cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuropeptides as Therapeutic Targets in Anxiety Disorders

In addition to the classical neurotransmitters, neuropeptides represent an important class of modulators for affective behaviors and associated disorders, such as anxiety disorders. Many neuropeptides are abundantly expressed in brain regions involved in emotional processing and anxiety behaviors. Moreover, risk factors for anxiety disorders such as stress modulate the expression of various neuropeptides in the brain. Due to the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and yet limited treatment options, there is a clear need for more effective therapeutics. In this regard, the various neuropeptides represent exciting candidates for new therapeutic designs. In this review, I will provide an up-to-date summary on the evidences for the involvement of seven neuropeptides in anxiety: corticotropin-releasing factor, urocortins, vasopressin, oxytocin, substance P, neuropeptide Y and galanin. This review will cover the behavioral effects of these neuropeptides in animal models of anxiety by both genetic and pharmacological manipulations. Human studies indicating a role for these neuropeptides in anxiety disorders will also be discussed.
Grabbing Amphiregulin by the Tail to Better Understand Keratinocyte Growth

Amphiregulin (AREG) is an important regulator of cellular growth in keratinocytes, carcinomas, and hyperproliferative epidermal disorders, including psoriasis. Stoll and colleagues present data suggesting that the cytoplasmic carboxy-terminal domain of amphiregulin plays an important role in regulating autocrine keratinocyte growth through the epidermal growth factor receptor. These observations raise novel and interesting biological questions regarding the function of the cytoplasmic C-terminal region of AREG.
Enabling technologies for plastic displays

This paper demonstrates the state of critical technologies for the integration of Thin Film Transistors (TFTs) onto plastic substrates for display applications. The transistor technologies examined include polyscrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, organic semiconductor of TFTs. Fundamental work in new regimes of operation enabled by plastic substrates, such as the effect of rolling and 3-D deformation are also developed, leading to design guidelines. Finally, printing approaches for organic semiconductors are shown to demonstrate potential paths towards roll-to-roll display manufacturing. Altogether, the results point toward the possibility of printing transistors anywhere and bending them into nearly any shape.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Agent-based control for adaptive high performance connected vehicle streams

Recent advancements in Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) technologies allows equipped vehicles to travel with much shorter headways on freeways, increasing freeway capacity and reducing fuel consumption. The technology, augmented by the capabilities made available through the connected vehicles framework, has opened the door for many significant developments in traffic management and control applications. In this paper, we present a novel multi-agent system approach to resolve conflicts based on a token-based dynamic priority index (PI) concept. Experimental results showed the ability of agents to adapt and form high performance streams in a connected vehicle environment as an emerging behavior.
Ultrastructural localization of LH-RH-immunoreactive synapses in the hamster accessory olfactory bulb.

Abstract Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry was used to localize luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) immunoreactivity within the male golden hamster accessory olfactory bulb. Two LH-RH-immunoreactive fiber populations were identified in the accessory olfactory bulb. A superficial system of immunoreactive axons was localized to the vomeronasal nerve and glomerular layers, and a periventricular system appeared in granule cell and periventricular layers. LH-RH-immunoreactive varicosities were observed to contain large reactive vesicles (80–120 nm) as well as a variable degree of cytoplasmic reaction product. Additionally, small vesicles with unreactive lumens and mitochondria were often present. Intervaricose segments of immunoreactive fibers invariably displayed fewer reactive vesicles than did varicosities. Within both glomerular and periventricular layers, some LH-RH-immunoreactive varicosities were observed to form asymmetric contacts characterized by prominent postjunctional densities. In the glomerular layer, these junctions could be identified as synaptic by several features. The presence of LH-RH-immunoreactivity in presynaptic elements supports a neuromodulatory role for LH-RH. As the accessory olfactory system is critically involved in the initiation of mating behavior of the male golden hamster, LH-RH-immunoreactive synapses in the accessoty olfactory bulb may function to regulate reproductive behavior.
Resilience and Vulnerability among Preschool Children: Family Functioning, Temperament, and Behavior Problems

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the effects of child temperament and stressful family functioning on child behavior problems among preschool children. Method One hundred forty-five preschool children, aged 2 to 5 years, were evaluated by teachers, mothers, and independent observers. Teachers reported on child temperament; from these ratings, two dimensions of temperament were derived: difficult/easy and approachability. Mothers reported on two dimensions of family functioning: conflict and expressiveness. Both teachers and independent observers rated child behavior problems. Results Children with more difficult temperaments who were in high-conflict families had the most internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, while children with easy temperaments had fewer such problems, regardless of levels of family conflict. Difficult children whose families were highly expressive engaged in the most observed aggression. Conclusions Results suggest that temperament is involved in both protective and vulnerability processes. A difficult temperament operates as a vulnerability factor for internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and observed aggression, while an easy temperament functions as a protective mechanism for these outcomes.
Molecular Chaperone Machines: Chaperone Activities of the Cyclophilin Cyp-40 and the Steroid Aporeceptor-Associated Protein p23

