cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Administration of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists ABT-089 and ABT-107 attenuates the reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior in rats

Current smoking cessation pharmacotherapies have modest efficacy, and most smokers relapse within the first few days after a quit attempt. Nicotine withdrawal-induced craving and cognitive impairments predict smoking relapse during abstinence and suggest that cognitive-enhancing drugs may prevent relapse. ABT-089 and ABT-107 are subtype-selective nAChR agonists that improve cognitive performance in laboratory animals. However, there are no studies examining the effects of ABT-089 and ABT-107 on nicotine self-administration and the reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior, an animal model of relapse in human smokers. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of the α4β2*/α6β2* nAChR agonist ABT-089 and the α7 nAChR agonist ABT-107 on nicotine taking and seeking in rats. The effects of acute ABT-089 and ABT-107 pretreatment on nicotine self-administration and reinstatement were tested in male Sprague Dawley rats. Parallel studies of ABT-089 and ABT-107 on sucrose self-administration and reinstatement were tested in separate groups of rats to determine if the effects of these drug treatments generalized to other reinforced behaviors. Nicotine and sucrose self-administration behaviors were not altered following acute administration of ABT-089 (0, 0.12, 1.2 and 12.0 mg/kg) or ABT-107 (0, 0.03 and 0.3 mg/kg). In contrast, both ABT-089 and ABT-107 pretreatment dose-dependently attenuated nicotine reinstatement. These effects were reinforcer-specific as no effects of ABT-089 or ABT-107 pretreatment on sucrose seeking were noted. Taken together, these findings suggest that ABT-089 and ABT-107 do not affect nicotine consumption, but may reduce the likelihood that a smoking lapse will lead to relapse.
The effects of attitude similarity, expectation of goal facilitation, and actual goal facilitation on interpersonal attraction

Sixty college study served as subjects in an experiment in which the similarity of person's attitudes, expected goal facilitation on a two-person task, and actual goal facilitation were manipulated. In additional condition in which the subjects did not expect to interact with another person having similar or dissimilar attitudes was run. The major dependent variable was interpersonal attraction. The results show that the similarity of another person's attitudes has a positive effect on a subject's attraction toward the other only when the subject did not expect to interact with the other in a goal interdependent situation. When the subject expects such interaction, the results indicate that attitude similarity has no effect on attraction when the extent to which the subject expected the other to facilitate his goal attainment was experimentally controlled, whereas expected goal facilitation had a positive effect on attraction toward the other when attitude similarity was experimentally controlled. These data suggest that the motive of consensual validation mediates the effects of attitude similarity on attraction under circumstances of no expected interaction, but that expected goal facilitation mediates the relationship between attitude similarity and attraction in goal interdependent interaction. The results also indicate that when a subject expects the other to facilitate his goal accomplishment and in fact the other frustrated it, the subject's liking for the other did not significantly decrease, but when the subject expected the other to frustrate his goal accomplishment and the other in fact facilitated it, the subject's attraction towards the other increased.
SU‐GG‐BRC‐03: Real Time 3D Tracking of the HDR Source Using Flat Panel Detector

Purpose: This is a proof of concept study with the objective of reconstructing the position of an HDR source in 3D in real‐time using a flat panel detector(FPD). It can potentially become the new standard in Quality Assurance (QA) for treatment delivery. Method and Materials: A matrix of markers (Ball Bearings 4mm in diameter) with precisely known locations was mounted on the cover of a flat panel detector(Acuity, Varian Inc) at variable height. Images acquired with the x‐ray source were used to calibrate the system. A plan with three dwell positions, well defined in 3D was created and delivered. Images were acquired with the FPD during the delivery of ‘treatment’. In house software was created to automatically segment and label the markers' images. A mathematical solution for the ‘near‐intersection’ of two 3D lines was implemented and used to determine the ‘true’ 3D source position. Each line was defined by the 3D positions of each marker and its projection on the FPD. A matrix with N markers will produce N*(N‐1)/2 points of intersection and their mean will result in a more accurate source position. The HDR source was placed on a 5cm solid water to mimic the patient and the FPD was placed at distances varying from 50 to 70cm. Results: The best imaging geometry was determined and images of markers obtained with the HDR source (strength of 6.2Ci) were properly segmented at all distances. During delivery, the source was located at [0,0,50], [0.5,0,50] and [2.0, 0, 50]. The reconstructed positions were [0,0,50.130], [0.497,−0.008,50.106] and [1.984, −0.005,50.053] with a standard deviation of [0.027,0.019,0.115]cm. When intersecting lines in 3D, the mean shortest distance between any two lines was 0.025cm with standard deviation 0.016cm. Conclusion: We proved that the accuracy of source position detection in 3D using a FPD is sub‐millimeter.
Distribution and excretion of [14CH3S]methamidophos after intravenous administration of a toxic dose and the relationship with anticholinesterase activity

