cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laboratory evaluation of a novel thermal dissociation chemiluminescence method for in situ detection of nitrous acid

Abstract We describe a new laboratory-based method for in situ detection of nitrous acid (HONO) using a combination of thermal dissociation (TD) and chemiluminescent (CL) detection of nitric oxide. A prototype was built using a commercial NO sensor. Laboratory tests for possible chemical interferences show that measurements are affected in predictable ways by NO 2 , peroxy nitrates, alkyl nitrates, HNO 3 , O 3 and H 2 O .
A Thermodynamic Efficiency Concept for Heat Exchange Devices

A thermodynamic efficiency based on the second law of thermodynamics is defined for heat exchange devices. The efficiency can be simply written in terms of the mean absolute temperatures of the two fluids exchanging heat, and the appropriate environment temperature. It is also shown that for a given ratio of hot to cold inlet temperatures, the efficiency and effectiveness for particular heat exchange configurations are related. This efficiency is compared to second-law efficiencies proposed by other authors, and is shown to be superior in its ability to predict the effect of heat exchanger parameter changes upon the efficiency of energy use. The concept is applied to typical heat exchange cases to demonstrate its usefulness and sensitivity.
Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as pancytopenia in a methotrexate-treated patient.

A 72-year-old white male was admitted with a 3-week history of anorexia, fatigue, weight loss, and fever. Rheumatoid arthritis had been diagnosed approximately 6 months earlier, at which time oral therapy was initiated with methotrexate (15 mg per week) and prednisone 40 mg per day. The patient was found to be pancytopenic five months later, at which time the methotrexate was discontinued, although the prednisone therapy was maintained. Physical examination at the time of admission revealed an elderly man with slow speech, generalized weakness, multiple ecchymoses of the extremities, and a single, nontender ulcer of the dorsum of the tongue (see Image 1). A complete blood count revealed a hemoglobin level of 9.6 g/dL, a white blood cell count of 1,700, and a platelet count of 22,000. The serum creatinine was 1.6 mg/dL. A chest film revealed bilateral lower lobe atelectasis, and a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis was normal. Image 1.
Using a Personal Digital Assistant to Increase Independent Task Completion by Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In this study, a personal digital assistant (PDA) with picture, auditory, and video prompts with voice over, was evaluated as a portable self-prompting device for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a multiple probe design across three cooking recipes and replicated with three students with ASD, the system was tested for its effectiveness in increasing independent performance across the multiple step tasks. In addition, data were recorded for the number and types of prompts used by the students across time. Results indicate that the students with ASD were able to adjust the prompt levels used on the PDA and to maintain their ability to use the device to independently complete recipes over time.
Recurrent herpes simplex encephalitis: Recovery of virus after Ara-A treatment

A 54-year-old man developed clinical findings consistent with herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. These signs included an abrupt onset of focal central nervous system disease, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, localized electroencephalographic abnormalities, and a computerized tomographic scan showing right temporal lobe involvement. Treatment with adenine arabinoside (Ara-A) resulted in improvement. Two months later he again became confused, and a left hemiparesis developed. Although biopsy revealed extensive necrosis and inflammatory response, HSV antigens and herpesvirus particles were not detected. Culture of biopsy tissue yielded HSV type 1 only after 18 days. A second course of Ara-A was administered but the patient failed to improve and died four months later. Extensive inflammatory necrosis of both temporal lobes involving gray and white matter was found. Cultures were negative for HSV. The recovery of virus from our patient during the second encephalitic episode should raise concerns regarding the efficacy of Ara-A treatment and the role of the virus in recurrent disease. In addition, the importance of maintaining biopsy tissue in culture for prolonged periods is emphasized.
A Comparative Study of Selected Attitudes, Values, and Personality Characteristics of American, Chinese, and Indian Students

(1962). A Comparative Study of Selected Attitudes, Values, and Personality Characteristics of American, Chinese, and Indian Students. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 123-132.
Identification of aroma active compounds in orange essence oil using gas chromatography–olfactometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Using GC-MS and GC-flame ionization detection (FID)/olfactometry, 95 volatile components were detected in orange essence oil, of which 55 were aroma active. In terms of FID peak area the most abundant compounds were: limonene, 94.5%; myrcene, 1%; valencene, 0.8%; linalool, 0.7%, and octanal, decanal, and ethyl butyrate, 0.3% each. One hundred percent of the aroma activity was generated by slightly more than 4% of the total volatiles. The most intense aromas were produced by octanal, wine lactone, linalool, decanal, beta-ionone, citronellal, and beta-sinensal. Potent aroma components reported for the first time in orange essence oil include: E-2-octenal, 1-octen-3-ol, Z-4-decenal, E,E-2,4-nonadienal, guaiacol, gamma-octalactone, and m-cresol. Over 20 compounds were identified for the first time in orange essence oil using MS, however, most did not exhibit aroma activity.
The organization of chloroplast membranes ofVicia faba andZea mays after processing to retain chlorophyll and hydrophobic lipids in the chloroplasts

