cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of event-by-event flow harmonics in Pb–Pb Collisions at sNN=2.76TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract The event-by-event distributions of harmonic flow coefficients v n for n = 2 – 4 are measured in Pb–Pb collisions at s N N = 2.76 TeV , using charged particles with p T > 0.5 GeV and | η | 2.5 . The shape of the v n distributions is consistent with Gaussian fluctuations in central collisions for v 2 and over the measured centrality range for v 3 and v 4 . When these distributions are rescaled to the same 〈 v n 〉 , the resulting shapes are similar for p T > 1 GeV and 0.5 p T 1 GeV . The shape of the eccentricity distributions from Glauber and the MC-KLN models fail to describe the shape of the v n distributions over the full centrality range.
Spatial Measures of Socioeconomic Deprivation: An Application to Four Midwestern Industrial Cities

Decades of economic decline have led to areas of increased deprivation in a number of U.S. inner cities, which can be linked to adverse health and other outcomes. Yet the calculation of a single "deprivation" index, which has received wide application in Britain and elsewhere in the world, involves a choice of variables and methods that have not been directly compared in the American context. This study creates four related measures--using two sets of variables and two weighting schemes--to create such indices for block groups in Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. After examining the indices' similarities, we then map concentrations of high deprivation in each city and analyze their relationships to income, racial makeup, and transportation usage. Overall, we find certain measures to have higher correlations than others, but that all show deprivation to be linked with lower incomes and a higher nonwhite population.
Low Prevalence of Thrombosis Prophylaxis Dose Adjustments Highlights Implications for Patient Safety

Background: Pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis (PTP) is the mainstay prevention strategy for venous thromboembolism (VTE). PTP agents traditionally dosed, like unfractionated heparin (UFH) and enoxaparin (ENOX), are associated with failure and bleeding in obese and underweight patients, respectively. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of unadjusted ENOX and UFH dosing for PTP based on anthropometric measures. Patients/Methods: This was a post-hoc, multicenter, cross–sectional analysis of critically ill adults receiving PTP with ENOX or UFH. The primary outcome was the prevalence of unadjusted PTP based on body mass index (BMI) and total body weight (TBW). Definitions for dose adjustments were developed based on existing literature. A secondary outcome was to identify factors associated with unadjusted dosing per BMI and TBW using multivariable generalized linear mixed-effect models. Results: The nested cohort included 172 patients (ENOX=46, UFH=126). Unadjusted PTP was observed in 118 patients (68.6%) based on BMI and 74 (43%) per TBW. When comparing UFH to ENOX, more patients who received UFH had doses unadjusted by BMI (78.6% vs. 41.3%, p 100kg (OR 4.85, 95% CI 2.15-10.96) were independently associated with unadjusted PTP based on TBW. Conclusions: Unadjusted dosing of PTP occurs frequently in critically ill adults receiving ENOX or UFH. This was seen in body size extremes by both BMI and TBW.
Logics and Rules

Logic-based systems have long been used in the retrieval of documents and bibliographic records. The performance of early manual systems, and more recently automated retrieval systems, can be determined using the analytic methods described above. These inherently quantitative methods may be applied, in many cases, to logical queries because of the set-theoretic basis for logic and for probability theory. Since we can determine the size of sets associated with variables referred to in logical statements, we can compute the frequencies and probabilities needed for estimating performance. In some cases logic based retrieval will produce search results for the user inferior to results produced by a system using the probabilistic model that allows for varying probabilities of relevance. However, logical systems are relatively easy to implement and may retrieve documents faster than probabilistic systems, making logic-based systems useful in many situations.
γ-Butyrolactone and γ-hydroxybutyric acid—I: Distribution and metabolism☆

Abstract Some aspects of the distribution and metabolism of the central nervous system depressants, γ-butyrolactone and γ-hydroxybutyric acid, have been investigated. After the administration of a depressant dose of γ-hydroxybutyrate to the cat, there was a relatively higher concentration of γ-hydroxybutyrate in the cerebellum and in the lower temporal lobe of the cortex than in other areas of the brain examined. The γ-butyrolactone was found to concentrate more in lean muscle than γ-hydroxybutyrate, while there was no difference in the amount of each that appeared in the body fat. The latter finding is explained by the presence of a rapidly acting lactonase in blood and liver that catalyzes the hydrolysis of γ-butyrolactone to γ-hydroxybutyrate. 14C-carboxyl-labeled γ-hydroxybutyrate and γ-butyrolactone were found to be metabolized very rapidly to 14CO2 in the intact rat; both the brain and liver carry out this decarboxylation in vitro. The major pathway of metabolism does not appear to involve formation of succinic acid. These results are related to the nature of the pharmacologically active compound and its duration of action.
Aging Users are Still Users

