cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synaptic scaling mediated by glial TNF-α

Two general forms of synaptic plasticity that operate on different timescales are thought to contribute to the activity-dependent refinement of neural circuitry during development: (1) long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), which involve rapid adjustments in the strengths of individual synapses in response to specific patterns of correlated synaptic activity, and (2) homeostatic synaptic scaling, which entails uniform adjustments in the strength of all synapses on a cell in response to prolonged changes in the cell's electrical activity. Without homeostatic synaptic scaling, neural networks can become unstable and perform suboptimally. Although much is known about the mechanisms underlying LTP and LTD, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for synaptic scaling except that such scaling is due, at least in part, to alterations in receptor content at synapses. Here we show that synaptic scaling in response to prolonged blockade of activity is mediated by the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Using mixtures of wild-type and TNF-alpha-deficient neurons and glia, we also show that glia are the source of the TNF-alpha that is required for this form of synaptic scaling. We suggest that by modulating TNF-alpha levels, glia actively participate in the homeostatic activity-dependent regulation of synaptic connectivity.
Introduction: The Importance of Signal Integrity

This chapter contains sections titled: Computing Power: Past and Future The Problem The Basics A New Realm of Bus Design Scope of the Book Summary References ]]>
Forms of deoxyribonucleic acid produced by virions of the ribonucleic acid tumor viruses.

The in vitro product of mouse leukemia virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase can be separated into two fractions by sedimentation in sucrose gradients. These two fractions were analyzed for their content of single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, and DNA-ribonucleic acid (RNA) hybrid by (i) digestion with enzymes of known specificity and (ii) equilibrium centrifugation in Cs2SO4 gradients. The major fraction early in the reaction contained equal amounts of single-stranded DNA and DNA-RNA hybrid and little double-stranded DNA. The major fraction after extensive synthesis contained equal amounts of single-and double-stranded DNA and little hybrid. In the presence of actinomycin D, the predominant product was single-stranded DNA. To account for these various forms of DNA, we postulate the following model: the first DNA synthesis occurs in a replicative complex containing growing DNA molecules attached to an RNA molecule. Each DNA molecule is displaced as single-stranded DNA by the synthesis of the following DNA strand, and the single-stranded DNA is copied to form double-stranded DNA either before or after release of the single strand from the RNA. Actinomycin blocks this conversion of single-to double-stranded DNA.
The posterior nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: serial reconstruction of identified neurons and complete pattern of synaptic interactions

Serial-section electron microscopy has been used to reconstruct the cellular architecture of the posterior nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Each of 40 neurons in the tail of the adult hermaphrodite can be reproducibly and unambiguously identified by a set of morphological features, including cell body position, fiber geometry and size, and staining properties. A complete list of synapses has been assembled for 2 isogenic animals, and these lists are compared with a third isogenic animal reconstructed by White et al. (1986). The set of neurons and their pattern of synaptic interactions is simple and reproducible. Most of the cells are involved in sensory transduction or in local signal processing to relay signals via a few interneurons to motoneurons and thence to body muscles. Because the tail neurons are well separated and fairly reproducible in position, the hermaphrodite tail lends itself to laser-ablation studies of sensory processing (cf. Chalfie et al., 1985). Most of the synapses in the tail are concentrated in the preanal ganglion. Among the approximately 150 synapses there, about 85% are dyadic chemical synapses. The dyadic synapses are involved in reproducible patterns that have several interesting features. Most neurons synapse onto a few preferred pairs of target cells, in patterns that suggest a combinatorial model of synapse specification that may be open to genetic analysis. Furthermore, most dyadic contacts A----B,C fit a pattern in which the 2 postsynaptic partners are involved elsewhere in unidirectional synapses B----C. Thus, the dyadic synapse may serve to diverge sensory signals into parallel pathways, which then reconverge. This divergence/reconvergence pattern eventually directs processed sensory signals to the ventral cord interneurons PVCL and PVCR. About 80-90% of the synapses fall into repeated classes of synapses. Many of the remaining synapses are widely scattered and irreproducible from one animal to the next. Some of these contacts may be developmental mistakes reflecting a degree of "noise" in synapse specification (Waddington, 1957).
Controlling financial variables--purchasing, inventory control, and waste reduction.

