the main process gives off long branches (up to 150 µ), but these are greatly outnumbered by short branches and spines, one or a few microns in length, which were not appreciated in previous light microscope studies after injection of Procion yellow. Serial thin sections of selected areas along the main process within the neuropil showed that there are synapses on most of the shorter branches and spines; occasional synaptic contacts were also made on the main process itself and on longer branches. At least two morphologically distinct types of synapse could be recognized. A minimum estimate of the total number of synapses on the motor cell is 300, based on their occurrence in reconstructed segments.
Emotions as social relationships

While emotions are usually treated as internal states, it is possible to view them as social relationships. From this perspective, the different emotions are not primarily understood in terms of facial expression, physiological pattern, hedonic tone, or level of arousal, but as different transformations of the relationship between person and other. To demonstrate the value of this approach, judgments of the similarity between different emotions were submitted to multidimensional scaling. It is shown that the resulting dimensions describe different aspects of the relation between self and other. These dimensions provide us with a “taxonomy” of emotions that makes some important distinctions between closely related emotions and leads to some interesting predictions about personality differences.
NMR study of the epoxy crosslinking reactions of N,N-dimethyl-4-chlorophenyl urea

Abstract The crosslinking of one-part epoxy adhesives is a complex process involving reactions of dicyandiamide and any of a variety of accelerators with epoxide functional polymers. Variations in adhesive formulation and process affect the final properties of the adhesive bond. The reactions of N,N-dimethyl-4-chlorophenyl urea, an accelerator for one-part, dicyandiamide crosslinked epoxy adhesives has been studied with Carbon-13 NMR in model systems employing phenyl glycidyl ether as the epoxy. A complex reaction mixture was observed whose composition varied with epoxy-accelerator stoichiometry and reaction temperature. NMR peaks having chemical shifts consistent with 2-N-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-phenoxymethyl oxazolidone, a quaternary amine terminated polyether and epoxy elimination products have been observed in reaction mixtures modeling adhesive formulations. The quaternary amine terminated polyether likely results from condensation of epoxy with the dimethyl amine that is formed from N,N-dimethyl-4-chloro...
On learning bounded-width branching programs

In this paper, we study PAC-leaming algorithms for specialized classes of deterministic finite automata (DFA). Inpartictdar, we study branchingprogrsms, and we investigate the intluence of the width of the branching program on the difficulty of the learning problem. We first present a distribution-free algorithm for learning width-2 branching programs. We also give an algorithm for the proper learning of width-2 branching programs under uniform distribution on labeled samples. We then show that the existence of an efficient algorithm for learning width-3 branching programs would imply the existence of an efficient algorithm for learning DNF, which is not known to be the case. Fimlly, we show that the existence of an algorithm for learning width-3 branching programs would also yield an algorithm for learning a very restricted version of parity with noise.
Degradation of Supracide in Hay, Silage, and the Rumen

Abstract The disappearance of Supracide, a new organophosphorus insecticide, was studied in hay, ensilage, and rumen contents (both in vivo and in vitro). A logarithmic rate of degradation occurred in silage and hay for 200 and 120 days, respectively. A linear increase in formation of aqueoussoluble products from 14 C-labeled Supracide incubated with rumen contents was shown. Disappearance of Supracide from the intact rumen was logarithmic and was reduced to very low levels within two hours after administration.
THE PRIME NUMBER RACE AND ZEROS OF L-FUNCTIONS OFF THE CRITICAL LINE

We examine the effects of certain hypothetical configurations of zeros of Dirichlet L-functions lying off the critical line on the distribution of primes in arithmetic progressions.
Symmetrical cylindrical model for TAP pulse response experiments and validity of the one-dimensional TAP model

A two-dimensional symmetrical cylindrical transport model for TAP pulse response experiments is analyzed and compared with the one-dimensional TAP model. It is shown that both models give the same total exit flow for experimentally realistic boundary conditions. The uniformity of the flux distribution at the outlet face of the cylindrical model is also analyzed. It is shown that after time greater than tpeak/60, the flux distribution on the radial coordinate of the outlet face can be considered uniform.
Locomotor delayed alternation by prefrontally ablated monkeys

Two monkeys whose dorsolateral prefrontal cortex had been ablated were tested on delayed alternation tasks in a locomotor maze. They responded correctly after they had developed pronounced positional habits in the startbox, but disruption of such habits resulted in impaired performance. The addition of visual cues led to new positional habits and improved performance. The results are interpreted in terms of the kinesthetic functions of prefrontal cortex.
Exact computation of the 3-j and 6-j symbols

