cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic analysis of morphology in Prunus reveals extensive homoplasy

Prunus is a large and economically important genus with considerable morphological variation. The evolution of vegetative and reproductive characters are examined here by parsimony reconstruction on trees obtained from data of ITS, trnL-trnF, trnS-trnG, and 25 morphological characters of 37 species of Prunus and representatives of eight other genera of Rosaceae. Prunus grayana is supported as the sister species to the rest of Prunus and the common ancestor of Prunus is reconstructed as having deciduous and serrated leaves, leafy racemes and fruit with well-developed pericarp. All diagnostic characters used in classification of the raceme-bearing species show some degree of convergent evolution and do not reflect phylogenetic relatedness. Some character states, such as evergreen foliage and entire leaf margin, are likely adaptations to environments with higher humidity and mean temperature. However, these hypotheses need to be tested by including species formerly classified in genus Pygeum, which were not available for this study. A clade consisting of subgenera Prunus, Amygdalus, Emplectocladus and section Microcerasus (formerly in subgenus Cerasus) is characterized by having axillary buds organized in groups of three, two of which give rise to flowers or inflorescences and one to a vegetative shoot. Fruits with thin pericarps are common in Prunus but they arose more than once independently. Dry fruits also evolved more than once, and only in species of Prunus living in arid environments, suggesting that this feature is another example of adaptation. Maddenia hypoleuca is nested within Prunus and the morphological characters used to segregate it from Prunus have been misinterpreted or are also found in species of Prunus previously classified in genus Pygeum.
Incomplete state feedback for time delay systems: Observer applications in multidelay compensation

This paper demonstrates how a recently developed observer for time delay systems may be used to estimate needed state variables for implementation of multivariable time delay compensation. The general results are illustrated by an example of a multireactor plant in which only one reactor concentration can be measured. The observer worked well in simulation for both multivariable PID control and multidelay compensated PID control and allowed both schemes to function with estimated state variables in the feedback loop. 16 references, 5 figures.
The interaction of psychopharmacology and psychoanalysis in the borderline patient.

An analysis of the interplay between psychoanalysis and psychopharmacology in the borderline patient is presented. The importance of affect in developing definitions of the borderline syndrome is discussed. The effects of medication on the affect of the borderline is seen as a technique for better delineating the syndrome and dividing the syndrome into subtypes.
Americium and neptunium borides

Abstract The neptunium and americium boride systems have been examined by X-ray powder diffraction techniques. In the neptunium-boron system, four phases, NpB 2 , NpB 4 , NpB 6 , and NpB 12 , were observed, while in the americium-boron system, only two phases, AmB 4 and AmB 6 , were found. Lattice parameters and thermal stability data are presented and discussed.
Analysis and Mitigation of Interference to the LTE Physical Control Format Indicator Channel

In LTE, the Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) is a downlink control channel that indicates the number of OFDM symbols used by the primary downlink control channel in each sub frame. Even though the PCFICH only carries two bits of control information, it is essential to the operation of LTE. Since the PCFICH is a vital physical channel that only occupies a small fraction of the downlink signal, it acts as a weak link in terms of vulnerability to targeted interference. Due to recent interest in using LTE for military and public safety applications, it would be beneficial to better understand this vulnerability. This paper investigates the performance of the PCFICH under various harsh wireless conditions and proposes strategies to prevent interference against the PCFICH from causing link degradation.
Haiti Rising: Haitian History, Culture, And The Earthquake Of 2010

Martin Munro (ed.), HAITI RISING: HAITIAN HISTORY, CULTURE, AND THE EARTHQUAKE OF 2010, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2010, vi + 200 pp., €16.95 (paper) In Haiti Rising: Haitian History, C...
Effects of Fluosol-DA and oxygen breathing on adriamycin antitumor activity and cardiac toxicity in mice

Tumor growth delays were obtained in the MX1 human breast carcinoma xenograft treated with various combinations of Adriamycin (doxorubicin), Fluosol-DA, and carbogen breathing (95% oxygen/5% carbon dioxide). Adding carbogen breathing (6 hours) or Fluosol-DA (Green Cross, Osaka, Japan) and air breathing to this drug treatment did not change the tumor growth delay observed. When 2 hours of carbogen breathing was delivered immediately after injection with Fluosol-DA and Adriamycin, a tumor growth delay of almost 36 days was observed, which was a significant increase from the tumor growth delay obtained with Adriamycin alone (P less than 0.01). Increasing the carbogen breathing time to 6 hours immediately after drug administration resulted in a tumor growth delay of about 43 days which was not statistically significantly different from the tumor growth delay seen with the complete treatment and 2 hours of carbogen breathing, but was different from the drug alone (P less than 0.005). A morphologic evaluation of Adriamycin cardiotoxicity in combination with Fluosol-DA and carbogen breathing was carried out. There was only mild cardiotoxicity in all treatment groups. There was a trend towards increased cardiotoxicity of Adriamycin as the treatment dose was increased from 1 to 4 mg/kg/dose, reaching statistical significance (P less than 0.05) for the Adriamycin (4 mg/kg/dose) + Fluosol-DA + carbogen breathing group when compared to the three treatment groups at 1 mg/kg/dose Adriamycin. The results of these studies indicate that there may be a therapeutic gain by the use of Fluosol-DA and carbogen breathing in combination with Adriamycin chemotherapy.
Regulation of renal ion transport by the calcium-sensing receptor: an update.