Today's tech-savvy boomers will remain comfortable with technology as they age, though they may need different interfaces. They need help with evaluating technical resources, but they will continue to adapt, tailor, configure, and program those resources. They need assistants, not supervisors".
A neural network for analogical reasoning

Analogical reasoning is one of the fundamental mental processes. It is a multi-step procedure that involves retrieval and manipulation of stored information, and generation of new inferences. Presented here is a model neural network, that encodes and stores information, so that it can be easily accessed in analogical reasoning processes. Learning rules that the network uses for incorporating new inferences are formulated. The interactions between the network and an external controller, that controls the execution of the various steps of the analogical reasoning process, are described, and an example that illustrates how these principles operate in a typical analogical reasoning problem is given. Some of the learning rules that the network employs are different from those currently utilized in other connectionist models of the brain. >
Neurodevelopmental abnormalities in ADHD.

Structural and functional imaging studies in subjects with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are reviewed with the goal of gleaning information about neurodevelopmental abnormalities characterizing the disorder. Structural imaging studies, particularly those with longitudinal designs, suggest that brain maturation is delayed by a few years in ADHD. However, a maturational delay model alone is incomplete: alternate courses are suggested by differences associated with phenotypic factors, such as symptom remission/persistence and exposure to stimulant treatment. Findings from functional imaging studies point to multiple loci of abnormalities that are not limited to frontal–striatal circuitry, which is important for executive and motivational function, but also include parietal, temporal and motor cortices, and the cerebellum. However, a definitive conclusion about maturational delays or alternate trajectories cannot be drawn from this work as activation patterns are influenced by task-specific factors that may induce variable performance levels and strategies across development. In addition, no studies have implemented cross-sectional or longitudinal designs, without which the developmental origin of differences in activation cannot be inferred. Thus, current task-evoked functional imaging provides information about dynamic or state-dependent differences rather than fixed or trait-related differences. In the future, task-free functional imaging holds promise for revealing neurodevelopmental information that is minimally influenced by performance/strategic differences. Further, studies using longitudinal designs that identify sources of phenotypic heterogeneity in brain maturation and characterize the relationship between brain function and underlying structural properties are needed to provide a comprehensive view of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in ADHD.
Context sensitive normal estimation for volume imaging

Three-dimensional voxel-based objects are inherently discrete and do not maintain any notion of a continuous surface or normal values, which are crucial for the simulation of light behavior. Thus in volume rendering, the normal vector of the displayed surfaces must be estimated prior to rendering. Unlike existing normal estimation methods, the context sensitive approach proposed here considers object and slope discontinuities. It employs segmentation and segment-bounded operators in order to achieve high fidelity normal estimation for rendering volumetric objects.
An Achievable Rate Region for the Three-User Interference Channel Based on Coset Codes

We consider the problem of communication over a three-user discrete memoryless interference channel (3-IC). The current known coding techniques for communicating over an arbitrary 3-IC are based on message splitting, superposition coding, and binning using independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random codebooks. In this paper, we propose a new ensemble of codes—partitioned coset codes (PCCs)—that possess an appropriate mix of empirical and algebraic closure properties. We develop coding techniques that exploit the algebraic closure property of PCC to enable interference alignment over general 3-IC. We analyze the performance of the proposed coding technique to derive an achievable rate region for the general discrete 3-IC. Additive and non-additive examples are identified for which the derived achievable rate region is the capacity, moreover, strictly larger than the current known largest achievable rate regions based on the i.i.d. random codebooks.
Endogenous versus exogenous growth factor regulation of articular chondrocytes

Anabolic growth factors that regulate the function of articular chondrocytes are candidates for articular cartilage repair. Such factors may be delivered by pharmacotherapy in the form of exogenous proteins, or by gene therapy as endogenous proteins. It is unknown whether delivery method influences growth factor effectiveness in regulating articular chondrocyte reparative functions. We treated adult bovine articular chondrocytes with exogenous recombinant insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), or with the genes encoding these growth factors for endogenous production. Treatment effects were measured as change in chondrocyte DNA content, glycosaminoglycan production, and aggrecan gene expression. We found that IGF-I stimulated chondrocyte biosynthesis similarly when delivered by either exogenous or endogenous means. In contrast, exogenous TGF-β1 stimulated these reparative functions, while endogenous TGF-β1 had little effect. Endogenous TGF-β1 became more bioactive following activation of the transgene protein product. These data indicate that effective mechanisms of growth factor delivery for articular cartilage repair may differ for different growth factors. In the case of IGF-I, gene therapy or protein therapy appear to be viable options. In contrast, TGF-β1 gene therapy may be constrained by a limited ability of chondrocytes to convert latent complexes to an active form.
The role of inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways in heart failure associated with aging.

