cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-negative inputs for underactuated control of spiking in coupled integrate-and-fire neurons

A rapidly growing area of research in neuroscience pertains to the use of external stimulation to manipulate the activity in ensembles of neurons. When such activity is modeled as the output of a dynamical system, the overall neurostimulation problem can be framed in the context of systems and control. Here, we present a particular form of control design for neurostimulation: the manipulation of spike timing with underactuated inputs. We first discuss formulations for spike sequence and pattern controllability, which relax the classical notions of controllability. Then, motivated by particular neurostimulation technologies, we discuss control design for achieving spike sequences and patterns with piecewise constant non-negative inputs in a model consisting of coupled integrate-and-fire neurons. The results provide the basis for a range of control theoretic studies related to manipulation of spiking dynamics in biophysical neuronal networks.
Collagen synthesis as a marker for cell type in mouse 3T3 lines

Collagen synthesis was applied as a test of the fibroblastic or endothelial origin of the 3T3 mouse lines. Swiss/3T3 lines and Balb/3T3 (clone A31) were compared with respect to the amounts and types of collagen synthesized. All lines symthesized collagen at relatively high and similar rates. For all lines, 75-90% of the collagen synthesized was type I, and the remainder was type III. There was no evidence for synthesis of type IV collagen. By all these parameters, Swiss and Balb/3T3 lines resemble cultured fibroblasts rather than cultured vascular endothelia.
Democracy as joint problem solving: Addressing interests and identities in divided societies

Competitive democratic practices whether they rest on majoritarian or proportional principles can be highly problematic in ethnically divided societies exacerbating political tensions, polarizing groups, and threatening stability and prosperity. In contrast to adversarial democracy with its emphasis on divisive institutions such as political parties and elections, this article suggests that an understanding of democracy as joint problem‐solving with a focus on common interests and empowerment may be more appropriate in severely divided societies. My argument emphasizes the constructive contributions democracy can make in societies with real, or potentially, high levels of ethnic division drawing on Mansbridge's concept of unitary democracy and theorizing in the field of conflict resolution.
Derivative polarography of normal and cancerous tissue extracts and urines.

Abstract Animal tissue extracts show a derivative (alternating-current) polarographic waves at −1.7 V (B-wave) and frequently a second wave at −1.4 V (A-wave) against S.C.E. A third wave around −1.9 V (C-wave) vs S.C.E. was found in the extracts of malignant mammalian tumors and in noncancerous tissues of tumor bearing animals. The −1.9 V wave was also frequently present in normal (noncancerous)-human urine. The same signal was always missing from the tissue extracts of animals without cancer and urine of human cancer patients. The formation of C-wave is dependent upon the simultaneous presence of three factors: the C-substances, which seems to be nitrogen containing carbohydrate, halogen ions and certain hydrogen ion concentration. A possible relation between the C-wave producing compounds and the immunological specificity of the cell surface is discussed.
Significant increase of self-renewal in hematopoietic cells after forced expression of EVI1

EVI1 was first identified as a preferential integration site of ecotropic retroviruses in the MDS1/EVI1 genomic locus leading to myeloid tumors in susceptible mice. Later studies showed that retroviral integration in the MDS1/EVI1 locus results in the emergence of a non-malignant dominant hematopoietic stem cell clone in non-susceptible mice strains, in non-human primates, and in patients, suggesting that a gene encoded by the locus could affect the self-renewal potential of a cell. The locus encodes two genes. One of them, EVI1, has long been associated with myeloid leukemia. To understand whether EVI1 has a role in self-renewal control, we forcibly expressed EVI1 in the bone marrow progenitors of two mice strains that differ in their proliferation and self-renewal potential. By comparing the response of the hematopoietic cells to EVI1, we conclude that EVI1 has a role in prolonging the self-renewal potential of the cells and that this ability of EVI1 is limited and modulated by inherent characteristics of the cells.
Everything I Ever Wanted to Learn About Teaching, I Learned From Gifted Boys:

The purpose of this article is to explore four experiences that the author has encountered in her teaching career and focus on how they have shaped her understanding of gifted males and the instructional strategies that she uses in her classroom. The situations described in the article focus on four distinct subgroups of gifted males, James and Michael, the students who lack confidence and express self-doubt; John, the twice-exceptional student; Jorge, the culturally diverse student; and David, the underachiever. All of the situations are based on personal reflections from the author’s 10 years of teaching secondary science.
Influence of errors on learning the spellings of English words

Abstract Four experiments were conducted with primary grade and college students to examine whether subjects who misspell words before studying correct spellings find it harder or easier to learn the correct spellings than subjects who only study correct spellings. Opinions differ about this, some believing that learning is delayed because misspellings have to be unlearned, others believing that learning is facilitated because knowing what is wrong facilitates memory for what is right. Experimental subjects invented spellings of pseudowords, while controls rested or generated synonyms for the words. Correct spellings of the words were hard to predict perfectly, so most inventions were misspellings. Then experimental and control groups studied and recalled correct spellings. Results of all four experiments failed to reveal any differences between the groups in their memory for correct spellings. Although experimental subjects recalled some of the misspellings that they invented, this did not suppress their recall of correct spellings. It is concluded that misspelling words neither impairs nor facilitates learning correct spellings.
The formulation of some allocation and connection problems as integer programs

