cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-tone suppression in the basilar membrane of the cochlea: mechanical basis of auditory-nerve rate suppression.

1. The vibratory response to two-tone stimuli was measured in the basilar membrane of the chinchilla cochlea by means of the Mossbauer technique or laser velocimetry. Measurements were made at sites with characteristic frequency (CF, the frequency at which an auditory structure is most sensitive) of 7-10 kHz, located approximately 3.5 mm from the oval window. 2. Two-tone suppression (reduction in the response to one tone due to the presence of another) was demonstrated for CF probe tones and suppressor tones with frequencies both higher and lower than CF, at moderately low stimulus levels, including probe-suppressor combinations for which responses to the suppressor were lower than responses to the probe tone alone. 3. For a fixed suppressor tone, suppression magnitude decreased as a function of increasing probe intensity. 4. The magnitude of suppression increased monotonically with suppressor intensity. 5. The rate of growth of suppression magnitude with suppressor intensity was higher for suppressors in the region below CF than for those in the region above CF. 6. For low-frequency suppressor tones, suppression magnitude varied periodically, attaining one or two maxima within each period of the suppressor tone. 7. Suppression was frequency tuned: for either above-CF or below-CF suppressor tones, suppression magnitude reached a maximum for probe frequencies near CF. 8. Cochlear damage or death diminished or abolished suppression. There was a clear positive correlation between magnitude of suppression and basilar-membrane sensitivity for responses to CF tones. 9. Suppression tended to be accompanied by small phase lags in responses to CF probe tones. 10. Because all of the features of two-tone suppression at the basilar membrane match qualitatively (and, generally, also quantitatively) the features of two-tone rate suppression in auditory-nerve fibers, it is concluded that neural two-tone rate suppression originates in mechanical phenomena at the basilar membrane. 11. Because the lability of mechanical suppression parallels the loss of sensitivity and frequency tuning due to outer hair cell dysfunction, the present findings suggest that mechanical two-tone suppression arises from an interaction between the outer hair cells and the basilar membrane.
Use of statistical N-gram models in natural language generation for machine translation

Various language modeling issues in a speech-to-speech translation system are described in this paper. First, the language models for the speech recognizer need to be adapted to the specific domain to improve the recognition performance for in-domain utterances, while keeping the domain coverage as broad as possible. Second, when a maximum entropy based statistical natural language generation model is used to generate target language sentence as the translation output, serious inflection and synonym issues arise, because the compromised solution is used in semantic representation to avoid the data sparseness problem. We use N-gram models as a postprocessing step to enhance the generation performance. When an interpolated language model is applied to a Chinese-to-English translation task, the translation performance, measured by an objective metric of BLEU, improves substantially to 0.514 from 0.318 when we use the correct transcription as input. Similarly, the BLEU score is improved to 0.300 from 0.194 for the same task when the input is speech data.
Digital‐Mobile Consumption and Marketing

This entry explores the origins and influences of digital-mobile consumption and marketing. The effects of digital-mobile consumption on multiple aspects of social life are explored, as well as the influence of digital-mobile consumption on business and the implications for marketing. Keywords: consumption; internet; technology
Missed opportunities for primary repair in complicated acute diverticulitis.

Background Complicated acute diverticulitis (CAD) requiring an urgent operation is usually managed by fecal diversion (FD) despite reports suggesting that primary repair (PR) is safe. We aim to identify patient characteristics predicting successful PR and explore if patients are managed by FD despite the presence of such characteristics. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 194 patients with CAD, requiring colectomy within 48 hr of admission from January 1996 to January 2006. Exclusion criteria included: admission for elective repair, treatment with antibiotics and/or percutaneous abscess drainage prior to operation (semi-elective), concurrent inflammatory disease, cancer, and inadequate documentation. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified independent predictors of PR. Patients who despite having these independent predictors underwent FD, were compared with the PR group. Results Eighteen patients (9%) received PR. They were younger than FD patients, had a lower incidence of left-sided disease, were less frequently operated on within 4 hr of hospital arrival, and had less severe disease (Hinchey I or II). They also had shorter postoperative hospital stays (6.2 ± 2.3 vs 14.6 ±16.1; P = .002) and a trend towards a lower mortality (0% vs 6.8%; P = .38). The independent predictors of performing PR included: age less than 55 years, interval between admission and operation longer than 4 hr, and a Hinchey score I or II. There were 71 patients who had 2 (64) or all 3 (7) independent predictors of PR but still received FD. These patients were not different in any characteristic from the PR patients but had worse outcomes. Conclusion FD remains the prevailing operative method of choice of CAD. Despite the presence of factors favoring PR, many patients still receive FD and have worse outcomes. PR can be used more liberally in CAD.
Angiogenic Factors and Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder peculiar to pregnancy, is a systemic syndrome that appears to originate in the placenta and is characterized by widespread maternal endothelial dysfunction. Until recently, the molecular pathogenesis of phenotypic preeclampsia was largely unknown, but recent observations support the hypothesis that altered expression of placental anti-angiogenic factors are responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Soluble Flt1 and soluble endoglin, secreted by the placenta, are increased in the maternal circulation weeks before the onset of preeclampsia. These anti-angiogenic factors produce systemic endothelial dysfunction, resulting in hypertension, proteinuria, and the other systemic manifestations of preeclampsia. The molecular basis for placental dysregulation of these pathogenic factors remains unknown, and as of 2011 the role of angiogenic proteins in early placental vascular development was starting to be explored. The data linking angiogenic factors to preeclampsia have exciting clinical implications, and likely will transform the detection and treatment of preeclampsia.
A practical solution to the arcing problem at high altitudes

