cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer analysis of X-ray fluorescence spectra obtained with a room-temperature mercuric iodide detector and two application studies

Abstract Features pertaining to background, escape peaks, and peak-shapes have been studied in X-ray fluorescent spectra obtained with a mercuric iodide detector. The role of these features in determining the applicability of mercuric iodide is discussed with two examples. The first example deals with the in-vivo measurement of iodine, and the second with on-site monitoring of water samples for trace elements.
Characterization of f -vectors of families of convex sets in R d . Part II: Sufficiency of Eckhoff's conditions

Let K = {K1,…, Kn} be a family of n convex sets in Rd. For 0⩽i<n denote by fi the number of subfamilies of K of size i + 1 with non-empty intersection. The vector f(K) = (f0, f1,…) is called the f-vector of K. In 1973, Eckhoff proposed a characterization of the set of f-vectors of finite families of convex sets in Rd by a system of inequalities. In part I we proved the necessity of Eckhoffs inequalities and here we prove their sufficiency.
Early detection of glaucomatous damage: I. Psychophysical disturbances

In summary, automated perimetry and other psychophysical tests currently provide the most sensitive, reliable and reproducible means of clinically detecting early glaucomatous changes. Compared to optic disk and nerve fiber layer evaluation, such procedures provide a consistent, quantitative method of distinguishing between early abnormalities and normal variations.
TRAP-seq defines markers for novel populations of hypothalamic and brainstem LepRb neurons

Objective Leptin acts via its receptor (LepRb) on multiple subpopulations of LepRb neurons in the brain, each of which controls specific aspects of energy balance. Despite the importance of LepRb-containing neurons, the transcriptome and molecular identity of many LepRb subpopulations remain undefined due to the difficulty of studying the small fraction of total cells represented by LepRb neurons in heterogeneous brain regions. Here we sought to examine the transcriptome of LepRb neurons directly and identify markers for functionally relevant LepRb subsets.
Nanogravimetric study of templated copper deposition in ion-channels of self-assembled glutathione films on gold piezoelectrodes

Abstract The ionic permeation and discharge processes at a controllable-gate ion-channel electrode were investigated. The ionically transmissible films were formed on Au piezoelectrodes by surface modification performed using self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of glutathione (GS) molecules adsorbed onto gold. The gating state of a AuSG film was controlled by utilizing uncomplexed Cu2+ ions acting as the controller cations through their interactions with terminal carboxylic groups of AuSG, which results in a conformational transition leading to the film ion-channel opening. The open-gate conformation of AuSG is stabilized by lowering the solution pH. Under these conditions, we were able to record Cu2+ ion transport and discharge at a Au substrate surface accessible through the open ion gates. We have found that despite of a very limited space of this access, in the first stage of the Cu0 deposition process, a Cu-upd on Au is formed, with LSV peak potential Ep = 0.385 V versus Ag/AgCl, though the rate of upd formation is lower than that for a upd on an unmodified Au, as evidenced by the decrease in the Cu deposited mass and the deposition charge. The value of the apparent charge transfer coefficient αapp is also smaller (αapp = 0.36 compared to 0.52 for bare Au). The 3D nucleation and growth of copper nanocrystals was observed using the potential step i–t and m–t transients. The size of Cu0 nuclei at the beginning of their overlapping process was in the range of d = 2–3 nm, which is larger than the ion-channel height (h ≈ 1.22 nm) determined for the open-gate conformation of AuSG. We found no dynamic film instabilities associated with fast potential step programs.
Fairness, self-interest, and the politics of the progressive income tax

All advanced democracies have adopted income taxes with considerable progression in marginal tax rates. To explain this we examine the nature of individual and collective preferences over alternative tax schedules, in the context of a simple two-sector model. We first consider the case of altruistic or "sociotropic" citizens who view the income tax as a means of achieving a fairer or more egalitarian distribution of income. We show that greater marginal-rate progressivity may well be less fair; that a "fairest" tax, however defined, is always a linear or "flat-rate" schedule in which all incomes are taxed at the same marginal rate; and that with a purely sociotropic electorate there exists a flat-rate schedule which is a majority equilibrium. We then show that with "self-interested" voters who seek to minimize their own tax burdens, greater marginal-rate progression may well be preferred by middle-and upper-income voters; that for middle-income citizens the optimal schedule is a sharply progressive one; and that within the set of individually optimal schedules there exists a majority equilibrium, which is a progressive schedule which minimizes the burden on median-income or middle class citizens, at the expense of lower-and upper-income taxpayers.
Luteolin protects against vascular inflammation in mice and TNF-alpha-induced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells via suppressing IΚBα/NF-κB signaling pathway