Abstract A simple FORTRAN program for the exact computation of 3-j and 6-j symbols has been written for the VAX with VMS version v5.1 in our university's computing center. It goes beyond and contains all of the 3-j and 6-j symbols evaluated in the book by M. Rotenberg, R. Bivins, N. Metropolis and J.K. Wooten Jr. The 3-j symbols up to (30m1 30m2 30m3)] and 6-j symbols up to {2020 2020 2020} can be computed exactly by this program. Approximate values for larger j's up to 200m1 200m2 200m3 and {200200 200200 200220} can also be computed by this program.
SINGLE‐CELL PULSE AMPLITUDE MODULATION FLUORESCENCE MEASUREMENTS OF THE GIANT DIATOM ETHMODISCUS (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Diurnal changes in effective yield (ΔF:F m '), rapid light curves (RLCs), and induction/dark recovery time series were measured on individual cells of the giant diatom Ethmodiscus Castracane using active fluorescence (pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry). Unlike the co-occurring diatom Hemiaulus and bulk phytoplankton, there was no observable diurnal down-regulation of yield or relative electron transport rates in Ethmodiscus. Yields were constant at or near maximum values (0.7-0.8). Increases in ΔF:F m ' during the initial actinic levels are consistent with dark nonphotochemical quenching mechanisms. Sustained actinic illumination (660 μmol photon . m - 2 . s - 1 ) resulted in a ΔF:F m ' of 0.2-0.3, but rapid recovery to near-maximum values occurred in subsequent dark periods. Such recovery occurred even after exposure to full sunlight for 28 min, but not at 60 min. Thus, the lack of diurnal down-regulation in Ethmodiscus is apparent, not real, and is an artifact of the time scale of sample extraction from net tows. These positively buoyant cells showed no evidence of routine photodamage, probably due to mixing and reduction in the average light exposure. The general patterns seen in RLCs from light-and dark-adapted higher plants are significantly different from those observed in Ethmodiscus. These results suggest that active fluorescence characteristics require careful examination to differentiate habitat- and taxon-specific characteristics from light-history effects. It is unclear whether the rapid recovery seen in Ethmodiscus is unique. The differences seen between Hemiaulus and Ethmodiscus from the same samples suggest that changes in community yield values measured in countertop systems could be the result of species replacement in addition to experimental or environmental perturbations.
Decomposition Theorems for Disjointness Preserving Operators

Abstract Two different decomposition theorems for disjointness preserving operators on Banach lattices are proved. The first one asserts that a disjointness preserving operator whose spectrum is contained in a sector of angle less than π can be decomposed into a sum of a central operator and a quasi-nilpotent operator. The second one asserts that if T is a disjointness preserving operator on an order complete Banach lattice such that its adjoint T ′ is also a disjointness preserving operator, then T can be decomposed into a direct sum of its strictly periodic and aperiodic parts. The latter generalizes an earlier result. Various consequences of these results are given.
Tauopathy PET and amyloid PET in the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathies: studies of a retired NFL player and of a man with FTD and a severe head injury

Single, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) which elevates CNS amyloid, increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD); while repetitive concussive and subconcussive events as observed in athletes and military personnel, may increase the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). We describe two clinical cases, one with a history of multiple concussions during a career in the National Football League (NFL) and the second with frontotemporal dementia and a single, severe TBI. Both patients presented with cognitive decline and underwent [(18)F]-Florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for amyloid plaques; the retired NFL player also underwent [(18)F]-T807 PET imaging, a new ligand binding to tau, the main constituent of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Case 1, the former NFL player, was 71 years old when he presented with memory impairment and a clinical profile highly similar to AD. [(18)F]-Florbetapir PET imaging was negative, essentially excluding AD as a diagnosis. CTE was suspected clinically, and [(18)F]-T807 PET imaging revealed striatal and nigral [(18)F]-T807 retention consistent with the presence of tauopathy. Case 2 was a 56-year-old man with personality changes and cognitive decline who had sustained a fall complicated by a subdural hematoma. At 1 year post injury, [(18)F]-Florbetapir PET imaging was negative for an AD pattern of amyloid accumulation in this subject. Focal [(18)F]-Florbetapir retention was noted at the site of impact. In case 1, amyloid imaging provided improved diagnostic accuracy where standard clinical and laboratory criteria were inadequate. In that same case, tau imaging with [(18)F]-T807 revealed a subcortical tauopathy that we interpret as a novel form of CTE with a distribution of tauopathy that mimics, to some extent, that of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), despite a clinical presentation of amnesia without any movement disorder complaints or signs. A key distinguishing feature is that our patient presented with hippocampal involvement, which is more frequently seen in CTE than in PSP. In case 2, focal [(18)F]-Florbetapir retention at the site of injury in an otherwise negative scan suggests focal amyloid aggregation. In each of these complex cases, a combination of [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose, [(18)F]-Florbetapir and/or [(18)F]-T807 PET molecular imaging improved the accuracy of diagnosis and prevented inappropriate interventions.
Economic Organization for War.

