cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PCP/NMDA receptor-channel complex and brain development

Phencyclidine (PCP) acts on a variety of neurotransmitter systems--cholinergic, catechoaminergic, indoleaminergic, and peptidergic--but the dose at which it produces its psychotomimetic effects is lower than the concentration at which it affects these systems. At low doses, PCP interacts primarily with a binding site located within the ionophore associated with the NMDA receptor complex--binding to this site has been used as a biochemical marker for NMDA channel activity. PCP/NMDA receptor-channel complex has been shown to play an important role in brain development but little is known of the neurochemical effects following postnatal administration of NMDA antagonists in rats. In the present study, rats were treated with PCP from Day 5 until Day 15 after birth and binding to the PCP receptor was measured on postnatal Day 21 using [3H]MK-801; MK-801 is a more potent and specific ligand at the PCP receptor than PCP itself. Postnatal PCP administration produced specific alterations in PCP receptor binding in 21-day-old rat forebrain. There was a reduction in the high affinity component of [3H]MK-801 binding under baseline binding conditions. In the presence of both L-glutamate and glycine, [3H]MK-801 binding in PCP-treated rats increased significantly compared to baseline but did not differ from saline-treated controls. These findings suggest that chronic PCP administration in developing rats alter NMDA channel functioning which could have long-term neurobehavioral consequences.
Race-Based Sexual Stereotyping and Sexual Partnering Among Men Who Use the Internet to Identify Other Men for Bareback Sex

This qualitative study used sexual scripting theory to explore sexual stereotyping and sexual partnering practices among a racially diverse sample of men who use the Internet to engage in "bareback" sex with other men. The sample included 81 (73%) HIV-negative and 30 (27%) HIV-positive men who were recruited on Web sites where men seek other men to have bareback sex. Participants completed a semi-structured interview that included topics on their racial identification, their sexual experiences tied to race, and their experiences having sex with men of different racial groups. The findings suggested that a variety of race-based sexual stereotypes were used by participants. Sexual stereotyping appeared to directly and indirectly affect the sexual partnering decisions of participants. Sexual scripts may reinforce and facilitate race-based sexual stereotyping, and this behavior may structure sexual networks.
The effects of age, education and occupation on psychiatric dispositions

Abstract The therapeutic activities of two groups of university center residents with 1210 patients have been studied. The relative frequency of “psychotherapy”, “other forms of treatment” and “no treatment” were examined in respect to the categories of age, occupation, education and social class. The factor of age appears to have a strong influence on the character of treatment with adolescents and the elderly. Also, patients in Social Classes I and II were offered psychotherapy more often than patients in lower class positions. However, when one analyzes the row distribution of instances of psychotherapy, it becomes evident that a high percentage of individuals in Classes IV and V are, in fact, given psychotherapy at least in the university centers studied here and elsewhere (SUNY, Yale, Utah).
Class of learning algorithms for multilayer perceptron

A class of learning techniques for neural networks can be considered as optimization problems. The connection strengths are modified such that the difference between the network response and a desired response Is minimized. In this paper the learning techniques based on the gradient momentum Newton and quasi-Newton methods are considered. A learning algorithm is also developed based on the conjugate gradient technique. These learning techniques are applied to the Exclusive-OR problem for comparison of their performance. For this problem the algorithm based on the conjugate gradient technique converges faster than the other algorithms. 2.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ossification of the femur in thyroxine-treated tadpoles of Rana pipiens

Abstract Tadpoles of Rana pipiens at Taylor-Kollros stage IX were treated by immersion in a thyroxine solution at a concentration of 6.25 × 10−8 M. Hindlimbs developed precociously, and alizarin-stained specimens showed that treatment with thyroxine induced accelerated ossification of limb bones. Light microscopy of thick Epon sections showed that cartilage and perichondrium were beginning to organize in the femur of normal animals at stage IX and had become separated by a narrow zone of osteoid matrix by stage XI. After 4 days of exposure to thyroxine, inner perichondrial cells had enlarged to become osteoblasts bordering a prominent zone of osteoid matrix. By 9 days of treatment some inner osteoblasts were entirely surrounded by bone matrix and thus had become osteocytes. Electron microscopy revealed that rough endoplasmic reticulum began to accumulate in osteoblasts by the second day of treatment. Fusion of collagen fibrils was observed in the osteoid matrix of a specimen treated for 5 days. Deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals along collagen protofibrils in scattered mineralization sites began after 6 days of treatment. Mineralized sites grew and became confluent, so that by 9 days the lower two-thirds of the bone matrix was almost completely mineralized. Enlarged mineralization sites at 9 days usually were organized with collagen protofibrils in the interior and hydroxyapatite crystals clustered around the periphery of the mineralizing mass. Thyroxine appears to stimulate differentiation of osteoblasts from perichondrial cells. The hormone may stimulate osteoblasts to secrete depolymerases which prepare osteoid matrix for mineralization along collagen fibrils.
SMALL EARTHQUAKES AND EXPLOSIONS IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA RECORDED BY NEW HIGH GAIN, LONG PERIOD SEISMOGRAPHS.

