cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute toxicity of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in the F344 male rat. I. Dose--response relationships and differences in routes of exposure.

Abstract Single treatments of F344 male rats with the nematocide 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) produced acute injury to the kindney, epididymis, testis, and liver. Severity was proportional to the size of the dose administered, but the kidney was adversely affected at a lowere single dose (40 mg/kg) than was the testis or liver (80 mg/kg). Primary target cells in the kidney were proximal tubular epithelia in the outer medulla. Disturbances in renal function included impaired tubular reabsorption (e.g., glucose, fluid, and electrolyte transport) and reduced glomerular filtration. Mild, hepatocellular swelling was produced by 40 mg/kg DBCP, while the leakage of intracellular enzymes into the blood, and centrolobular hepatocellular necrosis occurred after 80 and 120 mg/kg, respectively. The acute testicular lesion was characterized by degeneration and desquamation of the caput epididymal (head of the epididymis) epithelium and by disruption of the seminiferous tubular architecture; these effects were more severe after 120 mg/kg than after 80 mg/kg. Comparisons of the acute toxicity of DBCP following repeated sc, po (by gavage), and ip administration (40 mg/kg daily for 4 days) failed to reveal qualitative differences attributable to the route of exposure. However, the severity of the renal lesion appeared comparatively greatest when treatment occurred sc. These results indicate that DBCP is a cytotoxicant for epididymal and renal proximal tubular epithelia and, since lesions were produced by repeated exposure to acutely subtoxic doses, suggest that its effects on these tissues may be cumulative.
Psychometric validation of the female sexual function index (FSFI) in cancer survivors

BACKGROUND: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is the most commonly used self-report instrument to measure sexual functioning among women cancer survivors. Despite this, the validity and reliability of the FSFI for use in cancer populations has not been established. METHODS: Data were combined from 3 separate institutional review board-approved studies of the psychosexual adjustment of women cancer survivors conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Psychometric analysis was applied to the FSFI responses from 181 women comprising 4 cohorts, including survivors of: gynecologic cancer (all types; 2 cohorts), malignancies requiring bone-marrow/stem cell transplantation, and early stage cervical cancer. RESULTS: A factor analysis supported the subscale structure of the FSFI, yielding results nearly identical to those from the original FSFI validation study. Internal consistency reliability was 0.94 for the FSFI total score and ranged from 0.85 to 0.94 for the domain scores. Corrected item-total correlations ranged from 0.44 to 0.79 for the total score and from 0.62 to 0.88 for the domain scores. FSFI scores were correlated negatively with measures of depression, distress, and menopausal symptoms and were correlated positively with quality of life. FSFI scores exhibited a preliminary ability to discriminate between women based on whether or not they received chemotherapy and/or radiation. CONCLUSIONS: The FSFI demonstrated strong psychometric properties in this study, supporting its continued use for monitoring sexual function and cancer-related dysfunction among sexually active women who are cancer survivors. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Stress and Deformation in Single Piles Due to Lateral Movement of Surrounding Soils

This paper presents a case history of structural damage due to lateral soil movement and an analysis of stress and deformation in the supporting piles. The project involved cast-in-place concrete piles cased in steel pipes having 40.6-cm (16-in.) outside diameter and 38.7-cm (151/4-in.) inside diameter. The piles extended through a 7.6-m (25-ft) oyster shell fill and a 17-m (55-ft) soft clay layer and penetrated 7.6 m (25 ft) into a compact sand stratum. Due to overloading at the top of the fill, the soil surrounding the piles underwent lateral movement and caused cracking in the pile caps. The amount of lateral soil movement was measured using inclinometers. Based upon the measured soil deformation, lateral soil pressures were determined with appropriate moduli of subgrade reaction. The soil pressures were used as lateral loading on a single pile. Using a finite element computer program that was developed based upon the theory of beam on elastic foundation, the deformation of the single pile and the horizontal reaction and resisting moment mobilized in the pile cap were analyzed. By comparing the horizontal reaction and resisting moment with the structurally determined ultimate values, the results of the pile behavior analysis were checked favorably.
Congenital heart defects and abnormal maternal biomarkers of methionine and homocysteine metabolism

