cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medial temporal lobe activations in fMRI and PET studies of episodic encoding and retrieval.

Early neuroimaging studies often failed to obtain evidence of medial temporal lobe (MTL) activation during episodic encoding or retrieval, but a growing number of studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have provided such evidence. We review data from fMRI studies that converge on the conclusion that posterior MTL is associated with episodic encoding; too few fMRI studies of retrieval have reported MTL activations to allow firm conclusions about their exact locations. We then turn to a recent meta-analysis of PET studies (Lepage et al., Hippocampus 1998;8:313- 322) that appears to contradict the fMRI encoding data. Based on their analysis of the rostrocaudal distribution of activations reported during episodic encoding or retrieval, Lepage et al. (1998) concluded that anterior MTL is strongly associated with episodic encoding, whereas posterior MTL is strongly associated with episodic retrieval. After consider- ing the evidence reviewed by Lepage et al. (1998) along with additional studies, we conclude that PET studies of encoding reveal both anterior and posterior MTL activations. These observations indicate that the contradic- tion between fMRI and PET studies of encoding was more apparent than real. However, PET studies have reported anterior MTL encoding activa- tions more frequently than have fMRI studies. We consider possible sources of these differences. Hippocampus 1999;9:7-24. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Statistical testing alone and estimation plus testing: Reporting study outcomes in biomedical journals

Abstract Background: The outcomes of a research investigation are presented as statistically significant or not statistically significant, or testing alone, including the reporting of p -values. This information conveys the statistical outcomes, or statistical findings, in response to the hypotheses of interest. A companion issue is the results of the estimation plus testing, clinical or practical significance, or the findings for the hypotheses of interest. Estimation plus testing, clinical or practical significance, findings provide information as to the strength of the finding, the differences that were detected between treatment groups, or other such conclusions. Objectives: Effect sizes are recommended as a measure of estimation plus testing, clinical significance, since they are generalizable and invariant. A case is made for the reporting of estimation plus testing for outcomes in biomedical journals. Design: A review of recent publications reporting effect sizes as well as a review of publication polices for biomedical journals are discussed. Results: Of the 113 articles in 38 medical journals that mentioned effect size, 35% were meta-analyses or systematic reviews. Of the original research reported, 12% reporting effect size were randomized control trials, 54% were descriptive or observational studies. Six of the 16 Public Health/Epidemiology journals contained effect size statistics in 24 articles. Studies reporting meta-analyses accounted for 17% of the total number of Public Health/Epidemiology articles reviewed. Of the 38 medical journals and 16 Public Health/Epidemiology journals reviewed, the “Instructions for Authors” were typically stylistic in nature. Conclusions: When a criterion for testing alone, namely statistical significance, is met and a criterion for estimation plus testing, namely clinical significance is met, then a conclusion of effectiveness may be reached. For a complete interpretation of research results, the authors strongly encourage the reporting of estimation plus testing.
Improved association analyses of disease subtypes in case-parent triads

The sampling of case-parent triads is an appealing strategy for conducting association analyses of complex diseases. In certain situations, one may have interest in using the triads to identify genetic variants that are associated with a specific subtype of disease, perhaps related to a characteristic cluster of symptoms. A straightforward strategy for conducting such a subtype analysis would be to analyze only those triads with the subtype of interest. While such a strategy is valid, we show that triads without the subtype of interest can provide additional genetic information that increases power to detect association with the subtype of interest. We incorporate this additional information using a likelihood-based framework that permits flexible modeling and estimation of allelic effects on disease subtypes and also allows for missing parental data. Using simulated data under a variety of genetic models, we show that our proposed association test consistently outperforms association tests that only analyze triads with the subtype of interest. We also apply our method to a triad study of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and identify a genetic variant in the dopamine transporter gene that is associated with a subtype characterized by extreme levels of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Fibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Fibers are a continuous material structure that have an extremely high ratio of length to width, and are particularly suitable for fabrication into biomaterial scaffolds for tissue engineering since fibrous structures can morphologically resemble extracellular matrix components in tissues. In addition, fibers can be collected and processed into complex fibrous networks using conventional textile techniques, such as knitting, weaving, or braiding, to create three-dimensional (3D) structures with improved structural and mechanical properties. Recently, there is a growing interest in using nanofabrication techniques to fabricate nanometer-sized fibers for tissue engineering. Nano-sized fibers exhibit enhanced physical and biological properties that are favorable for effective biomaterial scaffolds, compared to micro-sized fibers. While great progress using fibrous scaffolds to grow various human tissues has been made, it is important for scaffold-based tissue engineering to develop the next generation “smart” scaffolds capable of promoting cell-matrix interactions through a bio-inspired surface, and inducing favorable biological activity via controlled release of incorporated biological molecules.
COLLISIONS OF ELECTRONS WITH HYDROGEN ATOMS. II. EXCITATION OF LYMAN-ALPHA RADIATION

