cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-pressure shock activation and mixing of nickel-aluminium powder mixtures

The adiabatic chemical reaction behaviour of shock-compressed Ni-Al powder mixtures of varying morphology and different volumetric distributions has been investigated by microstructural and differential thermal analysis (DTA) to understand the mechanistic changes responsible for chemical reactions occurring during shock treatment. Mechanically mixed Ni-Al powders undergo exothermic chemical reactions at temperatures close to the melt-temperature of AI. In contrast, shock-treated Ni-Al powder mixtures exhibit a “pre-initiation” exothermic event, before the main exothermic reaction. Different forms (reaction start and peak temperatures) of the preinitiation exotherm are observed depending on the degree of macroscopic mixing, contact intimacy and activation, accomplished during shock compression of the powder mixtures of different morphology and volumetric distribution, all shock-treated under the same conditions. Mixtures containing equimolar volumetric distribution of powders of more irregular (flaky) morphologies undergo a significant extent of configuration change during shock-compression, resulting in the formation of an activated, intimately mixed and close-packed state. In such a state, chemical reaction is readily initiated by external thermal stimulation, such as heating during DTA. In fact, a greater degree of configuration change, activation and more intense mixing occurring during shock-compression can even lead to reaction initiation and completion in the shock duration itself.
Automated Tools for Subject Matter Expert Evaluation of Automated Scoring

As automated scoring of complex constructed-response examinations reaches operational status, the process of evaluating the quality of resultant scores, particularly in contrast to scores of expert human graders, becomes as complex as the data itself. Using a vignette from the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE), this article explores the potential utility of Classification and Regression Trees (CART) and Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) as tools to facilitate subject matter expert (SME) examination of the fine-grained (feature level) quality of automated scores for complex data, with implications for the validity of resultant scores. This article explores both supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, with the former being represented by CART (Breiman, Friedman, Olshen, & Stone, 1984) and the latter by SOM (Kohonen, 1989). Three applications comprise this investigation, the first of which suggests that CART can facilitate efficient and economical identification of specific elements of c...
New Therapeutic Approaches to Mendelian Disorders

Thanks to the power of a method to identify etiologic mutations (and hence “causative” genes) in mendelian disease, the molecular mechanisms that give rise to many such diseases are now known. This knowledge has fueled new therapeutic approaches, which are reviewed in this article, the third in the Genomic Medicine series.
Treatment of cardiovascular dysfunction associated with the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Our previous studies have shown vascular dysfunction in small coronary and mesenteric arteries in Zucker obese rats, a model of the metabolic syndrome, and Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes. Because of their lipid lowering action and antioxidant activity, we predicted that treatment with Rosuvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) or Enalapril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor would improve vascular dysfunction associated with the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Methods 20-week-old Zucker obese and 16-week-old ZDF rats were treated with Rosuvastatin (25 mg/kg/day) or Enalapril (20 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. We examined metabolic parameters, indices of oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction in ventricular and mesenteric small arteries (75–175 µm intraluminal diameter) from lean, Zucker obese and ZDF rats (untreated and treated). Results Endothelial dependent responses were attenuated in coronary vessels from Zucker obese and ZDF rats compared to responses from lean rats. Both drugs improved metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction in Zucker obese rats, however, only partial improvement was observed in ZDF rats, suggesting more aggressive treatment is needed when hyperglycemia is involved. Conclusion Vascular dysfunction is improved when Zucker obese and, to a lesser degree, when ZDF rats were treated with Rosuvastatin or Enalapril.
Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy following colonoscopy: insights on pathogenesis.

Abstract We report a case of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) occurring after colonoscopy. A 60-year-old post menopausal female with syncope following an acute abdominal syndrome underwent diagnostic colonoscopy. Anginal chest pain with marked ST segment elevation occurred the day following the procedure. Coronary angiogram was entirely normal, but left ventriculography showed marked reduction in systolic function along with mid ventricular and apical akinesis. The patient's symptoms completely improved with eventual normalization of ventricular function. The occurrence in this patient of initial vagal syndrome followed by sympathetic stimulation preceding TTC is compared to prior reports with similar provocateurs and implications for pathogenesis discussed.
Design of an arithmetic element for serial processing in an iterative structure

This paper describes the arithmetic and logic design of the digit processing logic of an arithmetic element. The arithmetic element is used in an iterative structure and arithmetic processing takes place serially on a digit by digit basis with the most significant digit first. Starting from the arithmetic specification of the digit processing logic, the arithmetic design (namely, the choice of number system, number representation and the digit algorithm) is developed. Algebraic and logic designs of the logic necessary to execute the digit algorithm and its implication for LSI implementation are discussed.
Development of hepatitis C virus chimeric replicons for identifying broad spectrum NS3 protease inhibitors