Abstract The tissue distribution and excretion of [ 14 CH 3 S]methamidophos was followed in female Sprague-Dawley rats after intravenous injection at a toxic, but nonlethal, dose (8 mg/kg). Radiolabel was rapidly distributed to all tissues at approximately equal concentrations. Peak tissue levels were achieved within 1–10 min except in the central and peripheral nervous system where peak levels (40 nmol/g) were found between 20 and 60 min, corresponding to peak signs of toxicity. Within 24 hr of dosing, 47% of the radioactivity was recovered in the urine and 34% as 14 CO 2 with in vivo were incubated with CNS homogenates, plasma, or erythrocytes in vitro (5 × 10 −5 M ) a similar degree of inhibition occurred over the same time course. It is, therefore, concluded that the cholinergic toxicity produced by methamidophos is a result of the in vivo stability of this compound combined with its entry into the nervous system in sufficiently high concentrations to inhibit AChE.
A multigrid approach for bandwidth and display resolution aware streaming of 3D deformations

In this paper, we propose a novel multimedia system adaptively streaming the animation according to display resolution and/or network bandwidth. A Multigrid-like technique is used in this framework to accelerate the converging rate of the optimization of the nonlinear deformation energy. The computation is performed from coarsest mesh at the top level to the finest mesh at the bottom level and then goes back to the top again. Such V-shape calculation provides great flexibility for the networked environment. Clients are able to receive the data streaming corresponding to its display resolution and network bandwidth. A more compact form of deformation data packaging is also used in this system such that a cube element only needs six parameters instead of 24 variables as used in regular mesh representation, which significantly reduces the network overhead for the streaming.
Judges as legislators

(2003). Judges as legislators. The Journal of Legislative Studies: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 102-112.
Is dieting good for you?: Prevalence, duration and associated weight and behaviour changes for specific weight loss strategies over four years in US adults.

OBJECTIVES:This present study describes weight control strategies used by a heterogeneous sample of US adults and their associations with weight and behaviour change over time. DESIGN:A prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS:Participants for this study were 1120 US adults recruited from the community who enrolled in a three-year intervention study to examine methods for preventing age-related weight gain. MEASURES:Measured body weight and self-reported behaviours related to body weight (dieting practices, dietary intake and physical activity) were completed annually for four years. RESULTS:Over 70% reported using each of the following dieting strategies at least once in four years: increase exercise (82.2%); decrease fat intake (78.7%); reduce food amount (78.2%); and reduce calories (73.2%). Cumulative duration of use of these behaviours was brief (for example, even the most common behaviours were used only 20% of the time). Global reports of dieting were not predictive of weight change over time. However, a dose–response relationship was observed between reported duration of use of several specific weight loss strategies over the four years and change in behaviours and weight gain. CONCLUSIONS:These findings suggest that public health recommendations for weight control may need to place greater emphasis on persistence of weight control behaviours.
Retention of halocarbons on a hexafluoropropylene epoxide-modified graphitized carbon black IV. Propane-based compounds

Abstract The retention characteristics of 18 ethane-based chlorofluorocarbon, bromochlorofluorocarbon and fluorocarbon fluids have been studied as a function of temperature on a stationary phase consisting of a 5% (mass/mass) coating of a low-molecular-mass polymer of hexafluoropropylene epoxide on a graphitized carbon black adsorbent. Measurements were made at −20, 0, 20 and 40°C for hexafluoroethane (R-116), pentafluoroethane (R-125), 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (R-143), 1,1,2-tri-fluoroethane (R-143a), 1,1-difluoroethane (R-152a), and fluoroethane (R161). Measurements were made at 40, 60, 80 and 100°C for 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane (R-114), 1,1-dichlorotetrafluoroethane (R-114a), chloropentafluoroethane (R-115), 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (R-123), 2-chloro-1,1,1- trifluoroethane (R-133a), 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (R-141b), 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (R-142b), and 1-chloroethane (R-160). Measurements were performed at 60, 80, 100 and 120°C for 1-bromo-2-chlorotetrafluoroethane (R-114B1). Net retention volumes, corrected to a column temperature of 0°C, were calculated from retention time measurements, the logarithms of which were fitted against reciprocal thermodynamic temperature. The relative retentions, also as a function of temperature, were calculated with respect to the retention of tetrafluoromethane and hexafluoroethane. Qualitative features of the data are examined, and trends are identified. In addition, the data were fitted to linear models for the purpose of predicting retention behavior of these compounds to facilitate chromatographic analysis.
Basic needs macroeconomics: Is it manageable in the case of Egypt