Heart failure is strongly associated with aging. Elderly patients with heart failure often have preserved systolic function exhibiting left ventricular hypertrophy accompanied by a decline in diastolic function. Experimental studies have demonstrated that age-related cardiac fibrosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diastolic heart failure in senescent hearts. Reactive oxygen species and angiotensin II are critically involved in fibrotic remodeling of the aging ventricle; their fibrogenic actions may be mediated, at least in part, through transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. The increased prevalence of heart failure in the elderly is also due to impaired responses of the senescent heart to cardiac injury. Aging is associated with suppressed inflammation, delayed phagocytosis of dead cardiomyocytes, and markedly diminished collagen deposition following myocardial infarction, due to a blunted response of fibroblasts to fibrogenic growth factors. Thus, in addition to a baseline activation of fibrogenic pathways, senescent hearts exhibit an impaired reparative reserve due to decreased responses of mesenchymal cells to stimulatory signals. Impaired scar formation in senescent hearts is associated with accentuated dilative remodeling and worse systolic dysfunction. Understanding the pathogenesis of interstitial fibrosis in the aging heart and dissecting the mechanisms responsible for age-associated healing defects following cardiac injury are critical in order to design new strategies for prevention of adverse remodeling and heart failure in elderly patients.
Making the transition from pediatric to adult endocrinology services.

Transfer of adolescents from pediatric care to adult endocrinology services represents a major medical issue. Unfortunately, however, many factors prevent effective transition. The authors of this Viewpoint discuss possible strategies—such as the creation of dedicated transition clinics—that might be implemented to ensure smooth transition to adult care.
A novel hybrid resonant PI controller to decrease DC capacitance for EV charger

This paper proposes a novel hybrid resonant PI controller for EV battery charger fed by an AC-DC-DC converter. Compared with a conventional EV battery charger, this method can effectively decrease the value of DC-link capacitor. This makes it possible to apply a much smaller value film capacitor such that the system will have more compact size and lower cost. Another advantage of this control method is that, it can suppress the ripple on the battery charging voltage and make no harm to the battery. Furthermore, this method does not involve any additional cost on hardware, only the control algorithm is applied. In this paper, we introduce the control method and analyze its principle. We conduct simulations, and verify the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid resonant PI control method, especially that the DC-link capacitance is reduced, and the output charging voltage is smooth.
A bhakti rendition of Nala-Damayantī: Ṭoḍarmal’s ‘Nectar of Nal’s life’

One of the most endearing and popular stories in the Hindu canon is that of Nala and Damayanti. Known to most Sanskrit students in both India and abroad, the version found in the Mah?bh?rata, known as the 'Nalop?khy?na,' has endured for centuries. But perhaps because of its human hero, it is also a story of enormous malleability. Indeed the one attribute of Nala that remains throughout all renditions that I have examined is his humanness. Found as a Sanskrit love poem in k?vya literature, the Naisadh?yacarita by Sr?harsa, as an oral folk story in Kangra (Narayan 1997), illustrated in Pahari paintings (Goswamy 1975), as a Jain didactic story (Bender 1950), as a woman's vrat kath? (story illustrating the powers of a vow; Harlan n.d.), it also appears in a bhakti (devotion) rendition in Brajbh?s? as an eulogy to the goddess 'of the mountain' and to a generalized Vaisnav god (Bhagav?n, Hari, Prabhu). In each of these variants, the core narrative is recognizable as a 'version of Nala Damayant?,' while its often vast differences are attributable to the historical, social, and artistic contexts of its authors and audiences. Various Braj versions of Nal-Dumait?1 were clearly popular by the late nineteenth century, when at least three come into print in the Braj region (Pras?d 1890; Todarmal 1879; Varm? 1883), with another published in Aligarh in the early twentieth century (Sarm? 1924). One of these nineteenth-century versions is attributed to Todarmal, Jal?l al-D?n Akbar's finance minister and a sometime poet and patron of bhakti poets, including?so popular tradition has it? Tuls?das. If the attribution to Todarmal is correct, his version considered here dates to the sixteenth century. Another related tradition, also located in the land of Braj, is the oral epic Dhol?, thought to be some two hundred years old by local scholars in Mathura (see Sarm? 1992; Wadley 1983). While Dhol? is clearly based on the same story as Todarmal's version, it lacks the Vaisnav
Nonspecific responses of reptilian cortex to sensory stimuli.