Abstract Malfunctioning of ballistic missile guidance equipment due to arcing at high altitudes is discussed in the light of a reconsideration of original design evaluation test techniques. Corrective methods are developed for the existing equipment resulting in sealed components to entrap ground atmosphere during flight. As an additional measure, partial encapsulation processes are used to exclude air from critical areas where voltage, terminal spacing and altitude could combine to cause electrical breakdown.
Architectural Consequences of Domain Formation in Tactical Edge Networks

The separation of military network users at the tactical edge into multiple "domains", "enclaves", or "clusters" is prevalent in today's network architectures and is likely to continue indefinitely. Several factors promote the formation of these domains even within relatively small geographic regions, and these different domains do not typically support easy network interconnection with each other. This paper describes some major reasons that separate domains are formed, including organization around PHY/DLL waveforms, division into domains following uniform management and policy rules, separation of domains with different security implementations and policies, and separation of domains by program of record. It proceeds to describe some of the obstacles to interconnectivity among different domains, and then considers what types of architectures-focusing on topology and routing-are likely to best support the many inevitably separate domains of military tactical edge network users. Core Hub-based and Mesh-based architectures are considered and compared. Since neither of these architectures is clearly more feasible or more likely to be the dominant architecture at the tactical edge, important topics for research and development are presented for the enhancement of each of them.
Predicting Work–Family Conflict From Workload, Job Attitudes, Group Attributes, and Health: A Longitudinal Study

This article examined the concurrent and longitudinal predictors of work–family conflict (WFC) among soldiers stationed in Europe. Aspects of workload (work hours, hours of sleep, days training, perceived work overload) and measures of health and morale were the strongest concurrent predictors of WFC. For the entire sample, physical symptoms and horizontal cohesion at Time 1 were the only significant predictors of WFC 3 to 4 months later (Time 2) after controlling for WFC at Time 1. Higher levels of physical symptoms and horizontal cohesion at Time 1 predicted greater WFC at Time 2. Job satisfaction and significance emerged as additional longitudinal predictors of WFC for soldiers who were married or who had a child at home. Job satisfaction predicted reduced WFC conflict at Time 2, whereas job significance predicted increased WFC. Moderated regressions revealed that ratings of officer leadership moderated many of the longitudinal predictors of WFC, with the most consistent moderating effect being that hi...
A computational method for approximating a Darcy–Stokes system governing a vuggy porous medium

We develop and analyze a mixed finite element method for the solution of an elliptic system modeling a porous medium with large cavities, called vugs. It consists of a second-order elliptic (i.e., Darcy) equation on part of the domain coupled to a Stokes equation on the rest of the domain, and a slip boundary condition (due to Beavers–Joseph–Saffman) on the interface between them. The tangential velocity is not continuous on the interface. We consider a 2-D vuggy porous medium with many small cavities throughout its extent, so the interface is not isolated. We use a certain conforming Stokes element on rectangles, slightly modified near the interface to account for the tangential discontinuity. This gives a mixed finite element method for the entire Darcy–Stokes system with a regular sparsity pattern that is easy to implement, independent of the vug geometry, as long as it aligns with the grid. We prove optimal global first-order L 2 convergence of the velocity and pressure, as well as the velocity gradient in the Stokes domain. Numerical results verify these rates of convergence and even suggest somewhat better convergence in certain situations. Finally, we present a lower dimensional space that uses Raviart–Thomas elements in the Darcy domain and uses our new modified elements near the interface in transition to the Stokes elements.
Quantifying normal ankle joint volume: An anatomic study.

Background: Many therapeutic and diagnostic modalities such as intraarticular injections, arthrography and ankle arthroscopy require introduction of fluid into the ankle joint. Little data are currently available in the literature regarding the maximal volume of normal, nonpathologic, human ankle joints. The purpose of this study was to measure the volume of normal human ankle joints. Materials and Methods: A fluoroscopic guided needle was passed into nine cadaveric adult ankle joints. The needle was connected to an intracompartmental pressure measurement device. A radiopaque dye was introduced into the joint in 2 mL boluses, while pressure measurements were recorded. Fluid was injected into the joint until three consecutive pressure measurements were similar, signifying a maximal joint volume. Results: The mean maximum ankle joint volume was 20.9 ± 4.9 mL (range, 16-30 mL). The mean ankle joint pressure at maximum volume was 142.2 ± 13.8 mm Hg (range, 122-166 mm Hg). Two of the nine samples showed evidence of fluid tracking into the synovial sheath of the flexor hallucis longus tendon. Conclusion: Maximal normal ankle joint volume was found to vary between 16-30 mL. This study ascertains the communication between the ankle joint and the flexor hallucis longus tendon sheath. Exceeding maximal ankle joint volume suggested by this study during therapeutic injections, arthrography, or arthroscopy could potentially damage the joint.
Ethanol intoxication increases hepatic N-lysyl protein acetylation.