Background: It is well established that folic acid prevents neural tube defects. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, multivitamins containing folic acid may also protect against other birth defects, including congenital heart defects. Objective: Our goal was to establish a maternal metabolic risk profile for nonsyndromic congenital heart defects that would enhance current preventive strategies. Design: Using a case-control design, we measured biomarkers of the folate-dependent methionine and homocysteine pathway among a population-based sample of women whose pregnancies were affected by congenital heart defects (224 case subjects) or unaffected by any birth defect (90 control subjects). Plasma concentrations of folic acid, homocysteine, methionine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), vitamin B-12, and adenosine were compared, with control for lifestyle and sociodemographic variables. Results: After covariate adjustment, case subjects had higher mean concentrations of homocysteine (P < 0.001) and SAH (P < 0.001) and lower mean concentrations of methionine (P = 0.019) and SAM (P = 0.014) than did control subjects. Vitamin B-12, folic acid, and adenosine concentrations did not differ significantly between case and control subjects. Homocysteine, SAH, and methionine were identified as the most important biomarkers predictive of case or control status. Conclusions: The basis for the observed abnormal metabolic profile among women whose pregnancies were affected by congenital heart defects cannot be defined without further analysis of relevant genetic and environmental factors. Nevertheless, a metabolic profile that is predictive of congenital heart defect risk would help to refine current nutritional intervention strategies to reduce risk and may provide mechanistic clues for further experimental studies.
Healing, Regeneration, and Repair: Prospectus for New Dental Treatment:

Recent advances in our understanding of growth and development have led us to the realization that previously unattainable tissue regeneration and repair are now within the scope of patient care. Concurrent and complementary use of nonbiological substitutes, with complete biological integration and host acceptance, is becoming a leading recognized alternative to the loss of function of biological tissues. This manuscript will examine the implications of the new biotechnology in medical sciences for dental healing, regeneration, and repair. These concepts, when coupled with genetic engineering, could produce enormous changes in the quality of life.
Reminiscence and pursuit rotor performance in introverts, extraverts and neurotics.

In an investigation of Eysenck's theory, two groups of college-age subjects were formed on the basis of extraversion and neuroticism scores obtained on the Maudsley Personality Inventory. They differed significantly in degree of measured extraversion but were comparable in mean neuroticism scores. A third group was formed from the same population which was comparable to the introverted group (above) in degree of extraversion but was significantly higher than it in mean neuroticism. Each group performed a standard pursuit rotor task in the following manner: 5 min. continuous practice; 10 min. rest; 5 min. practice. Mean reminiscence scores were obtained for each group; overall performance curves were also plotted. Results for normal introverts and extraverts agreed with predictions and with earlier studies. Comparison of reminiscence scores for normal and neurotic introverts suggested that Eysenck's assumption of a positive relation between neuroticism and reminiscence at lower and medium levels of neuroticism is essentially correct. Differences in overall performance among the three groups were explained by separating the act of responding from the act of responding accurately. It was felt that the neurotic group responded inaccurately and thus had less time on target than the introverts with whom they were compared, even though the neurotics spent more time responding than both other groups. A further experiment to test this assumption is suggested.
Production of information, information asymmetry, and the bid-ask spread: Empirical evidence from analysts' forecasts

Abstract In this paper we suggest that market makers deduce the extent of the adverse selection problem associated with a stock (and set up the bid-ask spread accordingly) by observing how many financial analysts are following that stock. Market makers do this based on the belief that more financial analysts would follow a stock with a greater extent of information asymmetry since the value of private information increases with informational asymmetry. Similarly, financial analysts deduce the profit potential of a stock from the size of the spread set up by market makers (based on the expectation that market makers would set up a greater spread for the stock with a greater information asymmetry). This structural view of the process determining the bid-ask spread and analyst following is empirically tested using a simultaneous equations regression analysis. The empirical results are generally consistent with this view. Hence, our study supports the notion that the decisions of two major players in the financial markets (i.e., market makers and financial analysts) are made interactively.
Validation of a noninvasive blood pressure monitoring device in normotensive and hypertensive pediatric intensive care patients.

Objective. To evaluate the performance and to define limitations of a noninvasive blood pressure monitoring device in the critically ill pediatric population. Method. Patients were included in the study if they were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, were between the ages of 1 month and 18 years with wrist circumferences of ≥ 10 cm, and had an indwelling arterial line. Patients were excluded if their systolic blood pressure differed by ≥ 7.5% between their upper extremities. The measurements were collected simultaneously with those from an arterial line by a computer interfaced with the noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system and the patient’s monitor. Heart rates were calculated from the recorded pulse waveforms of the arterial lines. Comparison analyses were performed via bias and precision plots of the blood pressure and heart rate data in addition to calculation of Pearson’s correlation coefficients and concordance correlation coefficients. As a nonparametric method of comparison, the proportion of measurements that differed by greater than 10% was calculated. Results. Blood pressures and heart rates of 20 patients between the ages of 12 months and 17 years were monitored by a noninvasive blood pressure monitor for 30 min per patient. This data collection resulted in 2015 data points for each blood pressure and heart rate for comparison of methods. Concordance correlation coefficients were the following: systolic blood pressure, 0.93; diastolic blood pressure, 0.93; mean blood pressure, 0.94; and heart rate, 0.85. Conclusions. The noninvasive blood pressure monitor is capable of producing an accurate blood pressure measurement every 12–15 heartbeats in addition to providing a pulse waveform and digital display of the heart rate. Our study showed good agreement between the methods in the normotensive and hypertensive critically ill pediatric population with a wrist circumference limitation defined at ≥ 11 cm.
Maternal adipose tissue, maternal and cord blood essential fatty acids and their long-chain polyunsaturated derivatives composition after elective caesarean section

