cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laminar origin of striatal and thalamic projections of the prefrontal cortex in rhesus monkeys

Prefrontostriatal and prefrontothalamic connections in rhesus monkeys have been shown to be organized in a topographic manner. These projections originate largely from infragranular layers V and VI. To examine whether the striatal and thalamic connections from the prefrontal cortex arise from separate neuronal populations or are collateralized, two different fluorescent retrograde tracers (diamidino yellow and fast blue) were injected into topographically similar regions of the head of the caudate nucleus and the mediodorsal nucleus in the same animal. The results show that although prefrontostriatal and prefrontothalamic projections arise from similar topographic regions, their laminar origins are distinctive. The connections to the head of the caudate nucleus originate mainly from layer Va, to a lesser extent from layer Vb, with a minor contribution from layers III and VI. In contrast, the projections to the mediodorsal nucleus emanate largely from layer VI, and also from layer Vb. Only occasional double-labeled neurons were observed, indicating that prefrontostriatal and prefrontothalamic connections originate from separate neuronal populations. The differential laminar distributions of neurons projecting to the head of the caudate nucleus and the mediodorsal nucleus suggest that these structures may receive independent types of information from the prefrontal cortex.
Singularity-free extraction of a quaternion from a direction-cosine matrix

A computer algorithm for extracting a quaternion from a direction-cosine matrix (DCM) is described. The quaternion provides a four-parameter representation of rotation, as against the nine-parameter representation afforded by a DCM. Commanded attitude in space shuttle steering is conveniently computed by DCM, while actual attitude is computed most compactly as a quaternion, as is attitude error. The unit length of the rotation quaternion, and interchangeable of a quaternion and its negative, are used to advantage in the extraction algorithm. Protection of the algorithm against square root failure and division overflow are considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions for handling the rotation vector element of largest magnitude are discussed
Automatic Oxygen Delivery System for Premature Babies

When an infant is born prematurely, there are a number of health risks. Among these are underdeveloped lungs, which can lead to abnormal gas exchange of oxygen or hypoxemia. Hypoxemia is treated through oxygen therapy, which involves the delivery of supplemental oxygen to the patient but there are risks associated with this method. Risks include retinopathy, which can cause eye damage when oxygen concentration is too high, and brain damage, when the concentration is too low [1]. Supplemental oxygen concentration must be controlled rigorously. Currently healthcare staff monitors infants’ blood oxygen saturation level using a pulse oximeter. They manually adjust the oxygen concentration using an air-oxygen blender. Inconsistent manual adjustments can produce excessive fluctuations and cause the actual oxygen saturation level to deviate from the target value. Precision and accuracy are compromised. This project develops an automatic oxygen delivery system that regulates the supplemental oxygen concentration to obtain a target blood oxygen saturation level. A microprocessor uses a LABVIEW ® program to analyze pulse oximeter and analyzer readings and control electronic valves in a redesigned air-oxygen blender. A user panel receives a target saturation level, displays patient data, and signals alarms when necessary. The prototype construction and testing began February 2010.
Technical guide: transfibular ankle arthrodesis with fibular-onlay strut graft

A wide range of techniques have been described for ankle arthrodesis, and although all of these have been shown to provide stability, few have been shown to achieve a solid construct in patients at risk of nonunion. In this technical guide, we describe a modified transfibular approach to ankle arthrodesis that uses a fibular-onlay strut graft for use in patients at high risk for nonunion. In our experience, the technique has been effective and reliable.
Document-topic hierarchies from document graphs

Topic taxonomies present a multi-level view of a document collection, where general topics live towards the top of the taxonomy and more specific topics live towards the bottom. Topic taxonomies allow users to quickly drill down into their topic of interest to find documents. We show that hierarchies of documents, where documents live at the inner nodes of the hierarchy-tree can also be inferred by combining document text with inter-document links. We present a Bayesian generative model by which an explicit hierarchy of documents is created. Experiments on three document-graph data sets shows that the generated document hierarchies are able to fit the observed data, and that the levels in the constructed document hierarchy represent practical groupings.
Dry photopolymer embossing: novel photoreplication technology for surface relief holographic optical elements

Novel photoreplication technology for deep groove surface relief holographic optical elements (HOE) was developed recently at Du Pont. Dry photopolymer embossing (DPE) technology utilizes Du Pont proprietary materials and processes to replicate precisely almost any kind of surface relief or embossed holograms. Very sophisticated surface relief holograms with the high width/depth aspect ratio of 1:20 can be faithfully replicated by this technology. Dimensions of the replicated grooves or other surface relief structures vary from 0.1 micrometers to 3.5 micrometers . Such HOEs can be produced in different geometrical configurations and sizes, which are actually dictated by the master hologram. Embossed HOEs can be fabricated on a plastic film or sheet substrate of different types, thicknesses, and shapes. Glass and other inorganic materials can be also used as substrates in some applications. To replicate such deep groove surface relief HOEs, the master hologram should be recorded in metal, glass, or other hard surface material. DPE technology may provide substantial technological and economical advantages over existing conventional replication processes, such as thermo-embossing, injection molding, wet photopolymerization (2P-process), and injection-reaction molding, in replication of different types of surface relief HOEs.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Lung sounds: Relative sites of origin and comparative amplitudes in normal subjects