Abstract The acetylation of the e-amino group of lysine to form N -acetyl lysine ( N -AcLys)-modified proteins regulates the activity of metabolic proteins. Because of the multiple effects of ethanol upon hepatic metabolism, it was hypothesized that ethanol exposure increases the hepatic content of N -AcLys-modified proteins. To test this hypothesis, rats or mice were exposed to ethanol using a liquid diet regimen. Content of N -AcLys-modified proteins was elevated more than 5-fold after 6 weeks of ethanol exposure and persisted after ethanol withdrawal. Use of CYP2E1-knockout mice demonstrated that ethanol-induced acetylation was not dependent solely on CYP2E1 expression. The mitochondrial content of N -AcLys-modified proteins was elevated almost 5-fold following 6 weeks of ethanol exposure. Mitochondrial content of the deacetylase Sirt3 was unchanged by 6 weeks of ethanol exposure. These data indicate ethanol intoxication changes the acetylation status of, and likely the activity of, multiple mitochondrial proteins.
A simple circuit to supply constant flux biases for superconducting quantum computing

We present and demonstrate experimentally a persistent-current bias loop that is intended to provide an on-chip stable dc magnetic field to flux-bias the flux qubits in a superconducting quantum computer. The bias loop is initialized to approximately the desired persistent current and then the external source is disengaged; this procedure prevents the fluctuations in the bias sources from causing decoherence in the qubit.
A comparison of three levels of training designed to promote systematic search behavior in visual inspection

Abstract Three levels of training, intended to improve visual search proficiency during inspection by promoting systematic search, are investigated. The three levels of training are verbal instruction on systematic search, verbal instruction with a static diagram of a systematic search, and verbal instruction and a diagram with practice using a dynamic visual stimulus tracing a systematic search. The levels are compared using both performance and process measures in order to identify the least complex means of improving search behavior. While all the training levels improved visual search proficiency, none did so more than any other. Evidence suggests that the levels were not differentiated due to the search task employed—a task that inherently lent itself to systematic search. Thus the least complex level is preferred for this task and those with similar attributes. Relevance to industry Human visual inspection is necessary to many industrial processes. Verbal instructions on how to perform a systematic search can be an effective method of training to lower inspection time under the conditions used in this study.
Children's Perceptions of Mental Illness: A Partial Test of Scheff's Hypothesis*

Scheff's proposition that “stereotyped images of mental disorder are learned in early childhood” was tested in a study of seventy-five (75) elementary school children. Interviews indicate that children were familiar with simple concepts associated with mental illness, i.e., crazy, nuts, and cuckoo, but that few children knew more sophisticated terms or psychiatric labels. The children tended to see the concepts they were familiar with in terms of residual norm violations, which partially supports Scheff's hypothesis. Contrary to Scheff's expectations, however, adults were most frequently cited as primary agents of socialization and other children were rarely cited as sources of information. The children viewed media as less important than suggested by Scheff in providing images of mental illness and violence. The data suggest, contrary to the proposition tested, that elementary school-age children have amorphous conceptions of psychiatric deviance and findings in this study raise questions regarding the widespread applicability of the labeling perspective to pre-adolescent children.
Suckling behavior of the infant rat: Modulaton by a developing neurotransmitter system

Abstract Drugs which alter serotonin receptor activity modified the suckling behavior of 20-day-old rat pups. Suckling could be reinstated in nondeprived pups, which normally do not suckle, by blockade of serotonin receptors with methysergide. Stimulation of serotonin receptors with quipazine inhibited suckling in deprived pups, and this effect was prevented by methysergide pretreatment. This evidence suggests that suckling in weaning age pups is controlled by a serotonergic inhibitory mechanism.
Who to punish? Individual decisions and majority rule in mitigating the free rider problem

Abstract We study a voluntary contributions mechanism in which punishment may be allowed, depending on subjects’ voted rules. We found that out of 160 group votes, even when groups had no prior experience with unrestricted punishment, no group ever voted to allow unrestricted punishment and no group ever allowed punishment of high contributors. Over a series of votes and periods of learning we found a distinct reluctance to allow any punishment at the beginning, with a gradual but clear evolution toward allowing punishment of low contributors. And groups allowing punishment of only low contributors achieved levels of cooperation and efficiency that are among the highest in the literature on social dilemmas.
Self-monitoring, external reinforcement, and timeout procedures in the control of high rate tic behaviors in a hyperactive child