Chloroplasts, bothin situ and isolated, were dehydrated at low temperatures to avoid chlorophyll extraction. These chloroplasts were fixed with glutaraldehyde only or with glutaraldehyde followed by osmium. Chloroplasts dehydrated at low temperatures have narrower fret membranes, but the same dimensions of the partitions as chloroplasts dehydrated by standard techniques. However, the two membranes forming the partition are separated by an electron transparent region or A-component in low temperature dehydrated chloroplasts post-fixed with osmium. With glutaraldehyde only, the A-component appears as a thin discontinuous dark line. The results indicate that the A-component is a structural component of the partition and supports the hypothesis that chlorophyll and the hydrophibic lipids are localized there.
Enhanced detection of objects obscured by dispersive media using tailored random noise waveforms

The University of Nebraska has developed a coherent random noise radar technique that permits phase-coherent processing of random noise radar signals. This is achieved through a heterodyne correlation receiver that retains the phase of the reflected signal during the detection process. A simulation study was carried out to evaluate the system's expected performance during detection of objects buried under lossy dispersive media with different types of complex permittivity characteristics as a function of frequency. It was observed that system performance was degraded under dispersive media conditions. However, by suitably tailoring the random noise transmission characteristics to attain an inverse frequency relationship with respect to the attenuation characteristics of the media, a significant enhancement was observed in detecting obscured objects. This shows that adaptive matched illumination is useful in detecting objects buried under lossy coatings intentionally induced to inhibit detection.
Failure of reflective metal coatings by cracking

Abstract The relationship between point defects and severe cracking of metal films is explored. Tests carried out on coatings of chromium, copper and nickel show that cracks radiate from pinholes in the metal film. This effect has been attributed to stress concentration in the neighborhood of the pinhole. It seems advisable to fill in as many pinholes as possible during deposition if cracking is to be avoided. Furthermore, reflective coatings intended for high temperature use should not be raised to the pinhole formation temperature or higher.
Heart failure in 2001: a prophesy revisited

I November 1991, I was asked to write an article predicting the status of heart failure management in 2001.1 Because the past decade has seen many remarkable, and in some cases counterintuitive, developments in the management of this clinical syndrome, it seems useful to examine these predictions in light of today’s understanding of heart failure. This exercise may provide clues regarding treatment strategies that may emerge over the next 10 years. In 1991, the major goal in treating patients with heart failure was to alleviate signs and symptoms by modifying abnormal circulatory dynamics. Therapy therefore focused on pump dysfunction, and generally included efforts to increase cardiac output and decrease systemic and pulmonary venous pressures. Clinical trials performed in the 1980s had documented the poor prognosis in these patients, and provided evidence that some vasodilators could prolong survival.2,3 Because improved prognosis was becoming an important goal for therapy, my “central prophecy” was that “by the year 2001 physicians will be better able to treat the real problem in heart failure, which lies not in the disordered circulation but instead is progressive deterioration of the failing myocardium.”1 This review, which is based on my 1991 article, highlights 3 aspects of the pathophysiology of heart failure: abnormal organ physiology, abnormal cell biochemistry, and abnormal gene expression (Table 1).
Divisia moments of U.S. consumption, 1929–1982☆

Abstract Using U.S. consumption data for 1929 to 1982, Divisia price and volume indexes are computed as well as Divisia variances and covariances. The quantity variances tend to be larger than the price variances, and the majority of the price-quantity covariances is negative.
Immunotherapy trial as diagnostic test in evaluating patients with presumed autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility.

Background Chronic gastrointestinal dysmotility greatly impacts the quality of life. Treatment options are limited and generally symptomatic. Neural autoimmunity is an under-recognized etiology. We evaluated immunotherapy as an aid to diagnosing autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility (AGID). Methods Twenty-three subjects evaluated at the Mayo Clinic for suspected AGID (August 2006–February 2014) fulfilled the following criteria: (1) prominent symptoms of gastrointestinal dysmotility with abnormalities on scintigraphy–manometry; (2) serological evidence or personal/family history of autoimmune disease; (3) treated by immunotherapy on a trial basis, 6–12 weeks (intravenous immune globulin, 16; or methylprednisolone, 5; or both, 2). Response was defined subjectively (symptomatic improvement) and objectively (gastrointestinal scintigraphy/manometry studies). Key Results Symptoms at presentation: constipation, 18/23; nausea or vomiting, 18/23; weight loss, 17/23; bloating, 13/23; and early satiety, 4/23. Thirteen patients had personal/family history of autoimmunity. Sixteen had neural autoantibodies and 19 had extra-intestinal autonomic testing abnormalities. Cancer was detected in three patients. Preimmunotherapy scintigraphy revealed slowed transit (19/21 evaluated; gastric, 11; small bowel, 12; colonic, 11); manometry studies were abnormal in 7/8. Postimmunotherapy, 17 (74%) had improvement (both symptomatic and scintigraphic, five; symptomatic alone, eight; scintigraphic alone, four). Nine responders re-evaluated had scintigraphic evidence of improvement. The majority of responders who were re-evaluated had improvement in autonomic testing (six of seven) or manometry (two of two). Conclusions & Inferences This proof of principle study illustrates the importance of considering an autoimmune basis for idiopathic gastrointestinal dysmotility and supports the utility of a diagnostic trial of immunotherapy.
Effects of resistance and endurance exercise on bone mineral status of young women: A randomized exercise intervention trial