As shown in the struggle recently ended, modern war means "a nation in arms." The old-time distinction between fighters and workers was almost obliterated, and there was an industrial army as well as an army in the field. The labors of the men and women behind the lines were essential to the effective operations of the men in arms. That this condition was recognized by the governments themselves is shown by the classifications of workers, according to which those whose special skill or ability was essential to the conduct of war industries were taken out or kept out of the army and retained in the factories, mines, workshops, and fields. In various ways the old lines between soldier and civilian, between war operations and the work of production, were broken down. The Germans made no distinction between war vessels and merchantmen. They deliberately destroyed coal mines and factories, growing crops and cattle; this was done. with a military purpose, for the sake of lessening the military strength of the enemy. So, too, the former distinction between contraband and free goods was obliterated. Whole nations were in arms, and all their resources were mobilized to carry on the titanic struggle. This world conflict has taught us that war is not waged altogether by armies in the field. It is a contest between the industrial organization and technique of the opposing nations. It is not carried on by money alone, but by the total resources, material and human, that can be concentrated in a combined, productive effort. The World War gave the first opportunity for a complete application of the modern factory system of production in warfare. Methods of production have been completely revolutionized since the Napoleonic wars, the last general
Critical behavior of disordered degenerate semiconductors. I. Models, symmetries, and formalism.

A model that describes the qualitative properties of the electronic states of a disordered degenerate semiconductor with a finite number of degeneracy points is proposed. I introduce an effective Hamiltonian of the form of a Dirac operator coupled to randomly distributed fields. It is shown that there is a phase transition between the semimetal and metallic phases followed by a localization transition. The symmetry breaking associated with this transition is related to the nonsymmorphic character of the space group. The density of states plays the role of the order parameter and the elastic mean free path is the correlation length. A path-integral representation is introduced and used to characterize the universality class of this transition. The lower critical dimension is 2. A mapping of the two-dimensional case to one-dimensional self-interacting Fermi systems is presented. Applications to zero-gap semiconductors and other systems are discussed.
Carbon deposition on supported platinum particles

Abstract A combination of electron microscopy and thermogravimetric techniques have been used to investigate the characteristics of coke formation and the associated changes in platinum particle morphology in real and model reforming catalysts. Despite the fact that used commercial catalysts contained large amounts of coke, metal particles were clearly evident and appeared to reach an average size of 1.7 nm, indicative of only a limited degree of sintering during the reforming reaction. Decoking studies showed that the deposit was predominantly isotropic in nature and did not contain any filamentous or graphitic components. In situ electron microscopy studies performed on model supported platinum catalyst systems showed that upon reaction in a hydrocarbon environment, the metal particles were capable of hydrogasifying carbon in their immediate vicinity and during this process underwent a wetting and spreading action at the deposit interface which resulted in redispersion of the platinum. This phenomenon was limited to a narrow temperature range between 480 and 600°C, and was believed to be a key factor in the maintenance of the small metal particle size during the reforming reaction.
Energy- and performance-aware scheduling of tasks on parallel and distributed systems

Enabled by high-speed networking in commercial, scientific, and government settings, the realm of high performance is burgeoning with greater amounts of computational and storage resources. Large-scale systems such as computational grids consume a significant amount of energy due to their massive sizes. The energy and cooling costs of such systems are often comparable to the procurement costs over a year period. In this survey, we will discuss allocation and scheduling algorithms, systems, and software for reducing power and energy dissipation of workflows on the target platforms of single processors, multicore processors, and distributed systems. Furthermore, recent research achievements will be investigated that deal with power and energy efficiency via different power management techniques and application scheduling algorithms. The article provides a comprehensive presentation of the architectural, software, and algorithmic issues for energy-aware scheduling of workflows on single, multicore, and parallel architectures. It also includes a systematic taxonomy of the algorithms developed in the literature based on the overall optimization goals and characteristics of applications.
Potential of intestinal electrical stimulation for obesity: a preliminary canine study.

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate the therapeutic potential of intestinal electrical stimulation (IES) for obesity. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of IES on food intake, gastric tone, gastric accommodation, and its possible pathway. Research Methods and Procedures: Ten normal dogs and six dogs with truncal vagotomy were used in this study. Each dog was equipped with a gastric cannula for the measurement of gastric tone and accommodation by barostat and one pair of duodenal serosal electrodes for IES. The experiment on food intake was composed of both control session without IES and IES session after a 28-hour fast. The experiment on gastric tone and accommodation was performed in the fasting and fed states and composed of three sessions: control, IES, and IES with NG-nitro-l-arginine. Results: IES significantly reduced food intake in the normal dogs (459.0 vs. 312.6 grams, p < 0.001). The food intake was negatively correlated with the fasting gastric volume during IES. IES significantly decreased fasting gastric tone in the normal dogs reflected as a decrease in gastric volume (89.1 vs. 261.3 mL, p < 0.01), which was abolished by vagotomy and NG-nitro-l-arginine. Discussion: IES reduces food intake and inhibits gastric tone in the fasting state. The inhibitory effect of IES on gastric tone is mediated by both vagal and nitrergic pathway.
Increased Expression of Thymidylate Synthetase (TS), Ubiquitin Specific Protease 10 (USP10) and Survivin is Associated with Poor Survival in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Background The limited success of empirically designed treatment paradigms for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) emphasizes the need for rationally designed treatment strategies based on the molecular profile of tumor samples and their correlation to clinical parameters.
Salivary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas of intercalated ducts: A clinical, electron microscopic, and immunocytochemical study