Differences in the spectra of seismic surface waves provide important discriminants between underground explosions and earthquakes.
Deflection of silicon dioxide microbridge under distributed load

This paper reports our recent fabrication effort in producing suspended-silicon-nanowire based static sensors, which is an extension to our previous theoretical and numerical studies. The static sensor consists of four suspended silicon dioxide microwires and one silicon dioxide microplate. Each side of the microplate includes two silicon dioxide microwires, instead of one, to avoid the possible torsion of the microplate and make the microplate remain parallel to the substrate before detection. Most of the bridges are curved, instead of being straight, as simulated with the FEA software previously. Silicon dioxide microbridges were fabricated, and gold/Ni was deposited on the bridge surface. The resulting deflection was observed with Roughness Step Tester (RST).
The 2002 United States varicella vaccine shortage and physician recommendations for vaccination

Abstract Background. The US experienced a shortage of varicella vaccine in 2002, leading to the concerns about its impact. Methods. 204 Minnesota and Pennsylvania physicians, most (164) of whom were interviewed in 1999 on the topic of varicella vaccine, responded to a 2003 survey. Results. Although 67% were aware of the 2002 varicella vaccine shortage, 24% experienced it and only 45% were aware of the 2002 temporary change in national vaccination recommendations. In response, more vaccinated until the supply was exhausted (59%) than postponed vaccination as recommended (41%). Most (91%) reported that the shortage did not change their likelihood of recommending vaccine. From 1999 to 2003, the percentage of physicians highly likely to recommend vaccination increased from 73% to 82% for children 12–18 months old ( P P Conclusions. Over half of physicians were unaware of the change in vaccine recommendations due to the shortage and many did not follow that change, suggesting the need for a different strategy.
Profit sharing bonuses and the cost of debt: Business finance and compensation policy in Japanese electronics firms

Profit sharing bonuses can be thought of as a buffer to protect a firm's uncertain future cash flow. When positive cash flows are threatened, firms can reduce the cost of doing business by reducing the size of bonuses paid to employees. Such an action increases the likelihood that firms will be able to pay fixed debt obligations without the secondary negative consequences of other cost-saving activities, including laying off personnel. Such profit sharing bonus compensation plans shift risk from debt holders to employees. In an efficient capital market, this shift will be reflected in a lower cost of debt. Implications of this argument are tested using a sample of Japanese electronics firms.
New filtering method for linear weakly coupled stochastic systems

References ^eLorenzo, M. L., "Sensor and Actuator Selection for Large Space Structure Control," Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 13, No. 2, 1990, pp. 249-257. Maghami, P. G., and Joshi, S. M., "Sensor/Actuator Placement for Flexible Space Structures," IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, Vol. 29, No. 2, 1993, pp. 345-351. Bayard, D. S., Hadaegh, F. Y., and Meldrum, D. R., "Optimal Experiment Design for Identification of Large Space Structures " Automatica, Vol. 24, No. 3, 1988, pp. 357-364. Salama, M., Rose, T., and Garba, J., "Optimal Placement of Excitations and Sensors for Verification of Large Dynamic Systems," Proceedings of the AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS 28th Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, AIAA, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 1024-1031. Lim, T. W., "Sensor Placement for On-Orbit Modal Testing," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 29, No. 2, 1992, pp. 239-246. Kammer, D. C., "Sensor Placement for On-Orbit Modal Identification and Correlation of Large Space Structures," Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 14, No. 2, 1991, pp. 251-259. Kammer, D. C., "Reply by Author to W. L. Poston and R. H. Tolson," Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 15, No. 6,1992, p. 1514. Fedorov, V. V, Theory of Optimal Experiments, Academic, New York, 1972, pp. 52-55. Stewart, G. W., "Stochastic Perturbation Theory," Dept. of Computer Science, Univ. of Maryland, Rept. UMIACS-TR-88-76, College Park, MD, Oct. 1988. Liu, C., and Tasker, F. A., " Sensor Placement Using Time Domain Perturbation Approach," Proceedings of the AIAA Dynamics Specialists Conference (Hilton Head, SC), AIAA, Washington, DC, 1994, pp. 163-172.
Handling Biographical Questions with Implicature

Traditional question answering systems adopt the following framework: parsing questions, searching for relevant documents, and identifying/generating answers. However, this framework does not work well for questions with hidden assumptions and implicatures. In this paper, we describe a novel idea, a cascading guidance strategy, which can not only identify potential traps in questions but further guide the answer extraction procedure by recognizing whether there are multiple answers for a question. This is the first attempt to solve implicature problem for complex QA in a cascading fashion using N-gram language models as features. We here investigate questions with implicatures related to biography facts in a web-based QA system, Power-Bio. We compare the performances of Decision Tree, Naive Bayes, SVM (Support Vector Machine), and ME (Maximum Entropy) classification methods. The integration of the cascading guidance strategy can help extract answers for questions with implicatures and produce satisfactory results in our experiments.
Making sense of children's sexual behavior in child care: An analysis of adult responses in special investigation reports.