Vascular inflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Luteolin, a naturally occurring flavonoid present in many medicinal plants and some commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, has received wide attention for its potential to improve vascular function in vitro. However, its effect in vivo and the molecular mechanism of luteolin at physiological concentrations remain unclear. Here, we report that luteolin as low as 0.5 μM significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced adhesion of monocytes to human EA.hy 926 endothelial cells, a key event in triggering vascular inflammation. Luteolin potently suppressed TNF-α-induced expression of the chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), key mediators involved in enhancing endothelial cell-monocyte interaction. Furthermore, luteolin inhibited TNF-α-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB transcriptional activity, IκBα degradation, expression of IκB kinase β and subsequent NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in endothelial cells, suggesting that luteolin can inhibit inflammation by suppressing NF-κB signaling. In an animal study, C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 0% or 0.6% luteolin for 3 weeks, and luteolin supplementation greatly suppressed TNF-α-induced increase in circulating levels of MCP-1/JE, CXCL1/KC and sICAM-1 in C57BL/6 mice. Consistently, dietary intake of luteolin significantly reduced TNF-α-stimulated adhesion of monocytes to aortic endothelial cells ex vivo. Histology shows that luteolin treatment prevented the eruption of endothelial lining in the intima layer of the aorta and preserved elastin fibers' delicate organization as shown by Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining. Immunohistochemistry studies further show that luteolin treatment also reduced VCAM-1 and monocyte-derived F4/80-positive macrophages in the aorta of TNF-α-treated mice. In conclusion, luteolin protects against TNF-α-induced vascular inflammation in both in vitro and in vivo models. This anti-inflammatory effect of luteolin may be mediated via inhibition of the NF-κB-mediated pathway.
XChange: A market-based approach to scalable dynamic multi-resource allocation in multicore architectures

Efficiently allocating shared on-chip resources across cores is critical to optimize execution in chip multiprocessors (CMPs). Techniques proposed in the literature often rely on global, centralized mechanisms that seek to maximize system throughput. Global optimization may hurt scalability: as more cores are integrated on a die, the search space grows exponentially, making it harder to achieve optimal or even acceptable operating points at run-time without incurring significant overheads. In this paper, we propose XChange, a novel CMP resource allocation mechanism that delivers scalable high throughput and fairness. Through XChange, the CMP functions as a market, where each shared resource is assigned a price which changes over time, and each core seeks to maximize its own utility, by bidding for these shared resources. Because each core works largely independently, the resource allocation becomes a scalable, mostly distributed decision-making process. In addition, by distributing the resources proportionally to the bids, the system avoids unfairness, treating each core in an unbiased manner. Our evaluation shows that, using detailed simulations of a 64-core CMP configuration running a variety of multipro-grammed workloads, the proposed XChange mechanism improves system throughput (weighted speedup) by about 21% on average, and fairness (harmonic speedup) by about 24% on average, compared with equal-share on-chip cache and power distribution. On both metrics, that is at least about twice as much improvement over equal-share as a state-of-the-art centralized allocation scheme. Furthermore, our results show that XChange is significantly more scalable than the state-of-the-art centralized allocation scheme we compare against.
Cutaneous reflexes in Parkinson's disease.

The physiology of rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) can be investigated by the study of reflexes. Cutaneous reflexes (CR) were measured in 10 patients with PD and in 10 age- and sex-matched normal volunteers. EMG activity was recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle with surface electrodes, rectified and averaged. The index finger was stimulated with an intensity four times the sensory threshold. The subjects abducted the index finger with 20% of maximal force. While the latencies of the different reflex components and the amplitudes of the excitatory peaks were not different in the two groups, the first inhibitory components was less pronounced in patients with PD as compared with normals. This effect is partially reversed with dopaminergic drug treatment. The results are compatible with the loss of an inhibitory spinal mechanism elicited by cutaneous afferents, and can be a partial explanation for increased tone in PD.
A Strategic Approach to Capturing and Using Customer Information

Abstract Gaining and using customer information is becoming easier and more affordable. To maximize the use of a restaurant's database managers should take a strategic approach rather than a tactical approach. The strategic approach uses customer information to customize the service delivery system to make the customer's experiences more enjoyable. The article discusses how to capture information, how to append information and ways to move from tactical applications to strategic applications.
The Dose-Response Effects of Ethanol on the Human Fetal Osteoblastic Cell Line

Alcohol is a risk factor for the development of osteoporosis, especially in men. Chronic alcohol abuse decreases bone mass, which contributes to the increased incidence of fractures. To better understand the mechanism of action of ethanol on bone metabolism, we have studied the dose-response effects of ethanol on conditionally immortalized human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB) in culture. Ethanol treatment had no significant effects on osteoblast number after 1 day or 7 days. Ethanol treatment did not reduce type I collagen protein levels at either time point at any dose but slightly reduced alkaline phosphatase activity after 7 days. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and osteonectin were unaltered by 24 h of ethanol treatment but a high dose (200 mM) reduced mRNA levels for the two bone matrix proteins after 7 days. Ethanol treatment led to dose-dependent increases in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA levels and decreases in TGF-β2 mRNA levels. The concentration of ethanol in the medium decreased with time because of evaporation but there was little degradation caused by metabolism. These results, which show that cultured osteoblasts are less sensitive than osteoblasts in vivo, suggest that the pronounced inhibitory effects of ethanol on bone formation are not caused by direct cell toxicity.
Corpus callosotomy is an underutilized procedure in children