The salivary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of intercalated duct origin is a distinctive, biologically low-grade carcinoma with a predilection for the parotid gland. Nine examples from the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, bring the number of published cases to 33. Immunocytochemical (S-100 protein, myosin, and keratin) and electron-optic studies strongly support an active myoepithelial cell participation in the histogenesis of these carcinomas.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Surgical Checklist in Medicare Patients.

Background Surgical checklists are increasingly used to improve compliance with evidence-based processes in the perioperative period. Although enthusiasm exists for using checklists to improve outcomes, recent studies have questioned their effectiveness in large populations. Objective We sought to examine the association of Keystone Surgery, a statewide implementation of an evidence-based checklist and Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program, on surgical outcomes and health care costs. Methods We performed a study using national Medicare claims data for patients undergoing general and vascular surgery (n=1,002,241) from 2006 to 2011. A difference-in-differences approach was used to evaluate whether implementation was associated with improved surgical outcomes and decreased costs when compared with a national cohort of nonparticipating hospitals. Propensity score matching was used to select 10 control hospitals for each participating hospital. Costs were assessed using price-standardized 30-day Medicare payments for acute hospitalizations, readmissions, and high-cost outliers. Results Keystone Surgery implementation in participating centers (N=95 hospitals) was not associated with improved outcomes. Difference-in-differences analysis accounting for trends in nonparticipating hospitals (N=950 hospitals) revealed no differences in adjusted rates of 30-day mortality [relative risk (RR)=1.03; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.97-1.10], any complication (RR=1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.07), reoperations (RR=0.89; 95% CI, 0.56-1.22), or readmissions (RR=1.01; 95% CI, 0.97-1.05). Medicare payments for the index admission increased following implementation ($516 average increase in payments; 95% CI, $210-$823 increase), as did readmission payments ($564 increase; 95% CI, $89-$1040 increase). High-outlier payments ($965 increase; 95% CI, $974decrease to $2904 increase) did not change. Conclusions Implementation of Keystone Surgery in Michigan was not associated with improved outcomes or decreased costs in Medicare patients.
Space potential distribution in the ISX-B tokamak.

Plasma potentials have been measured for the first time in neutral-beam-heated tokamak discharges, with a heavy-ion beam probe. Radial profiles of these potentials are presented for coinjection, counterinjection, and balanced injection, and for plasmas having only Ohmic heating. They are found to be very dependent on the direction of rotation with respect to the plasma current. They are also found qualitatively consistent with those inferred from radial momentum balance with use of the measured toroidal rotation velocity.
Acoustofluidics 15: streaming with sound waves interacting with solid particles

In Part 15 of the tutorial series "Acoustofluidics-exploiting ultrasonic standing waves forces and acoustic streaming in microfluidic systems for cell and particle manipulation," we examine the interaction of acoustic fields with solid particles. The main focus here is the interaction of standing waves with spherical particles leading to streaming, together with some discussion on one non-spherical case. We begin with the classical problem of a particle at the velocity antinode of a standing wave, and then treat the problem of a sphere at the velocity node, followed by the intermediate situation of a particle between nodes. Finally, we discuss the effect of deviation from sphericity which brings about interesting fluid mechanics. The entire Focus article is devoted to the analysis of the nonlinear fluid mechanics by singular perturbation methods, and the study of the streaming phenomenon that ensues from the nonlinear interaction. With the intention of being instructive material, this tutorial cannot by any means be considered 'complete and comprehensive' owing to the complexity of the class of problems being covered herein.
Improved clonal and nonclonal growth of human, rat and bovine adrenocortical cells in culture.

This report describes the development of a culture system for long-term growth and cloning of human fetal adrenocortical cells. Optimal conditions for stimulating clonal growth were determned by testing the efficacy of horse serum (HS), fetal bovine serum (FBS), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibronectin, and a combination of growth factors, UltroSer G, in stimulating growth from low density. Optimal conditions for clonal growth were achieved using fibronectin-coated dishes and DME/F12 medium with 10% FEBS, 10% HS, 2% UltroSer G, and 100 ng/ml FGF or 100 pM EGF. Conditions for growth at clonal density were found to be optimal for growth of early passage, nonclonal cultures at higher densities. The improved growth conditions used for cloning were shown to allow continued long-term growth of nonclonal human adrenocortical cells without fibroblasts overgrowth. All cells in cultures grown in HS, FBS, and UltroSer G had morphologic characteristics of adrenocortical cells, whereas cells grown in FBS only rapidly became overgrown with fibroblasts. Clonal and nonclonal early passage human adrenocortical cells had smilar mitogenic responses to FGF and EGF. Whereas FGF, EGF, and UltroSer G showed similar stimulation of DNA synthesis and clonal growth in human adrenocortical cells and human adrenal gland fibroblasts, the tumor promoter 12-O-teradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate stimulated growth only in adrenocortical cells and was strongly inhibitory to growth in fibroblasts. In both cell types, forskolin inhibited DNA synthesis. Human adrenocortical cell cultures were functional and synthesized cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The improved growth conditions for clonal growth of human adrenocortial cells also provided optimal conditions for long-term growth of cultured rat adrenocortical cells and ncreased the cloning efficiency of cultured bovine adrenocortical cells.
Organization and analysis of a gracefully-degrading interleaved memory system