Molecular chaperones are essential proteins that participate in the regulation of steroid receptors in eukaryotes. The steroid aporeceptor complex contains the molecular chaperones Hsp90 and Hsp70, p48, the cyclophilin Cyp-40, and the associated proteins p23 and p60. In vitro folding assays showed that Cyp-40 and p23 functioned as molecular chaperones in a manner similar to that of Hsp90 or Hsp70. Although neither Cyp-40 nor p23 could completely refold an unfolded substrate, both proteins interacted with the substrate to maintain a nonnative folding-competent intermediate. Thus, the steroid aporeceptor complexes have multiple chaperone components that maintain substrates in an intermediate folded state.
Use of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to detect distinctive indicators of in situ RDX transformation in contaminated groundwater.

An important element of monitored natural attenuation is the detection in groundwater of distinctive products of pollutant degradation or transformation. In this study, three distinctive products of the explosive RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) were detected in contaminated groundwater from the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant; the products were MNX (hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine), DNX (hexahydro-1,3-dinitroso-5-nitro-1,3,5-triazine), and TNX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine). These compounds are powerful indicators of RDX transformation for several reasons: (a) they have unique chemical features that reveal their origin as RDX daughter products, (b) they have no known commercial, industrial, or natural sources, and (c) they are well documented as anaerobic RDX metabolites in laboratory studies. The products were analyzed by LC/MS/MS (liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry) with selected reaction monitoring and internal standard quantification using [...
Protein S Deficiency, Activated Protein C Resistance and Sticky Platelet Syndrome in a Young Woman with Bilateral Strokes

Background: Coagulation disorders are common in young adults (age less than 55 years) with ischemic stroke. Objectives: To describe a young woman with bilateral s
The First Transmembrane Domain of Lipid Phosphatase SAC1 Promotes Golgi Localization

The lipid phosphatase Sac1 cycles between endoplasmic reticulum and cisternal Golgi compartments. In proliferating mammalian cells, a canonical dilysine motif at the C-terminus of Sac1 is required for coatomer complex-I (COP-I)-binding and continuous retrieval to the ER. Starvation triggers accumulation of Sac1 at the Golgi. The mechanism responsible for Golgi retention of Sac1 is unknown. Here we show that the first of the two transmembrane regions in human SAC1 (TM1) functions in Golgi localization. A minimal construct containing only TM1 and the adjacent flanking sequences is concentrated at the Golgi. Transplanting TM1 into transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) induces Golgi accumulation of this normally plasma membrane and endosomal protein, indicating that TM1 is sufficient for Golgi localization. In addition, we determined that the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of SAC1 also promotes Golgi localization, even when TM1 is mutated or absent. We conclude that the distribution of SAC1 within the Golgi is controlled via both passive membrane thickness-dependent partitioning of TM1 and a retention mechanism that requires the N-terminal cytoplasmic region.
The addition of surfactant to slurry for polymer CMP: effects on polymer surface, removal rate and underlying Cu

Abstract Polymers have been considered for interlevel dielectric (ILD) applications in a multilevel metallization scheme mainly because of their low dielectric constant and their low intrinsic stress. As ILDs, polymers may be subjected to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) to achieve global planarization. This study investigates both the effect of surfactant addition to the slurry on the polymer removal rate and surface condition and the effect on the slurry of polishing Cu and Al. The addition of a small amount of surfactant increases the polymer removal rate from nearly 0 to 100 nm min −1 using 0.06 μm alumina abrasive, even though very low abrasive concentrations (0.1%) were used to reduce the scratching of the polymer surface during CMP. Removal rates of Cu and Al were less than 12 nm min −1 , and the Cu was not scratched while the softer Al film was severely scratched.
Infectious Diseases: Considerations for the 21st Century

The discipline of infectious diseases will assume added prominence in the 21st century in both developed and developing nations. To an unprecedented extent, issues related to infectious diseases in the context of global health are on the agendas of world leaders, health policymakers, and philanthropies. This attention has focused both on scientific challenges such as vaccine development and on the deleterious effects of infectious diseases on economic development and political stability. Interest in global health has led to increasing levels of financial support, which, combined with recent technological advances, provide extraordinary opportunities for infectious disease research in the 21st century. The sequencing of human and microbial genomes and advances in functional genomics will underpin significant progress in many areas, including understanding human predisposition and susceptibility to disease, microbial pathogenesis, and the development new diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies. Increasingly, infectious disease research will be linked to the development of the medical infrastructure and training needed in developing countries to translate scientific advances into operational reality.
Biosynthesis of prostaglandin E by rat superior cervical ganglia.