Several potent inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease have been identified that show great clinical potential against genotype 1. Due to the tremendous genetic diversity that exists among HCV isolates, development of broad spectrum inhibitors is challenging. With a limited number of lab strains available for preclinical testing, new tools are required for assessing protease inhibitor activity. We developed a chimeric replicon system for evaluating NS3 protease inhibitor activity against naturally occurring isolates. NS3/4A genes were cloned from the plasma of HCV-infected individuals and inserted into lab strain replicons, replacing the native sequences. The chimeric reporter replicons were transfected into Huh 7.5 cells, their replication monitored by luciferase assays, and their susceptibilities to inhibitors determined. Viable chimeras expressing heterologous genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 protease domains were identified that exhibited varying susceptibilities to inhibitors. Protease inhibitor spectrums observed against the chimeric replicon panel strongly correlated with published enzymatic and clinical results. This cell-based chimeric replicon system can be used to characterize the activities of protease inhibitors against diverse natural isolates and may improve the ability to predict dose and clinical efficacy.
Statistical learning with imbalanced training set in a machine vision application: improve the false alarm rate and sensitivity simultaneously

We studied the statistical learning methods with imbalanced training data sets. Imbalanced training sets are very common in industrial machine vision applications. The minority class contains the defects or anomalies we try to catch. The majority class contains the "regular" objects. We need a method that performs well at both false positive and false negative error rates. Traditional methods such as classification tree yield unsatisfactory results. We propose a two-stage classification scheme. We first use a subset selection method to remove redundant examples from the majority class. As a result, the training sample becomes more balanced without losing critical boundary information. The computation-intensive methods such as boosted classification trees are then applied to further improve both error rates.
Edgeworth approximations for rank sum test statistics

Abstract Hettmansperger (1984) quotes a result showing that the distribution function of the Wilcoxon signed rank statistic is approximated by the usual Edgeworth series using the first four cumulants, to 0( n −1 ). In light of standard Edgeworth series results for random variables confined to a lattice, this result is counterintuitive. One expects correction terms to be necessary because of the lattice nature of the Wilcoxon statistic. This paper explains this apparent paradox, provides an alternative proof relying on basic Edgeworth series results, and provides a sharper result. Interesting features in this problem highlighting limitations of expansions for random variables on a lattice are discussed.
Optical modification of a single impurity molecule in a solid

THE possibility of obtaining information about solids on a truly microscopic scale has stimulated several recent advances in the optical detection and spectroscopy of single impurity centres in solids. For the system composed of pentacene impurity molecules in the crystal p-terphenyl, absorption1and fluorescence excitation2 studies at liquid-helium temperatures have led to direct observations of the lifetime-limited homogeneous linewidth of a single pentacene molecule3, as well as the surprising observation of spontaneous spectral diffusion in a crystal4. Spectral diffusion—changes in the resonance frequency of an impurity molecule with time as a result of structural relaxation processes in the molecular environment—is generally expected in amorphous hosts. We report here the observation of optical spectra of single perylene impurity molecules in a polymeric (polyethylene) host. At 1.5 K, individual perylene molecules show the expected spectral diffusion; further-more, we observe light-induced changes in resonance frequency (that is, persistent spectral hole-burning5) for certain single molecules. These observations suggest the possibility of optical storage at the single-molecule level.
SU‐GG‐J‐100: A Comparison of the Effect of Intra‐Fraction Motion on Tomotherapy and IMRT Delivery Systems

Purpose: To illustrate the variation in dose distribution caused by a moving target volume that can be expected from a Tomotherapy treatment plan and a conventional step and shoot intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) plan. Method and Materials: A two‐dimensional Motionsim platform was used with Mapcheck2 to obtain the measurements. Tumor motion with a superior‐inferior amplitude of 1cm and lateral amplitude of 0.2cm was used. Similar IMRTtreatment plans were created for a volume vertically centered on the diode array using Tomotherapy and CMS Xio, respectively. A planned dose of 2Gy per fraction was delivered onto both a stationary Mapcheck2 diode array, as well as on the array when the tumor motion was simulated. The process was then repeated using a 9 beam step and shoot IMRT plan on a conventional Linac.Results: When compared to the plan with a stationary target, the motion file introduced single fraction dose variation at the superior and inferior borders of the field of up to 20%. This was the case for both the helical Tomotherapy and co‐planar IMRT scenarios. Detectors inferior of the target volume received more dose than planned, while superior detectors received up to 20% less dose than planned. The penumbra for these resulting hot/cold spots for the Tomotherapy plan was larger than for the IMRT plan. Conclusion: The results reiterate the need for tumor motion management when IMRT is used during treatment. Motion effects may even be more pronounced for helical tomotherapy treatments than for conventional IMRT.
A radial diffusion assay for plasma and serum deoxyribonuclease I.

