cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of fatigue damage on the force required to remove a restoration in a cement-retained implant system.

Purpose: To evaluate the luting agents and retentive forces before and after mechanical stressing. Materials and Methods: Sample size N was 12 for each group, and 12 Cera-One closed-end gold cylinders were cemented with three types of luting cements (ImProv, UltraTemp, and TempBond). The force required to remove the gold cylinders from the abutments was determined with an MTS testing machine. After cleaning and recementing the cylinders, the samples were placed in the housings of an Alabama-type three-body wear machine and load of 110 N was applied to the gold cylinders at a frequency of 80 cycles/min for 50,000 cycles. Then each cylinder was pulled from its abutment and the force at which the failure occurred was recorded. The procedure was repeated with 300,000 cycles. Results: Statistical analysis arising from two-way ANOVA found that the forces required to remove the abutments were significantly different. The most retentive cement was ImProv. Before cyclic loading, on average, ImProv produced a retentive value 85% higher than that yielded by TempBond, and 25% higher than that of UltraTemp. The three cements were significantly different at each of the three cycle levels. Conclusions: These results might suggest TempBond luting agent as the material of choice for provisional cementation because it allows easier removal of the prosthesis and maintains enough retention to prevent loosening of the restoration. The clinical implication is that the effect of cyclic load on the strength of the cements is different, an important factor in selection of a cement. ImProv had the highest retentive value before and after the two cycles, and TempBond had the lowest. UltraTemp had the highest percentage of retentive value lost. TempBond had no significant loss under loading even though initially it was the weakest.
Solution of some parabolic inverse problems by homotopy analysis method

In this paper, three types of parabolic inverse problems are solved by homotopy analysis method (HAM). In order to solve these types of problems, an overspecified boundary condition is given. There are advantages to using HAM, firstly it is independent of small/large physical parameters, there is always a guarantee of convergence; there is flexibility on the choice of base function and initial guess of solution and lastly there is great generality. The numerical results obtained from this method indicate high accuracy and a strong rate of convergence.
Mössbauer, EXAFS, and X-ray diffraction study of Fe3+ clusters in MgO:Fe and magnesiowüstite (Mg,Fe)1−xO-evidence for specific cluster geometries

Mossbauer and EXAFS analysis of Fe3+-doped MgO rapidly quenched from 1200° C have yielded octahedral/tetrahedral Fe3+ site occupancy ratios which are used to place constraints on the possible defect cluster geometries. The data suggest the samples contain a range of defect aggregates consisting of combinations of basic dimer and trimer units (octahedral Fe3+ ions coupled to 1 or 2 cation vacancies) and variations about the “4-1” cluster motif. (Four cation vacancies surrounding one interstitial Fe3+.) The groupings are consistent with lattice-energy calculations for defect clusters in both FeO and MgO, the observed sample colour, and prior TEM and ED observations of defect ordering in quenched wustite. Low-temperature annealing of the samples results in cluster growth and changes in the Mossbauer spectrum attributable to production of magnesioferritelike aggregates. The colour of the samples after annealing is indicative of grouping of magnetically interactive octahedral Fe3+ ions such as would be present in spinel nuclei. X-ray diffraction structure factor measurements of magnesiowustite with 70 cation % Fe/(Fe+Mg) yield defect-concentration ratios similar to those observed in MgO and wustite. This indicates that initial clustering of Fe3+ ions and cation vacancies probably results in similar structures throughout the MgO-FeO-Fe2O3 system.
On multidimensional data and modern disks

With the deeply-ingrained notion that disks can efficiently access only one dimensional data, current approaches for mapping multidimensional data to disk blocks either allow efficient accesses in only one dimension, trading off the efficiency of accesses in other dimensions, or equally penalize access to all dimensions. Yet, existing technology and functions readily available inside disk firmware can identify non-contiguous logical blocks that preserve spatial locality of multidimensional datasets. These blocks, which span on the order of a hundred adjacent tracks, can be accessed with minimal positioning cost. This paper details these technologies, analyzes their trends, and shows how they can be exposed to applications while maintaining existing abstractions. The described approach can achieve the best possible access efficiency afforded by the disk technologies: sequential access along primary dimension and access with minimal positioning cost for all other dimensions. Experimental evaluation of a prototype implementation demonstrates a reduction of overall I/O time for multi-dimensional data queries between 30% and 50% when compared to existing approaches.
Fabrication of biologically based microstructure composites for vacuum field emission

Abstract A multidisciplinary approach to the fabrication of biologically based microstructure composites for vacuum field emission is described. Diacetylenic lipid 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynol)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC 8.9 PC) was self-assembled to form hollow cylindrical tubules approximately 0.5 μm in average diameter and 50–80 μm long. Following the deposition of nickel on the inner and outer tubule surfaces by an electroless plating method, the nickel-plated tubules were magnetically aligned in an epoxy matrix to form a composite material. Subsequent selective removal of the matrix provided a composite base template of oriented exposed tubules. The tubule template was coated with a thin sputtered gold film to provide the surface electrical contact. The resultant microstructures demonstrated vacuum field emission of current I > 10 μ A at relatively low applied macroscopic electric fields (about 60–150 kV cm −1 ).
Hatching in the toad Xenopus laevis: Morphological events and evidence for a hatching enzyme