— —The biosynthesis of immunoreactive prostaglandin E (iPGE) was examined in homogenates of rat superior cervical ganglia and in isolated intact ganglia incubated in vitro. Ganglia homogenates produced iPGE from exogenous arachidonic acid. Prostaglandin synthesis by the homogenates was inhibited by the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, eicosatetraynoic acid, indomethacin and sodium meclofenamate and was stimulated by norepinephrine and dopamine. Whole ganglia incubated in Krebs-bicarbonate solution also synthesized iPGE which was released into the incubation bath in a time-dependent manner. As observed in the homogenates, norepinephrine and dopamine enhanced iPGE formation by the intact tissue. Phospholipase A also stimulated iPGE synthesis by the whole ganglia. The effect of phospholipase A was antagonized by dibutyryl cyclic AMP but not by dibutyryl cyclic GMP. The results suggest that neuronally synthesized prostaglandins may be available for modulating adrenergic neuron function and that endogenous neuronal constituents such as catecholamines and cyclic AMP may influence the activity of the prostaglandin synthetase system.
Toughness of reinforcement/concrete bond in tensile loading

Corrosion of reinforcement results in tensile loading of the bond between reinforcement and concrete. Double cantilever beam tests were performed to measure the toughness of the reinforcement bar/concrete interface in tensile loading. The sample mean toughness was determined to be 0.115 N/mm. The bar/concrete toughness has a similar magnitude to reported values of bulk concrete toughness. Hence, the fracture properties of the interface and the bulk concrete are equally important in the optimization of reinforced concrete durability.
On the dynamics of equatorial currents, with application to the Indian Ocean

Abstract The dynamics of equatorial currents are considered in the light of the wind and current measurement at Gan (0.5°S, 73°E) reported by Knox ( Deep-Sea Research , 23 , 211–221, 1976). For westerly and meridional winds the response of equatorial currents is predominantly local and rapid. It follows that the current reversals observed at Gan are most likely due to changes in the local winds and not to a reflection from the eastern boundary, as was previously suggested. The winds at Gan are predominantly westerly, resulting in downwelling at the equator. The eastward momentum put in by the wind at the surface is advected downward giving subsurface eastward flow. With persistent easterlies (as in the Atlantic and Pacific) there is an undercurrent driven by the eastward pressure gradient force, both because of the direct, down gradient flow and because of the vorticity transported by the associated meridional circulation. It is suggested that the undercurrent that has been observed in the Indian Ocean in the early spring is similarly driven by an eastward pressure force. This pressure gradient is a non-local transient feature generated by the zonal readjustment of mass induced by the relaxation of the winds at the fall monsson transition. This idea is consistent with the presence of the undercurrent in 1973 and its absence in 1974.
Muscle activation during unilateral stepping occurs in the nonstepping limb of humans with clinically complete spinal cord injury.

Study design: Comparison of different kinematic and loading conditions on muscle activation in clinically complete spinal cord-injured subjects stepping unilaterally with manual assistance. Objective: To determine if rhythmic lower limb loading or movement could produce rhythmic muscle activation in the nonstepping limb of subjects with clinically complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: Human Locomotion Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. Methods: We recorded electromyography, joint kinematics, and vertical ground reaction forces as four subjects with clinically complete SCI stepped with manual assistance and partial bodyweight support. For all trials, one limb continuously stepped while the other limb underwent different conditions, including rhythmic lower limb loading in an extended position without limb movement, rhythmic lower limb movement similar to stepping without limb loading, and no lower limb loading or movement with the leg in an extended or flexed position. Results: Three subjects displayed rhythmic muscle activity in the nonstepping limb for trials with rhythmic limb loading, but no limb movement. One subject displayed rhythmic muscle activity in the nonstepping limb for trials without ipsilateral limb loading or movement. The rhythmic muscle activity in the nonstepping limb was similar to the rhythmic muscle activity during bilateral stepping. Conclusions: The human spinal cord can use sensory information about ipsilateral limb loading to increase muscle activation even when there is no limb movement. The results also indicate that movement and loading in one limb can produce rhythmic muscle activity in the other limb even when it is stationary and unloaded. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing load-related and contralateral sensory input during gait rehabilitation after SCI.
Finite element analysis of static and dynamic fracture of brittle microcracking solids. Part 3: Stationary and rapidly propagating cracks under dynamic loading

Abstract The continuum constitutive modeling for rate-dependent fracture of brittle microcracking solids, which was described in Part 1 of this paper, is applied to the finite element analysis of stationary and rapidly propagating macrocracks under dynamic loading. The microcrack toughening effect is discussed, along with the influence on it of the size of the microcracked process zone and the various parameters in the microcrack density evolution equation, through the observation of the behavior of the general crack-tip energy-relase parameter, the T integral.
Adsorption binding-energy variation resulting from substrate size effects