Abstract Models are proposed to assess quantitatively the allocation of product to basic needs consumption, surplus consumption, and investment uses along a steady growth pash that guarantees all workers (and their families) their basic needs. Ways to estimate the inflationary consequences of shifting to such a growth path are also proposed. The models are applied with data from Egypt, and suggest that attainment of basic needs for the population of that country will be a difficult task.
Heat conduction in solids by phonons

The theory of heat conduction by phonons is reviewed, with emphasis on ordinary and high temperatures. The spectral contribution to the conductivity is discussed for various resistive processes. These include anharmonic interactions, scattering by point defects, by extended defects, by grain boundaries and by inclusions. Phonons are also absorbed and reemitted by two-level systems such as spins and mechanically bistable centers.
Beyond the standard clinical rating scales: Fine-grained assessment of post-stroke motor functionality using wearable inertial sensors

Accurate motor function assessment of post-stroke patients plays a critical role in their rehabilitation interventions. In this paper, we propose an approach to use wearable inertial sensing technology to quantitatively evaluate the patients' motor behavior. Different from existing wearable motor function assessment techniques that focus on building mapping functions that correlate sensed movement signals to the standard clinical rating scales, our approach provides a fine-grained assessment by capturing detailed patterns contained in the patients' movements. We collected data on three subjects including two post-stroke patients who have varying degrees of upper extremity hemiparesis. Our experimental results validate our approach and demonstrate that the captured patterns can be used to complement the standard clinical scores to provide fine-grained motor function assessment and help clinicians to track patients' gradual progress during rehabilitation.
Microtubules are not required for glucocorticoid receptor mediated gene induction

Steroid-free glucocorticoid receptors are generally considered to reside in the cytoplasm of cells. After the binding of steroids, the receptors translocate into the nucleus in a manner that has been proposed to involve microtubules. However, some results with inhibitors of microtubule assembly argue to the contrary. In all of these studies, only the whole cell localization of receptors has been examined; the biological activity of these receptors has not been determined. We now report that steroid-induced gene expression is maintained in the absence of intact microtubules. This argues that microtubules are not required for either the nuclear translocation or biological activity of glucocorticoid receptors.
Dynamic scheduling of wind energy for hydrogen production by electrolysis

A common obstacle to the development of wind energy in many parts of the United States is the difficulty in adding wind-generated electricity onto transmission lines that are already constrained. Building new lines is costly and time consuming requiring acquisition of rights-of-way and multiple permitting and approval process before lines can be constructed. By using grid-connected wind energy to create hydrogen through electrolysis, the impacts of transmission system constraints on the development of renewable energy resources can be largely mitigated, allowing for a greater number of wind energy installations. Central to this concept is the dynamic scheduling of the electrolyzer to match the wind energy produced. In this paper, the dynamic scheduling approach of a pilot wind-to-hydrogen project in North Dakota is presented and analyzed.
Technical Note-Location Theory: A Selective Bibliography

This note lists 226 papers published largely during the last ten years dealing with normative approaches to solving location problems.
Automatic speechreading with applications to human-computer interfaces

There has been growing interest in introducing speech as a new modality into the human-computer interface (HCI). Motivated by the multimodal nature of speech, the visual component is considered to yield information that is not always present in the acoustic signal and enables improved system performance over acoustic-only methods, especially in noisy environments. In this paper, we investigate the usefulness of visual speech information in HCI related applications. We first introduce a new algorithm for automatically locating the mouth region by using color and motion information and segmenting the lip region by making use of both color and edge information based on Markov random fields. We then derive a relevant set of visual speech parameters and incorporate them into a recognition engine. We present various visual feature performance comparisons to explore their impact on the recognition accuracy, including the lip inner contour and the visibility of the tongue and teeth. By using a common visual feature set, we demonstrate two applications that exploit speechreading in a joint audio-visual speech signal processing task: speech recognition and speaker verification. The experimental results based on two databases demonstrate that the visual information is highly effective for improving recognition performance over a variety of acoustic noise levels.
A successful desensitization protocol for horse-derived antithymocyte globulin in severe aplastic anemia.

