cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soliton defects in polyacetylene: Local‐density functional results

We report local-density functional results for the electronic structure of neutral soliton defects in polyacetylene. The results were obtained using a modified version of the discrete variational method Xα molecular cluster model. For defect-free chains the calculated X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectra are in good agreement with experiment. For chains with low concentrations of solitons, we find the forbidden gap broadens slightly, and two nearly dispersionless bands, split by several tenths of eV, are introduced into the gap. The predicted splitting is in accord with recent experimental results for this defect.
Discriminative stimulus effects of site-selective N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonists in NPC 17742-trained rats and squirrel monkeys

Drug discrimination studies in rats and monkeys with competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists as training drugs have shown that these drugs typically cross-substitute for each other, whereas phencyclidine (PCP)-like NMDA channel blockers produce partial, if any, substitution. In the present study, rats and squirrel monkeys were trained to discriminate the competitive NMDA antagonist, NPC 17742, from vehicle in a two-lever drug discrimination procedure for food reinforcement. The competitive NMDA antagonists, NPC 12626, SDZ EAA 494 (d-CPPene), and MDL 100,453 fully substituted for NPC 17742 in monkeys or in rats. The relative potencies of these compounds were similar across species. Open channel blockers, PCP and dizocilpine, and the tricyclic antidepressant and low affinity PCP-site ligand, desipramine, produced minimal responding on the NPC 17742-associated lever in rats or monkeys. The glycine-site modulators, (+)-HA-966, ACEA 1021 and milacemide, and the polyamine/NR2B-selective antagonist, eliprodil, also failed to substitute fully for NPC 17742 in rats and monkeys. These data complement and extend results of previous studies which have shown a lack of PCP-like discriminative stimulus effects of these non-competitive NMDA antagonists by further showing that they also do not share discriminative stimulus effects with those produced by many competitive NMDA antagonists. These observations would support a prediction that differences in side-effect profiles should emerge among types of NMDA antagonists.
Dementia in Newfoundland: identification of a geographical isolate?

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aims were (1) to identify from death certificates regions with an increased incidence of dementia mortality; and (2) to determine whether a previously observed excess of patients with Alzheimer disease originating from a small area could be confirmed in a survey of death certificates. DESIGN--The study identified all individuals dying with dementia, recorded on death certificates as an immediate, antecedent, underlying, or contributing cause of death. Rather than the usual residence, the birthplace of these individuals was used to determine regional differences in dementia mortality. A comparison was made of two areas to test the significance of a geographical isolate of persons. To test for a possible genetic component of the excess, an analysis was made of the frequencies of family names. To test for a possible environmental component an analysis was made of standard measurements of drinking water quality. SETTING--The survey data were derived from all 1985 and 1986 deaths in the province of Newfoundland. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Based on the current census population, the prevalence of dementia at death for 1985 and 1986 was 34 and 37/100,000. For both years there was a significant excess of persons originating from a small area (95% CI, 1.1-20.7%, and 2.5-20.4%). This excess could not be explained by differences in age, sex, ethnic origin, or by variation in mobility patterns. The study area has a high concentration of aluminium in the drinking water. An analysis of the family names gave inconclusive evidence of a clustering among the dementia cases. CONCLUSIONS--If all contributing causes of death are recorded and the birthplace of individuals is noted, mortality statistics can reveal regional differences in dementia rates. This shows the need to examine areas smaller than census districts to identify subpopulation variation in the prevalence of dementia. Environmental influences can vary substantially in areas relatively close together, as evidenced in measurements of drinking water chemistry. Genetic influences are more likely to be revealed from the birthplace of individuals, which may indicate a common ancestry.
Long-range oxidative damage in duplex DNA: the effect of bulged G in a G–C tract and tandem G/A mispairs

Two series of duplex DNA oligomers were prepared having an anthraquinone derivative (AQ) covalently linked at a 5′-terminus. Irradiation of the AQ at 350 nm leads to injection of an electron hole (radical cation) into the DNA. The radical cation migrates through the DNA causing reaction primarily at Gn sequences. In one series, GA tandem mispairs are inserted between GG steps to assess the effect of the mispair on the transport of the radical cation, reaction (damage) caused by the radical cation at the mispair, and repair of the resulting damage by formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg). In the second series, a bulged guanine in a G3C2 sequence is interposed between the GG steps. These experiments reveal that neither G/A tandem mispairs nor bulged guanines are significant barriers to long-range charge migration in DNA. The radical cation does not cause reaction at guanines in the G/A tandem mispair. Reaction does occur at the bulged guanine, but it is repaired by Fpg.
Wilms' tumor: diagnostic therapeutic implications.

