cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a Diurnal Rhythm of Corticotrophin-Releasing Factor (CRF) in the Hypothalamus

Although diurnal rhythms in pituitary ACTH, blood ACTH and plasma corticosterone levels have been described, such changes in CRF activity in nonstressed animals have not heretofore been detected. In this study, a rhythm of hypothalamic CRF activity was observed in nonstressed male rats during controlled 24-hr light-dark cycles. Hypothalamic tissue was obtained from donor rats at 3-hr intervals. For CRF assay, acid extracts were administered to recipient rats which were either steroid-treated or lesioned in the ventral hypothalamus and CRF activity was estimated by the observed increase in plasma corticosterone. When hypothalamic extract was injected into lesioned rats, large increments in plasma corticosterone were observed and a good dose-response curve was obtained. In contrast, dexamethasone-treated, Diabutalized recipients showed a decreased sensitivity to the extract and a rather flat dose-response curve.When lesioned recipient rats were employed for CRF assay, detectable CRF activity was observed in...
CONFIGURATION INTERACTION WAVEFUNCTION FOR POSITRONIUM HYDRIDE.

A configuration interaction wavefunction is obtained for the pseudo-atom positronium hydride (consisting of one proton, one positron, and two electrons), using Slater orbitals centered on the proton as basis functions. A positive dissociation energy is calculated for the process PsH → Ps + H. Comparison is made with previous calculations of this energy, and its actual value is predicted to be 0.009 au. The two-quantum annihilation rate also is calculated.
Another look at the discrete structures course

Over the last several years since the introduction of B3 (Discrete Structures) into the undergraduate computer science curriculum, the course has been the subject of continuing controversy. The major difficulties later found in implementing the course were easy to foresee from the most casual reading of its original description in Curriculum '68 [1]. The necessary placement of the course in the sophomore year, the relative sophistication of the intended subject matter, and the lack of sufficient preparation of most beginning students in these areas and in appropriate computer science areas of application, all have contributed to problems in the implementation of the ACM Curriculum Committee recommendations.We will discuss each of these problems in turn, and hope to provide new insights toward achieving a satisfactory solution.
Pulmonary disease during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with low dose pulse methotrexate

Methotrexate therapy has been effective in the treatment of RA with short term experience suggesting little serious adverse reactions. Our review of 168 patients receiving methotrexate has identified nine patients with probable or possible methotrexate-induced pulmonary toxicity, giving a prevalence of 5% and an incidence of 3.9 per 100 patients per year. No clinical or laboratory features showed an association that could potentially predict the development of pulmonary disease. All patients experienced complete recovery with supportive care and/or corticosteroid therapy. Clinical monitoring for this complication is warranted in all patients receiving long term methotrexate therapy for RA.
Impact of Linepithema humile and Tapinoma sessile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on three natural enemies of Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract Ants frequently protect honeydew-excreting hemipterans from their natural enemies in exchange for food, and these interactions can have a negative impact on biological control. Invasive ant species, such as the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), enter into mutualisms with some hemipteran species and are generally regarded as more aggressive than native ants. Consequently, they may be more effective at protecting honeydew-producing hemipterans from natural enemy attack. We compared changes in populations of Aphis gossypii (Glover) tended by equal numbers of invasive L. humile, and the North America native Tapinoma sessile (Say), when exposed to the natural enemies Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), Hippodamia convergens (Guer.) and Aphidius colemani (Viereck). While more L. humile than T. sessile workers foraged on plants with A. gossypii, both ants were equally effective at protecting A. gossypii from their natural enemies when aphid populations were relatively low. Using larger starting populations, A. gossypii were less negatively impacted by C. carnea or H. convergens when tended by L. humile than T. sessile. In a field experiment, the number of Aphis gossypii on plants with L. humile or T. sessile were greater than on plants without ants. We conclude that due to its higher foraging tempo L. humile may more effectively patrol plant surfaces supporting honeydew-producing hemipterans than T. sessile, which may, in part, underlie the success of this invasive ant.
IL-1 and iNOS gene expression and NO synthesis in the superior region of meniscal explants are dependent on the magnitude of compressive strains.

Summary Objective Partial meniscectomy is known to cause osteoarthritis (OA) of the underlying cartilage as well as alter the load on the remaining meniscus. Removal of 30–60% of the medial meniscus increases compressive strains from a maximum of approximately 10% to almost 20%. The goal of this study is to determine if meniscal cells produce catabolic molecules in response to the altered loading that results from a partial meniscectomy. Method Relative changes in gene expression of interleukin-1 ( IL-1 ), inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS ) and subsequent changes in the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) released by meniscal tissue in response to compression were measured. Porcine meniscal explants were dynamically compressed for 2h at 1Hz to simulate physiological stimulation at either 10% strain or 0.05MPa stress. Additional explants were pathologically stimulated to either 0% strain, 20% strain or, 0.1MPa stress. Results iNOS and IL-1 gene expression and NO release into the surrounding media were increased at 20% compressive strain compared to other conditions. Pathological unloading (0% compressive strain) of meniscal explants did not significantly change expression of IL-1 or iNOS genes, but did result in an increased amount of NO released compared to physiological strain of 10%. Conclusion These data suggest that meniscectomies which reduce the surface area of the meniscus by 30–60% will increase the catabolic activity of the meniscus which may contribute to the progression of OA.
On the origin of the shunt effect in polycrystalline gallium arsenide pn-junction devices