Purpose of review Extracellular calcium has profound effects on renal tubular transport, presumably via the calcium-sensing receptor, which is expressed in all nephron segments, but its effects in specific segments and the mechanism of regulation of transport are not fully understood. Recent findings Recognition that activating calcium-sensing receptor mutations result in a Bartter-like syndrome demonstrate that the transport effects of extracellular calcium are mediated by the calcium-sensing receptor. Its presence in the gills and solute and water-transporting organs of fish coupled with appropriate calcium-sensing receptor kinetics indicate that the calcium-sensing receptor was originally involved in the regulation of sodium chloride, calcium and magnesium transport. Based on its physiological effects on tubular transport and biochemical and genetic data, the calcium-sensing receptor appears to act by mechanisms that distinguish it from other G protein-coupled receptors. Summary The calcium-sensing receptor mediates the effects of extracellular calcium on the kidney, is an essential control point in the regulation of calcium balance and possibly the physiological regulation of sodium chloride balance. The thick ascending limb of Henle and distal convoluted tubule appear to be the nephron segments most responsible for the effects of the calcium-sensing receptor, although its mechanisms of action are not fully established.
Odorant-linked ROS-GC subfamily membrane guanylate cyclase transduction system.

This review focuses on the principles of the Ca2+-modulated ROS-GC subfamily transduction system linked with the mammalian olfactory transduction field, its historical development, and the present day status on its constitution and operational mechanisms controlling the process of olfactory-transduction. Beginning parts of this article are freely borrowed from the earlier reviews of the authors (Sharma RK, Duda T, Venkataraman V, Koch KW, Curr Topics Biochem Res 6:111–144, 2004; Duda T, Venkataraman V, Sharma RK, Neuronal calcium sensor proteins, pp 91–113, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2007).
The hepatopulmonary syndrome

The hepatopulmonary syndrome is a triad of liver disease, increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. Manifestations include orthodeoxia, platypnoea and hyperdynamic circulation. Intrapulmonary vascular abnormalities, perhaps mediated by nitric oxide, cause hypoxaemia by shunting, a perfusion-diffusion defect, and ventilation-perfusion mismatching. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography is the method of choice for demonstrating pulmonary vascular abnormalities, although perfusion lung scanning is a more specific and sensitive test. Angiography is best reserved for patients with poor response to 100% oxygen and defines whether vascular dilatations are of the diffuse 'spongy' type or, less commonly, discrete arteriovenous communications amenable to embolization. About 80% of patients with the hepatopulmonary syndrome eventually have improved oxygenation after liver transplantation, thereby making worsening hypoxaemia the primary indication for transplantation in many instances. Nevertheless, severe hypoxaemia carries a peri-operative mortality of 30% and reliable predictors of successful outcome after transplantation remain to be determined.
Cultivating Research and Information Skills in Civil Engineering Undergraduate Students

The ASCE’s body of knowledge for the 21st century and vision for civil engineering in 2025 outline skills and capabilities necessary for civil engineers to create a sustainable world. An undergraduate course at Georgia Institute of Technology introduces undergraduates to a systems-sustainability approach to civil and environmental engineering, applying systems methods to analyze decisions over the life cycle of large-scale civil-engineered facilities. This paper discusses voluntary and systematic improvements introduced in the course over a 2-year period to develop research and information skills in the students. A workshop on information sources and skills was developed, offered and assessed over multiple semesters using a team-based course project. The term project requires students to select one or two large-scale civil-engineered facilities, evaluate them using the integrated systems-sustainability framework presented in the course, and develop a written report and oral presentation to present their w...
Complementarity: In Search of the Biology of Systems

Today biologists from a myriad of domains of specialism are once again seeing the virtue of systems thinking and its fundamentals as evidenced by the wealth of interest in systems biology. We seek a science and approach that we believe will provide richer insight into system failure, 'health' maintenance, repair, replication, growth, and mutation. We are proposing a deeper structure to systems per se. We want to discover the 'DNA' of systems and we want to understand their behavior using biological analogies which we believe will turn out to be more than metaphors. We assert that systems have micro-structure which will explain their individual life cycle and their communal ecology.
Prevention and Management of Cataracts in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis can be associated with vision-compromising complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, synechiae, and band keratopathy. Of these, cataracts are one of the most common sequelae of JIA-associated uveitis and can result in significant visual disability. Risk factors for cataracts include posterior synechiae and longstanding ocular inflammation. Prevention of cataract development is crucial through appropriate control of uveitis. However, not all preventive measures are successful, and further management consisting of medical and surgical techniques is often necessary. Various factors should be taken into consideration when deciding on cataract management, including timing of surgery and placement of an intraocular lens. Continued partnership between pediatric rheumatologists and pediatric ophthalmologists can help ensure favorable visual outcomes.
Grant-Writing Courses in the United States: A Descriptive Review of Syllabi and Factors That Influence Instructor Choice of Course Texts