Twenty-four cases of Wilms’ tumor were analyzed. The gray-scale echographic characteristics of the tumors were categorized. Correlation with pathologic characteristics, clinical presentation, prognosis, and therapy response was assessed. Two echographic patterns emerged: (a) hypoechoic solid — 3; and (b) hyperechoic solid — 21. Necrotic degeneration as well as decrease in tumor size were echographic features correlated with positive response to therapy. The results of this analysis showed no initial correlation between the echographic patterns and the clinical presentation or prognosis. On the other hand, the echographic features of Wilms’ tumor seem distinctive enough to help in etiologic differentiation and therapy management.
Pentastarch as partial replacement fluid for therapeutic plasma exchange: Effect on plasma proteins, adverse events during treatment, and serum ionized calcium

We compared the safety, effect on plasma proteins, and contribution to hypocalcemic toxicity of 10% pentastarch vs. 5% albumin in plasma exchange. Thirty-two neurology patients underwent 161 plasma exchange procedures. Subjects were randomized to receive either 10% pentastarch (n = 17) or 5% albumin (n = 15) as the first (1/2) of colloid replacement. The second (1/2) of colloid replacement was 5% albumin in all cases. NaCl (plus small amounts of ACD-A) accounted for (1/4) of the total return fluid. Mean total exchange volume was 3,842.6 +/- 450 ml. Hemoglobin, platelet count, coagulation parameters, and plasma fibrinogen were similar between the two groups at the outset of plasma exchange and at the time of the last (4th or 5th) procedure of the series. Immunoglobulin levels were equivalent at the outset and were reduced by plasma exchange to the same extent in the two groups. Serum albumin concentration fell significantly faster in the group receiving pentastarch. On the other hand, serum calcium, corrected for the albumin concentration, fell significantly further in the control group than in the group receiving pentastarch. Mean serum ionized calcium fell approximately 25 % in procedures using only albumin but only approximately 16% when pentastarch was used (P < 0.0001). This was reflected in the occurrence of hypocalcemic toxicity in 33.3% of procedures performed using only albumin but in only 8.1% of those using pentastarch (P = 0.0002). Pentastarch may be suitable for partial colloid replacement in plasma exchange and would have saved our hospital $127,050 to $434,280 in 1998 if used in all procedures.
La morpho-psychologie au service de la médecine

Ne vous etes-vous jamais pose la question suivante : quelle est la personnalite du patient qui se trouve devant vous ? La morpho-psychologie semble apporter des reponses a cette question.
ACM SIGHIT International Health Informatics Symposium report

This report summarizes the events and activities of the 2nd ACM SIGHIT International Health Informatics Symposium (IHI 2012), which was held in Miami, Florida, January 28-30, 2012. IHI 2012 is the flagship conference of ACM SIGHIT concerned with the application of computer science principles, information science principles, information technology, and communication technology to address problems in healthcare, public health, everyday wellness as well as the related social and ethical issues. There were 321 submissions. 48 and 52 papers were accepted for oral presentations and poster presentations, respectively. There were also 2 keynote speeches, 4 panels, 3 tutorials, 1 extended poster session, and a doctoral consortium. There were over 220 attendees.
Two-dimensional snowflake trap for indirect excitons

We present experimental proof of principle for two-dimensional electrostatic traps for indirect excitons. A confining trap potential for indirect excitons is created by a snowflake-shaped electrode pattern. We demonstrate collection of indirect excitons from all directions to the trap center and control of the trap potential by voltage.
Differential antigen adhesivity used to select spleen cells for the production of monoclonal antibodies to embryonic neurons.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies specific for cell surface antigens on embryonic chick ciliary ganglion neurons (CG) have been obtained at high frequencies by fractionating spleen cells from immunized mice according to their adhesiveness for cell surfaces of the cultured neurons. Spleen cells from mice that had been immunized with live or lightly fixed (0.125% glutaraldehyde) CG neurons were selected for subsequent hybridization with myeloma cells after fractionation on lawns of CG neurons in tissue culture. Immunized spleen cells were cultured with the neurons for 4–7 days prior to fractionation. Three groups of spleen cells were selected for fusion with a myeloma cell line: a non-adherent population of spleen cells, a population of spleen cells that could be removed from the neuronal cells by shaking on a vibratory shaker for 1 h, and a population that could be removed from the neuronal cells only by treatment with low concentrations of trypsin. Of the 3 groups of spleen cells, the population that required trypsin treatment produced the greatest number of hybridomas specific for neurons and for neuronal cell surfaces. Fewer neuron-specific hybridomas resulted from fusion of the group of spleen cells that could be removed from the antigen lawn by shaking. None of these was specific for the CG neurons. No neuron-specific hybridomas resulted from the fusion of the cells that did not adhere to the neuronal cells, and at most only 1 neuron-specific hybridoma resulted from fusions of comparable groups of unselected spleen cells (spleen cells from immunized animals which were not selected on antigen lawns).
Osteomyelitis in Horses

