cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High spectral resolution of gamma-rays at room temperature by perovskite CsPbBr3 single crystals

Gamma-ray detection and spectroscopy is the quantitative determination of their energy spectra, and is of critical value and critically important in diverse technological and scientific fields. Here we report an improved melt growth method for cesium lead bromide and a special detector design with asymmetrical metal electrode configuration that leads to a high performance at room temperature. As-grown centimeter-sized crystals possess extremely low impurity levels (below 10 p.p.m. for total 69 elements) and detectors achieve 3.9% energy resolution for 122 keV 57Co gamma-ray and 3.8% for 662 keV 137Cs gamma-ray. Cesium lead bromide is unique among all gamma-ray detection materials in that its hole transport properties are responsible for the high performance. The superior mobility-lifetime product for holes (1.34 × 10−3 cm2 V−1) derives mainly from the record long hole carrier lifetime (over 25 μs). The easily scalable crystal growth and high-energy resolution, highlight cesium lead bromide as an exceptional next generation material for room temperature radiation detection. Detection and spectroscopic measurements of gamma-ray used to rely on expensive materials such as CdZnTe crystals. Here He et al. develop a melt method to grow large size CsPbBr3 perovskite crystals and the devices achieve low cost, high energy resolving capabilities and stability.
Processing and Creep Resistance of Nickel/Yttria Composites

In this study, pure nickel and yttria (Y2O3) were selected as a model system to investigate the feasibility of processing metal matrix composites (MMCs) through a powder metallurgy approach for the in-situ formation of a continuous three-dimensional reinforcement network or the in-situ formation of discrete reinforcements with certain degrees of interconnected clusters. Composites with a volume fraction of Y2O3 ranging from 20 to 50 % were prepared through hot pressing. The density, microstructure and creep resistance of these composites were evaluated as a function of the yttria volume fraction. It was found that a continuous Y2O3 network was formed in composites with 40 and 50 vol % Y2O3, while yttria was discrete with some degrees of interconnected clusters in composites with 20 and 30 vol % Y2O3. The creep rate was reduced by two to three orders of magnitude with the addition of 20 to 30 vol % Y2O3, and it continued to decrease with increasing the volume fraction of yttria to 50%. The analysis indicated that the load transfer to isolated yttria particles could not account for the improved creep resistance of composites with 20 and 30 vol % Y2O3, while the load transfer to a continuous yttria network in composites with 40 and 50 vol % Y2O3 could not be approximated by the model of the load transfer to continuous fibres. The discrepancies are believed to be related to the presence of interconnected yttria clusters, the low relative density of the yttria phase in the composite, and the low load-carrying capability through a three-dimensional network in comparison with the load-carrying capability through continuous fibres. It is suggested that the density of the yttria phase and hence the creep resistance of the composite can be further improved over what have been obtained in this study by densifying the composite at high temperatures and pressures.
Consciousness of Time and the Time of Consciousness

This article reviews different explanations of what consciousness must be like if it is possible for us to experience time and temporal objects such as melodies. Consciousness is characterized by a temporal structure and seems to involve a successive flow—the often-used metaphor of a stream of consciousness. This temporal structure of experience necessarily shapes the way that we are conscious of the world, and raises especially interesting problems concerning the experience of temporal objects. The idea of experience as a streaming process also raises questions about the unity of consciousness and self over time.
Prolonged grief disorder among asylum seekers in Germany: the influence of losses and residence status

Background: Besides the high exposure to traumatic events, many refugees to Europe experienced tremendous interpersonal losses. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate and pote...
Simple Addition of Glycine in Trifluoroacetic Acid-Containing Mobile Phases Enhances the Sensitivity of Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Biopharmaceutical Characterization.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a commonly used mobile phase additive in liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based biopharmaceutical characterization to enhance reversed-phase chromatogra...
Successful treatment of a dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma of the proximal humerus with a hemicortical articular surface sparing allograft: A case report.

Abstract Introduction Dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas are rare and highly malignant tumors that require wide surgical resection. Survival is extremely poor without adequate surgical margins. We present a case of articular sparing surgery of the shoulder for dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma with excellent functional outcomes and no evidence of disease after fifty-six months. Presentation of case A 29-year-old male was found to have a non-metastatic right proximal humerus dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. He underwent resection with clear one centimeter margins sparing the medial cortex and the articular surface. Reconstruction of the bone was accomplished using a hemicortical allograft. A dermal allograft was used to help reconstruct the rotator cuff to the allograft bone. At fifty-six months after surgery he has excellent functional range of motion. His current MSTS, Quick Dash, and Constant Shoulder scores are 29, 2.3, and 80, respectively. He has remained free of disease, is back to work without restrictions and is active in outdoor activities. Discussion Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma has high recurrence and poor survival rates. Adequate surgical resection is vital for its treatment. Previously described reconstructive techniques have consisted of articular replacement with a prosthesis, allograft, or allograft-prosthetic composites. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an articular sparing reconstruction for dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma with fifty-six month survival and functional outcomes. When possible, sparing the articular surface can provide good functional outcomes that improve over time. Conclusion If adequate surgical margins can be obtained, an articular surface sparing reconstruction of the shoulder can provide effective functional outcomes and an alternative to joint replacement.
In vitro study of the role of FOXO transcription factors in regulating cigarette smoke extract-induced autophagy