A substantial body of cross-sectional data and a smaller number of intervention trials generally justify optimism that regular physical activity benefits the skeleton. We conducted an 8 month controlled exercise trial in a group of healthy college women (mean age = 19.9 years) who were randomly assigned to a control group or to progressive training in jogging or weight lifting. We measured the following variables: bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine (L2–4) and right proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, dynamic muscle strength using the 1-RM method, and endurance performance using the 1.5 mile walk/run field test. A total of 31 women completed the 8 month study. For women completing the study, compliance, defined as the percentage of workout sessions attended, was 97% for the runners (range 90–1009/0) and 92% (range 88–100%) for the weight trainers. Body weight increased by approximately 2 kg in all groups (p < 0.05). Weight training was associated with significant increases (p < 0.01) in muscle strength in all muscle groups. Improvement ranged from 10% for the deep back to 54% for the leg. No significant changes in strength scores were observed in the control or running groups. Aerobic performance improved only in the running group (16%, p < 0.01). Lumbar BMD increased (p < 0.05) in both runners (1.3 ± 1.6%) and weight trainers (1.2 ± 1.8%). These results did not differ from each other but were both significantly greater than results in control subjects, in whom bone mineral did not change. No measure of bone mineral at the proximal femur changed significantly in any group. These results demonstrate that 8 months of supervised progressive training in either running or resistance exercise modestly increases lumbar spine mineral in young women.
Logistic regression of family data from case-control studies

SUMMARY Multivariate regression models are applied to binary disease data in families identified from case-control studies. Attention is restricted to 'marginal' or reproducible models, i.e. those whose parameters have the same interpretations in the marginal distributions for all subsets of a family, with a logistic specification of each individual's marginal disease probability. For such models, it is shown that the case-control family data can be analysed as if they were obtained from a prospective study, with the baseline disease probabilities of case and control probands differing from that of their relatives. This result extends that of Anderson (1972) and Prentice & Pyke (1979) for the probands' data to include disease outcomes and covariates for their families. It contrasts with inconsistent estimates of parameters in nonreproducible models that result when the case-control sampling design is ignored (Tosteson, Rosner & Redline, 1991). The contrast underscores the need to check the plausibility of the reproducibility assumption, which requires that the covariates be independent of any unmeasured factors responsible for the correlation of familial disease occurrence, before analysing case-control data prospectively.
CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 INHIBITOR PRESERVES MEDULLARY AQUAPORIN-2 EXPRESSION AND PREVENTS POLYURIA AFTER URETERAL OBSTRUCTION

ABSTRACTPurpose: Renal obstruction causes impairment of urinary concentrating ability, partly by decreasing aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) water channel level in the collecting ducts. We reported previously that ureteral obstruction induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the medullary collecting duct cells by increased mechanical stretch. In this study we investigated whether AQP-2 decrease after obstruction was regulated by COX-2.Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral ureteral obstruction for 24 to 48 hours. During obstruction rats were given NS398, a COX-2 specific inhibitor, by oral gavage (2 mg/kg per day). COX-2 and AQP-2 levels were assessed in the inner medulla using Western blot. Urine output was measured after releasing obstruction to assess the degree of polyuria.Results: With obstruction COX-2 protein levels increased and AQP-2 levels decreased in the inner medulla. Corresponding to the loss of AQP-2, urine output increased 4.2-fold after obstruction. The obstructed rats recei...
The integument of the paddlefish, Polyodon spathula

The integument of the paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) is unusual as a relatively small amount of mucus is produced by epithelial cells that are not modified into regular mucous gland cells. A thick compact epidermis and dermis compensate for the slight amount of mucus secreted. Paddlefish have a variety of scales formed of concentric bony lamellae containing osteocytes. There are five kinds of scales: dorsal and ventral fulcra on the caudal fin, rhomboidal scales on the caudal lobe, horny denticles over the pectoral girdle, calcareous denticles on the trunk, and anchor-shaped plates on the rostrum. Except for the fulcra, the scales are undoubtedly vestigial. The numerous surface pits on the rostrum, head, operculum, and throat are epithelial invaginations which are not connected to lateral line canals. No nerves lead to the pits. The spherical to cuboidal and often ciliated cells at the base of the pits are considered to be aplasic cells of unformed neuromasts.
Implementation of Vigneron's streamwise pressure gradient approximation in the PNS equations