In this paper a component placement problem and a digital computer backboard wiring problem are formulated as integer linear programs. The component placement problem consists of making a unique assignment of components to column positions such that wireability is maximized. The backboard wiring problem consists of three interrelated subproblems, namely, the placement, the connection, and the routing problems. The placement and connection problems are combined and solved as one, thereby giving the optimal circuit connections as well as minimizing the total lead length. It is shown that under certain assumptions, the number of inequalities and variables in the problem can be greatly reduced. Further simplifying assumptions lead to a near optimal solution. Examples of other allocation problems to which the models presented here are applicable are given. The following concepts are formulated as linear inequalities: (1) the absolute magnitude of the difference between two variables; (2) minimize the minimum function of a set of functions; and (3) counting the number of (0, 1) adjacent component pairs in a vector.
A double-layer tracheal tube cuff designed to prevent leakage: a bench-top study

We designed a new endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff that does not form the folds that cause leakage of colonized subglottic secretions upon inflation within the trachea: a standard high-volume low-pressure cuff was draped with a second, highly elastic cuff made of a low-protein guayule natural latex rubber with 0.5 ml gel between the cuffs. We compared this prototype ETT cuff with four commercially available ETTs for efficacy in the prevention of fluid leakage across the cuff. In vitro study. We compared fluid leakage in our prototype cuff with that in four commercially available ETTs. Three cylindrical glass tubes 16, 20, and 22 mm in diameter were used as model tracheas, and five different intracuff pressures (20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 cmH2O) were tested. Each test was repeated three times with new ETTs. The guayule latex ETT cuff showed an average fluid leakage of 0.0007 ± 0.002 ml/min which was significantly lower than that in any of the other ETTs (Microcuff 0.07 ± 0.09, Mallinckrodt/Hi-Lo Evac 5 ± 5, Euromedical 7 ± 4, Sheridan/CF 41 ± 69). Our prototype ETT cuff significantly reduced fluid leakage in this bench-top study. In vivo testing and evaluation is to follow.
STRENGTH OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE) WITH INDENTATION FLAWS

Controlled flaws were introduced into poly(methyl methacrylate) samples in the presence of liquid acetone using a Vickers indenter over a range of indentation loads from 100 to 1400 N. Due to the large plastic zone underneath the indenter, the radial crack formed by indentation consisted of two halves, known as Palmqvist cracks, instead of a single semicircular crack. The strengths of the samples were measured in air either immediately following indentation or after a stress-relief anneal. The strength of the as-indented samples was about 6% less than that of the annealed samples; however, the dependence of strength on indentation load was similar for both sets of samples. These results were interpreted in terms of an indentation fracture mechanics model. The analysis is consistent with poly(methyl methacrylate) having a rising fracture toughness with increasing crack size.
AC Electrokinetic Phenomena Generated by Microelectrode Structures

The field of AC electrokinetics is rapidly growing due to its ability to perform dynamic fluid and particle manipulation on the micro- and nano-scale, which is essential for Lab-on-a-Chip applications. AC electrokinetic phenomena use electric fields to generate forces that act on fluids or suspended particles (including those made of dielectric or biological material) and cause them to move in astonishing ways. Within a single channel, AC electrokinetics can accomplish many essential on-chip operations such as active micro-mixing, particle separation, particle positioning and micro-pattering. A single device may accomplish several of those operations by simply adjusting operating parameters such as frequency or amplitude of the applied voltage. Suitable electric fields can be readily created by micro-electrodes integrated into microchannels. It is clear from the tremendous growth in this field that AC electrokinetics will likely have a profound effect on healthcare diagnostics, environmental monitoring and homeland security. In general, there are three AC Electrokinetic phenomena (AC electroosmosis, dielectrophoresis and AC electrothermal effect) each with unique dependencies on the operating parameters. A change in these operating parameters can cause one phenomena to become dominant over another, thus changing the particle or fluid behavior. It is difficult to predict the behavior of particles and fluids due to the complicated physics that underlie AC electrokinetics. It is the goal of this publication to explain the physics and elucidate particle and fluid behavior. Our analysis also covers how to fabricate the electrode structures that generate them, and how to interpret a wide number of experimental observations using several popular device designs. This video article will help scientists and engineers understand these phenomena and may encourage them to start using AC Electrokinetics in their research.
African Americans and Research Participation: The Recruitment Process

