cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TH‐D‐201C‐08: Multi‐Modal MRI SPECT and CT Imaging of Theranostic Nanoplatforms

Purpose: The development of non‐invasive imaging techniques for the assessment of cancer treatment is rapidly becoming highly important. Magnetic Cationic Liposomes (MCL) that carry a cargo of anti‐cancer drugs and magnetic nanoparticles that will selectively target primary and metastatic cancertumorsdeliver drugs to them and visualize their effects through magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The aim of the present study is to evaluate MCL as a versatile theranostic nanoplatform for enhanced drug deliveryimaging and monitoring of cancer treatment. Materials and Method: Poly‐ethyleneglycol (PEG) coated cationic liposomes are loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONS) and tagged with the radioisotope Indium‐111. MCL was administered to SCID mouse with metastatic (B16‐F10) melanoma grown in the right flank. Pre‐injection and post‐injection MR and SPECT/CT images were used to assess response to magnetic targeting effects and tumor and organ distribution. Results:Tumor signal intensities in T2 weighted images decreased an average of 20±5% and T2* values decreased and average of 14±7ms in the absence of magnetic targeting. This compares to an average signal decrease of 57±12% and a decrease in T2* relaxation times of 27±8ms with the aid of external magnet showing up to 2‐fold greater accumulation by magnetic targeting. SPECT/CT images showed the localization and distribution of MCL in the tumor.Conclusion: MR SPECT/CT and biodistribution analyses clearly show the efficacy of MCL as MRI contrast agents prove the use of magnetic guidance and demonstrate the potential of MCL as agents for imaging guidance and therapeutic delivery.
Genomic and stem cell policy issues: more alike than different?

In a comparison of policy issues related to genomics and stem cells, initially, the differences seem to occupy the foreground. After all, no one is seeking to criminalize the conduct of genomic research, whereas researchers working with human embryonic stem cells face the prospect of criminal penalties in certain jurisdictions. And, in the USA, a polarized political climate, and twists and turns in litigation centering on a statutory provision that prohibits federal funding of ‘research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed’ [1], have heightened a sense of insecurity in the stem cell field [2]. However, stem cell policy concerns have always extended beyond the embryo. Furthermore, with the expansion of work using human induced pluripotent stem cells, created without embryo destruction, it is becoming increasingly likely
Health Behavior in Ecological Context

Health is best understood within an ecological context. Accordingly, health promotion involves processes that foster supportive environments and healthful behavior. Thus, effective health promotion programs are typically multilevel, focusing not only on the population at risk but also on the environmental conditions that contribute so importantly to health and health behavior. Health behavior is important at each societal level. Arguably, accomplishment of health promotion goals at each societal level requires changes in the behavior of those who control or influence the health outcomes of interest. Recognition of three distinct types of health behavior can guide multilevel health promotion program planning. Personal-health behavior affects the health of the person who engages in that behavior. Health-related behavior includes actions taken by proximal others that directly affect the health of others, although usually not purposefully. Health-protective behavior is undertaken purposefully to foster the health of others. Regardless of the outcome of interest or societal level, similar health promotion processes can be employed to alter health behavior.
cis-Dichloro(dimethyl sulfoxide-S)-(2-methoxypyridine-N)platinum(II)

The title complex, [PtCl(2)(C(6)H(7)NO)(C(2)H(6)OS)], exhibits square-planar geometry. The plane of the pyridine ring makes a dihedral angle of 67.2 (3) degrees with the square plane of the metal center. The S-O bond is nearly aligned with the adjacent Pt-N bond, leaving the methyl groups of the dimethyl sulfoxide ligand to stagger the Pt-Cl bond.
Optimal transformations for prediction in continuous-time stochastic processes: finite past and future

In the classical Wiener-Kolmogorov linear prediction problem, one fixes a linear functional in the ‘‘future’’ of a stochastic process, and seeks its best predictor (in the L2-sense). In this paper we treat a variant of the prediction problem, whereby we seek the ‘‘most predictable’‘ non-trivial functional of the future and its best predictor; we refer to such a pair (if it exists) as an optimal transformation for prediction. In contrast to the Wiener-Kolmogorov problem, an optimal transformation for prediction may not exist, and if it exists, it may not be unique. We prove the existence of optimal transformations for finite ‘‘past’’ and ‘‘future’’ intervals, under appropriate conditions on the spectral density of a weakly stationary, continuous-time stochastic process. For rational spectral densities, we provide an explicit construction of the transformations via differential equations with boundary conditions and an associated eigenvalue problem of a finite matrix.
Predicting Parole Absconders