For single sweep parabolized Navier-Stokes solvers, the streamwise pressure gradient must be modified in the subsonic region to eliminate numerical instabilities. The accuracy of this modification on the solution of the parabolized Navier-Stokes equations with Vigneron's technique is shown to depend on how the numerical approximation of the pressure gradient is formed. A simple test case of supersonic laminar flow over a flat plate is computed with two different numerical methods for solving the PNS equations. Significant errors in the temperature profile and skin friction coefficient are demonstrated using a fully conservative differencing treatment of Vigneron's splitting for the pressure gradient typically used in parabolized Navier-Stokes solvers. The physical reason for this error is discussed. An alternate formulation is demonstrated which minimizes these errors.
Mechanics of branchial ventilation in the valviferan isopod Idotea wosnesenskii (Crustacea)

Idotea wosnesenskii Brandt, a valviferan isopod, has five pairs of pleopods within a branchial chamber enclosed by modified uropods (operculae). The pumping mechanism of resting isopods was videotaped to observe ventilation, and particularly to determine whether or not the swimming pleopods (first three pairs) and the gas exchange pleopods (last two pairs) have ventilatory roles. Observations on intact animals (to observe water flow into and out of the branchial chamber) and on animals with operculae propped open or with parts of their abdominal wall removed (to study the actual pumping movements of the pleopods) revealed that all five pairs of pleopods function in ventilation. The ventilatory stroke has two phases: an opening phase in which the pleopods move medially and ventrally, opening spaces between pleopods (analogous to the swimming recovery stroke), and a closing phase, wherein the pleopods move laterally and dorsally, reducing the gaps between succeeding pleopods (analogous to the swimming power stroke). Ventilatory strokes may be continuous or they may be separated by resting phases. Both the frequency and amplitude are variable: the frequency changes greatly due to the wide variation in resting phase duration. By opening the operculae the amplitude can increase so that ventilatory strokes grade into swimming strokes. The ventilatory stroke pattern at rest is generally similar to the swimming stroke pattern but differs in its slower and nearly simultaneous dorsoventral movements and its lower frequencies. Dye and particle movements around intact animals and those with exposed pleopods show that water typically takes about three strokes to pass through the branchial chamber.
Temporal separation in the specification of primary and secondary motoneurons in zebrafish.

Abstract In zebrafish there are two populations of motoneurons, primary and secondary, that are temporally separate in their development. To determine if midline cells play a role in the specification of these neurons, we analyzed both secondary and primary motoneurons in mutants lacking floor plate, notochord, or both floor plate and notochord. Our data show that the specification of secondary motoneurons, those most similar to motoneurons in birds and mammals, depends on the presence of either a differentiated floor plate or notochord. In the absence of both of these structures, secondary motoneurons fail to form. In contrast, primary motoneurons, early developing motoneurons found in fish and amphibians, can develop in the absence of both floor plate and notochord. A spatial correspondence is found between secondary motoneurons andsonic hedgehog-expressing floor plate and notochord. In contrast, primary motoneuronal specification depends on the presence ofsonic hedgehogin gastrula axial mesoderm, the tissue that will give rise to the notochord. These results suggest that both primary and secondary motoneurons are specified by signals from midline tissues, but at very different stages of embryonic development.
Life after death row: exonerees’ search for community and identity

Since 1973, when the death penalty was reinstated in the US following the Furman v. Georgia decision, there have been 144 people completely exonerated from death row and many others cleared and rel...
The aortic root: comparison of measurements from ECG-gated CT angiography with transthoracic echocardiography.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the measurements of the aortic root obtained from electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA) to the measurements obtained from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study in a patient population scanned at our institution between December 2005 and January 2007 with retrospectively ECG-gated CTA. ECG-gated CTA was performed with a 64-section helical CT scanner (Light speed, VCT, GE, Milwaukee, WI). Sixty-eight patients; 51 men and 17 women were included in this study. Aortic root diameters were measured by using double oblique reconstruction from axial source images. The TTE measurements of the aortic root were obtained from the reports that were performed within 2 months of CTA. RESULTS The average aortic root diameter measured by TTE was 33+/-4.1 mm; on CTA it was 36.9+/-3.8 mm. The median difference between the 2 measurements was 3.9 mm which was significant (P<0.0001). In patients whose aortic root measurements with CTA were normal, the TTE measurements were also normal. However, in the group of patients with dilated aortic roots by CTA, TTE measurements were significantly lower and many were normal. In the group of patients with dilated aortic root by TTE, the CTA measurements of the aortic root were similarly increased. CONCLUSIONS Retrospective comparison of TTE and CTA measurements of the aortic root reveal that TTE measurements are substantially lower or even normal in patients found to have dilated aortic root by CTA.
The use of scintiangiography with technetium 99m in the diagnosis of traumatic pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysm formation is a known complication of peripheral arterial access procedures. Although standard contrast angiography has been considered the diagnostic study of choice to identify pseudoaneurysms, isotope angiography has been described as an alternative method. In this study, we examined the role of 99mTc-tagged red blood cell scans in the diagnosis of traumatic pseudoaneurysm. Forty patients underwent scans; 25 scans were reported as abnormal and 15 as normal. There were no false-negative results; one scan had false-positive results (2.5%). The presence of pseudoaneurysm among the patients with abnormal scans was verified at operation in 23 of 25 patients. The one false-positive test was verified by ultrasound. All patients with normal scans were followed up for verification. Follow-up time ranged from 2 to 28 months. Radionuclide vascular flow study appears to give information similar to that of conventional angiography. With a series false-positive rate of 2.5%, the examination has a high specificity. The 99mTc-tagged red blood cell scan is a viable alternative to conventional angiography for the diagnosis of traumatic pseudoaneurysms and is associated with less radiation and morbidity.
Isolation of RNA for dot hybridization by heparin-DNase I treatment of whole cell lysate