Results of a computer investigation of the influence of crystallite finite lateral size and thickness upon the binding-energy heterogeneity of typical physisorption substrates are reported. Size effects are shown to contribute large tails to the binding-energy distribution. Calculations with the model substrate (100-\AA{} typical surface coherence length) show that 20%-30% of the binding sites have energies which differ from the average binding energy by greater than 0.2%. Size effects alone, however, are insufficient to explain the distribution peak widths of real substrates.
Some Micellar Properties of Long-Chain Acylcarnitines*

Abstract The acid dissociation constants of long-chain esters of carnitine (β-hydroxy-γ-trimethylammonium-butyrate) above the critical micelle concentration were determined potentiometrically at several concentrations of added KCl. As the degree of protonation β increases the apparent pK values decrease owing to the increased positive charge on the micelle. The difference in pK between the neutral (zwitterionic) micelle and the value at any given β was used to determine the surface potential of the micelle Ψ at that degree of protonation. At each degree of protonation the measured surface potential was related to the surface charge density σ with the aid of the calculations of Loeb, Wiersema, and Overbeek for a spherical impenetrable particle. The surface potentials and surface charge densities of lauryl-, myristyl-, and palmitylcarnitine are nearly identical at a given degree of protonation and ionic strength, and, as expected, increasing the ionic strength produces a decrease in the surface potential. From the partial molal volume of each surfactant in the micelle and the calculated surface charge density it was possible to calculate the aggregation number n of the micelle. Good agreement was found between the calculated values of n and values obtained from light-scattering experiments at several ionic strengths and degrees of protonation.
Smartphones: Powerful Tools for Geoscience Education

Observation, formation of explanatory hypotheses, and testing of ideas together form the basic pillars of much science. Consequently, science education has often focused on the presentation of facts and theories to teach concepts. To a great degree, libraries and universities have been the historical repositories of scientific information, often restricting access to a small segment of society and severely limiting broad-scale geoscience education.
INCREASED 25-OHVITAMIN D 3 , DECREASED 25-OHVITAMIN D 2 AND NORMAL 1,25(OH) 2 VITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONS IN BREAST-FED INFANTS WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMIN D 2

INCREASED 25-OHVITAMIN D 3 , DECREASED 25-OHVITAMIN D 2 AND NORMAL 1,25(OH) 2 VITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONS IN BREAST-FED INFANTS WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMIN D 2
Necessity of repeat head computed tomography after isolated skull fracture in the pediatric population

Abstract Background Head injuries are common in the pediatric population, but when an isolated skull fracture is found, there are no guidelines for repeat imaging. This study evaluated the need for repeat head computed tomography (CT) for isolated skull fracture. Methods A 10-year retrospective review was conducted of patients 17 years and younger with isolated skull fractures. Data included demographics, injury severity score (ISS), fracture location, clinical indicators of head trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality. Results Of the 65 patients in this study, mean age was 4.2 years, ISS was 7.2, and head/neck abbreviated injury score was 2.3. Most injuries were from falls (69.2%) and motor vehicle collisions (23.1%). The most common clinical indicators associated with skull fractures were nonfrontal scalp hematoma (40.0%), severe mechanism (30.8%), and loss of consciousness (30.8%). One patient who developed intracranial hemorrhage after the initial head CT showed no bleed. There were no deaths. Conclusion Isolated skull fractures in the pediatric population do not necessitate a repeat head CT as long as they do not develop worsening clinical indicators of head injury.
A chromatographic-spectrophotometric method for the separation and determination of colchicine.

An improved procedure for the extraction, separation, and purification of colchicine from plant tissue is presented. The method makes use of a simple separation and purification of colchicine by adsorption on two different chromatographic columns, eluting these with different solvents and determining the purified alkaloid colori-metrically.
SU‐FF‐I‐04: An External Energy Field for Hemithoracic‐Cavity Segmentation Using Deformable Contours

A snake is a deformable curve used to localize region boundaries. Snake deformation is controlled by two terms: the internal and external energy fields. This study focuses on the generation of a hemithoracic cavity external field (HCEF) for the segmentation of hermithoracic cavities in CT scans. HCEF construction is a multi‐step process. First, the lung parenchyma is segmented using a combination of thresholding and shape descriptors and the trachea is delineated by region growing. Next, bone and contrast‐enhanced tissue are segmented by application of a gray‐level threshold. This threshold is chosen to exclude disease that demonstrates lower and more diffuse contrast uptake than mediastinal structures. A hemithoracic cavity bounding structure (HCBS) image is created by combining the trachea, lung parenchyma, and bone/mediastinum segmentations. Edge detection is then applied to the HCBS image, and a gradient vector field is calculated in the space external to the HCBS. Finally, a weighted distance transform is applied to the internal space of each HCBS to ensure that the internal energy field of the snake does not invade bounding structures. This method was applied to 20 CT sections and qualitatively evaluated. In the presence of lung‐deforming disease, the interface of the lung parenchyma and soft tissue is not suitable for hemithoracic‐cavity segmentation. The HCEF and snake were applied to images of patients with severely deformed lung parenchyma due to mesothelioma. The snake showed excellent results localizing the lateral portion of the hemithoracic cavity and promising results along the mediastinum. The HCEF was created for the segmentation of the hemithoracic cavities in the presence of lung deforming disease. In contrast to other external fields, the HCEF incorporates knowledge of specific HCBS identified by several independent segmentation steps. This method is designed to be robust in the presence of lung‐deforming disease and demonstrates promising qualitative segmentation results.
Vibrational Spectroscopy of N-Methyliminodiacetic Acid (MIDA)-Protected Boronate Ester: Examination of the B–N Dative Bond