Even though parole absconders represent one of the largest groups of problem parolees, little has been written about them. Using a large sample of California parolees, the authors examine several variables for their ability to predict absconding and produce an instrument capable of classifying absconders with better than 70% accuracy.
A systematic review of the association between pleural plaques and changes in lung function

Objectives To conduct a systematic review of changes in lung function in relation to presence of pleural plaques in asbestos-exposed populations. Methods Database searches of PubMed and Web of Science were supplemented by review of papers’ reference lists and journals’ tables of contents. Methodological features (eg, consideration of potential confounding by smoking) of identified articles were reviewed by ≥two reviewers. Meta-analyses of 20 studies estimated a summary effect of the decrements in per cent predicted (%pred) forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) associated with presence of pleural plaques. Results Among asbestos-exposed workers, the presence of pleural plaques was associated with statistically significant decrements in FVC (4.09%pred, 95% CI 2.31 to 5.86) and FEV 1 (1.99%pred, 95% CI 0.22 to 3.77). Effects of similar magnitude were seen when stratifying by imaging type (X-ray or high-resolution CT) and when excluding studies with potential methodological limitations. Undetected asbestosis was considered as an unlikely explanation of the observed decrements. Several studies provided evidence of an association between size of pleural plaques and degree of pulmonary decrease, and presence of pleural plaques and increased rate or degree of pulmonary impairment. Conclusions The presence of pleural plaques is associated with a small, but statistically significant mean difference in FVC and FEV 1 in comparison to asbestos-exposed individuals without plaques or other abnormalities. From a public health perspective, small group mean decrements in lung function coupled with an increased rate of decline in lung function of the exposed population may be consequential.
First-principles interatomic potentials for transition-metal aluminides. III. Extension to ternary phase diagrams

Modeling structural and mechanical properties of intermetallic compounds and alloys requires detailed knowledge of their interatomic interactions. The first two papers of this series [Phys. Rev. B $56,$ 7905 (1997); $58,$ 8967 (1998)] derived first-principles interatomic potentials for transition-metal (TM) aluminides using generalized pseudopotential theory (GPT). Those papers focused on binary alloys of aluminum with first-row transition metals and assessed the ability of GPT potentials to reproduce and elucidate the alloy phase diagrams of Al-Co and Al-Ni. This paper addresses the phase diagrams of the binary alloy Al-Cu and the ternary systems Al-Co-Cu and Al-Co-Ni, using GPT pair potentials calculated in the limit of vanishing transition-metal concentration. Despite this highly simplifying approximation, we find rough agreement with the known low-temperature phase diagrams, up to 50% total TM concentration provided the Co fraction is below 25%. Full composition-dependent potentials and many-body interactions would be required to correct deficiencies at higher Co concentration. Outside this troublesome region, the experimentally determined stable and metastable phases all lie on or near the convex hull of a scatter plot of energy versus composition. We verify, qualitatively, reported solubility ranges extending binary alloys into the ternary diagram in both Al-Co-Cu and Al-Co-Ni. Finally, we reproduce previously conjectured transition-metal positions in the decagonal quasicrystal phase.
Development and Comparison of New High-Efficiency Dry Powder Inhalers for Carrier-Free Formulations

ABSTRACT High-efficiency dry powder inhalers (DPIs) were developed and tested for use with carrier-free formulations across a range of different inhalation flow rates. Performance of a previously reported DPI was compared with two new designs in terms of emitted dose (ED) and aerosolization characteristics using in vitro experiments. The two new designs oriented the capsule chamber (CC) at different angles to the main flow passage, which contained a three-dimensional (3D) rod array for aerosol deaggregation. Computational fluid dynamics simulations of a previously developed deaggregation parameter, the nondimensional specific dissipation (NDSD), were used to explain device performance. Orienting the CC at 90° to the mouthpiece, the CC 90 -3D inhaler provided the best performance with an ED = 73.4%, fine particle fractions (FPFs) less than 5 and 1 μm of 95.1% and 31.4%, respectively, and a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) = 1.5 μm. For the carrier-free formulation, deaggregation was primarily influenced by capsule aperture position and the NDSD parameter. The new CC-3D inhalers reduced the percent difference in FPF and MMAD between low and high flows by 1–2 orders of magnitude compared with current commercial devices. In conclusion, the new CC-3D inhalers produced extremely high-quality aerosols with little sensitivity to flow rate and are expected to deliver approximately 95% of the ED to the lungs.
Multi-Level Proximity Coupled Transitions for Microwave and Millimeter Wave Applications