Cigarette smoking is the chief etiological factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoke (CS) causes protein degradation, DNA damage, and cell death, thereby resulting in acute lung injury (ALI). In this regard, autophagy plays a critical role in regulating inflammatory responses by maintaining protein and organelle homeostasis and cellular viability. Expression of autophagy-related proteins (ARPs) is regulated by the fork head box class O (FOXO) transcription factors. In the current study, we examined the role of FOXO family proteins—FOXO1 and FOXO3a—in regulating CS extract (CSE)-induced autophagy. Using human lung adenocarcinoma cells with type II alveolar epithelial characteristics (A549), we observed CSE-mediated downregulation of FOXO3a. In contrast, there was a pronounced increase in the expression of FOXO1 at both the transcriptional and translational levels in the CSE-challenged cells compared with controls. Interestingly, knockdown of FOXO3a heightened the CSE-mediated increase in expression of cytokines/chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1), ARPs, and the FOXO1 transcription factor. Moreover, FOXO1 knockdown rescued CSE-mediated upregulation of ARPs in A549 cells. In addition, using the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), we observed abrogated mRNA expression of several ARPs and production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and CCL-5) in the CSE-challenged cells suggesting an important role of ROS in regulating CSE-induced autophagy. Chromatin immunoprecipitation of FOXO1 and FOXO3a demonstrated increased binding of the former to promoter regions of autophagy genes- BECLIN1, ATG5, ATG12, ATG16, and LC3 in CSE challenged cells. These findings suggest the role of FOXO1 in regulating the expression of these genes during CSE exposure. Overall, our findings provide evidence for FOXO3a-dependent FOXO1-mediated regulation of autophagy in the CSE-challenged cells.
Management of Cutaneously Exposed Carotid Stents in Recurrent and Unresectable Head and Neck Cancer

Objective Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. Patients with CBS are managed with covered stents, limited published information exists regarding the management of delayed complications, specifically cutaneous exposure of stents. Here, we present our experience managing cutaneously exposed carotid artery stents (CAS) in patients with recurrent and unresectable HNC. Methods A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed to identify recurrent HNC patients who underwent CAS placement for CBS and complicated with cutaneous exposure of the stent between 2014 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed with attention to treatment history, pre-, intra-, and postoperative courses, anticoagulation needs, and durability of the reconstruction. Results We identified three patients who presented with a right CAS fully exposed in a large, ulcerative wound. All patients underwent a right pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) to cover the exposed stent within 30 days of presentation to our institution. Two of three patients attained adequate coverage of the stent for more than 30 days, while one experienced partial flap dehiscence within 12 days. Two patients developed postoperative chest hematomas, which were managed conservatively. Two of three patients were able to undergo further palliative adjuvant treatments within 60 days of the initial surgical procedure. Conclusion In this small series, durable coverage of an exposed carotid artery with PMMF was successful in two of three patients with extensive disease burden and complex prior treatment history. No mortalities occurred within 30 days postoperatively.
High-resolution computed tomography temporal bone imaging in achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia is a genetic condition caused by disordered endochondral ossification, which leads to rhizomelic dwarfism and midfacial hypoplasia. Additionally, several morphologic changes in the t...
Identification of Host Bloodmeal Source in Ornithodoros turicata Dugès (Ixodida: Argasidae) Using DNA-Based and Stable Isotope-Based Techniques

The ecology and host-feeding patterns of many soft ticks (Ixodida: Argasidae) remains poorly understood. To address soft tick-host feeding associations, we fed Ornithodoros turicata Duges on multiple host species and evaluated quantitative PCR (qPCR) and stable isotope analysis to identify the vertebrate species used for the blood meal. The results showed that a qPCR with host-specific probes for the cytochrome b gene successfully identified blood meals from chicken (Gallus gallus L.), goat (Capra aegagrus hircus L), and swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) beyond 330 days post-feeding and through multiple moltings. Also, qPCR-based bloodmeal analyses could detect multiple host species within individual ticks that fed upon more than one species. The stable isotope bloodmeal analyses were based on variation in the natural abundance of carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) isotopes in ticks fed on different hosts. When compared to reference isotope signatures, this method discerned unique δ13C and δ15N signatures in the ticks fed on each host taxa, yet could not discern multiple host species from O. turicata that fed on more than one host species. Given the significance of soft tick-borne zoonoses and animal diseases, elucidating host feeding patterns from field-collected ticks using these methods may provide insight for an ecological basis to disease management.
Group Identity and Political Cohesion