N-Methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA)-protected boronate esters are a new class of reagents that offer great promise in iterative Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. Compared to earlier reagents, MIDA esters are easily handled and are benchtop stable under air indefinitely. The success of this new species is tied to its unique molecular architecture. Compared to the simpler B–N containing molecules ammonia borane and trimethylamine borane, MIDA esters are much larger, and the sp3 hybridized boron atom is secured by two five membered rings, making this molecular class stable for spectroscopic study. Here, we present infrared, Raman, and surface enhanced Raman (SERS) spectra of methylboronic acid MIDA ester. Comparisons of the spectroscopic results to those from electronic structure calculations suggest that the B–N stretching mode in this molecule lies in the range 560–650 cm–1, making it among the lowest energy vibrations observed to date that can be primarily attributed to B–N stretching.
Spontaneous reversal of hypertension caused by fibromuscular dysplasia

F I B R O M U S C U L A R DYSPLASIA is a c o m m o n cause o f renal vascular h y p e r t e n s i o n in the ped ia t r ic popu la t ion . ' I t is cons ide red to be a pers i s ten t and of ten progress ive abnorma l i ty , ~ and s p o n t a n e o u s i m p r o v e m e n t has no t b e e n r epor t ed . This r epo r t descr ibes a case o f s p o n t a n e o u s reversal o f R V H T caused by F M D .
Scholarly Publication and WAC: The Need for a Critical Response

This paper is a response to recent critiques of the World Archaeological Congress (WAC), including its Global Libraries Program. WAC should take greater leadership in addressing the current unequal state of international scholarly publication. Scholars from the global south disproportionately have more difficulty obtaining published works and fewer venues to publish their own research. This paper calls WAC to encourage and support local and non-English publications, open access works and journals, commons-based licensing, and e-repositories.
Ethical use of new technologies: where do Indian journalists stand?

While the study of the ethical use of new technologies in journalistic work is imperative given the widespread use of such technology, such studies are few and far between, particularly for the developing world. This paper provides results of an exploratory, qualitative study of Indian journalists’ views about the ethical use of new computer and Internet-based technologies for news gathering and reporting in India. New digital technology was widely accessible to the respondents, but not all journalists were given the tools by their employers. Opinions about ethical news practices using new technology were mixed and revealed a few grey areas. English language national newspapers tended to indicate that their standards were strict and that ethical violations, exacerbated by new technology, occurred mostly in vernacular newspapers. On the whole, respondents had not heard often of other organizations or individuals committing unethical practices such as plagiarism and lack of attribution using new technology....
Infrared Spatial Interferometer

The Infrared Spatial Interferometer (ISI) is an interferometer installed on Mt. Wilson and operating in the 10 μm wavelength region, using heterodyne detection and two movable 1.65 m telescopes. Its general technology and characteristics, recent changes, and observational results are broadly discussed. Some compensation for atmospheric path length fluctuations is demonstrated. Stellar observations show, among other characteristics, that many stars emit gas and dust episodically with times of 10-100 years between events, and that stellar diameters measured in the mid-infrared region are about 10 percent larger than those measured with interferometry using visible light.
Deeper Tissue Imaging with Total Detection

Optical images of tissue can be obtained from greater depth when multiphoton-excited fluorescence is collected from all around a sample.
Domain-specific knowledge in simple categorization tasks.

Many contemporary theories of learning and memory adopt the empiricist premise that concepts are structured according to perceptual similarity. Developmental differences in categorization tasks are thereby interpreted as the result of qualitative shifts in the capacity to attend to specific perceptual dimensions. An alternative theory is that domain-specific knowledge underlies categorization, and that even performance on simple categorization tasks is influenced by such knowledge. To test this hypothesis, adults were asked to categorize colored circles, which were described as either natural kinds or artifacts. In Study 1, the subjects were shown the actual circles; in Study 2, they were given descriptions. Adults categorized the circles differently as a function of how they were described and were influenced on subsequent choices by the demand to create “cohesive” categories. These results suggest that the developmental shifts may be due to differences in domain-specific knowledge about the nature of categorization tasks, not due to global cognitive changes. This proposal is supported by evidence from previous studies of adult categorization and children’s acquisition of word meaning.
The behavioral treatment of essential hypertension: An update and comparison with pharmacological treatment