The cross section for excitation of Lyman-alpha radiation in electron- hydrogen atom collisions was measured as a function of electron energy. The measurement is made by observing Lyman-alpha photons with an iodine-vapor-filled photon counter. A relative-crosssection curve is normalized to fit the Born approximation for high electron energies. The experiment utilizes a 100-cps- modulated atomic beam whose purity in hydrogen-atom contert is determined by ionization and mass analysis. A d-c electron beam crosses the modulated ground- state atomic beam. The photon counter, which looks at the interaction region, has its output passed through a tuned amplifier and phasesensitive detection system. Although this treatment of the counter output as an a-c current (in which the quantum of charge is that of a Geiger-Mueller pulsel introduces some unique noise problems, it satisfactorily separates the photons which arise from the interaction under study from those which arise from other processes (e.g., electron collisions with the residual gas in the high-vacuum chamber). Some implications of the measured excitation cross section upon scattering theory are discussed. (auth)
Ultra-sensitive quantification of corticosteroids in plasma samples using selective solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase capillary high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Low-dose corticosteroids may provide a favorable benefit/risk ratio for many therapeutic applications. However, the extremely low plasma drug concentrations achieved, in conjunction with the insufficient sensitivity/ selectivity of current analytical methods, renders the evaluation of corticosteroid pharmacokinetics (PK) a significant challenge under such conditions. Furthermore, targeted therapeutic strategies involving administration by inhalation or intraocular injection could result in very low but sustained systemic corticosteroid concentrations, which must be quantified to determine potential side effects. Here we describe a robust method for the ultrasensitive quantification of corticosteroids in plasma samples. This was achieved by the combination of a selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a highly sensitive capillary LC (μLC)-MS/MS analysis. SPE washing and elution conditions were optimized so that target drugs are selectively extracted from plasma. By eliminating most undesirable compounds...
Evaluation of a Direct Mailing Campaign to Increase Physician Awareness and Utilization of a Quitline Fax Referral Service

Research has shown that fax referral services play an important role in linking people who are ready to quit tobacco use with effective cessation support provided through telephone-based quitlines. While many states have implemented fax referral services to assist health care providers in connecting their patients to quitlines, few published studies delineate optimum ways to promote this service to providers, particularly the role of direct mail educational campaigns. This is one of the first studies to evaluate the effectiveness of a small-scale educational and promotional campaign designed to increase health care providers’ awareness and utilization of a state tobacco cessation quitline fax referral service. The campaign included a direct mailing to 6,197 health care providers in North Carolina. The mailing consisted of a large tube, in the shape of cigarette, with enclosed fax referral promotional materials. An 8-month follow-up survey was mailed to a 10% random sample of family physicians, pediatricia...
Expanding the operating range of homogeneous charge compression ignition-spark ignition dual-mode engines in the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode

AbstractVehicle fuel economy benefit through the use of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine technology depends on the range of HCCI operating conditions. The range of HCCI operati...
Stochastic minimization of imbalance cost for a virtual power plant in electricity markets

In this paper, we investigate the optimal real-time operation strategy for a virtual power plant (VPP) to reduce its imbalance cost when participating in a competitive electricity market for energy. To capture the intrinsically stochastic nature of renewable power generation and market prices, the problem is formulated as a stochastic program. The decisions in the balancing market include actual renewable power usage and flexible demand management. Our model ensures that a certain portion of the renewable power generation will be utilized. A Lyapunov optimization based algorithm, which does not require the knowledge of probability distributions of the related random processes, is proposed to solve the problem. Both analytical and numerical results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Strong turbulence and atmospheric waves in stellar occultations

General techniques for producing model lightcurves for a variety of realistic atmospheric irregularities, including turbulence and inertia-gravity waves, are presented and applied. The restrictions of weak scintillation theory are relaxed and model lightcurves are constructed using wave optics for atmospheres with strong, anisotropic turbulence. This is accomplished by numerical simulations which model the propagation of a wave through a phase-changing screen while maintaining complete amplitude and phase information from the wave. The results are compared with available weak scintillation theory and with recent occultation data. The effects of large scale atmospheric waves with realistic horizontal structure are examined, and the reliability of the numerical inversion method in retrieving the true atmospheric vertical structure under conditions of strong ray crossing and horizontal inhomogeneities is assessed. The nature of model lightcurve spikes generated using geometric optics and wave optics are compared.
Soft X-ray dosimetry and its application on the lithography beamline at SSRL

Abstract We describe simple methods of soft X-ray dosimetry (1000–3000 eV) for synchrotron based X-ray lithography. These methods are generally applicable to other synchrotron installations and possibly to so-called “stand alone” X-ray sources. A double crystal monochromator of synthetic multilayer crystals was used to obtain narrow band X-rays for energy-dependent measurements. The quantum efficiency of a stainless steel vacuum photocathode is shown to be well modeled by a simple power law, and its use in measuring the quantum efficiency of semiconductor diodes is described. The photocathode modeling is used in conjunction with the monochromator to demonstrate that resist sensitivity depends uniquely on absorbed dose density. The validity of the modeling is discussed, and the limitations of each type of detector are outlined. Suggestions are made for the application of these inexpensive detectors to real time source calibration in practical X-ray lithography equipment.
Order independence and factor convergence in iterative scaling