Little information exists about the structure and content of grant writing courses offered in the United States. To fill this gap, we used multiple data sources, including a content analysis of syllabi from 93 graduate-level grant writing courses in the United States, and an online survey that sought insight into (a) the ways in which textbooks for graduate-level grant writing courses are selected and, (b) the specific features that instructors value in grant writing textbooks. Syllabi data included course department, structure, description, requirements, and objectives, as well as required and recommended readings. The themes derived from the data attested to an applied focus on proposal writing, budgeting, and the identification of funding sources. The survey data suggested that instructors valued the inclusion of example proposals and would like to see logic models as they apply to writing grant proposals in course textbooks.
Vocal Fold Ion Transport and Mucin Expression Following Acrolein Exposure

The vocal fold epithelium is exposed to inhaled particulates including pollutants during breathing in everyday environments. Yet, our understanding of the effects of pollutants on vocal fold epithelial function is extremely limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the pollutant acrolein on two vocal fold epithelial mechanisms: ion transport and mucin (MUC) synthesis. These mechanisms were chosen as each plays a critical role in vocal defense and in maintaining surface hydration which is necessary for optimal voice production. Healthy, native porcine vocal folds (N = 85) were excised and exposed to an acrolein or sham challenge. A 60-min acrolein, but not sham challenge significantly reduced ion transport and inhibited cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent, increases in ion transport. Decreases in ion transport were associated with reduced sodium absorption. Within the same timeline, no significant acrolein-induced changes in MUC gene or protein expression were observed. These results improve our understanding of the effects of acrolein on key vocal fold epithelial functions and inform the development of future investigations that seek to elucidate the impact of a wide range of pollutant exposures on vocal fold health.
Determination of iron, manganese, and magnesium in high-purity molybdenum by high-frequency plasma torch emission spectrometry

Abstract The determination of impurities in molybdenum metals by high-frequency plasma torch emission spectrometry with direct introduction of sample solutions without prior separation has been studied. Iron, manganese and magnesium present in amounts greater than 0.005 % can be determined by means of the 248.8-nm, 279.5-nm and 279.6-nm lines, respectively. The lanthanum carrier technique, with 8-hydroxyquinoline as precipitant at pH 12–12.5 can be used when the content of these elements is less than 0.005 %. The effects of molybdenum and lanthanum on the spectral intensities of iron. manganese and magnesium are also discussed.
Properties of methacrylate-thiol-ene formulations as dental restorative materials

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate ternary methacrylate–thiol–ene systems, with varying thiol–ene content and thiol:ene stoichiometry, as dental restorative resin materials. It was hypothesized that an off-stoichiometric thiol–ene component would enhance interactions between the methacrylate and thiol–ene processes to reduce shrinkage stress while maintaining equivalent mechanical properties. Methods Polymerization kinetics and functional group conversions were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cured resin mechanical properties were evaluated using a three-point flexural test, carried out with a hydraulic universal test system. Polymerization shrinkage stress was measured with a tensometer coupled with simultaneous real-time conversion monitoring. Results The incorporation of thiol–ene mixtures as reactive diluents into conventional dimethacrylate resins previously was shown to combine synergistically advantageous methacrylate mechanical properties with the improved polymerization kinetics and reduced shrinkage stress of thiol–ene systems. In these systems, due to thiol consumption resultant from both the thiol–ene reaction and chain transfer involving the methacrylate polymerization, the optimum thiol:ene stoichiometry deviates from the traditional 1:1 ratio. Increasing the thiol:ene stoichiometry up to 3:1 results in systems with equivalent flexural modulus, 6–20% reduced flexural strength, and 5–33% reduced shrinkage stress relative to 1:1 stoichiometric thiol:ene systems. Significance Due to their improved overall functional group conversion, and shrinkage stress reduction while maintaining equivalent flexural modulus, methacrylate–thiol–ene resins, particularly those with excess thiol, beyond the conventional 1:1 thiol:ene molar ratio, yield superior dental restorative materials compared with purely dimethacrylate resins.
Experimental study of the flow properties of a homogenous slurry near transitional reynolds numbers