Abstract pn-Junction diodes have been fabricated on polycrystalline wafers by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). The influence of grain boundaries on the current-voltage characteristics of the diodes has been investigated. It has been found that only a few grain boundaries shunt the junction. Grain boundary test devices have been fabricated on lightly Si-doped wafers as well as on LPE-grown n-type (Sn) and p-type (Zn) layers. Highly rectifying grain boundaries with remarkably high barrier height values exceeding 1 V have been detected in the Si-doped wafers. The grain boundaries in the grown layers generally showed ohmic characteristics. The barrier height and the concentration of mobile carriers at gallium arsenide grain boundaries have been calculated from the balance of charge. The calculation performed is not restricted to the case of depletion but also applies to inversion. The calculation shows the presence of inversion paths along grain boundaries in lightly n-type material. These inversion paths are believed to be at least partly responsible for the shunt effects observed at some polycrystalline junction devices. Device structures designed to block the shunting path are proposed.
Mechanisms of Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Agents, with Particular Reference to Cefotaxime and Other β-Lactam Compounds

Many mechanisms exist by which bacteria can become resistant to antimicrobial agents. Although mutational events are important in the development of resistance to some agents, by far the most important factor in resistance is extrachromosomal genetic material in the form of plasmids. Important mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics are interference with the transport of the antimicrobial agent into the bacterial cell, inactivation of the agent, and alteration of the target site or metabolic pathway by the microorganism. In order to affect bacteria, p-lactam antibiotics must pass through proteins at the surface of the cell, must evade destruction by p-lactamases, and must have an affinity for proteins involved in cell wall snythesis. A number of the new p-lactam antibiotics, because of their great resistance to destruction by /-lactamases and their high affinity for penicillin-binding proteins, have overcome many of the mechanisms bacteria have used in the past to resist p-lactam drugs.
Direct Observation of Interfacial Au Atoms on TiO2 in Three Dimensions

Interfacial atoms, which result from interactions between the metal nanoparticles and support, have a large impact on the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles. However, they are difficult to observe; the lack of knowledge has been a major obstacle toward unraveling their role in chemical transformations. Here we report conclusive evidence of interfacial Au atoms formed on the rutile (TiO2) (110) surfaces by activation using high-temperature (∼500 °C) annealing in air. Three-dimensional imaging was performed using depth-sectioning enabled by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the interface between Au nanocrystals and TiO2 (110) surfaces consists of a single atomic layer with Au atoms embedded inside Ti–O. The number of interfacial Au atoms is estimated from ∼1–8 in an interfacial atomic column. Direct impact of interfacial Au atoms is observed on an enhanced Au-TiO2 interaction and the reduction of surface TiO2; both are critical to Au catalysis.
Improving Measurement Accuracy in Sensor Networks by an Object Model Generation and Application

The paper describes a novel method of calculating measurement results in sensor networks, which includes modifying the conventional measurement estimates based on the object under measurement model mined from the data collected by the sensor network itself previously and other information made available by domain experts. It is shown that the model application might produce a significant gain in measurement accuracy if the model is correct. The gain value is estimated and its dependence on various factors is studied by computer simulation and experimentation with real sensor networks built from Crossbow Telos ver. B motes. The conditions of achieving the gain versus suffering the loss are derived and the recommendations of how to shape the object model in order to achieve and maximize the gain value are provided.
Isolation and molecular structure of vitamin B12 5′-phosphate

Abstract 1. A method for obtaining and purifying a precursor of vitamin B12 from Propionibacterium shermanii is described. The method involves heat treatment of the bacteria, phenol extraction of the crude extract, chromatographic separations, and crystallization from acetone-water (8:1, v/v). The heat treatment leads to roughly a 40-fold increase in final yield of the precursor compared to the concentration in teh unheated bacteria. 2. The precursor is shown to be Vitamin B12 5′-phosphate by X-ray diffraction analysis of the air dried crystals. The crystal structure was solved using the tangent formula and refined with the method of least squares. 3. The vitamin B12 5′-phosphate structure is isomorphous with that of the vitamin except for the additional phosphate. The 5′-phosphate is the gauche-gauche conformation, the ribose puckering is C2′-exo, and the 3′-phosphate makes an angle of 67° with C3′ and the propionamide. The α-glycosidic bond is 16° out of the plane of the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole because of steric interactions. The corrin nucleus is bowed, and the acetamide and propionamide side chains form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and adjacent molecules in the crystal.
Amplitude phase-space model for quantum mechanics