Abstract Evoked gross and unit potentials in the dorsal cortical area of the alligator have been recorded under both anesthetized and unanesthetized conditions in response to a number of different sensory stimuli. At a single locus within this area, surface negative potentials can be evoked in response to nociceptive, tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. Unit activity can also be evoked by diverse stimuli. The areas of response to various modalities appear to be coextensive and there does not appear to be any obvious somatotopic distribution of responses to somatic stimuli. All responses to somatic stimuli are present bilaterally. The wave form of response does not appear to differ from modality to modality, nor is there any consistent relation between stimulus-evoked unit activity and modality. Long latency (50–100 msec) and rapid attenuation of the response to repetitive stimuli, especially non-nociceptive stimuli, are characteristic of the cortical response. Novel stimuli are usually most effective in evoking cortical responses. The significance of the fact that the reptilian general cortex apparently receives sensory input only via nonspecific systems and that some of the nonspecific properties of the cortical response may reflect activity in nonspecific cortically-projecting thalamic areas is discussed.
Functional genomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana glycoside hydrolase family 35

In plants, Glycoside Hydrolase (GH) Family 1 β-glycosidases are believed to play important roles in many diverse processes including chemical defense against herbivory, lignification, hydrolysis of cell wall-derived oligosaccharides during germination, and control of active phytohormone levels. Completion of the Arabidopsis thalianagenome sequencing project has enabled us, for the first time, to determine the total number of Family 1 members in a higher plant. Reiterative database searches revealed a multigene family of 48 members that includes eight probable pseudogenes. Manual reannotation and analysis of the entire family were undertaken to rectify existing misannotations and identify phylogenetic relationships among family members. Forty-seven members (designated BGLU1 through BGLU47) share a common evolutionary origin and were subdivided into approximately 10 subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis and consideration of intron–exon organizations. The forty-eighth member of this family (At3g06510; sfr2) is a β-glucosidase-like gene that belongs to a distinct lineage. Information pertaining to expression patterns and potential functions of Arabidopsis GH Family 1 members is presented. To determine the biological function of all family members, we intend to investigate the substrate specificity of each mature hydrolase after its heterologous expression in the Pichia pastoris expression system. To test the validity of this approach, the BGLU44-encoded hydrolase was expressed in P. pastoris and purified to homogeneity. When tested against a wide range of natural and synthetic substrates, this enzyme showed a preference for β-mannosides including 1,4-β-D-mannooligosaccharides, suggesting that it may be involved in A. thaliana in degradation of mannans, galactomannans, or glucogalactomannans. Supporting this notion, BGLU44 shared high sequence identity and similar gene organization with tomato endosperm β-mannosidase and barley seed β-glucosidase/β-mannosidase BGQ60.
Solution of bessel function characteristic equations

Abstract A previously developed method to determine the roots of transcendental trigonometric equations is herein extended to compute the eigenvalues of Bessel function characteristic equations of boundary value problems. The technique relies on the fact that Bessel functions can be conveniently approximated to simple asymptotic trigonometric expressions. The characteristic equation containing asymptotic approximations is solved by means of inverse trigonometry and each root is then used as the initial guess in the iterative process to determine the eigenvalues of the original Bessel function problem.
Temporal aspects in the development of Belding's ground squirrels’ litter-mate preferences

Four experiments were conducted to determine how experience around the time of natal emergence affected the development of litter-mate preferences in juvenile Belding's ground squirrels, Spermophilus beldingiSocial preferences were ascertained by observing six captive groups, each housed in outdoor enclosures beginning at natal emergence, and recording the frequency of dyadic play. Juveniles preferred their litter-mates as play partners on day 1 above-ground, demonstrating that pre-emergent interactions influenced social development. Whether cross-fostered young displayed play-partner preferences based on relatedness and rearing history depended on when young were exchanged with respect to natal emergence, which suggests that social development is especially sensitive to experience shortly before natal emergence. Juveniles do not display litter-mate preferences if they emerge into an environment from which dams have been removed, but in the present study, if juveniles interacted for 1 week before dams were withdrawn from enclosures, then litter-mate preferences were manifested both before and after dams were withdrawn. These results suggest that a foundation for litter-mate preferences is laid before natal emergence, and that preferences are solidified by interactions between litter-mates on their first few days above-ground. Finally, non-litter-mates that interacted with each other shortly after natal emergence were preferred social partners during later encounters compared with non-litter-mates denied the opportunity to interact shortly after emergence. Collectively, the four experiments demonstrate that social experience around the time of natal emergence is crucial to the developmental process that generates litter-mate preferences in S. beldingi1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Robust position tracking control of a camless engine valve actuator with time-varying reference frequency

This paper presents robust position tracking control of an electro-hydraulic camless engine valve actuator with the reference of time-varying frequency. The valve actuator includes nonlinearities associated with the hydraulic flow and the nonlinear friction. To retain such nonlinearities, the stabilized valve actuator is modeled as a block-structured system using the Volterra series representation. For tracking control design, the extended generating dynamics, which is justified by frequency domain analysis of a feedback system, is applied to the robust time-varying tracking control which is based on the internal model principle. The given tracking control method is illustrated by both simulation and experiments. With the extended generating dynamics, tracking the reference of time-varying frequency shows significant improvement.
Interaction between organic matter and trace metals in a uranium rich bog, Kern County, California, U.S.A.

