cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collective dynamics in entangled worm and robot blobs

Living systems at all scales aggregate in large numbers for a variety of functions including mating, predation, and survival. The majority of such systems consist of unconnected individuals that collectively flock, school, or swarm. However, some aggregations involve physically entangled individuals, which can confer emergent mechanofunctional material properties to the collective. Here, we study in laboratory experiments and rationalize in theoretical and robophysical models the dynamics of physically entangled and motile self-assemblies of 1-cm-long California blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus, Annelida: Clitellata: Lumbriculidae). Thousands of individual worms form braids with their long, slender, and flexible bodies to make a three-dimensional, soft, and shape-shifting "blob." The blob behaves as a living material capable of mitigating damage and assault from environmental stresses through dynamic shape transformations, including minimizing surface area for survival against desiccation and enabling transport (negative thermotaxis) from hazardous environments (like heat). We specifically focus on the locomotion of the blob to understand how an amorphous entangled ball of worms can break symmetry to move across a substrate. We hypothesize that the collective blob displays rudimentary differentiation of function across itself, which when combined with entanglement dynamics facilitates directed persistent blob locomotion. To test this, we develop a robophysical model of the worm blobs, which displays emergent locomotion in the collective without sophisticated control or programming of any individual robot. The emergent dynamics of the living functional blob and robophysical model can inform the design of additional classes of adaptive mechanofunctional living materials and emergent robotics.
Prospects for the Disintegration of the Russian Federation

The author examines a series of sociocultural, ethnographic, and socioeconomic indices for the Russian Federation's constituent ethnic-based territorial units to assess prospects for the country's ...
A Finite Element Error Estimate for Regularized Compressible Flow

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a finite element error estimate for regularized compressible flow. A wide class of compressible flow problems can be described by the full potential equation. This governing equation is nonlinear and may be of mixed type—elliptic in the subsonic flow region and hyperbolic in any supersonic regions. Many numerical studies have been made using both finite difference and finite element methods for approximate solution of full potential problems. However, there appear to be no error analyses of the approximate methods to date. In the case of the mixed subsonic–supersonic flow, the operator is nonmonotone and standard techniques of finite element error analysis are not applicable. Even in the case where the flow is entirely subsonic, the problem is difficult because the analysis must incorporate the constraint that the flow remains subsonic. The chapter further restricts the problem formulation by considering a class of regularized flows: This may be associated with the choice of a fictitious gas that still presents a viable approximation of the real gas flow. The chapter further discusses about the idea of regularizing the flow by introducing a fictitious gas. The chapter also presents finite element error estimates for this regularized problem and the most commonly used low-degree triangular elements.
Classifying the State of Parkinsonism by Using Electronic Force Platform Measures of Balance

Several measures of balance obtained from quiet stance on an electronic force platform are described. These measures were found to discriminate patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) from normal control subjects. First-degree relatives of patients with PD show greater variability on these measures. A primary goal is to develop sensitive measures that would be capable of identifying impaired balance in early stages of non-clinical PD. We developed a trinomial logistic model that classifies a subject as either normal, pre-parkinsonian, or parkinsonian taking as input the measures developed from the platform data.
A Sensitive Electrochemical Method for the Analysis of Nitrite Ion and Metals in Gunshot Residue

A method for the analysis of nitrite ion and metals in a single gunshot residue sample using electrochemical methods of detection is described. In this method, nitrite ion present in the sample is chemically converted to a diazonium ion, which is then detected by differential pulse voltammetry. The peak current for the reduction of the diazonium ion is proportional to the nitrite concentration up to 400 ppb nitrite (r = 0.9995), with an absolute detection limit of 0.01 μg nitrite. Lead ion present in the gunshot residue sample is detected in the same voltammetric scan, and antimony is subsequently detected by anodic stripping voltammetry. The method has been successfully applied to a number of samples obtained in test firings.
Arbitrage in Dual Classes: The Case of Berkshire Hathaway

I test the existence of arbitrage risk due to a lack of substituting securities, using the no-arbitrage condition implied by the one-way conversion rule from Class A to Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway. This rule prevents large premiums but allows for significant and time-varying discounts on Class B shares, supporting the existence of arbitrage risk. I provide an estimate of arbitrage costs at 0.05% in recent years. I also document that Class B trades reflect both positive and negative information onto Class A prices, and that unusual price deviations between these two share classes predict future Class A returns.
The Impact of Shareholding Reform on Chinese Enterprise, 1995-2001