We show that there is a close relationship between quantum mechanics and ordinary probability theory. The main difference is that in quantum mechanics the probability is computed in terms of an amplitude function, while in probability theory a probability distribution is used. Applying this idea, we then construct an amplitude model for quantum mechanics on phase space. In this model, states are represented by amplitude functions and observables are represented by functions on phase space. If we now postulate a conjugation condition, the model provides the same predictions as conventional quantum mechanics. In particular, we obtain the usual quantum marginal probabilities, conditional probabilities and expectations. The commutation relations and uncertainty principle also follow. Moreover Schrodinger's equation is shown to be an averaged version of Hamilton's equation in classical mechanics.
The design of optimal climate policy with air pollution co-benefits

Abstract This paper develops a model of an optimal regulatory program for greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions that accommodates the benefits due to reductions of co-pollutants including: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Employing per ton damage estimates for the co-pollutants produced by an integrated assessment model, co-pollutant damage estimates per ton carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) are developed for over 10,000 sources of GHGs in the lower 48 states including both transportation sources and electric power generation. For coal-fired electric power generation, the co-pollutant damages are larger in magnitude than recent peer-reviewed estimates of the marginal damage for GHGs. The co-pollutant damage per ton CO2e varies considerably across source types and source location. The paper estimates the welfare gain from adopting a policy that encompasses the spatially variant co-pollutant damage to be between $1 million and $85 million annually. The range depends on the slope of the marginal abatement cost curve. The paper also shows that a distortionary aggregate emission cap reduces the advantage of differentiated policy. Provided an excessively strict cap, the spatially differentiated policy may reduce aggregate welfare. This result has important implications for GHG policy in the United States; although co-pollutant benefits of abating GHGs have been shown to be significant in magnitude, tailoring climate policy to reflect these source-specific co-benefits is not necessarily socially beneficial. This bolsters arguments for upstream policy designs.
Histiocytic lesions and proliferations in the lung

Pulmonary lesions encountered by the pathologist in which histiocytes are the dominant finding histologically are reviewed. Lesions discussed include neoplasms of histiocytes and nonneoplastic processes. The nonneoplastic processes are divided into those that present as nodular histiocytic proliferations in the lung, those that present as diffuse proliferations of histiocytes in the lung, and those with a mixed pattern. Entities discussed include pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, pneumonoconioses, infections, diffuse panbronchiolitis, crystal storing histiocytosis, respiratory bronchiolitis, alveolar hemorrhage, eosinophilic pneumonia, obstructive pneumonia, exogenous lipoid pneumonia, some drug reactions, and some metabolic/storage diseases. Entities of uncertain histogenesis, including Rosai-Dorfman disease and Erdheim-Chester disease, are also discussed. Qualitative features of the histiocytes are addressed, including the presence of foreign dust, hemosiderin, foamy change, and histiocytes showing features of Langerhans' cells.
Probing neural activations from continuous EEG in a real-world task: time-frequency independent component analysis.

Abstract It is of fundamental significance to study human brain functions using neuroimaging technologies, such as electroencephalograph (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in real-world tasks. The present study explores the feasibility of using EEG to identify networked brain activations when subjects perform a realistic task. To robustly identify physiologically plausible EEG patterns related to brain activations involved in the task, a novel data-driven method, i.e., time-frequency independent component analysis (tfICA), is developed to analyze high-density EEG data, which combines the time-frequency analysis and complex-valued ICA method. Six classes of independent components (ICs) of various spatio-temporal-spectral patterns were identified across subjects, relating to frontal, motor, premotor, supplementary motor, secondary somatosensory, and occipital cortices, which suggest a networked brain activation involving visual perception and processing, movement planning and execution, working memory, performance monitoring, and decision making to accomplish the task. Our results indicate that temporal patterns of these ICs are consistent, show causal relationship among them, and of significant correlation to behavioral performance data recorded in same task sessions. Furthermore, the time-on-task effect that indicates the phenomenon of mental fatigue in sustained tasks for a long duration (i.e., 1 h) was observed. The present study demonstrates the capability of the tfICA method in distinguishing various brain processes from continuous EEG data obtained in a realistic task and it is thus promising to address real-world problems, such as time-on-task fatigue.
Autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and the microbiome in schizophrenia: More than a gut feeling