Abstract A combination of a reversal design and a multiple-baseline design across settings and tic behaviors was employed to determine the effectiveness of a treatment package consisting of self-monitoring, external reinforcement, and timeout in the control of a hyperactive child's multiple tic behaviors. In the clinic the treatment package was applied only to facial tics, with three other tics (shoulder shrugging, rump protrusion, and a vocal tic) observed but never treated. At home facial tics were initially treated, and then vocal tics. Shoulder shrugging, rump protrusion, and “other tics” were never directly treated. Treatment was effective in decreasing the occurrence of facial tics in the clinic to zero. Even though no intervention was placed on the other tics, they also decreased in frequency concomitant with the facial tics. The home data also demonstrated a decrease to zero when the treatment package was sequentially applied to facial and vocal tics, with a concomitant decrease in the untreated tic behaviors. A 32-week follow-up showed maintenance of the treatment effects.
Simultaneous measurement of the two-photon coefficient and free-carrier cross section above the bandgap of crystalline silicon

We report what is to our knowledge the first simultaneous measurement of the two-photon absorption coefficient and the free-carrier cross section above the bandgap in a semiconductor. This is also the first observation of two-photon absorption of 1 μm radiation in single-crystal Si at room temperature in a regime where a two-photon stepwise process involving indirect absorption followed by free-carrier absorption is usually dominant. A critical pulsewidth (and fluence) is established below (and above) which two-photon absorption cannot be neglected. Pulses that range from 4 to 100 ps in duration are then used to isolate the irradiance-dependent two-photon absorption from the fluence-dependent free-carrier absorption. We obtain an indirect two-photon absorption coefficient of 1.5 cm/GW and extract a free-carrier cross section of 5 \times 10^{-18} cm2by using a simple technique that does not require a knowledge of the actual carrier density.
Air pollution and mortality: issues and uncertainties

Results from 31 epidemiology studies linking air pollution with premature mortality are compared and synthesized. Consistent positive associations between mortality and various measures of air pollution have been shown within each of two fundamentally different types of regression studies and in many variations within these basic types; this is extremely unlikely to have occurred by chance. In this paper, the measure of risk used is the elasticity, which is a dimensionless regression coefficient defined as the percentage change in the dependent variable associated with a 1% change in an independent variable, evaluated at the means. This metric has the advantage of independence from measurement units and averaging times, and is thus suitable for comparisons within and between studies involving different pollutants. Two basic types of studies are considered: time-series studies involving daily perturbations, and cross-sectional studies involving longer-term spatial gradients. The latter include prospective studies of differences in individual survival rates in different locations and studies of the differences in annual mortality rates for various communities. For a given data set, time-series regression results will vary according to the seasonal adjustment method used, the covariates included, and the lag structure assumed. The results from both types of cross-sectional regressions are highly dependent on the methods used to control for socioeconomic and personal lifestyle factors and on data quality. A major issue for all of these studies is that of partitioning the response among collinear pollution and weather variables. Previous studies showed that the variable with the least exposure measurement error may be favored in multiple regressions; assigning precise numerical results to a single pollutant is not possible under these circumstances. We found that the mean overall elasticity as obtained from time-series studies for mortality with respect to various air pollutants entered jointly was about 0.048, with a range from 0.01 to 0.12. This implies that about 5% of daily mortality is associated with air pollution, on average. The corresponding values from population-based cross-sectional studies were similar in magnitude, but the results from the three recent prospective studies varied from zero to about five times as much. Long-term responses in excess of short-term responses might be interpreted as showing the existence of chronic effects, but the uncertainties inherent in both types of studies make such an interpretation problematic.
Further studies on texas plantago seeds

A comparative study was made of the seeds of the official Plantago ovata Forskal, the homegrown variety of Plantago ovata, and three Texas Plantago species: Plantago Helleri Small, Plantago inflexa Morris, and Plantago rhodosperma Decne. The investigation was carried out by making morphological and histological comparisons of the seeds and quantitative and qualitative comparisons of the mucilage content. It was found that the mucilage content of each of the Texas species is slightly less than that of Plantago ovata Forskal. However, the abundant occurrence and ease of cultivating and harvesting of the Texas species make them an excellent potential commercial crop. The homegrown variety of P. ovata was found to yield a percentage of mucilage equal to that of the imported variety, and commercial production of this species in the United States would seem to be warranted.
Rigid body refinements in GSAS/EXPGUI

Rigid bodies provide a way to simplify the model used in a crystallographic refinement by removing parameters that describe degrees of freedom that are unlikely to change based on chemical experience. The GSAS software package provides a powerful implementation of rigid bodies that allows for refinement of classes of bond lengths, grouping of bodies to further reduce parameterization and where atomic motion can be described from group displacement parameters (TLS) representation. However, use of rigid bodies in GSAS is complex to learn and time-consuming to perform. This paper describes how the rigid body definition process has been simplified and extended through implementation in the EXPGUI interface to GSAS.
Insecticidal bacterial proteins identify the midgut epithelium as a source of novel target sites for insect control

The spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), produces a crystalline parasporal body during sporulation, which in many subspecies contains one or more proteins selectively toxic to insect midgut epithelia. Most of these proteins are protoxins with a molecular mass of about 133,000. When ingested by a susceptible insect, the inclusions dissolve in the midgut juices and are activated by proteolytic cleavage, which releases a toxic peptide of about 65,000. In susceptible insects, this peptide binds to sites on the microvillar membrane, causing cytolysis, apparently by forming transmembrane pores. The cytolysis of midgut cells results in paralysis and subsequent death of the insect. Though less common, naturally truncated protein toxins with masses of about 70,000 also occur. Three major pathotypes of Bt proteins are known: Cryl and Cryll proteins toxic primarily to lepidopterous insects, Crylll proteins toxic to coleopterous insects, and CrylV proteins toxic to dipterous insects. The genes encoding more than 50 Bt crystal proteins have been cloned and sequenced and several of these have already been used to construct recombinant microbial insecticides and transgenic organisms including viruses, algae, and insect-resistant plants. Analysis of Bt genes indicate that the protein toxins they encode consist of at least two functional domains: a series of five blocks of conserved amino acids that comprise the structural core of the molecule including the putative toxic moiety, and a hypervariable region thought to define the spectrum of activity. Determination of the mode of action at the molecular level and the genetic basis for insect specificity should enable recombinant DNA technology to be used to expand the insect host range of Bt as well as increase its toxicity against insects. Moreover, the high toxicity and specificity of the insecticidal proteins produced by Bt and their action on midgut microvilli suggest that other types of peptides or simple organic molecules could be designed as selective insecticides to attack other midgut functions such as ion channels, peptide and amino acid transport systems, and midgut proteases. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Oracle SecureFiles System

Over the last decade, the nature of content stored on computer storage systems has evolved from being relational to being semi-structured, i.e., unstructured data accompanied by relational metadata. Average data volumes have increased from a few hundred megabytes to hundreds of terabytes. Simultaneously, data feed rates have also increased with increase in processor, storage and network bandwidths. Data growth trends seem to be following Moore's law and thereby imply an exponential explosion in content volumes and rates in the years to come. The near future poses requirements for data management systems to provide solutions that provide unlimited scalability in execution, availability, recoverability and storage usage of semi-structured content.Traditionally, filesystems have been preferred over database management systems for providing storage solutions for unstructured data, while databases have been the preferred choice to manage relational data. Lack of consolidated semi-structured content management architecture compromises security, availability, recoverability, and manageability among other features. We introduce a system without compromises, the Oracle SecureFiles System, designed to provide highly scalable storage and access execution of unstructured and structured content as first-class objects within the Oracle relational database management system. Oracle SecureFiles breaks the performance barrier that has kept such content out of databases. The architecture provides capability to maximize utilization of storage usage through compression and de-duplication and achieves robustness by preserving transactional atomicity, durability, availability, read-consistent query-ability and security of the database management system.
The Effects of 17α-Methyltestosterone, Methandrostenolone, and Nandrolone Decanoate on the Rat Estrous Cycle

In a series of four separate experiments, the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) compounds on the estrous cycle of adult Long-Evans rats were examined. Sexual receptivity, vaginal cytology, and body weight were monitored throughout a 2-week baseline, AAS treatment, and recovery periods. In Experiments 1-3, subjects were administered 17 alpha-methyltestosterone, methandrostenolone, or nandrolone decanoate at doses selected to mimic the human abuse levels of each compound. In these studies, the highest doses of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (7.5 mg/kg) and nandrolone decanoate (5.6 mg/kg) disrupted behavioral and vaginal cyclicity, whereas the highest dose of methandrostenolone (3.75 mg/kg) appeared to have slightly less robust effects. To compare effects on estrous cyclicity across AAS compounds, subjects in Experiment 4 received a single high dose (7.5 mg/kg) of each compound for 2 weeks. At this dose, all AAS compounds interfered with vaginal cyclicity, although effects on behavioral cyclicity and uterine weight were not uniform. Across all 4 experiments, AAS effects on body weight were minimal. The short-term administration of AAS compounds at levels commonly used by humans disrupts female neuroendocrine function in a dose-dependent manner.
The Spectrum of Ethylene Glycol Poisoning

(1974). The Spectrum of Ethylene Glycol Poisoning. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 7, No. 6, pp. 583-596.
Magnetic levitation of large water droplets and mice

We report successful levitation of large water droplets and mice using a newly built variable gravity simulator. The simulator consists mainly of a superconducting magnet with a room temperature accessible experimental levitating space. The superconducting magnet generates a field and field gradient product that is large enough to levitate water and many other common liquids. The warm bore of the magnet has a diameter of 66 mm, large enough to levitate small mammals. We demonstrate that water drops up to 50 mm in diameter and young mice can be levitated in the system. The capability of levitating large water drops and biological systems offers new opportunities for conducting detailed and in-depth study of properties of fluids and biological systems in reduced gravity environments.
Simulation model for wind-driven summer phytoplankton dynamics in Auke Bay, Alaska