Background Horse antithymocyte globulin (h-ATG) (ATGAM®) is the first choice of treatment in very severe patients with aplastic anemia who do not have any HLA matched sibling donor. h-ATG is a heterologous serum that may cause anaphylaxis. Alternative treatment strategies must be planned in case of hypersensitivity. Desensitization must be considered in patients without an alternative treatment of choice. We aimed to present the h-ATG desensitization protocol and consider its effectiveness in patients with aplastic anemia who are hypersensitized with h-ATG and do not have an alternative treatment of choice. Methods Skin prick tests were performed with non-diluted solution in eight very severe patients with aplastic anemia who are followed up in Ege University Children's Hospital. Although skin prick test was found negative in these eight patients, different dilution h-ATG intradermal tests were performed and found positive in all patients. h-ATG desensitization program was started to these hypersensitized patients. Results Desensitization program was started to six male and two female very severe patients with aplastic anemia whose ages were between seven and 19 yr (median: 12.9 yr). All of the patients completed the desensitization program. While local reaction was seen in two patients, systemic reaction was seen in one patient and late reaction was seen in one patient during and after desensitization program. Conclusion A successful desensitization program with h-ATG in children with aplastic anemia is presented. Even though there is not an exposure before to such high allergy potential heterologous serum, skin tests should be performed and desensitization must be started to patients who are hypersensitized to h-ATG. As the expected effectiveness of the treatment is so much, the desensitization protocol can be carried out safely and effectively with trained stuff although allergic reactions can be seen.
The Relations between Parental Friendships and Children's Friendships: Self-Report and Observational Analysis.

The relations between the quality of mothers' and fathers' friendships and that of their children's friendships was examined. One hundred twenty-five fourth-grade children (9 year olds) completed the Friendship Quality Questionnaire. Observational measures of the target children playing with their self-selected friend were also collected. Mothers and fathers separately completed the Friendship Quality Questionnaire about their best friend. Results indicated that children's self-reports and observational measures of friendship quality were not highly correlated for girls, but were moderately associated for boys. The quality of mothers' and fathers' friendships was related to the quality of children's friendships, but the nature of the relations with children's friendships differed for girls and boys. The implications of these findings for the socialization of friendship patterns and the assessment of children's friendships were noted.
A filtered mass density function approach for modeling separated two-phase flows for LES II: Simulation of a droplet laden temporally developing mixing layer

Abstract A two-phase velocity-scalar filtered mass density function (TVSFMDF) formulation developed for large eddy simulation (LES) is applied to a temporally developing counter-current mixing layer seeded with water droplets. Closure models for both the dispersed and carrier phases are developed and implemented that are self-consistent with the original TVSFMDF mathematical formulation developed by Carrara and DesJardin. Several simulation cases are conducted to examine the sensitivity of both evaporating and non-evaporating droplet dispersion on various levels of subgrid scale (SGS) modeling approximation – highlighting the importance of variations in composition space in the phase-coupling terms.
Analysis of Accelerated Life Test Data - Part I: The Arrhenius Model and Graphical Methods

This is Part I of a three-part series presenting statistical methods for planning and analyzing temperature-accelerated life tests when all test units are run to failure. These methods are presented so they can be profitably used by individuals with a limited statistical background. In Part I, the Arrhenius model is described, and graphical methods for analysis of such complete data are given. In Part II, numerical methods for analysis of such data are given, and optimum and standard test plans are presented and compared. In Part III, graphical and numerical methods for comparing different products are given, and methods for assessing the validity of the data and the assumptions of the Arrhenius model are also given. These methods are illustrated throughout with accelerated life test data on insulation. While the methods are presented here with the Arrhenius model, they can be used for planning and analyzing many other accelerated life test situations.
Analysis of epileptogenic network properties during ictal activity

In the present study, we utilize methods from graph theory to analyze epileptogenic network properties during periods of ictal activity. Using these methods, we analyzed the DTF-based causal information flow in nine seizures recorded from two patients undergoing presurgical monitoring for the treatment of medically intractable epilepsy. From the results, we observed a high degree of correlation between the regions with a high amount of information outflow (termed the outdegree) and the cortical areas identified clinically as the generators of the ictal activity. We furthermore observe a frequency-dependent correlation between the co-localization of these “activated regions” and the clinical foci. These findings suggest that application of network analysis tools to ictal activity could provide clinically useful information concerning these epileptogenic networks.
Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid α1-antichymotrypsin levels in Alzheimer's disease: Correlation with cognitive impairment

α-1-Antichymotrypsin (ACT) is present in neuritic plaques in which it participates in the inflammatory cascade of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reports of blood ACT levels in AD, and its usefulness as a disease biomarker, have been conflicting. In an effort to clarify this, we measured plasma ACT levels in 516 white subjects including 359 subjects with probable or possible AD, 44 subjects with other late-life dementias, and 113 nondemented people. Subjects with systemic inflammatory diseases or who were taking antiinflammatory medications were excluded. All patients underwent extensive medical and detailed neuropsychological examinations at the time their blood was drawn. We found that plasma ACT levels were elevated in AD patients compared with the control group (p = 0.01) and were associated with severity of AD dementia; there was a negative association with the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (a global measure of cognition) and a positive association with the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (a global functional assessment). These relationships remained significant after controlling for demographic and genetic variables. When AD subjects were stratified into subgroups by dementia severity, matched by age, education, and gender, increased serum ACT correlated with Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (p = 0.0041) or Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (p = 0.0031) scores. ACT measurements in cerebrospinal fluid from an additional 34 AD cases and 16 controls showed elevated levels (p = 0.02) in AD. There was a negative correlation (p = 0.037) between cerebrospinal fluid ACT levels and clinical severity as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination. Our results demonstrate that peripheral ACT levels are elevated in AD, but not in dementias other than AD, and they increase with progression of AD dementia. Although not useful as a diagnostic biomarker, ACT may reflect disease severity and may be helpful as a within subject biomarker in interventions (particularly with antiinflammatory agents) directed at slowing or halting progression of disease.
Constructing the Other: A Critical Reading of The Joy Luck Club