It is obviously impossible to determine whether corpus callosotomy is an under-or overutilized procedure in children. However, consistent results for the procedure performed on carefully selected patients have been reported from major epilepsy centers. The procedure generally is well tolerated in children, with very few reported adverse effects. The procedure has been used in the most severe of epileptics with favorable results when patients are selected with the goal of ameliorating generalized atonic, myoclonic, tonic, and tonic-clonic seizures. Well-designed prospective studies are certainly needed to better understand the outcomes of callosotomy, but, until these studies are available, children with severe intractable epilepsy should at least have the procedure considered in the management of their condition.
The pharyngeal pouches of the dog

The four pharyngeal pouches, pharyngeal grooves, and closing membranes of the dog form in an antero-posterior sequence but the encroachment of head mesoderm which results in obliteration of the closing membranes occurs in a posteroanterior sequence. No pharyngeal clefts are formed. The anlage of the auditory tube arises as a dorso-lateral extension from the dorsal surface of the first pharyngeal pouch and expands into an elongated tube directed toward the developing ear. The second pharyngeal pouch develops into a distinct tonsillar sinus dorso-lateral to the base of the tongue. The palatine tonsil extends into the tonsillar sinus, and both become covered by a fold of epithelium. The third pharyngeal pouch extends medially toward the developing thyroid after contacting the cervical sinus. The distal tip of the third pouch differentiates into Complex III which transforms into parathyroid III and thymus III. The distal tip of the fourth pharyngeal pouch, Complex IV, also extends in a medial direction after contacting the cervical sinus. Complex IV transforms into parathyroid IV and the ultimobranchial body.
Effects of timed administration of doxycycline or methylprednisolone on post-myocardial infarction inflammation and left ventricular remodeling in the rat heart

The development of strategies to ameliorate post-myocardial infarction (MI) remodeling and improve function continues to be an area of clinical importance. Use of steroids for this purpose is controversial since the effects of timed treatment on relevant inflammatory, biochemical and structure/function endpoints are unclear. In a previous report, we demonstrated that use of doxycycline pre-treatment improves post-MI remodeling and passive left ventricular (LV) function. However, the effects of timed doxycyline post-MI treatment are unknown. To examine these issues, we performed a study using a rat MI model. Animals were administered one of the following: doxycycline (DOX), the corticosteroid methylprednisolone (MP), or aqueous vehicle. Treatment was given early, short-term (at time of MI to 24 h post-MI) or late, long term (2–7 days post-MI). Animals were sacrificed at 3, 7 or 42 days post-surgery. We assessed LV hemodynamics, pressure–volume, and pressure–scar strains, histomorphometry, inflammation via measurements of myeloperoxidase activity, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Late MP treatment yielded a robust right-shifted pressure–volume curve, which was accompanied by increased scar strains. Late DOX treatment yielded reduced average heart weight and size and preserved scar thickness. DOX treatment did not suppress inflammation, which contrasts with the suppressive effects of MP. Use of early or late MP yielded increased MMP activity in infarcted and non-infarcted regions. Early and late treatment with DOX yielded infarct–associated MMP activity levels comparable to those of vehicle–treated animals. In conclusion, results indicate that late use of MP yields adverse post-MI structure/function outcomes that correlate with suppression of inflammation and increased MMP activity. These observations contrast with those of DOX, in particular, late treatment where improved outcomes were observed in LV structure and were accompanied by the lack of suppression of inflammation.
Lithium-like spectra in Mg, Al, and Si

Lithium-like line spectra in Mg, Al and Si observed with grazing incidence spectrometer and low inductance microfarad spark source
Lymphocyte and granulocyte function in zinc-treated and zinc-deficient hemodialysis patients