Much has been learned in the past decade about osteomyelitis. The inhibitory mechanisms of the "biofilm slime" layer that is formed by bacterial extracapsular exopolysaccharides and binds to bone, joints, and implants are now better understood than in the past. The surface colonization of bacteria that occurs within these biofilms is a biologic phenomenon that is somewhat unique to orthopedic infections. This survival strategy of bacteria is effective, and it is important for veterinarians who treat osteomyelitis to be aware of current diagnostic and therapeutic treatment modalities. The practitioner should be aware of the most common bacteria associated with osteomyelitis and the traditional treatments that are still used. Current therapeutic treatment modalities, such as antibiotic- impregnated polymethylmethacrylate, antibiotic-impregnated plaster of Paris, and regional perfusion, have become routine, however, and have been responsible for improving the prevention and outcome of osteomyelitis in the horse. It is the intent of this article to make equine veterinarians aware of current information as well as the future treatments of osteomyelitis.
Transfer learning with one-class data

When training and testing data are drawn from different distributions, most statistical models need to be retrained using the newly collected data. Transfer learning is a family of algorithms that improves the classifier learning in a target domain of interest by transferring the knowledge from one or multiple source domains, where the data falls in a different distribution. In this paper, we consider a new scenario of transfer learning for two-class classification, where only data samples from one of the two classes (e.g., the negative class) are available in the target domain. We introduce a regression-based one-class transfer learning algorithm to tackle this new problem. In contrast to the traditional discriminative feature selection, which seeks the best classification performance in the training data, we propose a new framework to learn the most transferable discriminative features suitable for our transfer learning. The experiment demonstrates improved performance in the applications of facial expression recognition and facial landmark detection.
On another Boolean matrix

In his paper “On a Boolean matrix”, Nechiporuk gave an explicit example of a set of n homogeneous monotone Boolean functions of the first degree in n variables that require ?(n3/2) two-input gates in any monotone Boolean network computing them. In this note we show how this can be extended to ?(n5/3) two-input gates.
TYR-MIF-1, but not MIF-1 or morphine, decreases cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity extracted from HeLa cells.

Abstract The biochemical effects of Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 ), a naturally occurring opiate modulator, on cellular function are poorly understood. We looked for changes in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-kinase; protein kinase A) after treating HeLa cells with this peptide. Binding sites for Tyr-MIF-1 (IC 50 = 83 n M ), but not for DAMGO, a mu opiate, were found on these cells. Brief incubation of HeLa cells with 10 −7 to 10 −5 M Tyr-MIF-1 significantly decreased, in a rapid and dose-dependent manner, cAMP-kinase activity in cell extracts assayed in reaction mixtures with added cAMP but not the much lower basal enzymatic activity that is dependent on endogenous cAMP. In contrast, incubation of the cells with the related peptide MIF-1 (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH 2 ) or with morphine did not significantly alter cAMP-kinase activity. This study shows that Tyr-MIF-1 can affect part of a major signal transduction pathway independently of binding to opiate receptors.
Innate barriers against infection and associated disorders

The innate immune system is primarily responsible for prevention of infection of the skin by pathogens, but is also important in control of inflammation. The components of innate immunity are frequently misunderstood based on a historical bias for leukocyte-mediated immune defense. Many participating cell types are often overlooked, in particular epithelial cells that provide an early and critical step to innate immune defense. This review will discuss our epithelial barrier to infection with emphasis on how microbes subvert this system, and human diseases associated with these events.
Reaction volumes of excited state photoprocesses

Abstract Photoacoustic calorimetry is employed to measure reaction volumes for the formation and decay of the excited states of several coordination complexes. This information can be used to calculate partial volumes of excited states and estimate structural changes that occur upon excitation. In addition, the excited state energies and lifetimes are obtained.
Characterization of Ragweed Pollen Adhesion to Polyamides and Polystyrene Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Pollen is a leading contributor to asthma and allergies, yet pollen adhesion to common indoor surfaces is not well understood. We report the adhesive behavior of short ragweed (A. artemisiifolia) pollen grains with Nylon 6 (N6) and Nylon 6,6 (N66), chosen due to their use in synthetic carpet, and three control surfaces: polyamide 12 (PA12), polystyrene (PS), and silicon. The forces were measured by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) under controlled humidity, where single pollen grains were attached to tipless AFM cantilevers. Pollen grains had an average adhesion of 10 +/- 3 nN with the surfaces, independent of surface type or relative humidity from 20% to 60%. van der Waals forces are the primary molecular attraction driving pollen adhesion to these surfaces. The results also indicate that ragweed pollen contacts the polymer surface via its exine surface spikes, and the total adhesion force scales with the number of contacts. The pollen surface spikes are strong, resisting fracture and compliance up to a load of 0.5 GPa.
Effects of gluten-free, dairy-free diet on childhood nephrotic syndrome and gut microbiota