Abstract Background The essential fatty acids and their long-chain polyunsaturated derivatives (LC PUFAs) are important for the growth and maturation of the fetal organism. Objective The aim of a study was to assess the profile of the essential fatty acids and their LC PUFAs in the blood and adipose tissue of pregnant women and in the cord blood after elective caesarean section. Design The study group comprised 36 women and 38 their full-term babies born after elective caesarean section. In maternal adipose tissue, maternal blood (separately in plasma and erythrocytes) and cord blood (separately arterial and venous) composition of the fatty acids in total lipids was estimated with gas chromatography. Results In the maternal plasma and erythrocytes the weight percent content of linoleic acid and alfalinolenic acid was higher and of LC PUFAs was lower than in plasma and erythrocytes from the umbilical vein with the exception of EPA and DPA. In the maternal subcutaneous adipose tissue the content of alfalinolenic acid was higher and of linoleic acid and of LC PUFAs were lower than in maternal plasma and erythrocytes. There was no significant difference in the weight percent content of estimated acids between the venous and arterial umbilical blood. In the maternal plasma the weight percent content of linoleic acid, alfalinolenic acid and LC PUFAs was lower than in the maternal erythrocytes. Conclusion Differences between maternal and cord blood essential fatty acids and their metabolites indicate that preferential placental transfer of n-6 and n-3 fatty acid metabolites or faster metabolic turnover of linolenic and arachidonic acids in the fetus than in mother is possible.
Effects of large amplitude, transverse shear and rotatory inertia on vibration of orthotropic elliptical plates

Abstract This study is concerned with the large amplitude flexural vibration of orthotropic elliptical plates incorporating the effects of transverse shear and rotatory inertia. With the aid of von Karman-type field equations expressed in terms of the three displacement components approximate solutions to elliptical plates with clamped immovable boundaries are obtained by Galerkin technique and numerical Runge-Kutta procedure. These von Karman-type governing equations which include the effects of transverse shear and rotatory inertia reduce readily to those available in the literature when these effects are neglected. Present results are in good agreement with the existing solutions in the static and dynamic special cases. Numerical results for moderately thick elliptical plates indicate significant influences of the transverse shear deformation and rotatory inertia on the large amplitude vibration behavior.
Predictors of representational aggression in preschool children of low‐income urban African American adolescent mothers

Responses to five doll-story stems thematically related to attachment experiences with the mother were videotaped in the home and used to evaluate child, maternal, and environmental predictors of representational aggression in 93 preschool children of African American women receiving public assistance who had become pregnant as teenagers. Significant correlations were found between representational aggression and child's gender (male), birth weight, maternal depressive affect, maternal educational attainment, recent employment, mother's historical residence with her own mother, and felt social support, accounting for 40% of the variance in representational aggression. A significant Felt Social Support × Gender interaction effect suggested that girls of mothers who perceive higher levels of felt social support are more likely to represent less aggression in their stories; felt social support was not associated with boys' representational aggression. A significant Felt Social Support × Employment interaction effect suggested that representational aggression is associated with lower levels of felt social support only among employed mothers. Findings suggest that different pathways exist for representational aggression in children of low-income adolescent mothers, which nevertheless share predictors associated with poverty.
Structure and induction of a lysozyme gene from the tabacco hornworm, manduca sexta

Abstract Lysozyme is hypothesized to play a central role in initiating and maintaining the antibacterial defense response of Manduca sexta . We isolated a cDNA clone encoding a M. sexta lysozyme. Results of Northern blot analyses using this cDNA as a probe indicated that the abundance of lysozyme transcripts increased in seven tissues following treatment with peptidoglycan, with the highest level of accumulation occuring in the fat body. An anlaysis of the kinetics of accumulation of the transcripts in the fat body demonstrated low levels of transcripts in the naive larvae which increased rapidly after treatment and remained elevated over several days. A genomic fragment containing a lysozyme gene was also isolated and the nucleotide sequence and transcription start site of the gene was determined.
A method for recording eight physiologic events on the cinefluorogram

Abstract A system has been devised whereby the physiologic data available on the oscilloscope of the Electronics for Medicine DR-8 recorder can be superimposed on a 35 mm. cinefluorographic film at filming speeds of 60 frames/sec. Selected applications of such a technic are presented.
TOPOLOGICAL MODELS FOR ARITHMETIC