Autoimmunity, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and schizophrenia have been associated with one another for a long time. This paper reviews these connections and provides a context by which multiple risk factors for schizophrenia may be related. Epidemiological studies strongly link schizophrenia with autoimmune disorders including enteropathic celiac disease. Exposure to wheat gluten and bovine milk casein also contribute to non-celiac food sensitivities in susceptible individuals. Co-morbid GI inflammation accompanies humoral immunity to food antigens, occurs early during the course of schizophrenia and appears to be independent from antipsychotic-generated motility effects. This inflammation impacts endothelial barrier permeability and can precipitate translocation of gut bacteria into systemic circulation. Infection by the neurotropic gut pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii, will elicit an inflammatory GI environment. Such processes trigger innate immunity, including activation of complement C1q, which also functions at synapses in the brain. The emerging field of microbiome research lies at the center of these interactions with evidence that the abundance and diversity of resident gut microbiota contribute to digestion, inflammation, gut permeability and behavior. Dietary modifications of core bacterial compositions may explain inefficient gluten digestion and how immigrant status in certain situations is a risk factor for schizophrenia. Gut microbiome research in schizophrenia is in its infancy, but data in related fields suggest disease-associated altered phylogenetic compositions. In summary, this review surveys associative and experimental data linking autoimmunity, GI activity and schizophrenia, and proposes that understanding of disrupted biological pathways outside of the brain can lend valuable information regarding pathogeneses of complex, polygenic brain disorders.
Transbronchial lung biopsy in the diagnosis of lymphangitic carcinomatosis

The clinical diagnosis of lymphangitic carcinomatosis of the lung has generally been confirmed by open lung or transthoracic needle biopsy, precedures with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with respiratory insufficiency. We present six cases of lymphangitic carcinomatosis diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy. Autopsy confirmation was obtained in 4 patients and ultrastructural confirmation of intralymphatic location of tumor in one. The diffuse bronchial and peribronchial lymphatic involvement demonstrated here suggests that this relatively noninvasive technique should be the procedure of choice in the diagnosis of lymphangitic carcinomatosis of the lung.
A fostering study of the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure: II. Offspring behavioral measures

The impact of rearing condition was assessed in Sprague-Dawley dams given 40 mg/kg cocaine (C40) or saline (LC control) subcutaneously (SC) from gestational days 8-20 and their offspring. Treated pups reared by their biological dams (LC/LC; C40/C40), treated pups reared by surrogate dams (FOS/LC; FOS/C40), and foster pups raised by treated dams (LC/FOS; C40/FOS) were examined. On postnatal day 7 (P7), pups received either 0 (unpaired) 2, 3, or 4 pairings of an odor and footshock and were tested for their aversion to this odor. Foster and LC pups, regardless of rearing condition, exhibited significant odor aversions following either 2, 3, or 4 training trials. In contrast, C40 pups reared by surrogate dams required 4 trials to acquire the aversion, and C40 pups reared by their own dams did not exhibit conditioning even after 4 trials. At P17, no differences were seen among the groups in the aversion formed to an auditory or an olfactory stimulus that was paired with footshock. At P60, shock-elicited aggression among pairs of siblings was examined. Regardless of prenatal exposure condition, offspring reared by dams given cocaine showed a decreased latency to the first aggressive contact, an effect that was evident without any alteration in shock sensitivity. Together these data suggest that being reared by a dam previously exposed to cocaine has an impact on offspring behavioral function apart from the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure per se. The implications of the data regarding the cognitive performance of pups exposed prenatally to cocaine are also discussed.
Univariate vs. multivariate analysis in neuropsychological test assessment of lateralized brain damage.

Summary This study compared univariate with multivariate statistical procedures in regard to accuracy of prediction of lateralization of brain lesions. Utilizing measures derived from the Halstead Neuropsychological Test Battery, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and other neuropsychological tests, discrimination was attempted through single test score t test analysis, utilization of factor scores, and discriminant function analysis. Subjects consisted of 26 patients with left hemisphere and 22 patients with right hemisphere lesions. It was found that while the single variable and factor score methods did not differ substantially from each other in predictive power, the discriminant analysis method was clearly superior. The conclusion was reached that cerebral lateralization is a complex phenomenon that is best approached by multivariate methods rather than by attempting to conceptualize it through some single test or principle.
Summer home range movements and habitat use by four largemouth bass in Mary Lake, Minnesota

Abstract Four largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were radio-tracked in Mary Lake during the summer of 1970. Maximum home range size ranged from 0.3 to 1.4 hectares and primary or utilized ranges were about 0.4 to 0.35 hectare. Most bass locations were between shore and 3 m deep and home range shapes tended to be oblong. Bass made excursions of up to 7 days from their primary ranges and returned. A bass was transplanted to Mary Lake from Lake Itasca but did not establish a home range.
Restudy and reassignment ofDentalium antiquum Goldfuss, 1841 (Middle Devonian)

Dentalium antiquum is one of two moderately well-known Devonian “scaphopods” in the German literature. Examination of the type material and a few specimens in other institutions indicates more individual variability than is to be expected in species of the molluscan class Scaphopoda. The species is transferred with question toColeolus Hall, a fossil presumed to be a calcareous “worm” tube.
Grand partition function in field theory with applications to sine-Gordon field theory

Certain relativistic field theories are shown to be equivalent to the grand partition function of an interacting gas. Using the physical insight given by this analogy many field-theoretic results are obtained, particularly for the sine-Gordon field theory. The main results are enumerated in the summary to which the reader is referred.
Creating stereotypes and capturing their content