This paper investigates how adults respond to sexual behavior among children in child care. Culturally, childhood sexuality is variously understood as natural curiosity, a sign of sexual abuse, or a symptom of a sex-offender in the making. Given these competing cultural meanings, how are sexual-like behaviors by children managed by the adults who care for them? An analysis of qualitative data from Special Investigation Reports by childcare licensing consultants in the state of Michigan is used to examine how parents, child care providers, and child care licensing consultants manage and respond to sexual behavior between children in the context of child care. How sexual behavior is responded to depends primarily on who is doing the responding - parent, childcare provider, or state licensing consultant - rather than what type of behavior is being responded to. Parents respond to a wide range of behaviors between children as if they are incidents of sexual abuse. Childcare providers respond to many of those same incidents as misbehavior. Licensing consultants understand these incidents as violation of rules of supervision, but they were also the only group to ever ask if children's sexual behavior was potentially a sign of a child having been sexually abused in another setting. Providers and parents need more education about what kinds of sexual behavior to be concerned about and what kind to understand as common. More education that sexuality that is "rare" and persistent could be a sign of sexual abuse is needed by all parties. Language: en
Evaluation of multinational programs: Value and challenges

Opportunities for the evaluation of multinational projects offer potential for insights into project operations and effects across sites, cultures, nations, and regions. The author discusses the value of building robust multinational evaluations, practical considerations for gaining ethical clearances in diverse settings, and ways to accommodate projects with varied implementation processes and goals. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association
Interrupted incubation and short-term storage of the alfalfa pollinator Megachile rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): a potential tool for synchronizing bees with bloom.

A useful technique for synchronizing pollinators with the alfalfa, Medicago savita L. (Fabaceae), bloom is to interrupt the late spring incubation of developing bee pupae and pharate adults of Megachile rotundata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) with short-term low-temperature storage. However, low-temperature exposure can be stressful depending on the temperature, duration of exposure, and the developmental stage exposed. To evaluate the effect of low-temperature storage after development had already been initiated by exposure to 29°C, three developmental stages (eye pigment pupae, body pigment pupae, and pharate adults ready to emerge) were exposed to 6, 12, or 18°C for durations up to 28 d. The effect of delaying the termination of overwintering storage (6°C) from April to July (“April bees” and “July bees,” respectively) also was examined. The following observations were made: 1) All developmental stages of the April bees and July bees examined can be stored without harmful effects, as measured by percentage of survival, for 14 d at 12°C and above. 2) Postponing the termination of overwintering storage at 6°C from April until July significantly decreased the mean number of days to 95% adult emergence in the July ready-to-emerge bees across the three temperatures tested. 3) The increase of overwintering duration also caused a decrease in the postemergence longevity of the ready-to-emerge adults stored at 6°C for 14 d. 4) Of the three storage temperatures examined, 18°C seems to be the optimal storage temperature for short-term storage of developing bees because of their slow but continuing development without increased mortality either during storage or after emergence.
Seismic fragility assessment of concrete gravity dams

Many concrete gravity dams have been in service for over 50 years, and over this period important advances in the methodologies for evaluation of natural phenomena hazards have caused the design-basis events for these dams to be revised upwards. Older existing dams may fail to meet revised safety criteria and structural rehabilitation to meet such criteria may be costly and difficult. Fragility assessment provides a tool for rational safety evaluation of existing facilities and decision-making by using a probabilistic framework to model sources of uncertainty that may impact dam performance. This paper presents a methodology for developing fragilities of concrete gravity dams to assess their performance against seismic hazards. The methodology is illustrated using the Bluestone Dam on the New River in West Virginia, which was designed in the late 1930s. The seismic fragility assessment indicated that sliding along the dam–foundation interface is likely if the dam were to be subjected to an earthquake with a magnitude of the maximum credible earthquake (MCE) specified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Moreover, there will likely be tensile cracking at the neck of the dam at this level of seismic excitation. However, loss of control of the reservoir is unlikely. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chirality and packing in small proline clusters.