Abstract The results of an experimental study on the pressure drop and velocity distribution of a homogeneous slurry flowing in a duct are reported. The slurry consisted of chloroform and silica gel with matched index of refraction to enable laser-Doppler measurements through the mixture. Slurries with two particle sizes at solids concentrations up to 30% were used. Velocity and pressure drop measurements were made in fully-developed flows with Reynolds numbers from 1200 to 30,000. The results show that the velocity distribution fits the logarithmic law of the wall with a modified Karman constant and turbulent boundary factor. The pressure drop measurements for the slurry with small particles (96 μm) indicate a transitional Reynolds number near that for a single-phase fluid. The corresponding measurements with large particles (210 μm) show no transitional effects over the Reynolds number range tested.
The management of parotid lymph node metastases by irradiation

An analysis of 28 patients with parotid nodal metastases from carcinomas treated by radiation therapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital was made. Of 24 patients treated more than 24 months previously, the NED survival and local tumor control rates were 54% and 75%, respectively. For the early lesions with disease limited to the parotid nodes, the local control rate was 83% following radiation therapy. A modified staging system for nodal metastases to this particular site is presented.
Phrenic, vagal and hypoglossal activities in rat: pre-inspiratory, inspiratory, expiratory components.

Abstract During eupnea in an in situ perfused preparation of the rat, inspiratory activities of the hypoglossal and vagal nerves commence before the phrenic; the vagus also discharges in expiration. The hypoglossal discharge has a prominent “pre-inspiratory” component. Power spectral analysis indicated that peak frequencies of oscillations in phrenic, hypoglossal and vagal inspiratory and expiratory activities were the same during eupnea. “Pre-inspiratory” hypoglossal activity had significantly lower peak frequencies. In gasping, “pre-inspiratory” hypoglossal activity ceased and all neural activities became purely inspiratory. High frequency oscillations of phrenic and vagal activities during gasping were shifted upward, compared to those in eupnea, whereas that of the hypoglossal was unaltered. In gasping, the temporal patterns of activities of the phrenic, hypoglossal and vagal nerves, and the level of coherence between these activities implies a restricted and shared set of pre-motor neurons. During eupnea, the activity patterns in the phrenic, hypoglossal and vagal nerves seem to originate from different sets of pre-motor neurons.
Human mucin MUC1 RNA undergoes different types of alternative splicing resulting in multiple isoforms.

MUC1 is a transmembrane mucin with important functions in normal and transformed cells, carried out by the extracellular domain or the cytoplasmic tail. A characteristic feature of the MUC1 extracellular domain is the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) region. Alternative splicing may regulate MUC1 expression and possibly function. We developed an RT-PCR method for efficient isolation of MUC1 mRNA isoforms that allowed us to evaluate the extent of alternative splicing of MUC1 and elucidate some of the rules that govern this process. We cloned and analyzed 21, 24, and 36 isoforms from human tumor cell lines HeLa, MCF7, and Jurkat, respectively, and 16 from normal activated human T cells. Among the 78 MUC1 isoforms we isolated, 76 are new and different cells showed varied MUC1 expression patterns. The VNTR region of exon 2 was recognized as an intron with a fixed 5′ splice site but variable 3′ splice sites. We also report that the 3506 A/G SNP in exon 2 can regulate 3′ splice sites selection in intron 1 and produce different MUC1 short isoform proteins. Furthermore, the SNP A to G mutation was also observed in vivo, during de novo tumor formation in MUC1+/−KrasG12D/+PtenloxP/loxP mice. No specific functions have been associated with previously reported short isoforms. We now report that one new G SNP-associated isoform MUC1/Y-LSP, but not the A SNP-associated isoform MUC1/Y, inhibits tumor growth in immunocompetent but not immunocompromised mice.
Comparison of antiretroviral adherence questions

Our objective was to compare antiretroviral adherence questions to better understand concordance between measures. Among 53 methadone maintained HIV-infected drug users, we compared five measures, including two single item measures using qualitative Likert-type responses, one measure of percent adherence, one visual analog scale, and one multi-item measure that averaged responses across antiretrovirals. Responses were termed inconsistent if respondents endorsed the highest adherence level on at least one measure but middle levels on others. We examined ceiling effects, concordance, and correlations with VL. Response distributions differed markedly between measures. A ceiling effect was less pronounced for the single-item measures than for the measure that averaged responses for each antiretroviral: the proportion with 100% adherence varied from 22% (single item measure) to 58% (multi-item measure). Overall agreement between measures ranged from fair to good; 49% of participants had inconsistent responses. Though responses correlated with VL, single-item measures had higher correlations. Future studies should compare single-item questions to objective measures.
The dentinoenamel junction in primates