A model was developed for use in simulating effects of short-term wind-mixing of the water column on estuarine phytoplankton dynamics. Simulation results, using parameter values estimated from field data, exhibited maxima observed in phytoplankton standing crop over a summer in Auke Bay, Alaska. Short-term wind-mixing of the water column can be important in determining the time of occurrence of phytoplankton community productivity pulses in deep estuaries.
Structure−Activity Relationships at the Monoamine Transporters and σ Receptors for a Novel Series of 9-[3-(cis-3,5-Dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]carbazole (Rimcazole) Analogues

9-[3-(cis-3,5-Dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl]carbazole (rimcazole) has been characterized as a sigma receptor antagonist that binds to the dopamine transporter with moderate affinity (K(i) = 224 nM). Although the binding affinities at the dopamine transporter of rimcazole and cocaine are comparable, rimcazole only depressed locomotor activity in mice and antagonized the stimulant effects produced by cocaine. The neurochemical mechanisms underlying the attenuation of cocaine's effects are not understood, although interaction at a low affinity site/state of the dopamine transporter has been suggested. To explore further this class of compounds, a series of rimcazole analogues was designed and synthesized. Displacement of [(3)H]WIN 35,428 binding at the dopamine transporter in rat caudate-putamen revealed that aromatic substitutions on rimcazole were not well tolerated, generally, with significant reductions in affinity for the 3,6-dibromo (5; K(i) = 3890 nM), 1,3, 6-tribromo (6; K(i) = 30300 nM), 3-amino (8; K(i) = 2400 nM), and 3, 6-dinitro (9; K(i) = 174000 nM) analogues. The N-phenylpropyl group was the only terminal piperazine nitrogen substituent that retained moderate affinity at the dopamine transporter (11; K(i) = 263 nM). Analogues in which the carbazole ring was replaced with a freely rotating diphenylamine moiety were also prepared. Although the diphenylamino analogue in which the terminal piperazine nitrogen was unsubstituted, as in rimcazole, demonstrated relatively low binding affinity at the dopamine transporter (24; K(i) = 813 nM), the N-phenylpropyl analogue was found to have the highest affinity for the dopamine transporter within the series (25; K(i) = 61.0 nM). All of the analogues that had affinity for the dopamine transporter inhibited [(3)H]dopamine uptake in synaptosomes, and potencies for these two effects showed a positive correlation (r(2) = 0.7731, p = 0.0018). Several of the analogues displaced [(3)H]paroxetine from serotonin transporters with moderate to high affinity, with the N-phenylpropyl derivative (11) having the highest affinity (K(i) = 44.5 nM). In contrast, none of the analogues recognized the norepinephrine transporter with an affinity of 6 microM at sigma(1) sites and 145 to 1990 nM at sigma(2) sites. The compound with the highest affinity (25) at sigma(1) sites was also the compound with highest affinity at the dopamine transporter. These novel rimcazole analogues may provide important tools with which to characterize the relationship between the low affinity site or state of the dopamine transporter, sigma receptors, and their potential roles in modulating cocaine's psychostimulant actions.
Pathophysiological influences of the Heterorhabditis bacteriophora complex on seventh-instar larvae of Galleria mellonella: effect on silk production.

Abstract Oral introduction of invasive juveniles of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora results in an inhibition of silk production by seventh-instar larvae of Galleria mellonella . The inhibition can be duplicated by intrahemocoelic injection of its bacterial associate alone. The inhibition varies directly with dose and is correlated with a progressive increase in hemolymph bacterial titer.
From sleep duration to mortality: implications of meta-analysis and future directions.

Although, to a large extent, the functions of sleep remain elusive, the amount of sleep that humans attain represents a health issue that has received growing attention. Over the past 60 years, accruing evidence demonstrates that self-reported short or long sleep duration (usually 8 h) is related to mortality risk. Intense interest in the sleep–mortality relationship has paralleled mounting evidence, laboratory-based and epidemiological, implicating sleep duration in a variety of health outcomes including obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysregulation. The act of sleeping, therefore, is a critical health behavior.
Refractory Asthma: Importance of Bronchoscopy to Identify Phenotypes and Direct Therapy