The chiral composition of amino acid clusters may be related to the origin of chirality in biological systems. Here, we use ion mobility/mass spectrometry techniques to investigate the gas phase structures of singly charged proline clusters containing two to six monomers. Using deuterated L-proline (LD7) and different electrospray solution compositions varying from enantiopure (50:50 L:LD7) to racemic (50:50 LD7:D), it is possible to study collision cross sections of L-, D-, and mixed xL:xD-proline clusters (where x refers to the number of monomers). These results show that [2Pro+H]+ and [3Pro+H]+ clusters, previously shown (Holliday et al. J. Phys. Chem. A2012, DOI: 10.1021/jp302677n) to have a very small heterochiral preference, have similar collision cross sections for homochiral and heterochiral proline assemblies. The [4Pro+H]+ and [6Pro+H]+ clusters that exhibit homochiral preference have smaller collision cross sections for homochiral clusters and larger collision cross sections for heterochiral cl...
Noninvasive Evaluation of Endothelial Activity in Healthy and Diseased Individuals

Background:Diminished endothelial activity (EA) has been associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CAD) events.Methods:Vasodilatory responses (EA and relative distensibility [RD]) were evaluated noninvasively using iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and recorded by laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) and photoplethysmography (PPG) among 324 patients.Results:The EA after ACH iontophoresis measured by LDF was significantly higher in the younger ( 50 years) group, 125.4 versus 103.3 integrated arbitrary unit (P < .005). Compared to the older patients, the EA values recorded by LDF were significantly lower in patients with diabetes mellitus (64.9), hypercholesterolemia (83.3), hypertension (88.7), CAD (61.0), and peripheral artery disease (67.4). The findings of RD were similar.Conclusions:The results indicate that measuring EA using the iontophoresis of ACH or SNP and combined with either LDF or PPG is a viable approac...
Comparative functional evolution of human and mouse CR1 and CR2.

The complement cascade is regulated by a series of proteins that inhibit complement convertase activity. These regulatory proteins, most of which possess binding sites for C3b and/or C4b, can be roughly divided into two groups, one that controls inappropriate complement convertase activity on the surface of cells, and another that controls convertase activity on immune complexes in serum. In this review we focus upon the structural and functional comparisons of the CR1 and CR2 proteins of man and mouse. A single gene encodes these proteins in the mouse while the human requires two. The analysis of mice lacking the CR1/CR2 proteins demonstrates the requirement of these proteins for the regulation of complement convertase activity within lymphatic tissue immune complexes that is not efficiently controlled by other membrane bound or serum regulatory proteins.
Concerning layout synthesis for power electronic multi-chip modules

Multi-chip power module design requires simultaneous analysis of thermal, electrical, and mechanical parameters to design an optimal layout. The current design process being used by package designers involves a sequential procedure that is time-consuming and requires multiple design runs. The existing Power-CAD methodology that automates the module design process and optimizes the layout has been extended in this work to incorporate multi-chip power modules (MCPMs) and perform a complete layout synthesis of MCPMs. Power-CAD performs advanced model abstraction for the thermal characteristics from a finite element analysis, electrical parasitic extraction, electrothermal simulation, optimization using geometry-dependent thermal and parasitic models and optimal layout generation. This work promises to achieve tremendous cost savings for the MCPM design industry and be the first MCPM layout synthesis tool.
Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography

The introduction of immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography, directed toward specific protein side chains, has opened a new dimension in protein purification. This review covers the principles and practice of IMAC that can be performed under very mild, nondenaturing conditions. IMAC is particularly suitable for preparative group fractionation of complex extracts and biofluids, but can also be used in high-performance mode: "HP-IMAC." Single-step purifications of 1000-fold or more may allow isolation of a particular protein from crude extracts on a milligram or gram scale. With respect to separation efficiency, IMAC compares well with biospecific affinity chromatography, and the immobilized metal ion ligand complexes are more likely to withstand wear and tear than are antibodies or enzymes. The enormous potential of IMAC and related metal affinity techniques is only in the initial stages of being explored and exploited. Synthesis of IMA adsorbents, and various modes of performing IMAC are discussed and exemplified with selected applications. Advantages and disadvantages are listed. Effective means of counteracting the few undesirable effects that can occur are suggested.
Facial nerve near the external auditory meatus in man: computer reconstruction study--preliminary report.

The anatomy of the facial nerve relative to its intratemporal and extratemporal courses varies over time with developmental changes. Otologic and parotid surgery in infants and children demands detailed knowledge of the precise anatomy of the facial nerve with respect to the tympanic ring and external auditory canal, The authors analyzed this area using our three-dimensional (3-D) computer-aided reconstruction and measurement method studying the spatial relations of the facial nerve to the tympanic ring and stylomastoid foramen. Temporal bones from five normal individuals aged 36 gestational weeks, 3 months, 8 months, 4 years, and 17 years were retrieved from the temporal bone collection stored at the Elizabeth McCullough Knowles Otopathology Laboratory in Pittsburgh. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the facial nerve comparing the developmental anatomy across the various age groups provides the surgeon with the technical information necessary to address problems in this area.
Conditional simulations of flow in randomly heterogeneous porous media using a KL-based moment-equation approach