Abstract The hatching process in embryos of the toad Xenopus laevis consists of two temporally distinct phases. In phase 1, the embryo escapes sequentially from the two outermost jelly layers, J3 and J2, and during phase 2 the embryo hatches from the last remaining jelly coat layer J1 and the fertilization envelope. Phase 1 hatching appears to be a physical process caused by water inbibition of jelly coat layer J1 and dynamic changes in the volume enclosed by the fertilization envelope. The combined turgor pressure ruptures jelly coat layers J3 and J2. The subsequent phase 2 hatching is a result of both physical and chemical processes. Phase 1 hatching exposes layer J1 to the medium which, in contrast to jelly layers J2 and J3 is partially soluble, and permits its gradual dissolution during Phase 2. The embryo secretes a proteolytic enzyme from the frontal region which partially digests the fertilization envelope; subsequent embryo movement ruptures the weakened envelope and completes the hatching process.
DIABATIC AND ADIABATIC REPRESENTATIONS FOR ATOMIC COLLISION PROBLEMS.

The equations of the general Born-Oppenheimer separation into electronic and heavy-particle coordinates are re-examined, and the coupled equations that result for the heavy-particle motion are expressed in a particularly simple form. This is accomplished by introducing a generalized matrix operator for the effective momentum associated with the heavy particles; the matrix portion of this operator represents a coupling of the nuclear momentum with the electronic motion. The commutator between the momentum and potential matrices is a force matrix, which provides an alternative means of evaluating the momentum matrix. The momentum coupling has both radial and angular parts; the angular momentum coupling agrees with Thorson's expression. In the usual adiabatic molecular representation, the potential energy matrix is diagonalized, and all the coupling is thrown into the radial and angular momentum matrices. For collision problems it is often more important to diagonalize the radial momentum matrix, putting the radial off-diagonal coupling into the potential matrix; this generates a family of diabatic representations, the most important of which dissociates to unique separated atom states. This standard diabatic representations has the properties called for by Lichten, is uniquely defined even with the inclusion of configuration interaction, and leads immediately to the Landau-Zener-Stueckelberg limiting case under appropriate conditions.
A longitudinal investigation of infant auditory sensitivity.

The behavioral evaluation of hearing in very young infants has been fraught with procedural and interpretive problems. Despite the introduction of current physiological techniques of estimating hea...
EFFECT OF FLUROXENE (FLUOROMAR®) ON ACID‐BASE BALANCE IN MAN

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Es wurden Serienblutabnahmen ohne Luftzutritt bei 30 Patienten vorgenommen, bei denen grossere abdominelle Operationen in genau prazisierter Flurexene-Stickoxydul-Narkose durchgefuhrt wurden. Das pH, PCO2 und PO2 wurden in jeder Blutprobe mit Hilfe des Epsco-Medical-Blood-Parameter-Analyser gemessen, einer kompakten Einheit mit konstantem Temperaturbad, pH-Messer, Sauerstoffspannungselektrode und Kohlesaurespannungselektrode, und somit anwendbar fur rasche Serienblutanalysen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Messungen zeigen, dass Flurexene-Anaesthesie keine Storungen im Saure-Basen-Gleichgewicht wahrend grosser chirurgischer Operationen verursacht. Flurexene besitzt obendrein die fur den klinischen Gebrauch wesentlichen Merkmale eines zufriedenstellenden Narkotikums. Der einzige Nachteil, der es nicht fur jede Art der Anaesthesie verwendbar macht, ist die Tatsache, dass es in der Nahe der fur mittlere Narkosetiefe erforderlichen Konzentrationsbereiche entflammbar ist. Doch davon abgesehen scheint es fur den Allgemeingebrauch wertvoll zu sein.
Biomass torrefaction: modeling of volatile and solid product evolution kinetics.

Abstract The aim of this work is the development of a kinetics model for the evolution of the volatile and solid product composition during torrefaction conditions between 200 and 300 °C. Coupled to an existing two step solid mass loss kinetics mechanism, this model describes the volatile release kinetics in terms of a set of identifiable chemical components, permitting the solid product composition to be estimated by mass conservation. Results show that most of the volatiles released during the first stage include highly oxygenated species such as water, acetic acid, and carbon dioxide, while volatiles released during the second step are composed primarily of lactic acid, methanol, and acetic acid. This kinetics model will be used in the development of a model to describe reaction energy balance and heat release dynamics.
The Association between Language and Symbolic Play at Two Years: Evidence from Deaf Toddlers