This entry examines the conditions under which group identities become politicized, the psychology underlying this process, and the consequences of political identities for political cohesion and engagement. The political consequences of membership in various demographic and religious groups played a central role in the earliest voting studies and these findings have been theoretically and empirically enriched by an active research focus on social identities within social psychology. Foundational research has identified the underpinnings of cohesive group political behavior in the existence of chronic strong group identities, an established link between the group and politics, and the emergence of group norms fostering a distinct political outlook and political action. Recent research has focused on dynamic aspects of group political cohesion, including threats to the group's status, the convergence of distinct identities, and factors that arouse strong emotions likely to foster collective action. Numerous questions remain unanswered about the conditions under which group political cohesion emerges. One set of questions concerns the origins of chronically strong identities in personality factors such as agreeableness and extraversion. Another set of questions touches on the origins of group identity in situational contexts that promote uncertainty. Finally, the degree to which group leaders can elicit cohesion and conformity, and the situational elements that promote such influence, is a very promising avenue for future research. Keywords: social identity; political identity; political behavior; group consciousness; public opinion; voting; collective action; conformity
BUDDHIST INFLUENCE ON WINDSCREEN LITERATURE: A STUDY ON STICKER PHRASES POSTED ON THE THREE WHEEL TAXIES IN SRI LANKA

In this paper, we focused on the Buddhist attitudes conveyed through sticker phrases posted on TWTs in Sri Lanka. The main factor which has been studied in this research survey is the influence of Buddhist attitudes upon the TWT community in Sri Lanka in their selection and posting the above mentioned literature pieces on their taxies. For this purpose, we have gathered a collection of 2291 phrases from 831 TWTs in fifteen towns in Kandy, Colombo, Anuradhapura, and Matara districts representing four provinces out of nine. Only Sinhala and English phrases were considered. We found 619 relevant sticker phrases which conveyed an influence of Buddhist attitudes and were categorized into twelve themes. The analysis of results was done both quantitatively and qualitatively. Impermanency, karma, samsara, nirvana, merits and sins, power of human minds, gods and Mara were commonly used Buddhist concepts among these phrases. ‘Buddhist benedictory sentences’ were the most popularly used theme and Kandy had shown the highest frequency of using the shreds with Buddhist influence.
Cornea and external disease in the new millennium.

I t is a challenge to speculate about the changes and advances related to the cornea and external disease as we enter the new millennium. The remarkable advances in refractive surgery during just the past decade have made it a huge field of ophthalmology, which is beyond the scope of this article. Subjects to consider include corneal transplantation, infections, dry eyes and blepharitis, ocular surface reconstruction, corneal imaging, contact lenses, and eye banking. Speculation regarding the future of any field of ophthalmology must be made in the context of larger trends regarding health care policies in the United States, as the current emphasis on control of medical costs may have a negative impact on progress through deleterious effects on medical training and research.
TRACKS: Assessing the Quality of Not-For-Profit Efficiency Ratios: Do Donors Use Joint Cost Allocation Disclosures?

We examine whether required disclosures regarding joint cost allocations raise concerns about the validity of efficiency ratios reported by not-for-profit organizations. An experimental design is used to hold constant the geographic location, size, and mission of competing charitable organizations. Participants include financial officers of not-for-profit organizations (preparers), foundation executives (expert donors), and students (novice donors). We find that preparers base contribution decisions almost entirely on the reported fund-raising cost and accept the validity of reported program ratios. Foundation executives, representing experienced users of not-for-profit financial statements, also appear to accept the joint cost allocations as reported. By contrast, novice users are the most attentive to the allocation disclosures and consider them more often when deciding on the amount of a hypothetical gift. Overall, there is little evidence that joint cost allocation disclosures are used to adjust repor...
Expression of high affinity folate receptor in breast cancer brain metastasis.