Little is known about the comparative amplitude of the vesicular lung sounds heard over the lung apices and bases. Neither is the site of origin of these sounds known. Recent studies suggest that differences in amplitude between the left and right sides of the chest may be considerable. In order to better assess these differences, and to determine the relative sites of origin of these sounds, a new computerized lung sound measurement technique was employed to study the lung sound amplitude and phase relationships over the left and right posterior lung bases and anterior apices in 9 healthy volunteers. Twenty-four inspiratory breath sounds were recorded simultaneously using 2 microphones at 8 different intermicrophone separations (1 to 8 cm) at those locations. The mean amplitude of the lung sounds so recorded at each location was determined by automated flow-gated measurement at an inspiratory air flow rate of 1.3 l/s. Simultaneously, the degree of similarity of phase between the sounds from both microphones (Subtraction intensity index — SII) was determined. In addition, 3 inspirations were recorded simultaneously by 1 microphone on either side of the sternum in the second intercostal space in order to assess the phase similarity of the lung sounds at these positions. The results showed that the sound intensity at one base (left or right) was significantly greater than at the opposite base in 7 of the 9 subjects. The sound intensity at the left apex was always louder than or equal to that at the right. The subtraction patterns suggested that the sound sources at the apex were more central than at the bases but that additional phase shifting may have occurred during transmission to the chest wall. The sounds recorded from opposite sides of the sternum showed little or no similarity indicating that the sound at this location, though bronchial in character, was not transmitted from the trachea. It is concluded that significant inequality in lung sound amplitude between homologous areas on opposite sides of the chest is a common finding and that the vesicular sounds over the lung apices are possibly produced more centrally than those at the bases but that the trachea is not the source of these sounds.
Apical excrescences in the gallbladder epithelium of the female Syrian hamster in response to medroxyprogesterone

All the intact female Syrian hamsters treated with medroxyprogesterone (MP) for a one-month period, without dietary manipulation, display gallbladder surface epithelial changes, and intraluminal deposits. These changes include excrescences in various stages, bulging, and extrusion of material from the epithelial cells. The most striking scanning electron microscopic observations are the dramatic events, comparable to apocrine-like secretory events observed in another related study using oophorectomized hamsters. Since the hamster gallbladder does not possess mucous goblet cells, it appears that this phenomenon could be a response to the MP treatment, thus providing a larger amount of mucous product than usual with cellular material, in addition to the possible alteration in the quality of the bile following this treatment. As a result of MP treatment, intraluminal deposits were also confirmed by using light and transmission electron microscopy. In control hamsters these events were not observed, however, small blebs outlining surface epithelial cells are seen. The results in this report complement the previous studies using the male and oophorectomized Syrian hamster model subjected to similar experimental conditions. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Breaking up fights between others: a model of intervention behaviour

To examine when and why animals break up fights between others in their group, I modelled whether ‘winner’ and ‘loser’ effects might be one element driving the evolution of intervention behaviour. I considered one particular type of intervention: when the intervener simply breaks up fights between two others, but does not favour either party in so doing. When victories at time T + 1 are more likely given a victory at time T (i.e. winner effects), intervention is often favoured. Intervention is favoured in these circumstances because the intervening party in essence stops others from ‘getting on a roll’ and climbing up any hierarchy that exists. However, when loser effects alone are at work (defeats at time T + 1 are more likely given a defeat at time T ), breaking up fights between others is never selected. If both winner and loser effects are operating simultaneously, then the likelihood of intervention behaviour evolving is a function of the relative strength of these two effects. The greater the winner effect relative to the loser effect, the more likely intervention behaviour is to evolve.
Photochemical preparation and unusual optical absorption of nanometer size metallic silver particles

Abstract Photochemical methods, based on the highly reducing capability of excited-state ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl radical, are described to achieve the controlled formation of metallic silver particles in the size range 5–20 nm. It is possible to support isolated particles on uniform spherical latex spheres. Strong optical absorption extending to more than 800 nm is found for these systems in the relatively low pH range between 4 and 6. At pH > 9, characteristic spectra associated with small silver particles, with peak maxima around 405 nm, are observed. These results are consistent with the formation of pH-dependent metal complexes.
Numerical modeling of collisional dynamics of Sr in an optical dipole trap

We describe a model of inelastic and elastic collisional dynamics of atoms in an optical dipole trap that utilizes numerical evaluation of statistical mechanical quantities and numerical solution of equations for the evolution of number and temperature of trapped atoms. It can be used for traps that possess little spatial symmetry and when the ratio of trap depth to sample temperature is relatively small. We compare simulation results with experiments on $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}$ and $^{84}\mathrm{Sr}$, which have well-characterized collisional properties.
Donor states in hydrogenated amorphous silicon and germanium.