Lymphocyte and granulocyte function in zinc-treated and zinc-deficient hemodialysis patients. Lymphocyte blast transformation and granulocyte motility were studied in 20 clinically stable hemodialysis patients, 10 of whom were receiving 50mg of zinc (as zinc acetate) per day and 10 of whom were not. Plasma zinc concentration was significantly higher in zinc-treated than in untreated patients (108 ± 5 vs. 82 ± 2 µg/dl). Mononuclear cell subpopulation analysis showed equivalent proportions of T lymphocytes and monocytes in both groups, but B lymphocytes were reduced in untreated patients (10 ± 0.7 vs 14 ± 0.5%). Lymphocyte blast transformations in response to nonspecific mitogens, soluble antigen and mixed lymphocyte culture were not significantly different in the two groups, nor was lymphocyte zinc concentration. Zinc-treated patients showed significantly greater granulocyte responsiveness to zymosan-activated serum (21 ± 1 vs. 14 ± 2 µ), greater chemokinetic activity (50 ± 4 vs. 27 ± 3 µ) and higher granulocyte zinc concentration (114 ± 6 vs. 47 ± 2 µg/10 6 cells) than untreated patients. Granulocyte zinc correlated significantly with plasma zinc (r = 0.81, P Fonctionnement lymphocytaire et granulocytaire chez des patients hemodialyses traites par du zinc ou deficients en zinc. La transformation blastique des lymphocytes et la motilite granulocytaire etaient etudie en 20 malades hemodialyses cliniquement stables, dont dix recevaient 50mg de zinc par jour (sous forme d'acetate de zinc). La concentration plasmatique en zinc etait significativement plus elevee chez les sujets traites par le zinc que chez les sujets non traites (108 ± 5 contre 82 ± 2 µg/dl). L'analyse des souspopulations cellulaires mononucleees a montre des proportions equivalentes de lymphocytes T et de monocytes dans les deux groupes, mais les lymphocytes B etaient diminues chez les patients non traites (10 ± 0,7 contre 14 ± 0,5%). Les transformations blastiques lymphocytaires en reponse a des mitogenes non specifiques, a des antigenes solubles, et les cultures mixtes de lymphocytes ne differaient pas significativement dans les deux groupes, pas plus que la concentration en zinc lymphocytaire. Les malades traites par le zinc avaient une reponse significativement plus forte de leurs granulocytes au serum, active par du zymosan (21 ± 1 contre 14 ± 2 µ), une plus grande activite chemotactique (50 ± 4 contre 27 ± 3 µ) et une plus forte concentration de zinc granulocytaire (114 ± 6 contre 47 ± 2 µg/10 6 cellules) par rapport aux sujets non traites. Le zinc granulocytaire etait significativement correle avec la concentration plasmatique du zinc (r = 0,81, P
Model-based drug development applied to oncology.

Model-based drug development (MBDD) is an approach that is used to organize the vast and complex data streams that feed the drug development pipelines of small molecule and biotechnology sponsors. Such data streams are ultimately reviewed by the global regulatory community as evidence of a drug’s potential to treat and/or harm patients. Some of this information is captured in the scientific literature and prescribing compendiums forming the basis of how new and existing agents will ultimately be administered and further evaluated in the broader patient community. As this data stream evolves, the details of data qualification, the assumptions and/or critical decisions based on these data are lost under conventional drug development paradigms. MBDD relies on the construction of quantitative relationships to connect data from discrete experiments conducted along the drug development pathway. These relationships are then used to ask questions relevant at critical development stages, hopefully, with the unders...
Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of mouse leptin in rats: behavioral specificity and effects on meal patterns.

Leptin is a protein that is produced primarily in fat tissue and is thought to be a lipostatic feedback signal for the regulation of body fat stores. The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral specificity of i.c.v.-administered mouse leptin in rats and to assess the effects on meal patterns. Using a modified two-bottle paradigm we examined the putative aversive response to i.c.v. doses of 1, 5, 7, 10, and 30 μg of mouse leptin. Artificial CSF and intraperitoneal lithium chloride served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Saccharin consumption in all leptin treatments was not significantly different from the negative control. Following a recovery period, rats from the same group were used to assess the effects of a 30-μg i.c.v. dose on cumulative food intake and meal patterns using a computer-based system for acquisition of feeding data. Leptin (i.c.v.) significantly increased intermeal interval and decreased meal size. We, therefore, conclude that mouse leptin, at doses up to 30 μg i.c.v., is not aversive in the rat, and that leptin has a multiphasic effect on meal patterns.
Vibrational Communication of Nine California Stonefly (Plecoptera) Species

ABSTRACT. The drumming signals of 9 California stonefly species from 8 families are reported. Signal interval patterns of the individual interbeat, intragroup, and intergroup intervals are graphed and used to determine signal type (monophasic, varied beat-interval, diphasic, and grouped). Signals of Kathroperla takhoma Stark & Surdick are described for the first time. New signal characters and signals from additional locations are described for 8 species: Bolshecapnia maculata (Jewett), Calineuria californica (Banks), Doroneuria baumanni Stark & Gaufin, Megaleuctra complicata Claassen, Nemoura spiniloba Jewett, Oemopteryx vanduzeea (Claassen), Pteronarcys princeps Banks, and Sierraperla cora Needham & Smith.
Magnetic characteristics of hexagonal Sm2−xRxCo16.4Zr0.6

Abstract Magnetic properties (Curie temperatures, saturation magnetizations and anisotropy fields) of alloys of the composition Sm 2− x R x Co 16.4 Zr 0.6 with R = La , Ce and Y are presented. The ternary system Sm 2 Co 16.4 Zr 0.6 is hexagonal and hence contains Sm in the 2b and 2d positions. Partial substitution of Sm by the other rare earth ions was carried out in an attempt to increase the anisotropy fields. This will occur only if the substituent preferential occupies the 2d site. Anisotropy fields are weakened by the special alloying employed and by about as much as would occur were the site occupancy random.
Diffusion of pyrimethamine from silicone rubber and flexible epoxy drug capsules.