// Jose Pablo Leone 1 , Rohit Bhargava 2 , Brian K. Theisen 2 , Ronald L. Hamilton 2 , Adrian V. Lee 3 and Adam M. Brufsky 3 1 Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA 2 Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA 3 Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Correspondence to: Jose Pablo Leone, email: // Keywords : breast cancer, brain metastasis, high affinity folate receptor, folate receptor alpha, metastatic breast cancer Received : April 22, 2015 Accepted : June 12, 2015 Published : June 25, 2015 Abstract High affinity folate receptor (HFR) can be overexpressed in breast cancer and is associated with poor prognosis, however the expression in breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the rate of HFR expression in BCBM and its role in the prognosis of this high-risk cohort. We analyzed 19 brain metastasis (BM) and 13 primary tumors (PT) from a total of 25 patients. HFR status was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Median follow-up was 4.2 years (range 0.6-18.5). HFR was positive in 4/19 BM (21.1%) and in 1/13 PT (7.7%). Positive samples had low H-scores (range 1-50). 56% of patients had apocrine differentiation. OS was similar between patients with positive HFR (median OS 48 months) and negative HFR (median OS 69 months) ( P = 0.25); and between patients with apocrine differentiation (median OS 63 months) and those without apocrine differentiation (median OS 69 months) ( P = 0.49). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis of HFR expression in BCBM. While previous studies associated the presence of HFR with worse prognosis; in our cohort HFR was positive in only 21.1% of BM with low levels of positivity. Neither HFR nor apocrine features had impact in OS.
Dynamic Imaging: Real-Time Detection of Local Structural Damage with Blind Separation of Low-Rank Background and Sparse Innovation

AbstractReal-time close-up imaging (filming or video surveillance) of structures is used to automate detection of local component-level damage by exploiting the spatiotemporal data structure of the multiple temporal frames of structures. Specifically, the multiple frames are decomposed into a superposition of a low-rank background component and a sparse innovation (dynamic) component by a technique called principal component pursuit (PCP, or robust principal component analysis). The low-rank component represents the irrelevant, temporally correlated background of the multiple frames, whereas the sparse innovation component indicates the salient, evolutionary damage-induced information. The sparse innovation component is then quantitatively measured for continuous alert and indication of the damage evolution. It is a data-driven and unsupervised (blind) approach that requires no parametric model or prior structural information for calibration. In addition, PCP has an overwhelming probability of success und...
Estimating Aberrant Homeostasis: Variance in Serum Calcium Concentration as an Aid in Diagnosis of Hyperparathyroidism

Frank hypercalcemia is diagnostic of hyperparathyroidism; borderline values present a diagnostic dilemma. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations were measured on three or more days in three groups of subjects: 13 healthy controls, 13 hyperparathyroid patients, and six recurrent oxalate stone-formers with idiopathic hypercalciuria. Variances in the concentration of each ion for all individuals were compared by a rank-order runs test. Only individual variances in serum calcium concentrations of patients with hyperparathyroidism were significantly greater than individual variances in the other two groups. Excessive day-to-day variance in serum calcium seems to reflect autonomy of parathyroid function, and can be used to help detect hyperparathyroidism. A similar approach may be diagnostically useful in other diseases in which homeostatic feedback control is aberrant.
Integrated avionics system (IAS), integrating 3-D technology on a spacecraft panel

As spacecraft designs converge toward miniaturization, and with the volumetric and mass challenges placed on avionics, programs will continue to advance the "state of the art" in spacecraft system development with new challenges to reduce power, mass and volume. Traditionally, the trend is to focus on high-density component packaging technologies. Although new technologies have improved packaging densities, a system packaging architecture is required that not only reduces spacecraft volume and mass budgets, but increases integration efficiencies, provides modularity and flexibility to accommodate multiple missions while maintaining a low recurring cost. With these challenges in mind, a novel system packaging approach incorporates solutions that provide broader environmental applications and more flexible system interconnectivity. The integrated avionics system (IAS) provides for a low-mass, modular distributed or centralized packaging architecture which combines ridged-flex technologies, high-density COTS hardware and a new 3-D mechanical packaging approach, horizontal mounted cube (HMC). This paper will describe the fundamental elements of the IAS, HMC hardware design, system integration and environmental test results.
Cross-reactivity between peptide mimics of the immunodominant myelin proteolipid protein epitope PLP139-151: Comparison of peptide priming in CFA vs. viral delivery

Epidemiological evidence suggests that pathogens may trigger the development of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Pathogens may trigger disease via molecular mimicry, wherein T cells generated against foreign epitopes are also cross-reactive with self-epitopes. Five pathogen-derived molecular mimics of PLP(139-151) (the immunodominant CD4(+) T cell myelin epitope in SJL mice) were previously identified. This study examines the degree of cross-reactivity between the different mimics, comparing mice primed with mimic peptide in CFA with mice infected with recombinant mimic-expressing viruses. The pattern of in vitro reactivity and ability to induce CNS disease differs between peptide priming and virus infection.
Pap smears: Access to hospital outpatients of nongynecological services

At a comprehensive cancer center, evaluation of the first year's experience with routine Pap smears offered to 6,851 nongynecological outpatients showed that after exempting those with a recent smear, medical contraindication or preference for their personal physician, 19.5% comprising the underscreened population, was given a smear on the current visit. This approach provided comprehensive access on a cost-effective basis. Conceivably, primary care community hospitals could also offer routine smears to their underscreened outpatient population in a systematic manner to expand impact on public health.
Surface Raman scattering by the localized mode of phosphorus impurities in GaAs