The success of microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits and monolithic arrays will largely depend on the development of highly accurate CAD methods. This article presents precise methodologies to model a variety of proximity coupled transitions which may be instrumental in the design of MIC and MMIC components. Two specific structures are investigated, which are a two-level microstrip-microstrip transition and a slot-coupled microstrip-microstrip transition. The analysis is based on solving coupled integral equations by method of moments. In the formulation, the Green's function for the grounded dielectric substrate is used, which takes into account all the radiation, surface wave and material effects. Meanwhile, mutual coupling due to dominant as well as higher order modes is automatically included in the method of moments solution. Numerical results are illustrated for the energy distribution as a function of offset, stub length or slot dimensions.
A Kaleidoscope of Care for HIV-Infected Substance Users

Abstract The substance abuse treatment and HIV health care systems have different treatment approaches, and many HIV-infected substance users fall through the cracks between systems. Providers are often challenged by the difficulty of engaging and retaining HIV-infected substance users in care and working across disciplines to coordinate services. A Kaleidoscope of Careis a cross-disciplinary curriculum in HIV and substance use, designed to train HIV health care and substance abuse treatment professionals in providing better care to the clients they share in common. It applies adult learning principles to engage diverse professionals in building skills to promote health and adherence, engagement and retention in care, harm reduction, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Early evaluation of the curriculum indicates that it has enhanced knowledge and built skills in serving HIV-infected substance users among providers from multiple disciplines.
Influence of Vegetation, Rock Cover, and Trampling on Infiltration Rates and Sediment Production

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the impact of selected soil surface characteristics on infiltration rates and sediment production from interrill erosion from loam soil. Treatments were two different grass species (crested wheatgrass and intermediate wheatgrass), three levels of grass cover (30, 50, and 80 percent), four levels of rock cover (5, 10, 15, and 20 percent), and six levels of simulated trampling (10 to 60 percent of the respective plot area by 10 percent increments). Results indicated that plots with sod forming grass infiltrated only slightly more water than plots with bunchgrass, though the differences were significant. Trampling reduced infiltration rates significantly. On uncompacted soil, infiltration rates increased as percentage of rock cover increased. Trampling gradually destroyed this relationship however. Rock cover did not significantly affect sediment production. The tradeoff between vegetal cover and rock cover was affected by simulated trampling. Once trampling disturbance reached 20 percent, no relationship between vegetal cover and rock cover existed. Trampling was the most important factor influencing infiltration rates, explaining 35 to 48 percent of the variation in infiltration rates. The most important factor influencing sediment production was grass cover, which explained 40 to 62 percent of the variations associated with sediment yield at various trampling percentages. Results strongly suggest that, for slopes and soils as used here, adequate watershed protection may be obtained by maintaining 50 percent protective ground cover. Additional validation studies are recommended.
Replication of an Intensive Educational Intervention for Youth Pregnancy and STI Prevention: The GIG

The article reports the results of two years of program replication to determine the effectiveness of an innovative intervention which is one component of a program aimed at the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI). The GIG is a 6 h intervention which presents prevention information in an entertainment venue employing non-conventional and youth culture oriented educational activities. Statistically significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes with regard to pregnancy and STI was found in both replication samples, demonstrating consistency in the effectiveness of the intervention. Item by item analyses of measure items offer information regarding specific knowledge and attitudes. Implications for further implementation of the intervention and broader applications are offered.
Sex-Specific Incompatibility Generates Locus-Specific Rates of Introgression between Species

Disruption of interactions among ensembles of epistatic loci has been shown to contribute to reproductive isolation among various animal and plant species. Under the Bateson–Dobzhansky–Muller model, such interspecific incompatibility arises as a by-product of genetic divergence in each species, and the Orr–Turelli model indicates that the number of loci involved in incompatible interactions may “snowball” over time. We address the combined effect of multiple incompatibility loci on the rate of introgression at neutral marker loci across the genome. Our analysis extends previous work by accommodating sex specificity: differences between the sexes in the expression of incompatibility, in rates of crossing over between neutral markers and incompatibility loci, and in transmission of markers or incompatibility factors. We show that the evolutionary process at neutral markers in a genome subject to incompatibility selection is well approximated by a purely neutral process with migration rates appropriately scaled to reflect the influence of selection targeted to incompatibility factors. We confirm that in the absence of sex specificity and functional epistasis among incompatibility factors, the barrier to introgression induced by multiple incompatibility factors corresponds to the product of the barriers induced by the factors individually. A new finding is that barriers to introgression due to sex-specific incompatibility depart in general from multiplicativity. Our partitioning of variation in relative reproductive rate suggests that such departures derive from associations between sex and incompatibility and between sex and neutral markers. Concordant sex-specific incompatibility (for example, greater impairment of male hybrids or longer map lengths in females) induces lower barriers (higher rates of introgression) than expected under multiplicativity, and discordant sex-specific incompatibility induces higher barriers.
Extracellular dopamine and norepinephrine in the developing rat prefrontal cortex: Transient effects of early partial loss of dopamine