A simple radial diffusion technique is described for assaying deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) activity in whole human plasma and serum. Enzymatic activity was calculated from a standard curve constructed from the studies on the hydrolysis of calf thymus DNA by bovine pancreatic DNase of known concentrations. The assay was shown to be specific for nucleases which are active at neutral pH and require magnesium ions for activation. There was no significant difference in DNase I activity in plasma compared with that in serum from normal individuals (P>0.05). The DNase I activity of 35 normal human sera was 26.1±9.2 ng/ml and ranged from 10.8–48.5 ng/ml. This technique may prove useful for the evaluation of DNase I activity in crude biological fluids and is not affected by the presence of enzymatic inhibitors and/or activators.
Design of asymmetric DNAzymes for dynamic control of nanoparticle aggregation states in response to chemical stimuli

Dynamic control of nanomaterial assembly states in response to chemical stimuli is critical in making multi-component materials with interesting properties. Previous work has shown that a Pb2+-specific DNAzyme allowed dynamic control of gold nanoparticle aggregation states in response to Pb2+, and the resulting color change from blue aggregates to red dispersed particles can be used as a convenient way of sensing Pb2+. However, a small piece of DNA (called invasive DNA) and low ionic strength (∼30 mM) were required for the process, limiting the scope of application in assembly and sensing. To overcome this limitation, a series of asymmetric DNAzymes, in which one of the two substrate binding regions is longer than the other, has been developed. With such a system, we demonstrated Pb2+-induced disassembly of gold nanoparticle aggregates and corresponding color change at room temperature without the need for invasive DNA, while also making the system more tolerant to ionic strength (33–100 mM). The optimal lengths of the long and short arms were determined to be 14 and 5 base pairs, respectively. In nanoparticle aggregates, the activity of the DNAzyme increased with decreasing ionic strength of the reaction buffer. This simpler and more versatile system allows even better dynamic control of nanoparticle aggregation states in response to chemical stimuli such as Pb2+, and can be used in a wider range of applications for colorimetric sensing of metal ions.
Enhanced Case-II diffusion of diluents into glassy polymers undergoing plastic flow

Abstract Dramatic enhancement of diluent conductance in glassy polymers actively undergoing plastic flow has long been suspected. We report observations of this phenomenon in a glassy poly(ether imide) (Ultem)™ in the presence of resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) by means of the limited-supply diffusion experiment developed earlier by Nealey et al. In this experiment it is demonstrated that RDP uptake in plastically deforming Ultem is nearly identical at 113°C, ie. 102°C below Tg, as it is at 215°C, at Tg, without concurrent plastic flow. While the characteristic profiles of penetrating Case-II fronts are present in experiments at 130°C without plastic flow, they are absent in experiments above Tg without plastic flow and in those at 113°C undergoing concurrent plastic flow. This demonstrates that in the plastically deforming polymer, well below Tg, a steady dilated flow state exists, which resembles in its molecular level conformational rearrangements that at Tg without deformation, where in both the resistance to diluent penetration has been radically reduced. Based on the measured diffusion constant of RDP in Ultem, the structural correspondence of the thermally dilated state at Tg and the flow dilated state at 113°C is equivalent to an increase of the diffusion constant by a factor of 1.9×104 in the latter.
Adaptive filtering with binary reinforcement

Recently there has been increased interest in high speed adaptive filtering where the usual stochastic gradient or least mean-square (LMS) algorithm is replaced with the simpler algorithm where adaptation is guided only by the polarity of the error signal. In this paper the convergence of this binary reinforcement (BR) algorithm is proved under the usual independence assumption, and the surprising observation is made that, unlike the LMS algorithm, convergence occurs for any positive value of the step-size parameter. While the stochastic gradient algorithm attempts to minimize a mean-square error cost function, the binary reinforcement algorithm in fact attempts to minimize a mean-absolute error cost function. It is proved for the binary reinforcement algorithm that the tap weight vector converges in distribution to a random vector that is suitably concentrated about the optimal value based on a least mean-absolute error cost function. For a sufficiently small step size, the expected cost of the asymptotic weight vector can be made as close as desired to thc minimum cost attain,ed by the optimum weight vector.
Allergic reactions during anesthesia

Any drug or blood product administered in the perioperative period has the potential to produce a life-threatening allergic (immune reaction) called anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reactions represent adverse reactions mediated by immunospecific antibodies (IgE and IgG) that interact with mast cells, basophils, or the complement system to liberate vasoactive mediators and recruit other inflammatory cells. Activation of humoral and cellular pathways produces characteristic responses in the respiratory (bronchospasm and upper airway edema), cardiovascular (vasodilation and increased capillary permeability), and cutaneous systems (wheal and flare). Other predictable adverse drug reactions may mimic anaphylaxis to produce similar physiologic consequences independent of allergy (immune responses). Rapid and timely cardiopulmonary intervention with airway maintenance, epinephrine, and volume expansion is essential to avoid an adverse outcome. Severe reactions may be protracted, especially during anesthesia, requiring even larger doses of catecholamines and intensive care observation.
Hydrogen-enhanced plasticity of 310S stainless steel