In two studies, attributes of target groups were manipulated and then stereotypes of those groups were assessed using multiple measurement techniques. A variety of trait ascription (e.g. Likert-type scales) and perceived variability (probability of differentiation, standard deviation) indexes were used. The measures were compared with regard to their sensitivity to experimentally created differences between the social groups. The data suggested that all of the mean level assessment techniques were fairly sensitive to actual differences between groups, but Likert-style trait ratings were the best-performing measures, in that they most consistently produced the proper ordering of means, and were most sensitive to our manipulations. The variability measures were generally unresponsive to marked differences in group variability across experimental conditions. Suggestions for researchers concerning appropriate use of measures and conceptions of stereotyping are provided.
X-ray RF system upgrade at the NSLS

A third RF system was commissioned and the existing two systems were modified at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). Included in the revisions were a new 100-kW, 50-MHz power amplifier, an infrared heat sensor monitoring the accelerating cavity temperature to compensate for water film coefficient thermal loss, and the isolation of vacuum-RF seals on the accelerating cavity. The results of these changes are detailed. The system is capable of providing energy to a 2.8-GeV 100-mA beam, with each system running at a conservative power of 70 kW. If driven, the system could provide the power necessary for 250 mA. >
Computer benchmark evaluation and design of experiments: a case study

The author defines installation tuning and promotes it as an important area of concern for computer configurations. Examples include deciding on the paging configuration for a particular workload and partitioning available memory into system and user areas. Available tuning options are often difficult to select due to poor understanding of their effects, so analytic models rarely exist for these areas. The author illustrates the use of various models to assess the significance of installation tuning factors. A case study is presented in which a statistical model for response time is developed incorporating the key factors of user load, paging, and main storage configuration. A case study is presented in which a statistical design of experiments to computer performance analysis is presented. General statistical issues pertaining to the design and analysis of computer performance experiments are identified and illustrated. >
Far-field radiation patterns of Y and T shaped arrays with Chebyshev loading

The far-field radiation patterns for Chebyshev loaded Y and T shaped array antennas are presented for a number of cases. These include full and half-length loaded array arms.
Use of MEDLINE by rural physicians in Washington state.

Studies have suggested that rural physicians do not use medline to aid their clinical decision making,[1][1]–[6][2] and yet rural physicians appear to be a group that would benefit greatly from the use of medline because of their isolation from libraries and colleagues. This study was undertaken to understand why a population so likely to benefit from the use of medline is not using it. The study confirmed that rural physicians regard colleagues, reference texts, and journal articles as the most important information sources. However, a surprising number of rural generalist physicians in Washington, 40 percent of respondents, use medline, and most possess the requisite awareness, resources, and ability to use medline. Of those who use medline, 70 percent consider it a valuable clinical tool. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-6
Dine or dash? Turbulence inhibits blue crab navigation in attractive-aversive odor plumes by altering signal structure encoded by the olfactory pathway.

SUMMARY Blue crabs can distinguish and navigate to attractive (food) odors even when aversive odors (injured crab metabolites) are released nearby. Blue crabs in these conditions detect the aversive odor and avoid it, but find the attractive source with nearly the same success rate as when the attractive source is presented alone. Spatially and temporally distinct odor filaments appear to signal to foragers that the two odor sources are not co-located, and hence navigating to the attractive odor entails an acceptable risk of predation. However, environmentally produced turbulence suppresses tracking by homogenizing the two odors; blue crabs fail to track to the attractive source when the aversive source is present, even though turbulence does not substantially inhibit tracking to the attractive source alone. Removal of sensory input from aesthetascs on the antennules, but not chemosensors on the legs, rescues navigation to attractive–aversive dual plumes in turbulent conditions. These results suggest that mixing in the natural environment may amplify the effects of predators by suppressing tracking to food odors when aversive cues are present, and that the olfactory pathway mediates the response.
Two-scale, three-phase theory for swelling drug delivery systems. Part II: Flow and transport models

Darcy's law and Fick's law of Part I are combined with bulk and species conservation of mass equations, respectively, to obtain flow and transport models for swelling drug delivery systems. The model identifies three distinct regimes and makes the appropriate simplifying assumptions for each. The result is a set of highly nonlinear, coupled, integro-partial differential equations. The advantage of this model is that it can be easily modified to account for multiple simplified scenarios and geometries. As an example, boundary conditions are given for a radially symmetric drug delivery device.
Axonal bouton modeling, detection and distribution analysis for the study of neural circuit organization and plasticity