A hardware mechanism has been proposed to reconfigure an interleaved memory system. The reconfiguration scheme is such that, at any instant all fault-free memory banks in the memory system are utilized in interleaved manner. A performance metric is defined which takes into account the bandwidth and the page-fault rate in an interleaved memory system. The reconfiguration scheme proposed in this paper is analyzed for a number of distinct programs using the performance metric defined in the paper. It is shown that the system performance degrades slowly, as the number of faulty banks increase, in a memory system using the proposed reconfiguration scheme.
Internet-Based Approaches to Collaborative Therapeutic Assessment: New Opportunities for Professional Psychologists

Collaborative (or therapeutic) assessment is an empirically supported procedure that involves the client as an active participant in the assessment process. Clients discuss data they provide with the assessor in a collaborative manner designed to provide insights and assist in setting mutually agreeable treatment goals. Internet-based procedures allow for ongoing (including daily) tracking of psychological variables and provision of immediate graphic feedback to therapists, clients, and clinical supervisors. As an example, we describe one such system: Evidence-Based Assessment System for Clinicians (EAS-C) that contains more than 30 brief and empirically validated assessment instruments that can be completed via the internet or smartphone. We also provide examples from a stress management intervention demonstrating how single-client data from a web-based daily stress and coping diary tied to the EAS-C were utilized to provide clients with individualized feedback, assess progress, identify idiographic patterns of cognitions, affect, and coping strategies, and test clinical hypotheses. Internet- and computer-based technological advances can improve service delivery and help bridge the gap that currently exists between science and practice.
Fabrication of porous carbon/Si composite nanofibers as high-capacity battery electrodes

Abstract Carbon/Si composite nanofibers with porous structures are prepared by electrospinning and subsequent carbonization processes. It is found that these porous composite nanofibers can be used as anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) without adding any binding or conducting additive. The resultant anodes exhibit good electrochemical performance; for example, a large discharge capacity of 1100 mAh g −1 at a high current density of 200 mA g −1 .
Presence of common idiotypes on antibodies induced by glutamic acid-lysine-containing terpolymers in responder and nonresponder mice with the lg-1b heavy chain allotype

A B10.A (5R) responder mouse to the random linear terpolymer, poly--(Glu, Lys, Phe), GLphi, can produce immunoglobulins which bind poly-L (Glu, Lys), GL, that share idiotypic determinants with GL-binding antibodies produced by other members of the same strain. Expression of these common idiotypic determinants, termed BGL, is independent of the H-2 halotype and closely linked to the Ig-lb heavy chain allotype. Moreover, nonresponder mice with the Ig-lb heavy chain allotype, when immunized with GLphi that has been chemically coupled to an immunogenic carrier, chicken IgG, can produce GL-binding antibodies that share BGL idiotypic specificities with anti-GLphi antibodies produced by responder animals. Also, the responses to other GL-containing polymers, such as poly-L (Glu, Lys, Ala) and poly-L (Glu, Lys, Pro), which are under the control of distinct Ir genes, can stimulate the production of GL-binding antibodies that share common BGL idiotypic determinants with antibodies induced with GLphi. These findings are discussed with respect to their implications concerning the mechanism(s) of Ir gene control.
Moving loads on elastic strips with one-sided constraints

Abstract An infinite elastic strip resting on a flat rigid foundation is loaded by an upward directed concentrated force, which moves at constant speed. Using the plane strain theory of elasticity, we reduce the resulting mixed boundary value problem to a pair of coupled Fredholm integral equations. With force magnitude and speed as parameters, the non-contact length, lower boundary displacement, and foundation contact pressure are computed and illustrated graphically.
Automated segmentation of tumors on bone scans using anatomy-specific thresholding