During the 1980s and early half of the 1990s, the entry of new firms, the strengthening of managerial incentives, and the accumulation of non-state assets in the state sector set the stage for China's shareholding experiment, involving the formal conversion of thousands of state-owned enterprises to joint stock companies. Shareholding conversions have also been extensively employed in China's collective-owned enterprises. This paper examines the impact of the conversion of these state- and collective-owned enterprises on a range of measures relating to both equity and efficiency. The analysis distinguishes between the direct effects of conversion holding the asset structure fixed and the induced effect, which involves reductions in the proportion of state-owned assets. For SOEs and COEs, conversion contributes to overall increases in both current productivity and innovation. At least during 1995-2001, the period spanned by this study, by encouraging employment growth or slowing layoffs, conversion seems to have benefited incumbent workers. Among SOEs, the most robust impact of conversion is the reallocation of resources and effort to R&D and new product development, which suggests greater attention to deep restructuring. Conversion greatly enhances the ability of converted firms to attract new investment from outside the state sector. Within the sample used in this paper, the state typically retains its assets after conversion: an indication that state asset sales or stripping is not widespread. The shareholding experiment seems to be creating a channel, in addition to those served by new domestic private enterprise and foreign-owned firms, for the emergence of a domestic managerial and entrepreneurial class. Due to these efficiency effects, the greater concentration of conversion in wealthier coastal areas is likely to contribute to regional inequality in China.
Studies of the immunological capacity of germ-free mouse radiation chimeras: I. Chimerism and humoral immune response☆

Abstract The genetic origin of both the functional lymphoid cell and progenitor cell populations of germ-free mouse radiation chimeras was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), anti-H-2 cytotoxicity, and survival of lethally x-irradiated secondary recipients of chimera cell populations. These studies demonstrated that germ free C3H/He mice given 1000 R and 107 DBA/2 bone marrow cells express H-2 antigens on their lymphoid and bone marrow cell populations characteristic of the DBA/2 donor. These cells persist for at least 14 months postirradiation and bone marrow transplantation. However, these allogeneic mouse radiation chimeras have a reduced humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC). This decreased humoral immune capacity as assessed by kinetic studies of the spleen plaque-forming cell (PFC) response is present throughout the life span of the chimera. The γ1 PFC response shows extreme depression. The reduced humoral immune responsiveness to the thymusdependent SRBC antigen is considered to be due to the absence or malfunctioning of a thymocyte population.
A 4/3-approximation algorithm for minimum 3-edge-connectivity

The minimum cardinality 3-edge-connected spanning subgraph problem is considered. An approximation algorithm with a performance ratio of 4/3 ≈ 1.33 is presented. This improves the previous best ratio of 3/2 for the problem. The algorithm also works on multigraphs and guarantees the same approximation ratio.
Animation of human walking in virtual environments

This paper presents an interactive hierarchical motion control system dedicated to the animation of human figure locomotion in virtual environments. As observed in gait experiments, controlling the trajectories of the feet during gait is a precise end-point control task. Inverse kinematics with optimal approaches are used to control the complex relationships between the motion of the body and the coordination of its legs. For each step, the simulation of the support leg is executed first, followed by the swing leg, which incorporates the position of the pelvis from the support leg. That is, the foot placement of the support leg serves as the kinematics constraint while the position of the pelvis is defined through the evaluation of a control criteria optimization. Then, the swing leg movement is defined to satisfy two criteria in order: collision avoidance and control criteria optimization. Finally, animation attributes, such as controlling parameters and pre-processed motion modules, are applied to achieve a variety of personalities and walking styles.
The interaction effect on customer purchase intention in e-commerce

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the interaction effect of information richness, retailer brand, and extended offers on customer purchase intention in e-commerce. Design/methodology/approach – Hierarchical moderator regression analysis and simple slope analysis were used to test the hypotheses, also 356 savvy internet consumers in Taiwan were investigated. Findings – The findings revealed that information richness, retailer brand, and extended offers are positively related to customer purchase intention. However, the interaction effects may differ in these relationships. While information richness complements both retailer brand and extended offers on customer purchase intention, extended offers may substitute retailer brand for increase in purchase intention. Research limitations/implications – A bias may exist because of the sample from an online survey. The findings suggest that complements are actually synergistic strategies of factors, while substitution is a switching of the alterna...
A geometric approach for partitioning n-dimensional non-rectangular iteration spaces