We propose a novel method for axonal bouton modeling and automated detection in populations of labeled neurons, as well as bouton distribution analysis for the study of neural circuit organization and plasticity. Since axonal boutons are the presynaptic specializations of neural synapses, their locations can be used to determine the organization of neural circuitry, and in time-lapse studies, neural circuit dynamics. We propose simple geometric models for axonal boutons that account for variations in size, position, rotation and curvature of the axon in the vicinity of the bouton. We then use the normalized cross-correlation between the model and image data as a test statistic for bouton detection and position estimation. Thus, the problem is cast as a statistical detection problem where we can tune the algorithm parameters to maximize the probability of detection for a given probability of false alarm. For example, we can detect 81% of boutons with 9% false alarm from noisy, out of focus, images. We also present a novel method to characterize the orientation and elongation of a distribution of labeled boutons and we demonstrate its performance by applying it to a labeled data set.
Polychlorinated biphenyls-modulated tumorigenesis in sprague-dawley rats : Correlation with mixed function oxidase activities and superoxide (O2- ) formation potentials and implied mode of action

Parallel, chronic (24 months) multidose bioassays of the PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) Aroclors 1016, 1242, 1254, and 1260 in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats showed sex/Aroclor-dependent increases in hepatic tumors and decreases in extrahepatic tumors. To elucidate the PCB mode of action (MOA) involved, levels of a number of hypothesized mediators were measured in liver specimens collected at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and screened for correlation with late life hepatotumorigenesis (HT; mostly adenomas). Consistently correlated with HT were (1) tissue accumulations of SigmaPCBs (correlated in both sexes) and of dioxin equivalents (toxic equivalency [TEQ]; correlated in females only); (2) net activities of six groups of mixed function oxidases (MFOs), some PCB-induced, some PCB-repressed, as determined by differential metabolism of PCB congeners; (3) activities of deproteinated, reoxidized hepatic cytosols as catalysts for superoxide (O(2)(*-)) production, such activity having the chemical characteristics of redox-cycling quinones (RCQs), e.g., those derived from the glutathionylated estrogen catechols that were identified in the female rat livers; and (4) increased expression of the indicator of cell proliferation, proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The new findings, along with other recently reported relationships, were indicative of a MOA consisting of (1) SigmaPCB/TEQ accumulation in rat tissues; (2) SigmaPCB/TEQ repression of constitutive MFOs; (3) SigmaPCB/TEQ induction of other MFOs; (4) MFO-mediated formation of RCQs; (5) RCQ-mediated formation of O(2)(*-); (6) O(2)(*-) dismutation to H(2)O(2); and (7) H(2)O(2)-mediated mitotic signaling, resulting in the proliferation of spontaneously or otherwise initiated cells to form hepatic tumors, as in tumor promotion.
Some Stochastic Systems with a Fractional Brownian Motion and Applications to Control

In this paper some stochastic systems are considered that are described by stochastic differential equations with a fractional Brownian motion. The notion of a weak solution is introduced and obtained by a transformation of the measure for a fractional Brownian motion by a Radon-Nikodym derivative. This weak solution approach is used to solve a control problem for a controlled stochastic differential equation with a fractional Brownian motion and to verify the existence of an optimal control. An estimation problem for a stochastic signal observed with an additive fractional Brownian motion is formulated and solved. The conditional expectation which solves this problem is exhibited explicitly.
Phase-aware adaptive hardware selection for power-efficient scientific computations

Increased power consumption and heat dissipation have become the major limiters of available computational resources at many high performance computing (HPC) centers. Applications that run at such centers typically operate in single user mode, run for long periods of time, and have long lasting application phases. Their users are interested in obtaining the maximum performance. We propose a phase aware adaptive hardware selection technique, featuring data prefetchers and dynamic voltage and frequency scaling. Our technique takes advantage of memory bound phases in scientific codes, resulting in significant power (39%) and energy (37%) reductions while maintaining or exceeding the performance of an unoptimized system.
Synthesis of Nanostructured Spherical Aluminum Oxide Powders by Plasma Engineering

Irregularly shaped aluminum oxide particles were plasma atomized resulting in narrow size range distribution of spherical nanostructured powders. Cooling rates, on the order of 106 to 108 K/s, were obtained from the different quenching medias, viz. air, water, and liquid nitrogen. Plasma-engineered powder particles developed nanosize crystallites, while solidification provided insight into the morphological feasibility in refinement of grain size. X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods have been used to quantify the crystallite size obtained with different quenching media. Raman peak shift validated the X-ray analysis in anticipating the grain refinement with increasing cooling rates. Salient structural morphology characteristics and a detailed understanding of spheroidized plasma-sprayed alumina powders were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Formation of nanograins, novel metastable phases, and amorphous structure were endorsed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations.
Trial of combined warfarin plus dipyridamole or aspirin therapy in prosthetic heart valve replacement: Danger of aspirin compared with dipyridamole