Abstract This review summarizes findings from controlled studies on the treatment of essential hypertension by relaxation and/or biofeedback and examines the efficacy of behavioral versus pharmacological approaches. It is concluded that behavioral treatment is superior to (a) no-treatment, (b) blood pressure-self-monitoring, and (c) attention-control conditions, but exceptions are noted. Although behavioral treatments compared with each other usually show no significant differences in effectiveness, behavioral treatment is clearly less effective than pharmacotherapy in the control of essential hypertension. Despite this last conclusion, a behavioral approach may be of real clinical value in the treatment of some patients, based upon findings of 24-hour reductions in blood pressure and the generalization and long-term maintenance of treatment effects. Predictors of response to behavioral treatment are examined, and the conclusions of this review are discussed in terms of their similarity to findings from comparative studies of psychotherapies. Recommendations for research and a stepped-care treatment approach are presented.
On scaling the mean momentum balance and its solutions in turbulent Couette-Poiseuille flow

The statistical properties of fully developed planar turbulent Couette - Poiseuille flow result from the simultaneous imposition of a mean wall shear force together with a mean pressure force. Despite the fact that pure Poiseuille flow and pure Couette flow are the two extremes of Couette - Poiseuille flow, the statistical properties of the latter have proved resistant to scaling approaches that coherently extend traditional wall flow theory. For this reason, Couette - Poiseuille flow constitutes an interesting test case by which to explore the efficacy of alternative theoretical approaches, along with their physical/ mathematical ramifications. Within this context, the present effort extends the recently developed scaling framework of Wei et al. (2005a) and associated multiscaling ideas of Fife et al. (2005a, b) to fully developed planar turbulent Couette-Poiseuille flow. Like Poiseuille flow, and contrary to the structure hypothesized by the traditional inner/outer/overlap-based framework, with increasing distance from the wall, the present flow is shown in some cases to undergo a balance breaking and balance exchange process as the mean dynamics transition from a layer characterized by a balance between the Reynolds stress gradient and viscous stress gradient, to a layer characterized by a balance between the Reynolds stress gradient (more precisely, the sum of Reynolds and viscous stress gradients) and mean pressure gradient. Multiscale analyses of the mean momentum equation are used to predict (in order of magnitude) the wall-normal positions of the maxima of the Reynolds shear stress, as well as to provide an explicit mesoscaling for the profiles near those positions. The analysis reveals a close relationship between the mean flow structure of Couette - Poiseuille flow and two internal scale hierarchies admitted by the mean flow equations. The averaged profiles of interest have, at essentially each point in the channel, a characteristic length that increases as a well-defined 'outer region' is approached from either the bottom or the top of the channel. The continuous deformation of this scaling structure as the relevant parameter varies from the Poiseuille case to the Couette case is studied and clarified. © 2007 Cambridge University Press.
Tribological Attributes of Post-CMP Brush Scrubbing

Tribological attributes of post-chemical mechanical planarization ~CMP! brush scrubbing are investigated as a function of tool kinematics, applied pressure, pH, and flow rate of the cleaning solution. Coefficient of friction ~COF! results show that at high pressures, for low and neutral pH, the lubrication mechanism is that of ‘‘partial lubrication,’’ while ‘‘hydrodynamic lubrication’’ is observed at low pressures. The existence of hydrodynamic lubrication corresponding to lower of COF values continues at high values of pH irrespective of brush pressure. Furthermore, flow rate does not impact the overall tribology of the system. The effect of solution pH on COF is explained by considering the effect of pH on the solubility and gellation characteristics of silica in the silica-water system. At pH values below 2.0, silicic acid monomers are believed to collide and aggregate into chains and three-dimensional networks representative of gelling, thus resulting in high COF values. The lower COF at pH 7.0 is believed to be due to the presence of network-terminated silanol groups and the absence of gels. At pH values above 10.5, surface silanol groups completely dissociate, causing the hydrated silica surface to dissolve as soluble silicates, thus lowering the frictional forces. Widespread use of chemical mechanical planarization ~CMP! has made brush scrubbing a conventional cleaning method in semiconductor manufacturing. In post-CMP cleaning, brush scrubbing is based on direct contact between a rotating spongy PVA brush and the wafer surface whereby the exposed part of the particle is first adsorbed on brush asperities. Next, the rotation of the brush in the presence of a cleaning fluid dislodges and carries the particle away from the wafer surface. Thus, the influence of factors such as applied pressure, tool kinematics, brush and cleaning fluid properties, wafer surface conditions, cleaning time, and the magnitude of the frictional forces present at the brush-wafer interface are essential for effective particle removal. Various studies have focused on tool kinematics, brush properties as well as general process characterization, and optimization. 1-4 However, few attempts have been made to directly study measurement of the frictional forces at the brushwafer interface. 5 This study focuses on precise quantification of the frictional forces needed in characterizing the system tribology, because a low amount of force does not remove particles embedded on the wafer surface, and excess amounts may lead to scratching and other defects.
Reoperative cryopreserved root and ascending aorta replacement for acute aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Abstract Background Prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis (PVE) is an important complication of aortic valve replacement (AVR) and is a particularly difficult situation after an operation combining AVR with ascending aortic replacement. Methods From 1988 through 2000, 27 patients with aortic valve PVE after previous ascending aortic replacement (aortic root replacement in 13, aortic valve replacement with a supracoronary graft in 14) underwent reoperation for aortic root replacement with a cryopreserved aortic allograft and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy. All patients were considered to have active PVE (25 with positive cultures); root abscess formation was present in 89% and aortoventricular discontinuity in 41%. Results One patient (3.7%) died in-hospital, and permanent pacemakers were required in 10 patients (37%). Mean postoperative follow-up interval was 3.9 ± 3.0 years, and survival at 1, 2, 5, and 7.5 years was 92%, 88%, 70%, and 56%, respectively. One patient underwent reoperation for recurrent PVE 8 months after operation. Conclusions Radical debridement of infected prosthetic material and tissue, and allograft aortic root and ascending aorta replacement, combined with intravenous antibiotic therapy, appears to achieve a low hospital mortality and a high degree of freedom from recurrent infection for patients with PVE after AVR and ascending aortic replacement.
Thermal cracking in disc brakes