The rate of diffusion of pyrimethamine, a pyrimidine-based antimalarial drug, from silicone rubber is compared to the diffusion of this drug from a flexible epoxy. Specific amounts of drug were mixed into the epoxy resin prior to the addition of an aliphatic diamine curing agent in the reparation of the epoxy-drug capsules and into the silicone rubber prior to vulcanization with stannous octoate in the preparation of silicone drug capsules. These capsules, in the form of discs, were separately immersed in water which was replenished at regular time intervals. The amount of drug released was determined spectrophotometrically (λ max = 275 mμ). Silicone rubber discs with 20 mg of drug incorporated/disc showed a much higher initial release rate than epoxy discs with an equivalent amount of drug incorporated. The rate of drug release is shown to be a nonlinear function of the amount of drug initially incorporated. The amine functional groups on pyrimethamine, and the possibility of its participation in the curing of the epoxy is noted. In silicone rubber, such interaction is not expected. The addition of a silica filler to the epoxy drug mixture is associated with greater uniformity in the observed drug release rates of capsules made from the same batch of polymer drug mixture. The Shore A durometer hardness of these drug capsules are 30 and 70 for silicone rubber and epoxy, respectively.
A study of laminar film condensation on a vertical surface with a porous coating

Abstract This paper presents a theoretical investigation of laminar film condensation along a solid impermeable surface coated with a porous material. This material may be a conductive metallic foam used to augment heat transfer, scale deposited over a long period of time on a surface or any relatively thin porous matrix layer. The dependence of the local heat transfer coefficient (represented by the Nusselt number) on the porous matrix parameters is presented and compared to the classical study of Nusselt. Representative results of the velocity and temperature distributions as well as the film thickness are also presented. It is shown that a conductive coating may yield a considerable heat transfer enhancement.
Responses to androgen in lines of chickens selected for mating behavior

Abstract Two experiments were designed to study the effects of and relationships between caponization and androgen therapy on the mating behavior of lines of chickens that have undergone bidirectional selection for number of completed matings. Males from the high (HM) and low (LM) selected lines and the Athens-Canadian (AC) randombred control population were randomly assigned to groups. One-half was caponized and the other half was used as intact controls. Groups were administered 0 and 0.9 mg/day of testosterone propionate (TP) in.25 ml cottonseed oil for 14 consecutive days in the first experiment. In the second experiment the equivalent of 14 daily doses of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 mg/day of testosterone cypionate (TC) in cottonseed oil was injected as a single dose. Mating behavior was measured by placing individuals singly for 10 min into pens of females for 6 days and recording the number of courts, mounts, treads, and completed matings. There were significant differences among lines for number of courts, mounts, treads, and completed matings. Rankings along lines were not changed by hormone treatment in either experiment. Caponization reduced sexual behavior, and hormone treatment returned mating to the level of intact males for the respective line. The threshold of response to TC was lower for courting behavior than for mounting, treading, or completed matings. The LM line appeared to be more sensitive to TC level than either the HM or the AC line suggesting a differential response of intact males depending on the genetic background of the population. The ranking of lines for mating efficiency (the percentage of courts, mounts, and treads resulting in completed matings) was the same as that for number of completed matings. Further, mating efficiency was increased by administration of androgen.
A COMPARISON OF APPROXIMATE INTERVAL ESTIMATORS FOR THE BERNOULLI PARAMETER

The goal of this paper is to compare the accuracy of two approximate confidence interval estimators for the Bernoulli parameter p. The approximate confidence intervals are based on the normal and Poisson approximations to the binomial distribution. Charts are given to indicate which approximation is appropriate for certain sample sizes and point estimators.
Q -Value Measurements for Aluminum and Chlorine

Nuclear reaction energies have been measured by using a 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} double-focusing magnetic spectrometer. In order to test the reliability of the energy calibration of the spectrometer, two ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Mg}}^{24}$ groups were observed, with measured $Q$ values of 1.596\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006 and 0.230\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005 Mev, corresponding to the ground state of ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{24}$ and the first excited state at 1.366\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006 Mev. A further check was provided by the observation of six ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}(p, {p}^{\ensuremath{'}}){\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$ inelastic groups, corresponding to ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$ levels at 0.842\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003, 1.013\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003, 2.205\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004, 2.727\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004, 2.975\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004, and 2.998\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004 Mev. In view of the good agreement of these results with previous measurements, the ground-state $Q$ values of the ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{35}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{S}}^{32}$ and ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{37}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{S}}^{34}$ reactions have been remeasured as 1.860\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005 and 3.028\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006 Mev.
Note on the experimental measurement of particles embedded in one and two in-line tubes in a high speed gas stream