THE etale topological type A,, of a commutative ring A is an interesting topological object (technically a pro-space) associated to A. In [4] we introduced the “etale K-groups” of A as local coefficient I-adic topological K-theory groups of Act, where 1 is a prime invertible in A. Building upon work of C. Soule [19], we described a natural map from the algebraic K-groups of A (completed at I) to the etale K-groups, and showed that in general this map is surjective for arithmetic rings. The well-known Lichtenbaum-Quillen Conjectures essentially assert that this map is an isomorphism. The basic results of class field theory and arithmetic duality can be interpreted as statements about the etale cohomology of arithmetic rings A [lo] or equivalently as statements about the ordinary cohomology of A,,. In [S] we exploited this fact to find, for some specific arithmetic rings A, an elementary topological space XA mapping to A,, by a cohomology isomorphism. Finding XA allowed us not only to compute the etale K-groups of A explicitly, but also to identify the underlying local coefficient topological K-theory space and compute its cohomology (which, by the Lichtenbaum-Quillen conjecture, should be isomorphic to the cohomology of GL(A)). We do two things in the present paper. First of all, we extend the above program of finding “models” for A,, to some other rings. In each case, for a specific prime I invertible in A, we find a “good mod 1 model” XA for A; this is an explicit space or pro-space XA which in an appropriate sense captures the mod 1 cohomology of A,,. Here are the main examples:
Acute delirium induced by intravenous trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole therapy in a patient with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

The development of a rash in response to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) administration is a frequent adverse reaction in people with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In contrast, there are no published reports in the English language literature describing TMP-SMX induced delirium in an AIDS patient. This report describes the development of frank delirium in a person with AIDS receiving TMP-SMX. The episode resolved completely within 72 h of withdrawal of the drug.
Frequency of mitral valve dysfunction from mitral anular calcium as detected by Doppler echocardiography.

Abstract Doppler echocardiography is useful for detecting and quantifying mitral regurgitation (MR) and mitral stenosis (MS). To determine the prevalence of these abnormalities in patients with mitral anular calcium (MAC), 51 consecutive patients who had an echocardiographic diagnosis of MAC were examined by Doppler ultrasound. Transmitral flow was evaluated to determine the presence of MR or left ventricular inflow obstruction (MS) by continuous and pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography. The severity of these hemodynamic abnormalities was quantitated by previously described techniques. Eleven patients (22%) had mild MR, 17 (33%) had moderate to severe MR and 4(8%) had significant MS. Clinical findings such as a systolic murmur, evidence of congestive heart failure, and dyspnea on exertion were not helpful in distinguishing patients with no or mild MR from those who had moderate to severe MR. M-mode measured left atrial size was significantly larger (p
Seed fitness of hermaphrodites in areas with females and anther smut disease: Silene acaulis and Microbotryum violaceum

Summary • Sex-dependent infection rates could change the effective sex ratio of a population. Here, I tested whether females and hermaphrodites of Silene acaulis were equally likely to be infected by Microbotryum violaceum, a fungus that sterilizes the host, and whether sex allocation in hermaphrodites differed between low and high disease plots. • Sex ratios of healthy and diseased plants were estimated in five natural plots. Fitness gained through seed production was estimated by measuring seed quantity and quality for each sex morph in eight plots for 2 yr; four plots had 1–5% disease frequency and four plots had 18–25% disease frequency. • Sex ratios of healthy and diseased plants did not differ in five plots. The proportion of fitness hermaphrodites gained through ovules varied from 25 to 48%, indicating that this population is near the cosexual end of gynodioecy. Variation in functional gender of hermaphrodites was not explained by sex-dependent infection rates. • Spatial heterogeneity in resources and microclimate seems to be important in explaining both disease frequency and variation in seed production by females and hermaphrodites.
Methods and devices for the management of term and preterm labor.

: In this review, we outline studies showing that the uterus (myometrium) and cervix pass through a conditioning step in preparation for labor. This step is not easily identifiable with present methods designed to assess the uterus or cervix. In the uterus, this seemingly irreversible step consists of changes in the electrical properties that make muscle more excitable and responsive and produce forceful contractions. In the cervix, the step consists of softening of the connective tissue components. Progesterone and nitric oxide appear to have important roles in these processes. The progress of labor can be assessed noninvasively using electromyographic (EMG) signals from the uterus (the driving force for contractility) recorded from the abdominal surface. Uterine EMG bursts detected in this manner characterize uterine contractile events during human and animal pregnancy. A low uterine EMG activity, measured transabdominally throughout most of pregnancy, rises dramatically during labor. EMG activity also increases substantially during preterm labor in humans and rats and may be predictive of preterm labor. A quantitative method for assessing the cervix is also described. A collascope estimates cervical collagen content from a fluorescent signal generated when collagen crosslinks are illuminated with an excitation light of about 340 nm. The system has proved useful in rats and humans at various stages of pregnancy and indicates that cervical softening occurs progressively in the last one-third of pregnancy. In rats, collascope readings correlate with resistance measurements made in the isolated cervix, which may help to assess cervical function during pregnancy and indicate controls and treatments.
Methane consumption in two temperate forest soils