We report the first direct observation of phosphorus and arsenic donor states in hydrogenated amorphous silicon and germanium by electron-spin resonance. The states are identified via their characteristic hyperfine structure, and are attributed to neutral donors. A comparison with crystalline silicon and germanium shows that the disorder potential of the amorphous phase leads to a stronger localization and a wide distribution of donor states.
Wavelet-based region indexing for advanced content-based image retrieval systems

Image and video indexing have become important with recent increase in digital image collections. A majority of proposed indexing techniques in the literature are based on features extracted from the entire image. In this paper, images are segmented by the K-mean clustering algorithm in order to allow searching, and retrieving at region level. Farther, the regions are classified into object and non-object classes as we may retrieve regions based on features tailored for the corresponding type. The object class contains clumped regions while the non-object class contains regions that scattered in the entire image scenes as constrained by (Chi) 2 statistic. The performance of the retrieval of four region indexing techniques, Histogram and three Wavelet-based techniques, are evaluated. The four indexing techniques are suitable for general domain image collections. The evaluation result has shown that, although, the three wavelet-based region indexing techniques provide a good comparable performances for non-object region queries, the histogram-based region indexing technique outperforms the three wavelet-based region indexing techniques for object region queries. The histogram technique is more suitable for indexing object regions. In the other hand the wavelet-based techniques are more suitable for non-object region indexing.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Facilitation of conditioning in two-day-old rats by training in the presence of conspecifics

The present experiment examined the effects of conspecifics' presence on conditioning an odor—illness association. The results indicated that conditioning of 2-day-old rats was less effective when training occurred in isolation, either at room or nest temperature, than when conspecifics were present. Alternative explanations are discussed.
Towse on reform in the American theatre

A theatre critic for the New York Evening Post during a period of significant change in the Ameircan theatre, John Ranken Towse witnessed the decline of the repertory stock company and its replacement by the single play and long rum He viewed the formation of the Theatrical Syndicate and its monopoly of the professional stage. Dissatisfied with these changes, Towse offered various proposals for establishing a more artistic theatre in the country. This essay reviews his arguments for reform.
SU‐CC‐J‐6C‐04: Theoretical and Empirical Investigations of Flat‐Panel Imagers Incorporating Single‐ and Dual‐Stage Pixel‐Amplifiers Based On Polycrystalline Silicon Thin Film TFTs

Purpose: To investigate the potential for achieving significant improvements in DQE at low fluoroscopic exposures and high spatial frequencies, as well as at substantially higher frame rates, through the incorporation of novel pixel architectures based on polycrystallinesilicon thin‐film transistors (poly‐Si TFTs).Method and Materials: Detailed studies were performed on the signal and noise characteristics of a series of arrays incorporating poly‐Si TFTs. These indirect detection designs involved three pixel architectures with a standard circuit, with a single‐stage amplifier, and with a dual‐stage amplifier — along with a continuous photodiode structure. Determinations of MTF, NPS, and DQE, as well as of individual pixel properties (sensitivity, linearity, trapping, noise) were performed under fluoroscopic and radiographic conditions. Detailed studies of these and other hypothetical array designs were also performed using circuit simulation tools. Results: These studies indicate that the high mobilities of poly‐Si lead to potential frame rates at least an order of magnitude greater than those of conventional arrays with a‐Si:H TFTs. In addition, the single‐stage and dual‐stage pixel‐amplifier arrays exhibit signal gain (∼×11 and ∼×25, respectively) very close to that expected for these designs. Furthermore, while a net increase in the signal‐to‐noise performance was beyond the objective of these initial designs, analysis of the empirical data along with theoretical modeling strongly suggests that there are no intrinsic reasons precluding such performance enhancements. Finally, the non‐destructive nature of the readout for pixel‐amplifier designs enables repeated‐signal‐sampling, thereby creating new possibilities for noise reduction. Conclusion: These results encourage the hypothesis that substantial improvements in DQE performance and readout speed are possible through the incorporation of poly‐Si circuits into flat‐panel pixel designs. Factors limiting the performance of present designs will be described and future steps in the development of this technology will be discussed. This work is supported by NIH grant R01 EB000558.
Effect of Some Formulated Insecticides on Pollen Germination in Tomato and Petunia

The germination of petunia and tomato pollen on artificial media was completely inhibited by topical applications of naled 58% EC formulated at 1000 ppm actual material. Reduction in the germination and tube elongation of pollen was caused by 1000 ppm of EC formulations of parathion 80%, azinphosmethyl 50%, dicofol 18.5%, endosulfan 24%, dichlorvos 41.4% and wp formulations of DDT 50%, azinphosmethyl 22%, and Gardona® 75%, (2-chloro-I-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate). The carbamate pesticides carbaryl 80% WP, and methomyl 30% EC and 90% sp had little or no deleterious effect upon pollen. Xylene at 1000 ppm was also noninjurious to pollen.
Immunologic responses to conjugates of antigen E in patients with ragweed hay fever.