Abstract We have observed Raman scattering from the localized mode of phosphorus impurities in GaAs, using the 4800 A line of an argon ion laser in reflection from a sample surface.
Fluoride, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin: Effects on metabolic processes involved in bone resorption

The effects of fluoride, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin on acid production and bone phosphatases were investigated using half-calvaria of 5-day-old mice in a stationary culture system. Fluoride was incorporated into the bones before culture by administering fluoride to the mothers and pups. Parathyroid hormone (0.2 U/ml) stimulated the production of both lactic and citric acids, while calcitonin (4.0 mU/ml) did not influence acid production, relative to control cultures. Half-calvaria with high and low fluoride contents produced similar quantities of both acids, and responded similarly to parathyroid hormone. The alkaline phosphatase activity of freshly-dissected half-calvaria was not influenced by their fluoride content, but acid phosphatase activity was 72% higher in bones with high fluoride contents than in bones with low fluoride contents. Parathyroid hormone stimulated acid phosphatase to a greater extent in low fluoride bones than in high fluoride bones. Calcitonin stimulated both alkaline and acid phosphatase activities, with a greater increase in acid phosphatase activity than in alkaline phosphatase activity. Fluoride did not appear to modify the influence of calcitonin on phosphatase activity. Since fluoride did not inhibit acid production or acid phosphatase activity, the inhibition of bone resorption by fluoride can best be explained by its effect on bone mineral solubility.
Fos-like immunoreactivity elicited by sound stimulation in the auditory neurons of the big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus

C-fos immunocytochemistry was used as a rapid and sensitive technique for identification of sound activated neurons in the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum and subcortical nuclei of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. When bats were stimulated with sounds under the both-ears opened conditions, Fos-like immunoreactive neurons were bilaterally and symmetrically distributed in all subcortical auditory nuclei, the auditory cortex, the superior colliculus, the pontine nuclei and the cerebellar deep nuclei. Interestingly, when bats were stimulated with sounds under the monaurally plugged conditions, a larger (31–74% more) number of Fos-like immunoreactive neurons were observed. They were predominantly distributed in all contralateral auditory nuclei from the level of the nucleus of the lateral lemniscus down and in all ipsi lateral auditory nuclei from the level of inferior colliculus up as well as in the contralateral superior colliculus, pontine nuclei and cerebellar deep nuclei. Implications of these observations in relation to known mammalian auditory pathways and electrophysiological studies are discussed.
HAIRY ROOT TRANSFORMATION IN TURKISH CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L) CULTIVARS

ABSTRACTRooting of Cicer arietinum L (Chickpea) cultivars Gokce, Akcin 91 and Izmir 92 was evaluated using wild type 15834 strain of Agrobacterium rhizogenes by direct inoculation and puncture inoculation with needle. Scoring was done after 6 weeks. Directly inoculated explants showed a callogenic mass instead of hairy roots. There was a considerable difference in the highest frequency of hairy root formation which was achieved on variety Gokce, in the light (16.67%) and dark (63.33%) after puncture inoculation. Mean transformation frequency ranged from 5 to 80%. Results show a significant difference for transformation from explants cultured in the light or dark.
Simplex-inspired algorithms for solving a class of convex programming problems

We consider a class of convex programming problems whose objective function is given as a linear function plus a convex function whose arguments are linear functions of the decision variables and whose feasible region is a polytope. We show that there exists an optimal solution to this class of problems on a face of the constraint polytope of dimension not more than the number of arguments of the convex function. Based on this result, we develop a method to solve this problem that is inspired by the simplex method for linear programming. It is shown that this method terminates in a finite number of iterations in the special case that the convex function has only a single argument. We then use this insight to develop a second algorithm that solves the problem in a finite number of iterations for an arbitrary number of arguments in the convex function. A computational study illustrates the efficiency of the algorithm and suggests that the average-case performance of these algorithms is a polynomial of low order in the number of decision variables.
A 44-Year-Old Woman With Excessive Sleepiness

Abstract A 44-year-old woman was referred by her primary care physician for a polysomnogram for further workup of excessive daytime sleepiness. She reported a 6-month history of uncontrollably falling asleep. She frequently dozed off while watching television, sitting inactive in public places, and talking to people. She had dozed off while driving, but had not had any driving accidents. Her Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 21 of 24. She admitted to snoring, but no apneas were witnessed by her bed partner. She denied symptoms of morning headaches, gasping for air, leg jerking during sleep, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, gastroesophageal reflux during sleep, or insomnia. She usually went to bed at 10:00 pm and woke up at 9:00 am . She reported three to four nocturnal awakenings per night. She denied taking naps. Medical history included chronic pain from cervical spinal stenosis, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, depression, restless legs, migraines, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. She had no known cardiac illnesses. Medications included levothyroxine, 50 μg daily; duloxetine, 60 mg daily; cyclobenzaprine, 10 mg tid; omeprazole, 20 mg daily; trazodone, 50 mg daily; gabapentin, 600 mg daily; tolterodine, 2 mg bid; cetirizine, 10 mg daily; extended-release oral morphine sulfate, 15 mg bid; and immediate-release oral morphine sulfate, 15 mg qid as needed for pain.
Classical conditioning in the rat fetus. III. Retention, extinction, and re-activation of the conditioned response (CR).