Quantification of overall tumor area on bone scans may be a potential biomarker for treatment response assessment and has, to date, not been investigated. Segmentation of bone metastases on bone scans is a fundamental step for this response marker. In this paper, we propose a fully automated computerized method for the segmentation of bone metastases on bone scans, taking into account characteristics of different anatomic regions. A scan is first segmented into anatomic regions via an atlas-based segmentation procedure, which involves non-rigidly registering a labeled atlas scan to the patient scan. Next, an intensity normalization method is applied to account for varying levels of radiotracer dosing levels and scan timing. Lastly, lesions are segmented via anatomic regionspecific intensity thresholding. Thresholds are chosen by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis against manual contouring by board certified nuclear medicine physicians. A leave-one-out cross validation of our method on a set of 39 bone scans with metastases marked by 2 board-certified nuclear medicine physicians yielded a median sensitivity of 95.5%, and specificity of 93.9%. Our method was compared with a global intensity thresholding method. The results show a comparable sensitivity and significantly improved overall specificity, with a p-value of 0.0069.
The Cardiorenal Syndrome: Pathophysiologic Crosstalk, Outcomes, and Treatment Targets

The development of simultaneous decompensation in cardiac and renal function is a common phenomenon in patients with congestive heart failure. Termed the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), this joint deterioration in cardiac output and renal filtration is the result of a complex interplay of hemodynamic and neurohormonal factors. Recently, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and uremia have been recognized as contributors to the crosstalk responsible for the development of CRS. Management strategies for the treatment of CRS involve correction of hemodynamic derangements and regulation of neurohormonal pathways. Future therapies may target more newly recognized components of CRS pathophysiologic development.
Transvaginal fetal neurosonography: standardization of the planes and sections by anatomic landmarks

Owing to the limited mobility of the transvaginal probe within the vagina and the introitus, it is virtually impossible to obtain coronal and sagittal sections that are anatomically comparable to those obtained in anatomic sections, computed tomography or magnetic resonance scanning. The aim of this paper is to standardize the neurosonographic images of the fetal brain and develop a nomenclature that more closely reflects the true anatomic sections. A retrospective review of 347 fetal neuroscans was performed. With the use of specific landmarks within the fetal brain, new nomenclature was developed. The scans were divided into the frontal, coronal and sagittal groups. Each group was subsequently further divided into three specific sections. The transvaginal sonographic images of the fetal brain radiate in a fan-like fashion from the anterior fontanelle; therefore the new proposed nomenclature more accurately describes the true anatomic sections.
The passivation of nickel in aqueous solutions—I. The identification of insoluble corrosion products on nickel electrodes using optical and ESCA techniques

Abstract In situ differential reflectometry in conjunction with ESCA techniques are used to identify various surface films which form electrochemically on nickel. The film observed on pure Ni in a 0.15 N Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte has been identified to be primarily Ni(OH) 2 . At different values of pH and potential, NiO has been found to form simultaneously with Ni(OH) 2 . At solutions with pH > 8, the Ni(OH) 2 film partially transforms into a third oxide, presumably NiOOH, which can only be observed in situ .
Sphingolipids as therapeutics.

Abstract The sphingolipid field has made significant strides over the past 10 years: from identifying metabolites of the sphingomyelin pathway as second messengers to discerning the molecular biology and biophysics of these lipid-derived second messengers. Building upon this vast basic science literature, scientists from multiple disciplines have begun to translate manipulations of endogenous sphingolipid metabolites and targets into therapeutic initiatives. Multiple publications have reviewed the biochemistry [Biochemistry 40 (16) (2001) 4893 [1] ; Environ. Health Perspect. 109 (Suppl. 2) (2001) 283 [2] ], biophysics [J. Cell Physiol. 184 (3) (2000) 285 [3] ; Trends Cell Biol. 10 (10) (2000) 408 [4] ], molecular biology [Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1426 (2) (1999) 347 [5] ], and physiology [J. Biol. Chem. 277 (29) (2002) 25851 [6] ; J. Biol. Chem. 277 (29) (2002) 25847 [7] ] of sphingolipid metabolites. The present review serves to document the emerging concept of sphingolipid metabolites as therapeutics with clear clinical potential.
Induction of heat shock protein in cardiac allograft rejection - A cyclosporine-suppressible response

The cellular response to a wide variety of stresses results in the synthesis of a family of proteins termed heat shock proteins (HSPs). To determine if acute allograft rejection could induce these proteins in a transplanted graft, we examined the HSP response to acute cardiac allograft rejection and analyzed the effect of immunosuppression upon this response. Donor hearts obtained from either Lewis (LEW) or ACI rats were heterotopically transplanted in recipient LEW rats. There were 4 experimental groups : untreated isografted (LEW to LEW) animals (n=14), untreated allografted (ACI to LEW) animals (n=14), cyclosporine-treated (10 mg/kg SQ/day) isografted animals (n=12), and cyclosporine-treated allografted animals (n=12). Animals were sacrificed on posttransplantation day 2, 4, or 6 (time of rejection for untreated allografts) ; n=4-5 for each time point per group. At these times tissue obtained from the transplanted heart was examined histologically and analyzed for HSP72 by quantitative Northern and Western blots. The level of HSP72 in the untreated allografts progressively increased between 2, 4, and 6 days posttransplantation and was significantly greater than that of the untreated isografts at all time points. The HSP72 response in cyclosporine-treated allografts was significantly reduced at 4 and 6 days posttransplantation compared with the untreated allografts. In contrast, there was no difference in the HSP response in treated versus untreated isografts. Additionally, there was no difference in HSP levels in cyclosporine-treated isografts and allografts. These findings demonstrate that HSP expression in the transplanted heart correlates directly with the evolution of acute allograft rejection, and that immunosuppressive therapy inhibits the HSP response. These studies also raise the possibility of a functional role for HSPs in the allogeneic immune response.
An analogue of the defect relation for the uniform metric