Abstract We prove two results concerning iterative scaling which have been claimed, but not proved, by other authors in the field. Iterative scaling is a procedure which begins with a probability measure Q on a finite set X and a finite set of partition constraints on X. It produces a sequence of iterates P0 = Q, P1,…,Pt,… in which each Pt (t #62; 0) is an adjustment (scaling) of Pt−1 to fit a single set of prescribed partition constraints. Under fairly general hypotheses, the iterates Pt converge to the unique probability P∗ which simultaneously satisfies the given constraints and is exponentially equivalent to the starting measure Q (or equivalently, which minimizes the I-divergence D(P‖Q) over all probabilities P on X which satisfy the constraints). The first main result (Theorem 3.1) states that the convergence of iterative scaling to the unique limit is independent of the order in which the adjustments for the prescribed partition constraints are made, provided each adjustment is made infinitely many times. The second main result (Theorem 4.2) is that, under certain commonly satisfied conditions, each factor of the exponential form being built up within the algorithm (one factor for each partition constraint) converges separately. A third group of results (Sections 5,6) provides an account of the relationship between the probability measures which satisfy all of the constraints and those which are exponentially equivalent to Q.
Reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and arginine vasopressin receptor 2 expression in the kidneys of male TALLYHO/JngJ mice of prediabetic age

The TALLYHO/JngJ (TH) mouse is a novel polygenic model of type 2 diabetes and exhibits obesity, hyperglycemia (males), hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and enlarged pancreatic islets. Since the kidney is damaged by hyperglycemia in other animal models, the present study aimed to determine the kidney phenotype of TH mice using immunoblot and histological analyses of the kidneys of 6-week-old (prediabetic) and 16-week-old TH mice. Interestingly, even 6-week-old male TH mice showed significant increases in kidney weight, compared to C57BL/B6 (B6) mice. Cuboidal parietal epithelium was observed in the Bowman’s capsule in male TH mice at the prediabetic age. Water accumulated inside the kidneys of male TH mice in an age-dependent manner, but not in B6 mice. Since Swr/J mice are reported to develop diabetes insipidus and share 86.8% genotype homology with TH mice, the expression level of arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2), a candidate protein for diabetes insipidus, was examined and determined to be significantly reduced in the kidneys of prediabetic male TH mice, compared to B6 mice. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in the kidneys of prediabetic male TH mice was significantly lower than that in age-matched male B6 mice, while there were no differences between female TH and B6 mice. These results suggest that the kidney phenotype of prediabetic TH mice occurs only in males, accompanied by a reduction in ALDH activity and AVPR2 expression. The kidney phenotype of male TH mice at a prediabetic age becomes evident before the onset of diabetes.
The association of fetal heart rate patterns with nucleated red blood cell counts at birth

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fetal heart rate patterns and fetal nucleated red blood cell counts. Study Design: Data were collected prospectively from March through September 2000. Umbilical cord blood was used for nucleated red blood cell analysis. The fetal heart rate pattern was analyzed for reactivity; presence, duration, and type of decelerations; and time interval between the last acceleration and delivery. Results: Two hundred seventy-nine singleton term pregnancies formed the study population, 67% of which were delivered vaginally. The median nucleated red blood cells per 100 white blood cells was 7 (range, 0-158). The univariate analysis indicated that nucleated red blood cells are correlated significantly with abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, time interval between the last acceleration and delivery, fetal growth restriction, the presence of meconium, and a 1-minute Apgar score of ≤7. However, the stepwise regression analysis identified the time interval between the last acceleration and delivery as the only variable that independently predicted elevated nucleated red blood cell count at birth ( P R 2 = 0.26). Conclusion: Earlier studies have demonstrated an association between adverse perinatal outcome and elevated nucleated red blood cell count. In view of the high false-positive rate that is associated with the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome by fetal heart rate abnormalities, our results support previous studies that indicate that the presence of fetal heart rate accelerations is a reliable predictor of the nonhypoxic fetus. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:1228-30.)
Neutropenia occurring during treatment with vesnarinone (OPC-8212)