Emerging evidence suggests an association between food sensitivity and gut microbiota in children with nephrotic syndrome. Diminished proteinuria resulted from eliminating cow's milk and the use of an oligoantigenic diet which excluded gluten, especially in patients with immune-related conditions, i.e., celiac disease and nephrotic syndrome. The mechanisms underlying the association of diet, gut microbiota, and dysregulation of the immune system are unknown. Gut microbiota is influenced by a number of factors including diet composition and other environmental epigenetic exposures. The imbalance in gut microbiota may be ameliorated by gluten-free and dairy-free diets. Gluten-free diet increased the number of unhealthy bacteria while reducing bacterial-induced cytokine production of IL-10. Thus, gluten-free diet may influence the composition and immune function of gut microbiota and should be considered a possible environmental factor associated with immune-related disease, including nephrotic syndrome. Furthermore, the imbalance of gut microbiota may be related to the development of cow's milk protein allergy. Investigations are needed to fill the gaps in our knowledge concerning the associations between the gut microbiome, environmental exposures, epigenetics, racial influences, and the propensity for immune dysregulation with its inherent risk to the developing individual.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum in the cross-striated adductor muscle of the bay scallop, Aequipecten irridians.

The fine structure of the striated adductor muscle of the bay scallop, Aequipecten irridians has been investigated with particular emphasis on the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Each cell of the muscle contains a single myofibril. There is no transverse tubular system in this muscle. The cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum are all interconnected by means of tubular elements. This extensive, interconnected system of flattened cisternae and tubular vesicles is distributed randomly with respect to the sarcomere and is in close association with the sarcolemma.
Saturable binding to cell membranes of the presynanptic neurotoxin, β-Bungarotoxin

Abstract Brief exposure to the protein neurotoxin, β-bungarotoxin, is known to disrupt neuromuscular transmission irreversibly by blocking the release of transmitter from the nerve terminal. This neurotoxin also has a phospholipase A2 activity, although phospholipases in general are not very toxic. To determine if the toxicity of this molecule might result from specific binding to neural tissue, we have looked for high affinity, saturable binding using 125 I-labeled toxin. At low membrane protein concentration 125 I-labeled toxin binding was directly proportional to the amount of membrane; at fixed membrane concentration 125 I-labeled toxin showed saturable binding. It was unlikely that iodination markedly changed the toxin's properties since the iodinated toxin had a comparable binding affinity to that of native toxin as judged by competition experiments. Comparison of toxin binding to brain, liver and red blood cell membranes showed that all had high affinity binding sites with dissociation constants between one and two nanomolar. This is comparable to the concentrations previously shown to inhibit mitochondrial function. However, the density of these sites showed marked variation such that the density of sites was 13.0 pmol/mg protein for a brain membrane preparation, 2.4 pmol/mg for liver and 0.25 pmol/mg for red blood cell membranes. In earlier work we had shown that calcium uptake by brain mitochondria is inhibited at much lower toxin concentrations than is liver mitochondrial uptake. Both liver and brain mitochondria bind toxin specifically, but the density of 125 I-labeled toxin binding sites on brain mitochondrial prepartions ( 3.3 ± 0.3 pmol/mg ) exceeded by a factor of ten the density on liver mitochondrial preparations ( 0.3 ± 0.05 pmol/mg ). It is also shown that the labeled toxin does not cross synaptosomal membranes, suggesting that mitochondria may not be the site of action of the toxin in vivo. We conclude the β-bungarotoxin is an enzyme which can bind specifically with high affinity to cell membranes.
Form of the Temperature-Salinity Relationship in the Central Water: Evidence for Double-Diffusive Mixing

Abstract Ingham (1966) reported that the temperature-salinity relationships in the Central Waters were much better described by a curve of constant density ratio (Rρ = αΔT/βΔS) than by a straight line. His result is quantitatively verified and a simple, but powerful, double-diffusive mechanism is proposed to explain the observed constancy of Rρ in the main thermocline. The mechanism is based on the evidence from theory, experiment and observation that the intensity of salt-finger convection is a strong function of Rρ. This dependence, plus the fact that more salt than heat is transferred by the fingers, causes any deviation from a constant Rρ to be the site of convergence or divergence of the vertical salt flux that acts to remove the perturbation in Rρ. A linear treatment of the mechanism shows that Rρ can be “diffused” with an effective diffusivity that is much greater than the diffusivities of heat or mass. A few numerical examples illustrate the predicted effects of salt fingering on the T-S relation,...
Conformational and hydrophobic properties of rat and bovine S-100 proteins.

The binding of Ca2+ to rat or bovine S-100 proteins, in the absence of ligands, showed a dissociation constant (in 60 mM K+) of 0.5 to 1.0 mM as measured by the effects of Ca2+ on binding of S-100 to phenyl-Sepharose, reactivity of sulfhydryl groups, and difference spectra for PHE, TYR, and TRP residues. Binding of the ligands, “Stainsall” and chlorpromazine lowered the dissociation constant of S-100 for Ca2+ by 2-to 10-fold as measured by the same parameters. The conformational change, in response to Ca2+ binding, probably occurs by exposure to solvent of the hydrophobic region of α and β subunits of S-100 at residue positions 74-93.
Finding the high-risk patient with coronary artery disease.