Dental characteristics figure large in primate taxonomy because teeth fossilize commonly and reflect dietary adaptations. The mammalian dentinoenamel junction (DEJ) plays a crucial role throughout odontogenesis in determining the ultimate crown configuration, being the interface between the papilla and the dental cap. The final configuration of the dentin surface reflects the epithelium more closely than does the enamel surface of the crown. Enamel deposition occurs relatively late in calcification, often causing many changes from the pattern residing in the DEJ; the genetic determination of the two surfaces also differs. Comparative study of the DEJ (and its differences from the enamel crown) is a potential adjunct to dentition-based taxonomy and may help to resolve certain cusp homologies and morphogenetic order of appearance. Primate teeth were stripped of enamel after measurement, mapping, and anatomical observations on the original crown. The dentin surfaces thus revealed differ from the enamel surfaces in several respects and shed new light on such dental problem areas as the origin of the hypocone, the affinities of lorisoids and callitrichids, the monophyly of the anthropoid grade, and human affinities.
Determination of absorption and scattering coefficients for nonhomogeneous media. 2: experiment

Separation of the scattering contribution from the total optical attenuation is necessary to determine the absorption portion of nonhomogeneous media such as naturally occurring minerals. In order to investigate experimentally the applicability of a previously developed two-flux radiative transfer model that takes into account surface reflections and collimated incidence, we have measured pulverized and sintered scattering standards prepared from a glass of known absorption coefficient variation. The new model produces an accuracy improvement up to a factor of 2.5 over the Kubelka-Munk theory. Off-axis scattering measurements were made with improved instrumentation between 0.33 microm and 2.7 microm. The model was then applied to the mineral rhodochrosite in this range to obtain accurate values of scattering and absorption.
Parathyroid Hormone Secretion in the Rat: Effect of Aminophylline:

SummaryAdministration of aminophyl-line to intact rats did not cause a change in serum Ca, but did cause a significant increase in serum PTH. Administration of EDTA alone caused hypocalcemia, and a greater increase in PTH than that caused by amino-phylline alone. Aminophylline plus EDTA given together caused no greater hypocalcemia, but a significantly greater increase in PTH than that caused by EDTA alone. Therefore, aminophylline increased PTH secretion when given alone, and also enhanced the PTH secretion stimulated by EDTA-induced hypocalcemia in vivo.We thank Mrs. Bertha L. Jackson for technical assistance; Miss Joanne C. Vaccaro and Mrs. Anna B. Baker for their secretarial assistance.
5: An Attributional Approach for Educational Psychology:

No specific body of knowledge fits neatly into one unique attribution "theory." Nonetheless, there are some central problems that guide the thoughts of all investigators in this field (e.g., Heider, 1958; Jones, Kanouse, Kelley, Nisbett, Valins, & Weiner, 1972; Kelley, 1967; Weiner, 1974). Attribution theorists are concerned with perceptions of causality, that is, the perceived reasons for the occurrence of a particular event. Three general programs of research have emerged from the analysis of perceived causality. First, there has been a classification of the perceived causes of behavior, with special attention given to the distinction between internal or personal causality as opposed to external or environmental causality. Second, general laws have been developed which relate antecedent information and cognitive structures to causal inferences. And third, causal inferences have been linked with various indexes of overt behavior. For example, assume that one's toes are stepped upon while riding the subway. Attribution theorists are likely to ask:
General Chemistry Students’ Understanding of Climate Change and the Chemistry Related to Climate Change

While much is known about secondary students’ perspectives of climate change, rather less is known about undergraduate students’ perspectives. The purpose of this study is to investigate general chemistry students’ understanding of the chemistry underlying climate change. Findings that emerged from the analysis of the 24 interviews indicate that students confuse the greenhouse effect, global warming, and the ozone layer. In terms of chemistry concepts, the students lack a particulate-level understanding of greenhouse gases, making it difficult for them to understand the mechanism of the greenhouse effect and corresponding links to the impact of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations and climate change.
Resting state and kinetic studies on the asymmetric allylic substitutions catalyzed by iridium-phosphoramidite complexes.

The resting state of the iridium catalyst in the asymmetric allylation of amines and kinetic data on the overall catalytic cycle are reported. The resting state is a complex of the metallacyclic catalyst with the olefinic unit of the allylamine product. The species containing the branched allylamine N-phenyl-1-phenylprop-2-enylamine and a related ethylene complex have been isolated in pure form. Binding constants of enantiomeric allylamines to the Ir(I) fragment were measured. The ratio of binding affinities is within experimental error of the ratio of rates for formation of the two enantiomeric amine products in the catalytic cycle. The rates of the catalytic reaction are first-order in allylic carbonate, amine, and catalyst and inverse-first order in product. This combination of data, along with the observation that the resting state is stable toward 1.5 equiv of allylic carbonate, implies that the reaction of the iridium(I) species with the allylic carbonate is reversible and endergonic, and that the a...
The multi-dimensional stability of weak-heat-release detonations