The association between expressive language and symbolic play was investigated in 3 groups of 2-year-olds: deaf children with hearing parents (dH), deaf children with deaf parents (dD), and hearing children with hearing parents (hH). (Each group included 6 girls and 4 boys.) 3 language-level groups were defined. The highest group was well into the vocabulary “explosion” and frequently produced multiword/sign utterances; a middle group was beginning the period of vocabulary expansion and occasionally produced utterances of more than 1 word/sign; a third group produced single word/sign utterances only, and had a limited vocabulary. Hearing status was associated with duration of symbolic play (deaf > hearing). Higher language levels were associated with more canonically sequenced and preplanned play, even when language delays were due to exogenous factors.
Position-Invariant Neural Network for Digital Pavement Crack Analysis

This paper presents an integrated neural network-based crack imaging system to classify crack types of digital pavement images. The system includes 3 neural networks (NNs): 1) image based, 2) histogram based, and 3) proximity based. These 3 NNs were developed to classify various crack types based on the subimages (crack tiles) rather than crack pixels in digital pavement images. The spatial NNs were trained using artificially generated data following the Federal Highway Administration guidelines. The optimal architecture of each NN was determined based on the testing results from different sets of the number of hidden units, learning coefficients, and the number of training epochs. To validate the system, actual pavement pictures taken from pavements as well as the computer-generated data were used. The proximity value is determined by computing relative distribution of crack tiles within the image. The proximity-based NN effectively searches the patterns of various crack types in both horizontal and vertical directions while maintaining its position invariance. Results indicate that the proximity-based NN produced the best result with accuracy of 95.2% despite its simplest NN structure with the least computing requirement.
Pulmonary isogravimetric capillary pressures in canine cardiogenic shock: effect of alpha adrenergic stimulation and blockade.

Abstract An isolated lung preparation was utilized to determine the isogravimetric capillary pressure ( P c c ) in five groups of dogs subjected to cardiogenic shock by the microembolization technique: (1) Controls; (2) cardiogenic-shocked controls; (3) cardiogenic shock treated with continuous infusion of norepinephrine to maintain a systolic arterial blood pressure of 90 mm Hg; (4) cardiogenic shock treated with 1 mg/kg phenoxybenzamine; and (5) cardiogenic shock in dogs previously made epinephrine tolerant. Three hours following shock the left lower lobe of the lung was excised and perfused with venous blood from the same animal at high flows with low venous pressures. Those pressures opposing net capillary filtration, isogravimetric capillary pressures, were determined in each lobe by altering arterial inflow and pulmonary venous outflow to maintain a constant weight. Isogravimetric capillary pressure in cardiogenicshocked dogs was elevated above controls 3 hr following cardiogenic shock. Treatment of cardiogenic-shocked dogs with an alpha adrenergic stimulating drug caused an increase in isogravimetric capillary pressure, whereas, treatment with an alpha adrenergic blocking drug and tolerance lowered the isogravimetric capillary pressure to values lower than cardiogenic shock. An elevated isogravimetric capillary pressure in the lung is associated with an increase in interstitial fluid formation. Alpha adrenergic blockade in cardiogenic shock could prevent this accumulation of interstitial fluid and thus the rise in isogravimetric capillary pressure. Possible mechanisms of pulmonary edema formation and elevated isogravimetric capillary pressures in cardiogenic-shocked dogs are discussed.
Formation of aluminum nitride during cryomilling of NiAl

Prealloyed NiAl powders were milled in liquid nitrogen, a process known as cryomilling. The materials, formed by extrusion or hot isostatic pressing the cryomilled powders, exhibit higher creep strengths than unreinforced NiAl during slow strain rate compression testing. The increased strength was attributed to the presence of approximately 10 volume percent AlN particles which were dispersed along the NiAl prior particle boundaries. The presence of AlN particles within a NiAl matrix was not expected based on previous cryomilling work with oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) nickel and iron alloys by Petkovic-Luton and Vallone. The experiments of Luton, et al. on ODS aluminum alloys indicated that reactions between liquid nitrogen and aluminum were possible and led to Al(O,N) particles. The hypothesis of Lutton, et al. for the formation of the aluminum oxy-nitrides and the absence of AlN x-ray diffraction peaks in the spectra from as-cryomilled NiAl powders convinced researchers that: (1) the nitrogen exists as an interstitial or solid solution element in NiAl after cryomilling, and (2) AlN precipitates during subsequent thermomechanical processing of the powders. Recent work suggests that this hypothesis is not correct. In an effort to establish the nature of nitrogen in cryomilled NiAl, cryomilled powder particles have beenmore » subject to bulk chemical analyses, x-ray diffraction analyses, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Evidence supporting the existence of AlN formation on the surface of cryomilled NiAl powders is presented in this paper.« less
Problem‐solving abilities of participants with and without diffuse neurologic involvement

Background: Impaired problem solving is a frequent consequence of brain trauma and other conditions that result in diffuse neurologic involvement. Information about how individuals with diffuse neurologic involvement solve problems is important to the development of strategies designed to help them achieve the highest degree of independent living despite neuropsychological compromise, and may aid clinical decision making in general. Aims: To examine and compare problem‐solving abilities of participants with and without diffuse neurologic involvement. Methods & Procedures: We used the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving test (RAPS; Marshall, Karow, Morelli, Iden, & Dixon, 2003a), a modification of Mosher and Hornsby's (1966) 20 Question task, to examine the problem‐solving abilities of two groups of neurologically intact (NI) participants and three groups of participants with diffuse neurologic involvement (DNI). The RAPS is a clinical test of problem‐solving abilities in which the client asks yes/no quest...
Maximum angle of horizontal strabismus consistent with true stereopsis.