Abstract Disc brakes are exposed to large thermal stresses during routine braking and extraordinary thermal stresses during hard braking. High-g decelerations typical of passenger vehicles are known to generate temperatures as high as 900°C in a fraction of a second. These large temperature excursions have two possible outcomes: thermal shock that generates surface cracks; and/or large amounts of plastic deformation in the brake rotor. In the absence of thermal shock, a relatively small number of high-g braking cycles are found to generate macroscopic cracks running through the rotor thickness and along the radius of the disc brake. The analysis herein shows that rotor failure is a consequence of low cycle thermo-mechanical fatigue. An analysis of the vehicle dynamics was used to find a heat flux equation related to braking forces. The heat flux equation was then used in a finite element analysis to determine the temperature profile in the brake. Once the brake temperature was obtained, a simplified shrink fit analysis was used to estimate the stresses that arise during hard braking. This approach shows that plastic deformation occurs due to the large thermal strains associated with high-g braking. The calculated strain amplitude was then used in a Coffin–Manson law to predict the number of high-g braking cycles to failure. Good agreement was obtained between reported braking cycles to failure and the proposed theoretical approach
Some mathematical considerations in dealing with the inverse problem

Many problems of mathematical physics can be formulated in terms of the operator equation Ax = y , where A is an integro-differential operator. Given A and x , the solution for y is usually straightforward. However, the inverse problem which consists of the solution for x when given A and y is much more difficult. The following questions relative to the inverse problem are explored. 1) Does specification of the operator A determine the set \{y\} for which a solution x is possible? 2) Does the inverse problem always have a unique solution? 3) Do small perturbations of the forcing function y always result in small perturbations of the solution? 4) What are some of the considerations that enter into the choice of a solution technique for a specific problem? The concept of an ill-posed problem versus that of a well-posed problem is discussed. Specifically, the manner by which an ill-posed problem may be regularized to a well-posed problem is presented. The concepts are illustrated by several examples.
Nobelpreis für Daniel Kahneman und die Psychologie

Zusammenfassung: Der vorliegende Artikels wurdigt die Arbeiten von Daniel Kahneman und behandelt die Bedeutung der Verleihung des Nobelpreises fur die Psychologie. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird der S...
Activation of NPY type 5 receptors induces a long-lasting increase in spontaneous GABA release from cerebellar inhibitory interneurons

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a widely distributed neuropeptide in the central nervous system, can transiently suppress inhibitory synaptic transmission and alter membrane excitability via Y2 and Y1 receptors (Y2rs and Y1rs), respectively. Although many GABAergic neurons express Y5rs, the functional role of these receptors in inhibitory neurons is not known. Here, we investigated whether activation of Y5rs can modulate inhibitory transmission in cerebellar slices. Unexpectedly, application of NPY triggered a long-lasting increase in the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in stellate cells. NPY also induced a sustained increase in spontaneous GABA release in cultured cerebellar neurons. When cerebellar cultures were examined for Y5r immunoreactivity, the staining colocalized with that of VGAT, a presynaptic marker for GABAergic cells, suggesting that Y5rs are located in the presynaptic terminals of inhibitory neurons. RT-PCR experiments confirmed the presence of Y5r mRNA in the cerebellum. The NPY-induced potentiation of GABA release was blocked by Y5r antagonists and mimicked by application of a selective peptide agonist for Y5r. Thus Y5r activation is necessary and sufficient to trigger an increase in GABA release. Finally, the potentiation of inhibitory transmission could not be reversed by a Y5r antagonist once it was initiated, consistent with the development of a long-term potentiation. These results indicate that activation of presynaptic Y5rs induces a sustained increase in spontaneous GABA release from inhibitory neurons in contrast to the transient suppression of inhibitory transmission that is characteristic of Y1r and Y2r activation. Our findings thus reveal a novel role of presynaptic Y5rs in inhibitory interneurons in regulating GABA release and suggest that these receptors could play a role in shaping neuronal network activity in the cerebellum.
The effects of healthy aging, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease on recollection and familiarity: a meta-analytic review.