The stability of an overdriven planar detonation wave is examined for a one-step Arrhenius reaction model with an order-one post-shock temperature-scaled activation energy 0 in the limit of a small post-shock temperature-scaled heat release β. The ratio of specific heats, y, is taken such that (γ - 1) = O(1 Under these assumptions, which cover a wide range of realistic physical situations, the steady detonation structure can be evaluated explicitly, with the reactant mass fraction described by an exponentially decaying function. The analytical representation of the steady, structure allows a normal-mode description of the stability behaviour to be obtained via a two-term asymptotic expansion in β. The resulting dispersion relation predicts that for a finite overdrive f, the detonation is always stable to two-dimensional disturbances
Explosive solutions of stochastic reaction-diffusion equations in mean Lp-norm

Abstract The paper is concerned with the problem of non-existence of global solutions for a class of stochastic reaction–diffusion equations of Ito type. Under some sufficient conditions on the initial state, the nonlinear term and the multiplicative noise, it is proven that, in a bounded domain D ⊂ R d , there exist positive solutions whose mean L p -norm will blow up in finite time for p ⩾ 1 , while, if D = R d , the previous result holds in any compact subset of R d . Two examples are given to illustrate some application of the theorems.
Electoral Systems and Elite Bargaining in Central Asia

Institutional Change and Political Continuity in Post-Soviet Central Asia: Power, Perceptions and Pacts. By Pauline Jones Luong. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. 344 pp., $60.00 (ISBN: 0-5218-0109-5). Over the past decade, a new generation of political scientists in the West have discovered Central Asia—a region composed of five states: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Central Asia caught the imagination of these political scientists for three reasons. First, in a world in which regions have tended to be durable constructs, Central Asia stands out as the exception. It is a new region, having been invented by the dissolution of the Soviet state in December 1991. Second, interest grew because of the remarkable social experiment going on in Central Asia. This is a region marked not only by the simultaneous construction of new states, new regimes, and new economic systems, but also, amidst all this turbulence, by the forging of new relationships between these emerging political economies and the international system. Finally, the events of September 11, 2001, introduced a security component. Three of these states—Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—share a border as well as national communities with Afghanistan. The importance of Central Asia, therefore, is undeniable. What is also beyond debate is that our knowledge of this region, at least in the United States, is cursory. This reflects several factors. It was hard to gain access to this region during the Soviet period. After 1991, other difficulties emerged. It was hard to accumulate the required training—or to have the patience and creativity—to carry out fieldwork in …
Aharonov-Bohm effect and the mass of the photon.

We show that the Aharonov-Bohm effect requires that the vector potential couple minimally to matter, not that it be a gauge field: The effect is present in massive (finite-range) electrodynamics, reducing smoothly to the original result in the limit of infinite range. Indeed, it may be used to provide an experimental bound on the range which is much larger than the ``table-top'' apparatus, namely a lower limit of order ${10}^{2}$ km.
Cascading failures in power grids

Power grids are complex dynamical systems, and because of this complexity it is unlikely that we will completely eliminate blackouts. However, there are things that can be done to reduce the average size and cost of these blackouts. In this article we described two strategies that hold substantial promise for reducing the size and cost of blackouts. Both "reciprocal altruism" and "survivability" respect the necessarily decentralized nature of power grids. Both strategies can be implemented within the context of the existing physical infrastructure of the power grids,which is important because dramatic changes to the physical infrastructure are prohibitively expensive. However, additional engineering and innovation will be needed to bring strategies such as these to implementation and to create power grids with smaller, less costly blackouts.
Tissue toxicity of intravenous solutions. A phlebographic and experimental study.

ABSTRACT. A phlebographic study in 32 children has shown that i.v. infusion of invertose, glucose, Vamine and Intralipid but not saline, damages the tissues as judged from changes in the vessel walls, oedema and disturbances in the venous circulation. The addition of Heparin to the solutions markedly reduced the frequency of these untoward reactions. The toxicity of invertose, glucose, Vamine and Intralipid was studied experimentally in a biologic tissue: the cheek pouch of the hamster. All solutions particularly Vamine caused some damage to the microcirculation. In this study the factor mainly responsible for thrombophlebitis was the toxicity of the solution infused. Other factors such as surgical trauma, site of entry, local infection, temperature of solutions etc. played only a minor role.
An experimental study of freezing in erythrocytes

A unique experimental apparatus (termed cryomicroscope) has been developed for the study of freezing and thawing processes in living cells and has been used specifically to determine the conditions requisite for intracellular freezing in human erythrocytes. Careful measurements of the incidence of intracellular ice formation have been correlated directly with the magnitude of the cooling rate during the freezing process and degree of extracellular supercooling prior to nucleation of ice. The probability for intracellular freezing increases with the magnitudes of both the cooling rate and the extracellular supercooling. A 3-dimensional contour has been defined experimentally by which the frozen state of human erythrocytes can be predicted as a function of these two parameters.
Hashimoto encephalopathy with fulminant myocarditis