Parallel loops account for the greatest percentage of program parallelism. The degree to which parallelism can be exploited and the amount of overhead involved during parallel execution of a nested loop directly depend on partitioning, i.e., the way the different iterations of a parallel loop are distributed across different processors. Thus, partitioning of parallel loops is of key importance for high performance and efficient use of multiprocessor systems. Although a significant amount of work has been done in partitioning and scheduling of rectangular iteration spaces, the problem of partitioning of non-rectangular iteration spaces – e.g. triangular, trapezoidal iteration spaces – has not been given enough attention so far. In this paper, we present a geometric approach for partitioning N-dimensional non-rectangular iteration spaces for optimizing performance on parallel processor systems. Speedup measurements for kernels (loop nests) of linear algebra packages are presented.
MicroRNA signatures associated with immortalization of EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines and their clinical traits.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are negative regulators of gene expression that play important roles in cell processes such as proliferation, development and differentiation. Recently, it has been reported that miRNAs are related to development of carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify miRNAs associated with terminal immortalization of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) and associated clinical traits. Material and Methods: Hence, we performed miRNA microarray approach with early- (p6) and late-passage (p161) LCLs. Results and Conclusion: Microarray data showed that nine miRNAs (miR-20b*, miR-28-5p, miR-99a, miR-125b, miR-151-3p, miR-151:9.1, miR-216a, miR-223* and miR-1296) were differentially expressed in most LCLs during long-term culture. In particular, miR-125b was up-regulated in all the tested late-passage LCLs. miR-99a, miR-125b, miR-216a and miR-1296 were putative negative regulators of RASGRP3, GPR160, PRKCH and XAF1, respectively, which were found to be differentially expressed in LCLs during long-term culture in a previous study. Linear regression analysis showed that miR-200a and miR-296-3p correlated with triglyceride and HbA1C levels, respectively, suggesting that miRNA signatures of LCLs could provide information on the donor’s health. In conclusion, our study suggests that expression changes of specific miRNAs may be required for terminal immortalization of LCLs. Thus, differentially expressed miRNAs would be a potential marker for completion of cell immortalization during EBV-mediated tumorigenesis.
The Prisoners’ Problem and the Subliminal Channel

Two accomplices in a crime have been arrested and are about to be locked in widely separated cells. Their only means of communication after they are locked up will he by way of messages conveyed for them by trustees -- who are known to be agents of the warden. The warden is willing to allow the prisoners to exchange messages in the hope that he can deceive at least one of them into accepting as a genuine communication from the other either a fraudulent message created by the warden himself or else a modification by him of a genuine message. However, since he has every reason to suspect that the prisoners want to coordinate an escape plan, the warden will only permit the exchanges to occur if the information contained in the messages is completely open to him -- and presumably innocuous. The prisoners, on the other hand, are willing to accept these conditions, i.e., to accept some risk of deception in order to be able to communicate at all, since they need to coordinate their plans. To do this they will have to deceive the warden by finding a way of communicating secretly in the exchanges, i.e., of establishing a “subliminal channel” between them in full view of the warden, even though the messages themselves contain no secret (to the warden) information‡. Since they anticipate that the warden will try to deceive them by introducing fraudulent messages, they will only exchange messages if they are permitted to authenticate them.
The Management of Refractory Status Epilepticus: An Update

Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is an important and serious clinical problem that typically requires prolonged and high-level intensive care, and is often associated with poor outcome. This review addresses some of the current issues concerning the management of RSE, including recent definitions used for clinical studies, epidemiology, clinical course, and outcome. Current approaches to treatment, including the now relatively standard use of intravenous anesthetic agents, as well as emerging therapies utilizing drugs such as valproate and topiramate, are discussed as well.
How to use genetic data to distinguish between natural and human-mediated introduction of Littorina littorea to North America.

The rapid range southward expansion of the periwinkle Littorina littorea from the Canadian maritimes has fueled a long-running debate over whether this species was introduced to North America by human activity. A reappraisal of the mitochondrial DNA sequence evidence finds considerable endemic allelic diversity in the American population. The degree of endemic genetic diversity is higher than expected from human-mediated colonization, but not so much to suggest that it survived the last glacial maximum in America. Coalescent estimates of population divergence agree that colonization of America preceded European contact. A reappraisal of the ITS nuclear sequence data finds extensive recombination. Taking this recombination into account strengthens the genetic case against human-mediated introduction. Finally, a reappraisal of conflicting allozyme studies from the 1970’s supports a claim of limited divergence between American and European populations. This is consistent with post-glacial colonization, but the allozyme data cannot distinguish between natural or human-mediated colonization. Taken as a whole, the DNA sequence data supports the many sub-fossil reports of an American L. littorea population in the Canadian maritimes that preceded even the first visits by the Vikings.
A software radio design for communications in uncoordinated networks

This paper describes a simple software radio design approach to communication and spectrum access in a system without user coordination. The work is a result of our recent participation in the DARPA Spectrum Challenge that provides a venue for head-to-head competitions of software radio designs from teams around the country. Two modes of operations are involved, one is competitive and the other cooperative; each mode calls for completely different way of dealing with interference incurred amongst transceiver pairs. Several signal processing issues encountered in the software radio design are described along with their solutions. In addition, we provide our own observations on potential research issues for communication and spectrum access in a congested and uncoordinated environment.
Design of single- and multiple-dwell six-link mechanisms through design optimization