Abstract Surface and groundwaters, plants and organic and inorganic components of sediments from a uranium rich bog in Kern County, California were studied to determine the mechanism of uranium entrapment and concentration. Spring waters which originate along a fault trace and contain elevated uranium concentrations (up to 293 μg/l) and other metals percolate through the waterlogged boggy meadow. Several approaches used to study the speciation of metals in the bog sediments indicate that U, unlike other metals, is predominantly associated with organic matter. In samples with high total organic carbon (>7%), uranium values range up to 1100 ppm. Analyses of organic constituents of the sediments show that humic substances, and not living plant material, are responsible for U entrapment and enrichment. Infra-red studies suggest that the mechanism of entrapment is complexation of the uranyl cation in groundwaters by car☐yl functional groups on the humic and fulvic acid molecules. Published experimental and thermodynamic data are reviewed and a mechanism to explain preferential enrichment of U over other trace metals is proposed for freshwater bog or marsh environments.
Robots in design (Panel Discussion)

The purpose of this panel is to discuss the significant new tool that designers now have available for automating many tasks now performed manually. This tool is the robot. Robots are universal manipulators. They are programmable, multifunctional, and have already been applied to a variety of tasks from playing checkers and decorating candy to spray painting, welding, and even ship loading. Most current robots come in two flavors: the six degrees of freedom, fixed location arm such as those produced by Cincinnati Milicron, Unimation, and IBM; and the mobile variety, such as the Heath HERO and the University of Tennessee MERV. Both flavors are useful in the design automation process. Perhaps the arm will also do my drawing or typing of specifications and the mobile robot will bring my coffee and the parts to build my design.There are many issues which should be addressed in using robots in design automation. Cost justifications must be made. Comparisons of robots to other methods, such as hard automation which may have been used for years and with which workers are familiar, must be made. Selection of robots and perhaps the CAD/CAM support equipment must be made. Planning must be done and redone to make the robot installation smooth and effective. However, the carrot at the end of this stick is greater consistency and productivity. This will lead to a lower cost, higher quality product, which is the bottom line.It is my pleasure to introduce the distinguished panelists, each of whom is actively engaged in robotics in design or maintenance. These experts in robotics bring views from a variety of applications. Universities and industries, designers, manufacturers, and users are represented.
Evidence that manganese inhibits an early event during stimulation of lymphocytes by mitogens.

Abstract Addition of low concentrations of Mn 2+ , 1–10 μM, to mitogen-stimulated hamster lymphoid cells enhanced [ 3 H]thymidine ([ 3 H]TdR) incorporation. Enhanced [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation was observed for stimulation of both B- and T-lymphocytes. Higher concentrations of Mn 2+ , 100 μM, differentially inhibited the responses to ConA and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) while the responses to lipopolysaccharide and dextran sulfate was unaffected. This effect was specific for Mn 2+ since it was not observed with Zn 2+ , Co 2+ , or Fe 2+ . Addition of 100 μM Mn 2+ to T cell mitogen-stimulated cultures at varying times after initiation of stimulation, indicated that Mn 2+ was inhibitory only if added within the first 4–16 h after stimulation. The inhibition of stimulation of splenocytes, and to a lesser extent thymocytes, induced by 100 μM Mn 2+ could be reversed by adding 1.6 mM CaCl 2 or SrCl 2 to the cultures. However, Mn 2+ inhibition of stimulation of lymph node cells could not be reversed by additional CaCl 2 . Studies with [ 3 H]acetyl ConA indicated that 100 μM Mn 2+ did not inhibit binding of ConA to the cells. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of Mn 2+ is most likely a post-binding effect on the cells themselves. Addition of 100 μM Mn 2+ to ConA and PHA-stimulated guinea pig lymphoid cells yielded results very similar to those obtained with hamster lymphoid cells. These results, obtained with lymphoid cells from two experimental animals indicate that the biochemical event inhibited may be a widespread cellular mechanism which could extend to non-lymphoid cells.
Somatal cycling in Phaseolus vulgaris L. In response to glyphosate

Abstract Leaf conductance and net photosynthesis decreased simultaneously in response to treatment of bean leaves with glyphosate. In a constant environment of 300 μE/m2/s light, 50% relative humidity, and either 21 or 27°C, spontaneous stomatal cycling occurred in response to glyphosate treatment. At a higher temperature (37°C) or a higher relative humidity (80%) no stomatal cycling was observed.
Impact of common reed, Phragmites australis, on essential fish habitat: Influence on reproduction, embryological development, and larval abundance of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)