Abstract Solid particle deposition on one and two in-line tubes has been measured. Experiments were conducted in a vertical duct containing the tube(s) oriented perpendicular to the mean flow. Dilute particle concentrations corresponding to 40 or 97 μm glass beads, at mass loading ratios less than 0.007, were investigated. Air approaching the tube(s) at 18.5 m s−1 and 1.4% turbulence intensity was used as the carrier fluid. Various differences observed in the circumferential depositions for the two bead sizes are attributed to the fivefold difference between their respective inertia numbers. In the case of two in-line tubes, the wake of the first substantially alters the deposition characteristics of the second. Some photographic evidence of this effect was obtained.
Effects of Selected Task Performance Criteria at Initiating Adaptive Task Real locations

In the current report various performance assessment methods used to initiate mode transfers between manual control and automation for adaptive task reallocation were tested. Participants monitored two secondary tasks for critical events while actively controlling a process in a fictional system. One of the secondary monitoring tasks could be automated whenever operators' performance was below acceptable levels. Automation of the secondary task and transfer of the secondary task back to manual control were either human- or machine-initiated. Human-initiated transfers were based on the operator's assessment of the current task demands while machine-initiated transfers were based on the operators' performance. Different performance assessment methods were tested in two separate experiments.
IVHS/AHS: driving into the future

Intelligent vehicle highway systems (IVHS) involve the systems integration of many emerging technologies to effectively address the needs, both present and future of the nation's roadway complex. An introduction to and brief history of IVHS is presented. Then, a more detailed overview of automated highway systems (AHS), the part of IVHS of most interest to control engineers, is given. One focus is on various control issues that must be confronted before an AHS is deployed. >
Gabapentin augmentation therapy in bipolar depression.

BACKGROUND Gabapentin (GBP) may be useful in bipolar disorders, including as adjunctive therapy for bipolar depression, although controlled studies suggest inefficacy as primary treatment for mania or treatment-resistant rapid cycling. METHODS We performed a 12-week trial of open GBP (mean dose 1725 mg/day) added to stable doses of mood stabilizers or atypical antipsychotics in 22 (10 women, mean age 38.4 years) depressed (28-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) > 18] bipolar (10 bipolar I, 12 bipolar II) disorder outpatients. Mean illness duration was 18.6 years, current depressive episode duration was 18.0 weeks. Prospective 28-item HDRS, Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) ratings were obtained. RESULTS Overall, HDRS ratings decreased 53% from 32.5 +/- 7.7 at baseline to 16.5 +/- 12.8 at week 12 (p or = 8). In non-responders, HDRS decreased from 38.0 +/- 5.4 to 28.9 +/- 6.7 (p = 0.005). Ten of 13 (77%) mild to moderately depressed (baseline HDRS > 18 and or = 35) responded (p < 0.03). Both groups, however, had similar, statistically significant HDRS decreases. GBP was well tolerated. CONCLUSION Open adjunctive GBP was effective and well tolerated in patients with mild to moderate bipolar depression. This open pilot study must be viewed with caution, and randomized controlled studies are warranted.
A model for diagnosing and explaining multiple disorders

The ability to diagnose multiple interacting disorders and explain them in a coherent causal framework has only partially been achieved in medical expert systems. This paper proposes a causal model for diagnosing and explaining multiple disorders whose key elements are: physician-directed hypotheses generation, object-oriented knowledge representation, and novel explanation heuristics. The heuristics modify and link the explanations to make the physician aware of diagnostic complexities. A computer program incorporating the model currently is in use for diagnosing peripheral nerve and muscle disorders. The program successfully diagnoses and explains interactions between diseases in terms of underlying pathophysiologic concepts. The model offers a new architecture for medical domains where reasoning from first principles is difficult but explanation of disease interactions is crucial for the system's operation.
Privatization of Government Services: Pressure-Group Resistance and Service Transparency

Even when efficiency gains can be expected from contracting out municipal services, it surprisingly rarely occurs. Political pressure by interest groups, especially unions, is usually assumed responsible. We argue that the effectiveness of such pressure is actually a function of a service’s “transparency,” which determines voter’s knowledge of the quality and cost of the service as well as the tax burden. A model is presented of the interplay between union opposition to contracting and service transparency. Policies are offered to increase transparency and make contracting optimal for governments.
Nitric oxide synthase inhibition during treadmill exercise reveals fiber-type specific vascular control in the rat hindlimb.