Abstract Nonlinear programming techniques are applied to a class of six-bar linkages to produce single- and multiple-dwell mechanisms. The six-bar linkage consists of a four-bar crank-rocker mechanism driving a slider crank mechanism from a coupler point. The dwell position(s) may be specified at any value of input link rotation and may last for any reasonable duration. The total stroke and the location of the slider at each dwell position may also be specified. A design optimization problem is formed which attempts to generate a linkage in which the slider link will travel in a circular path and thus produce a dwell period in the cycle at the appropriate link position. This problem is then solved by an exterior penalty function technique. The linkage model is constructed using the vector loop approach and examples for both a single- and double-dwell mechanism are included. Extensions including velocity, acceleration and transmission angle constraints are also discussed.
Intermodulation distortion in narrowband amplifier circuits

The contribution of bandpass filter memory to intermodulation distortion in narrowband amplifier circuits is examined. A method for generating multisines from filtered switched tones is presented, and techniques for measuring an amplifier's IP3 and extracting a filter's passband using these multisines are developed. It is shown that amplified filtered pulses produce intermodulation distortion in frequency-hopping communication systems. In the experimental study, 465 and 900-MHz Chebyshev bandpass filters are considered.
Analysis and Modulation of DNA Repair in Aging

Nearly 40 years ago it was proposed that accumulation of mutations or increased levels of DNA damage might contribute to aging processes. Despite several correlative studies in this area, the answer as to whether genomic integrity contributes to aging has remained illusive. More recently it has been hypothesized that decreased mitochondrial DNA integrity plays a role in aging. To begin to test these hypotheses more directly, we are developing transgenic mouse and cell culture model systems. For example, transgenic mice overexpressing the DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) have been made and have a reduced spontaneous frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma. A lifespan study using the MGMT transgenic mice is in progress in an effort to determine whether cancer impacts on the median or maximal lifespan of a species. Second, a quantitative PCR technique is being used to measure mitochondrial DNA damage in mitotic and post-mitotic cells to determine if the level of damage and/or repair is different based on mitotic status. Finally, mice deficient in metallothionein-I and -II are being used in an effort to determine if the subcellular distribution of metals impact on oxidative damage with increased age.
Investigations into Small Molecule Non-Peptidic Inhibitors of the Botulinum Neurotoxins

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), proteins secreted by the bacteria genus Clostridium, represent a group of extremely lethal toxins and a potential bioterrorism threat. As the current therapeutic options are of a predominantly prophylactic nature and cannot be used en masse, new strategies and ultimately potential treatments are desperately needed to combat any widespread release of these neurotoxins. In these regards, our laboratory has been working on developing new alternatives to treat botulinum intoxication through the development of inhibitors of the light chain proteases, the etiological agent which causes BoNT intoxication. Such a strategy has required the construction of two high-throughput screens and small molecule non-peptidic libraries; excitingly, inhibitors of the BoNT/A protease have been uncovered and are being optimized via structure activity relationship studies.
The surgical resectability of meningiomas of the cavernous sinus.

OBJECTIVE:The optimal management for patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas remains controversial. We attempt to contribute to the ongoing debate of appropriate surgical indications.METHODS:In this retrospective review, 39 patients, including 27 women and 12 men ranging in age from 24 to 73 years
Counter-current chromatographic purification of [dala1]peptide t amide

Abstract A recently proposed octapeptide, [ d Ala 1 ]peptide T amide ( d -Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr-NH 2 ), has been shown to bind to the CD4 receptor on human T-cell lymphocytes and block human immunodeficiency viral infectivity. This peptide may not only be itself a promising therapeutic for the disease of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), but might open a new avenue of research towards more efficacious drugs. Accordingly, a counter-current chromatography system is here presented, utilizing the Ito flow-through coil planet centrifuge (solvent system, 1% trifluoroacetic acid— n -butanol (1:1), upper phase mobile) which allows facile preparative purification of [ d -Ala 1 ]peptide T amide. The method may be applicable to purifying analogues of [ d -Ala 1 ]peptide T amide as they are developed.
On the Effects of Edge Scalloping for Collapsible Spokes in a Non-Pneumatic Wheel During High Speed Rolling