A single paired presentation of an artificial nipple (conditioned stimulus, CS) and milk (unconditioned stimulus, US) resulted in classical conditioning. When re-exposed to the artificial nipple CS after conditioning, fetuses showed fewer oral grasp responses compared to control fetuses exposed to the milk (US) and artificial nipple (CS) in an unpaired fashion. The reduction in oral grasping was evident when the test of oral grasping was administered 18 min after conditioning but not 21 to 30 min after conditioning (Experiments 1a and 1b). Experiments 2a and 2b confirmed that nine or more exposures to the CS after conditioning, without a milk infusion, resulted in experimental extinction of the conditioned reduction in oral grasping. One re-exposure to milk during the period after classical conditioning was sufficient to re-activate memory for the association between artificial nipple CS and milk US (Experiment 3a). Fetuses exposed to one or two re-activation treatments that comprised an intraoral infusion of milk showed evidence of the conditioned reduction in oral grasping when tested after a delay sufficient to produce forgetting. Experiment 3b showed that the orosensory properties of milk were sufficient to re-activate fetal memory for the association between artificial nipple and milk. Experiment 3c indicated that central injection of 10 ng of dynorphin A 1-13 re-activated fetal memory for the classically conditioned association. Experiments 3b and 3c suggested that the orosensory properties of milk activated a kappa opioid system in the fetal brain that reduced oral grasping of the artificial nipple during the test for oral grasping. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 42: 181–193, 2003
Supporting the unremarkable: experiences with the obje Display Mirror

Many believe that ubiquitous computing will succeed when it has faded into the background of everyday life and work--that is, when it has become mundane. This paper examines the potential for technology to enhance users' experience of their environments through the improvement of the unremarkable activities that comprise everyday experience. Based on a year-long longitudinal study, we describe how we designed, deployed, and evaluated technology to support and enhance a common but unremarkable practice: the act of connecting a portable computer to a shared display (e.g., VGA projector). We found that new capabilities of our technology introduced subtle but significant changes in the practices surrounding the sharing of information in meetings. However, we also met with substantial challenges in terms of deployment, adoption, and evaluation. We analyze and discuss these challenges in depth, in order to inform the design of future mundane, pervasive applications.
William M. Feinberg award for excellence in clinical stroke: hemodynamics and stroke risk in carotid artery occlusion.

Five percent to 15% of patients with carotid territory transient ischemic attacks or cerebral infarctions have complete occlusion of the internal carotid artery.1,2 Their risk of recurrent stroke during the next 2 years while on medical therapy is 5% to 9% per year for all stroke and 2% to 8% per year for ipsilateral ischemic stroke.3–6 Debate on the best means to prevent recurrence has centered on whether embolic or hemodynamic mechanisms are most important. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, embolism of atherothrombotic material from the persisting proximal stump of the occluded internal carotid artery through external carotid artery collaterals was put forward as the most common cause for recurrent cerebral ischemic events.7,8 At this same time, extracranial–intracranial (EC-IC) bypass was increasingly used to prevent recurrent stroke by improving the hemodynamic status of the cerebral circulation distal to the occluded vessel.9,10 From 1977 to 1985, an international, multicenter, randomized trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of EC-IC bypass for the prevention of subsequent stroke. Among 808 randomized patients with symptomatic carotid occlusion, no benefit of surgery was demonstrated.11 Some concluded that the reason for the negative results was that the majority of strokes were because of emboli, whereas others criticized the trial for failing to identify patients with hemodynamic cerebral ischemia because of poor collateral circulation for whom surgical revascularization would be of benefit.12,13 However, the pattern of arteriographic collaterals failed to identify a subgroup who benefitted from surgery.14 At the time of the EC-IC Bypass Study, there was no reliable method for assessing the hemodynamic effects of carotid artery occlusion on cerebral circulation. Although direct measurements of arterial-jugular venous oxygen differences had demonstrated that reductions in whole-brain cerebral blood …
Accessibility evaluation based on machine learning technique

Presentation documents are used in several situations. However, there is no tool to sufficiently check the accessibility level of a presentation document. Traditional rule-based checking has limitations in checking semantic criteria. This paper describes a new approach to evaluate the accessibility of presentation documents using machine learning with a model built from features of a presentation's appearance. A prototype system was implemented, and an exploratory experiment was conducted.
Target chamber considerations for heavy ion transport in plasma channels

Abstract The transport of ions in pre-formed plasma channels is considered for heavy ion fusion power plants. Analysis has been performed of the behavior of channels in a target chamber gas, of the effect of channels on the shielding of the final focus of the driver from target generated neutrons and of the target generated blast that propagates in the plasma channel to the final focus. On the basis of this analysis, transport channels seem to be consistent with a particular heavy ion fusion power plant concept.
Strontium isotopes in deep-sea sediments.