Abstract Transient creep of hydrogen-austenitic stainless steel solid solutions at 55 °C was studied to determine the effects of hydrogen on plastic deformation. Thin specimens of AISI 310S stainless steel were slowly cathodically charged to uniform hydrogen contents, and no significant damage was introduced. A constant load was then applied, while the charging current density remained the same, so as to prevent outgassing of the hydrogen during the tests. It was found that at short times the creep rate of a hydrogenated specimen was lower than that of a specimen without hydrogen. However, the creep rate decreased at a slower rate thereafter, so that the transient creep stage was longer, and in some cases the creep was even larger than in a hydrogen-free specimen. This is clear evidence of hydrogen-enhanced plasticity. Elasticity interactions between hydrogen atmospheres and moving dislocations were used to explain the observed phenomenon. Hydrogen enhancement and localization of plasticity have been cited as fundamental causes of hydrogen embrittlement. The prolongation of the transient creep stage has significance for propagation of stress corrosion cracks.
Boolean Evaluation with a Pairing and Unpairing Function

A pairing function is a bijection f:N->N x N. Its inverse is called an em unpairing function. We show that boolean logic on bit vector variables can be expressed as compositions of pairing/unpairing operations which can emulate boolean evaluation of ordered binary decision trees (OBDTs) of a canonical form. Applications to enumeration and random generation of OBDTs and a generalization to Multi-Terminal Ordered OBDTs (MTOBDT) are also described. The paper is organized as a literate Haskell program (code available at http://logic.csci.unt.edu/tarau/research/2012/hOBDT.hs).
Modeling pitting corrosion damage of high-level radioactive-waste containers using a stochastic approach

Abstract Stochastic models of pitting corrosion have been explored and found to be potentially useful in predicting damage of high-level radioactive-waste containers. These computer models include simple phenomenological relationships describing the environmental dependence of the stochastic parameters, and can simulate pit initiation and growth under various environments, including those that change during exposure. Equally important, the models provide quantitative information that would be useful to performance assessment codes for the entire waste repository system. Valuable insights into the mechanisms of pit initiation and growth also have resulted from this research. Finally, comparisons between the stochastic and mechanistic approaches to modeling pitting, and directions for future research are discussed.
INFLUENCE OF NATURAL DIETS AND LARVAL DENSITY ON GYPSY MOTH, LYMANTRIA DISPAR (LEPIDOPTERA: ORGYIIDAE), EGG MASS CHARACTERISTICS

Laboratory and field studies indicate that differences in gypsy moth egg mass characteristics can be related to larval density and natural diet. Egg mass characteristics are valuable indices of population quality as well as future population levels. Laboratory crowding reduced number of eggs/mass but did not affect egg size. Field collected egg masses from various population levels in Massachusetts also varied in egg number/mass, but egg size could not be directly correlated to density. Laboratory rearing of larvae on several natural diets produced differences in both egg number and size. Maple diets produced egg masses with fewer, smaller eggs, as compared with oak diets. Field collected egg masses also varied in mean egg size, according to host tree species. Thus, forest composition may directly affect the quality of gypsy moth populations, as well as numerical levels. Increasing density could affect egg size indirectly, by forcing gypsy moth larvae to feed on unfavorable host foliage.
Page-mapping techniques to reduce cache conflicts on CC-NUMA multiprocessors

Abstract Page-coloring and bin-hopping are two well-known page mapping schemes for reducing cache conflicts. Previous work found bin-hopping to have 4% less cache miss rate than page-coloring on uniprocessor machines. Using execution-driven simulations, we find that bin-hopping significantly outperforms simplistic page-coloring on CC-NUMA multiprocessors. In certain cases, bin-hopping has 32–58% less execution time and over 60% fewer cache misses. By using part of the memory ID bits to hash the page color during page-mapping, we improve the performance of page-coloring to match that of bin-hopping on CC-NUMA multiprocessors.
Characterization of nonischemic segment shortening during variable extent of myocardial ischemia in conscious dogs.

Studies were performed on seven conscious dogs chronically instrumented for measurement of subendocardial segment length in the central area perfused by the left circumflex coronary artery (LCCA) and left anterior descending coronary artery, LCCA flow, and left ventricular pressure. We occluded the LCCA for 2 min using an externally inflatable pneumatic occluder placed around the proximal LCCA. Two-minute LCCA occlusions were repeated hourly for 8 h, 5 days/week. The first LCCA occlusion decreased the ejection phase shortening in the ischemic area from 22.2%±2.5% (SEM) to 3.1%±0.7% (P<0.001). Concomitantly, heart rate increased from a resting rate of 76±4 to 117±6 beats/min (P<0.001) after 2 min of LCCA occlusion, and ejection phase shortening in the nonischemic area decreased from 25.5%±1.3% to 21.6%±1.1% (P<0.001) despite increases in end-diastolic segment length (15.31±1.46 mm to 15.69±1.52 mm,P<0.01). These changes in non-ischemic segment shortening and heart rate during LCCA occlusion were attenuated progressively with improvement in the regional myocardial function at jeopardy due to the development of collateral circulation, and a significant (P<0.001) correlation between both the reduced nonischemic segment shortening and the increased heart rate with the degree of dysfunction in the ischemic region was obtained by linear regression analysis with Fisher's Z transformation.
Initiation and growth of wrinkling due to nonuniform tension in sheet metal forming