This article focuses on the recruitment process that was undertaken in an attempt to secure African American participants for a behavioral research study that took place in 1998. This research study at Wayne State University (Detroit) was funded by the National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health (NIA/NIH). The research was supported by Grant No. AG09203 to Gisela Labouvie-Vief; an ongoing longitudinal/cross-sequential study continues, examining changes in thought, feelings, and emotions throughout the life span. Information compiled from the recruitment process will be useful for future recruitment efforts targeting African Americans and other ethnic groups for involvement in research studies.
Urinary Excretion of Hydromorphone and Metabolites in Humans, Rats, Dogs, Guinea Pigs, and Rabbits

Hydromorphone was administered as a single dose to humans, rats, dogs, guinea pigs, and rabbits, and timed urinary collections were made. GLC-mass spectrometric and GLC analyses of the samples revealed the presence of the parent compound and both 6-hydroxy epimers as metabolites in the urine of all species. Free or conjugated parent drug predominated, while levels of free or conjugated 6β-hydroxy metabolite were higher than or equal to those of the 6α-form. The time courses of excretion of drug and metabolites were similar for all species, with the major portion being excreted in the first 24 hr. Generally, free and conjugated drug were undetectable in human urine after 8 and 48 hr, respectively.
Prognostic importance of superior diaphragmatic adenopathy at computed tomography in patients with resectable hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

Purpose To determine the prognostic importance of superior diaphragmatic adenopathy at CT in patients with resectable hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma. Materials and methods We retrospectively identified 85 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) at our institution before surgical resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma. The study group consisted of 45 men and 40 women with a mean age of 60 years (range, 27-89 years). The presence, size, and number of superior diaphragmatic nodes were recorded on preoperative CT images. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to investigate the association between the presence, number, and size of superior diaphragmatic nodes and postoperative outcome. Results One or more superior diaphragmatic nodes were seen on preoperative CT in 43 (51%) of 85 patients, and 29 (34%) patients had nodes of 5 mm or more in short-axis diameter. After a median follow-up of 599 days (range, 3-1960 days), 49 patients were alive, and 36 were dead. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no association between the presence (P = 0.67), size (P = 0.74), or number (P = 0.95) of superior diaphragmatic nodes and patient outcome. Conclusions The presence, size, or number of superior diaphragmatic nodes at preoperative CT are unrelated to postoperative outcome in patients with resectable hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma, suggesting that superior diaphragmatic adenopathy in this setting may be reactive rather than metastatic.
Synthesis and carbon-11 labeling of the stereoisomers of meta-hydroxyephedrine (HED) and meta-hydroxypseudoephedrine (HPED)

The synthesis of the four stereoisomers of carbon-11 labeled meta-hydroxyephedrine (HED) and meta-hydroxypseudoephedrine (HPED) was undertaken for evaluation of their in vivo kinetic behavior. The stereoisomers of HED and HPED were synthesized by conversion of their respective enantiomerically-pure, normethyl precursors (meta-hydroxyphenylpropanolamine stereoisomers) to the carbamate derivatives and subsequent reduction with lithium aluminum hydride. Direct N-[11C]methylation of the appropriate normethyl precursor with [11C]methyl triflate and HPLC purification provided the radiotracers in 27–42% (average = 36%; n = 12) decay-corrected radiochemical yields in a 40 min synthesis time from end-of-bombardment. The specific activity of the radiotracers was 1260–1625 Ci/mmol (average = 1368 Ci/mmol; n = 8) at end-of-synthesis and the radiochemical purity >98%. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
XCANON: a BASIC program for canonical analysis of contingency tables

Pearson χ 2 analysis of contingency tables is a widely used data-analytic method in the behavioral sciences, but provides relatively little information about the underlying nature of the relationship between categorical variables beyond the value of χ 2 and several alternative measures of association. The advantage of the canonical analysis approach is the greater breadth of information available for interpretation of results than is obtained from the standard analysis. XCANON is a BASIC program written to perform these analyses in either CP/M or MS-DOS microcomputer environments
Reconstructed annual minimum temperatures for the Gulf States, 1799-1988

Abstract A very long series of minimum winter temperatures for the United States Gulf Coast region was developed. A search was made through sources of archival data to locate early temperature records for the region. Records from a number of different locations were combined to produce a single series extending back to 1799. Where possible, data have been analyzed to assess relative homogeneity. Examination of the series revealed no significant long-term trends, but recent decades appear slightly colder in comparison to the rest of the record. Extension of the series back from circa 1880 to 1799 yields mean values that are not appreciably different from the 1900–1950 period. Severe freeze events appear not to be randomly distributed with lime, but instead clustered in groups.
The use of best design practices: An analysis of US navy contractors