The acoustic signature produced by non-pneumatic wheels with collapsible spokes is a critical design criterion for automotive and other mobility applications. During high speed rolling, acoustic noise may be produced by the interaction of vibrating spokes with a shear deformable ring as they enter the contact region, buckle and then snap back into a state of tension. In order to identify and help understand the causes of acoustic noise for a rolling non-pneumatic wheel, a two-dimensional finite element model with geometric nonlinearity has been utilized. The model consists of a shear ring modeled as two relatively inextensible membranes with high circumferential modulus separated by a hyper-elastic material. The temporal variation in spoke length as the spoke passes through the contact zone is extracted and used as input to a three-dimensional (3-D) model of a single spoke. The 3-D spoke model is able to capture out-of-plane vibration modes of the spoke which may contribute as a source of acoustic excitation and allows for modeling of edge scalloping. Natural frequencies and mode shapes of the various spoke design strategies are computed and correlated with the frequency response of the out-of-plane spoke vibrations. Results indicate that scalloping the edges of the spoke can dramatically reduce the amplitude of vibration, but does not have a strong effect on location of frequency peaks in a FFT of the time-signal. An optimal amount of scalloping was determined which reduces maximum vibration amplitude to an asymptotic value.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Effect of lithium on phosphoinositide metabolism in human brain : A Proton decoupled 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Abstract Background: The objective of our study was to evaluate whether lithium increases brain phosphomonoester (PME) levels in human subjects. Methods: Proton decoupled 31 P magnetic resonance spectra were obtained from eight healthy volunteers before and after the administration of lithium carbonate, 450 mg b.i.d., for 7 and 14 days. Results: Pairwise comparisons of the mole percent PME revealed a significant increase from baseline at day 7 and day 14 of lithium administration. Conclusions: An increase in PME concentration with 7 and 14 days of lithium administration in the human brain in vivo was observed. Because the inositol-1-monophosphate contributes to the PME peak, this result suggests that some of the initial actions of lithium may occur through a reduction of myo -inositol, which in turn may initiate a cascade of secondary changes at different levels of signal transduction process and gene expression in brain, effects that are ultimately responsible for the therapeutic benefits of lithium.
Generalization of conditioned muscle tension: a closer look.

In EMG biofeedback it has been suggested that covariation in tension levels between a trained and untrained muscle increases with continued training of the target muscle. Predictions of this sort are in contrast to the notion of response generalization which would predict decreased covariation between trained and untrained muscles with continued training. This study examined covariation between facial and forearm EMG levels during facial EMG biofeedback, and evaluated changes in such covariation which occurred with continued facial EMG training. Two groups of individuals were trained either to increase or to decrease facial muscle tension in 3 laboratory sessions during which simultaneous measures of facial and forearm EMG were obtained at 1-min intervals. Comparison of facial EMG measures for these groups with those for a third, noncontingent control group revealed bidirectional conditioned effects for each training session. Some covariation between forearm and facial EMG was apparent for all groups. However, examination of change in covariation across sessions revealed that covariation decreased for groups receiving facial muscle training, whereas covariation levels exhibited by the noncontingent feedback group remained stable. This finding was consistent with the concept of response generalization but not with the notion of muscle tension generalization as employed in EMG biofeedback.
Programmable diffractive optical elements using spatial light modulators

Diffractive optical elements can be easily made and tested using programmable spatial light modulators (SLM's). We discuss limitations imposed by using SLM's for such purposes and present experimental results showing a variety of applications.
Paediatric autoimmune encephalopathies: a lot done, more to do

Early recognition of paediatric autoimmune encephalopathies is critical because they are treatable. Serological findings and response to immunotherapy are confirmatory. The expedited diagnosis of an autoimmune neurological disorder is critical because early treatment facilitates improvement. The data reported by Hacohen et al from a multi-institutional experience of childhood autoimmune encephalopathies should promote early recognition of these disorders.1 Autoimmunity ranks high in the differential diagnosis for encephalopathy. Suspicion is heightened when neuropsychiatric symptom onset is subacute, autoimmunity is recorded in the personal or family history, or serological findings are supportive. Autoantibody detection in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with specificities either non-neural (eg, thyroid peroxidase or antinuclear) or neural …
Rapid evaluation of biofilm attachment promoters and biofilm growth orientation using a mini-impedimetric device

Abstract The time response of the impedance of a thiosulfate oxidizing bacterial strain growing in culture wells containing 10 active gold mini-electrodes was experimentally measured in this study. Based on a proposed RC circuit that describes the electrode-culture well as an equivalent array of capacitors and resistors, the shape of the time response of the observed total capacitance was anticipated to correlate with the preferential biofilm growth direction (perpendicular to or along the gold mini-electrode surface). Based on this correlation and the proposed model, it was found that when pre-coating the electrodes with an aqueous polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution, the spreading of the biofilm was more intense than in the untreated electrodes, which was later observed through confocal laser scanning microscopy. Similar results were obtained when using poly- d -lysine or calf skin collagen as coating agents, though the spreading of the biofilms was always more intense in the PEI coated ones.
The Feminine Mistake

discrimination against mothers and caregivers. 'Opting out" may be a minority response, but it crystallizes the dilemmas that everyone faces. The processes that Ston so perc ptively examines do not signal a revolution, but th y do place a potlight on the growing mismatch betwe n modern w rkplaces and child-rearing ideol gies, on the one hand, and he needs of twenty-first-century f milies, on th other. St 's alysis of why some women find th mselves turning toward domesticity despite their ishes and plans thus also offer a critique and a plea. To make sense of women's choices, we need a different fram than "opting ut." Inst ad, the challenge is to chart the causes, contours, and varied respo ses to the irresolvable conflict facing all workers, whe he they are women or men, affluent or econ mically strapped. Only then can we begin the hard collective work of res ructuri g our work and family institutions to transcend bo h gender and class divides. Opting Out? m y focus explicitly on well-off w men who relinqui h careers, but its larger contrib tion is to pr vide a roadmap for charting the social forces that pose a growing conflict between earning and caring in all of our lives.
Structural alterations in synaptosomal membrane-associated proteins and lipids by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in the cat.