Background The pathophysiology of refractory asthma is not well understood; thus, treatment modalities are not targeted to specific phenotypes but rather to a broad-based treatment approach. The objective of this study was to develop refractory asthma phenotypes based on bronchoscopic evaluation and to develop from this information specific, directed, personalized therapy. Methods Fifty-eight patients with difficult-to-treat (refractory) asthma were characterized by the use of fiber-optic bronchoscopy with visual scoring systems of the upper and lower airways as well as with BAL, endobronchial biopsy, and brush. Response to changes in therapy was evaluated by changes in the Asthma Control Test and pulmonary function. Results Five mutually exclusive phenotypes were formulated based on bronchoscopic evaluation: gastroesophageal reflux, subacute bacterial infection, tissue eosinophilia, combination, and nonspecific. Specific directed therapy yielded a significant improvement in the Asthma Control Test and pulmonary function for the entire group as well as for each defined subgroup except for the nonspecific group. Of interest, visual scoring of the supraglottic abnormalities identified 34 of 35 patients with gastroesophageal reflux and may give a better insight into asthmatic problems associated with chronic proximal reflux than standard testing. Conclusions Bronchoscopic evaluation of the upper and lower airways can provide important information toward characterizing refractory asthma so as to better individualize therapeutic options and improve asthma control and lung function in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma.
Vertically stacked complementary inverters with solution-processed organic semiconductors

Abstract We report on vertically stacked complementary inverters implemented with a solution-processed [6,6]-phenyl c 61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) n -channel thin-film transistor (TFT) fabricated on top of a 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS-pentacene) and poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) blend p -channel TFT. With a shared common gate electrode positioned between two dielectric layers, bottom-contact p - and top-contact n -channel TFTs showed saturation mobility values of 0.25 and 0.004 cm 2 /V s and threshold voltages of −3.9, and 0.3 V, respectively. The inverter yielded a gain value of −24 V/V with a switching threshold voltage value of 3.3 V at a supply voltage of 7 V. This demonstration of the use of solution-processed semiconductors in a vertically stacked complementary inverter geometry is a step forward towards the development of low-cost complementary electronics.
Adsorption Monitoring of Hydrothermal and Thermal Stability of Polymer-Templated Mesoporous Materials

The thermal and hydrothermal stability of FDU-1 silica with ordered, large (~10 nm), cage-like mesopores was studied using nitrogen and argon adsorption at −196∘C. It was confirmed that FDU-1 silica retains uniform mesoporosity even after heating for 5 hours at 950–1000∘C. Although typical FDU-1 silicas and other polymeric-templated silicas with large cage-like mesopores tend to be significantly microporous, the FDU-1 sample calcined at 1000∘C appeared to be essentially free from microporosity, as can be inferred from the relation between its surface area, pore volume and pore diameter. This result suggests that high-temperature calcination can be used to synthesize model mesoporous adsorbents with large cage-like (spherical) mesopores. Evidence of the concomitant decrease in the pore diameter and the pore entrance size with an increase in the calcination temperature is presented. The structural stability of FDU-1 during heating in water at 100∘C for 2, 4, and 8 days is additionally demonstrated.
Accelerator energy calibration using nonresonant nuclear reactions

Abstract A new technique is presented for determining directly the beam energy of an accelerator to within 2 keV. This technique uses the conventional backscattering spectrometry (BS) setup, i.e. Si surface barrier detector and electronics along with a multichannel analyzer. Two measurements are required. The first is a BS measurement of a standard calibration sample, e.g. 5 A of FeW alloy deposited on SiO 2 . This data defines two linear equations that relate the energy per channel m and the energy intercept b of the system to the beam energy E 1 . The second measurement is of some positive- Q nuclear reaction, e.g. 15 N( p , α ) 12 C,Q = 4.965 MeV. By writing the energy of the outgoing particle as a Taylor series about some initial energy guess and keeping terms to first order, we obtain a third linear equation relating m , b and E 1 . A positive Q nuclear reaction is required to prevent these three equations from being homogeneous. These equations can be solved iteratively for E 1 along with m and b . This technique has the advantage that it can be readily applied at essentially any energy between 0.5 and 3 MeV. By contrast, only a small number of suitable resonances exist in this energy range.
Proton Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Medulloblastoma and Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors: Outcomes for Very Young Children Treated With Upfront Chemotherapy

Purpose To report the early outcomes for very young children with medulloblastoma or supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (SPNET) treated with upfront chemotherapy followed by 3-dimensional proton radiation therapy (3D-CPT). Methods and Materials All patients aged Results Fifteen patients (median age at diagnosis, 35 months) were treated with high-dose chemotherapy and 3D-CPT. Twelve of 15 patients had medulloblastoma; 3 of 15 patients had SPNET. Median time from surgery to initiation of radiation was 219 days. Median craniospinal irradiation dose was 21.6 Gy (relative biologic effectiveness); median boost dose was 54.0 Gy (relative biologic effectiveness). At a median of 39 months from completion of radiation, 1 of 15 was deceased after a local failure, 1 of 15 had died from a non-disease-related cause, and the remaining 13 of 15 patients were alive without evidence of disease recurrence. Ototoxicity and endocrinopathies were the most common long-term toxicities, with 2 of 15 children requiring hearing aids and 3 of 15 requiring exogenous hormones. Conclusions Proton radiation after chemotherapy resulted in good disease outcomes for a small cohort of very young patients with medulloblastoma and SPNET. Longer follow-up and larger numbers of patients are needed to assess long-term outcomes and late toxicity.
Biological therapies for dyslipidemia