Rapid and successful introduction of new products is a potentially significant source of competitive advantage for manufacturing firms. Organizations need to identify and manage those critical elements of the product development process (PDP) that have a positive influence on new product success. This research identifies the distinctive product development and design practices, policies and tools currently followed by companies (Navy contractors) that participated in an empirical research study known as the Best Manufacturing Practices Program. A summary of practices reported in the case studies is compiled using content analysis techniques, and the most interesting practices by individual companies are highlighted. We find numerous examples of sophisticated CAD techniques being used to enhance the development process, including expert system design advisers, computer simulation, and design databases. Companies are emphasizing the design policies of concurrent engineering and teamwork, and documenting design process knowledge into design manuals. Company effort still appear focused primarily on the phase of detailed design rather than the concept selection phase.
Surveys of gene families using polymerase chain reaction: PCR selection and PCR drift

with the potential to be phylogenetically informative (e.g., sequence variation, vari? ation within gene clusters, and number of gene clusters [Koop et al., 1989; Bartels et al., 1993; Cartwright et al., 1993; Pendleton et al., 1993]). Nevertheless, this complexity is sometimes difficult to interpret in a phy? logenetic context (e.g., orthologous and paralogous variation and gene conversion [Fitch, 1970; Hillis and Dixon, 1991; San? derson and Doyle, 1992]). Analysis of the sometimes complex characteristics of mul? tigene families has recently been greatly facilitated by use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using degenerate primers corresponding to highly conserved regions of homologous genes, PCR can be used to detect and identify members of these gene families in samples of genomic DNA or cDNA. The utility of such an approach has recently been demonstrated using degen? erate primers to amplify a region of Antennapedia-class homeoboxes (Murtha et al., 1991; Pendleton et al., 1993). This tech? nique, however, cannot be fully exploited until certain methodological issues have
Mollaret’s Meningitis: An Unusual Disease With a Characteristic Presentation

Abstract Mollaret’s meningitis (benign recurrent aseptic meningitis) is a rare syndrome with characteristic features. Patients present with recurrent attacks of meningismus which are sudden in onset and last from one to seven days. During the attacks the spinal fluid shows pleocytosis with lymphocyte predominance. Large endothelial cells with indistinct cytoplasm (Mollaret’s cells) are typically present in the CSE The attacks resolve spontaneously and without sequellae. Symptom-free intervals can be as brief as a few days or as long as several years. Though specific treatment is not available, Colchicine has been reported to decrease the severity and frequency of attacks. While acute episodes may cause significant symptoms, the long-term prognosis is excellent.
Acetylcholine as a neuromodulator: cholinergic signaling shapes nervous system function and behavior

Acetylcholine in the brain alters neuronal excitability, influences synaptic transmission, induces synaptic plasticity, and coordinates firing of groups of neurons. As a result, it changes the state of neuronal networks throughout the brain and modifies their response to internal and external inputs: the classical role of a neuromodulator. Here, we identify actions of cholinergic signaling on cellular and synaptic properties of neurons in several brain areas and discuss consequences of this signaling on behaviors related to drug abuse, attention, food intake, and affect. The diverse effects of acetylcholine depend on site of release, receptor subtypes, and target neuronal population; however, a common theme is that acetylcholine potentiates behaviors that are adaptive to environmental stimuli and decreases responses to ongoing stimuli that do not require immediate action. The ability of acetylcholine to coordinate the response of neuronal networks in many brain areas makes cholinergic modulation an essential mechanism underlying complex behaviors.
Planning strategies for the avoidance of pitfalls in intervention research.

Planning strategies for the avoidance of pitfalls in intervention research Background. With the exception of large clinical trials, few studies in nursing and other social sciences test interventions. The discipline of nursing needs to maintain a full range of research designs for continued knowledge development. Intervention research presents unique opportunities and challenges for the novice as well as the seasoned researcher. Some of these methodological challenges include the complex nature of human subjects and interventions, including many factors that interfere with the study variables. Preliminary studies often reveal challenges that may not always be predicted or reflected in research texts. These challenges may be as important as the study results for success in future research efforts. Purpose. Difficulties encountered in intervention research and suggested strategies for maintaining the integrity of the study are addressed. These challenges include maintaining an adequate sample size, intervention demands, measuring variables, timing issues, and experiencing unexpected events. Findings and conclusions. Strategies presented include the importance of extensive planning, minimizing subject expectations and rewarding efforts, attention to control group members, incorporating retention strategies, expanding knowledge of variables and the study population, preliminary studies as well as anticipating unexpected events. The need for enhanced communication among nurse researchers, educators and clinicians is addressed. In the current health care arena, nurse researchers must understand organizational dynamics and marketing strategies. Collaborative research efforts can increase the visibility of nursing research as well as funding opportunities.
Psychocultural differences in physical activity-based antidepressant effects