We have previously reported that ischemia reperfusion injury results from free radical generation following transient global ischemia, and that this radical induced damage is evident in the synaptosomal membrane of the gerbil. [Hall et al, (1995) Neuroscience 64: 81–89] In the present study we have extended these observations to transient focal ischemia in the cat. We prepared synaptosomal membranes from frontal, parietal-temporal, and occipital regions of the cat cerebral cortex with reperfusion times of 1 and 3 hours following 1 hour right middle cerebral artery occlusion. The membranes were selectively labeled with protein and lipid specific paramagnetic spin labels and analyzed using electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. There were significant motional changes of both the protein and lipid specific spin labels in the parietal-temporal and occipital regions with 1 hour reperfusion; but, both parameters returned to control values by 3 hours reperfusion. No significant changes were observed in the normally perfused frontal pole at either reperfusion time. These results support the argument that free radicals play a critical role in cell damage at early reperfusion times following ischemia.
Assessing the efficacy of ombudsman services for the aged in long term care institutions

Long term care ombudsman programs are a recently established component within the gerontological services continuum. Public policy in this area is not yet well defined and there is a conspicuous absence of systematic studies assessing the effectiveness of such program efforts. This research reports on the accomplishments of an urban based, volunteer nursing home ombudsman program. Survey findings show moderate levels of goal attainment in the policy and social relations domains and more promising results in the organizational/managerial sphere. The relationship between perceptions of program success and varying ombudsman role behaviors is underscored.
The enzymatic synthesis of Crithidia active substance(s) and a phosphorylated D-erythroneopterin from GTP or GDP by liver preparations from Syrian golden hamsters.

Summary Dialyzed liver homogenates from the Syrian golden hamster were found to be enzymatically active for the production of Crithidia active substance(s) from GTP or GDP. This activity was stimulated by a mixture of pyridine nucleotides. An Ultrogel AcA-34 fraction of a liver homogenate preparation produced a fluorescent substance from GTP which was not biopterin. This fluorescent substance was identified as a phosphorylated derivative of D- erythro neopterin.
A Gene in Zea mays for Failure of Cytokinesis During Meiosis

A recessive partially sterile type of maize is reported to which has been given the narre variable sterile and the genetic symbol va. Variable sterile plants are characterized by lack of cytokinesis during the meiotic divisions of some of the microsporocytes. Accompanying the failure of cytoplasmic division, aberrant chromosome behavior often is observed. Presumably as a result of these aberrations in chromosome behavior, most if not all of the resulting 2n and 4n cells degenerate.Variable sterile plants produce, for the most part at least, diploid progeny indicating again that only the, haploid gametes are funetional.The va gene is located in the Bn-gl1-v5-ra chromosomes roughly 10 units to the left of gl1.
The Effects of Social Support, Depression, and Stress on Drinking Behaviors in a College Student Sample

Social support research contends that supportive interactions provide a buffer wherein individuals are protected from increased risk due to negative affect. The present study investigated the relationships between social support and college students' stress, depression, and alcohol use. A total of 54 students completed questionnaires in exchange for extra course credit. Results demonstrated that stress and depression were correlated with one another and that social support was negatively correlated with each of these outcomes. Depression, but not stress, was correlated with increased drinking behavior. Overall, social support was negatively correlated with alcohol consumption; however, depression moderated the effect of social support such that support and alcohol consumption were negatively correlated for participants with higher depression whereas support and alcohol consumption were positively correlated for individuals with lower depression. These findings partially confirm existing theories of alcoho...
Dead zone free area efficient Charge Pump Phase Frequency Detector in nanoscale DG-MOSFET

In this paper, we propose the use of Double Gate MOSFET (DG-MOSFET) in the design of Charge Pump Phase Frequency Detectors (PFD)s in 32 nm and 45 nm DG MOSFET technologies. The DG-MOSFETs are used to design the universal NOR gate which is the only building block for the PFD. The DG-MOSFET NOR gate consists of half the transistor count compared to NOR gate designed in conventional CMOS. Thus 2 transistors make up the DG-MOSFET 2-input NOR gate as opposed to 4 needed in conventional CMOS. This reduction in transistor count makes the PFD area efficient. The reduced transistor count also lowers the parasitic capacitances which enhances speed. Here, we have demonstrated that for tiny phase errors of 60 ps and 80 ps the rise time of the output of a DG-MOSFET based PFD reaches the desired threshold of logic `HIGH' required to initiate the charge pump switches that follows the PFD, whereas it fails for conventional CMOS, in 32 nm and 45 nm technologies respectively. The DG-MOSFET thus finds application as a better alternative to conventional CMOS for dead zone avoidance in Phase Locked Loops.
Hiatal Hernias in Children: Special Reference to the Short Esophagus*