Forest soils are thought to be an important sink for atmospheric methane. To evaluate methane consumption,14C-labeled methane was added to the headspace of intact soil cores collected from a mixed mesophytic forest and from a red spruce forest located in the central Appalachian Mountains. Both soils consumed the added methane at initially high rates that decreased as the methane mixing ratio of the air decreased. The mixed mesophytic forest soil consumed an average of 2 mg CH4 m−2 d−1 versus 1 mg CH, m−2 d−1 for the spruce forest soil. The addition of acetylene to the headspace completely suppressed methane consumption by the soils, suggesting that an aerobic methane-consuming microorganism mediated the process. At both forest sites, methane mixing ratios in soil air spaces were greater than that in the air overlying the soil surface, indicating that these soils had the ability to produce methane. Models of methane emission from forest soils to the atmosphere must represent methane flux as the balance between production and consumption of methane, which are controlled by very different factors
Intercalibration of MOCNESS and Bongo nets: Assessing relative efficiency for ichthyoplankton

Abstract The evaluation of catchability of egg and larval fish with the 0.61-m Bongo and the 1-m2 Multiple Opening and Closing Net Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) was conducted as part of a paired station analysis. The two samplers were deployed on 331 stations on Georges Bank during the U.S. GLOBEC program from January through June for years 1996 and 1997. Significant differences were found when combined catches of all eggs and all larvae for each sampler were compared. Overall catches of larvae from the MOCNESS were 3–5 times greater than those from the Bongo. Gear effects were modeled and revealed that the catches in 14 of the 22 dominant taxa were significantly different between sampling gear. The differences between samplers during diel intervals for the taxa were not significantly different.
Mycoplasma hominis septic arthritis and common variable immunodeficiency in a postpartum patient: a case report

Abstract Postpartum patients with an unrecognized primary immunodeficiency disease, including common variable immunodeficiency, demonstrate increased susceptibility to Mycoplasma hominis infection. Diagnosis, treatment, and clinical course in a postpartum patient presenting with joint pain and episodic fever are presented.
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: reassessment of modified templates

The retroperitoneum is the initial metastatic site in 90% of patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs) of the testis. A retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) provides accurate staging and effective therapy, minimizes the need for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with low-volume metastases, and optimizes durable cure rates. We review the rationale for and development of RPLND, focusing specifically on the advantages and limitations of the variable surgical templates. Bilateral RPLND has a long-standing record of maximizing cancer control and minimizing secondary therapy. Both modified templates and prospective nerve-sparing techniques were introduced to optimize rates of antegrade ejaculation. Limited resections as advocated by modified templates are appealing in the setting of primary RPLND but can be associated with a 3-23% risk of residual disease. Modified templates have also been advocated for highly selected patients after chemotherapy but, if applied to all patients undergoing surgery after chemotherapy, will lead to an unacceptably high rate of residual disease, even in patients with small masses after chemotherapy. For patients undergoing primary or post-chemotherapy RPLND, a full bilateral template (with nerve-sparing when appropriate) maximizes cure rates while minimizing ejaculatory morbidity and the subsequent need for chemotherapy.
Purification and identification of interacting components in a wheat starch-soy protein system

The objective of this research was to quantify the solubility, hydrophobicity and interaction characteristics of wheat–starch proteins (puroindoline, gliadin and glutenin) and protein-containing soy fractions (soy flour isolate [SFI], SFI 7S and 11S fractions, hexane-extracted textured soy flour [TVP] isolate, TVP 7S and 11S fractions, expelled, extruded soy flour [TSP] isolate, TSP 7S and11S fractions). Functional characteristics were assessed in aqueous sucrose solutions at pH 5.5 and 7.5 after heating to 25, 50, and 100 °C. Textured soy protein fractions were more soluble and had higher surface hydrophobicity profiles than their untextured counterparts. Sucrose addition decreased hydrophobicity in the textured proteins but increased it in untextured proteins. Characteristics of the isolate, as a whole, appear to be dictated by those of its 11S moiety. Dissociation constants (Kd values) for soy protein and starch-derived puroindoline were determined and indicated an extremely short association in all cases. The 11S fractions formed a complex with puroindoline in solution; however 7S fractions did not.
L3: An FPGA-Based Multilayer Maze Routing Accelerator

This paper describes a multi-layer maze routing accelerator which uses a two-dimensional array of processing elements (PEs) implemented in an FPGA. Routing for an L-layer N X N grid is performed by an array of N X N PEs that time-multiplex each layer over the array. This accelerates the classic Lee Algorithm from O(L X d 2 ) in software to O(L X d). Each PE can be implemented in 32 look up tables
A cross-sectional study of in utero growth of the above average sized fetus