An experimental investigation was conducted on the initiation and growth of wrinkling due to nonuniform tension using the Yoshida buckling test. The initiation of wrinkling was detected by strain gages mounted on both surfaces of the samples in the loading and transverse directions. The bifurcation of aluminum auto body sheets appeared to be smooth and much less abrupt than that observed in a steel sheet. A special fixture was designed to, perhaps for the first time, continuously measure the in situ growth of the buckle heights so that the rates of buckle growth were monitored as functions of strain and stress in the loading direction. In contrast to what is commonly believed, it was found that the buckle height is not predominantly determined by the material yield strength, and lower averager value does not increase the rate of buckle growth. Crystallographic texture components and pole figures of the test materials were also measured, and the relationship of plastic anisotropy with wrinkling behavior was investigated by experiments with specimens aligned in the rolling direction, the transverse direction and 45-deg to the rolling direction of the sheet materials.
Practice patterns and attitudes about treating abnormal uterine bleeding: A national survey of obstetricians and gynecologists

Objective We sought to examine the practice patterns and attitudes of obstetricians and gynecologists surrounding treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Study Design We conducted a cross-sectional study of members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Surveys, which were distributed using a sequential mixed method (both web- and mail-based) approach, included questions about practice characteristics, practice patterns, and knowledge about treatment options for AUB. Results Of 802 questionnaires, 417 were returned (52%). The most commonly selected first-line choice for AUB treatment was combined oral contraceptives (97% anovulatory, 98% ovulatory). The levonorgestrel intrauterine system was the next most frequently selected option (63% anovulatory, 53% ovulatory). Respondents did not score high on questions about the effectiveness of treatments for AUB. Only 25% (n = 86) answered at least 2 of the 3 questions correctly. Conclusion Continued education is necessary to increase the utilization of the most effective treatment options for AUB.
Research to Practice: Playing Politics

(2001). Research to Practice: Playing Politics. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education: Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 36-37.
Polymorphism in sexual versus non-sexual disease transmission

Pathogens causing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often consist of related strains that cause non-sexually transmitted, or 'ordinary infectious', diseases (OIDs). We use differential equation models of single populations to derive conditions under which a genetic variant with one (e.g. sexual) transmission mode can invade and successfully displace a genetic variant with a different (e.g. non-sexual) transmission mode. Invasion by an STD is easier if the equilibrium population size in the presence of an OID is smaller; conversely an OID can invade more easily if the equilibrium size of the population with the STD is larger. Invasion of an STD does not depend on the degree of sterility caused by the infection, but does depend on the added mortality caused by a resident OID. In contrast, the ability of an OID to invade a population at equilibrium with an STD decreases as the degree of sterility caused by the STD increases. When equilibrium population sizes for a population infected with an STD are above the point at which non-sexual contacts exceed sexual contacts (the sexual–social crossover point) and when equilibrium population sizes for an OID are below this point, there can be a stable genetic polymorphism for transmission mode. This is most likely when the STD is mildly sterilizing, and the OID causes low or intermediate levels of added mortality. Because we assume the strains are competitively equivalent and there are no heterogeneities associated with the transmission process, the polymorphism is maintained by density-dependent selection brought about by pathogen effects on population size.
DIURESIS INDUCED BY WATER INFUSION INTO THE CAROTID LOOP AND ITS INHIBITION BY SMALL HEMORRHAGE. THE COMPETITION OF VOLUME- AND OSMOCONTROL.

In five unanesthetized trained dogs the effect on urine flow of the osmotic stimulus of a slow intracarotid water infusion alone and combined with a mild hemorrhage of 8% of the estimated blood volume was investigated. The blood loss was too small to cause any change in blood pressure or heart rate. In contrast to the effect of intracarotid infusion of 3 ml water/min over a 30 min period no diuresis occurred when this infusion was combined with a slow hemorrhage of 150 ml applied during the first 10 min of the infusion period. In the majority of cases restoration of blood volume by retransfusion of the hemorrhaged blood was promptly followed by water diuresis. In all maneuvers the diuresis was entirely due to a change in free water clearance. The excretion of osmotically active material was unchanged. It is concluded that during a competition of the control systems of osmotic pressure and fluid volume the former is acutely overruled if the homeostasis of fluid volume is jeopardized.
Histamine and serotonin independently elicit drinking in the rat