Hiatal hernias are rare in infants and children, as evidenced by the fact that only 20 patients less than 15 years of age with this condition have been seen at the Mayo Clinic in the last 9 years. By contrast, several thousand adults with hiatal hernias have been seen during the same period. Most of the adults were in the older age group. Of the 20 hiatal hernias encountered in children, two were of the paraesophageal type, one was a sliding hernia, and the remainder were of the short esophagus type. We suspect that in most instances hiatal hernias have a congenital basis in children, but shortening of the esophagus may or may not be an acquired phenomenon. Hiatal hernias of the paraesophageal and sliding type should be repaired as soon as a diagnosis can be made. Most of our patients with short esophagus came to us with strictures. Treatment in these cases invariably presents problems and the usual surgical methods of repair for hiatal hernia cannot be adapted in cases of short esophagus. In most of our patients with short esophagus and stricture, a conservative program consisting of dilations over a previously swallowed thread and medical measures such as routine use of antacids and elevation of the head of the patient's bed has been employed. Satisfactory results have been obtained in two thirds of the patients treated by conservative means.
The effects of syllable instruction on phonemic awareness in preschoolers

Abstract Purpose Preschooler instruction for speech sound awareness typically teaches a progression of speech units from sentences to phonemes, ending at simple first phoneme activities. This study investigates the effects of teaching advanced tasks of phoneme blending and segmenting with and without the larger speech unit of the syllable. Method Thirty-nine 4–5-year-old typically developing children received twice-weekly small-group instruction in three conditions: two weeks of syllable tasks then four weeks of multiple phoneme tasks (SP), four weeks of multiple phoneme tasks only (MP), or an active control condition of first phoneme instruction (FP). Results The conditions SP and MP showed large significant gains on blending and segmenting and no significant differences on first phoneme isolating compared to the FP condition. A comparison of SP and MP did not show significant differences on phoneme blending and segmenting, but SP showed significantly more confusion during early sessions of phoneme instruction. Conclusion This preliminary evidence suggests that preschoolers can improve understanding of phoneme blending and segmenting, without first being taught syllable blending and segmenting, and with no negative effects on first sound awareness. These findings support a more efficient way of teaching preschoolers awareness of the individual sounds of speech. Replication with a larger sample, including children at-risk for literacy difficulties, is recommended before firm conclusions should be drawn.
Chemistry and thermodynamics of sulfur on Venus

Sulfur reactions on Venus are discussed. It is suggested that photochemical reactions convert SO2 to H2SO4 and remove O2 from the Venus stratosphere, while thermochemical reactions near the surface probably make the SO2, regenerate CO2 from photolytic CO, and produce free sulfur. Optical evidence for liquid sulfur on Venus is examined; the Venera data suggest a light drizzle of liquid sulfur above 18 km and the existence of several per cent of sulfur vapor below that height.
Pain, sleep disturbance, and fatigue in patients with cancer: using a mediation model to test a symptom cluster

Purpose/Objectives: To test whether sleep disturbance mediates the effect of pain on fatigue. Design: Cross-sectional Setting: Radiation therapy clinic, oncology ambulatory clinic, and inpatient oncology unit in an urban teaching hospital. Sample: 84 patients with cancer with multiple primary diagnoses who were experiencing pain. Fifty-three percent were female and 92% were Caucasian, with a mean age of 54 years. Methods: All participants completed a symptom questionnaire that included the brief pain inventory – short form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the fatigue subscale of the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Multistage linear regression was used to test a mediation model. Main Research Variables: Fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbance. Findings: Mediation analyses indicate that pain influences fatigue directly as well as indirectly by its effect on sleep. About 20% (adjusted R2 = 0.20) of the variation in fatigue is explained by pain. Thirty-five percent of the variance in fatigue explained by pain was accounted for by the mediation pathway. Conclusions: Some of the effect of pain on fatigue is mediated by sleep disturbance, but pain has a direct effect on fatigue as well. Implications for Nursing: Although the relationship can be explained only partially by the commonsense point of view that people who are in pain lose sleep and naturally report more fatigue, this finding is important and leads to a potential intervention opportunity. Strategies to improve sleep by better pain management may contribute to decreased fatigue.
The speciation of iron, manganese, phosphorus and platinum in aqueous solutions by using ion chromatography coupled with an element selective detector

Abstract A method is described that employs ion chromatography in combination with d.c. plasma atomic emission spectroscopy to speciate iron, manganese, phosphorus and platinum in aqueous solutions. The element selective nature of the d.c. plasma allows its use as a chromatographic detector for all species of a targeted element eluting from a chromatographic column. This procedure is not only insensitive to matrix effects but is also suitable for monitoring element transformation that can occur as a result of biological or chemical changes.
p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates neurotrophin activation of NF-kappa B and induction of iNOS expression in P19 neurons.