The control of vascular tone during exercise is highly complex and integrated. Specifically, in regards to the contribution of nitric oxide (NO), the observed magnitude and muscle fiber-type depend...
Coulomb frictional interfaces in modeling cemented total hip replacements: A more realistic model

Loosening of cemented femoral hip stems could be initiated by failure of the cement mantle due to high cement stresses. The goals of this study were to determine if realistic stem-cement interface characteristics could result in high cement stresses when compared to a bonded stem-cement interface and to determine if stem design parameters could be chosen to reduce peak cement stresses. Three-dimensional finite-element models of cemented femoral hip components were studied with bonded or realistic Coulomb friction stem-cement interfaces. The results showed that the use of a non-bonded, non-linear Coulomb friction interface resulted in substantially different stress fields in the cement when compared to a bonded stem-cement interface. Tensile stresses in the proximal cement mantel for the Coulomb friction interface case (10.8 MPa) were greater than the fatigue strength of the cement. In contrast, the tensile stresses in the cement mantle were not greater than the fatigue strength for the bonded case (7.5 MPa). Failure of the cement mantle in the proximal femur could therefore be initiated by a lack of a bond at the stem-cement interface. The effect of different cross-sectional stem geometries (medial radii of 3.0, 4.9 and 5.5 mm and antero-posterior widths of 9.8 and 13.7 mm) and different elastic moduli (cobalt chromium alloy and titanium alloy) for the stem material were also evaluated for models with a Coulomb friction interface. Changes in the stem cross-section and elastic modulus had only limited effects on the stress distributions in the cement. Of the parameters evaluated in this study, the characteristics of the stem-cement interface had the largest effect on cement mantle stresses.
Exercise, Diet, and Stress Management as Mediators between Functional Disability and Health-Related Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis.

The main objective of this study was to examine the mediational and moderational effect of exercise, diet, and stress management on the relationship between functional disability and health-related...
On introducing integral action in sliding mode control

An ideal sliding mode control (SMC) can guarantee asymptotic tracking with zero steady-state error for a wide class of nonlinear systems. When implemented using continuous approximations, the controller can no longer guarantee zero steady-state error. Instead, it guarantees ultimate boundedness with an ultimate bound that is proportional to the width of the boundary layer. To reduce the steady-state error, we have to reduce the width of the boundary layer, but a too small boundary layer gets us back into chattering and excitation of high-frequency modes, which are the reasons why the ideal SMC was approximated in the first place. For constant, approximately constant, or eventually constant exogenous signals, we can achieve zero steady-state error by introducing integral action in the controller. The traditional way of introducing integral action usually leads one to deterioration of the transient response of the system. In this paper we show how to introduce integral action in such a way as to recover the transient performance of ideal SMC while achieving zero steady-state error. We give both regional as well as global results.
Traffic flow stability induced by arbitrary adaptive cruise control policy

This paper analyzes the traffic flow stability/instability induced by arbitrary adaptive cruise control spacing policies. It is shown using a microscopic model, that for any monotonically increasing spacing policy, the induced traffic flow on a circular highway is asymptotically stable. When a spatially discrete macroscopic highway model is considered, the traffic will be stable when the biasing strategies or mixing parameters are chosen appropriately, depending on the slope of the density-flow curve. This result indicates that when macroscopic highway model is considered, consistent biasing strategy must be chosen to be consistent with the macroscopic model. These results therefore extend our previous results for the constraint time headway (CTH) policy to generic ACC policies. Based on these results, a complete analysis of the effect of boundary conditions on traffic stability for open stretch highways populated by ACC vehicles is performed. These results have been verified by microscopic simulations.
2-D scintillation position-sensitive neutron detector

A new 2-dimensional scintillation position-sensitive neutron detector (PSND) with an active area of 155times155 mm2 was developed for use on the single crystal diffractometer at the intense pulsed neutron source at Argonne National Laboratory. The detector is based on the well-proven Anger camera technique and uses a 6Li glass scintillator as the neutron converter. This PSND incorporates a 6times6 PMT array with 29.6 mm pitch and optimized optics to achieve an average spatial resolution of 1.75 mm full width at half maximum. The detector read-out has separate electronics for each PMT and the neutron position is calculated by a microprocessor during acquisition. A newly developed position extraction algorithm makes use of an analytical calculation to determine the event position. This new method improves the linearity of the calculated position, provides a slight improvement in resolution, and in principle allows for the correct determination of position to the edge of the scintillator. The design of the detector enclosure allows multiple detectors to be tiled with minimal dead space between them. In addition, the design incorporates a means of attaching external shielding plates that minimizes the shielding surface area required
Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on plant chemistry: nutritional consequences for a specialist and generalist lagomorph.