Recent deep-sea sediments, leached of carbonate, have Sr 87 Sr 86 ratios ranging from 0.7044 to 0.7394. Strontium in the detrital sediment has not equilibrated isotopically with seawater strontium. Amounts of strontium-bearing authigenic material in the clay-mineral assemblage are not great enough to mask strontium-isotope ratios inherited from source areas.
H2 and H I emission line imaging of the ring nebula (NGC 6720)

We present infrared emission line images of the v = 1→ 0 S(l) transition of molecular hydrogen and Brγ recombination line of atomic hydrogen which cover the entire extent of NGC 6720, the Ring Nebula. The maps presented here are the highest angular resolution images of these transitions yet produced for this object, and have very low relative positional uncertainty. As a result, we clearly resolve the spatial stratification of the ionized and shocked molecular zones within the nebula discussed previously by Beckwith et al. (1978). The relative spatial distribution of molecular and ionized hydrogen we observe is typical of several planetaries which exhibit shocked H2 emission (eg. see Zuckerman and Gatley 1987), and is similar to that predicted by the interactingstellar-winds model of planetary nebulae formation (see Volk and Kwok 1985 and references therein).
Physical Characterization of Aerosol Emissions from a Commercial Gas Turbine Engine

This paper discusses the results of the Aircraft Particle Emissions Experiment Project for the physical characterization of total (nonvolatile plus volatile) aerosol emissions (emission factors, hydration properties, and distribution shape parameters) by extractive sampling from an on-wing CFM56-2C 1 engine. Samples were extracted at the engine exit plane (1 m) as well as locations 10 and 30 m downstream. Three different fuels were used in this study: base fuel, high-sulfur fuel, and high-aromatic fuel. For the 1 and 10-m probe locations, strong and sometimes nonlinear dependencies were observed on fuel flow rate and no statistically significant dependencies were observed for fuel composition. At 30 m, the onset of gas-to-particle conversion was apparent for low- to medium-fuel flow rates. The soluble mass fraction was found to increase with distance from the engine exit plane and with increasing fuel aromatic and sulfur content. An intercomparison of gas and particle sampling trains showed that gas-to-particle conversion is a serious sample train artifact for gas sampling trains in which dilution cannot be achieved at the probe tip.
Androgen receptor dependent and independent activities of testosterone on hepatic microsomal drug metabolism.

Administration of testosterone for 6 days to intact female and castrate male BALB/cJ mice stimulated hepatic microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity and cytochrome P-450 content by 50–75%. Testosterone also stimulated hepatic microsomal NADPH-oxidase activity, but to a lesser degree. To probe the mechanism of this effect of androgens, two antiandrogens (cyproterone acetate and flutamide) were employed. Since cyproterone acetate was a potent stimulator of hepatic microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity and cytochrome P-450 content, no antiandrogenic activity of this steroid could be detected. By contrast, flutamide alone had little effect on either ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity or cytochrome P-450 content. However, this drug effectively blocked the stimulatory effects of testosterone on ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity and cytochrome P-450 content but not on NADPH-oxidase activity. This effect was not species specific, since flutamide also prevented androgen stimulation of ethylm...
A theory of interactions: unifying qualitative and quantitative algebraic reasoning

Abstract The apparently weak properties of a purely qualitative algebra have led some to conclude that researchers must turn instead to extra-mathematical properties of physical systems. We propose instead that a more powerful qualitative algebra is needed, one that merges the algebras on signs and reals, along with symbolic techniques for manipulating this algebra. We have constructed a hybrid algebra, called SR1 which allows intermediate abstractions to be selected between traditional qualitative and quantitative algebras. SR1 and the symbolic algebra system Minima demonstrate substantial progress towards a theory of continuous interactions between quantities—one that allows just the interesting features of interactions to be represented, and that captures skills for composing and comparing interactions. This theory is sufficiently expressive to determine the behaviors that a variety of fluid regulation devices will achieve—not just what is impossible. It embodies in a simple manner many existing algebraic formalisms for describing and individually manipulating interactions, including confluences, inequalities, and monotonicity operators, as well as many of the individual inferences of qualitative arithmetic, composition of monotonicity, inequality algebra, transition analysis, qualitative resolution and traditional algebra.
A plot study of forest floor litter frogs, Central Amazon, Brazil