P19 embryonic carcinoma cells can be differentiated into neurons that form synaptic connections and that produce a variety of neurotransmitters. Results of RT-PCR indicate that P19 neurons express several neurotrophin receptors (p75NTR, trkB, and trkC, but not trkA) but they do not express any of the four neurotrophins. Consistent with the presence of trkB but not trkA, BDNF causes rapid phosphorylation of MAP kinases ERK1 and ERK2, but NGF does not. Neurotrophins induce translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus. All four neurotrophins induce activation of NF-κB in a biphasic manner. This effect is apparently mediated by p75NTR, because an inhibitor of trk receptors, K252a, does not inhibit activation of NF-κB. Instead, K252a itself promotes activation of NF-κB and this effect is additive with the effect of neurotrophins. Inhibition of reactive oxygen intermediates with PDTC completely abolishes basal activity of NF-κB and strongly inhibits activation of NF-κB by neurotrophins, indicating an important role of reactive oxygen intermediates in the pathway by which neurotrophins activate NF-κB. NF-κB is known to promote expression of the iNOS gene. We found that all four neurotrophins increased iNOS mRNA levels, resulting in increased accumulation of iNOS protein. In contrast, none of the neurotrophins stimulated nNOS mRNA or protein synthesis. PDTC abolishes constitutive and neurotrophin-induced expression of iNOS mRNA and protein and abolishes constitutive expression of nNOS mRNA, suggesting that reactive oxygen intermediates promote expression of nNOS. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 191–203, 2003
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KIDNEY AND MUSCLE MEMBRANE ANTIGENS IN THE HUMAN AND RAT.

Abstract Argyrophile, PAS-positive, membranous and fibrillar structures of the diverse organs share a number of common antigens, referred to as “membrane antigens.” The nephrotoxic serum antigens belong to this group. The present communication reports on a comparative study of muscular and renal membrane antigens in the human and rat Antisera obtained by heteroimmunization with organ homogenates contain a variety of antibodies; the homologous antigens are partly common to many organs and partly organ-specific. The number of membrane antigens is unknown, since they cannot be isolated in pure form. Striated muscle contains fewer membrane antigens than the kidney, but at least one nephrotoxic serum antigen is present. The injection of rabbit anti-kidney and anti-skeletal muscle serum in the rat causes glomerulonephritis. Whereas glomerular localization of rabbit antibody globulin is readily demonstrable in both cases; a host response, i.e., glomerular fixation of the rat's own gammaglobulin, is found only in animals given anti-kidney serum. Furthermore, the nephrotoxicity of anti-kidney serum cannot be neutralized by absorption with muscle material. It is postulated that renal and muscular nephrotoxic serum antigens differ in some as yet unknown qualitative or quantitative properties.
Essential sequences over an ideal and essential cograde

In [-6] the concepts of essential prime divisors, essential sequences, and the essential grade of an ideal I in a Noetherian ring were introduced and therein it was shown that these concepts are an excellent analogue of, respectively, associated primes, R-sequences, and the standard grade of I, in the classical theory, and also of, respectively, asymptotic prime divisors, asymptotic sequences, and the asymptotic grade of I, in the asymptotic theory. It turns out that essential sequences and essential grade yield useful information concerning all the prime divisors of zero in the completion of a local ring. Thus these concepts should prove useful in many future research papers. Asymptotic prime divisors, asymptotic sequences, and asymptotic grade have recently been useful in several research papers. And in [5] it was shown that asymptotic sequences over an ideal I in a Noetherian ring R and the asymptotic cograde of I (when R is local) have some useful properties, and several bounds on this cograde were established in [5]. The main purpose of this paper is to show that, similarly, essential sequences over I behave nicely when passing to certain rings related to R and that the essential cograde of I is well defined (when R is local) and satisfies certain rather natural inequalities. Section 2 contains the definitions and a list of the basic facts concerning essential prime divisors, essential sequences, and essential grade that are needed in the remainder of the paper. It also contains several results showing that essential sequences over an ideal I in a Noetherian ring R behave nicely with respect to passing to certain rings related to R. In Section 3 it is shown that the essential cograde of I is well defined when R is local and likewise behaves nicely when passing to the same type of related rings. In Section 4 we briefly
The half-life of 119mSn

Abstract The half-life of 119mSn was measured over a period of 3.6 years and found to be 293.0±1.3 days, the quoted counting error being at the 95% confidence level.