ABSTRACT This article is a critical reading of the movie The Joy Luck Club. Grounded on Stuart Hall's theory of articulation, the author explored how the movie text constructed Chinese culture as the sexist, oppressive, mysterious, inscrutable, exotic, and savage cultural/racial Other. The representation of the negative Other in turn sustains the myth of the White middle-class American culture as the positive Self. This construction reflects the new Orientalist/Assimilationist paradigm, which poses a double bind on minority groups. On the one hand, it insists that members of minority groups need to cast off their cultural identities and to obey and follow the rules of the dominant group. However, on the other hand, it insists on the exotic otherness of minority group members. A close examination of the movie text is part of a political project that treats popular culture as resources for public pedagogy. That is, engaging in popular culture should be more than a process of deconstruction. It should also s...
Hyperammonemia secondary to valproic acid as a cause of lethargy in a postictal patient

Hyperammonemia has been described as a complication of valproic acid therapy but may often be overlooked as a cause of lethargy in the postictal patient who presents to the emergency department. We present the case of a postictal patient with lethargy, hyperammonemia, otherwise normal liver function tests, and a therapeutic valproic acid level. Based on our experience and on previously published data, serum ammonia levels appear to be indicated in all ED patients on valproic acid therapy who present with altered mental status. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been reported previously in the emergency medicine literature.
Examining Differences in Patterns of Sensory and Motor Recovery After Stroke With Robotics

Background and Purpose—Developing a better understanding of the trajectory and timing of stroke recovery is critical for developing patient-centered rehabilitation approaches. Here, we quantified proprioceptive and motor deficits using robotic technology during the first 6 months post stroke to characterize timing and patterns in recovery. We also make comparisons of robotic assessments to traditional clinical measures. Methods—One hundred sixteen subjects with unilateral stroke were studied at 4 time points: 1, 6, 12, and 26 weeks post stroke. Subjects performed robotic assessments of proprioceptive (position sense and kinesthesia) and motor function (unilateral reaching task and bimanual object hit task), as well as several clinical measures (Functional Independence Measure, Purdue Pegboard, and Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment). Results—One week post stroke, many subjects displayed proprioceptive (48% position sense and 68% kinesthesia) and motor impairments (80% unilateral reaching and 85% bilateral...
THE UNITED STATES IN PROFESSIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LITERATURE

W ITHIN the thirty-five years from 1920 through 1954, American professional geographers published extensively in four leading periodicalsthe Geographical Review, Journal of Geography, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, and Economic Geography. Other professional publications in which geographic articles appeared included the Texas Geographic Magazine, the Yearbook of the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers, the Bulletin of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia, Landscape, and others of equal standing. In addition, geographers published many research papers in periodicals such as the quarterly of the Michigan Academy of Arts, Letters, and Science; the journal of the Ohio Academy of Science; the quarterly of the California Historical Society, and similar outlets. To this body of material may be added the mass of published and unpublished research efforts consisting of masters' theses and doctoral dissertations prepared in the centers of graduate instruction in the country. In an effort to determine what parts of the United States have been investigated most thoroughly by members of the geographic profession in this country, the contents of each publication were noted, and each article or thesis dealing with a particular part of the nation was placed in its appropriate place upon a series of maps.
High and Rising Health Care Costs. Part 1: Seeking an Explanation

The United States has the most expensive health care system in the world, with per capita health expenditures far above those of any other nation. For many years, U.S. health care expenditures have been growing above the overall rate of inflation in the economy. A few experts have argued that high and rising costs are not such a serious problem. Most observers disagree with this view, pointing to the negative impact of employee health care costs on employers, the government budgetary problems caused by rising health care expenditures, and an association between high health care costs and reduced access for individuals needing health services. Several explanations have been offered for high and rising health care costs. These include the perspectives that high and rising costs are created by forces external to the health system, by the weakness of a competitive free market within the health system, by the rapid diffusion of new technologies, by excessive costs of administering the health system, by the absence of strong cost-containment measures, and by undue market power of health care providers. This article, the first in a 4-part series, discusses 3 perspectives on health care: 1) Are high and rising health care costs a serious problem? 2) Are rising costs explained by factors outside the health care system? 3) Does the absence of a free market in health care explain why costs are high and rising? The remaining 3 articles in this series address other perspectives on health care costs.
Energy-based segmentation of very sparse range surfaces