OVER the years, many clinical studies have been reported that relate clinical, angiographic, and hemodynamic variables to prognosis in the patient with coronary artery disease.1-4The complications of coronary disease considered to constitute "bad" prognosis vary and include congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and death, as well as reversible end points such as the development of life-threatening arrhythmias, unstable angina, and angina requiring bypass surgery. These studies have been both retrospective and prospective and have identifed a number of clinical and laboratory variables related to the selected prognostic end points, first in a univariate and then in a multivariate analysis. This allows subdivision of the patients into high- and low-risk groups, relating risk to the morbidity and mortality achievable by medical treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. Because coronary atherosclerosis progresses with time, whatever risk stratification is done should be periodically repeated. The interval depends on whether there
Seventh-grade students’ representations for pictorial growth and change problems

The purpose of this teaching experiment was to investigate eight seventh-grade pre-algebra students’ development of algebraic thinking in problems related in growth and change pattern structure. The teaching experiment was designed to help students (1) identify and generalise patterns in relationships between quantities in the pictorial growth and change problems, (2) represent these generalisations in verbal and symbolic representations, and (3) build effective connections between their external and internal representations for pattern finding and generalising. Findings from the study demonstrated that the students recognized patterns in related problems that enabled them to describe generalised quantitative relationships in the problems. Students modeled their thinking using different external representations—drawing diagrams, creating tables, writing verbal generalisations, and constructing generalised symbolic expressions. Seven of the eight students primarily created and interpreted diagrams as a way to generalise verbally and then symbolically.
Phenotypic changes in bone marrow-derived murine macrophages cultured on PEG-based hydrogels activated or not by lipopolysaccharide.

Abstract Macrophages are phenotypically diverse cells performing a number of functions involved in immunity, inflammation, wound healing, tissue homeostasis and the foreign body reaction. In the latter, the type of biomaterial and the surrounding environment likely have an impact on macrophage phenotype and, subsequently, the severity of the reaction. The objectives for this study were to characterize the phenotype of bone marrow-derived murine macrophages in response to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogels, a promising class of materials for cell delivery. Gene expression was used as a measure of phenotype and characterized by IL-1β , TNF-α , iNOS , IL-12β , arginase , VEGF-A , and IL-10 . Macrophages were cultured on PEG hydrogels, PEG hydrogels with RGD tethers, and medical grade silicone rubber, a well-characterized biomaterial, up to 96 h in the absence and presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate an inflammatory environment. Macrophage interrogation led to immediate up-regulation (10×) of IL-1β and TNF-α within 4 h, followed by an increase in IL-10 / IL-12β and a subsequent concomitant decrease in the pro-inflammatory genes by 96 h, suggesting a shift from classically activated to a regulatory phenotype. LPS stimulation led to a stronger early up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes (e.g. 20–30× for IL-1β and TNF-α ), followed by upregulation (4–6×) of arginase , suggesting a shift from an elevated classically activated to a wound healing phenotype. Material type played a significant role in regulating pro-inflammatory genes, which was most pronounced with PEG alone. Overall, our findings indicate that macrophages undergo similar phenotypic changes for the materials tested, but the magnitudes of these responses are highly material dependent.
Serum salicylate levels and right-to-left ductus shunts in newborn infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension

Although a right-to-left shunt via a patent ductus arteriosus is one criterion for the diagnosis of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant, it cannot be demonstrated by simultaneous pre- and postductus arteriosus blood oxygen tensions in many infants with the clinical syndrome. In animals, exposure of the fetal ductus arteriosus to salicylates causes contriction and results in pulmonary hypertension. We postulated that maternal ingestion of salicylates and premature closure of the ductus arteriosus may explain why some infants with PPHN do not have right-to-left ductus shunts. Therefore, we studied serum salicylate levels in six groups of infants: I, normal infants' cord blood (0.73±0.44 mg/dl, N=20); Ia, normal infants at 24 to 36 hours of age (0.08±0.1 mg/dl, N=5): II, other cardiopulmonary diseases with no right-to-left ductus shunt (2.08±1.74 mg/dl, N=26); III, other cardiopulmonary diseases and right-to-left ductus shunt (2.34±1.70 mg/dl, ΔPa o 2 70±71 mm Hg, N=6); IV, PPHN and right-to-left ductus shunt (1.86±1.51 mg/dl, ΔPa o 2 39.6±58.9 mm Hg, N=5); V, PPHN without right-to-left ductus shunt (7.77±5.18 mg/dl, ΔPa o 2 2.2±1.5 mm Hg, N=6). Serum salicylate levels were significantly greater ( P
Topology optimization and detailed finite element modeling of piezoelectric actuators: Effect of external loads and detail geometry on actuator output