Abstract We have developed a new procedure for the rapid preparation of undegraded total RNA from cultured cells for specific quantitation by dot blotting analysis. Pelleted cells are resuspended in hypotonic solution containing a ribonuclease inhibitor and heparin and disrupted by freezethaw. Heparin is employed as an agent for nuclear lysis, dissociation of chromosomal protein, and release of mRNA from rough endoplasmic reticulum. We eliminate chromosomal DNA by digestion with DNase I and denature the RNA in the lysate with formaldehyde. After centrifugation to remove debris, the supernatant is used directly for dot blotting. All manipulations are performed in the same microfuge tube and recovery of RNA is quantitative. The procedure is especially useful for processing large numbers of samples. We illustrate its versatility by analysis of specific RNAs in Drosophila , rat, and human cell lines. In reconstruction experiments, less than 80 molecules per cell of a small RNA (β-globin) can be detected under highly stringent hybridization conditions, using only moderately labeled double-stranded plasmid DNA probes and short film exposures.
Circadian rhythmicity in vertebrate retinas: Regulation by a photoreceptor oscillator

Abstract Circadian regulation of retinal function has now been shown in all classes of vertebrates and attempts are now under way to understand the mechanisms underlying this regulation. The functions and organization of retinal rhythm mechanisms seem to vary among species and types of rhythms. To some extent this reflects the experimental advantages of different systems, but it also seems to reflect real variation in control mechanisms among species. Many aspects of retinal function, from gene transcription to complex intercellular interactions, are regulated by circadian oscillators (Fig. 8). Circadian clock regulation of the visual system ranges from dramatic, spontaneous rhythmicity in melatonin synthesis and disc shedding in some species to subtle rhythmic regulation of responsiveness to light and dark signals in other species. Most of the known retinal rhythms, as well as a circadian oscillator, are localized in photoreceptors. This suggests that circadian rhythmicity is fundamental for normal photoreceptor function. Some of the intracellular and paracrine components of the pathways linking different retinal rhythms have been identified. However, because of the complex feedback interactions present in the system, it is still difficult to draw strong conclusions about the causal relationships among rhythms. For example, melatonin is rhythmic and regulates dopamine release, but it is not clear that the rhythms in dopamine are driven directly by melatonin rhythms. Dopamine can modulate melatonin rhythms, but it is not necessary for generation of those rhythms (Cahill and Besharse, 1993). The recently discovered circadian regulation of photoreceptor gene expression (Pierce et al. , 1993; Yoshida et al. , 1993; Green and Besharse, 1994) may underlie rhythmicity at higher levels of organization. It will be important to determine which other photoreceptor genes are also regulated by circadian mechanisms and whether common factors are involved. Mechanisms of the photoreceptor oscillator itself are now approachable in a few experimental preparations, including Xenopus eyecups and photoreceptor layers and chick retinal cell cultures (Cahill and Besharse, 1991, 1993; Pierce et al. , 1993). These in vitro preparations eliminate systemic influences from the interpretation of experimental results. Furthermore, by measuring the timing of rhythmicity, it is possible to distinguish oscillator responses to experimental manipulations from acute changes in rhythmic variables. This is the key to unraveling the mechanisms underlying retinal circadian rhythmicity.
Domoic acid-induced seizures in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are associated with neuroinflammatory brain injury

California sea lions (CSLs) exposed to the marine biotoxin domoic acid (DA) develop an acute or chronic toxicosis marked by seizures and act as sentinels of the disease. Experimental evidence suggests that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are important mechanisms underlying the seizurogenic potential of environmental toxicants but these pathways are relatively unstudied in CSLs. In the current study, we investigated the role of glutamate-glutamine changes and gliosis in DA-exposed CSLs to better understand the neurotoxic mechanisms occurring during DA toxicity. Sections from archived hippocampi from control and CSLs diagnosed with DA toxicosis were immunofluorescently stained for markers of gliosis, oxidative/nitrative stress and changes in glutamine synthetase (GS). Quantitative assessment revealed increasing loss of microtubule associated protein-2 positive neurons with elevations in 4-hydroxynonenal correlating with chronicity of exposure, whereas the pattern of activated glia expressing nitric oxide synthase 2 and tumor necrosis factor followed pathological severity. There was no significant change in the amount of GS positive cells but there was increased 3-nitrotyrosine in GS expressing cells and in neurons, particularly in animals with chronic DA toxicosis. These changes were consistently seen in the dentate gyrus and in the cornu ammonis (CA) sectors CA3, CA4, and CA1. The results of this study indicate that gliosis and resultant changes in GS are likely important mechanisms in DA-induced seizure that need to be further explored as potential therapies in treating exposed wildlife.
Inhibition of thymidylate synthetase by 5-formyl- and 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridylate.