The invasion ofSpartina marshes by the common reed,Phragmites australis, along the east coast of the United States over the last several decades has been well documented, although we know little about the impact of this invasion on the fish fauna and the few published papers seem contradictory. During 1999–2000 (May–September) we evaluated the fish response to vegetation type (Phragmites australis veersusSpartina alterniflora) by monitoring several aspects of fish early life history (egg deposition, embryonic development, hatching success, and larval and juvenile abundance) in low salinity marshes in the Mullica River in southern New Jersey. The dominant fish species using the marsh surface,Fundulus heteroclitus (93% of total catch, n=996 individuals), reproduced in both vegetation types with eggs deposited in leaf axils near the base of the plant inSpartina and in broken stems ofPhragmites during both years. These eggs also undergo successful embryonic development to hatching in both vegetation types. Larval and juvenile (5–75 mm total length, but 95% < 34 mm TL) abundance of this species is much reduced onPhragmites-dominated (mean CUPE=0.02, n=7 ind) marsh surface relative toSpartina (mean CPUE=2.31). These findings, and similar results for fish abundance in 1997 and 1998, indicate that theSpartima marsh surface is likely essential fish habitat for this species because it provides habitat for larvae and small juveniles, whilePhragmites does not. ThePhragmites invasion in brackish marshes may be having deleterious effects on fish populations and possibly on predators that prey uponF. heteroclitus, and as a result, marsh secondary production.
Naassene Themes in the Coptic Gospel of Thomas

Whatever the literary history of the Coptic Gospel of Thomas may have been, it is in its present form a Gnostic document. Remarkable parallels between it and the Naassene system as described by Hippolytus have already been noted by commentators. It is the purpose of this article to contribute further to an understanding of this relationship by considering what appear to be Naassene themes in the Gospel of Thomas.
The reinstatement effect: Amount of noncontingent reward in the runway

The effects of a noncontingent feeding procedure following extinction of a runway response were investigated with 24 rats as Ss. Following acquisition and extinction training, four groups were formed and individually placed into the goal box and fed 0, 5, 10, or 20 food pellets on each of 4 days. The effects of this procedure were tested by again running the Ss to an empty goal box. Running speeds were reinstated for each of the fed groups and the speed of running varied with reward magnitude. These data were discussed in terms of incentive theory and Capaldi’s aftereffects hypothesis.
Trichilemmomal horn: cutaneous horn overlying trichilemmoma

Summary Four patients had keratotic, horn-shaped growths on the face or scalp. Histologically, each showed massive, largely orthokeratotic horn with a trichilemmoma at the base. Trichilemmomal horn (cutaneous horn overlying trichilemmoma) must be differentiated from trichilemmal horn, a cutaneous horn that shows trichilemmal rather than epidermoid keratinization.
Blocking of up-regulated ICAM-1 does not prevent macrophage infiltration during Wallerian degeneration of peripheral nerve

Circulating blood monocytes infiltrate into distal degenerating nerve and differentiate into activated macrophages that remove degenerating axonal and myelin debris and promote axonal regeneration. The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for this monocyte-macrophage recruitment remain largely unknown. Cell adhesion molecules which mediate monocyte and endothelial cell interactions, such as the endothelial cell adhesion molecule intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) interaction with the monocyte adhesion molecules Mac-1 (complement receptor type 3) and LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1), have been shown to play a critical role in mediating the transendothelial migration of circulating monocytes into nonneural tissues following various types of injury. This study investigated whether these cell adhesion molecules also play a critical role in mediating monocyte-macrophage infiltration during Wallerian degeneration of peripheral nerve. Following sciatic nerve transection, Mac-1- and LFA-1-positive macrophages in distal degenerating nerve increased in number at 2 days and peaked at 14 days before declining. The number of ICAM-1-immunostained blood vessels increased maximally at 1 day before declining to baseline levels by 14 days. Three days following nerve transection, the intensity of ICAM-1 immunostaining on intraneural blood vessels was maximal and then decreased to baseline levels by 14 days. To test the role of ICAM-1 in mediating monocyte-macrophage recruitment, we used two complementary experimental strategies following a sciatic nerve transection: (1) intravenous administration of a rat ICAM-1-blocking monoclonal antibody and (2) ICAM-1 knockout mice. In both cases, the number of infiltrating monocytes-macrophages was above controls, which is opposite to what has been shown to occur in other tissues following injury.
Family Unity Objectives of Parents Who Teach Their Children: Ideological and Pedagogical Orientations to Home Schooling.