Abundance and distribution of frogs inhabiting the litter layer of an area of primary lowland rain forest in Central Amazonia were studied over a period of 15 months by sampling 498 plots each 5m × 5m. The litter frog fauna of the area consists of 23 species, but only 12 of these were encountered in the plots, and 84% of the frogs encountered belonged to only six species. Total abundance and diversity within the plot data are strongly seasonal and peak in the late wet season. Both are positively correlated with litter volume and moisture. Most of this variation is due to seasonality of reproduction, as indicated by patterns of occurrence of juveniles of the most abundant species. These results indicate that the plot sampling method docs not sample the entire fauna adequately. Since this technique has been used to study other tropical forest litter herpetofaunas, however, comparison with other studies may be useful. Species diversity of litter frogs appears to be approximately the same in lowland primary forest sites studied, averaging around 20 ‘regular’ species. Abundances, however, vary widely. Central American communities contain 14–15 frogs (100m) -2 , African 9–10, South American 4–6, and South-east Asian 1–2. These differences may be due to differential nutrient availability in forests of different ages and/or on different soils.
Effects of elevated CO2, soil nutrient levels, and foliage age on the performance of two generations of Neodiprion lecontei (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) feeding on loblolly pine

We investigated how changes in loblolly pine needle phytochemistry caused by elevated CO{sub 2}, leaf age, and soil nutrient levels affected the performance of 2 individual generations of the multivoltine folivorous insect pest Neodiprion lecontei. In 2 feeding trials, mature needles produced in the previous (spring) and current (fall) year from seedlings grown in open-topped chambers under 4 CO{sub 2} and 2 soil nutrient levels were fed to 2 separate generations of red beaded pine sawfly larvae. Strong seasonal differences (i.e., spring versus fall) in leaf nutritional and defensive constituents resulted in significant between-generation differences in the growth, consumption, and growth efficiency of sawfly larvae. Enriched CO{sub 2}-grown needles bad higher levels of starch and starch/nitrogen ratios in older, overwintering spring needles, which were lower in leaf nitrogen and monoterpenes than younger, current year needles (fall). Overall, larval growth was higher and consumption lower on the fall needles, presumably because of higher levels of leaf nitrogen compared with the spring needles. The plant CO{sub 2} concentration significantly contributed to the larval consumption responses between seasons (significant CO{sub 2} X season interaction), demonstrating that the 2 sawfly generations were affected differently by CO{sub 2}-induced phytochemical alterations in spring versus fall needles.more » The data presented here suggests that when investigating multivoltine folivorous insect responses to elevated CO{sub 2}-grown tree seedlings in which multiple leaf flushes within a growing season expose insects to an array of leaf phytochemical changes, >1 insect generation should be investigated. 54 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.« less
Transport processes during sterilization of vertical and 5 degree horizontal dead-legs

Experimental temperature profiles and biological kill data from dead-ended tubes of various diameters and lengths commonly used in biotechnology applications were compared to those predicted by a finite element model for steam-in-place (SIP) sterilization at 122°C. Diameter was shown experimentally and numerically to have a significant effect with larger diameter tubes exhibiting greater buoyant driven convective flow and more rapid sterilization. The overall Grashof number was shown to be the significant parameter relating magnitude of convective flow to tube diameter and varied as the diameter cubed. Analysis of air/steam mixture flow patterns showed air displacement from 0.4 cm diameter tubes to be due primarily to molecular diffusion, whereas 1.0 and 1.7 cm tubes showed a two-stage convective flow pattern. There exists a critical diameter of 0.4 cm below which SIP sterilization due to buoyancy driven flow does not occur and steam bleeders should be used.
Surveys of basking map turtles Graptemys spp. in three river drainages and the importance of deadwood abundance

Abstract Eight replicated spotting-scope surveys of basking turtles and deadwood were conducted in the Pearl and Pascagoula river drainages in Mississippi and Louisiana and the lower Tennessee River in Kentucky. Basking densities of two “narrow-headed” Graptemys , listed as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act and as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, were 2.3 per 100 m of riverbank for G. oculifera in the Pearl drainage, and 0.8 per 100 m for G. flavimaculata in the Pascagoula drainage. Density of G. flavimaculata met threshold values established for delisting at three of 16 sites. Density of the unlisted narrow-headed G. ouachitensis in the Tennessee drainage was 2.9 turtles per 100 m of shoreline. Density of an unlisted “broad-headed” species, G. gibbonsi , was 5.1 times lower than density of the two sympatric listed species in the Pearl and Pascagoula drainages and the broad-headed species G. pseudogeographica kohnii from the Tennessee drainage. Graptemys gibbonsi was only recently described and should be considered for listing. Correlations of Graptemys or total turtle density with deadwood density were positive in all cases and significant in five of nine analyses, and high basking densities were never associated with low deadwood densities. Removal of deadwood from rivers is thus probably detrimental to Graptemys populations.