Abstract Allergens conjugated with several simple repeating polymers have reduced allergenicity in man, but large doses retain the ability to suppress ongoing allergen-specific IgE synthesis in strains of high-responder mice. To determine whether suppression of IgE antibodies could be induced in man, preliminary trials of immunologic responses to conjugates in man were carried out in ragweed hay fever patients treated with antigen E (AgE) coupled to methoxypolyethylene glycols (MPEGs) of 5000 and 2000 daltons, lauryloxypolyethylene glycol of 1200 daltons, and a random copolymer of d-lysine and d-glutamic acid of 69,000 daltons. In varying degrees all these conjugates had reduced allergenicity by basophil histamine release when these conjugates were compared with native AgE and could suppress IgE response in mice. Patients received one of these conjugates or native AgE in a series of subcutaneous injections and were observed for allergic reactions. The conjugates induced a lower rate of systemic reaction than native AgE but failed to induce early suppression of IgE antibodies. Instead, early rises in IgE antibody occurred in the several groups and were followed by a slow decline during a year or more that was similar to that observed with standard immunotherapy. Because the conjugates eventually caused local and systemic allergic reactions as the dose was raised, it was not possible to test the IgE-suppressive effects at doses similar to those used in mice. In contrast, rapid sustained rises in IgG antibodies occurred in all groups. The MPEG conjugates appeared to be more effective than native AgE in this regard. The reduced rate of systemic reaction and rapid rise in IgG antibody that was noted with MPEG conjugates make them worth further exploration as agents for immunotherapy.
Autoradiographic localization of N-type VGCCs in gerbil hippocampus and failure of ω-conotoxin MVIIA to attenuate neuronal injury after transient cerebral ischemia

In the mammalian central nervous system, transient global ischemia of specific duration causes selective degeneration of CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampus. Many of the ischemia-induced pathophysiologic cascades that destroy the neurons are triggered by pre- and postsynaptic calcium entry. Consistent with this, many calcium channel blockers have been shown to be neuroprotective in global models of ischemia. omega-Conotoxin MVIIA, a selective N-type VGCC blocker isolated from the venom of Conus magus, protects CA1 neurons in the rat model of global ischemia, albeit transiently. The mechanism by which this peptide renders neuroprotection is unknown. We performed high-resolution receptor autoradiography with the radiolabeled peptide and observed highest binding in stratum lucidum of CA3 subfield, known to contain inhibitory neurons potentially important in the pathogenesis of delayed neuronal death. This finding suggested that the survival of stratum lucidum inhibitory neurons might be the primary event, leading to CA1 neuroprotection after ischemia. Testing of this hypothesis required the reproduction of its neuroprotective effects in the gerbil model of global ischemia. Surprisingly, we found that omega-MVIIA did not attenuate CA1 hippocampal injury after 5 min of cerebral ischemia in gerbil. Possible reasons are discussed. Lastly, we show that the peptide can be used as a synaptic marker in assessing short and long-term changes that occur in hippocampus after ischemic injury.
Dynamic Measurements of MEMS-Based Field Effect Transistors Using Scanning Capacitance Microscopy

In this research, we have employed scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) to image 2D carrier profiles of a MEMS device. Multiple device states are exercised and examined for changes in carrier response as a function of applied bias. First, experimental and simulated dopant profiles of the source and drain pn junctions were measured with device contacts grounded. Their comparison revealed good agreement. Scanning capacitance microscopy was then used to image changes in carrier distribution within the channel of the device while independent bias voltages were applied to the source, gate, drain, and well regions. Device operation was confirmed by simultaneously measuring the drain current. The SCM image contrast directly beneath the gate was observed to change as a function of applied gate bias voltage.
Transparent categories and categories of transition systems

How much information about the internal structure of machines can be derived from the abstract structure of the algebra of the composition of machine homomorphisms? A complete posi, tive answer to this problem is derived by means of categorical algebra methods which are developed in this paper and are applied to transition systems with an arbitrary fixed input monoid.
Recent Trends in Sex Mortality Differentials in the United States

Abstract Since 1920, American men, to an increasing degree, have experienced higher levels of mortality than American women for virtually all causes of death at almost every age. Recently, several authors have asserted that there is evidence of a change in these trends, caused primarily by rises in the levels of female mortality. Using age-adjusted death rates and data for the most recent years available (1960–1974), this paper shows that most female death rates are either stable or falling, and that the sex mortality differential for all causes except lung cancer is either stable or increasing.
Early myocardial infarction. A feasible histologic diagnostic procedure.