This article examines parents who teach their children at home. Using the results from two qualitative studies the article suggests, while families have complex motives for teaching their children at home, an important commonality underlies their decision. Regardless of their orientation to home schooling the parents in these two studies felt that establishing a home school would allow them to maintain or further develop unity within the family. The article suggests a family's decision to home school is often made in an attempt to resist the effects on the family unit of urbanization and modernization. The policy implications of this finding are discussed. As we approach the end of the twentieth century, home schooling has become a popular educational alternative for an increasing number of families throughout the country. During the last decade the United States has seen a growing number of families reject institutionalized forms of schooling and opt for family-controlled learning. The actual number of children being educated at home is unknown, but conservative national estimates range from 120,000 to over one million (Feinstein, 1986; Holt, 1984; Lines, 1987, 1989; Moore, 1985). The growing interest in home schooling reflects an assault on the revered position that compulsory formal education attained during the early part of the twentieth century. The presence and growth of home schools is also a reflection of economic, political, and cultural developments and conflicts that have occurred over the last two decades. Home school families are willing to take significant steps to protect their children from what they believe to be the
Graph-based deformable matching of 3D line with application in protein fitting

We present an algorithm for matching two sets of line segments in 3D that have undergone non-rigid deformations. This problem is motivated by a biology application that seeks a correspondence between the alpha-helices from two proteins, so that matching helices have similar lengths and these can be aligned by some low-distortion deformation. While matching between two feature sets have been extensively studied, particularly for point features, matching line segments has received little attention so far. As typical in point-matching methods, we formulate a graph matching problem and solve it using continuous relaxation. We make two technical contributions. First, we propose a graph construction for undirected line segments such that the optimal matching between two graphs represents an as-rigid-as-possible deformation between the two sets of segments. Second, we propose a novel heuristic for discretizing the continuous solution in graph matching. Our heuristic can be applied to matching problems (such as ours) that are not amenable to certain heuristics, and it produces better solutions than those applicable heuristics. Our method is compared with a state-of-art method motivated by the same biological application and demonstrates improved accuracy.
Hydrophilic polyphosphazenes as hydrogels: radiation cross-linking and hydrogel characteristics of poly[bis(methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene].

Abstract The water-soluble polyphosphazene, [NP(OCH 2 CH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 ) 2 ] n , cross-links when exposed to γ rays to form hydrophilic, water-swellable membranes and hydrogels. The degree of cross-linking increases with irradiation dose in a manner that can be utilized to change the properties, γ irradiation studies of the small molecule model compound, [NP(OCH 2 CH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 ) 2 ] 4 , were also carried out to probe the relationship between irradiation dose and cross-link density.
YAG laser resection of complicated hemangiomas of the hand and upper extremity

Complicated hemangiomas of the hand or upper extremity have been resected in eight patients with use of the YAG laser with sapphire scalpels. This laser allows excellent hemostasis and precise surgery, thus allowing resection of complicated problems. Many of the patients have had preoperative arteriography with selective embolization, which has aided in hemostasis. Almost complete but subtotal resection of hemangioma was possible in four of the eight patients with well localized lesions. Three patients had only partial resections of hemangiomas and one lesion was considered unresectable.
Turning Believers into Skeptics: 3-Year-Olds' Sensitivity to Cues to Speaker Credibility

Under most circumstances, children (and adults) can safely assume that the testimony they hear is true. In two studies, we investigated whether 3-year-olds (N = 100) would continue to hold this assumption even if the person who provided the testimony behaved in an uncertain, ignorant, and/or distracted manner. In Study 1, children were less likely to trust that, for example, a key-like object was a spoon if the speaker indicated uncertainty about her testimony (e.g., “I think this is a spoon”) than if she simply labeled the object ostensively (e.g., “This is a spoon”). In Study 2, 3-year-olds were also more skeptical about a speaker's testimony when she had earlier made an obvious naming error and seemed distracted, but not when she either made an error or seemed distracted. These results indicate that 3-year-olds can respond differently to the same testimony, depending on the speaker's behavior.
The Effect of Some Constituents in Molasses on the Water Metabolism of Chicks

Abstract IT IS KNOWN that certain minerals in cane molasses are responsible for some of the changes in the water metabolism of chicks. Bice and Dean (1939) and Rosenberg and Palafox (1956) reported that potassium which is present in a relatively high concentration in cane final molasses is the primary cause of a laxative effect. Rosenberg (1954) suggested deionization of molasses as a possible means for reducing this high concentration of potassium in cane molasses. In addition to potassium, the effect of sugar in the diet has been studied in relation to water consumption and moisture content of the droppings. Rosenberg and Palafox (1956) concluded that sugar in feed had little effect on fecal moisture. Jacobs and Scott (1957), however, showed that the liquid intake of 6-week-old chicks was increased significantly when sucrose was added to water, indicating that sugar may also play a role in water metabolism. Although it would …
Institutional changes, firm size and wages in the telecommunications sector