Abstract 5-Formyl-2′-deoxyuridylic acid has been found to be an extremely potent inhibitor of thymidylate synthetase from Escherichia coli B, competitive with 2′-deoxyuridylate and showing a K i value of 1.3 × 10 −8 M . The related 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxyuridylate has no substrate properties, but is a competitive inhibitor with respect to 2′-deoxyuridylate (K i = 1.05 × 10 −5 M ). The data presented argue against the possibility of free formaldehyde as the electrophilic reactant.
Developmental Trajectories in Moral Reasoning Across the Life Span

Abstract This long‐term study found that moral reasoning as conceptualised by Kohlberg (1981, 1985) can develop into adulthood. Predominantly white, well‐educated, middle‐class participants were interviewed four times at 4‐year intervals (N = 44). Stage development was sequential and continued throughout the life span, although its occurrence decreased with advancing age in a curvilinear fashion. Post‐conventional reasoning was demonstrated by seven adults. Stage of moral reasoning correlated with age strongly in children and moderately in adults, and was moderately correlated with education in all age groups. Additionally, advance in moral reasoning stage was correlated with increase in education in adults. Although no systematic gender differences were found across age groups, men in the younger adult group had significantly higher scores than women.
Approximation algorithms for geometric median problems

In this paper we present approximation algorithms for median problems in metric spaces and fixed-dimensional Euclidean space. Our algorithms use a new method for transforming an optimal solution of the linear program relaxation of the s-median problem into a provably good integral solution. This transformation technique is fundamentally different from the methods of randomized and deterministic rounding in the literature in the following way: Previous techniques never set variables with zero values in the fractional solution to 1. This departure from previous methods is crucial for the success of our algorithms.
The geomorphic significance of step–pools in mountain streams

Abstract This paper develops a conceptual model to define the changing role and significance of step–pools as energy dissipators in steep mountain channels. Although energy dissipation is a significant function of step–pools, this role changes over time with variations in discharge. Steps are effective in reducing stream energy at low flows, but their effectiveness diminishes with increasing stage. Accordingly, the manner in which energy dissipation occurs also varies. With increasing flows, spill resistance gives way to a dominance in form and grain resistance. The conceptual model for the changing role of step–pools is illustrated with data from hydraulic analysis and modeling of step–pools in the Santa Monica Mountains of California. The model points to the importance of the size of steps in determining their role in energy dissipation and in their interactions with channel hydraulics. The model offers a new articulation for the geomorphic significance of step–pools in mountain streams, and it serves as a useful template for a more complete understanding of step–pools over a longer time scale.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate–induced oxygen free radical generation in smooth muscle cell migration requires Gα12/13 protein-mediated phospholipase C activation

Background Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S-1-P) is a bioactive sphingolipid that stimulates the migration of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) through G-protein coupled receptors; it has been shown to activate reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NAD[P]H) oxidase. The role of phospholipase C (PLC) in oxygen free radical generation, and the regulation of VSMC migration in response to S-1-P, are poorly understood. Methods Rat arterial VSMC were cultured in vitro. Oxygen free radical generation was measured by fluorescent redox indicator assays in response to S-1-P (0.1μM) in the presence and absence of the active PLC inhibitor (U73122; U7, 10nM) or its inactive analog U73343 (InactiveU7, 10nM). Activation of PLC was assessed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting for the phosphorylated isozymes (β and γ). Small interfering (si) RNA to the G-proteins Gαi, Gαq, and Gα12/13 was used to downregulate specific proteins. Statistics were by one-way analysis of variance (n = 6). Results S-1-P induced time-dependent activation of PLC-β and PLC-γ; PLC-β but not PLC-γ activation was blocked by U7 but not by InactiveU7. PLC-β activation was Gαi-independent (not blocked by pertussis toxin, a Gαi inhibitor, or Gαi2 and Gαi3 siRNA) and Gαq-independent (not blocked by glycoprotein [GP] 2A, a Gαq inhibitor, or Gαq siRNA). PLC-β activation and cell migration was blocked by siRNA to Gα12/13. Oxygen free radical generation induced by S-1-P, as measured by dihydroethidium staining, was significantly inhibited by U7 but not by InactiveU7. Inhibition of oxygen free radicals with the inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium resulted in decreased cell migration to S-1-P. VSMC mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and VSMC migration in response to S-1-P was inhibited by PLC- inhibition. Conclusion S-1-P induces oxygen free radical generation through a Gα12/13, PLC-β-mediated mechanism that facilitates VSMC migration. To our knowledge, this is the first description of PLC-mediated oxygen free radical generation as a mediator of S-1-P VSMC migration and illustrates the need for the definition of cell signaling to allow targeted strategies in molecular therapeutics for restenosis.
Interpretation of DTA Experiments Used for Crystal Nucleation Rate Determinations