Despite the use of oral anticoagulation in patients with prosthetic heart valves, persistent thromboembolism over time warrants a search for improved methods of prevention. Thus, patients receiving 1 or more mechanical prosthetic heart valves were randomized to therapy with warfarin plus dipyridamole (400 mg/day) or warfarin plus aspirin (500 mg/day) on the basis of location and type of valve and surgeon, and followed up with a concurrent, nonrandomized control group taking warfarin alone. In 534 patients followed up 1,319 patient-years, excessive bleeding (necessitating blood transfusion or hospitalization) was noted in the warfarin plus aspirin group (23 of 170 [14%], or 6.0/100 patient-years) compared with warfarin plus dipyridamole (7 of 181 [4%], or 1.6/100 patient-years, p less than 0.001), or warfarin alone (9 of 183 [5%], or 1.8/100 patient-years, p less than 0.001). A trend was evident toward a reduction in thromboembolism in the warfarin plus dipyridamole group (2 of 181 [1%], or 0.5/100 patient-years) as compared with warfarin plus aspirin (7 of 170 [4%], or 1.8/100 patient-years), or warfarin alone (6 of 183 [4%], or 1.2/100 patient-years). Adequacy of anticoagulation (based on 12,720 prothrombin time determinations) was similar in all 3 groups with 65% of prothrombin times in the therapeutic range (1.5 less than or equal to prothrombin time/control less than or equal to 2.5), 30% too low, and 5% too high. Warfarin plus aspirin therapy resulted in excessive bleeding and is contraindicated. Longer follow-up study is needed to determine whether further separation of the incidence of thromboembolism can be detected.
Ethnic Differences in the Relationship Between Adiponectin and Insulin Sensitivity in South Asian and Caucasian Women

OBJECTIVE —To assess whether lower adiponectin concentrations in South Asian Indians may be responsible for their greater degree of insulin resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Insulin-mediated glucose uptake and plasma total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentrations were quantified in 52 women of South Asian (SA) and Caucasian (CAU) ancestry and compared. RESULTS —Mean ± SD total (2,965 ± 1,278 vs. 4,235 ± 160 ng/ml) and HMW (1,001 ± 352 vs. 1,591 ± 854 ng/ml) adiponectin were lower in SAs than CAUs ( P P CONCLUSIONS —Insulin resistance status is not associated with significantly lower levels of adiponectin in these SA women, in contrast to the CAU women.
Congenital malformation of the female genitalia

Summary Congenital maldevelopments of the female genitalia are of sufficient rarity to warrant a study and report of each case encountered. The patient used as a basis for this discussion was a young woman presenting every respect typical feminine characteristics in external physcial development while the internal genital tract revealed an absence of one tube, the uterus, and vagina. That the rudimentary structures on the right side at times endeavored to undergo some menstrual change seems logical since she has been entirely free from attacks of periodic pain in this region since their removal by operation. Embryology can explain why certain portions of the generative apparatus can develop into normal proportions but cannot offer at this time a solution of the problem concerning the primary etiologic factors entering into the causation of the maldevelopments.
A Phenomenology of Ethics and Excess: Experiences of Givenness and Transcendence According to Edith Stein

For Edith Stein, experience of God is not founded merely as a cognitive phenomenon. In fact, the experience of transcendence is no phenomenon at all. Rather, Stein holds that experience of God is a non-experience, it emanates as a response to a call that comes from outside the self. Experience of God describes a calling or invitation, an ethical command to respond, a “being laid claim to” without limit and without sufficient reason why. Such experience of transcendence reveals a kind of givenness or dark knowledge, it points to a third term of ecstatic wonderment, to what Bernini called the “spiritual ecstasy” of that other Jewish convert to Carmel, Teresa of Avila. It is the paradox of excess, of supplement, of joy; it is the surplus of desire without concern for self. Edith Stein’s understanding of experience of God thus radically places into question transcendence and the whole world that gets opened up by language and through which reality becomes manifest.
Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Promotes Tissue Remodeling, Arteriogenesis, and Perfusion in a Rat Hindlimb Ischemia Model

Highlights •Although surgical and endovascular revascularization can be performed in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), 40% of patients with critical limb ischemia do not have a revascularization option. •The efficacy of an injectable tissue-specific skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel and a human umbilical cord-derived ECM hydrogel were examined in a rodent hindlimb ischemia model. •Although both biomaterials increased tissue perfusion 35 days post-injection, likely through arteriogenesis, the skeletal muscle ECM hydrogel more closely matched healthy tissue morphology. •Transcriptomic analysis indicates the skeletal muscle ECM hydrogel shifted the inflammatory response, decreased necrosis/apoptosis, and increased blood vessel and muscle development.
Brugia malayi microfilariae (Nematoda: Filaridae) enhance the infectivity of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus to Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