Compliant mechanical amplifiers are often used to amplify small motions such as those of PZT actuators, since they do not incur displacement losses that frequently occur in pin-jointed mechanisms. Their optimal design is key to maximizing actuator performance. Our previous work was focused on developing a topology optimization methodology wherein the size of the design domain and the location of the PZT actuator were pre-defined. The resultant solution was one that maximized stroke amplification. In this paper we study the effects of stack and structural properties on resultant topology and output stroke with focus on quantitative performance for practical application. The motivating example is an actuator-design problem where +/- 400micrometers stroke and 45 N force is required. The problem is solved using topology design methodology and the results obtained are verified using finite element analysis. We demonstrate that magnitude of output displacement is extremely sensitive to preload on the compliant mechanical amplifier, amplifier and actuator material, topology interpretation while converting it into a solid model, and magnitude of applied voltage. We discuss effects of asymmetric placement of the PZT stack, multiple stacks, and increased stack length on resultant displacement.
An antidepressant mechanism of desipramine is to decrease tumor necrosis factor-α production culminating in increases in noradrenergic neurotransmission

The monoamine theory of depression proposes decreased bioavailability of monoamines, such as norepinephrine (NE), as the underlying cause of depression. Thus, the antidepressant efficacy of NE-reuptake inhibitors such as desipramine is attributed to increases in synaptic concentrations of NE. The time difference between inhibition of reuptake and therapeutic efficacy, however, argues against this being the primary mechanism. If desipramine elicits its therapeutic efficacy by increasing NE release, in turn, increasing activation of the alpha(2)-adrenergic autoinhibitory receptor, then mimicking this increase with an exogenous agonist (clonidine) should support or even enhance the efficacy of the antidepressant. Intriguingly, simultaneous administration of clonidine with desipramine prevented the cellular and behavioral effects elicited by desipramine alone, in both acute and chronic administration paradigms. These results suggest the involvement of additional factor(s) in the mechanism of antidepressant action of this drug. Desipramine administration results in a virtual ablation of neuron-derived tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), thus implicating an essential role of TNF in the therapeutic efficacy of this antidepressant. Additionally, following chronic administration of desipramine, TNF-regulation of NE release is transformed, from inhibition to facilitation. Here, we demonstrate that a transformation in TNF-regulation of NE release in the brain is a key element in the efficacy of this antidepressant. Interestingly, an increase in neurotransmission prior to the antidepressant's effect on TNF production prevents the efficacy of the antidepressant drug. Thus, the efficacy of desipramine is due to decreased levels of TNF in the brain induced by this drug, ultimately modifying noradrenergic neurotransmission.
The microbiology of bottled water

Abstract Bottled drinking water is rarely completely free of microorganisms. Typically, this autochthonous flora is present at the source and of little concern to a healthy population. In the United States, disinfection may be used to remove microorganisms. The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water solely on the basis of coliform content, whereas more stringent European regulations prohibit the presence of a group of potentially pathogenic bacteria. After bottling, the bacterial count in the container increases rapidly at the expense of organic material present in the water. This increase tends to be greater in non-carbonated waters and water bottled in plastic containers. Predominant bacteria include pseudomonads, some of which are known opportunists. Many isolates are also resistant to a variety of commonly used antimicrobial agents. Confirmed outbreaks of disease traceable to bottled water appear to be a result of contamination rather than being due to source water quality.
Buoyant Pulsating Exchange Flow Through a Vent

Buoyancy-driven bidirectional pulsating exchange flow through a vent in a horizontal partition is studied experimentally using a brine/water system. The associated transient and pulsating exchange flows were studied by densimetric measurements, flow visualization, and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurements for three different vent length-to-diameter ratios : 0.106, 0.0376, and 0.008. A time scale, based on the rate of decay of the density difference between the two compartments, is developed that collapses all experimental data regarding the decay of density in the top compartment into one curve. Flow visualization was used to understand the flow features contributing to the pulsating flow and to provide a quantitative measure of the major pulsation frequency. Interfacial instability between brine and water at the vent was found to contribute to the pulsation. The pulsation frequencies and their decay were determined from the power spectrum of LDV measurements. For the small length-to-diameter ratios (0.008 and 0.0376) there are two different frequencies that decay at different rates, suggesting multiple flow processes that contribute to flow pulsations.
Macromolecular structure of the organic framework of nacre in Haliotis rufescens: Implications for mechanical response

Direct experimental probes of the mechanical response of the biopolymer framework of nacre extracted from the shell of the gastropod Haliotis rufescens have been performed. Both monotonic tensile, and time dependent relaxation, tests revealed that the tissue comprising the interlamellar layers within nacre obeyed a simple constitutive model conforming to the visco-elastic standard linear solid, with time constants in the range tau=140+/-4s. We conclude that the behavior is essentially that imparted by the chitin core of these layers. Interestingly we find that the chitin network of the core appears to be connected over multiple CaCO(3) tiles. A simple composite model is formulated and used to interpret the observed behavior.
Selective estrogen receptor modulators: clinical spectrum.