An analysis is presented of two schemes which have been proposed for the determination of the temperature dependence of homogeneous crystal nucleation rates in glasses via DTA measurements. The first method is based upon the postulate that the inverse of the temperature at which the DTA crystallization rate is maximum, will increase monotonically as the number density of nucleated particles increases. The secone method is based on the observation that the intensity at T(p) (peak height) increases as T(p) grows. The validity of both of these methods is assessed for inorganic glasses for two specific crystal growth models.
Representing communities: Histories and politics of community‐based natural resource management

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of a loosely woven transnational movement, based particularly on advocacy by nongovernmental organizations working with local groups and communities, on the one hand, and national and transnational organizations, on the other, to build and extend new versions of environmental and social advocacy that link social justice and environmental management agendas. One of the most significant developments has been the promotion of community‐based natural resource management programs and policies. However, the success of disseminating this paradigm has raised new challenges, as concepts of community, territory, conservation, and indigenous are worked into politically varied plans and programs in disparate sites. We outline a series of themes, questions, and concerns that we believe should be addressed both in the work of scholars engaged in analyzing this emergent agenda, and in the efforts of advocates and donor institutions who are engaged in designing and implementing s...
Models and heterogeneous reasoning

Human reasoning is heterogeneous; it is based on information from perception, discourse, and knowledge. This paper outlines a theory that shows how these diverse sources of information are integrated, and how they can yield necessary, possible, and probable conclusions. At the heart of the theory is the notion of a mental model. The paper shows how the theory works for spatial reasoning. It extends the theory to sentential reasoning, and it corroborates the theory's predictions about the use of diagrams to facilitate reasoning. Finally, it draws some conclusions about heterogeneous reasoning.
Building a multicontextual model of Latino college enrollment: Student, school, and state-level effects

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/review_of_higher_education/v035/35.2.nunez.html.
Power-Efficient Decision-Feedback Equalizers for Multi-Gb/s CMOS Serial Links

A decision-feedback equalizer (DFE) can compensate for severe signal distortion due to limited channel bandwidth, but its typical power consumption is too high for some applications. This paper describes three CMOS DFEs which embody different design techniques for improved power efficiency. The first one, with two taps, uses a soft decision technique to reduce the critical path delay of the first feedback tap, so that the analog summers can be operated at low currents. This DFE consumes 4.8 mW at 6 Gb/s. The second one, with one tap, employs speculation to relax the critical timing. Speculation increases the number of parallel data paths, but the power dissipation of each path is kept low by using a single switched-capacitor circuit for both sampling and DFE summation. This DFE consumes 5.0 mW at 6 Gb/s. The third one, with two taps, also employs speculation. High power efficiency (9.3 mW at 7 Gb/s) is achieved by implementing the analog summers as resettable integrators.
Growth arrest of individual senile plaques in a model of Alzheimer's disease observed by in vivo multiphoton microscopy.

In Alzheimer's disease, amyloid-β peptide aggregates in the extracellular space to form senile plaques. The process of plaque deposition and growth has been modeled on the basis of in vitro experiments in ways that lead to divergent predictions: either a diffusion-limited growth model in which plaques grow by first-order kinetics, or a dynamic model of continual deposition and asymmetrical clearance in which plaques reach a stable size and stop growing but evolve morphologically over time. The models have not been tested in vivo because plaques are too small (by several orders of magnitude) for conventional imaging modalities. We now report in vivo multiphoton laser scanning imaging of thioflavine S-stained senile plaques in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease to test these biophysical models and show that there is no detectable change in plaque size over extended periods of time. Qualitatively, geometric features remain unchanged over time in the vast majority of the 349 plaques imaged and re-imaged. Intervals as long as 5 months were obtained. Nonetheless, rare examples of growth or shrinkage of individual plaques do occur, and new plaques appear between imaging sessions. These results indicate that thioflavine S-positive plaques appear and then are stable, supporting a dynamic feedback model of plaque growth.
The Sympathetic Nervous System Contributes to Capsaicin-Evoked Mechanical Allodynia But Not Pinprick Hyperalgesia in Humans