Drinking elicited by SC histamine or serotonin (5-HT) was studied in Sprague-Dawley male rats following 0.9% NaCl or combined antagonism of H1 and H2 histamine receptors using dexbrompheniramine (DXB) and cimetidine (C), or following antagonism of 5-HT receptors using methysergide (M). Histaminergic antagonism using IP 1 mg/kg DXB plus 16 mg/kg C abolished drinking elicited by SC 2.5 mg/kg histamine, but it failed to inhibit drinking elicited by the ED50 or by the ED100 for SC 5-HT in the same rats. Serotonergic antagonism using IP 3 mg/kg M abolished drinking elicited by SC 0.63 mg/kg 5-HT, but it failed to inhibit drinking elicited by the ED50 or by the ED100 for SC histamine in the same rats. These findings demonstrate that activation of peripheral 5-HT receptors is not necessary for SC histamine to elicit drinking and that activation of peripheral histamine receptors is not necessary for SC 5-HT to elicit drinking. This demonstrates that histamine and 5-HT activate different receptors to elicit drinking in the rat. The finding that the ED50 for histamine and the ED50 for 5-HT are not additive in their effects on drinking is consistent with the notion that a single mechanism mediates the dipsogenic effects of SC histamine and SC 5-HT in the rat.
Culture-Independent Investigation of the Microbiome Associated with the Nematode Acrobeloides maximus

Background Symbioses between metazoans and microbes are widespread and vital to many ecosystems. Recent work with several nematode species has suggested that strong associations with microbial symbionts may also be common among members of this phylu. In this work we explore possible symbiosis between bacteria and the free living soil bacteriovorous nematode Acrobeloides maximus. Methodology We used a soil microcosm approach to expose A. maximus populations grown monoxenically on RFP labeled Escherichia coli in a soil slurry. Worms were recovered by density gradient separation and examined using both culture-independent and isolation methods. A 16S rRNA gene survey of the worm-associated bacteria was compared to the soil and to a similar analysis using Caenorhabditis elegans N2. Recovered A. maximus populations were maintained on cholesterol agar and sampled to examine the population dynamics of the microbiome. Results A consistent core microbiome was extracted from A. maximus that differed from those in the bulk soil or the C. elegans associated set. Three genera, Ochrobactrum, Pedobacter, and Chitinophaga, were identified at high levels only in the A. maximus populations, which were less diverse than the assemblage associated with C. elegans. Putative symbiont populations were maintained for at least 4 months post inoculation, although the levels decreased as the culture aged. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes specific for Ochrobactrum and Pedobacter stained bacterial cells in formaldehyde fixed nematode guts. Conclusions Three microorganisms were repeatedly observed in association with Acrobeloides maximus when recovered from soil microcosms. We isolated several Ochrobactrum sp. and Pedobacter sp., and demonstrated that they inhabit the nematode gut by FISH. Although their role in A. maximus is not resolved, we propose possible mutualistic roles for these bacteria in protection of the host against pathogens and facilitating enzymatic digestion of other ingested bacteria.
Assessing the impact of temperature on grape phenolic metabolism.

This study assessed the impact of fruit temperature on the phenolic metabolism of grape berries (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Merlot) grown under field conditions with controlled exposure to sunlight. Individual cluster temperatures were manipulated in situ. Diurnal temperature fluctuation was damped by daytime cooling and nighttime heating of clusters. Daytime-only and nighttime-only temperature controls were applied for comparison. Berry temperatures were recorded continuously to compare the chemical data. Samples collected at veraison indicated that damping the diurnal temperature fluctuation advanced the onset of ripening. Those berries were larger (double-damped: 0.753+/-0.015gberry(-1) vs control: 0.512+/-0.034gberry(-1)) and more colored than all others. Development of phenolic metabolites was followed by two reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography methods and gel permeation chromatography. These methods provided information on anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, flavan-3-ol monomers, and polymeric material. Damping the diurnal temperature fluctuation reduced proanthocyanidin mean degree of polymerization (double-damped: 21.8+/-1.0 vs control: 28.0+/-1.7). Proanthocyanidin accumulation at veraison was linearly related to heat summation over the developmental period with nighttime heating yielding the highest concentration and daytime cooling yielding the lowest (night-heat: 1.46+/-0.13mgberry(-1) vs day-cool: 0.97+/-0.09mgberry(-1)). Damping the diurnal temperature fluctuation had a marked effect on the rate of fruit development whereas total heat summation had more of an effect on phenolic metabolism alone. The results provide insight on the direct effect of temperature on phenolic metabolism.
Temporal variations of the cosmic ray intensity and the magnetic configurations of the heliosphere

Abstract Data from worldwide network of neutron and muon detectors are used to study 11-year variations of cosmic rays, over four solar activity cycles. We find that the recovery of the cosmic ray intensity follows one of the two distinct modes. During odd cycles recovery is completed in 6 to 8 years, but during even cycles complete recovery occurs in 2 to 3 years. Two model magnetic configurations of the heliosphere are proposed to understand these recovery modes. Implications of these models are also discussed.
The crystal structures of octyl α-D-glucopyranoside monohydrate and hemihydrate: Mesogenic structures with interdigitizing alkyl chains