Let f be a meromorphic function in the plane, denote by A(r, f) the spherical area of divided by the area of the Riemann sphere. For a, ∈ C put and Put B(f) = {a : b(a,f) > 0). Asssume that card B(f) is at most countable, and . We show that for functions f of finite lower order the equality in (1) implies where n ≥ 2 in an integer, and b(a,f) = 2μ/n for every a ∈ B(f).
Unidirectional star coupler for single-fiber distribution systems

The design and construction of a unidirectional star coupler for single-fiber distribution systems are described. A rectangular mixing section is required to obtain uniform output distribution. Four-port stars have been constructed with losses only (1/2) to 1 dB greater than packing fraction. For any given input, outputs are uniform to within about +/-1 dB.
Laser transmission through transparent membranes used in cutaneous laser treatment

Abstract Background: Some clinicians perform cutaneous laser treatments through transparent membranes to protect themselves and the surroundings from contamination by ejected tissue particles. Transmissibility of these membranes influences the tissue irradiance. Objective: We compared the optical transmissibility of 8 membranes. Methods: In part 1, a Schwartz Electro-Optics Q-switched alexandrite laser (wavelength of 720-800 nm, beam diameter of 3 mm) was directed through 8 membranes. A Molectron JD 2000 Joulemeter Ratiometer obtained measurements of percent loss of laser energy (for calculation of percent transmission) through each. To evaluate other wavelengths used in skin treatment, an SLM Aminco UV-VIS model 2000 spectrophotometer measured variance of transmission over a spectral region from 350 to 900 nm in 4 of the membranes. Results: The samples listed in order of increasing amounts of light energy lost across the membrane as compared with control (direct irradiation) were as follows: (1) Handi Wrap plastic wrap: 7% loss, 93% transmission; (2) glass slide: 8% loss; (3) Bioclusive transparent dressing: 11% loss; (4) Tegaderm transparent dressing: 26% loss; (5) Vigilon dressing without plastic backing: 34% loss; (6) Vigilon dressing with one layer of plastic backing: 37% loss; (7) Acuderm dressing: 41% loss; and (8) OpSite IV: 48% loss. Conclusions: Transmissibility of the interposed membranes must be considered when determining the dosimetry of light energy required by the target tissue. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:919-23.)
Homelessness: The extent of the problem.

Homelessness is a major national problem, but the exact extent of the problem is difficult to determine. The homeless are not a homogeneous category of people, but include a wide variety of types. The first problem in establishing the parameters of the homeless population is one of definitions. Different studies have focused on street people, shelter users, people applying for assistance, or those using services. Formal attempts to count the homeless have used indirect counting methods, direct counting methods, and one recent study used a capture—recapture estimation technique. Such methods have some validity in making local estimates, although each has its disadvantages. Attempting to make national estimates is much more difficult, and any national estimate must be regarded with great caution. The numbers of people in specific subgroups of the homeless may be of even greater importance for public policy and planning. While the root causes of homelessness are the scarcity of low-income housing and the inadequacy of income supports for the poor, there are specific groups of homeless people who need special services. Such groups include the homeless mentally ill, alcoholics and drug abusers, AIDS victims, and families with small children. Assessing the extent of these problems among the homeless is therefore important for planning services.
Bedside placement of removable vena cava filters guided by intravascular ultrasound in the critically injured.

Bedside placement of removable inferior vena cava filters (RVCF) is increasingly used in critically injured patients. The need for fluoroscopic equipment and specialized intensive care unit beds presents major challenges. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) eliminates such problems. The objective of the present study was to analyze the safety and feasibility of IVUS-guided bedside RVCF placement in critically injured patients. Between October 2004 and July 2006 47 IVUS-guided RVCF were placed at the bedside. Medical and trauma registry records were reviewed. Primary outcome was RVCF-related complications. The mean patient age was 41 ± 19 years, and the mean Injury Severity Score was 30 ± 12. The right common femoral vein was chosen as the site of access in 40 patients, and the left common femoral vein was the access site in 7 patients. The insertion was performed 3.7 ± 2.5 days after admission. Four patients (8.5%) developed common femoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and three (6%) developed a peripheral pulmonary embolism (PE). Complications related to technique were recorded in two patients (4%) and included one misplacement and one access site bleeding with no further associated morbidity. Five patients died during the hospital stay from issues unrelated to RVCF. Forty-one patients were eligible for follow-up. Removal of RVCF was offered only to 8 patients and was performed successfully in 4 (10%) at a mean of 130 days (range: 44–183 days). In this study IVUS-guided bedside placement of RVCF was feasible but was also associated with complications. Follow-up was poor, and the rate of removal disappointingly low, underscoring the need for further exploration of the role of RVCF.
Media Coverage of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism Controversy and Its Relationship to MMR Immunization Rates in the United States

