cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ictal spikes: a marker of specific hippocampal cell loss.

Abstract Spontaneous seizures recorded from mesial temporal depth electrodes in the human are commonly manifested by one of two onset patterns: a high frequency discharge or a periodic spike discharge morphologically similar but clearly distinguished from ongoing interictal activity. We categorized medial temporal lobe seizure onset for the presence of periodic ictal spikes at a frequency of less than 2 Hz lasting for more than 5 sec to investigate the relationship of this ictal pattern to anatomical changes in the resected temporal lobe tissue. Fifty-one patients had hippocampal depth electrode recordings of spontaneous seizures, subsequent hippocampal resection, and quantitative cell counts of hippocampal subfields. Thirty-two of these patients had ictal spikes lasting at least 5 sec in more than 50% of their seizures. The presence of ictal spikes was significantly correlated with decreased cells in CA1 only (P=0.015). The correlation of a common ictal pattern with focal cell loss in the hippocampus suggests that electrophysiological manifestations of seizures provide a clue to the underlying pathological substrate. Ictal spikes may be a cause or result of the cell loss. These observations should be correlated with independent investigations in humans and animal models that reflect the CA1 cell loss associated with temporal lobe epilepsy.
The role of laccase in prostaglandin production by Cryptococcus neoformans

Recently, it has been demonstrated that the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans can synthesize authentic immunomodulatory prostaglandins. The mechanism by which this takes place is unclear as there is no cyclooxygenase homologue in the cryptococcal genome. In this study, we show that cryptococcal production of both PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) can be chemically inhibited by caffeic acid, resveratrol and nordihydroguaiaretic acid. These polyphenolic molecules are frequently used as inhibitors of lipoxygenase enzymes; however, blast searches of the cryptococcal genome were unable to identify any homologues of mammalian, plant or fungal lipoxygenases. Next we investigated cryptococcal laccase, an enzyme known to bind polyphenols, and found that either antibody depletion or genetic deletion of the primary cryptococcal laccase (lac1 Delta) resulted in a loss of cryptococcal prostaglandin production. To determine how laccase is involved, we tested recombinant laccase activity on the prostaglandin precursors, arachidonic acid (AA), PGG(2) and PGH(2). Using mass spectroscopy we determined that recombinant Lac1 does not modify AA or PGH(2), but does have a marked activity toward PGG(2) converting it to PGE(2) and 15-keto-PGE(2). These data demonstrate a critical role for laccase in cryptococcal prostaglandin production, and provides insight into a new and unique fungal prostaglandin pathway.
Effects of Single Point Dressing on Seeded Gel Grinding Wheel Surface Topography

The effects of single point dressing on the surface topography of a seeded gel (SG) ceramic grinding wheel are investigated. First, new wheel and grain characterization techniques including X-ray micro-tomography (μCT) are introduced to obtain a better understanding of the micro surface topography of the SG grinding wheel. Single point dressing experiments are then carried out and the resulting wheel topography evaluated using optical surface metrology to understand the effects of dressing parameters. A special wheel indexing and relocation apparatus is designed and used to analyze changes in wheel surface topography at a given location before and after dressing. In addition, statistical distributions of the key parameters (e.g. grit density, grit size, grit height, number of sides of grit, grit spacing) are determined and analyzed.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
A variety of familial light sensitive epilepsy.

Abstract In a study of a family of four children and the parents it was found that three of the four children suffered from mental retardation, spastic diplegia and sensitivity to flickering light. The sensitivity to light experienced by the children in this family is compared with similar conditions described as “hereditary light sensitive epilepsy”. The hypothesis is offered that while in some instances sensitivity to light results from diffuse neuronal disease, in others it stems from a more discrete defect in subcortical systems.
Evaluation of tilidine for morphine-like subjective effects and euphoria.

Abstract Tilidine is an opioid analgesic that has been abused predominantly by the oral route. Studies of parenterally administered tilidine in animals did not clearly indicate a dependence potential of the morphine type. In this study we examined the abuse potential of orally and parenterally administered tilidine in humans. Both orally and intramuscularly given tilidine produced miosis and morphine-like subjective effects in non-dependent subjects. Oral tilidine was 1 8 – 1 10 as potent and intramuscular tilidine was 1 22 as potent as parenteral morphine in producing morphine-like subjective and miotic effects. Intramuscular tilidine suppressed and did not precipitate signs of abstinence in morphine-dependent subjects. However, intramuscularly given tilidine produced toxic effects not seen with morphine. Meperidine, codeine and d-propoxyphene produced morphine-like subjective and miotic effects, but also produced toxic effects at the highest doses tested. The results suggest that tilidine has a potential to be abused, that this potential is less than that of parenteral morphine and that tilidine is more likely to be abused orally than by the intramuscular route.
Thermal stability, crystallization kinetics and morphology of a new semicrystalline polyimide based on 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzene and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride

Abstract This work investigates the crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of a new melt processable semicrystalline polyimide (T g =210° C , T m =395° C ) based on 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzene and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, and endcapped with phthalic anhydride. Earlier studies have demonstrated that this polymer is a strong candidate as a structural adhesive for high-temperature and high-performance applications. In this study, an Avrami Analysis was utilized to study the bulk crystallization kinetics as a function of crystallization temperature, melt time and melt temperature. For the crystallization temperatures studied, the Avrami parameter K increased substantially for small increases in undercooling or small decreases in melt temperature and residence time. Spherulitic growth rates were measured microscopically at different crystallization temperatures. The effect of varying the melt time and temperature on the growth rate at a particular temperature was determined. The variation in the Avrami parameters is correlated with independent microscopic observations of the nucleation density and the spherulitic growth rates. Melt viscosity was followed as a function of melt temperature, residence time in the melt and deformation rate. Higher melt temperatures result in a faster increase in the isothermal melt viscosity indicating chemical changes in the polymer at such high melt temperatures. Followed rheologically, onset of crystallization requires greater undercooling when cooling from higher melt temperatures. Non-isothermal crystallization was followed using DSC and optical microscopy, both of which gave evidence of a distinct ‘catastrophic nucleation’ process at temperatures in the vicinity of 330°C during cooling from the melt.
Intravitreal Corticosteroids in the Management of Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) remains an important worldwide cause of visual loss. Corticosteroids have a role in the treatment of some patients with advanced or recurrent DME. The best studied steroids for this indication are triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, and fluocinolone acetonide. All steroids are associated with risks of cataract and intraocular pressure elevation. In addition, intravitreal injection of any medication is associated with risks of infectious endophthalmitis, which has led to the investigation of various extended-release steroid implants. At this time, no steroid is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of DME.
Thymosin α1 and thymosin β4 modulate human colonic lamina propria lymphocyte function

Abstract Thymosin α 1 and thymosin β 4 are two thymosin fraction 5-derived peptides with the capacity to alter a variety of immune functions in human and animal models. In this study we investigated the effect of both thymosin α 1 and thymosin β 4 on human colonic lamina propria lymphocyte (LPL) proliferation and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. LPL from eighteen human colon specimens were cultured in the presence or absence of thymosin α 1 and thymosin β 4 . We found that both peptides suppressed thymidine incorporation into LPL. However, thymosin α 1 and thymosin β 4 did not alter thymidine incorporation into phorbol ester (PDB) and calcium ionophore (ionomycin)-stimulated LPL. Furthermore, thymosin α 1 and thymosin β 4 also did not alter ODC activity in Con A-stimulated LPL. These results suggest that both peptides alter LPL proliferation, and that the mechanism for this inhibition may not involve the calcium fluxes or the ODC pathway but may involve protein kinase C. We postulate that thymosin α 1 and thymosin β 4 may participate in the modulation of the human mucosal immune system.
Arctic Oscillation modulation of the Northern Hemisphere spring tropospheric ozone

[1] This study identifies the Arctic Oscillation (AO) signature on the interannual variability of tropospheric ozone, with an emphasis on spring ozone over the North American and European continents. The analysis is first performed on ozonesonde data. It is shown that the variability in AO explains up to 50% of the tropospheric ozone variability in the lower troposphere over North America during the spring months. Chemistry-transport model simulations in which the meteorology varies from year to year, but the emissions and net stratospheric production of ozone remain the same show similar results. The model results indicate the role of the AO in modulating stratosphere-troposphere exchange and in regulating the transport of ozone and its precursors from North America, Europe and Asia.
A profile of nonurban physicians from the study of changing and learning in the lives of physicians

A secondary analysis was conducted on the research by Fox and others concerning changing and learning in the lives of physicians.(1) A subset of 81 cases of change reported by 33 non-urban physicians was analyzed to investigate how these physicians select and use human helpers, material resources, and continuing medical education (CME) during change. Both descriptive statistical methods and the constant comparative method described by Glazer and Strauss were utilized.15 Results indicate that the changing/learning process and learning strategies within that process for nonurban physicians is very similar to the general population as reported by Fox et al.1 Nonurban physicians most typically selected human helpers on the basis of established trust, selected material resources by how current and how authoritative the source was, and used CME more often in the stage of making the change versus preparing for or solidifying the change. The physicians consistently used multiple types of learning resources in their changing/learning process, often using different types of resources for each stage of change.
Massively parallel model matching: geometric hashing on the Connection Machine

The parallelizability of geometric hashing is explored, and two algorithms are presented. Geometric hashing uses the collection of models in a preprocessing phase (executed off line) to build a hash table data structure. The data structure encodes the model information in a highly redundant, multiple-viewpoint way. During the recognition phase, when presented with a scene and extracted features, the hash table data structure indexes geometric properties of the scene features to candidate models. The first uses: parallel hypercube techniques to route information through a series of maps and building-block parallel algorithms. The second algorithm uses the Connection Machine's large memory resources and achieves parallelism through broadcast facilities from the front end. The discussion is confined to the problem of recognizing dot patterson embedded in a scene after they have undergone translation, rotation, and scale changes. >
Creating pathways to develop student professionalism: a new direction