Abstract In this study, we extend the KLME approach, a moment-equation approach based on the Karhunen–Loeve decomposition (KL), developed by Zhang and Lu [An efficient, higher-order perturbation approach for flow in randomly heterogeneous porous media via Karhunen–Loeve decomposition. J Comput Phys 2004;194(2):773–94] to efficiently incorporate existing direct measurements of the log hydraulic conductivity. We first decompose the conditional log hydraulic conductivity Y = lnKs as an infinite series on the basis of a set of orthogonal Gaussian standard random variables {ξi}. The coefficients of this series are related to eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the conditional covariance function of the log hydraulic conductivity. We then write head as an infinite series whose terms h(n) represent the head contribution at the nth order in terms of σY, the standard deviation of Y, and derive a set of recursive equations for h(n). We assume that h(n) can be expressed as infinite series in terms of the products of n Gaussian random variables. The coefficients in these series are determined by substituting decompositions of Y and h(m), m σ Y 2 . The higher-order corrections for the conditional mean flux and flux covariance can be determined directly from the higher-order moments of the head, using Darcy’s law. We compare the results from the KLME approach against those from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and the conventional first-order moment method. It is evident that the KLME approach with higher-order corrections is superior to the conventional first-order approximations and is computationally more efficient than both the Monte Carlo simulations and the conventional first-order moment method.
Wilson loops in four-dimensional quantum gravity.

A Wilson loop is defined, in four-dimensional pure Einstein gravity, as the trace of the holonomy of the Christoffel connection or of the spin connection, and its invariance under the symmetry transformations of the action is shown (diffeomorphisms and local Lorentz transformations). We then compute the loop perturbatively, both on a flat background and in the presence of an external source; we also allow some modifications in the form of the action, and test the action of "stabilized" gravity. A geometrical analysis of the results in terms of the gauge group of the Euclidean theory, SO(4), leads us to the conclusion that the corresponding statistical system does not develop any configuration with localized curvature at low temperature. This "nonlocal" behavior of the quantized gravitational field strongly contrasts with that of usual gauge fields. Our results also provide an explanation for the absence of any invariant correlation of the curvature in the same approximation.
Radiation-induced Gene Expression in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

We used the nematode C. elegans to characterize the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation in a simple animal model emphasizing the unique effects of charged particle radiation. Here we demonstrate by RT-PCR differential display and whole genome microarray hybridization experiments that gamma rays, accelerated protons and iron ions at the same physical dose lead to unique transcription profiles. 599 of 17871 genes analyzed (3.4%) showed differential expression 3 hrs after exposure to 3 Gy of radiation. 193 were up-regulated, 406 were down-regulated and 90% were affected only by a single species of radiation. A novel statistical clustering technique identified the regulatory relationships between the radiation-modulated genes and showed that genes affected by each radiation species were associated with unique regulatory clusters. This suggests that independent homeostatic mechanisms are activated in response to radiation exposure as a function of track structure or ionization density.
Medical applications of image understanding

Medical imaging problems often deal with geometrically intricate objects, such as the surface of the cortex or the bronchial structure of the lungs. Medical problems also deal with flexible, deformable objects, as for example the nonrigid motion of the beating heart. Despite the apparent differences in underlying bases, developments over the past few decades in computer vision, especially through ARPA's Image Understanding Program, are beginning to revolutionize the use of medical imagery: in surgery, in diagnosis, and in therapy evaluation. This applicability of IU techniques to medical problems holds for many of the central problems in traditional IU: extracting key features from the imagery, registering data sets, predicting images of object models from arbitrary viewpoints, and fitting parameterized surface models to data. By tailoring IU techniques designed for traditional vision to the special circumstances of medical imagery, systems are emerging that support effective use of medical image data. To demonstrate the range of roles that IU methods play in medical image utilization, the author describes an end-to-end system for image guided surgery. This system directly builds on a wide range of IU methods to provide surgeons with visualization and guidance during surgical procedures. >
Measuring Groundwater and contaminant Flux: passive Flux Meter Field Applications and Issues with Alcohol Degradability:

The passive flux meter (PFM) developed at the University of Florida is an innovative device that is inserted into a well in order to measure groundwater and contaminant flux. The in-situ device consists of an activated carbon matrix impregnated with known amounts of alcohols that are desorbed at rates proportional to the groundwater flux through the device. After exposure the sorbent is extracted to quantify the contaminant mass intercepted and the resident alcohol mass remaining. Since the alcohols employed in bioactive sites are degradable, studies were conducted to investigate biodegradation issues and microbial acclimation times in field application. Also, silver-impregnated activated carbon was compared to unamended activated carbon in batch and column studies to determine silver ion effects on degradation. The studies confirm degradation and microbial acclimation occurrence, and demonstrate that silver impregnated activated carbon does inhibit degradation. Issues remain with biofilm/biofouling observed in the field as well as column studies.
Study of Long-Term CdZnTe Stability Using the Polaris System