The contribution of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to pain, mechanical allodynia (MA), and hyperalgesia in humans is controversial. A clearer understanding is crucial to guide therapeutic use of sympatholytic surgery, blocks, and drug treatments. In rats, capsaicin-evoked MA, and to some extent, pinprick hyperalgesia (PPH), can be blocked with alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists. In this study, we examined the contribution of the SNS to MA and PPH in normal human subjects by blocking alpha-adrenoreceptors with intravenous phentolamine. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study, subjects were given IV saline or phentolamine, 1 mg/kg over 20 min. Ten minutes after the start of the infusion, subjects received 100 micrograms of intradermal capsaicin on the foot dorsum with the temperature of the injected site clamped at 36 degrees C. The temperature of the uninjected foot was used to monitor the degree of alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade produced by phentolamine. Ongoing pain and MA and PPH areas were measured every 5 min for 60 min. A significantly greater increase in temperature on the uninjected foot was seen during the phentolamine infusion compared with the saline infusion, indicating alpha-adrenergic blockade. Significantly less MA was observed with the phentolamine infusion 10-25 min after capsaicin injection than with the saline infusion. No significant differences in ongoing pain or PPH areas were seen between the two infusions at any time. Our results suggest that capsaicin-evoked MA and PPH have different mechanisms, with the SNS having a role in MA but not in PPH or ongoing pain.
Superior feature-set ranking for small samples using bolstered error estimation

Motivation: Ranking feature sets is a key issue for classification, for instance, phenotype classification based on gene expression. Since ranking is often based on error estimation, and error estimators suffer to differing degrees of imprecision in small-sample settings, it is important to choose a computationally feasible error estimator that yields good feature-set ranking. Results: This paper examines the feature-ranking performance of several kinds of error estimators: resubstitution, cross-validation, bootstrap and bolstered error estimation. It does so for three classification rules: linear discriminant analysis, three-nearest-neighbor classification and classification trees. Two measures of performance are considered. One counts the number of the truly best feature sets appearing among the best feature sets discovered by the error estimator and the other computes the mean absolute error between the top ranks of the truly best feature sets and their ranks as given by the error estimator. Our results indicate that bolstering is superior to bootstrap, and bootstrap is better than cross-validation, for discovering top-performing feature sets for classification when using small samples. A key issue is that bolstered error estimation is tens of times faster than bootstrap, and faster than cross-validation, and is therefore feasible for feature-set ranking when the number of feature sets is extremely large. Availability: We provide a companion website, which contains the complete set of tables and plots regarding the simulation study, and a compilation of references on feature-set ranking with applications in Genomics. The companion website can be accessed at the URL http://ee.tamu.edu/~edward/bolster_ranking Contact: edward@ee.tamu.edu
Quantifying fine-grained privacy risk and representativeness in medical data

The current way that privacy is protected suggests lack of consideration of privacy needs of different types of medical records. Without knowing how representative and sensitive individual records are, methods built on the top of unwarranted assumptions could be misleading and even erroneous, e.g. over-protecting of a subset of the records while under-protecting of the rest. This article developed a novel framework to quantify the fine-grained privacy risk and representativeness of individual records in a medical database. Our implementation leveraged the KD-tree, an efficient data structure, to do range queries. We used real-data to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
High-Frequency ZnO Thin-Film Transistors on Si Substrates

Record microwave frequency performance was achieved with nanocrystalline ZnO thin-film transistors fabricated on Si substrates. Devices with 1.2-mum gate lengths and Au-based gate metals had current and power gain cutoff frequencies of fT = 2.45 GHz and fmax = 7.45 GHz, respectively. Same devices had drain-current on/off ratios of 5 times1010 exhibited no hysteresis effects and could be operated at a current density of 348 mA/mm. The microwave performances of devices with 1.2- and 2.1- mum gate lengths and 50- and 100-mum gate widths were compared.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Visual Obstructions Affect Settlement Patterns in Barn Swallows (Hirundo Rustica)

ABSTRACT. Neighbor visibility is thought to influence territory size and shape, and visual obstructions may allow for greater nesting density within a breeding colony. We studied the effects of neighbor visibility and neighbor proximity on settlement patterns in a colony of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) using artificial nest cups placed in parallel rows on the underside of a pier. Nest cups were placed 61 cm apart so that the distance between adjacent cups matched the distance between adjacent rows. Rows were separated by the vertical panels to which the nest cups were attached. To a swallow perched on a cup, cups in the same row were visible but cups in adjacent rows were visually obstructed. We compared the observed nest-settlement patterns with expected distributions generated both by calculating cup availability and by simulating random settlement events. Barn Swallows avoided settling 61 cm from an active nest only if that neighbor was visible; visually obstructed neighbors at the same distance wer...
Character recognition with two spiking neural network models on multicore architectures

This paper presents the use of the Izhikevich and Hodgkin Huxley neuron models for image recognition. The former is more biologically accurate than the commonly used integrate and fire neuron model but has similar low computational requirements. Brain scale cortex models tend to use the more biological neuron models. The results of this work show that the Izhikevich model can be used for image recognition and would be a good candidate for a large scale visual cortex model. Neural networks based on these models are developed and applied to character recognition. They were able to identify 48 24×24 images and their noisy versions. The networks were accelerated using modern multicore processors and showed significant speedups. Such processors are likely to be used for developing high performance, large scale implementations of these image recognition networks.