The 2007-2008 academic year brought a new program of student employment to our IT department called IT Fellows. This program brings together the technological skills of IT along with soft business skills to assist our student employees in becoming well-rounded individuals fully prepared for life after college. In previous years our primary area of student employment was the Help Desk in which there was a tiered system in place with opportunities for resume and interview experience, raises, and promotions. The area of training needed further development and the move to the new program provided enhanced opportunities for training at all levels of employment. First-year candidates attend a week-long Leadership Academy, followed by a full year of training in four six-week rotations of their choice, after which they interview for year-long assignments as interns. Internship opportunities are provided in all areas of the department as well as some campus departments outside of IT, and provide transcript credit for them to carry forward in their prospective careers. As they progress, some upper-class Fellows become mentors, coaches, managers, and trainers themselves. All Fellows participate in educational seminars throughout the year which address many areas of technology and professionalism. Come journey with us as we explore the new terrain of students as colleagues, and the benefits of expanding skill sets, both in full-time staff as well as student employees.
X-ray active matrix pixel sensors based on J-FET technology developed for the Linac Coherent Light Source

An X-ray active matrix pixel sensor (XAMPS) is being developed for recording data for the X-ray pump probe experiment at the linac coherent light source (LCLS). Special attention has to be paid to some technological challenges that this design presents. New processes were developed and refined to address problems encountered during previous productions of XAMPS. The development of these critical steps and corresponding tests results are reported here.
A hybrid graphical-simulation analysis of a health systems application

Computer simulation is often used to optimize practical network queuing models. In many situations the number of possible alter natives that could be simulated is large, and individual runs may be expensive. A simple approximation technique can be used to reduce the number of options actually simulated by providing a pictorial representation of the service process in a network of queues under simplifying assumptions. A simulation experiment can then be performed for detailed analysis of the selected subset of alternatives. This hybrid graphical-simulation approach was used in the design of a United States Air Force health improve ment program.
The Feminization of Anthropology: Moving Private Discourses into the Public Sphere

The author describes her early experiences as a woman in the field of linguistic anthropology.
Computer Aided Design of a New Universal Clamping Mechanism

The tooling and fixture play important roles in manufacturing and production. It affects both product quality and quantity. Better tooling and fixture can also promote cost-effective manufacturing process. This paper introduces a new type of universal clamping mechanism based on computer-aided 3D modeling, engineering structural analysis, and prototype testing. It can be applied to easily and reliably clamp different geometrical shape of work pieces per user requirements. This new clamping mechanism, with less moving components, can assist manufacturing industry for high speed production, easy part handling, precise clamping, and lower tooling cost. Keywords: Computer-aided design, automated production, 3D modeling, cost-effective, high speed manufacturing, engineering analysis, optimization, efficient;
The Need for National Guidelines to Manage Fatigue in HIV-Positive Patients

There are currently no guidelines available for clinicians who treat HIV-infected patients experiencing fatigue. Fatigue in this population is overlooked and undertreated. Guidelines need to be developed. A model developed by Rousswurm and Larrabee can be used to develop such guidelines. The steps to develop guidelines include the following: (a) assess the need for change in practice, (b) link the problem interventions and outcomes, (c) synthesize the best evidence, (d) design the practice change, (e) implement and evaluate the change in practice that has occurred since the guidelines were set up, and (f) integrate and maintain the changes that has come about in practice. By using evidence-based guidelines, the diagnosis and treatment of fatigue in HIV-positive patients experiencing fatigue can be approached in a standardized way, assuring the best treatment to those patients and assisting the health care providers manage patients with guidelines to standardize care.
An inhibitory effect of calcium on citrate utilization by various tissues

Abstract We studied the effect of calcium on the oxidation of C 14 -labeled citrate in slices of heart, liver and kidney. In each of these tissues, in the absence of calcium, citrate oxidation was rapid at low bicarbonate concentrations; when pH and bicarbonate concentration increased, citrate oxidation was inhibited, as has been previously described for kidney. In the presence of 2.5 m m calcium citrate oxidation was markedly inhibited in slices of heart and liver so that little or no additional inhibition by bicarbonate ion and pH occurred. In slices of renal cortex calcium inhibited citrate oxidation to a lesser degree than in the other two tissues and the inhibitory effect of bicarbonate ion and pH was still quite noticeable. We also measured substrate utilization in the presence and absence of calcium in heart and liver slices. In general, with concentrations of bicarbonate from 10 to 50 m m net citrate utilization in the absence of calcium changed to net citrate production when calcium was added to the medium. As the concentration of bicarbonate ion increased the amount of net citrate utilization decreased or net citrate production increased. Calcium had minor effects on net pyruvate and malate utilization under these circumstances. High bicarbonate concentrations caused citrate content of medium and slices to increase both in the presence and absence of calcium. These results suggest that calcium plays a role in the intact animal in limiting the amount of citrate utilized by heart and liver and in determining the organ specificity of the effect of metabolic alkalosis on citrate metabolism.
Electron beam/optical mixed lithography at half-micron ground rules