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to assess the association between media coverage of the MMR-autism controversy and MMR immunization in the United States. METHODS. The public-use files of the National Immunization Survey were used to estimate annual MMR coverage from 1995 to 2004. The primary outcome was selective measles-mumps-rubella nonreceipt, that is, those children who received all childhood immunizations except MMR. Media coverage was measured by using LexisNexis, a comprehensive database of national and local news media. Factors associated with MMR nonreceipt were identified by using a logistic regression model. RESULTS. Selective MMR nonreceipt, occurring in as few as 0.77% of children in the 1995 cohort, rose to 2.1% in the 2000 National Immunization Survey. Children included in the 2000 National Immunization Survey were born when the putative link between MMR and autism surfaced in the medical literature but before any significant media attention occurred. Selective nonreceipt was more prevalent in private practices and unrelated to family characteristics. MMR nonreceipt returned to baseline before sustained media coverage of the MMR-autism story began. CONCLUSIONS. There was a significant increase in selective MMR nonreceipt that was temporally associated with the publication of the original scientific literature, suggesting a link between MMR and autism, which preceded media coverage of the MMR-autism controversy. This finding suggests a limited influence of mainstream media on MMR immunization in the United States.
Vibrational spectra and crystal structure of PoBr3

Abstract The infrared spectrum (200–4000 cm −1 ) of phosphoryl bromide, sublimed and recondensed in a low temperature cell, was examined with 0.3–0.6 cm −1 resolution. Strong orientation effects were observed in crystals deposited on CsI windows. The spectrum of molecules isolated in an argon matrix at liquid helium temperature was also obtained. Raman shifts of crystals at room temperature and at −190 °C were measured with a laser Raman spectrometer. The density of the solid was determined near the freezing point. Analysis of the band splittings and polarization, completed by packing considerations, lead to D 2h 16 as the most probable structure of crystalline POBr 3 .
Attenuation of Estrogenic Effects by Dihydrotestosterone in the Pig Uterus Is Associated with Downregulation of the Estrogen Receptors

Androgens are known to attenuate some effects of estradiol-17beta (E) in the uterus. The objectives of the present experiment were to determine effects of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on estrogenic actions in the pig uterus and its associations with changes in expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ERbeta. Postpubertal gilts (120-130 kg of body weight; n = 16) were ovariectomized, and 3-4 weeks later received once-a-day injections (i.m.) of one of the following treatments during four consecutive days: 1) vehicle (corn oil), 2) E (250 microg), 3) E (250 microg) plus 1 mg DHT, or 4) E (250 microg) plus 10 mg DHT. Uterine tissues were collected 24 h after the last treatment. Gilts receiving E or E plus 1 mg DHT had greater uterine wet weight, uterine horn diameter, luminal epithelium thickness, and endometrial gland diameter compared with gilts treated with vehicle or E plus 10 mg DHT. Gilts receiving E or E plus 1 mg DHT were not different in these characteristics. Relative amounts of mRNAs in the endometrium for the cell proliferation marker histone H2a and the E-inducible protein complement component C3 increased in gilts treated with E compared with gilts treated with vehicle. E-induced increases in histone H2a and C3 mRNAs were not altered by cotreatment with E plus 1 mg DHT but were inhibited by E plus 10 mg DHT. Androgen receptor (AR) mRNA in the endometrium increased by treatment with E. Cotreatment of gilts with E and DHT did not alter the E-induced AR mRNA increase. Gilts treated with E plus 10 mg DHT had lesser amounts of immunoreactive ERalpha in cell nuclei of the myometrium and endometrial stroma and a tendency for a decrease in luminal epithelium compared with gilts treated with E. Amounts of immunoreactive ERalpha in glandular epithelium were not influenced by the treatments. Relative amounts of ERalpha and ERbeta mRNAs decreased in the endometrium of gilts treated with E plus 10 mg DHT compared with gilts treated with E. Downregulation of the ERs, particularly ERalpha in the myometrium and endometrial stroma, might be a relevant mechanism in the antagonism of estrogenic effects by DHT in the pig uterus.
A positive characteristic Manin–Mumford theorem

We present the details of a model-theoretic proof of an analogue of the Manin–Mumford conjecture for semiabelian varieties in positive characteristic. As a by-product of the proof we reduce the general positive-characteristic Mordell–Lang problem to a question about purely inseparable points on subvarieties of semiabelian varieties.