I. Introduction II. Breast Effects A. Women with primary breast cancer without metastases B. Women with metastatic disease C. Breast cancer prevention III. Reproductive System Effects A. Ovary B. Uterus C. Vagina D. Neuroendocrine IV. Skeletal Effects: Bone Mass, Bone Metabolism, and Fracture Occurrence A. Tamoxifen B. Raloxifene V. Vascular System Effects: Intermediate Markers and Disease Outcomes A. Intermediate markers B. Vascular disease outcomes VI. Central Nervous System Effects A. Cognitive function and mood B. Eye disease VII. Hepatic Effects VIII. Miscellaneous Effects IX. Conclusion
The incidence of proximal humeral fractures in New York State from 1990 through 2010 with an emphasis on operative management in patients aged 65 years or older

Background Proximal humeral fractures are commonly encountered injuries. The development of locking plate technology and reverse shoulder arthroplasty may have changed the treatment patterns of these fractures. Methods We used the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database in New York State to determine the incidence of proximal humeral fractures from 1990 through 2010 and the choice of treatment: closed reduction–internal fixation, open reduction–internal fixation (ORIF), hemiarthroplasty (HA), or total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Results The population-adjusted incidence per 100,000 increased from 15.35 in 1990 to 19.4 in 2010 ( P P P Discussion The incidence of proximal humeral fractures in patients aged 65 or older increased by 28% between 1990 and 2010, and operative management increased by more than 40%. The use of ORIF increased between 2001 and 2010, corresponding with the use of locking plate technology. There was an associated decrease in HA. TSA increased between 2006 and 2010, corresponding to the use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
Strength of glass from Hertzian line contact

In optical lens assembly, metal retaining rings are often used to hold the lens in place. If we mount a lens to a sharp metal edge using normal retention force, high compressive stress is loaded to the interface and the calculated tensile stress near the contact area from Hertzian contact appears higher than allowable. Therefore, conservative designs are used to ensure that glass will not fracture during assembly and operation. We demonstrate glass survival with very high levels of stress. This paper analyzes the high contact stress between glass lenses and metal mounts using finite element model and to predict its effect on the glass strength with experimental data. We show that even though contact damage may occur under high surface tensile stress, the stress region is shallow compared to the existing flaw depth. So that glass strength will not be degraded and the component can survive subsequent applied stresses.
Traumatic avulsion injury of the brachial plexus

The case report of a motor vehicle accident victim with a right arm paralysis, Horner's pupil, and a widened mediastinum is presented. These findings were the result of a traction injury to the brachial plexus. The widened mediastinum and apical capping in this patient were the result of a hemorrhage at the base of the neck which extended into the mediastinum. The clinical manifestations and pathophysiology of traction injuries to the brachial plexus are discussed, and an approach to the diagnosis and emergency management of this problem is reviewed.
Coding for content: enhanced resolution from coding

This paper describes a new video coding algorithm [Kermode 1994] that extends the traditional hybrid transform coding techniques used in MPEG in two ways. First, pictures are analyzed and segmented into a number of regions roughly corresponding to the background and any moving foreground objects. These regions are then encoded independently from one another thereby incorporating degree of useful content into the encoded representation beyond the pictures themselves. Second, the new algorithm also stores the background regions from several frames which can then be used to construct an artificial image at a higher resolution than that of the original background. Furthermore, both of these features are implemented at no overall cost in compression efficiency. In fact the new algorithm still outperforms MPEG, even for particularly degenerate sequences where the underlying assumption used for segmentation is broken.
Systemic Processes in Triadic Supervision

During a four-year research project that grew out of their teaching and supervision, three counselor educators used a constructivist grounded theory approach to address a gap in the literature on triadic supervision. The authors collaborated with 2 research assistants and 28 research participants to examine triadic supervision through analysis of individual and focus group interviews, observation of videotapes of triadic supervision, and ongoing discussions. Analysis and interpretive theorizing resulted in the identification of the following basic processes present in triadic supervision: systemic engagement, synergy, recursiveness, presence of the supervisor, and community. Description of each process, considerations about use of triadic supervision, and implications for teaching and practice are discussed.
PI-3-kinase and MAPK regulate mesangial cell proliferation and migration in response to PDGF

Proliferation and migration are important biological responses of mesangial cells to injury. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a prime candidate to mediate these responses in glomerular dise...
Lossless geometry compression for steady-state and time-varying irregular grids

In this paper we investigate the problem of lossless geometry compression of irregular-grid volume data represented as a tetrahedral mesh. We propose a novel lossless compression technique that effectively predicts, models, and encodes geometry data for both steady-state (i.e., with only a single time step) and time-varying datasets. Our geometry coder is truly lossless and also does not need any connectivity information. Moreover, it can be easily integrated with a class of the best existing connectivity compression techniques for tetrahedral meshes with a small amount of overhead information. We present experimental results which show that our technique achieves superior compression ratios, with reasonable encoding times and fast (linear) decoding times.
Scan Shift Power of Functional Broadside Tests