Abstract Over the past decade, CMOS technology has been continuously scaled down to satisfy the demand for enhanced performance and higher density. As a result, the importance of electron beam lithography utilized as a direct writing technique for sub-micron geometries has increased significantly. Although the application of electron beam lithography encompasses both the micron and sub-micron regimes, a more recent trend is directed towards a strategy of mixing photo-optical and electron beam technologies. The goal is to improve throughput and reduce overall cost of fabricating high density VLSI device geometries without compromising device performance. This is readilly achieved by writing only selected critical levels with high resolution electron beam techniques and all other levels with high throughout optical methods. The results of the successful combination of the lithographic capabilities of the GCA MANN 6300 10X optical stepper and the 0.5 micron IBM EL-3 variable shaped electron beam tools to fabricate functional, partially scaled N- and P- channel CMOS devices with 0.5 micron effective gate lengths are presented. The lithography related factors which influence overlay, pattern quality, and performance are discussed.
X-ray Fluorescence Investigation of Ordered Intermetallic Phases as Electrocatalysts towards the Oxidation of Small Organic Molecules

The composition of ordered intermetallic nanoparticles (PtBi and PtPb) has been quantitatively studied by in situ X-ray fluorescence (XRF) during active electrochemical control in solutions of supporting electrolyte and small organic molecules (SOMs). Because the Pt Lβ1,2 lines and the Bi Lα1,2 lines are only separated by 200 eV, an energy-dispersive detector and a multiple-channel analyzer (MCA) were used to record the major fluorescent emission lines from these two elements. The molar ratios of platinum to the less-noble elements (Bi, Pb) in the nanoparticles dramatically changed as a function of the applied upper limit potentials (Eulp) in cyclic voltammetric (CV) characterization. Similar to previous investigations for bulk intermetallic surfaces, the less-noble elements leached out from the surfaces of the intermetallic nanoparticles. For PtBi nanoparticles, the ratios of fluorescence intensities of Pt/Bi in the samples were 0.42, 0.96, and 1.36 for Eulp=+0.40, +0.80, and 1.20 V, respectively, while cycling the potential from -0.20 V to the Eulp value for 10 cycles. The leaching-out process of the less-noble elements occurred at more negative Eulp values than expected. After cycling to relatively positive Eulp values, nonuniform PtM (M=Bi of Pb) nanoparticles formed with a Pt-rich shell and intermetallic PtM core. When the supportingmore » solutions contained active fuel molecules in addition to the intermetallic nanoparticles (formic acid for PtBi, formic acid and methanol for PtPb), kinetic stabilization effects were observed for Eulp=+0.80 V, in a way similar to the response of the bulk materials. It was of great importance to quantitatively explore the change in composition and structure of the intermetallic nanoparticles under active electrochemical control. More importantly, this approach represents a simple, universal, and multifunctional method for the study of multi-element nanoparticles as electrocatalysts. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of nondestructive, quantitative characterization of bimetallic or multi-elemental nanoparticles electrocatalysts under active electrochemical control.« less
MACHIAVELLIANISM AND CAREERS AT PLATEAU

Summary.-90 managers from a high-tech firm self-administered the Mach IV questionnaire. Analysis showed no significant difference between the more Machiavellian-oriented managers and their less Machiavellian peers on either of two dimensions. The High Machs were not promoted more often nor did they expect to be promoted more often than Low Machs in this study. Machiavellian tendencies were not related to 'career plateauing.' Based on Machiavelli's 16th century writings, Christie and Geis developed scales to measure Machiavellian strategy in interpersonal relationship (1970). Subsequent studies led to the conclusion that in unstructured situations people who scored high on the Mach scales tended to "win more, were persuaded less, persuaded others more or behaved as predicted" (Christie & Geis, 1970, p. 289) significantly more than those who scored low on the scales. High Machs are chosen as leaders more often (Guterman, 1970) and excel at making strategic and operating decisions (Jones & White, 1983). It seems that managers with higher Machiavellian orientations would advance more rapidly in organizations and show greater positional mobility than those with lower orientations. Further, at any given moment the High Machs would be less likely to have reached a career plateau than individuals with a low Machiavellian orientation. A manager is considered to be at a plateau at that point in his career when the probabihty for promotion is very low (Ference, Stoner, & Warren, 1977, p. 602). Not at plateau is defined as having "the possibility of promotion" (Carnazza, Korman, Ference, & Stoner, 1981, p. 8). Two studies have examined the relationship between Machiavellianism and upward mobdity. Gemmill and Heisler (1972) found no significant relation between upward mobility and Machiavellianism. Heisler and Gemmill (1977) reported trends suggesting a negative relation. Neither study, however, focused explicitly on the concept of the career plateau. The purpose of the present research is to assess the associations between Machiavellian behavior and careers at plateau and not at plateau.
Developmental neurotoxicity of PCBs in humans: What do we know and where do we go from here?