Abstract Early developmental abnormalities affecting mesocortical dopamine (DA) neurons may result in later functional deficits that play a role in the emergence of psychiatric illness in adolescence/early adulthood. Little is known about the functional maturation of these neurons under either normal or abnormal conditions. In the present study, 6-hydroxydopamine was infused into the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) on postnatal day (PN) 12–14. On PN30–35, 45–50, and 60–65, mPFC extracellular DA and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations were monitored in intact and lesioned rats using in vivo microdialysis. Extracellular DA and NE concentrations in the intact mPFC remain fairly stable across development; one exception being a trend for acute tailshock-evoked DA concentrations to increase as a function of age. Lesioned rats sustained a persistent (∼50%) decrease in mPFC tissue DA concentrations. Tailshock-evoked increases in mPFC extracellular DA were attenuated in lesioned rats tested on PN30–35, but not PN45–50 or 60–65. Basal and evoked extracellular NE was unaffected in lesioned rats tested at any age, despite a persistent (∼25%) decrease in tissue NE content. Horizontal locomotor activity was also assessed in the present study. Results of previous studies suggest this behavior is modulated by mesoprefrontal DA neurons. Although not significant, acute tailshock- and acute amphetamine-evoked horizontal locomotor activity tended to be attenuated in lesioned rats tested on PN30–35 and augmented in lesioned rats tested on PN60–65. The present data suggest that early partial loss of mesoprefrontal DA nerve terminals, resulting in a persistent decrease in tissue DA concentrations, is unlikely to result in persistent alterations in local DA release.
Correlates of blood volume, red cell mass and plasma volume in coronary bypass patients:

Prebypass blood volume (BV), red cell volume (RBC) and plasma volume (PV) may affect haematocrit during and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), volume shift in and out of the oxygenator during CPB and the need for blood transfusion. We have calculated BV, RBC, and PV in 1076 patients having coronary artery bypass (CABG). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the preoperative factors which correlated with BV, RBC and PV. BV was found to correlate significantly with body surface area (BSA), sex, ejection fraction and emergency operation. RBC correlated significantly with sex, smoking, weight, emergency operation and obesity (body mass index). Significant correlations were found between PV and BSA, ejection fraction, emergency operation and sex. Body size (BSA and weight) is a major determinant of BV, RBC and PV in coronary artery surgery patients. Female patients have significantly diminished BV, RBC and PV, the decrease is greatest for RBC. Equal increases in BV and PV are associated with...
A behavior-based intelligent control architecture with application to coordination of multiple underwater vehicles

Presents a behavior-based intelligent control architecture for designing controllers which, based on their observation of sensor signals, compute the discrete control actions. These control actions then serve as the "set-points" for the lower level controllers. The behavior-based approach yields an intelligent controller which is a cascade of a perceptor and a response controller. The perceptor extracts the relevant symbolic information from the incoming continuous sensor signals, which enables the execution of one of the behaviors. The response controller is a discrete event system that computes the discrete control actions by executing one of the enabled behaviors. The behavioral approach additionally yields a hierarchical two layered response controller, which provides better complexity management. The inputs from the perceptor are used to first compute the higher level activities, called behaviors, and next to compute the corresponding lower level activities, called actions. The paper focuses on the discrete event subsystem, namely, the response controller. We illustrate the intelligent control architecture by discussing its application to the design of intelligent controllers for autonomous underwater vehicles used for ocean sampling missions. A complete set of discrete event models of the response controller of the underwater vehicles for the above application has been given, and their formal verification discussed.
Hsp70 gene association with nuclear speckles is Hsp70 promoter specific

Many mammalian genes localize near nuclear speckles, nuclear bodies enriched in ribonucleic acid–processing factors. In this paper, we dissect cis-elements required for nuclear speckle association of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) locus. We show that speckle association is a general property of Hsp70 bacterial artificial chromosome transgenes, independent of the chromosome integration site, and can be recapitulated using a 2.8-kilobase HSPA1A gene fragment. Association of Hsp70 transgenes and their transcripts with nuclear speckles is transcription dependent, independent of the transcribed sequence identity, but dependent on the Hsp70 promoter sequence. Transgene speckle association does not correlate with the amount of transcript accumulation, with large transgene arrays driven by different promoters showing no speckle association, but smaller Hsp70 transgene arrays with lower transcript accumulation showing high speckle association. Moreover, despite similar levels of transcript accumulation, Hsp70 transgene speckle association is observed after heat shock but not cadmium treatment. We suggest that certain promoters may direct specific chromatin and/or transcript ribonucleoprotein modifications, leading to nuclear speckle association.
Improved chemical detection using single-walled carbon nanotube network capacitors