In a cross-sectional study of 210 pregnancies resulting in above-average-sized term infants, biparietal diameter, femur length, and abdominal circumference were found to differ among three birth weight percentile groups (greater than 90, 76 to 90, and 51 to 75). Growth rates, however, were similar. Estimated fetal weights, derived from four formulas, showed the same pattern. Differences between large for gestational age infants and other above average sized infants exist; changes in growth are likely to have occurred before the thirty-third week of gestation.
Gain scheduled control of hysteretic systems

This paper addresses tracking-control of hysteretic systems using a gain-scheduled (GS) controller. Hysteretic system with variable stiffness and damping is represented as a quasi linear parameter varying (LPV) system. Designed controller is scheduled on the measured/estimated stiffness and damping in real-time. GS controller is constructed from the parameter dependent Lyapunov matrices, which are obtained as optimal solutions of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) that ensures the feasibility solution for closed loop system performance. The proposed method is worked on semiactive independently variable stiffness (SAIVS) device. It is shown that the gain-scheduled controller developed for the quasi-LPV system results in excellent tracking performance even in the cases where robust-H∞ controller failed to function.
Toxicosis-mediated potentiation in a taste/taste compound: Evidence for within-compound associations

Abstract Using rats as subjects, the present series of experiments investigated the stimulus interactions resulting from compounding two tastes (saccharin and denatonium saccharide) in a toxicosis procedure. The first experiment demonstrated that denatonium can potentiate conditioning to saccharin, whereas Experiment 2 indicated that this effect was not attributable to associations formed during preexposure (i.e., prior to the conditioning trial). Experiment 3 demonstrated that denatonium is capable of potentiating aversions to saline as well as saccharin, ruling out the likelihood of stimulus generalization as an important mediating mechanism. The final two experiments investigated the nature of the associations involved. It was found in Experiment 4 that sequential presentation of the two taste elements was not effective in producing potentiation, while their compound presentation was. Extinction of one of the elements of the compound following conditioning, but prior to potentiation testing, decreased the aversiveness (Experiment 5). These experiments demonstrate the importance of within-compound associations and/or perceptual units for the establishment of taste/taste potentiation effects.
Avoidance learning in the golden hamster: The effect of CS-US interval

The present study was concerned with the influence of the interstimulus interval (ISI) on shuttlebox avoidance learning in the male golden hamster Five groups with 10 Ss per group, learned a barrier-jumping response under a delayed conditioning procedure. The results show that the ISI (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 sec) was positively related to the number of avoidance responses made during 100 trials. Furthermore, the number of trials to four consecutive avoidance responses was inversely related to the ISI. Mean avoidance latencies were a direct function of ISI length. ISIs of 8 and 10 sec yielded superior results on all measures. As compared to the rat, the hamster appears to be inferior in terms of both the rate of acquisition and the final level of avoidance responding.
SU-E-T-632: Metrics for Comparing Dose Volume Histograms.

Purpose: The process of IMRT planning is an iterative inverse process, where a planner seeks to attain a desired dose distribution, specified for tumors and OARs, hence creating a plethora of competing constraints. However, the final product is rather the unpredictable outcome of a series of trial‐and‐error attempts at meeting these competing objectives. A key tool to inspect the quality of a plan is the DVH. We provide a set of metrics for unbiased DVH comparison. Methods: The treatment of one prostate case was planned by seven planners, while imposing the same clinical objectives for PTV and OARs. The resulting seven DVHs were compared based on their deviation of from the ideal coverage, namely 100% of PTV receiving 100% of the dose. Our deviation function L measures the area between the ideal and realized DVH. A weight function W is used for dose dependency. We employ a set of Ws: constant, piece‐wise linear, quadratic, normal and beta‐distributional. Results: We show that the deviation of some planners are consistently higher than others for all eight Ws. Similarly, we observe that one of the planners consistently exhibits the lowest deviation, while another one is low for linear and quadratic Ws and worsen for the distributional functions independent of their slope and range. Further, the normal and beta‐density function weights, as they primarily penalize the range of 95% < Dose < 105%, hence discriminating only deviations in the respective region. Conclusions: The outcome of treatment planning is strongly related to the planning personal. The proposed set of DVH metrics allow for unbiased comparison, beyond the visual inspections. An optimized superposition of these metrics may yield a practical tool for daily treatment planning. Furthermore, these results exhibit the need for methods whose outcomes are independent of the planning personal.
Aggressive Behaviors of Paired Rodents in an Avoidance Context