The potential neurotoxicity of PCBs was first recognized in 1968 when a number of Japanese people became ill after ingesting rice oil that was contaminated with PCBs during the manufacturing process (Yusho). Later a similar exposure occurred in Taiwan (YuCheng). Children born to Taiwanese mothers who consumed PCB-contaminated rice oil were followed and a number of developmental abnormalities, including lower body weight and height, higher activity levels, greater incidence of behavior problems, and lower IQ scores, were observed. However, interpretation of these findings is complicated by the fact that there did not appear to be any relationship between available indices of exposure and severity of effects, and by the fact that the PCBs to which the Taiwanese were exposed contained unusually high concentrations of dibenzofurans, which are many times more toxic than PCBs, and may have been responsible for some or all of the observed effects. Since the Yusho and YuCheng episodes, several studies have been initiated to study the neurobehavioral effects of exposure to the lower levels of PCBs present in the environment. The two studies published to date have yielded conflicting results. Jacobson, Jacobson, and colleagues reported that in utero PCB exposure was associated with decreased birth weight and head circumference, shorter gestation, and several adverse outcomes on the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Battery. Later they reported that the body weight deficits associated with prenatal PCB exposure were still present at 5 months and 4 years of age. Deficits in memory function were observed at 7 months and 4 years. Rogan, Gladen, and colleagues did not find any evidence of decreased birth weight or head circumference. Nor did they find any evidence of deficits in memory function. However, they did observe some similar effects on the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Battery. They also observed a small delay in psychomotor development in the most highly PCB-exposed children, but the effect did not persist beyond 2 years of age. A number of methodological concerns have been raised about the Jacobson study, including issues related to exposure assessment, sample selection, and control of potential confounding variables. However, it is not clear that these shortcomings can explain the discrepancies between their findings and those of Rogan and Gladen. Other possible explanations include differences in exposure levels or PCB congener patterns between the two cohorts, differences in sociodemographic variables between the two cohorts, or other problems inherent in trying to detect subtle neuropsychological deficits at exposure levels that are near the threshold for effects. Hopefully, several new studies that are currently underway will help to resolve the uncertainties regarding the risks of perinatal PCB exposure that have been created by the conflicting results of these early studies.
Separation of Mono-, Di-, and Triphosphate Nucleotides by Cytosine Substituted, Silica-Bound Sapphyrin Solid Supports

Abstract A cytosine-substituted sapphyrin when used as a silica gel bound HPLC solid support effectively separates guanosine 5′-mono-, di-, and triphosphate from a mixture of the mono-, di- and triphosphates of cytidine, uridine, adenosine, and guanosine, respectively under isocratic conditions at pH 7. In addition, using this same solid support, cytidine 5′-monophosphate, guanosine 5′-monophosphate, adenosine 5′-mono-phosphate and uridine 5′-monophosphate are all readily separated from each other under similar HPLC conditions.
Chromatography and Countercurrent Distribution: Features of the Optimum Phase-Volume Ratio

Abstract It is commonly believed that the optimum solvent ratio in countercurrent distribution and chromatography may be expressed as V = VU/VL = (KD1 KDπ ) −½. Here VU and VL are the volumes of mobile and stationary phases. This expression, proposed by Bush and Densen and widely accepted, leads to optimum separations only under special conditions. Under most commonly-encountered situations in chromatographic and countercurrent systems, better separations may be achieved by reducing V to the lowest practicable level. Measures of separation effectiveness include resolution, extent of separation, total percent impurity, and quantity factor, the latter two of which are herein developed. Computer simulation is used for testing existing separation parameters and developing new ones on a rational and scientific basis.
Effects of two weight-loss diets on health-related quality of life

To compare the effects of two diets on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Overweight volunteers (n = 119) were randomized to follow a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet (LCKD) or a low-fat diet (LFD) for 24 weeks. HRQOL was measured every 4 weeks using the Short Form-36 and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. The mean age was 45 years and mean baseline body mass index was 34 kg/m2; 76% were women. At 24 weeks, five subscales (Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning) and the Physical Component Summary score improved similarly in both diet groups. Bodily Pain improved in the LFD group only, whereas the Role-Emotional and Mental Health subscales and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) score improved in the LCKD group only. In comparison with the LFD group, the LCKD group had a statistically significant greater improvement in MCS score (3.1; 95%CI 0.2–6.0; effect size = 0.44) and a borderline significant greater improvement in the Mental Health subscale (5.0; 95%CI −0.3–10.4; effect size = 0.37). Mental aspects of HRQOL improved more in participants following an LCKD than an LFD, possibly resulting from the LCKD’s composition, lack of explicit energy restriction, higher levels of satiety or metabolic effects.
Double fertilization in barley and the cytological explanation for haploid embryo formation, embryoless caryopses, and ovule abortion