The Barbeito-Lopez trichrome stain (BLTS) was compared with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), the basic fuchsin picric acid (BFP) and nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) dye tests. Two types of hearts were studied: a) myocardial necrosis induced by isoproterenol (ISP) in rats and b) human hearts with early coagulation necrosis (Early CN). The BLTS was much more sensitive than HE for diagnosis of Early CN in rats. By 24 hours, both BLTS and HE showed established coagulation necrosis (Established CN) although BLTS did so more clearly. In human material BLTS was a useful indicator of Early CN. It showed patchy areas of coagulation necrosis in the cytoplasm of damaged myocardial cells which were not visualized with HE. Normal myocardium remained green or pale blue. Early CN appears as patchy yellow areas while the remainder of the cytoplasm stains green. Established CN appears "golden yellow "or" orange yellow".
The local action of adrenocortical steroids on epidermis and connective tissue of the skin.

HYPERACTIVITY of the adrenal cortex induced by treatment of rats with ACTH results in a general suppression of growth. In the skin, the epidermis becomes thinner, hair stops growing and the dermal connective tissue assumes a more compact arrangement (Baker, Ingle, Li and Evans, 1948). These effects appear to be mediated by C-11 oxygenated steroid which are secreted by the adrenal glands. If one of these compounds, cortisone, or an extract of the adrenal cortex is applied directly to the skin, similar changes are induced locally in the epidermis and hair follicles (Baker and Whitaker, 1948). In these early short-term experiments consistent changes in the connective tissue were not observed but, subsequently, it was demonstrated that adrenocortical extract inhibits growth of granulation tissue by local action (Baker and Whitaker, in press). This report deals with the cutaneous modifications elicited by prolonged local treatment of non-traumatized skin with adrenocortical compounds. The experiments had two g...
Effect of tumor necrosis factor on acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase gene expression and preadipocyte differentiation.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is secreted by macrophages in response to various stimuli and blocks lipid accumulation during the conversion of preadipocytes to adipocytes in culture. In the present report, we investigate the effect of recombinant TNF on the expression of acetyl-coenzyme-A (CoA) carboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. We used a preadipocyte cell line, 30A-5, derived from 10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts after treatment with 5-azacytidine. Treatment of the preadipocyte cell line with dexamethasone and insulin triggers the conversion of these cells to mature adipocytes as evidenced by the accumulation of lipid. The mRNA and enzyme levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase as well as the enzyme activity increase markedly during the conversion process. TNF prevents the conversion of preadipocytes to adipocytes with a concomitant inhibition in the accumulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase mRNA and decrease in enzyme activity. This observed reduction in acetyl-CoA carboxylase mRN...
Steady and dynamic shear characterization of cellulase-producing Trichoderma reesei suspensions

Suspension rheology of fungal fermentations is important in determination of mass transfer rates, as well as mixing quality. We have characterizedTrichorderma reesei RUT-C30 suspension rheology during growth on xylose (soluble) and cellulose (particulate) substrates, using both steady and dynamic shear measurements. Biomass growth was monophasic on xylose and biphasic on cellulose; the latter behavior is consistent with relatively rapid, early growth on soluble sugars derived from rapidly hydrolyzed material, followed by a second, slower growth phase owing to hydrolysis of more recalcitrant cellulose by increasing cellulase concentrations.
Sustainable smallholder intensification in global change? Pivotal spatial interactions, gendered livelihoods, and agrobiodiversity

Sustainable intensification (SI) and ecological intensification (EI) are promoted globally to strengthen food security and ensure environmental sustainability. Recent focus on land and agri-food systems of smallholders urges we address SI and EI through rethinking crucial social–ecological processes and spatial patterns. Principal findings underscore: firstly, the dynamics of differentiated, relational spaces of smallholder intensification/disintensification at region and landscape scales that include a polarization trend; secondly, gendered livelihood strategies across spatially differentiated landscapes influenced by smallholder migration and expanded gendering of land and agri-food systems; and finally, complex interactions of agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems mediated by smallholder and gendered knowledge systems across peri-urban to remote rural landscapes. The conclusion discusses policy implications of the spatial, gender, and agrobiodiversity dynamics of smallholder SI/EI.
Self-brand connections: The role of attitude strength and autobiographical memory primes

Abstract According to the self-brand connection (SBC) construct, brand associations are used to construct one's self or to communicate one's self to others [Escalas JE. Narrative processing: building connections between brands and the self. unpublished dissertation 1996; Duke University.]. Study 1 reveals that: (1) SBCs significantly influence brand evaluations and attitude strength; (2) females exhibit stronger SBCs overall relative to their male counterparts; and (3) higher levels of SBCs impact attitude strength particularly for females in response to the gendered brand studied here — a sports organization, the WNBA. Study 2 focused on a non-gendered brand. The results showed that consumer fans who identified with the in-group (the home team) reported higher levels of SBCs than those who identified with the out-group. Finally, when autobiographical memory primes are presented from the perspective of the in-group, SBCs are higher than when these memory primes are presented from the perspective of an out-group.
Flaws in root resorption assessment algorithms: role of tooth shape.