We explore capacitance- and conductance-based detection of trace chemical vapors using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). We find that conductance detection is susceptible to such problems as large 1/f noise and incomplete sensor recovery, which are primarily artifacts of a charge-based transduction mechanism. Capacitance detection, dominated by dielectric effects, is less sensitive to charge effects and, thus, offers increased signal-to-noise ratio, improved sensor recovery, and larger dynamic range. Our data indicate capacitance-based sensing with SWNTs is well suited for trace-level detection of such low-vapor-pressure materials as certain chemical warfare agents and explosives.
Analog Implementation of Shunting Neural Networks

An extremely compact, all analog and fully parallel implementation of a class of shunting recurrent neural networks that is applicable to a wide variety of FET-based integration technologies is proposed. While the contrast enhancement, data compression, and adaptation to mean input intensity capabilities of the network are well suited for processing of sensory information or feature extraction for a content addressable memory (CAM) system, the network also admits a global Liapunov function and can thus achieve stable CAM storage itself. In addition the model can readily function as a front-end processor to an analog adaptive resonance circuit.
Modeling of optically pumped type-II lasers

The electronic structures of (InAs)m/(GaSb)n short- period superlattices are investigated by the empirical pseudo potential method and multiband kp envelope function approximation with the same underlying bulk band structures. The calculated result are compared to each other and with experiment. Generally, the results of the empirical pseudo potential method are in better agreement with the experimental measurement. The superlattice active region of an optically-pumped type-II laser are investigated by the empirical pseudo potential method. The calculated result predict that its lasing wavelength is about 3.5 micrometers at 80K and internal losses due to intervalence absorption have been suppressed.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A road map for computational surgery: challenges and opportunities

This paper introduces the fundamental concepts of computational surgery by Garbey et al. and proposes a road map for progress in this new multidisciplinary field of applied investigation. Recognizing this introduction will serve as common ground for discussion for both communities: surgeons and computational scientists; the scope of the presentation is broad rather than deep. Indeed, the field of computational surgery is sufficiently young that even the definition of computational surgery is still in the making. In this introduction, we propose multiple areas of investigation where the intersection of surgery and computational sciences is clearly in practice at the present time though surprisingly unrecognized to date. We present examples of these intersections and demonstrate the usefulness and novelty of computational surgery as a new field of research. While some of the elements we present may be considered as basic for a specialized investigator, the simplicity of the presentation is intended as a proof of principle that basic concepts in computational sciences are of core value in solving many existing problems in clinical surgery; we also hope this initial evaluation will highlight potential obstacles and challenges. As the digital revolution transforms the working environment of the surgeon, close collaboration between surgeons and computational scientists is not only unavoidable but also essential to harness the capabilities of both fields to optimize surgical care. We believe that this new collaboration will allow the community not only to develop predictive models for the outcomes of surgery but also to enhance the process of surgery - from procedural planning, to execution of procedures and technology interfaces, to assessment of the healing process - investigations that will potentially provide great impact on patient care far beyond the operating room.
Improving the Proteomic Analysis of Archival Tissue by Using Pressure-Assisted Protein Extraction: A Mechanistic Approach

Formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue repositories represent a valuable resource for the retrospective study of disease progression and response to therapy. However, the proteomic analysis of FFPE tissues has been hampered by formaldehyde-induced protein modifications, which reduce protein extraction efficiency and may lead to protein misidentification. Here, we demonstrate the use of heat augmented with high hydrostatic pressure (40,000 psi) as a novel method for the recovery of intact proteins from FFPE tissue. Our laboratory has taken a mechanistic approach to developing improved protein extraction protocols, by first studying the reactions of formaldehyde with proteins and ways to reverse these reactions, then applying this approach to a model system called a “tissue surrogate”, which is a gel formed by treating high concentrations of cytoplasmic proteins with formaldehyde, and finally FFPE mouse liver tissue. Our studies indicate that elevated pressure improves the recovery of proteins from FFPE tissue surrogates by hydrating and promoting solubilization of highly aggregated proteins allowing for the subsequent reversal (by hydrolysis) of formaldehyde-induced protein adducts and cross-links. When FFPE mouse liver was extracted using heat and elevated pressure, there was a 4-fold increase in protein extraction efficiency and up to a 30-fold increase in the number of non-redundant proteins identified by mass spectrometry, compared to matched tissue extracted with heat alone. More importantly, the number of non-redundant proteins identified in the FFPE tissue was nearly identical to that of the corresponding frozen tissue.
ON THE FORMATION OF AMINES (RNH2) AND THE CYANIDE ANION (CN–) IN ELECTRON-IRRADIATED AMMONIA-HYDROCARBON INTERSTELLAR MODEL ICES