The progeny of an induced barley mutant has recently been shown to produce a relatively high percentage of caryopses containing haploid embryos. In addition, some caryopses have a full complement of endosperm, but lack an embryo, and still other ovules abort at an early stage. The study reported here was initiated to investigate the embryological basis of these unusual phenomena. Since the majority of the ovules studied showed normal double fertilization, a built-in control was provided and, therefore, this process is also described. The pollen tube delivers the two male gametes to the embryo sac by first growing through the micropyle of the inner integument, then between nucellar cells before discharging into the degenerate synergid. Double fertilization is effected after the sperm cells exit the degenerate synergid and enter the intercellular space between the egg apparatus and the central cell. The lack of a cytoplasmic sheath around the sperm nucleus within the egg, the absence of any identifiable male organelles in the egg-zygote cytoplasm, and the presence of a cytoplasmic sheath in the intercellular space outside the zygote at the point where the sperm nucleus had entered, suggest that no male cytoplasm enters the egg during the process of syngamy. Haploid embryos arise from the unfertilized egg. In these ovules, triple fusion of the polar nuclei and one sperm occurs normally, but the other sperm fails to enter the egg even though it reaches the intercellular space just outside the female gamete. Embryoless caryopses appear to result from a similar condition, i.e., the lack of syngamy accompanied by triploid endosperm formation. However, in this case, the egg does not continue to develop into an embryo. The absence of polar nuclei or the failure of triple fusion even though the egg may be fertilized, results in the ultimate abortion of some ovules.
The Libertarian Cancan

L'A. critique la these de J. P. Sterba selon laquelle les theories de la justice inherentes aux differentes versions du libertarisme, du liberalisme, du socialisme, du communautarisme et du feminisme partagent le meme droit au bien-etre et le meme principe de l'egalite des chances. Parmi les representants du libertarisme convoques par Sterba, l'A. montre que H. Spencer et Locke rejettent le droit au bien-etre comme contraire a la liberte, pour l'un, et contraire au droit fondamental a la propriete, pour l'autre.
Abdominal computed tomography scan in acute lupus abdominal serositis

This report demonstrates the value of abdominal computed tomography in the evaluation and management of a patient with abdominal complaints due to systemic lupus erythematosus.
Balancing Approach to Minimal Realization and Model Reduction of Stable Nonlinear Systems

This paper presents a computational approach to determine a reduced order model of a nonlinear system. The procedure is closely related to balanced model reduction and introduces the concept of covariance matrices for local controllability and observability analysis of a nonlinear system. These covariance matrices are an extension of gramians of a linear system and are used to determine unobservable and uncontrollable parts of the system for a given operating region. Additionally, an algorithm is introduced that eliminates these nonminimal parts of the model and can further reduce the model, i.e., the number of state variables. This minimal realization/model reduction procedure is simple to implement and can be applied locally to any stable system without making any assumptions about observability and controllability. Examples are presented to demonstrate the procedure. When the algorithm is applied to linear systems, it reduces to well-known techniques for minimal realization and balanced model reduction.
Comparison of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Adult Populations and Economic Thresholds in First-Year and Continuous Corn Fields

Population dynamics of the western corn rootworm beetle, Diabrorica virgifera virgifera LeConte, were studied in 16 first-year corn (FC) fields and 12 continuous corn (CC) fields in Indiana in 1978–1980. Three sampling methods, corn-ear-height sticky traps, hand collections, and whole-plant beetle counts, were used to characterize beetle populations. Western corn rootworm beetle density, sex ratio, and female ovarial development were monitored from mid-July to October in both cropping sequences. Based on trapping data, a higher density and percentage of female beetles were found in the FC fields than the CC fields after 30 July. Between 7 August and 8 September, a time of significant oviposition, the density of female beetles in FC fields was 2.57 beetles per trap per day, compared with 1.48 in the CC fields. Additionally, the CC fields had a higher total beetle density than the FC fields until 21 August, with the exception of 8 August in 1978 and 7 August in 1979 when the densities were similar. After 21 August, the total beetle density in FC and CC fields was generally not significantly different. Western corn rootworm female beetles collected in FC fields had more ovarial development than did beetles trapped in CC fields on 30 July. Regression equations, predicting whole-plant beetle count economic threshold from larval counts and root damage ratings, indicated that the economic threshold levels used in FC fields should be ca. 50% less than that used in CC fields.
A SIMPLE BEDSIDE METHOD FOR TRANSVENOUS INTRACARDIAC PACING.