We examined the potentially conflicting effects that microfilarial ( MF) enhancement of viral infectivity and MF-induced mortality in mosquitoes have on the vectorial capacity of Aedes aegypti (L.), Aedes triseriatus (Say), and Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) when mosquitoes feed on gerbils co-infected with Brugia malayi (Buckley). Groups of mosquitoes were fed on gerbils that were either dually infected (VEE plus B. malayi MF) or singly infected (VEE only). Mosquito mortality was recorded daily, and 5-8 d later, surviving mosquitoes were assayed for disseminated viral infection. The contrasting effects of MF enhancement and MF-induced mortality differed among mosquito species and were determined by the nature and consequences of MF penetration through the mosquito midgut, but not to differences in mosquito susceptibilities to parenterally introduced virus. In Ae. aegypti, MF-induced mortality was high and tended to eliminate any significant effect of MF enhancement. In Ae. triseriatus, MF-induced mortality was low, and feeding on dually infected hosts resulted in 9 times as many mosquitoes with disseminated viral infections as did feeding on singly-infected hosts. In Ae. taeniorhynchus, MF-induced mortality was extremely high, yet under our experimental conditions, feeding on a dually infected hosts resulted in nearly 30 times as many disseminated infections as did feeding on singly infected hosts. The final outcome on vectorial capacity depended on the specific combination of MF, virus, and mosquito species involved. Therefore, future efforts toward understanding MF enhancement should be directed toward mosquito-virus-parasite species combinations that occur together in nature.
Arterial Blood Acid-Base Balance in Unrestrained Waking Cats.∗:

SummaryThirty-one blood samples from 12 animals were obtained through a catheter implanted in the left common carotid artery. Analyses yielded the following mean values: pH 7.39 ± 0.4; (HCO3-) 15.8 ± 1.8 meq/l; and pCO2 27.2 ± 3.4 mm Hg. These figures reveal a low blood bicarbonate and carbon dioxide content relative to man. They should be regarded as the standard values to be maintained in cats undergoing artificial ventilation in neurophysiological experiments.
Comparative evaluation of ethanol production by xylose-fermenting yeasts presented high xylose concentrations

Three strains ofPichiastipitis and three ofCandidashehatae were compared withPachysolentannophilus in their abilities to ferment xylose at concentrations as high as 200 g/L when subjected to both aerobic and microaerophilic conditions. Evaluations based on accumulated ethanol concentrations, ethanol productivities, xylose consumption, and ethanol and xylitol yields were determined from batch culture time courses. Of the strains considered,P.stipitis NRRL Y-7124 seemed most promising since it was able to utilize all but 7 g/L of 150 g/L xylose supplied aerobically to produce 52 g/L ethanol at a yield of 0.39 g per gram xylose (76% of theoretical yield) and at a rate comparable to the fastest shown byC.shehatae NRRL Y-12878. For all strains tested, fermentation results from aerobic cultures were more favorable than those from microaerophilic cultures.
Epidemic Meningitis Immunity Level of Natural Population at Age of 18-25 and Analysis of Immunity Effect of A+C Epidemic Meningitis Vaccine

Objective To understand epidemic meningitis immunity level of natural population at age of 18-25 and evaluate immunity effect of A+C epidemic meningitis vaccine so as to provide reasonable basis for making A+C epidemic meningitis vaccination scheme.Methos Adstracting the blood in vein respectively of students at the age of 18-25 who have recommended epidemic meningitis and who have not .In order to monitor the level of IgG antibody for A type and C type and analysis with statistical method.Results Antibody positive rate of population at age of 18-25 for A type Neisseria menigitidis was 41.2%. GMT was 1:78. Of them, the GMT in the prevalence area and the non prevalence area was 1:72 and 1:84 respectively. There was no significant difference between them ( t value 0.7, P0.05). Antibody positive rate for C type Neisseria meningitidis was 33.3%. GMT was 1:81. Of them, the GMT in the prevalence area and the non prevalence area was 1:135 and 1:53 respectively. There was significant difference in the two areas (t value 4.02, P0.01). Antibody positive rate for A type and C type Neisseria meningitidis increased 104% and 160% respectively after vaccinating A+C epidemic meningitis vaccine. There were significant differences of antibody positive rate for A type and C type Neisseria meningitidis before and after A+C epidemic meningitis vaccination (P0.01). Conclusion Population at age of 18-25 had not got protective immunity level for epidemic meningitis. Effect of A+C epidemic meningitis vaccination was better. The vaccine was worth recommending.
Management of malignant biliary obstruction: nonoperative and palliative techniques.

Biliary tract drainage, with or without placement of an endoprosthesis, is used as a palliative therapy for malignant biliary obstruction. The first truly internal endoprostheses represented a distinct improvement over internal-external catheters but still remained patent for only 4 to 6 months. Metallic stents have a long-term patency of 6 to 8 months. At present, it appears that patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer should be palliated with endoscopically placed plastic or metal stents, whereas those with malignant obstructions higher in the biliary tree are probably better managed with transhepatically placed stents. The combination of brachytherapy plus external-beam radiation followed by implantation of a Gianturco metal stent may be a viable approach to treating obstructions in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. For those with other noncholangiocarcinomas, particularly when life expectancy exceeds anticipated stent patency duration, the Wallstent may be the device of choice. [ONCOLOGY 9(6):493-504, 1995]