Abstract To date, long-term use of oral inotropic agents other than digoxin in patients with heart failure has been controversial because these agents improve symptoms but are associated with an increased risk of death. 1,2 A new inotropic agent, vesnarinone (OPC-8212), a quinolinone derivative, has recently been shown to improve congestive symptoms and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 3–6 Studies in different animal species demonstrate direct positive cardiac inotropic in addition to potassium channel effects. 7,8 In contrast to other agents, vesnarinone produces no increase in heart rate or myocardial oxygen consumption or decrease in afterload, but it does have class III antiarrhythmic properties. Its mechanism of action is direct augmentation of the transmembrane ion channel activity. Vesnarinone increases inward calcium current, increases intracellular sodium, and blunts the inward and outward potassium rectifying current. Its net effect lengthens action potential duration and enhances contraction. Also, a recent study suggests that vesnarinone may inhibit the production of cytokines, such as TNF-α and INF-γ. 9 In healthy volunteers, cumulative doses ranging from 7.5 to 480 mg of vesnarinone result in no significant adverse effects other than headache. Vesnarinone has a plasma half-life of 45 hours, which allows once-a-day dosing. During clinical trials with the drug, however, neutropenia (absolute granulocyte count 3 ) with sparing of the other cellular lines was reported. 3–6 From the Japanese experience with vesnarinone, the reported incidence of neutropenia was thought to be 10 This paper will review the European/U.S. experience with vesnarinone-induced neutropenia through August 28, 1992.
Selective total encapsulation of the sulfate anion by neutral nano-jars

Nano-sized toroidal copper(II)-hydroxide/pyrazolate assemblies, lined by H-bond donors on the inside and hydrophobic on the outside, selectively extract sulfate from mixtures with nitrate or perchlorate. Tetrabutylammonium “lids” seal the “nano-jars” and render the encapsulated sulfate anion completely buried and inaccessible, so that it is not precipitated by Ba2+ ions.
Experimental criteria for the determination of fractal parameters of premixed turbulent flames

The influence of spatial resolution, digitization noise, the number of records used for averaging, and the method of analysis on the determination of the fractal parameters of a high Damkohler number, methane/air, premixed, turbulent stagnation-point flame are investigated in this paper. The flow exit velocity was 5 m/s and the turbulent Reynolds number was 70 based on a integral scale of 3 mm and a turbulent intensity of 7%. The light source was a copper vapor laser which delivered 20 nsecs, 5 mJ pulses at 4 kHz and the tomographic cross-sections of the flame were recorded by a high speed movie camera. The spatial resolution of the images is 155 × 121 μm/pixel with a field of view of 50 × 65 mm. The stepping caliper technique for obtaining the fractal parameters is found to give the clearest indication of the cutoffs and the effects of noise. It is necessary to ensemble average the results from more than 25 statistically independent images to reduce sufficiently the scatter in the fractal parameters. The effects of reduced spatial resolution on fractal plots are estimated by artificial degradation of the resolution of the digitized flame boundaries. The effect of pixel resolution, an apparent increase in flame length below the inner scale rolloff, appears in the fractal plots when the measurent scale is less than approximately twice the pixel resolution. Although a clearer determination of fractal parameters is obtained by local averaging of the flame boundaries which removes digitization noise, at low spatial resolution this technique can reduce the fractal dimension. The degree of fractal isotropy of the flame surface can have a significant effect on the estimation of the flame surface area and hence burning rate from two-dimensional images. To estimate this isotropy a determination of the outer cutoff is required and three-dimensional measurements are probably also necessary.
Relativity studies with high-precision astrometry

The last decade of the 20th century has seen the development of extremely sensitive instruments based on new emerging technologies. These instruments, which are widely distributed on Earth and currently being deployed in space, have provided the means necessary to prove more deeply into the nature and evolutionary history of the universe. Together with a noticeable progress in providing a less expensive launch services, this made a significant impact on a number of areas of fundamental research. One of such areas is the research in relativistic and gravitational physics. Motivated by the opportunities offered by the future Space Interferometry Mission, we discuss high-precision astrometric measurements and their significance for the relativistic gravitational theory.
Laminar burning velocities and Markstein lengths of aromatics at elevated temperature and pressure

Abstract Laminar burning velocities are presented for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m -xylene, and n -propylbenzene. The data have been acquired at elevated temperature (450 K) and pressure (304 kPa) over the equivalence ratio range 0.80 ⩽ ϕ ⩽ 1.4. High speed schlieren visualization, used to monitor flame growth following ignition, provides a direct determination of the laminar flame speed. The data are corrected for flame stretch to yield the unstretched laminar burning velocities and burned gas Markstein lengths. The data show benzene to be the fastest, followed by ethylbenzene > n -propylbenzene > toluene > m -xylene. Iso -octane results are also presented for comparison to the literature. Flame front perturbations are observed, particularly under fuel-rich conditions, due to hydrodynamic and preferential mass diffusion instabilities. The kinetic factors responsible for the changes in the laminar burning velocities upon alkyl substitution of the aromatic ring are discussed.
Cartilage Contact Mechanics Following Treatment of Acetabular Retroversion With Peri-Acetabular Osteotomy: A Case Study

Acetabular retroversion is a form of dysplasia where the acetabulum is tilted excessively in the anterior plane with a loss of posterior coverage. Excessive anterior coverage may cause impingement, and reduced acetabular coverage may increase cartilage contact pressures in the posteroinferior region, thereby causing hip osteoarthritis (OA). Treatment of retroversion is controversial: patients receive debridement of the anterior acetabular rim or posteriorly directed reorientation of the acetabulum via peri-acetabular osteotomy (PAO). Improved methods to quantify pre- and post-operative cartilage mechanics could be used to standardize treatment.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Signal processing for multiGigabit communication

The sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP) at the core of modern communication receivers implicitly assumes the availability of accurate analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). As communication speeds scale up, however, high-rate, high-precision ADCs are either not available, or are too costly or power-hungry. In this paper, we survey our recent results on DSP-centric receiver design with sloppy ADCs. For applications requiring limited dynamic range (e.g., small constellations over line-of-sight channels), we consider the performance achievable with ADCs whose precision is drastically smaller (e.g., 1–4 bits) than those in current practice (e.g. 8–12 bits), with a view to characterizing information-theoretic limits as well as developing practical receiver algorithms. For applications requiring larger dynamic range (e.g., large constellations and/or dispersive channels), we consider receiver architectures centered around time-interleaved ADCs, addressing the mismatch between the parallel ADCs for the specific context of their use within a communication receiver, with a view to preventing error floors in receiver performance.
Apolipoprotein A-IV reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis through nuclear receptor NR1D1.

We showed recently that apoA-IV improves glucose homeostasis by enhancing pancreatic insulin secretion in the presence of elevated levels of glucose. Therefore, examined whether apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) also regulates glucose metabolism through the suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis. The ability of apoA-IV to lower gluconeogenic gene expression and glucose production was measured in apoA-IV−/− and wild-type mice and primary mouse hepatocytes. The transcriptional regulation of Glc-6-Pase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) by apoA-IV was determined by luciferase activity assay. Using bacterial two-hybrid library screening, NR1D1 was identified as a putative apoA-IV-binding protein. The colocalization and interaction between apoA-IV and NR1D1 were confirmed by immunofluorescence, in situ proximity ligation assay, and coimmunoprecipitation. Enhanced recruitment of NR1D1 and activity by apoA-IV to Glc-6-Pase promoter was verified with ChIP and a luciferase assay. Down-regulation of apoA-IV on gluconeogenic genes is mediated through NR1D1, as illustrated in cells with NR1D1 knockdown by siRNA. We found that apoA-IV suppresses the expression of PEPCK and Glc-6-Pase in hepatocytes; decreases hepatic glucose production; binds and activates nuclear receptor NR1D1 and stimulates NR1D1 expression; in cells lacking NR1D1, fails to inhibit PEPCK and Glc-6-Pase gene expression; and stimulates higher hepatic glucose production and higher gluconeogenic gene expression in apoA-IV−/− mice. We conclude that apoA-IV inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis by decreasing Glc-6-Pase and PEPCK gene expression through NR1D1. This novel regulatory pathway connects an influx of energy as fat from the gut (and subsequent apoA-IV secretion) with inhibition of hepatic glucose production.
Dynamical origin of black-hole radiance

An explanation of the thermal quantum radiance of black holes discovered by Hawking is offered in terms of a black-hole metric undergoing quantum zero-point fluctuations of zero mean in its gravitational quasinormal modes. It is shown that such zero-temperature fluctuations, governed by the uncertainty principle, lead to the formation of a quantum ergosphere that enables matter of all species to tunnel out of the hole. The results confirm that a black hole cannot be in equilibrium at zero temperature. A dynamical temperature is calculated by equating the mean irreducible mass associated with the quantum ergosphere to the mean thermal energy of a quantum oscillator with the lowest quasinormal frequency. The result agrees with the Hawking temperature to within two per cent. The nature of the dynamical equilibrium and the higher modes are discussed, and it is calculated that the thermal excitations of the resonant modes have the canonical distribution to within several per cent. A calculation of the black-hole entropy using the statistical mechanics of the quasinormal modes yields a value $(0.27654){\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}(16\ensuremath{\pi}{M}^{2})$, which is near the value usually assumed, $(0.25){\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}(16\ensuremath{\pi}{M}^{2})$. Characteristic fluctuation scales are derived. The rms energy fluctuation of the physical ("dressed") event horizon is about ${10}^{17}$ GeV, independent of $M$. The physical metric fluctuations near the hole are of order unity when the hole has mass \ensuremath{\approx} (0.15) (Planck mass) \ensuremath{\approx} 1.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{18}$ GeV.
Impact of donor bone marrow on survival of composite tissue allografts

Composite tissue allotransplants (CTA) involves transplantation of various tissues including vessels, nerves, skin, and immune cells and bears significant antigenic load. Different immunosuppressive protocols are used for experimental and clinical CTA. Immunosuppressive agents maintain survival of the different components of composite tissue allografts. However, the potential side effects of chronic immunosuppression currently limit the widespread application of CTA transplants. Bone marrow therapy in many tolerance induction protocols therefore provides a guide to reaching the target of permanent immunotolerance. Multiple studies suggest that bone marrow is immunomodulatory and may facilitate allograft acceptance. In this review, bone marrow-based therapy protocols of experimental and clinical models are presented in composite tissue transplantation.
Norms of inverses and condition numbers for matrices associated with scattered data