It is well established that healthy aging, amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are associated with substantial declines in episodic memory. However, there is still debate as to how two forms of episodic memory – recollection and familiarity – are affected by healthy and pathological aging. To address this issue we conducted a meta-analytic review of the effect sizes reported in studies using remember/know (RK), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and process dissociation (PD) methods to examine recollection and familiarity in healthy aging (25 published reports), aMCI (9 published reports), and AD (5 published reports). The results from the meta-analysis revealed that healthy aging is associated with moderate-to-large recollection impairments. Familiarity was not impaired in studies using ROC or PD methods but was impaired in studies that used the RK procedure. aMCI was associated with large decreases in recollection whereas familiarity only tended to show a decrease in studies with a patient sample comprised of both single-domain and multiple-domain aMCI patients. Lastly, AD was associated with large decreases in both recollection and familiarity. The results are consistent with neuroimaging evidence suggesting that the hippocampus is critical for recollection whereas familiarity is dependent on the integrity of the surrounding perirhinal cortex. Moreover, the results highlight the relevance of method selection when examining aging, and suggest that familiarity deficits might be a useful behavioral marker for identifying individuals that will develop dementia.
Undershoot Bias in Lead-Vehicle Motion Extrapolation:

Studies in motion extrapolation have shown both undershoot and overshoot distortions. Recent evidence using a car-following context revealed an undershoot bias for younger participants. These studies have focused on the distortions themselves while neglecting to account for memory encodings of images in the extrapolation tasks and how they might be the basis of such distortions. This study was designed to test whether Pylyshyn's index theory could account for distortions in a lead-vehicle pull-away context. Participants viewed slide shows depicting a lead-vehicle pulling ahead along one of five trajectories before being interrupted with a spatial or non-spatial task. After the interruption, participants were required to determine if the vehicle location in the probe slide was expected given the motion trajectory prior to the interruption. The results showed a clear undershoot bias, therefore supporting the theory that the last encoded image before the interruption was most salient in memory
Application of caustic foci to measure small dimensional changes accompanying water uptake by polymer coatings on the chip-on-board (COB)

Abstract As deposited, the protective silicone coating applied to electronic packages, such as the chip-on-board (COB), has smoothly curved edges that can be sufficiently reflective to generate optical caustic foci. The geometry of caustic foci is extremely sensitive to the topography of the reflecting surface. We have exploited this fact to develop a new method for monitoring surface distortion during swelling (or shrinkage) associated with the presence of diffused water within the material of the sealant.
Bovine leucocyte adhesion deficiency: A review of a modern disease and its implications

Bovine leucocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) is a genetic disease of cattle which affects the hematopoietic system. In the last decade BLAD has become a disease of economic importance in the dairy industry. This review describes the chronological developments and thinking that led to the elucidation of BLAD as a disease distinct from previous models in canine and human populations. All species affected show signs of chronic and recurrent infections. Necrotic and/or gangrenous infections of soft tissues are prevalent, in addition to secondary infections with bacteria or fungi. Low birthweight and unthriftiness are key signs in all species affected by leucocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD). Dermatomycoses and impaired pus formation are also common findings. The physiological basis for BLAD is a deficiency in the chemotactic and phagocytic properties of leucocytes and particularly neutrophils. The inhibition of diapedesis in the inflammatory response prevents normal immune reactions to invading pathogens. Chronic infections are a consequence of the faulty immune mechanisms. The biochemical aetiology of BLAD involves cell surface glycoprotein molecules known as integrins. These are responsible for the cell-cell interactions necessary for neutrophils to adhere to vascular endothelium in a normal individual. Experiments with monoclonal antibodies to block LFA-1, Mac-1, and p150,95 (three integrins vital for cell-cell interactions) mimic BLAD symptomatology and have led to the discovery of the reciprocal intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM). Through pedigree analysis and biochemical detection with restrictive endonucleases, BLAD has been isolated genetically to a single gene locus. The economic significance and prophylaxis of the disease are briefly discussed. In addition, the beneficial aspects of the study of BLAD are considered. There are advantages in producing a BLAD-like state for preventing transplant rejection, ischaemia-reperfusion injury and other problems arising from the deleterious effects of the inflammatory response.