Abstract Background We prospectively evaluated the performance of three stereoacuity tests in patients with a wide range of strabismus angles to determine the maximum angle of horizontal strabismus consistent with true stereopsis as well as the extent of false-positive results. Methods Subjects age ≥ 5 years old (n = 186) with constant horizontal strabismus were prospectively studied. Stereoacuity was measured using the Titmus Fly, Animals, and Circles tests; the original Preschool Randot test; and the Frisby test. We defined a false-positive result as any positive response to a stereoacuity test when a patient had > 20 prism diopters (PD) of deviation. Based on the results from our previous study of monocularly patched adults, we then defined a true-positive result as Titmus circles five to nine, at least 400“ on the original Preschool Randot test, or a pass on the Frisby test. Data were then analyzed to determine a maximum deviation consistent with true stereopsis. Results False-positive results occurred with Titmus Fly (6%), Titmus Animals (10%), Titmus Circles (35%), and the 800 seconds of arc (”) level of the original Preschool Randot test (10%). No false-positive results were seen with the Frisby test. Applying the criteria for a true-positive result, we found that no patient with > 10 PD of deviation had true stereopsis. The two patients with 10 PD and 6 PD deviations could not subsequently pass the Frisby test and were therefore deemed not to have true stereopsis. We concluded that the threshold for true stereopsis may be as low as 4 PD of horizontal deviation. Conclusion In summary, the Titmus Fly, Titmus Animals, and Titmus Circles (the first four circles) tests possess monocular clues that limit their usefulness for clinical testing. The Frisby test is particularly useful for rapid assessment of whether stereopsis is present or absent. The new Preschool Randot test is valuable for quantifying stereopsis in both children and adults. True stereopsis may be rare when a patient has a horizontal deviation > 4 PD.
Walking Modulates Speed Sensitivity in Drosophila Motion Vision

Changes in behavioral state modify neural activity in many systems. In some vertebrates such modulation has been observed and interpreted in the context of attention and sensorimotor coordinate transformations. Here we report state-dependent activity modulations during walking in a visual-motor pathway of Drosophila. We used two-photon imaging to monitor intracellular calcium activity in motion-sensitive lobula plate tangential cells (LPTCs) in head-fixed Drosophila walking on an air-supported ball. Cells of the horizontal system (HS)--a subgroup of LPTCs--showed stronger calcium transients in response to visual motion when flies were walking rather than resting. The amplified responses were also correlated with walking speed. Moreover, HS neurons showed a relatively higher gain in response strength at higher temporal frequencies, and their optimum temporal frequency was shifted toward higher motion speeds. Walking-dependent modulation of HS neurons in the Drosophila visual system may constitute a mechanism to facilitate processing of higher image speeds in behavioral contexts where these speeds of visual motion are relevant for course stabilization.
Clonal micropropagation of mature Larix

Adventitious buds were developed in vitro from stems of elongating short shoots of mature European larch (Larix deciduaMill.). Tissue culture propagule populations thus generated, were similarly remultiplied in vitro. Elongation and rooting were routine. No vitreous or otherwise abnormal shoots were noted.
Optimierung eines adiabatischen kalorimeters zur genauen messung von wahren spezifischen wärmen schlecht wärmeleitender substanzen

Zusammenfassung Die genaue Messung von spezifischen Warmen schlecht warmeleitender Stoffe bereitet gewisse Schwierigkeiten, da bei solchen Substanzen schon kleine Warmestrome zu relativ grossen Temperaturgradienten fuhren; ausserdem erfolgt ein Temperaturausgleich verhaltnismassig langsam. Beide Einflusse sind ausschlaggebend dafur, welches Messverfahren angewendet werden kann. Sie stellen zusatzliche Bedingungen, die bei der Dimensionierung des Kalorimeters und der Wahl der Versuchsbedingungen beachtet bzw. eingehalten werden mussen. Auf diese wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit naher eingegangen. In diesem Zusammenhang wird eine Losung der Warmeleitungsgleichung fur das Temperaturfeld in einer von innen unter konstanter Heizleistung aufgeheizten und aussen adiabatisch abgeschirmten Hohlkugel bei vorgegebener Anfangstemperaturverteilung mitgeteilt.
A comparison of fitting growth models with a genetic algorithm and nonlinear regression