There are very limited data concerning the association of lymphocytic thyroiditis with cardiomyopathy, and there is only one published report of fatal cardiomyopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. An association of Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE) with autoimmune myocarditis has not yet been reported. Here we describe a case of a 31-year-old man with autoimmune thyroiditis complicated by HE, who succumbed to autoimmune myocarditis. This association raises the possibility that HE and myocarditis may share a common pathogenetic mechanism in some cases.
The mechanical properties of MgO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 composite glass

Abstract Glasses with composition in the quaternary phase field of the MgO-CaO-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 (MCAS) system were prepared by the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction studies of specimens sintered at a temperature higher than 940 °C showed that cordierite and anorthite existed as two different phases. The flexural strength of the sintered MCAS specimens increased critically as the sintering temperature was decreased below 940 °C and increased slightly as the sintering temperature increased above 940 °C. For MCAS composites glass sintered at 940 °C the flexural strength also increased slightly with the sintering time. By calculation using the equation δ = δ 0 exp(− np ) (where n, p, δ , and δ 0 are a constant value, pore fraction, strength of the porous body, and strength of the non-porous body), the flexural strength of non-porous MCAS composite glass was found to be about 200 MPa.
Delayed Sequential Coding of Correlated Sources

Motivated by video coding applications, we study the problem of sequential coding of correlated sources with (noncausal) encoding and/or decoding frame-delays. The fundamental tradeoffs between individual frame rates, individual frame distortions, and encoding/decoding frame-delays are derived in terms of a single-letter information-theoretic characterization of the rate-distortion region for general inter-frame source correlations and certain types of (potentially frame-specific and coupled) single-letter fidelity criteria. For video sources which are spatially stationary memoryless and temporally Gauss-Markov, MSE frame distortions, and a sum-rate constraint, our results expose the optimality of differential predictive coding among all causal sequential coders. Somewhat surprisingly, causal sequential encoding with one-step delayed noncausal sequential decoding can exactly match the sum-rate-MSE performance of joint coding for all nontrivial MSE-tuples satisfying certain positive semi- deflniteness conditions. Thus, even a single frame delay holds potential for yielding huge performance improvements. A rate- distortion performance equivalence of, causal sequential encoding with delayed noncausal sequential decoding, and, delayed noncausal sequential encoding with causal sequential decoding, is also established.
Fluid bed characterization using Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography (ECVT), compared to CPFD Software's Barracuda

Abstract Being able to accurately predict the performance and operation of multiphase flow systems continues to be a significant challenge. In order to continue the advancement of knowledge and to develop better models, a 10 cm diameter fluidized bed of 185 μm glass beads was used along with an Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography (ECVT) sensor and high speed pressure measurements. Three dimensional images of the gas–solid flow structure were obtained and analyzed as well as frequency information from the high speed pressure transducers. The experimental data was then compared to four computational models performed with CPFD Software's Barracuda code exploring different techniques to handle the perforated distributor plate.
Computational models to understand decision making and pattern recognition in the insect brain

Odor stimuli reaching olfactory systems of mammals and insects are characterized by remarkable non-stationary and noisy time series. Their brains have evolved to discriminate subtle changes in odor mixtures and find meaningful variations in complex spatio-temporal patterns. Insects with small brains can effectively solve two computational tasks: identify the presence of an odor type and estimate the concentration levels of the odor. Understanding the learning and decision making processes in the insect brain can not only help us to uncover general principles of information processing in the brain, but it can also provide key insights to artificial chemical sensing. Both olfactory learning and memory are dominantly organized in the Antennal Lobe (AL) and the Mushroom Bodies (MBs). Current computational models yet fail to deliver an integrated picture of the joint computational roles of the AL and MBs. This review intends to provide an integrative overview of the computational literature analyzed in the context of the problem of classification (odor discrimination) and regression (odor concentration estimation), particularly identifying key computational ingredients necessary to solve pattern recognition.
Iodine toxicity in a plant-solution system with and without humic acid

Aqueous iodine (I2(aq)) is a potent disinfectant that is being evaluated as a soil sanitizer for agricultural fields and a water purification treatment for the International Space Station. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants were grown in solution culture containing different I compounds at approximately 0, 18, or 30 μM total I [I2(aq) + iodide (I−)] consisting of 0, 6, and 20 μM I as I2(aq), respectively. In addition, humic acid (HA) was added to half the treatments. Most I2(aq) was electrochemically reduced to the endpoint metabolite I− within 24 h with HA promoting the response. Plants receiving the highest dose of I2(aq), particularly those in treatments without HA, had the least growth and the greatest biomass I concentrations. Roots from both I2(aq) treatments without HA were periodically sampled for bacteria. Viable and direct caints of bacterial cell density declined with increasing I2(aq) concentrations within the first hour after treatment application. However, cell densities recovered within 96 hours and eventually surpassed the control treatment cell density. Additionally, the resulting high viable: direct count density ratio suggests that opportunistic species likely dominated the post I2(aq) environment.
Comparison of 20-, 22-, and 24-carbon n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid utilization in differentiated rat brain astrocytes.