Purchasing, inventory control, and waste reduction techniques designed to minimize nonpersonnel expenditures are reviewed. Cost-saving purchasing mechanisms described include competitive bidding, contract negotiation, group purchasing, and primary wholesaler purchasing. The relative benefits of basic inventory management methods, including the ABC method, minimum and maximum levels, economic order quantity and value, and volume discount evaluation, are described. Waste and pilferage reducing methods discussed are unit dose drug distribution, i.v. admixture systems, and policies for use of i.v. sets and infusion pumps. Pharmacy departments in all institutions can reduce costs.
A Survey of Private Prosthodontic Practice

This article reports the data of a survey of private prosthodontic practitioners. It reports incomes, overhead expenses, staff size, and character of prosthodontic practices. The study also develops a profile for a median prosthodontic practice and practitioner.
Space-time correlation models and contaminant plumes

SUMMARY A contaminant plume might be described by a function defined in space–time. Spatial integrals or time derivatives of this function as well as time derivatives of spatial integrals will quantify characteristics such as the total volume of the plume, the total concentration of the contaminant in the plume, rates of change of the volume, and rates of change of concentration. The plume function usually cannot be derived in analytic form but instead must be estimated or approximated. The dual form of the kriging estimator, which is equivalent to the use of radial basis functions, provides a tool for modeling this function in analytic form. The extension of the kriging estimator, in its usual form or in its dual form, to space–time poses no problems since the estimator and the equations are essentially dimension free. The difficulty is an adequate choice of space–time variograms or covariances. The product–sum and integrated product–sum models provide an extensive array of valid models and also lead to a simple process for fitting the models by the use of marginal variograms. Examples are given and an application to air pollution data from the Milan District (Italy) illustrates the method. Copyright # 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of timing of nephrology referral and pre-ESRD care on mortality risk among new ESRD patients in the United States.

Abstract Background: Recent studies have suggested that early predialysis nephrological care is associated with lower mortality; however, this hypothesis has not been tested in a population-based study. We evaluated the impact of early nephrology referral and pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care on mortality risk in a national cohort of new patients starting dialysis therapy in 1996 and 1997. Methods: Data were obtained on a subset of patients (n = 2,264; 56%) from the Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 2 who then were followed up for up to 2 years. Survival comparisons were made using log-rank test, then by Cox regression adjusting for demographics, comorbid medical conditions, and surrogate markers of pre-ESRD care. Results: Adjusted mortality risks (relative risks [RRs]) were higher for late- (within 4 months of dialysis initiation) compared with early-referred patients at the end of 1 and 2 years of follow-up (RR, 1.68; confidence interval [CI], 1.31 to 2.15; RR, 1.23; CI, 1.02 to 1.47, respectively). Mortality risks were similarly high for the late-referred nondiabetic (RR, 2.10; CI, 1.49 to 2.94) and hemodialysis subgroups (RR, 1.72; CI, 1.25 to 2.38). Conversely, mortality risks were lower for patients who saw a nephrologist at least twice in the year before dialysis therapy initiation (RR, 0.80; CI, 0.62 to 1.03; P = 0.08] compared with those who did not. Conclusion: Late nephrology referral is associated with greater death risk in new patients with ESRD, and more frequent pre-ESRD care confers increased survival benefit. These findings stress the need for earlier referral of patients to nephrologists and improved pre-ESRD care for all patients approaching ESRD in the United States to improve survival. Am J Kidney Dis 41:310-318.
Measurements of diffusion through a zeolite membrane using isotopic-transient pervaporation

Diffusion rates of water, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and acetone through a Ge-ZSM-5 zeolite membrane were measured at steady state and high coverages using isotopic labeling. Labeled molecules were added to the feed during pervaporation, and their transient responses in the permeate were measured. At 313 K, methanol diffused at approximately the same rate as water, but 3.3, 4.8, and 20 times faster than acetone, ethanol, and 2-propanol, respectively. For ethanol/methanol mixtures, ethanol slowed the rate of methanol diffusion and methanol increased the rate of ethanol diffusion.
Poietical Subjects in Heidegger, Kristeva, and Aristotle

AbstractPrompted by Eryximachus’ speech about the relationship between Eros and health in Plato's Symposium, this paper engages the nature of poiēsis as it arises in the works of Martin Heidegger, Julia Kristeva, and Aristotle. All three address poiēsis as a human activity that points beyond an individual person, and in so doing speaks to what's possible for human life. Section I addresses Heidegger, whose insistance on the interplay between "earth" and "world" in "The Origin of a Work of Art" speaks to a continuous strife at the heart of poiēsis. Section II explains Kristeva's situating of rhythm as the unarticulated undulation driving human life, grounding any subsequent articulation in poiēsis. Section III engages Aristotle, who, in his Poetics, opens his discussion of poiēsis and mimesis through rhythmos. All do so, I submit, with catharsis—itself a kind of love and health—in view. This catharsis is seen through an affirmation of poietic possibility in art (Heidegger), the practice of the speaking sub...
The Decrease in the Lactose Content of Milk Following the Production of Artificial Hypoglucemia

Summary 1. Hypoglucemia produced by insulin results in a marked decrease in the lactose content of the secreted milk of cows. 2. No paresis or coma was noted in any of the animals, although the blood sugar was reduced in one case to .01 per cent. 3. In two of the three experiments, a marked similarity was obtained in the trend of the blood sugar and milk sugar curves. 4. An increase in blood sugar following an insulin injection was found to occur when the blood was markedly depleted of sugar. 5. A rise in lactose at about the normal evening milking period was not forecast by an increase in the blood sugar. 6. It was suggested that the rise in lactose just noted was due to an outflow of stored milk secreted before the onset of the experimental hypoglucemia.
Myosin heavy chain and parvalbumin expression in swimming and feeding muscles of centrarchid fishes: the molecular basis of the scaling of contractile properties.