The present laboratory study simulated cosmic-ray-induced grain chemistry of nitrogen-bearing organic molecules in interstellar and cometary ices. Model ices of ammonia (NH3)-methane (CH4) were prepared and irradiated at 10 K under contamination-free, ultrahigh vacuum conditions with energetic electrons generated in the track of galactic cosmic-ray particles. The radiolysis-induced processing of nitrogen-bearing molecules was then monitored on line and in situ by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and a quadrupole mass spectrometer during the irradiation phase and subsequent warm-up phases. The analogous processing was also achieved in ammonia (NH3) and six hydrocarbon (C n H2n+2; n = 1-6) ices. The formation of cyanide anion (CN–) was commonly observed in both ices at 10 K, the temporal column density fit of which traced back the involvement of methylamine (CH3NH2)-based intermediates. Traces of CH3NH2 were evident at about 110 K through thin ammonia matrices in sublimation. From the point of radiative transfer, we further constrain the formation mechanism of aminoacetonitrile (NH2CH2CN) on icy grains of Sgr B2(N) under a cosmic-ray-induced photon field.
Devil Sickness and Devil Songs: Tohono O'odham Poetics

Devil Sickness and Devil Songs: Tohono O'odham Poetics. David L. Kozak and David I. Lopez. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Press, 1999. ix +190 pp., notes, references, index.
Fluctuating and sensory-induced vasodynamics in rodent cortex extend arteriole capacity

Neural activity in the brain is followed by localized changes in blood flow and volume. We address the relative change in volume for arteriole vs. venous blood within primary vibrissa cortex of awake, head-fixed mice. Two-photon laser-scanning microscopy was used to measure spontaneous and sensory evoked changes in flow and volume at the level of single vessels. We find that arterioles exhibit slow (<1 Hz) spontaneous increases in their diameter, as well as pronounced dilation in response to both punctate and prolonged stimulation of the contralateral vibrissae. In contrast, venules dilate only in response to prolonged stimulation. We conclude that stimulation that occurs on the time scale of natural stimuli leads to a net increase in the reservoir of arteriole blood. Thus, a “bagpipe” model that highlights arteriole dilation should augment the current “balloon” model of venous distension in the interpretation of fMRI images.
Do as I do: 7-month-old infants selectively reproduce others' goals.

In the current study, we tested whether 7-month-old infants would selectively imitate the goal-relevant aspects of an observed action. Infants saw an experimenter perform an action on one of two small toys and then were given the opportunity to act on the toys. Infants viewed actions that were either goal-directed or goal-ambiguous, and that represented either completed or uncompleted goals. Infants reproduced the goal of the experimenter only in those cases where the action was goal-directed, in both the complete and incomplete goal conditions. These results provide the first evidence that infants as young as 7 months of age selectively imitate actions based on their goal-directedness, and that they are able to analyze the goals of even uncompleted actions. Even during the first year of life, infants’ sensitivity to goal-directed action is expressed not only in their responses in visual habituation procedures, but also in their overt actions.
Higher incidence of discontinuation of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors due to cough in black subjects

Objective To compare the rates of discontinuation of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in patients with different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Methods A registry from a tertiary hypertension clinic consisting of 892 patients who received their first-ever dose of ACE inhibitor therapy was examined. Surveillance for cough was prospective, systematic, and constant beginning in 1986 and routinely included a trial of sinusitis therapy, followed by withdrawal and rechallenge before discontinuation of drug. Results The prevalence (per 100 patients) of cough requiring discontinuation of ACE inhibitor therapy was 62 of 644 (9.6 per 100) patients among black subjects compared with six of 248 (2.4 per 100) patients among others (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 9.1; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in discontinuation rates across the three most commonly used ACE inhibitors: captopril (6.6%; all black subjects), enalapril (6.1%; 94% black subjects), and lisinopril (7.3%; 90% black subjects). Cough was more common among women (70% of subjects). After adjustment (by backward stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis) for baseline differences, black subjects had a relative risk of 2.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.21 to 4.65; p = 0.01) of discontinuation of ACE inhibitor due to cough. Conclusions These data suggest that there may be a race- or ethnicity-related difference in the prevalence of cough attributed to ACE inhibitor therapy. Although a race-related difference in ACE gene polymorphism has been suggested, further work is necessary to define the biological reason and pathophysiology for such a difference. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 60, 582–588; doi:
C-Peptide Reduces Mitochondrial Superoxide Generation by Restoring Complex I Activity in High Glucose-Exposed Renal Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Hyperglycemia-mediated microvascular damage has been proposed to originate from excessive generation of mitochondrial superoxide in endothelial cells and is the suggested mechanism by which the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced renal damage occurs. C-peptide has been shown to ameliorate diabetes-induced renal impairment. Yet, the mechanisms underlying this protective benefit remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether C-peptide affords protection to renal microvascular endothelial cell mitochondria during hyperglycemia. Conditionally immortalized murine renal microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) were exposed to low (5.5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) media with either C-peptide (6.6 nM) or its scrambled sequence control peptide for 24 or 48 hours. Respiratory control ratio, a measure of mitochondrial electrochemical coupling, was significantly higher in high glucose renal MECs treated with C-peptide than those of high glucose alone. C-peptide also restored high glucose-induced renal MEC mitochondrial membrane potential changes back to their basal low glucose state. Moreover, C-peptide prevented the excessive mitochondrial superoxide generation and concomitant reductions in mitochondrial complex I activity which are mediated by the exposure of the renal MECs to high glucose. Together, these data demonstrate that C-peptide protects against high glucose-induced generation of mitochondrial superoxide in renal MECs via restoration of basal mitochondrial function.
HEALTH PROMOTION, MEDICAL CARE USE, AND COSTS IN A SAMPLE OF WORKSITE EMPLOYEES