Abstract Recent research suggests that the antidepressant effects of physical activity on depression are indirectly mediated through activity-enhanced self-esteem and self-efficacy effects. Ethnically based psychocultural differences may then influence the therapeutic effectiveness of physical activity. However, no systematic theoretical evaluation of ethnic differences in activity-based antidepressant effects is available. Such an evaluation is necessary to optimize treatment effects for different cultural groups. In this study, structural regression analyses of self-report data compared the degree to which activity-based global self-esteem, physical self-esteem, exercise task efficacy, and exercise self-regulatory efficacy were associated with decreases in psychometric measures of depressive symptoms and depressive risk for a non-clinical sample of 147 young adult Hispanics (Mexican American Whites) and 153 Anglos (non-Hispanic Western European American Whites). Decreased symptoms were associated with increased global self-esteem and exercise regulatory-efficacy for both groups and with increased physical self-esteem for Hispanics. Unexpectedly, increases in depressive symptoms were associated with increased exercise task efficacy for Hispanics. These findings imply that Hispanics may anticipate greater symptom reduction than Anglos if exercise activities encourage global self-esteem, physical self-esteem, and exercise regulatory-efficacy attributions, but also discourage task-efficacy attributions. Decreased depressive risk was only associated with increased global self-esteem for either group.
Influence of Culture and Pigment on Skin Conditions in Children

1. James G. Dinulos, MD* 2. Elinor A. Graham, MD, MPH† 1. 2. *Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology. 3. 4. †Departments of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 1. Superficial inflammatory skin conditions commonly appear different in dark skin because of exaggeration of normal cutaneous reaction patterns. 2. Dyspigmentation from skin inflammation or injury may result in permanent color changes. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management can modify adverse cosmetic outcomes from pigment changes. 3. Several skin conditions are more common in children who have dark skin, and common disorders such as atopic dermatitis and pityriasis rosea may have different presentations. 4. All patients who have dark skin should be counseled about the potential pigmentary changes that can occur with all classes of topical steroids. However, conditions that produce intense inflammation should be treated with appropriate-strength steroid to attempt to minimize long-lasting pigmentary changes. Many common skin disorders manifest themselves differently in children who have dark skin. This altered appearance is thought to occur in part because of exaggerated cutaneous reaction patterns to internal and external influences. Normal variations in pigment may be confused with bruises or disease. People from various cultures alter their skin as part of healing and grooming practices. Knowledge of the appearance of common skin disorders in dark skin, normal variations, and unique cultural skin manipulations is vital to the diagnosis and management of skin conditions in this group of patients. Excellent recent reviews have been published in the dermatology literature on this subject (see Suggested Reading). This review outlines distinctive reaction patterns, the common skin conditions affected by them, and suggestions for effective management. We also discuss common cultural practices and non-Western healing techniques that result in unique skin findings. Pigment lability, follicular response, and mesenchymal response are three primary cutaneous reactions responsible for the altered appearance of common skin disorders in children who have dark skin. They represent normal cutaneous responses that are seen in all skin types, although they are exaggerated in many children who have …
Reading between the Lines: A Case Study on Facilitated Communication:

This is a qualitative study that examines the facilitated communication method within the context of general communication. “Reading” another person, or understanding the intent and meaning of an i...
Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Commitment

The purpose of this study was to examine some antecedents and some consequences of organizational commitment as conceptualized by Meyer and Allen (1991). Specifically, gender, ethnicity, branch of ...
Radio Immunoassay for Partially Degraded Thyrotropin

A radioimmunoassay for partially pepsin degraded bovine thyrotropin (bTSH) was developed and used to examine human thyrotropin (hTSH) preparations and sera obtained from patients with Graves ophthalmopathy for the presence of cross-reactivity. As little as 4μU of the hTSH (68/33) reference preparation produced inhibition of binding in the radioimmunoassay, but none of the sera obtained from patients with Graves' disease (n*26) contained detectable cross-reactivity. These data indicate that there is a substantial amount of partially degraded thyrotropin in human pituitary extracts, but none detectable in the sera of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.
Connections of the frontal and parietal regions of the cortex with the caudate nucleus in cats.

The results of morphological and electrophysiological investigations in recent years have demonstrated connections of striopallidal structures with various brain formations and the existence of many topographically well organized fibers descending from extensive areas of the cortex into the corpus striatum (Carman et al., 1963; Webster, 1975; Ermolaeva, 1965; Butkhuzi, 1965; Tolkunov, 1972; Karamyan et al., 1972; Dzugaeva et al., 1974; Al'tova, 1974; Egorova, 1975). According to the view generally adopted at the present time, this corticofugal system separates sensory specific information from the convergent flow of impulses reaching the caudate nucleus through the reticular formation and thalamus. Fugal influences arriving along fibers from the somatosensory region are particularly numerous, whereas caudal connections of the visual and auditory cortex are less numerous.
The Korean twiddler: one-handed chording text entry for Korean mobile phones

We present a text entry method using the Twiddler one-handed chording keyboard to input Hangul, the Korean alphabet, on mobile phones. After estimating keystrokes of various text entry methods, we found that our Twiddler 3 Bul keymap has the fewest keystrokes needed among the methods evaluated.
1589 NEUROLOGIC STABILITY AND OLIGOSACCHARIDE EXCRETION IN MANNOSIDOSIS