In centrarchid fishes, such as bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus, Rafinesque) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, Lacepede), the contractile properties of feeding and swimming muscles show different scaling patterns. While the maximum shortening velocity (V(max)) and rate of relaxation from tetanus of swimming or myotomal muscle slow with growth, the feeding muscle shows distinctive scaling patterns. Cranial epaxial muscle, which is used to elevate the head during feeding strikes, retains fast contractile properties across a range of fish sizes in both species. In bass, the sternohyoideous muscle, which depresses the floor of the mouth during feeding strikes, shows faster contractile properties with growth. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular basis of these different scaling patterns. We examined the expression of two muscle proteins, myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and parvalbumin (PV), that affect contractile properties. We hypothesized that the relative contribution of slow and fast MyHC isoforms will modulate V(max) in these fishes, while the presence of PV in muscle will enhance rates of muscle relaxation. Myotomal muscle displays an increase in sMyHC expression with growth, in agreement with its physiological properties. Feeding muscles such as epaxial and sternohyoideus show no change or a decrease in sMyHC expression with growth, again as predicted from contractile properties. PV expression in myotomal muscle decreases with growth in both species, as has been seen in other fishes. The feeding muscles again show no change or an increase in PV expression with growth, contributing to faster contractile properties in these fishes. Both MyHC and PV appear to play important roles in modulating muscle contractile properties of swimming and feeding muscles in centrarchid fishes.
Least-squares solutions of multi-valued linear operator equations in Hilbert spaces

Abstract Let M be a linear manifold in H1 ⊕ H2, where H1, and H2 are Hilbert spaces. Two notions of least-squares solutions for the multi-valued linear operator equation (inclusion) y ϵ M(x) are introduced and investigated. The main results include (i) equivalent conditions for least-squares solvability, (ii) properties of a least-squares solution, (iii) characterizations of the set of all least-squares solutions in terms of algebraic operator parts and generalized inverses of linear manifolds, and (iv) best approximation properties of generalized inverses and operator parts of multi-valued linear operators. The principal tools in this investigation are an abstract adjoint theory, orthogonal operator parts, and orthogonal generalized inverses of linear manifolds in Hilbert spaces.
Cellular immune responses to β casein: Elevated in but not specific for individuals with Type I diabetes mellitus

Elevated cellular immune responses against the cows' milk protein β casein have been reported in individuals with Type I diabetes mellitus, a finding supportive of the concept that cows' milk consumption may be causative for the disease. We analysed cellular immune reactivities against β casein in newly-diagnosed Type I diabetic patients, their immediate autoantibody negative relatives, and unrelated healthy individuals in order to further elucidate the role of anti-β casein immunity in the pathogenesis of Type I diabetes mellitus. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in vitro with various concentrations of three different β casein preparations, control antigens (tetanus toxoid, mumps extract) and a mitogen (phytohemagglutinin). The frequency and/or mean simulation index of cellular proliferation against two of the β casein preparations at high antigen concentrations (i. e. 10 or 50 μg/ml) were significantly higher in newly-diagnosed Type I diabetic subjects compared with autoantibody negative healthy control subjects. However, reactivities against β casein in the Type I diabetic probands and their autoantibody negative relatives, individuals with a very low-rate of disease development, were almost identical. Cellular immune reactivities to other antigens were similar between the subject groups. In addition to indicating the need for appropriately matched subject populations (e. g. human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched relatives) when analysing cellular immune responses, these findings support our previous contention that individuals genetically prone to autoimmunity may be deficient in forming tolerance to dietary antigens. However, the significance of anti-β casein immunity as a specific causative factor in the pathogenesis of Type I diabetes mellitus remains unclear.
Diurnal rhythm in the electroretinogram of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) pigmented rat.

RCS pigmented rats, born and raised in cyclic light for 22–23 days and then placed in darkness for up to 24 hr, showed a diurnal rhythm in the rod electroretinogram (ERG) that was comparable with that seen in normal pigmented rats. a-Wave and b-wave sensitivities were 21-and 34% lower, respectively, 1·5 hr after expected light onset compared with those at other times of day. In contrast to findings in normal rats, however, these sensitivity decreases in the RCS rats were not associated with an increase in the frequency of large phagosomes in the pigment epithelium; phagosome frequency was subnormal and relatively constant over the day. These findings suggest that depressed ERG sensitivities 1·5 hr after expected light onset in both normal and RCS pigmented rats reflect altered rod photoreceptor function associated with the process of outer-segment disc shedding and not with engulfment of shed discs into phagosomes by the pigment epithelium.
Binding, distribution, and plant uptake of mercury in a soil from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA.