Abstract This article evaluates the impact of institutional changes and firm size on wage determination in the local exchange sector of the United States telecommunications industry. The firms examined are all the principal local exchange carriers in the United States telecommunications industry in a regulated segment where firms operate as local monopolies. Hence, these results are salient since the sector is ubiquitous in peoples’ lives and accounts for a large number of employees, though employment levels are declining. Wage determination is examined over a 14 year period, between 1988 and 2001, when several important institutional changes took place. The presence of rate of return regulation for prices, the impact of the Telecommunications Act 1996, the application of unbundled network elements-platform (UNE-P) and total element long-run incremental costs (TELRIC) rules and inter-modal competitive threats have pressurized wages downwards, while after mergers smaller firms experience higher wage levels. Absent institutional changes, the relationship between firm size and wages is negative and significant; however, the far-reaching institutional changes in the sector wash out the impact of size on wage levels.
Mandatory treatment for drug use during pregnancy.

THE CRACK epidemic is unique among American drug waves because of the high level of involvement of young women. 1,2 In response to this, there have been attempts to impose criminal sanctions on pregnant women who use drugs or alcohol. To date, there have been 50 efforts to prosecute women for using drugs or alcohol while pregnant, with two convictions, and at least seven states have legislation pending that would alter child protective laws to encompass drug use during pregnancy under the rubric of fetal abuse. 3,4 Fueled by hotly contested political controversies, such as the legal status of the fetus and the criminalization of addiction, the debate has generally polarized between therapy or sanction. Some have proposed mandatory treatment for pregnant women as a compromise. This article examines other experiences with mandatory treatment to assess whether such treatment has proven efficacious, whether these
Roles of Angiogenesis and Vascular Remodeling in Brain Vascular Malformations

Recent advances in understanding of angiogenesis and vascular remodeling have been shedding a new light into pathophysiology of vascular malformations in the brain, and new treatment strategies have been emerging. Generally, vascular malformations in the brain include cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), cavernous malformations, and dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF). Although their genesis is not well understood, there is a growing evidence suggesting that some of these lesions undergo active angiogenesis and vascular remodeling in the adult life. This new concept—active angiogenesis and vascular remodeling in intracranial vascular malformations—is opening a new clinical paradigm in which pharmacological interventions are proposed to stabilize these abnormal blood vesels and prevent further growth or hemorrhage.
Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency increases constitutive pro-inflammatory cytokine production in rats: Relationship with central serotonin turnover

Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid deficiency, elevated inflammatory signaling, and central serotonin (5-HT) turnover have separately been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present study we investigated the interrelationship between n-3 fatty acid status, pro-inflammatory signaling activity, and central 5-HT turnover in vivo. Rats were fed diets with or without the n-3 fatty acid precursor α-linolenic acid (ALA) during perinatal development (E0-P100), and a subset of rats fed the ALA- diet were switched to the ALA+ diet post-weaning (P21-P100, repletion). In adulthood (P100), plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. Additionally, indices of liver n-6 fatty acid biosynthesis, erythrocyte fatty acid composition, and regional brain monoamine turnover were determined. Indices of liver delta-6 desaturase activity were up-regulated in n-3-deficient rats, and were associated with greater erythrocyte membrane arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6) composition. Plasma IL-6 (p=0.001), TNFα (p=0.02), and CRP (p=0.001) concentrations were significantly greater in n-3-deficient rats relative to controls. The 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was significantly greater in frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and ventral striatum of n-3-deficient rats relative to controls. Changes in membrane n-3 and n-6 fatty acid composition, elevations in plasma IL-6 and TNFα, and increased central 5-HT turnover were all prevented by normalization of n-3 fatty acid status. Erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) was inversely correlated, and AA and the AA/DHA and AA/eicosapentaenoic acid ratios were positively correlated, with plasma IL-6, TNFα, and CRP levels. Plasma IL-6 levels were positively correlated with 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios in all brain regions. These preclinical data provide evidence for a functional link between n-3 fatty acid deficiency, elevated peripheral inflammatory signaling, and increased central 5-HT turnover.
Peptide Brush—Ordered Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite Materials

Organic−inorganic nanocomposites are synthesized through the surface-initiated polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides from amine-functionalized ordered mesoporous silica (OMS). Composites with high densities of grafted peptide were obtained which possess dramatically decreased porosity compared to the parent OMS material. The effect of the amine loading, pore size, pore topology, and monomer identity on the peptide brush layer obtained is investigated. Nitrogen porosimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, infrared and NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry verify the formation of the peptide brushes and indicate much of the organic phase formed is in the silica mesopores. The l-Lys(Z) peptide brushes can be deprotected on the solid surface as evidenced by thermal gravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. l-Ala peptide brushes may also be synthesized, and polymer growth confinement is evidenced by mass spectrometry as the number of alanine units per brush appears ...