Abstract The crystal structure of octyl α- D -glucopyranoside monohydrate, C 14 H 28 O 6 ·H 2 O, is monoclinic, C 2, with Z = 4, a = 17.896(2), b = 5.154(1), c = 18.303(2) A, β = 90.30(1)°. The hemihydrate, C 14 H 28 O 6 ·0.5 H 2 O, is also monoclinic, C 2, with Z = 4, a = 15.190(5), b = 5.136(3), c = 19.944(7), β = 92.74(3)°. The crystal structures were solved using SHELXTL and refined to R values of 0.037 and 0.052 for 1224 and 1231 observed structure amplitudes, respectively. The crystal structures have bilayer head-to-head molecular packing with interdigitizing alkyl chains similar to those observed in other long-chain alkyl pyranosides. The carbohydrate moieties are hydrogen-bonded in infinite chains which exclude the ring and glycosidic oxygen atoms. Both crystal structures transform to a smectic A liquid crystal at 72.3°, which has a clearing point at 116.5°.
Bacterial Chemotaxis: The motor connection

In bacterial chemotaxis, membrane receptors control the phosphorylation of the response regulator CheY; phospho-CheY has been found to control motility by binding to a switching apparatus attached to the flagellar motor.
Assessment of Midnight Blackbody Calibration Correction (MBCC) using the Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS)

The geostationary meteorological satellites (GEO), such as Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), are susceptible to a calibration anomaly around local midnight of the sub-satellite point. A counter measure, the Midnight Blackbody Calibration Correction (MBCC) currently exists at operational level. In this study, the MBCC performance on GOES-11 satellite is characterized with the help of Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) data sets. Results from the comparison of coincident and collocated GSICS-based GOES-11-AIRS data pairs, corresponding to two and half year period from January 2007 through June 2009, reveal that "mid-night residuals" in brightness temperatures persist in all of the GOES-11 Infra-Red (IR) channels, in spite of MBCC. The GOES-11 split window channels (channels 4 and 5) consistently showed significantly large negative (GOES-11-AIRS) biases often reaching values of -1. 5 K or less while the short wave Infra-Red (SWIR) channel (channel 2) produced relatively smaller negative biases (~ -0.3 K or less). Interestingly, the water vapor IR channel (channel 3) exhibits a different pattern from rest of the channels in which consistently opposite biases with small positive (GOES-11-AIRS) difference values (~ 0.3 K or less) could be observed. The reason for the differential behavior of GOES-11 channel 3 is yet to be understood, while it is hypothesized that this might be linked to the convolution algorithm used for matching the AIRS data spectrally with those from GOES water vapor channel. The amount of midnight residuals is shown to have a consistent seasonal dependency, which gets repeated year after year, for the period considered in the analysis.
Spatial dispersion of interstellar civilizations: a probabilistic site percolation model in three dimensions

A model of the spatial emergence of an interstellar civilization into a uniform distribution of habitable systems is presented. The process of emigration is modelled as a three-dimensional probabilistic cellular automaton. An algorithm is presented which defines both the daughter colonies of the original seed vertex and all subsequent connected vertices, and the probability of a connection between any two vertices. The automaton is analysed over a wide set of parameters for iterations that represent up to 250000 years within the model's assumptions. Emigration patterns are characterized and used to evaluate two hypotheses that aim to explain the Fermi Paradox. The first hypothesis states that interstellar emigration takes too long for any civilization to have yet come within a detectable distance, and the second states that large volumes of habitable space may be left uninhabited by an interstellar civilization and Earth is located in one of these voids. Received 19 April 2012, accepted 3 August 2012
Employment after anterior temporal lobectomy.

Summary Purpose: To explore the effect of anterior temporal lobectomy on employment and define demographic and clinical predictors of postoperative employment in a large cohort with a prolonged observational period. Methods: Subjects had an anterior temporal lobectomy for refractory epilepsy. All had an assessment period of 4 years or more with documentation of demographic factors, employment status, and seizure frequency prospectively registered in a database at surgery and at each contact after surgery. McNemar chi-square and a Wilcoxon matched pairs test were used to compare employment status before and after surgery. A multiple logistic regression assessed independent predictors of postoperative employment status based on preoperative employment status. Key Findings: Three hundred sixty-nine patients were evaluated. Employment levels were higher and unemployment levels were lower after surgery (McNemar χ2 = 3.96; p = 0.047). Working before surgery (Wald’s χ2 = 22.69, p < 0.0001) and having a greater percent of seizure-free years (Wald’s χ2 = 34.43, p < 0.0001) were associated with being employed after surgery. Of 131 patients who were unemployed or homemakers before surgery, 67 (51.1%) became employed postoperatively, with a younger age at surgery, a younger age of epilepsy onset, and driving a motor vehicle associated with gaining employment. Of 172 patients who were working at baseline, 27 (15.7%) became unemployed or homemakers after surgery. Gender was the only variable associated with loss of employment, with women being more likely to become homemakers (χ2 = 14.98, d.f. = 6, p = 0.02). Most students were working after surgery, with seizure control influencing outcome. Significance: Anterior temporal lobectomy is followed by reduced unemployment and underemployment, with elimination of seizures, relative youth, and operating a motor vehicle serving as the main driving forces for improvement. This is important information for patients and physicians who contemplate surgery as it helps define reasonable expectations, and provides further objective evidence for benefits beyond purely medical outcomes after epilepsy surgery.
High-resolution imaging diagnosis of human fetal membrane by three-dimensional optical coherence tomography