Abstract A large amount of mercury has been discharged on the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Site (Tennessee) as a part of the U.S. nuclear weapon program during the 1950s through the early 1960s. Increases in mercury concentration in fish and in lower East Fork Poplar Creek of Oak Ridge have been recently reported. This is an experimental study mimicking the initial stage of transformation and redistribution of mercury in soils, which are comparable to those of the Oak Ridge site. The objectives of this study were to investigate potential transformation, distribution, and plant uptake of mercury compounds in soils. Results show that the H2O2-oxidizable mercury fraction (organically bound mercury) was the major solid-phase fraction in soils freshly contaminated with soluble mercury compounds, while cinnabar fraction was the major solid phase fraction in soils contaminated with HgS. Langmuir relationships were found between mercury concentrations in plant shoots and in soil solid-phase components. Mercury in HgS-contaminated soils was to some extent phytoavailable to plants. Mercury transformation occurred from more labile fractions into more stable fractions, resulting in strong binding of mercury and decreasing its phytoavailability in soils. In addition, high mercury losses from soils contaminated with soluble mercury compounds were observed during a growing season through volatilization, accounting for 20–62% of the total initial mercury in soils.
Correlates of repeat lipid testing in patients with coronary heart disease.

Importance Understanding the frequency and correlates of redundant lipid testing could identify areas for quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of cholesterol care in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Objective To determine the frequency and correlates of repeat lipid testing in patients with CHD who attained low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals and received no treatment intensification. Design, Setting, and Participants We assessed the proportion of patients with LDL-C levels of less than 100 mg/dL and no intensification of lipid-lowering therapy who underwent repeat lipid testing during an 11-month follow-up period. We performed logistic regression analyses to evaluate facility, provider, and patient characteristics associated with repeat testing. In total, we analyzed 35 191 patients with CHD in a Veterans Affairs network of 7 medical centers with associated community-based outpatient clinics. Main Outcomes and Measures Frequency and correlates of repeat lipid testing in patients having CHD with LDL-C levels of less than 100 mg/dL and no further treatment intensification with lipid-lowering therapies. Results Of 27 947 patients with LDL-C levels of less than 100 mg/dL, 9200 (32.9%) had additional lipid assessments without treatment intensification during the following 11 months (12 686 total additional panels; mean, 1.38 additional panel per patient). Adjusting for facility-level clustering, patients with a history of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.22), a history of hypertension (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.30), higher illness burden (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23-1.57), and more frequent primary care visits (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.25-1.39) were more likely to undergo repeat testing, whereas patients receiving care at a teaching facility (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.69-0.80) or from a physician provider (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.98) and those with a medication possession ratio of 0.8 or higher (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.71-0.80) were less likely to undergo repeat testing. Among 13 114 patients who met the optional LDL-C target level of less than 70 mg/dL, repeat lipid testing was performed in 8177 (62.4% of those with LDL-C levels of Conclusions and Relevance One-third of patients having CHD with LDL-C levels at goal underwent repeat lipid panels. Our results highlight areas for quality improvement initiatives to reduce redundant lipid testing. These efforts would be more important if the forthcoming cholesterol guidelines adopt a medication dose–based approach in place of the current treat-to-target approach.
Failure Investigation of Cracks in Bolted Flange

Cracks were observed on the outer diameter of the bolted flanges of a number of large control valves in high temperature service. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of cracking and propose corrective action. Metallurgical failure analysis and finite element analysis techniques were used to investigate the fracture, and concluded that the failures occurred due to thermal fatigue. A structural assessment performed on a cracked flange concluded that the cracks do not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the flange and it was concluded that the cracked flanges could be safely returned to service.
On the identification of movement detectors in the fly optic lobe

Intracellular recordings were made in the lobula-lobula plate ganglia of the optic lobes of the blowfliesCalliphora erythrocephala, Phaenicia sericata, and the flesh-flySarcophaga (species unknown) with the following results:
Parton Distribution and Decay Functions

We define parton distribution and decay functions in QCD and prove some of their basic properties. These include renormalization, light-cone expansions and sum rules.
Transient radiative heat transfer in a non-gray medium