A genetic algorithm (GA), an optimization procedure based on the theory of evolution, was compared with nonlinear regression for the ability of the 2 algorithms to fit the coefficients of poultry growth models. It was hypothesized that the nonlinear approach of using GA to define the parameters of growth equations would better fit the growth equations than the use of nonlinear regression. Two sets of growth data from the literature, consisting of male broiler BW grown for 168 and 170 d, were used in the study. The growth data were fit to 2 forms of the logistic model, the Gompertz, the Gompertz-Laird, and the saturated kinetic models using the SAS nonlinear algorithm (NLIN) procedure and a GA. There were no statistical differences for the comparison of the residuals (the difference between observed and predicted BWs) of growth models fit by a GA or nonlinear regression. The plotted residuals for the nonlinear regression and GA-determined growth values confirmed observations of others that the residuals have oscillations resembling sine waves that are not represented by the growth models. It was found that GA could successfully determine the coefficients of growth equations. A disadvantage of slowness in converging to the solution was found for the GA. The advantage of GA over traditional nonlinear regression is that only ranges need be specified for the parameters of the growth equations, whereas estimates of the coefficients need to be determined, and in some programs the derivatives of the growth equations need to be identified. Depending on the goal of the research, solving multivariable complex functions with an algorithm that considers several solutions at the same time in an evolutionary mode can be considered an advantage especially where there is a chance for the solution to converge on a local optimum when a global optimum is desired. It was concluded that the fitting of the growth equations was not so much a problem with the fitting methodology as it is with the form of the equation.
Polymorphism of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate stimulation in rat erythrocytes.

Significant differences were found in the cyclic 3´,5´-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in (-)-isoproterenol-stimulated rat erythrocytes. The BN strain had the highest level (13.1 ± 1.29 pmol cAMP/10 mg Hb) and the LEW strain had the lowest cAMP level (3.29 ± 1.76 pmol cAMP/10 mg Hb) in the erythrocytes. The high levels were inherited in three intercrosses in a dominant fashion. The results of the back-cross breeding suggested diallelic inheritance. However, the polygenic effect was not ruled out.
Nature of the constant-loss dielectric response of various crystals and glasses

For a wide range of crystalline materials and glasses, it has been shown that, at low temperatures, the ac conductivity σ(ω) is proportional to frequency ω, corresponding to a loss per cycle that is independent of frequency. This paper explores the features of this constant-loss behavior, showing that it is a truly bulk phenomenon, that it is only slowly dependent on temperature (i.e., not activated) and, in the case of glasses, that it does not give rise to a mixed alkali effect. The “pair approximation” model with hopping over an asymmetric barrier is fitted to some of the results, but doubts remain as to whether this model is appropriate for systems with low defect concentrations.
Neurological complications of ankle arthroscopy

A retrospective review of the first 612 patients undergoing consecutive ankle arthroscopy in the practices of two experienced arthroscopists was under-taken. All inpatient records, outpatient charts, and operative reports were reviewed. Indications for surgery included pain, swelling, locking, and instability that failed to respond to nonoperative management. The results of our investigation revealed an overall complication rate of 9.0% (55 complications). There were 27 neurological complications (4.4% of all arthroscopies) accounting for 49.1% of the complications noted. Specifically, the superficial peroneal nerve was injured in 15 cases, the sural nerve in 6, the saphenous nerve in 5, and the deep peroneal nerve in 1. All nerve injuries occurred through direct injury by portal or distractor pin placement. No cases of neurological injury caused by tourniquet compression or compartment syndrome were seen. Also, 1 case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was identified.
The angular disclination

Similarly to the angular dislocation introduced by Yoffe, the angular disclination is a basic configuration that is suitable for generating polygonal loops by superposition. The displacements in an unbounded elastic material are given and the generation of closed loops discussed.
Stages of Consistent Condom Use, Partner Intimacy, Condom Use Attitude, and Self-Efficacy in African-American Crack Cocaine Users

This study examined how condom use attitude, self-efficacy, and partner intimacy related to five stages of consistent condom use. Interview data were collected from sexually active, heterosexual, African-American crack cocaine smokers (N = 366). Dependent measures assessed both the participants’ own responses and their perceptions about their last sex partner’s own personal condom use attitude and participants’ condom use self-efficacy expectations. Partner intimacy was assessed both as a continuous attitudinal and as a discrete relationship measure. Less than 10% were classified as consistent condom users. Two thirds of inconsistent users were in the Precontemplation (PC) stage. The contemplation (C) and preparation (P) stages were equal among the remainder of the inconsistent condom users. Higher partner intimacy reduced modestly readiness for consistent condom use. The stage but not the intimacy group was related to the condom use attitudes and self-efficacy measures. Last partners’ perceived own negative attitudes were significantly related to the stages of consistent condom use and was especially low in the action (A) and maintenance (M) stages. Participants’ own negative attitudes were unrelated to the stages. Of the self-efficacy measures, both participants’ performance and situational condom use self-efficacies increased significantly after the PC stage and were highest in the P, A, and M stages. However, situational self-efficacy accounted for most of performance self-efficacy variance. In sum, consistent condom use was rare. A partner’s attitudes and the participants’ own situational self-efficacy expectations, rather than intimacy, determined the readiness to adopt consistent condom use.
Decreased Calmodulin Kinase Activity After Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus was induced in paralyzed, ventilated rats using bicuculline and was maintained for 50 to 120 minutes. Cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum were assayed for calmodulin kinase II activity in vitro using [γ-32P]ATP and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Seizures resulted in a 3.2 fold decrease in calmodulin kinase activity in crude synaptic membranes of cortex and in a 8.2 fold decrease in hippocampal membranes. Cytosolic calmodulin kinase activity was slightly increased in rats in status epilepticus but statistical significance was not reached. Status epilepticus did not affect calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase activity in cerebellar membranes or cytosol. These data suggest that intense firing associated with continuous seizure activity decreases calmodulin kinase activity in cortical and hippocampal synaptic membranes, which may result in altered neuronal excitability.
Dual Second- and Third-Order Translog Models of Production