The first Polaris system was built in September 2010 and has gone through significant testing at multiple DOD and DOE facilities as well as at the University of Michigan. It has been biased almost continuously for the 18 months of its current lifespan without any replacement of its detectors. The second Polaris system was built in June 2011 and has also been almost continuously biased during its lifespan. The continuous operation of both devices has provided the best opportunity to study the long-term stability of pixelated CdZnTe detectors. Spectroscopic performance has been monitored throughout each system's lifespan to study their performance over time and the impact on long term operation of these devices. It is shown that the charge transport properties and spectroscopic performance of these CdZnTe detectors are stable over time and devoid of fabrication or assembly issues. It is expected that future detectors will exhibit excellent stability.
Establishment of vagal sensorimotor circuits during fetal development in rats

The differentiation of vagal motor neurons and their emerging central relationship with vagal sensory afferents was examined in fetal rats. To identify peripherally projecting sensory and motor neurons, 1,1′‐dioctadecyl 3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchloarate (DiI) was inserted into the proximal gut or cervical vagus nerve in fixed preparations. At embryonic day (E) 12, labeled vagal sensory neurons are present in the nodose ganglia and a few sensory axons project into the dorsolateral medulla. Central sensory processes become increasingly prevalent between E13 and E14 but remain restricted to the solitary tract. Vagal motor neurons are first labeled at E13, clustered within a region corresponding to the nucleus ambiguus (NA). Additional motor neurons appear to be migrating toward the NA from the germinal zone of the fourth ventricle. Motor neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) first project to the gut at E14 and have processes that remain in physical contact with the ventricular zone through E16. Sensory axons emerge from the solitary tract at E15 and project medially through the region of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) to end in the ventricular zone. A possible substrate for direct vagovagal, sensorimotor interaction appears at E16, when vagal sensory fibers arborize within the DMV and DMV dendrites extend into the NST. By E18, the vagal nuclei appear remarkably mature. These data suggest specific and discrete targeting of vagal sensory afferents and motor neuron dendrites in fetal rats and define an orderly sequence of developmental events that precedes the establishment of vagal sensorimotor circuits. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Testing Character Correlation using Pairwise Comparisons on a Phylogeny

In comparative biology, pairwise comparisons of species or genes (terminal taxa) are used to detect character associations. For instance, if pairs of species contrasting in the state of a particular character are examined, the member of a pair with a particular state might be more likely than the other member to show a particular state in a second character. Pairs are chosen so as to be phylogenetically separate, that is, the path between members of a pair, along the branches of the tree, does not touch the path of any other pair. On a given phylogenetic tree, pairs must be chosen carefully to achieve the maximum possible number of pairs while maintaining phylogenetic separation. Many alternative sets of pairs may have this maximum number. Algorithms are developed that find all taxon pairings that maximize the number of pairs without constraint, or with the constraint that members of each pair have contrasting states in a binary character, or that they have contrasting states in two binary characters. The comparisons chosen by these algorithms, although phylogenetically separate on the tree, are not necessarily statistically independent.
Crossover trial comparing pressure support with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation.

Crossover Trial Comparing Pressure Support With Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation
COUNSELING SUBSTANCE‐ABUSING OLDER CLIENTS

The extent of substance abuse in elderly persons is estimated by reporting data from recent studies. Screening and diagnosis methods are examined. Problem areas acting as stressors in the elderly, such as unstructured time, loneliness, losses in the areas of family, friends, economics, and health are identified and discussed. Also studied are medications and misuse potential by older persons. Irrational beliefs of the elderly are identified and discussed. The final sections of the article include treatment for substance abuse and counseling the elderly substance abuser.
Characterization of Aspergillus sydowii (Thom et Church), a fungal pathogen of Caribbean sea fan corals

In the Caribbean, the fungus Aspergillus sydowii is currently causing an epizootic among sea fan corals (Gorgonia spp.). To elucidate potential factors that may have facilitated the emergence of this disease, we characterized and compared temperature requirements, susceptibility to coral crude extracts, and metabolic profiles of pathogenic (marine) and non-pathogenic (terrestrial) strains of A. sydowii Growth of all A. sydowii strains were observed at all temperatures tested (22–36°C) with an optimum of approximately 30°C. Sea fan crude extracts inhibited growth of A. sydowii but were less effective at higher temperatures. Thus, temperature is likely to have a strong influence on the dynamics of the Gorgonia-Aspergillus interaction by promoting the growth of the pathogen while reducing the efficacy of host resistance. Metabolically, marine A. sydowii strains pathogenic to sea fans were distinct from non-pathogenic terrestrial strains.
Heterodimeric capping protein from Arabidopsis is a membrane-associated, actin-binding protein