Abstract Transient radiative transfer in a stationary plane layer of a non-conducting spectrally selective medium bounded by black walls is studied for a layer initially at a uniform temperature when one wall is suddenly reduced in temperature. A rectangular Milne-Eddington type relation is used to describe the frequency dependence of the absorption coefficient. Numerical results are presented for transient cooling of a layer which absorbs radiation (a) of low frequency, (b) of high frequency, (c) within a finite width band, and (d) of all frequencies (gray). The influence of optical thickness, wall temperature ratio, and the parameters which characterize the absorption coefficient model of the medium on cooling of the layer is examined and the results for non-gray media are compared with those from gray analysis. Cooling of the layer is strongly dependent on the absorption coefficient model employed. Although gray analysis predicts the trends observed for non-gray materials, quantitative agreement is generally poor.
Abstract 4960: COX-2 inhibition with celecoxib delays the progression of invasive mammary carcinoma in a murine model of collagen dense stroma.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women causing over 40,000 deaths yearly in the United States. Increased mammographic density correlates with over four-fold greater risk for breast cancer, making it one of the most important risk factors known for this disease. High breast density is correlated to increased collagen in the breast tissue, and we have found that increased collagen in the Col1a1tm1jae mouse model promotes mammary tumor formation and progression. Elevated collagen density in vitro increases expression of PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2), the gene for COX-2, by over four fold. COX-2 over-expression is observed in 40% of invasive breast carcinoma cases and correlates with poor prognosis. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that inhibition of COX-2 may be an effective therapy in the context of mammary tumors arising in dense tissue. Celecoxib is a selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that specifically inhibits COX-2. To understand the mechanism by which COX-2 affects cell signaling and response to collagen matrix density, we utilized our previously characterized model of MMTV-PyVT tumors on a wild type (wt) or Col1a1tm1jae background. Col1a1tm1jae heterozygote and wt littermates were randomly assigned at 11 weeks of age to treatment with placebo or celecoxib at 400mg per kilogram body weight. Oral treatment was given daily for 21 days. We found that MMTV-PyVT tumors responded to celecoxib in a manner that is regulated by matrix density (p-value <.0001). Tumors that arose on the dense Col1a1tm1jae background were larger and more invasive (p-value <.0001). Endpoint tumor size was diminished in mice treated with a daily dose of celecoxib, which delayed the development of tumors and changed the structure of the dense matrix. The effect of celecoxib was not as prominent for masses which developed on the low density wt background. Immunohistochemistry of relevant markers in these tissues is ongoing and will further our understanding of the effects of COX-2 inhibition in dense matrices. These findings suggest that COX-2 has a direct role in modulating the configuration of dense matrices which promote a more invasive cancer effect. Moreover, these findings suggest that COX-2 may be an effective therapeutic target for women with dense breast tissue. Citation Format: Karla Esbona, David R. Inman, Kevin W. Eliceiri, Lee G. Wilke, Patricia J. Keely. COX-2 inhibition with celecoxib delays the progression of invasive mammary carcinoma in a murine model of collagen dense stroma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4960. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4960
001 UVA‐1 for the treatment of chronic hand dermatitis

UVA-1 has distinct immunological effects which has allowed it to be useful for a number of cutaneous diseases that have been relatively resistant to other treatment modalities. These include urticaria pigmentosa, morphea/scleroderma and T-cell mediated diseases such as atopic dermatitis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Since chronic hand dermatitis is also mediated by T-cells, we hypothesized that UVA- 1 would be an effective treatment for that disease as well. Five subjects with recalcitrant hand dermatitis caused by dyshidrosis and/or chronic irritancy were treated with a medium dose regimen of UVA- 1. This consisted of 15 treatments of 60 J/cm2 UVA 1 over 3 weeks. Subjects received a total of 900 J/cm2. A clinical scoring parameter, Dyshidrotic Area and Seventy Index Score (DASI), was administered to subjects prior to and following the UVA- 1 treatment course. Clinical photographs were also taken. All subjects showed improvement in hand dermatitis as demonstrated by clinical photographs and the DASI score (13 ± 5.35 before treatment; 6.3 ± 4.50 after treatment). UVA- 1 is an effective and rapid acting treatment for chronic hand dermatitis.
Astrocytes in the Medial Preoptic Area Modulate Ejaculation Latency in an Experience-Dependent Fashion

While sexually experienced males copulate at a higher frequency than sexually inexperienced males, there is still a great deal of variability in their behavior. Within the medial preoptic area (mPOA) of the hypothalamus, glutamate modulates some of this variability. Glutamate levels, for example, increase during sexual activity, peaking with ejaculation and falling precipitously during the post-ejaculation interval. Whereas lower glutamate levels after ejaculation translates to longer post-ejaculatory intervals, administration of glutamate uptake inhibitors into the mPOA increases the number of ejaculations a male rat achieves over a mating bout, and reduces the latency to ejaculate once mating begins. Because astrocytes modulate the availability of neuronal glutamate, we hypothesized that differences in the number of GFAP-positive astrocytes in the mPOA may account for variability in sexual behavior. To this end, we examined whether the number of astrocytes in the mPOA related to ejaculation latency as well as to the duration of the post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) in sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced males. Results indicate that the number of astrocytes negatively correlated with latency to reach ejaculations in sexually inexperienced but not sexually experienced rats while the number of astrocytes and PEI were not related. Astrocyte numbers did not vary between inexperienced and experienced subjects indicating that astrocyte processes may differentially project to sex-relevant glutamatergic synapses or that glutamatergic innervation of the mPOA changes as a function of sexual experience.
Embryonic Calls as Care‐soliciting Signals in Budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus

Embryonic calls occur 1–3 d before hatching among precocial and some altricial birds. In precocial species, calls may synchronize hatching among siblings or, in semi-precocial species, elicit parental attention to, and often thermoregulation of, the hatching egg. Much less is known about the functional significance of calls in fully altricial species. In this study, naturalistic observations and laboratory experiments were used to document factors affecting calling and the parental responses to calls in one altricial species, the budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus. Budgerigar chicks hatch asynchronously and vocalize 24–48 h before hatching. Embryonic calling rates increase at higher egg temperatures, and also as embryos near hatching. Parents easily locate a calling egg in their clutch, even among a large brood of much older, vocalizing nestlings. Furthermore, they actively assist in the last stages of hatching by helping to break the shell along the crack in the egg. Both observational and experimental evidence suggests that embryonic vocalizations are distinctive signals that increase parental attention and care, and may stimulate hatching assistance to a calling egg.
The Size Distribution of Cities: An Examination of the Pareto Law and Primacy

Abstract This paper examines the Pareto and primacy measures of the size distribution of cities. The mean Pareto exponent for a sample of 44 countries is 1.136, somewhat greater than the exponent of one implied by the rank-size rule. We find that value of the Pareto exponent is quite sensitive to the definition of the city and the choice of city sample size. The significance of non-linear terms in variants of the Pareto distribution also indicate that the rank-size rule is only a first approximation to a complete characterization of the size distribution of cities within a country. The relatively low correlation between primacy and Pareto measures confirms the need for a variety of measures of city size distributions. This paper also suggests that large cities are growing faster than small cities in most of the countries in our sample. This is indicated by the positive coefficient on the first non-linear term introduced into the Pareto equation. Finally, variations in the Pareto exponent and measures of primacy are partly explained by economic, demographic, and geographic factors.
Some ground motion and intensity relations for the central united states

Because of low absorption of seismic wave energy in the central United States, as compared to the western part, relations between ground motion and intensity differ for the two regions. This paper presents some empirical relations between magnitude, intensity and perceptibility that are applicable to the central United States. In general, the areas of perceptibility and of damage are one to two orders greater for earthquakes in the central area than for western earthquakes of equal magnitude or of equal maximum Modified Mercalli intensity.
Conversion to sirolimus with calcineurin inhibitor elimination vs. dose minimization and renal outcome in heart and lung transplant recipients

Sirolimus (SRL) has been used as an alternative immunosuppressant strategy to allow either dose minimization or complete withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) therapy to improve renal outcome. One hundred thirty-one heart and 55 lung transplant patients were converted from a CNI to SRL based immunosuppression, with CNI elimination in 25 patients, and dose reduction in 161 patients. Fifty-six (28%) patients died and 65 (33%) patients had a 25% or more decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during a median follow-up of 18 months. The three groups (SRL only group n = 25; SRL + tacrolimus n = 94; SRL + cyclosporine n = 67) had an initial improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.05), with subsequent similar slow decline in mean eGFR (repeated measures ANOVA, p = 0.96). After controlling for important potential confounding variables, the three groups had similar renal outcome (p = 0.40) and overall survival (p = 0.45). In conclusion, the benefits of CNI withdrawal vs. minimization as part of SRL-based regimens are similar with regard to renal outcomes and patient survival.
Long-term outcomes in high-risk symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing alcohol septal ablation.

Objectives We sought to assess outcomes of alcohol septal ablation (ASA) in high-risk patients. Background Because surgical myectomy is the preferred treatment in patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) at our institution, we perform ASA in patients who are at high risk for surgery. Methods We studied 55 symptomatic HOCM patients (mean age 63 ± 13 years, 67% women, mean follow-up 8 ± 1 years), at high risk for surgery (as the result of age/comorbidities) who had ASA between 1997 and 2000. The following were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year: septal thickness, maximal (resting or provocable) left ventricular outflow tract gradient, Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire score, and the presence of a permanent pacemaker. All-cause mortality was recorded. Results No patients died at 48 h, 2 died at 1 year, 7 died at 5 years, and 13 died at 10 years. Only age g65 years at time of ASA predicted long-term mortality (log-rank p = 0.03). Mean maximal left ventricular outflow tract gradient (104 ± 35 mm Hg vs. 49 ± 28 mm Hg), septal thickness (2.4 ± 0.4 cm vs. 1.8 ± 0.6 cm), and Minnesota living with heart failure score (63 vs. 25) improved at 3 months, compared with baseline (all p l 0.001), with no significant changes at 1 year. New permanent pacemaker was present in 26% of patients. Conclusions In symptomatic HOCM patients who are at high risk for surgery, ASA is associated with symptomatic improvement and low short-term mortality; with long-term mortality only associated with older age at time of procedure. In symptomatic HOCM patients at high-risk for surgery, ASA is a viable option.
Magnetic nanoparticle drug delivery systems for targeting tumor