For interpolation matrices arising in connection with translates of a conditionally negative definite, radially symmetric Rs-function of order 1, we give a general method for obtaining bounds both on the norm of the inverse of the interpolation matrix and on the condition number of that matrix. We apply our method to obtain these bounds in several cases, including those associated with the functions √1 + ∥x∥22andlog(1 + ∥x∥22).
Short communication: On estimating simple probabilistic discriminative models with subclasses

Discriminative subclass models can provide good estimates of complex 'continuous to discrete' conditional probabilities for hybrid Bayesian network models. However, the conventional approach of specifying deterministic 'hard' subclasses via unsupervised clustering can lead to inaccurate models. The multimodal softmax (MMS) model is presented as a new probabilistic discriminative subclass model that overcomes this unreliability. By invoking fully probabilistic latent 'soft' subclasses, MMS permits learning via standard statistical methods without requiring explicit clustering/relabeling of data. MMS is also shown to be closely related to the mixture of experts model and the generative Gaussian mixture classifier. Synthetic and benchmark classification results demonstrate the MMS model's correctness and usefulness for hybrid probabilistic modeling.
Effects of cavities at the nicotinamide binding site of liver alcohol dehydrogenase on structure, dynamics and catalysis.

A role for protein dynamics in enzymatic catalysis of hydrogen transfer has received substantial scientific support, but the connections between protein structure and catalysis remain to be established. Valine residues 203 and 207 are at the binding site for the nicotinamide ring of the coenzyme in liver alcohol dehydrogenase and have been suggested to facilitate catalysis with “protein-promoting vibrations” (PPV). We find that the V207A substitution has small effects on steady-state kinetic constants and the rate of hydrogen transfer; the introduced cavity is empty and is tolerated with minimal effects on structure (determined at 1.2 A for the complex with NAD+ and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl alcohol). Thus, no evidence is found to support a role for Val-207 in the dynamics of catalysis. The protein structures and ligand geometries (including donor–acceptor distances) in the V203A enzyme complexed with NAD+ and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl alcohol or 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (determined at 1.1 A) are very s...
Shock waves in strongly coupled plasmas II

In a recent paper we have analyzed the AdS/CFT duals to shock waves propagating in the \( \mathcal{N} = 4 \) plasma. Here we study further properties of the system. In the gravity description we consider the properties of the dual black holes, showing in particular that they are stationary black holes with expanding horizons. This is possible because the horizon is not compact; in the fluid, this corresponds to the situation when entropy is being produced and carried away to infinity. We also consider shocks in dimensionalities d other than four and find that, for plasmas whose duals are given by asymptotically AdS spaces, the exponential tail of the shock on the supersonic side shrinks as \( {\gamma^{ - \frac{2}{d}}} \) as the velocity approaches the speed of light (the Lorentz factor γ goes to infinity). This generalizes the behavior \( {\gamma^{ - \frac{1}{2}}} \) we have found previously for d = 4. Finally, we consider corrugations of the shock front and show that the shock is stable under such perturbations. There are, however, long lived modes, excitations of which describe generation of sound by the shock wave, the energy for this being provided by the incoming fluid.
Integration of Video-Based Demonstrations to Prepare Students for the Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Consistent, high-quality introductions to organic chemistry laboratory techniques effectively and efficiently support student learning in the organic chemistry laboratory. In this work, we developed and deployed a series of instructional videos to communicate core laboratory techniques and concepts. Using a quasi-experimental design, we tested the videos in five traditional laboratory experiments by integrating them with the standard pre-laboratory student preparation presentations and instructor demonstrations. We assessed the influence of the videos on student laboratory knowledge and performance, using sections of students who did not view the videos as the control. Our analysis of pre-quizzes revealed the control group had equivalent scores to the treatment group, while the post-quiz results show consistently greater learning gains for the treatment group. Additionally, the students who watched the videos as part of their pre-laboratory instruction completed their experiments in less time.
Acquisition of Nein and Nicht and the VP-Internal Subject Stage in German

Deprez and Pierce (1993) used negation data from German and other languages to support the hypothesis that subject noun phrases (NPs) originate within verb phrases (VPs). Deprez and Pierce argued that children go through an early stage of language acquisition during which subject NPs may optionally stay VP-internal. They claimed that during this stage, children do not distinguish between the negators nicht 'not' and nein 'no'. As a result, children produce negative utterances involving either negator, in which the negator occurs to the left of the subject. In their work, Deprez and Pierce did not systematically analyze German acquisition data, but rather relied on anecdotal data and examples cited in the literature. In this article, we analyze the negative utterances said by German-speaking children in transcripts of spontaneous speech. Contrary to Deprez and Pierce's claims, the results of our analyses indicate that German-speaking children distinguish between nicht and nein, using nicht in sentence-medi...
Data management for the nutrient enhanced coastal ocean productivity program