Microscopic chorionic pseudocyst (MCP) arising in the chorion leave of the human fetal membrane (FM) is a clinical precursor for preeclampsia which may progress to fatal medical conditions (e.g., abortion) if left untreated. To examine the utility of three-dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) for noninvasive delineation of the morphology of human fetal membranes and early clinical detection of MCP, 60 human FM specimens were acquired from 10 different subjects undergoing term cesarean delivery for an ex vivo feasibility study. Our results showed that OCT was able to identify the four-layer architectures of human FMs consisting of high-scattering decidua vera (DV, average thickness dDV ≈ 92 ±38 μm), low-scattering chorion and trophoblast (CT, dCT ≈ 150 ±67 μm), high-scattering subepithelial amnion (A, dA ≈ 95 ±36 μm), and low-scattering epithe- lium (E, dE ≈ 29 ±8 μm). Importantly, 3D OCT was able to instantaneously detect MCPs (low scattering due to edema, fluid buildup, vasodilatation) and track (staging) their thicknesses dMCP ranging from 24 to 615 μm. It was also shown that high-frequency ultrasound was able to compliment OCT for detecting more advanced thicker MCPs (e.g., dMCP>615 μm) because of its increased imaging depth. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Long-range interphase chromosome organization in Drosophila: a study using color barcoded fluorescence in situ hybridization and structural clustering analysis.

We have developed a color barcode labeling strategy for use with fluorescence in situ hybridization that enables the discrimination of multiple, identically labeled loci. Barcode labeling of chromo...
High-frequency performance of subthreshold SOI MESFETs

Results from silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MESFETs designed for subthreshold operation are presented. The transistors have subthreshold slopes as low as 78 mV/dec and off-state drain currents approaching 1 pA//spl mu/m. Drain current saturation can be achieved with drain voltages of less than 0.5 V and with output impedance>100 M/spl Omega//spl middot//spl mu/m. The cutoff frequency of a 500-nm gate length device exceeds 1 GHz at currents significantly less than 1 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m. These results suggest that subthreshold SOI MESFETs might have useful applications in mixed-signal, micropower circuit design.
Subgraph augmented non-negative tensor factorization (SANTF) for modeling clinical narrative text

Objective Extracting medical knowledge from electronic medical records requires automated approaches to combat scalability limitations and selection biases. However, existing machine learning approaches are often regarded by clinicians as black boxes. Moreover, training data for these automated approaches at often sparsely annotated at best. The authors target unsupervised learning for modeling clinical narrative text, aiming at improving both accuracy and interpretability. Methods The authors introduce a novel framework named subgraph augmented non-negative tensor factorization (SANTF). In addition to relying on atomic features (e.g., words in clinical narrative text), SANTF automatically mines higher-order features (e.g., relations of lymphoid cells expressing antigens) from clinical narrative text by converting sentences into a graph representation and identifying important subgraphs. The authors compose a tensor using patients, higher-order features, and atomic features as its respective modes. We then apply non-negative tensor factorization to cluster patients, and simultaneously identify latent groups of higher-order features that link to patient clusters, as in clinical guidelines where a panel of immunophenotypic features and laboratory results are used to specify diagnostic criteria. Results and Conclusion SANTF demonstrated over 10% improvement in averaged F-measure on patient clustering compared to widely used non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and k -means clustering methods. Multiple baselines were established by modeling patient data using patient-by-features matrices with different feature configurations and then performing NMF or k -means to cluster patients. Feature analysis identified latent groups of higher-order features that lead to medical insights. We also found that the latent groups of atomic features help to better correlate the latent groups of higher-order features.
Representation of Color Stimuli in Awake Macaque Primary Visual Cortex

We investigated the responses of single neurons in primary visual cortex (area V1) of awake monkeys to chromatic stimuli. Chromatic tuning properties, determined for homogeneous color patches presented on a neutral gray background, varied strongly between cells. The continuum of preferred chromaticities and tuning widths indicated a distributed representation of color signals in V1. When stimuli were presented on colored backgrounds, chromatic tuning was different in most neurons, and the changes in tuning were consistent with some degree of sensitivity of the neurons to the chromatic contrast between stimulus and background. Quantitatively, the average response changes matched the magnitudes of color induction effects measured in human subjects under corresponding stimulus conditions.