Introduction: The purposes of this study were to analyze and critique the mathematical algorithms used in the clinical assessment of root resorption. Methods: Geometric constructions and derived mathematical expressions were used to investigate the influence of tooth shape on the relationships between tooth, root, and crown lengths and their respective sizes as measured on before and after radiographs. Results: The ambiguities of root-loss assessment protocols are demonstrated. Conclusions: Root resorption assessment algorithms are unsuited for their intended applications.
A poem/lyrics by Johnny Biosphere: These Lakes Are Your Lakes

In January 1992, I received a poem, “These Lakes Are Your Lakes,” from Jack Vallentyne, aka Johnny Biosphere. He explained that his poetic effort had been inspired by the concluding remarks from my...
Life in a Mexican village: A SAM perspective

This article employs a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) to analyse the economic structure of a migrant‐sending rural economy. A village SAM is constructed using 1982 household data from a major migrant‐sending village in Central Mexico. The village matrix multiplier and its decompositions are derived from the SAM and are utilised in policy experiments on the production, value added, income, and investment flows of the village. The results highlight the central role of both internal and international migration in the village economy, as well as the importance of targeting directly anti‐poverty policies toward the landless.
Helicobacter pylori genetic diversity and risk of human disease

Microbes residing on a mucosal surface may communicate in complex ways with their neighboring host tissue. Signals derived from a bacterium may include metabolites or specific host-directed substances such as secreted toxins, or they may result from direct contact with host cells. Conversely, certain host activities or responses may be considered as signals to the microbe, including production of molecules that can be used by the microbe as substrates, release of defense molecules (e.g., antibodies, defensins, mucus), or organ-specific physiologic traits, including peristalsis and acid secretion in the stomach. In the case of Helicobacter pylori, a common resident of the human stomach, these bidirectional signals appear to have coevolved over long periods such that, in most cases, carriage of H. pylori is, if not mutually beneficial, at least well tolerated by the human host. Here, we examine the relationship of H. pylori and humans in the context of these diverse signals.
Nonlinear and time dependent behaviors of piezoelectric materials and structures

Abstract This study presents an analysis of nonlinear and time-dependent responses of polarized piezoelectric materials and structures. A nonlinear time-dependent electro-mechanical constitutive model based on a single integral form is considered for the piezoelectric materials undergoing small deformation gradients and large electric field. The nonlinearity is accounted for by incorporating higher order terms of the electric field and the effect of loading history is incorporated through the time integrand. An incremental formulation based on a recursive-iterative method is used to obtain solutions for the nonlinear and time-dependent integral constitutive model. This constitutive model is implemented at each material (Gaussian) point within continuum finite elements. Experimental data on polarized piezoelectric ceramics, e.g. Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT), available in the literature are used to validate the nonlinear and time-dependent electro-mechanical constitutive model. In addition, the nonlinear electro-mechanical response of telescopic actuators made of PZT is simulated using the presented time-dependent electro-mechanical model. The calculated results are consistent with experimental data.
Cannabidiol-caused depression of spinal motoneuron responses in cats

Intracellular recording techniques were used on spinal motoneurons in the cat in order to define the synaptic pharmacology of cannabidiol (CBD). The cannabinoid produces only depression of electrophysiological responses of the motoneurons: For instance, the drug decreases the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs); this reduction does not appear to be the result of a change in the afferent input. In addition, CBD raises the firing threshold and decreases the amplitude of motoneuron action potentials; the effects on action potentials are related to changes in postsynaptic membrane conductances, probably involving at least sodium conductance. The spinal motoneuron effects provide potential electrophysiological mechanisms for CBD's central depressant actions.
Tests of quantum chromodynamics in two-photon collisions and high-p T photon production

We use the diagrammatic approach to scale breaking to rederive the results of the renormalization-group approach to two-photon, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}\ensuremath{\gamma}$, collisions, where one of the photons is highly virtual and the other nearly real. In an axial gauge only ladder diagrams contribute to leading-logarithmic accuracy. When interpreted in terms of the quark distribution of the real photon we obtain the result ${G}_{\frac{q}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}}({q}^{2},x)=[\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}({q}^{2})}]{\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{f}}_{q}(x)+O(1)$, where ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{f}}_{q}(x)$ is an exactly calculable scaling function. By virtue of the fact that only ladder diagrams contribute in leading-logarithmic accuracy for this and other short-distance photon-target probes, we find that this form for ${G}_{\frac{q}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}}$ can be employed (to leading-logarithmic accuracy) in any short-distance application involving a photon target. We give a summary of these additional applications with emphasis on high-transverse-momentum phenomena. We present also estimates of the vector-dominance background to the pointlike component of the photon distribution function. In addition we present a convenient summary of leading-logarithmic quantum-chromodynamic corrections including dominant $x\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1$ behaviors.
Exact geometrical optics scattering from a right-angle isorefractive wedge structure