A segmentation technique for very sparse surfaces is described. It is based on minimizing the energy of the surfaces in the scene. While it could be used in almost any system as part of surface reconstruction/model recovery, the algorithm is designed to be usable when the depth information is scattered and very sparse, as is generally the case with depth generated by stereo algorithms. Results from a sequential algorithm are presented, and a working prototype that executes on the massively parallel Connection Machine is discussed. The technique presented models the surfaces with reproducing kernel-based splines which can be shown to solve a regularized surface reconstruction problem. From the functional form of these splines the authors derive computable upper and lower bounds on the energy of a surface over a given finite region. The computation of the spline, and the corresponding surface representation are quite efficient for very sparse data. >
Special Article: Factors Modifying the Contours of Indicator-Dilution Curves

Some of the factors that influence the contours and time components of indicator-dilution curves have been examined in dogs and man. These include the dynamic-response characteristics of the sampling-detecting-recording system, variations in the sampling site, quantity of blood and rate of blood flow between injection and sampling sites, vascular obstruction, and local and general alterations in peripheral blood flow. Any or all of these factors may be of importance in the interpretation of changes in indicator-dilution curves in patients with congenital or acquired heart disease.
Expression and initial structural insights from solid-state NMR of the M2 proton channel from influenza A virus.

The M2 protein from influenza A virus has been expressed, purified, and reconstituted into DMPC/DMPG liposomes. SDS−PAGE analysis of reconstituted M2 protein in DMPC/DMPG liposomes demonstrates a s...
ORMDL3 Transgenic Mice Have Increased Airway Remodeling and Airway Responsiveness Characteristic of Asthma

Orosomucoid-like (ORMDL)3 has been strongly linked with asthma in genetic association studies. Because allergen challenge induces lung ORMDL3 expression in wild-type mice, we have generated human ORMDL3 zona pellucida 3 Cre (hORMDL3zp3-Cre) mice that overexpress human ORMDL3 universally to investigate the role of ORMDL3 in regulating airway inflammation and remodeling. These hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice have significantly increased levels of airway remodeling, including increased airway smooth muscle, subepithelial fibrosis, and mucus. hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice had spontaneously increased airway responsiveness to methacholine compared to wild-type mice. This increased airway remodeling was associated with selective activation of the unfolded protein response pathway transcription factor ATF6 (but not Ire1 or PERK). The ATF6 target gene SERCA2b, implicated in airway remodeling in asthma, was strongly induced in the lungs of hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice. Additionally, increased levels of expression of genes associated with airway remodeling (TGF-β1, ADAM8) were detected in airway epithelium of these mice. Increased levels of airway remodeling preceded increased levels of airway inflammation in hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice. hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice had increased levels of IgE, with no change in levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA. These studies provide evidence that ORMDL3 plays an important role in vivo in airway remodeling potentially through ATF6 target genes such as SERCA2b and/or through ATF6-independent genes (TGF-β1, ADAM8). This article is featured in In This Issue , p.[3453][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/192/3453
Genetic analysis of atopy in three large kindreds: No evidence of linkage to D11S97

Summary Both genetic and environmental influences have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic disease. A recent report suggested that a major gene providing susceptibility to atopy was transmitted in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance and evidence was presented that places the disease locus near the D11S97 marker on human chromosome 11q. In this report, we present three large, highly characterized pedigrees in which atopy is transmitted in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. Genotypes at the D11S97and HLA loci were evaluated using both lod score and sib pair methods of analysis. In these pedigrees, we reject close to moderate linkage (up to 10 cM) of atopy with both D11S97 and HLA.
Conducting Polymers and Corrosion: Polyaniline on Steel

Abstract Polyaniline-coated steel panels were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrochemical noise methods (ENM). EIS data for the polyaniline sample was obtained for increasing time of immersion. An increase in charge-transfer resistance (Rct) with immersion time was observed. ENM data showed that active electrochemical changes occurred during the early stages of immersion. The mean current from ENM exhibited a rather large oscillatory behavior during early stages of immersion, and the mean potential from ENM displayed a tendency toward positive values. Noise resistance (Rn) values also showed initial oscillatory fluctuations, with values that reflected a poor barrier property for polyaniline coating. Tafel plots showed a lower corrosion rate and a more noble corrosion potential for the polyaniline-coated sample as compared to a bare steel sample. Electrochemical data confirmed that significant interactions between the polyaniline and steel occurred during the first 5 days of...
Effective query formulation with multiple information sources