The relationship between a four-group health promotion intervention program and the subsequent medical costs were analyzed for a group of 1,188 employees in a northern California utility company. R...
X-Ray Diffraction of Indirect Flight Muscle from Drosophila in Vivo

The indirect flight muscle (IFM) of the fruit fly, Drosophila, represents a powerful model system for integrated structure and function studies because of the ease of genetically manipulating this organism. Recent advances in synchrotron technology have allowed collection of high quality two dimensional X-ray fiber diffraction patterns from the IFM of living fruit flies both at rest and during tethered flight. Based on many decades of X-ray and electron microscopic studies of vertebrate muscle and IFM from the waterbug, Lethocerus, there now exists a framework for interpreting changes in the X-ray diffraction patterns in terms of structural changes at the myofilament level. These developments allow testing of hypotheses concerning muscle function in a truly in vivo system.
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN PERCEIVED LEISURE CONSTRAINTS

This study of a stratified random sample of 171 households in a southern metropolitan area concerned racial differences in perceived constraints affecting participation in leisure activities. Respondents were asked to rank their three most important reasons for nonparticipation in 10 leisure activities. Using a Spearman correlation, African- and Euro-Americans were compared to examine the association between their rankings of leisure constraints. Significant correlations of > .60 between African- and Euro-American rankings of constraints were found for seven (70%) of the leisure activities.
SurveySignal: A Convenient Solution for Experience Sampling Research Using Participants' Own Smartphones

Experience sampling or ecological momentary assessment offers unique insights into how people think, feel, and behave in their natural environments. Because the method is able to capture situational variation as it happens in A¢Â€Âœreal time,A¢Â€Â experience sampling has become an increasingly popular method in social and personality, psychology, and beyond. With the ubiquity of smartphone ownership and the recent technical advances, conducting experience sampling studies on participants' own devices has become increasingly easy to do. Here, we present one reliable, user-friendly, highly customizable, and cost-effective solution. The web-based application, SurveySignal, integrates the idea of using short message service SMS messages as signals and reminders, according to fixed or random schedules and of linking these signals to mobile surveys designed with common online survey software. We describe the method and customizable parameters and then present evaluation results from nine social-psychological studies conducted with SurveySignal overall N = 1,852. Mean response rates averaged 77% and the median response delay to signals was 8 min. An experimental manipulation of the reminder signal in one study showed that installing a reminder SMS led to a 10% increase in response rates. Next to advantages and limitations of the SMS approach, we discuss how ecologically valid research methods such as smartphone experience sampling can enrich psychological research.
A Study of Wind Direction Signals in WindSat Linearly Polarized Channels

The atmosphere has a significant effect on Wind- Sat measured brightnesses, particularly the linearly polarized channels. Due to the large size of these effects, measurement of the small azimuthal wind direction signal in the linearly polarized channels can be extremely difficult, and these channels are largely excluded or de-emphasized in current wind direction retrieval algorithms. In this work, attempts to determine the amplitudes of wind direction signals in WindSat linearly polarized channels are reported through a simple data binning procedure. Knowledge of these amplitudes as a function of environmental parameters will provide a first step in developing future wind direction retrieval algorithms that improve use of the linearly polarized channels. Several choices of the ground-truth data used in the binning process are examined, and the statistical significance of the harmonics obtained with each is quantified. Azimuthal harmonic coefficients using ground truth information from WindSat EDR 1.8.1 are found to be the most significant for moderate water vapor cases. The resulting dependence of the azimuthal harmonics on atmospheric parameters is investigated, and attempts to express this dependence in terms of atmospheric attenuation are described.
A Taxonomy, Dataset, and Classifier for Automatic Noun Compound Interpretation