Mannosidosis is noteworthy among lysosomal storage diseases affecting the nervous system for having a low mortality and a stable clinical course. Comparative studies of oligosaccharides were carried out on serum and urine of a 31-year-old man with mannosidosis (Arch Neurol 34:45, 1977) whose neurologic status has been stable since the age of 8 years. A mannose-containing trisaccharide with two mannose and one N-acetyl glucosamine residues was predominant in urine (304 mg/1), in agreement with other reported cases. By use of a sensitive new high pressure chromatographic procedure, a very low level of this trisaccharide was detected in serum (0.1-0.4 nmol/ml), with respective urinary values from 161 to 558 nmol/ml. The urinary clearance of trisaccharide was on average 16.1 times the glomerular filtration rate of creatinine, suggesting that the renal tubular cell is the immediate source of urinary oligosaccharides. The substrate burden in brain is much less in mannosidosis (0.11 μmol/g; J Pediatr 75:360, 1969) than it is in fucosidosis (19.9 μmol/g; J Neurochem 27:733, 1976), despite the fact that both diseases reflect a failure to catabolize glycoproteins. Our data suggest that upon maturation of the kidney a mannose receptor is elaborated which, by removing mannose-rich oligosaccharides from the circulation, favors the elimination of excess oligosaccharides and lowers the substrate burden for brain. (Supported in part by USPHS grants HD 05515 and HD 04147)
Effect of interfacial pretreatment on the properties of montmorillonite/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites

This work explores the factors that control the dispersion of exfoliated montmorillonite (MMT) in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) during solution blending and solvent evaporation. Nanocomposite films were prepared by solution blending of aqueous PVOH solutions with dilute suspensions of fully exfoliated MMT platelets (as confirmed by AFM). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicates that addition of MMT suspensions to PVOH solutions results in undesired particle aggregation and thus poor MMT dispersion in cast films (as evidenced by transmission electron microscopic images and gas permeation measurements). We believe that PVOH bridging induces MMT platelet aggregation. To counteract bridging aggregation, we explore the novel idea of pretreating the MMT surface with a small amount of compatible polymer prior to solution blending with PVOH. We hypothesize that “pretreating” the MMT platelet surfaces with adsorbed polymer in dilute suspensions will protect the platelets from bridging aggregation during solution blending and solvent evaporation. MMT/PVOH composite films have been prepared using low-molecular-weight PVOH as the pretreatment polymer; and low-, medium-, and high-molecular-weight PVOH as the matrix polymer. A PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer (F108 from the Pluronics® family) was also evaluated as the pretreatment polymer. DLS shows that pretreated MMT platelets are less susceptible to aggregation during blending with PVOH solutions. Results compare the crystalline structure, thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties, gas permeability, and dissolution behavior of MMT/PVOH films incorporating untreated versus pretreated MMT. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41867.
An analytical description for the deformation response of Ni3Al alloys in the anomalous regime

In this article, a modified dislocation mechanism for strengthening in Ni3Al alloys is suggested that accounts for temperature and strain rate effects. By this mechanism, thermal strengthening arises from an equilibrium density of small pinning points whose positions change rapidly with time due to thermal activation. These pinning points exert a uniform drag force on the glide of screw dislocations. An analytical expression for the yield strength is derived based upon the entropy created by these segments and the energy needed for cross slip from octahedral to cube planes. The analytical model is then compared to the observation of temperature-path history independence (TPHI)(i.e., thermal reversibility) in both single and poly crystalline Ni3Al. Such behavior is indicative of a deformation process which is largely governed by local dislocation segment mobility and not by the development of a deformation substructure. Temperature-path history independence, in addition to strain rate independence, is an inherent characteristic of the analytical derivation and, as such, appears to provide an intuitive description of the phenomenological processes which occur during initial plastic deformation of Ni3Al.
Laser Field Imaging Through Fourier Transform Heterodyne

The authors present a detection process capable of directly imaging the transverse amplitude, phase, and Doppler shift of coherent electromagnetic fields. Based on coherent detection principles governing conventional heterodyned RADAR/LADAR systems, Fourier Transform Heterodyne incorporates transverse spatial encoding of the reference local oscillator for image capture. Appropriate selection of spatial encoding functions allows image retrieval by way of classic Fourier manipulations. Of practical interest: (1) imaging may be accomplished with a single element detector/sensor requiring no additional scanning or moving components, (2) as detection is governed by heterodyne principles, near quantum limited performance is achievable, (3) a wide variety of appropriate spatial encoding functions exist that may be adaptively configured in real-time for applications requiring optimal detection, and (4) the concept is general with the applicable electromagnetic spectrum encompassing the RF through optical.
Hypernasality and velopharyngeal impairment