A 90/spl deg/-angle wedge that is isorefractive to the surrounding medium is considered. Under symmetrical incidence by two plane waves of appropriate amplitude, phase and polarization propagating in opposite directions, the edge of the wedge does not scatter and geometrical optics provides the exact solution to the boundary-value problem.
Psychotherapy in the remediation of psychology trainees: Exploratory interviews with training directors

Practicing psychotherapists and trainers of psychology doctoral students are often concerned about the role of personal psychotherapy for trainees, particularly when intended for remediation. The training directors for 14doctoral programs were interviewed regarding the use of personal psychotherapy for remediation. The major theme in a qualitative analysis of these exploratory interviews was the challenge of balancing confidentiality of the trainee's personal therapy with training program accountability and quality assurance to protect the public. Program practices ranged from hands-off to active program involvement in aspects of the trainee's personal therapy. Recommendations for program decision making about psychotherapy as remediation for trainees are suggested.
Expression and characterization of the human erythrocyte anion exchanger in a baculovirus/Sf-9 cell system.

Abstract The human erythrocyte anion-exchange protein (HAE1) has been expressed in insect Sf-9 cells using a recombinant baculovirus. We subcloned the full-length cDNA encoding HAE1 into the baculovirus expression vector pVL1392 and cotransfected Sf-9 cells with the recombinant vector and wild-type AcMNPV DNA to obtain recombinant baculovirus. The expressed protein was targeted to the Sf-9 plasma membrane at an apparent density of ∼0.5 × 10 6 copies/cell as determined by quantitative autoradiography using an HAE1-specific monoclonal antibody. Unlike native HAE1, the expressed protein was not glycosylated. Transport studies with HAE1-recombinant-infected Sf-9 cells showed saturable [ K m (Cl − ) = 44 m M ; V max (Cl − ) = 48 mEq/liter of cell water · min] and H 2 DIDS-inhibitable ( K 0.5 = 34 μ M ) 36 Cl − uptake that was not present in uninfected cells. We also found that extracellular[formula]reduced 36 Cl − influx [K 0.5 [formula]= 26 m M ], presumably through substrate competition as in erythrocytes. Finally, we observed that H 2 DIDS-inhibitable 36 Cl − efflux was reduced by 77% in the nominal absence of a suitable counter-anion in the external solution[formula]-free, all-glucuronate medium), thereby providing strong evidence for an obligatory exchange mechanism. We conclude that there is high-level expression of HAE1 functional activity in recombinant baculovirus-infected Sf-9 cells and that this system will prove useful for kinetic and structural analyses of the HAE1 protein.
Distribution, correlation and prediction of response times in Stack Overflow

The sending of a message raises two important questions about its response: When will the first response arrive? When will the first acceptable response arrive? These questions can be partly or completely answered by identifying distributions of response times, correlating features with response times, and/or predicting the actual response times. We address distribution, correlation and prediction of response times in Stack Overflow. We analyzed response times of over two million question-answer threads. We found no strong correlation between response times and features studied in other messaging domains: (a) use of various kinds of pronouns and punctuations, and (b) the time of day, and day of week when messages were sent. We found that title lengths show a quadratic relationship with median response time and that mean response times vary according to the tags used in a post. We explored a large design space of prediction algorithms based on the distributions of response times. These approaches predicted ranges of time that were automatically determined using a clustering algorithm. The best results were given by an approach that combines, using an index-base weighted-average algorithm introduced here, the most frequent time-ranges in the distributions for the tags in the posts.
“CULTURAL CHRISTIANS” AND THE SEARCH FOR CIVIL SOCIETY IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA

This article traces the emergence of political and legal activism among China’s Protestant elites since the turn of the twenty-first century. It explores the work and the writings of several contemporary public intellectuals and activists who have discovered in their newfound Protestant faith a sacred ground upon which they stand in opposition to the arbitrary powers of the Party-state. Other liberals such as Liu Xiaobo also see Christianity as offering guidance for both democratization and moral regeneration of Chinese society—a theme that echoes many Chinese intellectuals’ response to Christianity at the birth of the Republic a century earlier.
Constrained sintering of glass, glass–ceramic and ceramic coatings on metal substrates†