Monte Carlo evidence indicates that translog cost and profit models are generally incapable of accurately characterizing the underlying production technology. In order to discriminate between tracking difficulties caused by truncation of important high-order terms and errors in variable bias, Monte Carlo experiments are performed with secondand third-order cost and production models, using data generated with and without measurement error. The results suggest that it is errors in variables bias and not the translog specification, which is largely responsible for the poor tracking performances noted previously.
The Response of the Indo-Pacific Throughflow to Interannual Variations in the Pacific Wind Stress. Part I: Idealized Geometry and Variations

Abstract The effect of interannual variations in the Pacific wind stress on the barotropic and baroclinic components of the flow between the Pacific and Indian Oceans through the Indonesian Archipelago, the Indo-Pacific Throughflow, is investigated using a numerical ocean general circulation model (GCM) with a simplified geometry. In agreement with the modified Island Rule, variations in the depth-integrated throughflow are generated by zonal wind stress variations over the Pacific at the latitudes of the tips of the Australian continent, assuming the Pacific basin is flat bottomed. Wind stress variations at other latitudes generate variations in the depth-integrated transport only if they produce a depth-integrated pressure drop along the oceanic eastern boundary through the archipelago. From the Island Rule, alongshore wind stress variations on the west coasts of Australia and South America produce direct variations, but the observed signal is weak at interannual periods. Baroclinic variations in the th...
Apollo, sudden death, and Homer's "Odyssey": a warning from the past that we may be unable to eradicate coronary artery disease.

Over recent years there has been a gratifying decrease in the incidence of recorded deaths from coronary artery disease in the Western world. The common view is that coronary artery disease is a recent phenomenon, that we have been subject to an epidemic in the mid-20th century that is now tailing off, and that with appropriate risk modification we may eradicate this disease or make it very rare. However, this article examines the cases of sudden, nontraumatic death described in Homer's Odyssey , which dates from c. 800 BCE. The results suggest that a high incidence of death from coronary artery disease may not be a recent phenomenon. Together with other described evidence, this study casts doubt on the view that coronary artery disease is a modern epidemic that can be eradicated.
Anti-apoptotic protein survivin plays a significant role in tubular morphogenesis of human coronary arteriolar endothelial cells by hypoxic preconditioning

Brief exposure of endothelial cells to oxidative stress induced by hypoxia followed by reoxygenation enhances tube formation. Our study provides evidence that hypoxic preconditioning accelerates tubular morphogenesis along with the activation of reactive oxygen species-inducible nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and broad-spectrum anti-apoptotic protein survivin in human coronary arteriolar endothelial cells (HCAEC). The formation of tubular morphogenesis was inhibited by using the PI3-kinase and NF-κB antagonists LY294002 and SN50 respectively. The activation of survivin by hypoxic preconditioning was also inhibited by LY294002 and SN50 along with increased apoptosis in HCAEC. These data demonstrate a crucial role of PI3-kinase/Akt/NF-κB/survivin signaling in tubular morphogenesis of HCAEC triggered by hypoxic preconditioning.
Structure of the ambient temperature alkali metal molten salt AlCl3/LiSCN

The structure of the ambient temperature alkali metal molten salt system LiSCN/AlCl3 1:1 adduct was investigated by neutron diffraction, which demonstrates that the aluminum atom is surrounded by three chlorine atoms and one nitrogen atom, indicating the existence of the AlCl3NCS− anion, in which the NCS− coordinates to the Al center through nitrogen. Molecular orbital calculations using ab initio methods are also performed to study the optimized structures of the AlCl3NCS− and its isomer, AlCl3SCN−. The results are consistent with the neutron diffraction data and indicate that AlCl3NCS− is the major anionic complex in the 1:1 LiSCN/AlCl3 adduct.
Light Stimulated Biosynthesis of Gibberellins in Fusarium moniliforme

THE effect of light on gibberellin metabolism in plants has been variously interpreted. It has been, suggested that native gibberellins in Pisum sativum are either destroyed, their synthesis inhibited or tissue rendered less responsive to endogenous gibberellins after visible radiation.1,2. Zweig and DeVay observed that cultures of Fusarium moniliforme maintained in the light produced more gibberellic acid than those kept in the dark3. Kohler has demonstrated that pea seedlings grown in red light possess more than ten times as much gibberellin activity as plants grown in the dark and that the biosynthesis is influenced by the phytochrome system4,5. We report evidence that light promotes gibberellin biosynthesis in F. moniliforme, which corroborates the findings of Kohler. Furthermore, evidence will be presented which indicates that dark-grown stock cultures exposed to light for 48 h (80 ft.-candles) can perceive the light stimulus and then promote gibberellin biosynthesis in dark-grown shake cultures.
Alternative Small-Cap Stock Benchmarks