Abstract A simple and effective method for transvenous intracardiac pacing is presented, utilizing a flexible, platinum-tipped, Tefloncoated, braided stainless steel wire electrode inserted percutaneously. The advantages of the technique over those using the semirigid cardiac catheter electrodes are discussed. The technique permits intracardiac electrode placement without the necessity of fluoroscopic control and avoids the hazard of cardiac perforation. The procedure may be applied at the bedside with ease and speed, even in the most urgent clinical situation. Several cases in which this method of intracardiac pacing has been successfully employed are outlined and the absence of complications to date is stressed.
Preparation and Characterization of Porous Gold and its Application as a Platform for Immobilization of Acetylcholine Esterase

We report a method for fabrication of free-standing porous gold material with high surface area, and well-defined, tunable pore morphology. Porous gold is formed via a simple procedure which involves an acidic treatment of a commercially available complex white-gold alloy. We used SEM and AFM techniques to characterize the surface morphology, size and shape of the meso-pores as well as the surface roughness of the prepared porous gold samples. Formation of self-assembled monolayers of a flavin sulfide on the gold surface was used to estimate the total surface area of porous gold material. The monolayers were found to be electrochemically active by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. It was found that 24 hour HNO3 treatment gave a 12,400 times surface enlargement and resulted in a surface area of 14.2 m2/g, whereas 72 hour HNO3 treatment resulted in a 6900 times surface enlargement and a surface area of 8.7 m2/g. In addition, the enzyme acetylcholine esterase was immobilized on the different porous gold surfaces in order to demonstrate biocompatibility of the porous gold material. Kinetic parameters and the amount of the immobilized acetylcholine esterase were determined.
Design and optimization of cellular manufacturing systems: a methodology for developing robotic workcell simulation models

Robotic workcell simulation is a modeling-based problem solving approach developed for the design, analysis, and offline programming of robotic workcells. Current industrial practices show that commercial robotic simulation software packages are able to provide designers with an interactive and virtual environment in which credible solutions for robotic workcell designs can be obtained. However, conducting robotic workcell simulation studies via robotic simulation packages require designers to carry out complex processes of modeling, programming, and analysis, which often results in technical challenges and difficulties. In this paper, a methodology for developing robotic workcell simulation models via Deneb IGRIP technology is introduced. The development of the method is based on successful applications of Deneb's IGRIP robotic simulation software in designing real robotic workcells.
Relativistic control theory and the dynamic control of communication networks

The purpose of this paper is to discuss, in an informal manner, some of the very interesting problems that arise when one examines decision strategies in dynamic communication networks. The study of such systems leads to natural decentralized control strategies associated with stochastic control problems with nonclassical information structure. Since this nonclassical information pattern is a consequence of the physical limitations on the speed of information transfer, we call this class of problems relativistic stochastic control problems.
Surfactant-Enhanced Penetration of Benzyladenine through Isolated Tomato Fruit Cuticular Membranes

The effect of Triton X-100 (TX-100) on the penetration of benzyladenine (BA) through isolated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit cuticular membranes was studied using finite and infinite dose diffusion and sorption/desorption systems. Finite dose penetration of BA (18 and 160 μM, pH 2 and 6) from donor droplets (3 μL) was characterized by an initial time lag, a maximum rate of penetration, and total penetration. TX-100 (0.1% w/v) increased maximum BA penetration rates 1.5−40-fold (pH 6, 18 and 160 μM) and total penetration 1.5−3-fold (pH 2 and 6, 18 and 160 μM BA). In infinite dose studies, rates of BA penetration (20 μM, pH 6.0) were increased ∼2-fold by TX-100. Surfactant effects were greatest when the surfactant was presented to the outer morphological surface of the cuticle (both native and dewaxed) regardless of whether TX-100 was penetrating in the same or opposite direction to BA. Sorption/desorption of BA was not affected by TX-100. Keywords: Cuticle; cytokinin; diffusion; Triton X-100; ...
The Doctrinal Interests of Marius Mercator

From the middle of the seventeenth until the end of the first quarter of the twentieth century Marius Mercator was regarded by theologians and historians as one of the most valuable extant sources of information concerning both the Pelagian and Nestorian controversies. The basis of the notable reputation which he so long enjoyed was of course the erroneous belief that he was the compiler of the Palatine Collection, a vast and impressive mass of papal and episcopal letters, remonstrances, sermons, confessions of faith, and memoirs used in the two ecumenical councils of the fifth century. This material concerned, almost exclusively, the heresies of Pelagius and Nestorius and apparently had been gathered together for use against the adherents of those two heresiarchs. Though little could be learned about Mercator himself, the available information gave him an impeccable position in the ranks of the orthodox. He was a disciple and correspondent of Augustine, whom he supported by savage attacks on Pelagius and other leaders of the Western heresy, and he was also known to Jerome, who, in a letter sent from distant Palestine to the Roman Donatus in the year 419, included a message to Mercator, encouraging him in his opposition to the Pelagians.
Modality and Ontology