The Nutrient Enhanced Coastal Ocean Productivity (NECOP) Data Management Program (NDMP) is designed to ensure tracking of samples and archival of all NECOP data in uniform formats, thus allowing ready access to data by NECOP investigators and the scientific community at large. The NDMP may broadly be described as possessing several functions: oceanographic sample tracking, data review and formatting, data dissemination, formation and supply of data products, and data transmittal to the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC). Figure 1 gives an outline of data flow through the data manager, and is described below.
Geochemistry and origin of the early Precambrian crust of northeastern Minnesota

Igneous rocks of the Early Precambrian greenstone-granite complex of northeastern Minnesota consist of four major groups: 1. (1) metavolcanic tholeiitic basalt and basaltic andesite; 2. (2) metavolcanic trondhjemite gneiss, intrusive tonalite, extrusive and hypabyssal dacite and rhyodacite; 3. (3) intrusive quartz monzonite and; 4. (4) post-kinematic intrusive syenodiorite and syenite. Major and rare earth elements, Rb, Sr and Ba were precisely determined for rocks of each group. Quantitative trace-element modeling is combined with isotopic and experimentalpetrologio evidence to delimit the origin of the individual rock types: 1. (1) basalt by shallow melting of mantle peridotite followed by fractional crystallization to produce basaltic andesite; 2. (2) trondhjemite, tonalite and dacite by partial melting of eclogite at mantle depths; 3. (3) quartz monzonite by partial melting of short-lived graywacke at crustal depths; and 4. (4) syenodiorite and syenite by partial melting of a mixed peridotite-eclogite source at mantle depths. Initial Sr87Sr88 ratios of previously determined isochrons for all rock types are less than 0.701, and preclude magma origin by remelting of older granitic crust. The tectonothermal event 2700–2750 m.y. ago in northeastern Minnesota and adjacent Ontario represents addition of new erustal material from the mantle.
Production of 123I Using a Low-Energy Accelerator

We demonstrate the feasibility of using a 6-MeV Van de Graaff accelerator to produce very pure 123I via the 123Te(p, n) 123I reaction. Specifically, contamination from 124I can be practically eliminated by using a target enriched in 123Te, and by taking advantage of the significantly lower production threshold for the 123Te(p, n) reaction as compared to 124Te(p, n). 123I was produced at 5.5 and 6.0 MeV proton bombarding energy using both a natural Te and an enriched 123Te target. The activities produced show that mCi amounts of 123I can be produced routinely with less than one percent contamination from 124I.
Interactions between endangered wild and hatchery salmonids: can the pitfalls of artificial propagation be avoided in small coastal streams?

Hatchery and wild juvenile populations of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss and coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, in a small coastal watershed in central California, were sampled throughout the year in a stream and at a hatchery. Both species grew faster in captivity than in the wild. Hatchery fish of both species had elevated gill Na + , K + -ATPase activity, and thus were ready to enter sea water when planted during the wild fish migration. Downstream migrant trapping and stream surveys indicated that hatchery smolts went to sea soon after planting, consequently avoiding the effects of competition and predation that commonly occur when hatchery-bred juveniles are released. Adult steelhead were also sampled throughout the watershed. The return of hatchery steelhead was highly synchronized with that of wild steelhead, indicating that hatchery propagation had no adverse effects on the timing of the run. A disproportionate number of hatchery steelhead returned to the tributary where the hatchery was located, despite being planted throughout the watershed. Hatchery steelhead did not differ in mean age or size from wild steclhcad. Observations of spawning indicated that hatchery and wild steelhead interbreed. Competition for mates or spawning substratum was rarely observed between hatchery and wild steelhead. Many of the problems commonly associated with artificial propagation can be avoided in small coastal watersheds when wild broodstock are used and fish are released as smolts.
Average evoked potential changes as a function of processing complexity.

Electrophysiologic potentials (average evoked potentials (AEP) and contingent negative variation (CNV)) recorded during simple recognition and discriminative responses to tachistoscopically presented letter-pair stimuli showed a systematic shift toward greater overall positivity (i.e., smaller CNVs and larger late positive components) during increased processing load. In addition, more positive P2 components were found in the right as compared to the left hemisphere during simple recognition, and this asymmetry was enhanced during the more complex processing condition.
64 Serum α-Fetoprotein Synthesis in the Human and Rat Fetus and its Inhibition in the Rat