With continuing interest in the small–cap stock anomaly and in the size–related style of investing, several financial services firms have created size–related stock indexes intended to measure the risk–return results for these stocks. The authors compare the alternative benchmarks, and provide updated risk–return results for the small–cap sector. They note some differences among the small–cap stock benchmarks, but mainly show there are strong similarities among them. The updated risk–adjusted performance results indicate that small–cap stocks lag other asset classes, and there are major differences in interest rate sensitivity. Finally, there have been significant changes in the correlations and risk measures over time; notable are weaker trends in the correlations with large–cap stocks and in the systematic risk (beta) of the small–cap stocks.
Enhanced smart window based on electrochromic (EC) polymers

A large contrast ratio and rapid switching EC polymer device which consists of a laminated two-layer structure between two electrodes was prepared. The new design consists of an ITO glass electrode, a cathodic EC polymer film, a gel electrolyte and a counter-electrode that replaces the anodic EC polymer and ITO electrode. Several types of EC polymers, such as, poly[3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno(3,4-b)(1,4)dioxepine] (PProDOT-(CH3)2) and poly[3,4-(2,2-dimethylpropylenedioxy)-pyrrole] (PProDOP-(CH3)2) were synthesized as cathodic EC polymers. A carbon-based counter-electrode was prepared for comparison with an Au-based counter-electrode. Screen-printing was utilized for the carbon-based counter-electrode. Lithography and sputtering were used for the Au patterned glass counter-electrodes. Several kinds of polymer gel electrolytes were prepared for solid-state applications. Color change of high contrast ratio of visible light transmittance (>ΔΤ55%)of the device is rapidly obtained (0.5-1s) when even less than 2.5V is applied. The repeatability of color changeable EC polymer windows was estimated by the method of electrochemistry and spectrophotometry. This "smart window" technology can be used in many applications where a rapid color change between transparent and color states is required.
Burning velocities of the hydrogen peroxide decomposition flame

Abstract Burning velocities of the hydrogen peroxide decomposition flame have been measured by the bunsen burner method at pressures between 0·5 and 1 atmosphere. The flame reaction follows approximately first order kinetics with an activation energy of 35 kcal/mole, and shows general agreement with the mechanism and kinetics of the homogeneous non-flame reaction. A single plot of the logarithm of the product of the square of the burning velocity and the pressure versus the reciprocal flame temperature correlated the data obtained here at all pressures and also burning velocities above liquid solutions of hydrogen peroxide. This covers a 200-fold range of burning velocity. The burning velocity was also correlated with quenching distance.
Theory, practice and the magic bullet

In 1980 instruction librarians questioned the need to learn the theory behind research as well as the mechanics of library research. Student research is now much more complex, but the same need to understand the theory and the mechanics still exists.
Ferroelectric phase shifters for electronically steerable antenna systems

It is shown that ferroelectric phase shifters for electronically steerable antenna systems can be realized by using an appropriate composition (e.g., Ba/sub 0.45/Sr/sub 0.55/TiO/sub 3/) of barium strontium titanate material in a suitable transmission line medium (waveguide, coaxial line, or microstrip line). Ferroelectric phase shifters will have several advantages over other types of phase shifters, including high power handling capacity, simple driver circuitry, low drive power, and low cost. Because of the large variation (more than 50%) of dielectric constant with DC biasing voltage, the development of low-loss tangent materials due to the addition of small quantities of Fe or Hi or Mn, and sol-gel processing of ultrapure and fine ceramic powders, (Ba-Sr)TiO/sub 3/ materials are particularly suitable for ferroelectric phase shifter applications. >
The use of negative printing and attributed-token state modeling character recognition

This article proposed a new scheme for presenting and recognizing of printed character. The method employs the concept of negative painting i.e. uses surrounding pieces of information as feature elements instead of analyzing the target character directly. Curvature continuity is first parameterize as one of six symbolic consistencies (feature primitives). Then, surrounding pieces are represented as attributed-token state sequences (ATS-sequences) of symbolic consistencies. The advantage of the proposed ATS-sequences is that it converts characters into token-sequences without losing their structural uniqueness wherein the classification can be done by a computational hierarchical classifier. >
Epistasis among Drosophila persimilis factors conferring hybrid male sterility with D. pseudoobscura bogotana.