Many applications now use different materials that are fabricated into structures to obtain the desired combination of properties or to suit particular needs. Ceramics and glasses often are combined with metallic materials for applications in the field of electronics, for insulation and chemical resistance and for improved structural performance such as in composites. One common method of fabricating such structures is by firing coatings and films onto substrates. To obtain usable and reliable components several issues need to be addressed. Two of them—the effect of constraint on the densification and interfacial adhesion—are addressed in this paper. Measurements of densification of some glasses and ceramics showed that the densification rate is reduced by substrate constraint and the effect is more pronounced on crystalline materials than glass. Good adhesion between the coatings and metal substrates also required modifications to the substrate surface to enhance bonding. For coatings sintered onto substrates, such modifications resulted in better bonding. Good adhesion between borosilicate glass and stainless steel was obtained by roughening and preoxidation of the substrate. A very strong adhesion also was obtained between cordierite glass–ceramic and molybdenum substrate after depositing chromium/nickel or chromium/copper layers on the substrate as adhesion layers before coating. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abrogation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor decreases West Nile virus lethality by limiting viral neuroinvasion

The flavivirus West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging pathogen that causes life-threatening encephalitis in susceptible individuals. We investigated the role of the proinflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is an upstream mediator of innate immunity, in WNV immunopathogenesis. We found that patients suffering from acute WNV infection presented with increased MIF levels in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid. MIF expression also was induced in WNV-infected mice. Remarkably, abrogation of MIF action by 3 distinct approaches (antibody blockade, small molecule pharmacologic inhibition, and genetic deletion) rendered mice more resistant to WNV lethality. Mif(-/-) mice showed a reduced viral load and inflammatory response in the brain when compared with wild-type mice. Our results also indicate that MIF favors viral neuroinvasion by compromising the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. In conclusion, the data obtained from this study provide direct evidence for the involvement of MIF in viral pathogenesis and suggest that pharmacotherapeutic approaches targeting MIF may hold promise for the treatment of WNV encephalitis.
Regional White Matter Signal Abnormalities and Cognitive Correlates Among Geriatric Patients with Treated Cardiovascular Disease

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between regional white matter signal abnormalities (WMSA) and cognitive functioning among individuals being treated for cardiovascular risk factors and/or clinical events. Forty-one participants with cardiovascular disease underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and MRI. Total WMSAs were quantified using a semi-automated thresholding technique. Unique to this study, total WMSA volume was divided into three separate anatomically related regions: WMSA in the periventricular (PERIWMSA) region, WMSA adjacent to subcortical nuclei (SUBWMSA), and WMSA in the deep white matter (DEEPWMSA). A ratio of these measures to total cerebral brain volume was compared to cognitive measures assessing attention, executive functioning, psychomotor speed, immediate and delayed memory, language, and visuospatial functioning. PERIWMSA, SUBWMSA, and total WMSA were significantly associated with performance on measures of attention/processing speed. No other significant relationships between WMSA and cognition were noted. Secondary analyses suggested that PERIWMSA volume was increased in individuals with clinical evidence of atherosclerosis. These results emphasize the utility of studying the associations between regional WMSA and cognitive/functional performance in patients undergoing cardiovascular treatment.
On the mechanism of binding of calpastatin, the protein inhibitor of calpains, to biologic membranes.

Abstract Bovine myocardial calpastatin, the endogenous inhibitor of the calcium-dependent proteinases, calpains, could bind to sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations at neutral pH and low ionic strength. Even in the presence of 100 to 200 mM KCl, 4 to 5 μg of calpastatin was bound per mg of membrane. Although calpastatin is found associated with bovine myocardial sarcolemma, neither canine nor human erythrocyte calpastatins were present in isolated erythrocyte membrane preparations. The bovine myocardial calpastatin, but not human erythrocyte calpastatin, could associate with purified phospholipid vesicles at low ionic strength. Thus, phospholipids appear to be involved in the binding of calpastatin to membranes.
Octa- and Nonamethylfluorene and an Electron-Rich Permethylfluorenyl Ruthenocene Derivative

Two highly methylated fluorene derivatives have been synthesized and used for the preparation of mixed-ligand fluorenyl ruthenocenes. Specifically, reaction of 2,2‘,3,3‘,4,4‘,5,5‘-octamethylbiphenyl with paraformaldehyde in the presence of CF3CO2H provided 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octamethylfluorene (C13Me8H2), which was subsequently methylated by reaction with n-BuLi followed by addition of MeI to yield 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-nonamethylfluorene (C13Me9H). Reaction of the lithium fluorenyl derivatives with [Cp*RuCl]4 generated the mixed-ligand ruthenocenes Cp*(C13Me8H)Ru and Cp*(C13Me9)Ru. Electrochemical measurements indicate that these ruthenocene derivatives undergo quasi-reversible oxidations at low potentials consistent with strongly donating character for the highly methylated fluorenyl ligands. X-ray diffraction studies on C13Me8H2, C13Me9H, and Cp*(C13Me9)Ru revealed a twisted fluorene core in all cases.