Abstract Biological therapies involve the utilization of proteins, DNA, antibodies, or other substances derived or synthesized from living tissue for therapeutic effects. There are several biological therapies in clinical development for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. The most advanced in human trials are apolipoprotein mimetics, which include apolipoprotein A-1Milano and phospholipid complexes. Infusions of these apolipoprotein mimetics have been demonstrated to reduce atherosclerotic development in both animal models and humans over a relatively short period of time. Autoimmunization to create neutralizing antibodies to CETP is also in human trials.
Ammonia-Labile Bonds in High- and Low-Digestibility Strains of Switchgrass

Improvement in the forage quality of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) through phenotypic selection for increased in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) has been demonstrated. This study tested the hypothesis that genetic improvement of fiber digestibility in switchgrass has been achieved by selection for a strain with a decreased quantity of ammonia-labile bonds. Tissue samples of a high-digestibility (high-IVDMD) and a low-digestibility strain (low-IVDMD) of switchgrass were ammoniated at rates of 0, 10, 20, and 40 g kg -1 dry matter
Magnesium reduces affinities of antagonists at rat cortex α2-adrenergic receptors labeled with 3H-clonidine: Evidence for heterogeneity of α2-receptor conformations with respect to antagonists

Abstract 3 H-clonidine labeled two binding sites in rat cortex membranes with apparent K D values of about 1.0 and 5.9 nM. These sites appeared analogous to “super-high” (SH) and “high” (H) affinity states of the α 2 -receptor described in human platelets. 10 mM magnesium increased the number of SH receptors by 30% whereas 100 μM GTP reduced SH 3 receptor number by 45% with no significant change in the K D of 3 H-clonidine at α 2 (SH) sites. In drug competition studies using 1.0 nM 3 H-clonidine, 100 μM GTP reduced the affinity of clonidine and increased the affinity of yohimbine, whereas 10 mM magnesium increased the affinity of clonidine and reduced the affinity of yohimbine. The effect of magnesium on the affinity of several antagonists at cortex 3 H-clonidine sites ranged from none (phentolamine) to a 6-fold reduction (piperoxan). These data indicate that different states of the α 2 -receptor exhibit different affinities for some antagonists.
Widely tunable single-mode high power quantum cascade lasers

We demonstrate widely tunable high power distributed feedback quantum cascade laser array chips that span 190 nm and 200 nm from 4.4 um to 4.59 um and 4.5 um to 4.7 um respectively. The lasers emit single mode with a very narrow linewidth and side mode suppression ratio of 25 dB. Under pulsed operation power outputs up to 1.85 W was obtained from arrays with 3 mm cavity length and up to 0.95 W from arrays with 2 mm cavity length at room temperature. Continuous wave operation was also observed from both chips with 2 mm and 3 mm long cavity arrays up to 150 mW. The cleaved size of the array chip with 3 mm long cavities was around 4 mm x 5 mm and does not require sensitive external optical components to achieve wide tunability. With their small size and high portability, monolithically integrated DFB QCL Arrays are prominent candidates of widely tunable, compact, efficient and high power sources of mid-infrared radiation for gas sensing.
THE BIGLAN CLASSIFICATION REVISITED

The Biglan classification scheme provides a valid framework for studying academic diversity within the higher education system. It continues to be a strong construct for classifying faculty as evidenced by its power to discriminate current faculty on a recent faculty data set. Previously unclassified professional disciplines of Dentistry and Nursing were classified as hard-applied-nonlife and soft-applied-life respectively. Difficulty classifying other fields may be the result of diverse, interdisciplinary subject matter, and the stage of academic development of the discipline. An expanded classification system such as the one by Becher may be more inclusive and deserves further study.
Small Heat Shock Protein Responses Differ between Chaparral Shrubs from Contrasting Microclimates

Small heat shock protein (sHsp) responses were studied for two evergreen perennial shrubs in the northern California chaparral; one common on warm, south-facing slopes (Ceanothus cuneatus), and the other on cooler, north-facing slopes (Prunus ilicifolia). Small Hsp expression was induced experimentally for field collected leaves. Leaf collections were made where the species co-occur. Small Hsp expression was quantified using two antibodies, one specific to a chloroplast 22&#x2009;kD sHsp and another that detects a broad range of sHsps. Differences between chloroplast sHsp accumulation, which protects thermally labile proteins in PSII, and the general sHsp response were examined. The species from the cooler microclimate, Prunus, had a lower induction temperature and accumulated greater levels of sHsps at low temperatures. Both Prunus and Ceanothus reached peak sHsp expression at . The species from the warmer microclimate, Ceanothus, had greater sHsp expression at higher temperatures. Chloroplast sHsp expression generally tracked sHsp expression in Ceanothus, but in Prunus general Hsps were elevated before chloroplast sHsps. Variation between species for sHsp expression (induction temperatures, accumulation levels, and the duration of expression) coupled with the costs of Hsp synthesis, may contribute to differences in the abundance and distribution of plants across environmental gradients.