The actin cytoskeleton is a major regulator of cell morphogenesis and responses to biotic and abiotic stimuli. The organization and activities of the cytoskeleton are choreographed by hundreds of accessory proteins. Many actin-binding proteins are thought to be stimulus-response regulators that bind to signaling phospholipids and change their activity upon lipid binding. Whether these proteins associate with and/or are regulated by signaling lipids in plant cells remains poorly understood. Heterodimeric capping protein (CP) is a conserved and ubiquitous regulator of actin dynamics. It binds to the barbed end of filaments with high affinity and modulates filament assembly and disassembly reactions in vitro. Direct interaction of CP with phospholipids, including phosphatidic acid, results in uncapping of filament ends in vitro. Live-cell imaging and reverse-genetic analyses of cp mutants in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) recently provided compelling support for a model in which CP activity is negatively regulated by phosphatidic acid in vivo. Here, we used complementary biochemical, subcellular fractionation, and immunofluorescence microscopy approaches to elucidate CP-membrane association. We found that CP is moderately abundant in Arabidopsis tissues and present in a microsomal membrane fraction. Sucrose density gradient separation and immunoblotting with known compartment markers were used to demonstrate that CP is enriched on membrane-bound organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. This association could facilitate cross talk between the actin cytoskeleton and a wide spectrum of essential cellular functions such as organelle motility and signal transduction.
Massive, Irreparable Tears of the Rotator Cuff. Results of Operative Débridement and Subacromial Decompression*

Thirty-three consecutive patients in whom an irreparable tear of the rotator cuff had been treated with operative debridement and subacromial decompression were evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively with regard to pain, ability to perform activities of daily living, range of motion, strength, and satisfaction. The assessments were performed with the Shoulder Score Index of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and the scoring systems of the University of California at Los Angeles and Constant and Murley. At the time of follow-up, twenty-six patients thought that the condition of the shoulder was improved; three, that it was unchanged; and four, that it was worse after the operation. There was a significant decrease in pain (p = 0.001) and significant increases in the range of motion (p = 0.038) and the ability to perform activities of daily living (p = 0.016). However, these improvements were inferior to those in reported series in which torn rotator cuffs had been repaired. Strength with elevation was decreased after the operations in the present series (p = 0.0007).
Empathy and the new practitioner.

With advances in pharmacy practice and specialty training, clinical pharmacists in inpatient settings are finding of patient care but may lack formal instruction in empathetic communication. While pharmacy practice and specialty residencies adequately prepare clinical pharmacists-in-training for the
Monomethylarsonous acid (MMA+3) Inhibits IL-7 Signaling in Mouse Pre-B Cells.

Our previously published data show that As(+3) in vivo and in vitro, at very low concentrations, inhibits lymphoid, but not myeloid stem cell development in mouse bone marrow. We also showed that the As(+3) metabolite, monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(+3)), was responsible for the observed pre-B cell toxicity caused by As(+3). Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is the primary growth factor responsible for pre-lymphoid development in mouse and human bone marrow, and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (STAT5) is a transcriptional factor in the IL-7 signaling pathway. We found that MMA(+3) inhibited STAT5 phosphorylation at a concentration as low as 50 nM in mouse bone marrow pre-B cells. Inhibition of STAT5 phosphorylation by As(+3) occurred only at a concentration of 500 nM. In the IL-7 dependent mouse pre-B 2E8 cell line, we also found selective inhibition of STAT5 phosphorylation by MMA(+3), and this inhibition was dependent on effects on JAK3 phosphorylation. IL-7 receptor expression on 2E8 cell surface was also suppressed by 50 nM MMA(+3) at 18 h. As further evidence for the inhibition of STAT5, we found that the induction of several genes required in B cell development, cyclin D1, E2A, EBF1, and PAX5, were selectively inhibited by MMA(+3). Since 2E8 cells lack the enzymes responsible for the conversion of As(+3) to MMA(+3) in vitro, the results of these studies suggest that As(+3) induced inhibition of pre-B cell formation in vivo is likely dependent on the formation of MMA(+3) which in turn inhibits IL-7 signaling at several steps in mouse pre-B cells.
Wilhelm N. Suksdorf

"On October 3, 1932, Mr. Wilhelm Nikolaus Suksdorf, veteran Washington botanist, was killed by a railway train at Bingen, Klickitat County, Washington."
A Conceptual Framework of Displaced Elderly Syrian Refugees in Lebanon: Challenges and Opportunities

In the context of ongoing armed conflicts, efforts to provide humanitarian care are often not sustainable or effective in the long run. Additionally, there is a significant gap between interventions that are theoretically feasible and those that are actually implemented in practice. Building on these foundations and challenged by the limited publications on Syrian refugees, especially the elder population, we explore the understudied connection between the day to day elder refugee experience on one hand and the lack of building resources from within on the other. We take the example of Lebanon, where as many as 4000 Syrian refugees crossed into its territory daily and which now has the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. Lebanon has limited resources and funding and is strained under this socioeconomic burden. Due to this harsh reality, refugees’ simplest needs are largely unmet and they are easy targets for retaliation by local civilians competing for basic resources. Needless to say, elderly refugees suffer most from these inequities and their status is particularly vulnerable. Within this context, and based on ongoing fieldwork, we offer a conceptual framework which calls for effective and sustainable interventions nurturing resilience in elderly refugees and ultimately aiming to help decrease tensions between the host communities and refugees.
The Changing Incidence of Association of Hepatitis B with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in California