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation has been increasing in temperate latitudes in recent decades and is expected to continue rising for some time. Enhanced UV-B radiation can change plant chemistry, yet the effects of these changes on mammalian herbivores are unknown. To examine the influence of enhanced UV-B radiation on nutrition of a specialist and generalist hindgut fermenter, we measured nutritional and chemical constituents of three common North American range plants, big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoregneria spicata), and how these changes influenced in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vivo digestibility by pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) and eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus). Forages were irradiated for 3 mo with ambient (1×) or supplemental (1.6×) UV-B radiation representing a 15% ozone depletion for Pullman, WA, USA. Enhanced UV-B radiation had minimal effects on the nutritional content and the tannin-binding capacity of forages. Similarly, the terpene concentration in sagebrush and yarrow was not affected by higher UV-B irradiances. Flavonoid compounds increased in sagebrush but decreased in yarrow. Rabbit preference and intake was not affected by treatment levels for any forage species and no differences were found between treatments for dry matter, fiber, protein digestibility, and apparent digestible energy.
New trends in the interventional treatment of ischaemic heart disease

Direct revascularization of an ischaemic vascular bed represents an attractive treatment option for patients with coronary artery disease. Coronary artery bypass surgery has been demonstrated to provide both symptomatic improvement and, in certain circumstances, to improve prognosis, while catheter-based techniques offer substantial improvement in symptomatology, with reduced morbidity compared with bypass surgery. Although balloon angioplasty has been associated with lesion success rates approximating to 89%, a number of anatomical substrates have proved refractory to this approach and restenosis remains a significant problem. Newer interventional modalities, such as directional atherectomy, rotablation, transluminal extraction catheterization, laser coronary angioplasty and coronary stenting, all have the potential to offer improved rates of restenosis under specific circumstances. With the exception of stents, most have not been shown to provide an overall improvement in rates of restenosis. Numerous pharmacological agents have also been investigated in an attempt to reduce levels of restenosis. Calcium channel blockers have been assessed in five trials, none of which has demonstrated a conclusive benefit, although meta-analysis of the data generated in these trials has shown a 30% reduction in the likelihood of restenosis associated with their use. More recently, monoclonal antibodies to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa have been linked to a reduction in restenosis.
Protection Against Infectious Bursal Disease Virulent Challenge Conferred by a Recombinant Avian Adeno-Associated Virus Vaccine

The development and use of recombinant vaccine vectors for the expression of poultry pathogens proteins is an active research field. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a replication-defective virus member of the family Parvoviridae that has been successfully used for gene delivery in humans and other species. In this experiment, an avian adeno-associated virus (AAAV) expressing the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) VP2 protein (rAAAV-VP2) was evaluated for protection against IBDV-virulent challenge. Specific pathogen free (SPF) birds were inoculated with rAAAV-VP2 or with a commercial intermediate IBDV vaccine and then challenged with the Edgar strain. IBDV-specific antibody levels were observed in all vaccinated groups; titers were higher for the commercial vaccine group. The live, commercial vaccine induced adequate protection against morbidity and mortality; nevertheless, initial lymphoid depletion and follicular atrophy related to active viral replication was observed as early as day 14 and persisted up to day 28, when birds were challenged. No bursal tissue damage due to rAAAV-VP2 vaccination was observed. Eight-out-of-ten rAAAV-VP2-vaccinated birds survived the challenge and showed no clinical signs. The bursa:body weight ratio and bursa lesion scores in the rAAAV-VP2 group indicated protection against challenge. Therefore, transgenic expression of the VP2 protein after rAAAV-VP2 vaccination induced protective immunity against IBDV challenge in 80% of the birds, without compromising the bursa of Fabricius. The use of rAAAV virions for gene delivery represents a novel approach to poultry vaccination.
Software for Parallel Computing: the LAM Implementation of MPI

Many econometric problems can benefit from the application of parallel computing techniques, and recent advances in hardware and software have made such application feasible. There are a number of freely available software libraries that make it possible to write message passing parallel programs using personal computers or Unix workstations. This review discusses one of these—the LAM (Local Area Multiprocessor) implementation of MPI (the Message Passing Interface).
DC-coupled IF stage design for a 900-MHz ISM receiver

This paper presents a DC-coupled 900-MHz ISM band RF front-end for a short-range wireless receiver. The front-end, fabricated in a 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS process, is intended as a test vehicle to verify the proposed DC-coupled topology. In this topology, a low-frequency feedback circuit suppresses the DC offset and low-frequency noise at the mixer output. The DC-coupled topology is compared with traditional AC coupling. We show that there is a tradeoff between bandwidth and midband loss in a fully integrated AC-coupled system. The proposed DC-coupling technique does not impose this tradeoff. The DC-coupled topology was verified via simulation and measurements from the test vehicle.
Epilepsy and the funny sulcus

The presence of a discrete, removable lesion that appears to cause a patient's epilepsy is a powerful predictor of a favorable seizure outcome from epilepsy surgery.1 Since the MRI is initially interpreted as normal in about a quarter of surgical candidates,2 hunting for an inconspicuous, overlooked lesion is a habit of the epilepsy neurologist and neurosurgeon. The “needle in the haystack” often turns out to be focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), often only manifest on structural MRI by mild cortical thickening, minimal signal change, blurring of the gray–white junction, or subtly malformed sulcal or gyral surfaces.