In contemporary philosophy of mathematics and, to some extent, metaphysics and epistemology, one can distinguish two schools of thought. One group favours set theory and holds that set-theoretic assertions should be taken more or less literally, "at face value". This is realism, in two senses. First, it is held that mathematical objects, sets, exist independently of the mathematician. This may be called "realism in ontology". Second, the assertions of set theory have objective truth values, independent of the conventions, languages, and minds of the mathematicians; and the bulk of the assertions of competent set theorists are true. Call this "realism in truth value". As is well-known, there are serious epistemological problems to be faced by this group (see Benacerraf 1973). How, for example, is it possible for humans to know anything about sets, and what confidence can we have that our assertions about them are true? This, I believe, is the most serious challenge to realism. Members of this group include Quine (1981), Putnam (1971), Resnik (1981), Maddy (1990), and myself (see Shapiro 1989). Under Quine's influence, some (but not all) of these philosophers are skeptical of modality or, at any rate, they don't think modal notions can play central roles in philosophical explanations. But the logical notions of possibility, necessity, and consequence are notable exceptions to this skepticism. It may be that these are accepted because they have (presumably) been reduced to set theory, via model theory-this despite the prevailing anti-reductionist spirit. For example, a sentence or proposition, 0, is said to be logically possible if and only if there is a model that satisfies 0. This "reduction", or analysis, plays an important role in what follows. The second school is the opposite of the first. Its members are skeptical of set theory, at least if it is taken literally, and they accept at least some forms of modality. To be precise, these philosophers are less skeptical of modality than they are of set theory. So, they set out to reformulate mathematics, or something to play the role of mathematics, in modal terms. Prominent members of this school include Field (1980, 1984), Hellman (1989), Chihara (1990), Dummett (1973, 1977), Blackburn (1984), and possibly Putnam (1967). The point of the second enterprise is to see how far we can go without asserting the existence of abstract objects like sets. The members of this school are thus anti-realists in ontology. Many of the authors, however, are realists in truth value, in that statements of mathematics, or close surrogates, have objective truth con-
Outcomes from IBD-associated and non-IBD-associated colorectal cancer: a Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Medicare study.

BACKGROUND There is controversy as to whether the clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer in the setting of IBD are distinct from sporadic colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics and outcomes between IBD-associated and sporadic colorectal cancer. DESIGN This retrospective population-based cohort study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare-linked database. SETTINGS This study was conducted in 6 US metropolitan areas enrolled in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results. PATIENTS Beneficiaries of Medicare parts A and B identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database with a diagnosis of IBD-associated or sporadic colorectal cancer who underwent surgical resection were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES The main outcome was death. The adjusted risk ratio for death compared patients with IBD-associated colorectal cancer with patients who had sporadic colorectal cancer. RESULTS Patients with IBD-associated colorectal cancer were more likely to present at an earlier stage, use immunosuppression, and have metachronous colorectal cancer. Although total proctocolectomy was more common among IBD patients with colorectal cancer, the majority (>75%) underwent a segmental resection. Cancer-specific survival was worse for IBD-associated colorectal cancer vs sporadic colorectal cancer (mean, 32.9 months vs 42.4 months). After adjusting for potential confounders, older age, male sex, higher stage, IBD, immunosuppression, neoadjuvant radiation, and metachronous tumor were associated with a higher risk of cancer-specific mortality. Among patients with IBD, there was no difference in cancer-specific survival for segmental colectomy vs proctocolectomy. LIMITATIONS This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing insurance data dependent on the correct coding of patient claims. CONCLUSION Older patients with IBD-associated colorectal cancer appear to have a slightly worse outcome than those with sporadic colorectal cancer. The cause of this is multifactorial, but it does not appear to be associated with a more limited surgical resection.
Examination of direct cumulus contamination on MISR-retrieved aerosol optical depth and angstrom coefficient over ocean

[1] The effect of direct cumulus contamination on the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and angstrom exponent (AE) from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) was examined using overlapped 15-m resolution data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) over the tropical western Atlantic Ocean (RICO), the Gulf of Mexico (GOMX), and Indian Ocean (INDI). Overall, 12%, 6% and 11% of MISR 1.1-km pixels for aerosol retrievals contain some clouds, but 97%, 100% and 89% of these MISR pixels have the clouds covering less than 5% of the MISR pixel area over RICO, GOMX and INDI, respectively. On average, cumulus-contaminated pixels increase AOD at 558 nm by 0.02, 0.02 and 0.00 and decrease AE by 0.03, 0.11 and 0.04 for RICO, GOMX and INDI, respectively. Based on these findings, a MISR-derived aerosol optical depth climatology over the tropical oceans is biased high by no more than 0.002 from direct cumulus contamination.