The Bateson-Dobzhansky-Muller model posits that hybrid incompatibilities result from genetic changes that accumulate during population divergence. Indeed, much effort in recent years has been devoted to identifying genes associated with hybrid incompatibilities, often with limited success, suggesting that hybrid sterility and inviability are frequently caused by complex interactions between multiple loci and not by single or a small number of gene pairs. Our previous study showed that the nature of epistasis between sterility-conferring QTL in the Drosophila persimilis-D. pseudoobscura bogotana species pair is highly specific. Here, we further dissect one of the three QTL underlying hybrid male sterility between these species and provide evidence for multiple factors within this QTL. This result indicates that the number of loci thought to contribute to hybrid dysfunction may have been underestimated, and we discuss how linkage and complex epistasis may be characteristic of the genetics of hybrid incompatibilities. We further pinpoint the location of one locus that confers hybrid male sterility when homozygous, dubbed “mule-like”, to roughly 250 kilobases.
Courts, Reasons, and Rules

Professor Frederick Schauer's work on legal reasoning is an ideal subject for a collection of critical commentary because it focuses on variations on a single theme: rules and rule-like reasoning. Schauer is not, however, a johnny-one-note. His endorsement of rules is always contingent and contextual. Under some circumstances, he tells us, rules have a certain kind of utility. Schauer's defense of rules is a fox's defense, not a hedgehog' s. Thus, rather than attempt a global assessment of Schauer's views, I shall, in the spirit of his work, limit my commentary to one subject: the creation of rules by courts (as opposed to legislatures or other institutions). Although I am sympathetic to many of Schauer's views about rule-guided decision-making, I am dubious about Schauer's effort to break down the distinction between legislatures and courts. That effort continues a well-established project of legal realism; and like legal realism more generally, if accepted, Schauer's view would undermine the legitimacy of judicial decision-making. In my view, but apparently not in Schauer's, courts act with greater legitimacy when their opinions do not read like statutes.
LOCAL BUCKLING OF COMPOSITE FRP SHAPES BY DISCRETE PLATE ANALYSIS

An analytical study of local buckling of discrete laminated plates or panels of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) structural shapes is presented. Flanges of pultruded FRP shapes are modeled as discrete panels subjected to uniform axial in-plane loads. Two cases of composite plate analyses with different boundary con- ditions and elastic restraints on the unloaded edges are presented. By solving two transcendental equations simultaneously, the critical buckling stress resultant and the critical value of the number of buckled waves over the plate aspect ratio are obtained. Using this new solution technique and regression analysis, simplified ex- pressions for predictions of plate buckling stress resultants are efficiently formulated in terms of coefficients of boundary elastic restraints. The effects of restraint at the flange-web connection are considered, and explicit expressions for the coefficients of restraint for I- and box-sections are given; it is shown that actual cases lie between simply supported and fully restrained (clamped) conditions. The theoretical predictions show good agreement with experimental data and finite-element eigenvalue analyses for local buckling of FRP columns. In a similar manner, web plate elements of FRP shapes under in-plane shear loads are modeled with and without elastic restraints provided by the flange panels. The present formulation can be applied to several cases to determine local buckling capacities of laminated plates with elastic restraints along the unloaded edges and can be further used to predict the local buckling strength of FRP shapes, such as columns and beams.
Non-small-cell lung cancer and breast carcinoma: chemotherapy and beyond

Summary Early screening, adjuvant and sequential systemic treatment, and hormonal therapy have benefits in treatment of breast cancer. Management of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is progressing and will hopefully follow in the same footsteps as that of breast cancer. Only recently have clinical trials established adjuvant treatment as the standard of care in lung cancer. A growing number of effective cytotoxic and targeted agents have resulted in increased survival when used as sequential treatment in both breast cancer and NSCLC. The interaction between oestrogen receptors (ER) in the lung and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) suggests a potential role for endocrine manipulation in the treatment of NSCLC. This complex interaction involves several types of ER receptors and different signalling pathways. Interactions between tobacco and oestrogen confound the effects of exogenous oestrogens on risk of lung cancer, but not on that of breast cancer. The optimum application of hormonal manipulation to prevent or treat lung cancer will depend on a more-complete understanding of lung-specific ER signalling. Early trials have assessed the interaction between the ER and EGFR signalling.
Location, location: using functional magnetic resonance imaging to pinpoint brain differences relevant to stimulant use

Aims The purpose of this review is to summarize the neural substrate dysfunctions and disrupted cognitive, affective andexperientialprocessesobservedinmethamphetamineandcocaine-dependentindividuals.Methods Wereviewed all publications in PubMed that conducted comparison studies between healthy volunteers and cocaine-, amphetamine- or methamphetamine-dependent individuals using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results Stimulant dependence is characterized by a distributed alteration of functional activation to a number of experimental paradigms. Attenuated anterior and posterior cingulate activation, reduced inferior frontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation and altered posterior parietal activation point towards an inadequate demand-specific processing of information. Processes reported most consistently to be deficient in these functional neuroimaging studies include inhibitory control, executive functioning and decision-making. Conclusion One emerging theme is that stimulantdependent individuals show specific, rather than generic, brain activation differences, i.e. instead of showing more or lessbrainactivationregardlessof task,theyexhibitprocess-relatedbrainactivationdifferencesthatareconsistentwith a shift from context-specific, effortful processing to more stereotyped, habitual response generation.