Two hundred seventy-nine patients who died of hepatocellular carcinoma were autopsied at Los Angeles County--USC Medical Center and the John Wesley--USC Liver Unit from 1949 through 1974, and tissues from 168 of these cases were available for staining for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg). Twenty-one per cent of the livers had stainable HBSAg. There were prominent increases both in total numbers of hepatic cancers and in the percentages that were HBSAg-positive beginning about 1970, but the numbers of hepatocellular carcinomas arising in noncirrhotic livers also increased. From 1969 to 1974, 73% of those who had hepatocellular carcinomas arising to nonalcoholic but cirrhotic livers were HBSAg-positive. Racial differences in the incidences of cirrhosis, the incidences of hepatocellular carcinomas associated with HBSAg were found. The incidences of cirrhosis were: Caucasian 11%; Mexican 12.2%; Negro 5.7:; Oriental 10%. Hepatocellular carcinomas arose in 3.2% of Caucasians who had cirrhosis; 3.6% of Mexicans; 8.3% of Negroes; 47% or Orientals. Ten per cent of Caucasians who had hepatocellular carcinomas in cirrhotic livers were HBSAg-positive; 25% of Negroes; 12% of Mexicans; 47% of Orientals.
Study on mathematical model of the variable inlet based on gas jet control

For solving the problem of performance decreasing for fixed-geometry inlet of solid rocket ramjet working at high mach number,a jet controll inlet scheme was proposed to bring the gas from second-combustion chamber to external compression face and throat so as to adjust the external shocks and effective throat area.By using the numerical method,the performance parameters were obtained with changing jet conditions at different mach number.According to numerical results,a jet control mathematical model was established according to B-spline.This model could be used to determine the position of the external shocks and the TPR of the inlet with the variation of mach number and jet conditions.The results show that the adjusting ability of the jet is enhanced along with the increase of jet mass rate and jet angle.
Clinical research on the treatment of 200 cases of infantile cerebral palsy with acupuncture as main therapy

Purpose To investigate a method of treating infantile cerebral palsy by a combination of acupuncture, acupoint injection, massage and kinesiatrics as recuperatory therapy and its curative effect. Methods Three hundred and fifty-six children aged 0～9 with cerebral palsy were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. Both the groups received routine medication and function training. In the treatment group, acupuncture, acupoint injection and massage were performed before and after function training. A comprehensive evaluation was made and the effect of the recuperatory therapy was observed after the treatment. A statistical analysis was given. Results The curative effect was significantly better in the composite treatment group than in the control group ( P 0.05).Conclusion The composite recuperatory therapy consisting mainly of acupuncture, acupoint injection, massage and kinesiatrics is one of the best methods of treating infantile cerebral palsy, a combined recupertory system of Chinese character and worthy to be popularized and applied.
Evidence-based design heuristics for idea generation

How do product designers create multiple concepts to consider? To address this question, we combine evidence from four empirical studies of design process and outcomes, including award-winning products, multiple concepts for a project by an experienced industrial designer, and concept sets from 48 industrial and engineering designers for a single design problem. This compilation of over 3450 design process outcomes is analyzed to extract concept variations evident across design problems and solutions. The resulting set of patterns, in the form of 77 Design Heuristics, catalog how designers appear to introduce intentional variation into conceptual product designs. These heuristics provide ‘cognitive shortcuts’ that can help designers generate more, and more varied, candidate concepts to consider in the early phases of design.
Exercise-induced asthma, anaphylaxis, and urticaria.

SUMMARY Exercise-induced asthma is a common but frequently undiagnosed problem. The patient may not wheeze, but rather have shortness of breath, chest tightening, and coughing. The coach and the physician must be particularly alert to the signs and symptoms of exercise-induced asthma to recognize this syndrome. Proper conditioning, warming up, inducing refractoriness, participating in sports less likely to provoke exercise-induced asthma, and the aggressive use of appropriate medications allow patients to enjoy sports and compete effectively. A rare but potentially fatal syndrome is exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other exertion-related syndromes are critical, and appropriate precautions are necessary. A third clinical entity, exercise-induced cholinergic urticaria, although not life-threatening, can be quite annoying. Aggravating factors, such as increased heat, compound the problems. In summary, exercise-induced allergic phenomena are common and should be recognized by the practicing physician.
3-D Digital Holography for Biometric Applications

We have acquired 3-D biometric images using digital holography. This was accomplished using eyesafe (~1550 nm) telecom fiber lasers at two wavelengths. The two images were aligned, with respect to phase, and then subtracted to obtain a wrapped image. The wrapped image is then further processed to reduce noise that interferes with the unwrapping process. Some example biometric images are presented.