The power dissipation during the application of scan-based tests can be significantly higher than during functional operation. An exception is the second, fast functional capture cycles of functional broadside tests, where it is guaranteed that the power dissipation will not exceed that possible during functional operation. The power dissipation during the other clock cycles of functional broadside tests is studied here for the first time. The clock cycles under consideration are referred to as scan shift cycles. This paper describes a test generation procedure that limits the power dissipation during scan shift cycles of functional broadside tests. Experimental results for benchmark circuits demonstrate the extent to which the power dissipation during scan shift cycles can be limited without affecting the transition fault coverage.
Exclusion limits on the WIMP-nucleon scattering cross-section from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search

Abstract The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) employs massive ionization- and phonon-mediated detectors to search for WIMPs via their elastic scattering interactions with nuclei while discriminating against interactions by other background particles. Limits on the WIMP-nucleon scattering cross-section, based on 3.1 kg d of exposure, exclude new parameter space in the 10–30 GeV WIMP mass region and also a portion of the region allowed by the DAMA annual modulation search (Bernabei, Phys. Lett. 450 (1999) 448).
CoFe/IrMn exchange-coupled soft underlayers for perpendicular-media

FeTaN-IrMn exchange-coupled multilayer films have shown outstanding characteristics as soft underlayers for perpendicular media but 19 layers including the IrMn layer were required to meet the target permeability /spl mu/ of /spl sim/100 and ferromagnetic thickness of 200 nm. In order to decrease the number of layers, to improve thermal stability, and to increase the saturation flux density 4/spl pi/M/sub s/, CoFe alloys with a high uniaxial anisotropy field H/sub k/ and a high 4/spl pi/M/sub s/ were investigated. In Co/sub 90/Fe/sub 10/-IrMn(10 nm) multilayer films, a significant increase in the intrinsic pinning field H/sub po/ allowed the number of layers to be reduced from 19 to 7 with improved thermal stability. Co/sub 90/Fe/sub 10/-IrMn multilayer using a thinner top layer of (Co/sub 90/Fe/sub 10/)N combined with a Cu-IrMn underlayer showed a unique single domain direction and a low /spl mu/ of 108 up to 2 GHz but a low 4/spl pi/M/sub s/ of 15/spl sim/16 kG. This was improved to /spl sim/23 kG using Co/sub 35/Fe/sub 65/ films in which soft uniaxial anisotropic properties were achieved using a Cu underlayer. Co/sub 35/Fe/sub 65/-IrMn multilayer with the optimized structure of Glass-Cu(20 nm)-IrMn(10 nm)-[Co/sub 35/Fe/sub 65/(50 nm)-IrMn(10 nm)]/sub 4/-Co/sub 35/Fe/sub 65/(25 nm) showed outstanding characteristics for soft underlayers.
Digital Business Models for Peer-to-Peer Networks: Analysis and Economic Issues

Peer-to-peer (P2P) services allow users to share networked resources, notably bandwidth and content, from the edges of the network. These services have been popularized because of file sharing - particularly the sharing of unlicensed copyrighted files. Concerns about such P2P file sharing were highlighted by content owners' recent lawsuits against individual users and P2P network operators. However, content owners are increasingly exploring the ability of peer-to-peer networks to accommodate legitimate content distribution and promotion. In this article we review the economic characteristics of P2P networks and outline the implications of these characteristics on efforts to counteract illegal piracy and on potential uses of P2P networks in a commercial media distribution strategy.
Evolution of Grasses and Grassland Ecosystems

The evolution and subsequent ecological expansion of grasses (Poaceae) since the Late Cretaceous have resulted in the establishment of one of Earth’s dominant biomes, the temperate and tropical grasslands, at the expense of forests. In the past decades, several new approaches have been applied to the fossil record of grasses to elucidate the patterns and processes of this ecosystem transformation. The data indicate that the development of grassland ecosystems on most continents was a multistage process involving the Paleogene appearance of (C3 and C4) open-habitat grasses, the mid-late Cenozoic spread of C3 grass-dominated habitats, and, finally, the Late Neogene expansion of C4 grasses at tropical-subtropical latitudes. The evolution of herbivores adapted to grasslands did not necessarily coincide with the spread of open-habitat grasses. In addition, the timing of these evolutionary and ecological events varied between regions. Consequently, region-by-region investigations using both direct (plant fossils) and indirect (e.g., stable carbon isotopes, faunas) evidence are required for a full understanding of the tempo and mode of grass and grassland evolution.
Deep‐Tissue Photoacoustic Tomography of a Genetically Encoded Near‐Infrared Fluorescent Probe

Skin-deep: The combination of a near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP) and deep-tissue photoacoustic tomography clearly demonstrates the superiority of iRFP over other genetically encoded probes. Impressive resolution (280 μm lateral and 75 μm axial) was obtained at a depth of 4 mm in a live animal, and volumetric images of a tumor were produced (see image), thus allowing the spatially resolved monitoring of its development.