The automatic interpretation of noun-noun compounds is an important subproblem within many natural language processing applications and is an area of increasing interest. The problem is difficult, with disagreement regarding the number and nature of the relations, low inter-annotator agreement, and limited annotated data. In this paper, we present a novel taxonomy of relations that integrates previous relations, the largest publicly-available annotated dataset, and a supervised classification method for automatic noun compound interpretation.
Dynamic and adaptive updates of non-quiescent subsystems in commodity operating system kernels

Continuously running systems require kernel software updates applied to them without downtime. Facilitating fast reboots, or delaying an update may not be a suitable solution in many environments, especially in pay-per-use high-performance computing clusters and mission critical systems. Such systems will not reap the benefits of new kernel features, and will continue to operate with kernel security holes unpatched, at least until the next scheduled maintenance downtime. To address these problems we developed an on-the-fly kernel updating system that enables commodity operating systems to gain adaptive and mutative capabilities without kernel recompilation or reboot. Our system, DynAMOS, employs a novel and efficient dynamic code instrumentation technique termed adaptive function cloning. Execution flow can be switched adaptively among multiple editions of functions, possibly concurrently running. This approach becomes the foundation for dynamic replacement of non-quiescent kernel subsystems when the timeliness of an update depends on synchronization of multiple kernel paths. We illustrate our experience by dynamically updating core subsystems of the Linux kernel.
Kondo effect in 3d-host ferromagnetic Sm1−xCexMn2Ge2

Lattice, Ce L3-edge, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistivity results on polycrystalline Sm1−xCexMn2Ge2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) compound series are presented. The lattice parameters a and c increase almost linearly with the increase of Ce concentration x. The Ce-L3 X-ray absorption spectra indicate that the Ce in this series is nearly trivalent, and Ce valence decreases slightly with the increase of Ce concentration x. Magnetic susceptibility results indicate that the antiferromagnetic (AF) phase in the re-entrant ferromagnetic compound, SmMn2Ge2, is completely destroyed by merely 1.1% Ce for Sm substitution. For x > 0.011, only ferromagnetic (FM) phases exist below room temperature. It is found that in these materials Ce Kondo scattering coexists with the 3d-host FM fields and is also effectively weakened by such fields. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Bounce and Double Trill Songs of Male and Female Western Screech-Owls: Characterization and Usefulness for Classification of Sex

Abstract Both sexes of adult Western Screech-Owls (Otus kennicottii) sing in response to playback of conspecific song within their territories. Two primary songs are the bounce and double trill. Using sonographic analysis of tape-recorded vocalizations, our study quantified characteristics of bounce and double trill songs uttered by individuals within a population of Western Screech-Owls inhabiting riparian woodlands in southwestern Idaho. We asked if songs of males and females differed and, if so, how accurately could songs be classified by sex. On average, male bounce songs were ∼30% lower in frequency than bounce songs of females, but song duration, note duration, number of notes per bout, and internote duration did not differ. Similarly, double trill songs of males were significantly lower in frequency than those of females, and double trill songs uttered by females had significantly greater internote distances in the leading portion. A discriminant model based on frequency at maximum amplitude of bou...
BEHAVIORAL TESTS FOR A POSSIBLE CONTACT SEX PHEROMONE IN THE CARIDEAN SHRIMP PALAEMONETES PUGIO

Abstract Stimuli involved in sexual attraction to and recognition of receptive females by males were investigated in the shrimp Palaemonetes pugio. Newly molted, prespawning (postmolt parturial) females are receptive and attractive to males. Males that make physical contact with a postmolt parturial female, usually with the long antennal flagella, react immediately and dramatically with copulatory behavior. Experiments using females sealed in glass containers suggest that visual stimuli are not important in mate recognition. To test the role of cuticular texture in sex attraction, males were exposed to females and males of different molting and reproductive states; copulatory responses were recorded. Males copulated with postmolt parturial females in a majority of replicates. Newly molted but nonparturial females, as well as newly molted males, evoked little copulatory response from males. Thus, the soft texture of a newly molted cuticle does not appear important in sex attraction. The duration of attract...
Microfabrication techniques for producing freestanding multi-dimensional microstructures

Freestanding microstructures are widely used as components in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) applications or its functions as a microdevice itself. Microfabrication techniques and materials were originally borrowed from the integrated circuit industry; but nowadays, various microfabrication techniques for producing multi-dimensional microstructures are developed with lots of available alternative materials. To obtain freestanding microstructures for assembling MEMS devices, sacrificial layer and release techniques are developed to release the fabricated microcomponents from substrate. This review presents a detailed description of current existing microfabrication and release techniques, fabrication structural and sacrificial material, and achieved multi-dimensional microstructures.