Although the number of rodents of different species and sexes was somewhat small, the consistency of the results enables a reasonably confident description of the effect of pairing rodents in an avoidance context. Considering first the situation in which both rodents were required to make the same manipulatory response to avoid or escape from electric shock: I. Naive rodents paired in this situation do not learn to avoid the shock by responding after the onset of a warning signal and before the shock. In the same situation, the rodents avoid 75-90 percent of the shocks if trained singly. This deficit is not the result of failing to notice the warning signal nor detecting its significance; the incidence of crouching, squealing and anticipatory foot-stomping indicate that the warning signal had acquired secondary aversive properties. 2. The presence of two rodents in the same avoidance situation does not materially affect their escape behavior when viewed at the molar level of the latency of escape responses. At a more molecular level, however, the escape response was almost invariably executed by the rat judged to be submissive when paired outside the avoidance context. When the shock was not quickly terminated, the dominant rat made distinct threat and aggressive responses such as foot-stomping and aborted attack until the submissive rat turned the wheel. 3. After the termination of the shock, the rodents engaged in various forms of interaction of an aggressive nature, including sparring, muzzling, over-and-under, and actual fighting. The most dramatic form observed was mounting with pelvic thrusting by the dominant rodent, even if it was a sexually naive female in the presence of another non-receptive female. 4. Essentially the same pattern of behavior was observed if either or both of the rodents had been pretrained singly in the apparatus either to escape or to avoid the shock. In the case of laboratory rats, which were observed to remain in close proximity to each other, the disappearance of avoidance behavior was more gradual than in their wild counterparts. In the case of the Florida packrats, which were observed to remain very far apart in the apparatus, avoidance behavior gradually reappeared. 5. The pairing of rodents in an avoidance situation had a dramatic effect upon their subsequent behavior when introduced into the situation singly. Even if they had previously learned the avoidance response individually, very little avoidance behavior was observed after a few sessions paired with another rodent. 6. All of the above observations are specific to the situation in which the same manipulatory response is required of both rodents. If a shuttle avoidance situation is employed,in which the necessity for confrontation in making the response is obviated, then avoidance behavior by both rodents continues when paired essentially at the same level as when run singly.
Concentration effects on peptide elution from pendant PEO layers

In earlier work, we have provided direction for development of responsive drug delivery systems based on modulation of structure and amphiphilicity of bioactive peptides entrapped within pendant polyethylene oxide (PEO) brush layers. Amphiphilicity promotes retention of the peptides within the hydrophobic inner region of the PEO brush layer. In this work, we describe the effects of peptide surface density on the conformational changes caused by peptide-peptide interactions, and show that this phenomenon substantially affects the rate and extent of peptide elution from PEO brush layers. Three cationic peptides were used in this study: the arginine-rich amphiphilic peptide WLBU2, the chemically identical but scrambled peptide S-WLBU2, and the non-amphiphilic homopolymer poly-l-arginine (PLR). Circular dichroism (CD) was used to evaluate surface density effects on the structure of these peptides at uncoated (hydrophobic) and PEO-coated silica nanoparticles. UV spectroscopy and a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) were used to quantify changes in the extent of peptide elution caused by those conformational changes. For amphiphilic peptides at sufficiently high surface density, peptide-peptide interactions result in conformational changes which compromise their resistance to elution. In contrast, elution of a non-amphiphilic peptide is substantially independent of its surface density, presumably due to the absence of peptide-peptide interactions. The results presented here provide a strategy to control the rate and extent of release of bioactive peptides from PEO layers, based on modulation of their amphiphilicity and surface density.
Synthesis of Resorcinol Formaldehyde Aerogel Using Photo-Acid Generators for Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments

Traditionally, the synthesis of resorcinol formaldehyde (R/F) aerogels consists of a 2-step (base/acid catalysis) polycondensation reaction. Since the acid catalyst in the reaction controls the gelation time, the replacement of the acid catalyst with a non-ionic photo-acid generator decreased the gelation time from hours, down to a few minutes at room temperature using a UV light source. The reaction rate was not only fast, but the liquid precursor was stable for several hours prior to UV exposure. After drying, the resulting aerogel porosity was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confirmed the internal structure of the aerogel was similar to the original R/F pore structures. This paper will discuss the modifications made to the traditional R/F formulation, as well as the benefits of a fast gelation time for aerogel casting applications such as thin films, cylinders, and solid and hollow microspheres.
Uptake of Prodrugs by Rat Intestinal Mucosal Cells: Mechanism and Pharmaceutical Implications

The in vitro intestinal ring uptake of prednisolone (11β, 17,21-trihydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione), prednisolone 21-succinate, and prednisolone 21-phosphate was compared in rings prepared from rat jejunum and colon. An HPLC assay was developed to determine whether the drug or intact prodrug was taken up by the tissue. In jejunum and colon, the uptake of prednisolone was limited by its solubility (0.84 mM, 37°C). The freely soluble succinate and phosphate esters were well absorbed in the jejunum. The only species detected in jejunal tissue after incubation with prednisolone 21-phosphate was prednisolone, indicating hydrolysis prior to absorption. This implication was verified by light microscopy. Incubation of tissue from the jejunum with prednisolone 21-succinate resulted in uptake of a mixture of prodrug and parent drug, with the latter form predominating. Prednisolone 21-succinate was also absorbed well in the colon, where the predominant species taken up by the tissue was the intact ester. The half-life of the succinate ester in the tissue was ∼1 h postincubation, implicating enzyme mediation. Uptake of the phosphate ester by the colon was < 20% of that observed in the jejunum, with the species absorbed still being primarily the parent alcohol. Light microscopy techniques confirmed that prednisolone 21-phosphate and hydrocorti-sone 21-phosphate are good substrates for brush border membrane alkaline phosphatase in the jejunum, and that lack of this enzyme in colon tissue was most likely responsible for poor uptake in the colon.
Spatially localized two-dimensional spectroscopy. SLO-COSY and SLO-NOESY