Abstract Although the primary cause of hypernasality is impaired velopharyngeal (VP) function, a variety of other factors influence the outcome perceived by the listener. The purpose of the current study was to assess the relationship between oral-nasal resonance balance and (1) velopharyngeal orifice area; (2) nasal airflow rate; and (3) duration of nasal airflow. The pressure-flow technique was used to estimate VP area and measure nasal airflow rate and duration. Ratings of oral-nasal balance were made on a 6-point equal-appearing interval scale. Results indicated a moderate correlation between hypernasality rating and VP area (0.66), nasal airflow (0.61), and nasal airflow duration (0.53). Adults tended to be perceived as more hypernasal than children for a given degree of VP impairment. Finally, when the degree of VP opening was small, perceived oral-nasal resonance balance appeared to be related to duration of the opening-closing movements.
Pseudomorphic InGaAs/GaAs and GaAs/A1GaAs asymmetric triangular quantum wells grown by MBE for optoelectronic device applications

We present the growth and properties of asymmetric triangular quantum wells (ATQWs) involving GaAs/Al 0.3 Ga 0.7 As and strained In x Ga 1-x As by molecular beam epitaxy. Compositional grading was approximated using a superlattice technique and varying the thickness of the ternary material in each «cell». GaAs/AlGaAs ATQWs exhibit narrow low temperature photoluminescence (PL) linewidths of 2 meV for an 11 period 675 A well width. Sub-meV linewidths are obtained for both InGaAs/GaAs rectangular and asymmetric triangular single QWs, indicative of high quality InGaAs material as well as smooth heterointerfaces
Frequently used medicinal plants in Baja California Norte

Herbalists in Baja California Norte, Mexico, were interviewed to determine the ailments and diseases most frequently treated with 22 commonly used medicinal plants. Those diseases which were most frequently mentioned by the herbalists provided the focus for initial assessments. The phytochemistry of the medicinal plants was determined from published research, and the likelihood of successful treatment of diseases was assessed by determining the known pharmacological actions of the plant constituents. Most of the plants contained substances which had recognized pharmacological effects in the treatment of the diseases being treated by the herbalists.
Analysis of Phosphorylation and Mutation of Tyrosine Residues of Calmodulin on Its Activation of the Erythrocyte Ca2+-transporting ATPase

The role played by the phosphorylation sites of calmodulin on its ability to activate the human erythrocyte Ca2+-transporting ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase) was evaluated. Phosphorylation of mammalian calmodulin on serine/threonine residues by casein kinase II decreased its affinity for Ca2+-ATPase by twofold. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of mammalian calmodulin by the insulin-receptor kinase did not significantly alter calmodulin-stimulated Ca2+-ATPase activity. Two variant calmodulins, each containing only one tyrosine residue (the second Tyr is replaced by Phe) were also examined: [F138]calmodulin, a mutant containing tyrosine at position 99, and wheat germ calmodulin which has tyrosine at position 139. The concentrations of [F138]calmodulin and wheat germ calmodulin required for half-maximal activation of Ca2+-ATPase were tenfold and fourfold higher, respectively, than mammalian calmodulin. Phosphorylation at Tyr99 of [F138]calmodulin shifted its affinity for Ca2+-ATPase towards that of mammalian calmodulin. However, phosphorylation at Tyr139 of wheat germ calmodulin had essentially no effect on its interaction with Ca2+-ATPase. Thus, all of the observed effects of both phosphorylation and substitution of residues of calmodulin are on its affinity for Ca2+-ATPase, not on Vmax. The effects are dependent on the site of phosphate incorporation. Replacement of tyrosine with phenylalanine has a larger effect than phosphorylation of tyrosine, suggesting that the observed functional alterations reflect a secondary conformational change in the C-terminal half of calmodulin, the region that is important in its activation of Ca2+-ATPase.
Playboring in the Tester Pit: The Convergence of Precarity and the Degradation of Fun in Video Game Testing

The labor of video game testers has barely registered within political-economic analyses of work practices in the game industry. This article addresses this gap through a critical deployment of the...
Recent Work on Propositions

Propositions, the abstract, truth-bearing contents of sentences and beliefs, continue to be the focus of healthy debates in philosophy of language and metaphysics. This article is a critical survey of work on propositions since the mid-90s, with an emphasis on newer work from the past decade. Topics to be covered include a substitution puzzle about propositional designators, two recent arguments against propositions, and two new theories about the nature of propositions.
Digital TV with serial video processor

The serial video processor (SVP) is a general-purpose mask-programmable SIMD RISC (single instruction multiple-data, reduced instruction set computer) device capable of executing, in real time, the three-dimensional algorithms required for image processing and digital television. Its architecture, application, and development environment are described. Using this approach, the turn-around time to develop, evaluate, and produce a digital-based video application is significantly reduced. >
Extracting social events for learning better information diffusion models