Tumor hypoxia, or low oxygen concentration, is a result of disordered vasculature that lead to distinctive hypoxic microenvironments not found in normal tissues. Many traditional anti-cancer agents are not able to penetrate into these hypoxic zones, whereas, conventional cancer therapies that work by blocking cell division are not effective to treat tumors within hypoxic zones. Under these circumstances the use of magnetic nanoparticles as a drug delivering agent system under the influence of external magnetic field has received much attention, based on their simplicity, ease of preparation, and ability to tailor their properties for specific biological applications. Hence in this review article we have reviewed current magnetic drug delivery systems, along with their application and clinical status in the field of magnetic drug delivery.
On the structure of the boundary layer separating a neutral anisotropic plasma from a magnetic field.

Boundary layer separating collisionless plasma from one dimensional magnetic field for anisotropic particle velocity distribution functions, preserving charge neutrality in boundary layer
High pressure 2H nuclear magnetic resonance study of the gel phases of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.

Abstract The 2 H-NMR lineshapes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine perdeuterated in the acyl chains were studied in a 15% dispersion in water as a function of pressure from 1 bar to 5 kbar over the temperature range from 7°C to 75°C. Increasing pressure in the gel state had the same effect as lowering the temperature: the lineshape gradually changed from a motionally averaged to a rigid lattice type spectrum with much of the intensity in the shoulders at ± 63 kHz. At very high pressures and low temperatures (7°C, 2.5 kbar; 25°C, 5 kbar) even the methyl portion of the spectrum became a rigid lattice type spectrum at ±21 kHz. In addition to the liquid crystalline phase, five gel phases were detected. Using different techniques to determine the phase transitions, a general pressure-temperature phase diagram was constructed.
Automated Single-Particle SEM/EDX Analysis of Submicrometer Particles down to 0.1 μm

Typically single-particle SEM/EDX analysis of aerosols is done on polycarbonate filters or solid carbon substrates. This has led to a widespread conclusion that EDX provides poor information on carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen content of a particle and usually could not go below 0.5-μm particles. We show that use of grid-supported carbon films of 15−25-nm thickness gives exceptionally low background in the SEM/EDX analysis and allows satisfied automated analysis of particles down to 0.1-μm size, including detection of low-Z elements. In this work, six laboratory-generated 0.1−2-μm aerosols were tested for their elemental composition. The EDX analysis yields reasonably accurate quantitative results featuring all the elements present in the tested compounds, namely, C, O, N, Na, S, Al, Si, and Cl. Furthermore, the carbon film has very low backscattered electron (BSE) yield compared to that from the particle, so in the BSE mode the particle image is seen with very high contrast. This greatly improves quality and...
Mean annual temperature estimation based on leaf morphology: a test from tropical South America

Abstract Are models that predict mean annual temperature (MAT) from leaf morphology applicable globally? Fifteen models that predict MAT from leaf morphology were tested on thirty floral samples from tropical South America to determine the degree to which models based on published data that are primarily from other regions are applicable to floras from tropical South America. The models included are based on regional data from North America, South America, and Asia. Of the fifteen models tested, five are simple linear regressions, six are multiple linear regressions, two are canonical correspondence analyses, and two are correspondence analyses followed by nearest neighbor analyses. For the seven modern floras with MAT ≤21°C, every model overestimates MAT. For the 23 modern floras with MAT >21°C, all models produce variable results without a systematic error. The range of average model errors is 2.7–7.3°C, while the absolute extremes of error are 0 and 15.1°C. Average 95% predictive confidence intervals range from 1.6 to 6.9°C. Predicted MAT falls within the published standard error of the model for 0–67% of the South American test floras. Evaluating the seven sites with MAT ≤21°C separately from the 23 sites with MAT >21°C shows that no equation accurately estimates MAT of the majority of low-temperature sites, but that four equations accurately estimate >50% of high-temperature sites. The results suggest that at least for sites of unknown or high elevation, mean annual temperature of fossil floras from tropical South America may be better predicted from models based on the leaf morphology of tropical South American floras.
EM calibration based on Post OPC layout analysis