radiofrequency, gradient, or combined RF and gradient techniques ( 10-1.5). Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy is well established as a technique for the interpretation of complex NMR spectra in liquids ( 16, 17). J modulations in spectra may be distinguished from chemical shifts by using a COSY sequence, while magnetization transfer due to chemical exchange can be observed by using a NOESY sequence. It has been recognized that Jmodulations may also be utilized in conjunction with imaging techniques. Manassen and Navon (18) have recently demonstrated the feasibility of Jimaging in one dimension and propose that this method may be useful on low-field imaging systems to obtain chemical information, since J couplings are independent of field strength. Kormos et al. ( 19) have also demonstrated 13C J couplings in NMR images on simple phantoms at high fields, although no techniques were used to distinguish these couplings from chemical shifts. Two-dimensional spectroscopy has been primarily limited to the examination of single-phase systems. However, some multiphase systems have been examined by acquiring the two-dimensional spectra of the whole multiphase system. For example, a 3’P NOESY spectrum of a perfused rat heart has been reported (20). The heterogeneity of such systems makes spectral interpretation difficult. In these circumstances it would be desirable to obtain two-dimensional spectra as a function of space. Ideally a five-dimensional map would be obtained in which three dimensions are of space and two are of chemical shift (i.e., an extension of chemical-shift imaging). However, obtaining a five-dimensional map would require extremely long acquisition times and would also demand extensive data handling and processing capabilities. A more useful approach may be to obtain two-dimensional spectra from localized regions within a given sample in a manner analogous to spatially localized one-dimensional spectroscopy. In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of performing spatially localized two-dimensional spectroscopy in phantoms. Other workers are pursuing similar goals with alternative sequences (21) . The localized COSY sequence used in these preliminary studies is shown in Fig. la. It consists of a conventional COSY sequence (16) in which the two hard 90
On the Influence of Thermal Properties on Wear Resistance of Rubbing Metals at Elevated Temperatures

This paper studies the effects of the heat dissipation capacity of a rubbing material on wear resistance at high temperatures. These effects are studied with a special focus on the dilatation of the thermal energy in sliding. These results suggest a connection between wear transition and the change in the heat dissipation capacity of a rubbing material. The nature of change in the thermal properties before and after the transition influences the thermal environment within the contacting layers. This controls the kinetics of oxide formation and thereby controls wear. Thermal dilatation is a super position of three functions that represent the competing effects of the room temperature thermal properties and their respective variation with temperature. Whence, the change in the thermal properties bears on dilatation. The possible relation between thermal dilatation and protective oxide formation is studied by examining the fretting wear data for two alloys-a Ni-based alloy and a Co-based alloy. The results indicate a strong correlation between the formation of protective oxides and the change in the thermal dilatation of the examined alloys with temperature. Moreover, examination of the wear data suggests that a critical ratio between the effects of the conductivity and those of the effusivity has to be established for favorable wear resistance. This ratio reflects on the intrinsic ability of the material to sustain an oxidative reaction of a controlled rate. So that, the protective glaze oxide layers are formed in a rate that is approximately equal to the rate of oxide layer breakdown. Whence, continuous compensation for the removed oxide layer (self-repairing oxides) is established.
Simultaneous intracellular recording and calcium imaging in single neurons of hippocampal slices.

Abstract Fluorescent Ca 2+ indicator dyes can be introduced into cells through the same microelectrode used for intracellular voltage recording. Simultaneous measurement of cell membrane potential and intracellular Ca 2+ concentration can be very helpful in interpreting the mechanisms of Ca 2+ increases. This chapter describes fluorescence image acquisition using a CCD camera and a computer program that also records a synchronized membrane potential trace. The same program allows for preliminary data analysis. More elaborate analyses can be accomplished with commercial programs. We also describe quantitative evaluations of sources of error in the use of the statistic Δ F / F as an indicator of Ca 2+ concentration. Especially important errors to minimize are changes in background fluorescence and inappropriate autofluorescence corrections. Some improvement of fluorescence images of cells deep within slices may be accomplished by masking. One method is described for making a mask based on the raw fluorescence image. With another method, highly detailed cell morphologies may be conveyed by using masks based on neurobiotin injections and camera lucida drawings.