Learning of the information diffusion model is a fundamental problem in the study of information diffusion in social networks. Existing approaches learn the diffusion models from events in social networks. However, events in social networks may have different underlying reasons. Some of them may be caused by the social influence inside the network, while others may reflect external trends in the ``real world''. Most existing work on the learning of diffusion models does not distinguish the events caused by the social influence from those caused by external trends. In this paper, we extract social events from data streams in social networks, and then use the extracted social events to improve the learning of information diffusion models. We propose a LADP (Latent Action Diffusion Path) model to incorporate the information diffusion model with the model of external trends, and then design an EM-based algorithm to infer the diffusion probabilities, the external trends and the sources of events efficiently.
Ion-plated metal/ceramic interfaces

Abstract Elemental Cu and Ti films have been deposited onto magnesia-alumina-silica ceramic substrates with a plasma-aided physical vapour deposition (ion-plating) process. This paper presents results of an investigation on how the structure and chemistry of the metal/ceramic interface is modified as a function of the deposition process parameters (e.g. the applied bias voltage and current). Emphasis is placed on determining how the strength of the metal/ceramic interface is controlled by the interphase boundary structure and chemistry. Structural and chemical analyses of the film, interface and substrate regions have employed scanning Auger microprobe, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, SEM/STEM-energy dispersive X-ray and TEM/SEM imaging and microdiffraction techniques. A cross-section sample preparation procedure for direct TEM/SEM studies of metal/ ceramic interfaces is discussed. The strength of the Cu/ceramic interface was found to be strongly influenced by both applied substrate bias voltage and substrate roughness. While evaporated Cu films on substrates polished with standard metallographic techniques had essentially zero adhesion, films deposited with an applied substrate bias showed increasing adhesive strength with increasing bias (in excess of 70 MPa, the limit of the employed epoxy-bonded-stud adhesion test, with -3 KV applied bias). Microchemical analysis indicated that this enhanced adhesion is directly correlated with the development of a chemically graded interface region. The adhesive strength of the ion plated Cu films was also found to be improved with increasing substrate smoothness. The behaviour of Ti, because of its inherent reactivity, was found to be quite different from that of Cu. Although the generally superior adhesion of Ti was evident for films either evaporated or deposited with low bias voltage/current, this adhesion actually decreased for films deposited with high bias voltage/current. Interfacial TEM studies show that this effect results from the formation of a compound at the Ti/ceramic interface region. Results indicate that the thickness of this apparently brittle compound plays a critical role in film adhesion.
Limiting assumptions in molecular modeling: electrostatics

Molecular mechanics attempts to represent intermolecular interactions in terms of classical physics. Initial efforts assumed a point charge located at the atom center and coulombic interactions. It is been recognized over multiple decades that simply representing electrostatics with a charge on each atom failed to reproduce the electrostatic potential surrounding a molecule as estimated by quantum mechanics. Molecular orbitals are not spherically symmetrical, an implicit assumption of monopole electrostatics. This perspective reviews recent evidence that requires use of multipole electrostatics and polarizability in molecular modeling.
Aptamers Recognizing Glycosylated Hemagglutinin Expressed on the Surface of Vaccinia Virus-Infected Cells

Traditional methods for detection and identification of pathogenic viruses or bacteria tend to be slow and cumbersome. We have developed aptamer probes with the capacity to rapidly detect the presence of viral infection with specificity and sensitivity. Vaccinia virus (VV) was chosen as the model because it is closely related to variola virus that causes smallpox. A method known as cell-SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) was used to generate very selective and highly specific aptamers designed to recognize proteins expressed on the surface of VV-infected cells. Characterization of the aptamers showed that the virus-encoded hemagglutinin, a protein expressed on the surface of infected cells, is the preferential binding target. These studies show the feasibility of generating aptamers against a given specific infectious agent and will enable further development of aptamers as diagnostic and/or therapeutic tools against a broad range of infectious agents.
Bacillus anthracis Peptidoglycan Stimulates an Inflammatory Response in Monocytes through the p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway

We hypothesized that the peptidoglycan component of B. anthracis may play a critical role in morbidity and mortality associated with inhalation anthrax. To explore this issue, we purified the peptidoglycan component of the bacterial cell wall and studied the response of human peripheral blood cells. The purified B. anthracis peptidoglycan was free of non-covalently bound protein but contained a complex set of amino acids probably arising from the stem peptide. The peptidoglycan contained a polysaccharide that was removed by mild acid treatment, and the biological activity remained with the peptidoglycan and not the polysaccharide. The biological activity of the peptidoglycan was sensitive to lysozyme but not other hydrolytic enzymes, showing that the activity resides in the peptidoglycan component and not bacterial DNA, RNA or protein. B. anthracis peptidoglycan stimulated monocytes to produce primarily TNFα; neutrophils and lymphocytes did not respond. Peptidoglycan stimulated monocyte p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and p38 activity was required for TNFα production by the cells. We conclude that peptidoglycan in B. anthracis is biologically active, that it stimulates a proinflammatory response in monocytes, and uses the p38 kinase signal transduction pathway to do so. Given the high bacterial burden in pulmonary anthrax, these findings suggest that the inflammatory events associated with peptidoglycan may play an important role in anthrax pathogenesis.