Astrocytes convert n-6 fatty acids primarily to arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), whereas n-3 fatty acids are converted to docosapentaenoic (22:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) acids. The utilization of 20-, 22- and 24-carbon n-3 and n-6 fatty acids was compared in differentiated rat astrocytes to determine the metabolic basis for this difference. The astrocytes retained 81% of the arachidonic acid ([(3)H]20:4n-6) uptake and retroconverted 57% of the docosatetraenoic acid ([3-(14)C]22:4n-6) uptake to 20:4n-6. By contrast, 68% of the eicosapentaenoic acid ([(3)H]20:5n-3) uptake was elongated, and only 9% of the [3-(14)C]22:5n-3 uptake was retroconverted to 20:5n-3. Both tetracosapentaenoic acid ([3-(14)C]24:5n-3) and tetracosatetraenoic acid ([3-(14)C]24:4n-6) were converted to docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and 22:5n-6, respectively. Therefore, the difference in the n-3 and n-6 fatty acid products formed is due primarily to differences in the utilization of their 20- and 22-carbon intermediates. This metabolic difference probably contributes to the preferential accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid in the brain.
Joint sleep scheduling and routing for lifetime optimization in delay-sensitive sensor networks

Network lifetime is critical to any battery operated wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Especially for delay-sensitive WSNs, it's challenging to prolong the network lifetime while meeting the delay requirements of different applications. We investigate how to optimize the network lifetime of delay-sensitive WSNs with respect to energy efficient routing and sleep scheduling. Instead of treating routing and sleep scheduling as two separate approaches, we have a joint consideration of them, and mathematically formulate the lifetime maximization problem. Since the formulated problem is a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem and NP-hard to solve, we relax it into a linear programming (LP) problem and solve the relaxed problem for the upper bound. We also develop a heuristic algorithm-RSF for feasible solution, which yields a lower bound of WSNs' lifetime. Through extensive simulations, we show that the solution found by the proposed algorithm is close to the optimal one and the proposed scheme is effective in prolonging the lifetime of delay-sensitive WSNs.
Different scalp localization of pattern onset and reversal visual evoked potentials

Visual evoked potentials were recorded monopolarly from seven electrodes on a horizontal line from T3 to T4 and bipolarly in one channel from left of the midline to right of the midline. Stimulation of the right and left half-fields was performed with a checkerboard generator of 10° × 13.5° and checks of various sizes at high contrast.
Hypercalcemia in childhood renal tumors

Hypercalcemia is an uncommon complication of childhood renal tumors. It is exclusively seen in infants 6 months of age or younger with malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK) or congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN). Secretion of parathormone or prostaglandin E2 by the tumor cells is responsible for the hypercalcemia in most of these patients. Bone metastasis has been notably absent in these patients, and the hypercalcemia completely resolves with the removal of the tumor. Hypercalcemia in itself probably does not have any prognostic significance; however, it may serve as a tumor marker in some patients. Early recognition and effective management of this complication may prevent the acute life-threatening as well as the longstanding complications of this serious metabolic disorder.
Sensitivity of the Conductance of a Disordered Metal to the Motion of a Single Atom: Implications for 1 f Noise

We show that the conductance of metals is sensitive to the motion of a single scattering center. At zero temperature and in two dimensions, the motion of one strong scattering center induces changes of the conductance of order $\frac{{e}^{2}}{h}$, independent of sample size. We discuss the implications of this result for room-temperature $\frac{1}{f}$ noise in disordered metals and we predict an anomalous low-temperature $\frac{1}{f}$ noise in metallic glasses, due to two-level systems.
A confirmatory factor analysis evaluation of the coronary heart disease risk factors of metabolic syndrome with emphasis on the insulin resistance factor

Aim: The goals of this study were: (1) to analyse the underlying associations between coronary risk factors and the metabolic syndrome and (2) to evaluate the construct validity of the variables used to measure each factor. Methods: The subjects were from a previously studied cohort of 284 middle-aged Caucasian males from Goteborg, Sweden, who were selected from the National Population Register. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed using EQS Multivariate Software Version 5.7b with maximum likelihood estimation. Hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia were the latent factors hypothesized. Results: The final, four-factor model showed good fit, with significant intercorrelations noted between all factors. The highest correlations were noted between the insulin resistance factor and the obesity factor (r = 0.887) and the insulin resistance factor and the lipid factor (r = 0.835). All factors exhibited good values for construct reliability and variance extracted except for the insulin resistance factor, which was measured with the variables of fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels. Conclusions: A four-factor model of metabolic syndrome including the coronary heart disease risk factors of hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia was developed using this sample of European, middle-aged Caucasian males. Insulin resistance was not well defined using the variables of fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels. Other possible variables to include in the measurement of this factor are discussed.