Most standard information retrieval models use a single source of information (e.g., the retrieval corpus) for query formulation tasks such as term and phrase weighting and query expansion. In contrast, in this paper, we present a unified framework that automatically optimizes the combination of information sources used for effective query formulation. The proposed framework produces fully weighted and expanded queries that are both more effective and more compact than those produced by the current state-of-the-art query expansion and weighting methods. We conduct an empirical evaluation of our framework for both newswire and web corpora. In all cases, our combination of multiple information sources for query formulation is found to be more effective than using any single source. The proposed query formulations are especially advantageous for large scale web corpora, where they also reduce the number of terms required for effective query expansion, and improve the diversity of the retrieved results.
Resonant Frequency of a Rectangular Patch Sensor Covered With Multilayered Dielectric Structures

This paper presents a simple analytical model for the resonant frequency of a rectangular patch sensor covered with multilayered dielectric structures. The accuracy of this model, while the relative permittivity of the dielectric top layers varies from 1 to 10.2, is verified with Ansoft's high frequency structural simulator (HFSS) calculations and with experimental measurements. Comparison with HFSS simulation results show that the average error of the proposed model for three-layer test structures with various sets of relative permittivities and thicknesses is 2% or smaller. Merits of this model also include low calculation cost and mathematical simplicity. The robustness of this model for test structures with less than three layers is also validated by comparing with experimental measurement, HFSS simulation and well-established theory. This model can also be directly used to predict the resonant frequencies of rectangular patch antennas covered with multilayered dielectric superstrates.
Clonidine inhibits fluid absorption in the rabbit proximal convoluted renal tubule.

Clonidine inhibits fluid absorption in the rabbit proximal convoluted renal tubule. Previous studies have shown that norepinephrine (NE) and the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol (I), enhance fluid absorption (Jv) in isolated, perfused proximal convoluted tubule segments (PCT). Pretreatment of PCT with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, inhibited the action of NE and produced a significant decline in Jv, suggesting modulation of Jv by both alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors. The present studies further characterize the alpha-adrenoceptor control of Jv in isolated perfused PCT using specific agonists and antagonists. Basal Jv declined significantly with the addition of the alpha 2 -adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine (10 -4 M), to the bath; however, it was unchanged with the addition of the alpha 1 -adrenoceptor agonist, methoxamine (10 -6 or 10 -4 M). With the addition of 10 -6 M isoproterenol Jv increased significantly, and returned to control values with the subsequent addition of clonidine (10 -6 or 10 -4 M). Pretreatment of PCT with the alpha 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine (10 -5 M), or with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) did not interfere with the stimulation of Jv by isoproterenol, but abolished the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated Jv by clonidine. Thus, clonidine inhibits Jv in PCT via an alpha 2 -adrenoceptor. This effect is mediated by a pertussis toxin inhibitable GTP-binding protein, but not one that is coupled to adenylyl cyclase.
248 Novel Mutation Causing Glucose 1 Transporter Deficiency Syndrome

Introduction Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) deficiency syndrome (OMIM #606777) is an autosomal dominant condition resulting in reduced glucose transport into the brain. GLUT1 deficiency syndrome was first described in 1991 by De Vivo et al. The diagnostic finding is a low glucose concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; mean 1.7 [SD 0.3mmol/L]) in the presence of normoglycaemia. GLUT1 deficiency syndrome can be confirmed by mutation analysis of the SLC2A1 gene. The spectrum is ever expanding with new mutations as also varying presentations. We present one such novel mutation. Case report A Caucasian male was referred to the neurology department with global developmental delay, head nods, seizures and excessive daytime sleepiness. Over the years he had many investigations including repeated MRIs and EEGs and investigations for conditions with progressive myoclonic epilepsy. At the age of 14 years the parents gave a history of food intake reducing his head nods and other seizure types. He was then investigated for possible GLUT1 deficiency. Results The initial investigations revealed a CSF sugar of 2.4 when the blood sugar was 5.9 (ratio of 0.4) which was low but not low enough for GLUT1 deficiency. Genetic testing revealed a mutation in the Exon 5 of the SLC2A gene c.647T>C (p.lle216Thr) not previuosly reported. Conclusion GLUT1 deficiency should be suspected in a child with developmental delay, epilepsy and movement disorder. Novel mutations can result in the condition. Our case is one such example for novel mutation as well as refusal of ketogenic diet from late diagnosis.
Sensory Hairs with Permeable Tips on the Tarsi of the Yellow-Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti

The female yellow-fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.), possesses approximately 100 tarsal hairs which stain at the tip when dye is applied to the external surface of the insect. The male has about 60 of these hairs. In both sexes the largest number occurs on the prothoracic tarsi and the smallest on the metathoracic. None were found elsewhere on the legs. The location and distribution of the hairs correlates well with the results of experimental work reported by earlier authors in which the sensitivity of the legs was tested to a variety of salt and sugar solutions. Little doubt now remains that the hairs with stainable tips are the tarsal gustatory receptors of the mosquito.
Surveillance of Antibody Level to 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus and Analysis of Vaccination Efficiency Among Healthy Population in Jinniu District of Chengdu,2009-2010