The serum of the human conceptus contains α-fetoprotein, a protein not found in the serum of the pregnant woman. Concentrations of α-fetoprotein may be low in infants born after premature spontaeous labor, suggesting that fetal synthesis of the protein in these instances is inhibited some days or weeks prior to the actual onset of labor. In the present study, selected tissues from human embryos of 6 to 9 weeks' gestation and from rat fetuses of 15 days' gestation were incubated with C14-amino acids. Immunoelectrophoresis of the culture fluid followed by autoradiography revealed that α-fotoprotein was synthesized in human liver, rat liver and rat yolk sac, but not in any of the other tissues examined; human yolk sac was not studied. Serum α-fetoprotein concentrations in the rat normally declined abruptly after birth to approximately half of the prenatal level by 2 to 3 days of age, in accord with the loss of fetal membranes at delivery; the α-fetoprotein level then remained relatively constant until the rat was 6 to 8 days of age, after which synthesis of the protein was increasingly suppressed. Marked suppression of α-fetoprotein synthesis in the rat could be induced in the first week of life either by cortisone or by sham operations; epinephrine, corticosterone, testosterone, progesterone and estradiol had no observable effect on synthesis. Participation of the adrenal in the suppression noted to follow surgery was indicated by the observation that adrenalectomy did not inhibit α-fetoprotein synthesis. Subcutaneous injection of cortisone into the pregnant rat suppressed α-fetoprotein synthesis in the fetus in utero as did sham operations on the pregnant rat. (APS)
Effect of initial-consonant intensity on the speed of lexical decisions

In the present study, we investigated the effect of initial-consonant intensity on lexical decisions. Amplification was selectively applied to the initial consonant of monosyllabic words. In Experiment 1, young adults with normal hearing completed an auditory lexical decision task with words that either had the natural or amplified initial consonant. The results demonstrated faster reaction times for amplified words when listeners randomly heard words spoken by two unfamiliar talkers. The same pattern of results was found when comparing words in which the initial consonant was naturally higher in intensity than the low-intensity consonants, across all amplification conditions. In Experiment 2, listeners were familiarized with the talkers and tested on each talker in separate blocks, to minimize talker uncertainty. The effect of initial-consonant intensity was reversed, with faster reaction times being obtained for natural than for amplified consonants. In Experiment 3, nonlinguistic processing of the amplitude envelope was assessed using noise modulated by the word envelope. The results again demonstrated faster reaction times for natural than for amplified words. Across all experiments, the results suggest that the acoustic–phonetic structure of the word influences the speed of lexical decisions and interacts with the familiarity and predictability of the talker. In unfamiliar and less-predictable listening contexts, initial-consonant amplification increases lexical decision speed, even if sufficient audibility is available without amplification. In familiar contexts with adequate audibility, an acoustic match of the stimulus with the stored mental representation of the word is more important, possibly along with general auditory properties related to loudness perception.
THE FOSSIL GREEN ALGA MIZZIA (DASYCLADACEAE): A TOOL FOR INTERPRETATION OF PALEOENVIRONMENT IN THE UPPER PERMIAN CAPITAN REEF COMPLEX SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO1

A paleoenvironmental study of the dasyclad Mizzia Schubert, 1907 is potentially important because, unlike most of the other fossil reef-dwelling organisms found in the Guadalupe Mountains, the fossil Mizzia (restricted to the Permian) has a modern analog, Cymopolia Lamouroux, 1916 (Cretaceous to Holocene). The overall morphology of the two genera is similar: both are articulated, and observations on our specimens suggest that both were branched. The transition from the remarkably high-diversity sponge and algal assemblage in the reef into the remarkably low-diversity dasyclad-dominated assemblage in the back reef is abrupt, occurring over distances as short as 10 m. Mizzia is the dominant and usually the only component in grainstones, packstones, and wackestones found; immediately shelfward of the Capitan reef. The low percentage of broken segments (average 10%) and the discovery of several intact sections of thallus are evidence against wave action as a possible limiting factor. Because the climate in the Guadalupe Mountains was extremely arid and because dasyclads are euryhaline, hypersalinity is considered the most likely limiting factor in this case. Our conclusion that prolific stands of dasyclads formed in shallow protected lagoons immediately behind an emergent barrier reef is not compatible with the currently accepted marginal mound hypothesis for deposition of the Capitan reef complex. We suggest that the marginal mound model must either be modified or abandoned in favor of the originally proposed barrier reef model of deposition.
Aprotinin is associated with a decrease in nitric oxide production during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract Background. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with an increase in airway nitric oxide (NO), plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β. Cytokine induction of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in organ injury. In addition, serine protease inhibitors reduce cytokine-induced iNOS expression. Aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, has been demonstrated to exhibit significant antiinflammatory effects. We hypothesized that aprotinin administration during CPB would significantly reduce endogenous airway NO production. Methods. Airway NO was measured during CPB in 10 patients receiving aprotinin and in 10 control subjects. In vitro, aprotinin was added to cultures of a murine lung epithelial cell line and was stimulated with cytomix, a combination of TNF, interleukin-1, and interferon-γ. Results. Airway NO concentration was increased after 50 minutes of CPB duration compared with that measured at 5 minutes in control subjects (53 ± 5 versus 19 ± 3 parts per billion, p Conclusions. These data demonstrate that aprotinin reduces NO production in vivo and reduces cytokine-induced iNOS expression in vitro.