Objective To understand the antibody level to 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)virus and antibody response to the vaccination among the healthy population in Jinniu district.Methods The serum samples for antibody level test were collected at the beginning and the end of the epidemic period among the healthy population in age group of 3-11,12-17,18-60 and 60 years,and the serum samples for antibody response test were collected 1 month later after the vaccination.Results The rate of protective antibody was 44.23% and the GMT was 1∶23.35,the differences among age groups were statistical significant(χ2=46.42,P0.01;F=25.02,P0.01).The antibody levels in age groups of 3-11 and 12-17 years were higher than the early epidemic period,and the antibody positive rate and GMT were 88.98% and 1∶325.20 respectively after the vaccination,the differences among age groups were statistical significant(χ2=23.78,P0.01;F=13.23,P0.01).The antibody positive rate and GMT were lower in age group of 3-11 years compared with other age groups.Conclusion The antibody levels to 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)virus were low among the healthy population except the age group of 12-17 years.It is necessary to strengthen the publicity of the vaccination against 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)virus infection.
Hardship Politics: The Strategic Sharing of Migration Stories

This article explores how undocumented people and their family members strategically narrate stories of hardship to build community, legitimize their experiences, cultivate political consciousness,...
Memory processing units

Presents a conference poster that addresses the technology of memory processing units. Some of the following topics are examined: current processing capabilities; MPU hardware; performance and energy output; and new trends in the industry.
Effects of mindfulness meditation on occupational functioning and health care utilization in individuals with anxiety.

Abstract Objectives To examine the effect of mindfulness meditation on occupational functioning in individuals with Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods Fifty-seven individuals with GAD (mean (SD) age = 39 (13); 56% women) participated in an 8-week clinical trial in which they were randomized to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) or an attention control class. In this secondary analysis, absenteeism, entire workdays missed, partial workdays missed, and healthcare utilization patterns were assessed before and after treatment. Results Compared to the attention control class, participation in MBSR was associated with a significantly greater decrease in partial work days missed for adults with GAD (t = 2.734, df = 51, p = 0.009). Interestingly, a dose effect was observed during the 24-week post-treatment follow-up period: among MBSR participants, greater home mindfulness meditation practice was associated with less work loss and with fewer mental health professional visits. Conclusion Mindfulness meditation training may improve occupational functioning and decrease healthcare utilization in adults with GAD.
Controls-oriented models of lithium-ion cells having blend electrodes. Part 1: Equivalent circuits

Abstract Battery-management systems rely on mathematical sets of equations known as models when implementing battery controls procedures. Models are used in state-of-charge, state-of-health, available-energy, and available-power estimation tasks. These models should be high fidelity for good estimates but also computationally lightweight for inexpensive implementation. This paper and its Part-2 companion concern themselves with simple but accurate models of lithium-ion cells having composite electrodes, which are composed of a blend of multiple active materials. In this paper, we develop two forms of equivalent-circuit model (ECM): the series ECM and the parallel ECM—and show how to find values for the model parameters using current–voltage input–output data. We compare simulations of the ECMs to truth data from simulations of a full-order model and show that an ECM designed with knowledge of the material blend can outperform a standard ECM of similar complexity. In the companion paper, we show that it is further possible to create physics-based reduced-order models that have greater predictive power.
Neural Circuits: Reduced Inhibition in Fragile X Syndrome

The Drosophila Fragile X Syndrome model has long generated insights into this devastating neurological disease state. A recent study of olfactory neural circuitry shows that decreased lateral inhibition onto projection neurons relaying sensory input into higher brain centers causes impaired behavior.
Determining the ion temperature and energy distribution in a lithium-plasma interaction test stand with a retarding field energy analyzer.

The ThermoElectric-driven Liquid-metal plasma-facing Structures (TELS) experiment at the University of Illinois is a gas-puff driven, theta-pinch plasma source that is used as a test stand for off-normal plasma events incident on materials in the edge and divertor regions of a tokamak. The ion temperatures and resulting energy distributions are crucial for understanding how well a TELS pulse can simulate an extreme event in a larger, magnetic confinement device. A retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA) has been constructed for use with such a transient plasma due to its inexpensive and robust nature. The innovation surrounding the use of a control analyzer in conjunction with an actively sampling analyzer is presented and the conditions of RFEA operation are discussed, with results presented demonstrating successful performance under extreme conditions. Such extreme conditions are defined by heat fluxes on the order of 0.8 GW m−2 and on time scales of nearly 200 μs. Measurements from the RFEA indicate two...