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) involves changes to the design and CAD tools to help increase pattern printability and improve process control. Design for Reliability (DFR) performs the same to improve reliability of devices from failures such as Electromigration (EM), gate-oxide break down, hot carrier injection (HCI), Negative Bias Temperature Insatiability (NBTI) and mechanical stress effects. Electromigration (EM) occurs due to migration or displacement of atoms as a result of the movement of electrons through a conducting medium. The rate of migration determines the Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) which is modeled as a function of temperature and current density. The model itself is calibrated through failure analysis (FA) of parts that are deemed to have failed due to EM against design parameters such as linewidth. Reliability Verification (RV) of a design involves verifying that every conducting line in a design meets certain MTTF threshold. In order to perform RV, current density for each wire must be computed. Current itself is a function of the parasitics that are determined through RC extraction. The standard practice is to perform the RC extraction and current density calculation on drawn, pre-OPC layouts. If a wire fails to meet threshold for MTTF, it may be resized. Subsequently, mask preparation steps such as OPC and PSM introduce extra features such as SRAFs, jogs,hammerheads and serifs that change their resistance, capacitance and current density values. Hence, calibrating EM model based on pre-OPC layouts will lead to different results compared to post-OPC layouts. In this work, we compare EM model calibration and reliability check based on drawn layout versus predicted layout, where the drawn layout is pre-OPC layout and predicted layout is based on litho simulation of post-OPC layout. Results show significant divergence between these two approaches, making a case for methodology based on predicted layout.
A variational approach to subdivision

Abstract In this paper a new class of interpolatory refinement schemes is presented which in every refinement step determine the new points by solving an optimization problem. In general, these schemes are global, i.e., every new point depends on all points of the polygon to be refined. By choosing appropriate quadratic functionals to be minimized iteratively during refinement, very efficient schemes producing limiting curves of high smoothness can be defined. The well known class of stationary interpolatory refinement schemes turns out to be a special case of these variational schemes.
Flight into despair: a profile of recent Haitian refugees in South Florida.

Based on a 1983-1984 random sample survey of 499 Haitians who had recently arrived in the US plus participant observation and intensive interviewing this article examines the following areas: 1) individual background characteristics of Haitian immigrants; 2) their arrival and early resettlement experiences; 3) their education knowledge of English and information about the US; 4) current employment status and occupation; 5) income and use of public assistance; 6) predictors of employment occupation and income; and 7) beliefs and orientations. Few immigrant groups in recent history have suffered unemployment downward occupational mobility and poverty to the extent that Haitians have. In part this situation is a consequence of the modest education and occupational training brought by these refugees--above average in the country of origin but significantly below US standards. However even among the better educated and knowledgeable unemployment rates are unacceptably high and occupational status and income extremely low. The 2nd part of the explanation must be found in the reception accorded to this group. Haitians arrived into a social context unprepared to receive them either as economic immigrants or as political refugees. Their claims for political asylum have been repeatedly rejected by the US. The motivation of individuals who crossed 700 miles of open sea to Florida aboard barely seaworthy craft is high enough to succeed but the Haitians inability to gain more than a temporary entrant status weighs heavily against their eventual success.
Characteristics of Auditory and Visual Elicited Saccades

Saccadic eye movements in response to visual stimuli (V-saccade), auditory stimuli (A-saccade) and auditory-visual stimuli (AV-saccade) were recorded and analyzed. Human saccade data was collected using a SMI Hi-Speed eye tracking system and analyzed with a FORTRAN program, which was used to compute parameter estimates for a 1D saccadic eye movement model. Saccade characteristics were investigated, and the results of saccadic eye movements induced by the three different stimuli types were compared. The auditory-visual stimuli provided the greatest saccade accuracy. Peak velocity increased with increasing saccade amplitude as an exponential shape, while A-saccade showed lower values than V-saccade and AV-saccade. Duration was linearly proportional to saccade amplitude and it was longer for A-saccade. Latent period was relatively independent of saccade amplitude, but there was a significant reduction in AV-saccade.
Changes in rat lung microsomal lipids after p-xylene: relationship to inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene metabolism.

The relationship between p‐xylene's effects on microsomal membranes, cytochrome P‐450, and benzofajpyrene (BaP) metabolism was studied. p‐Xylene (1 g/kg, ip, 1 h) inhibited 3‐hydroxy BaP (3‐OH) formation and decreased arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity approximately 40% in rat lung microsomes. BaP dihydrodiol and quinone formation were unchanged by p‐xylene administration. Cytochrome P‐450 was below the limit of detection in lung microsomes from p‐xylene‐treated rats. Total phospholipid (PL) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in microsomal membranes were decreased 28% and 17%, respectively. Cholesterol (CL), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and sphingomyelin (SM) were unchanged. The net activity of enzymes involved in the synthesis of PC, phosphatidylethanolamine‐N‐methyltransferase I and II (PMT I and PMT II), was slightly elevated by p‐xylene. PL/CL and PC/PE ratios, indicators of membrane fluidity, were decreased 34% and 13%, respectively, in microsom...
The performance of asynchronous iteration schemes applied to the linearized Boltzmann transport equation

Abstract We present a summary of numerical experiments that explore the effects of asynchronous (chaotic) iteration schemes for solutions of the Boltzmann transport equation. Our experiments are performed on both common and distributed memory parallel processing systems. Two chaotic and one deterministic schemes are developed directly from a computational algorithm known as discrete ordinates that uses iterative techniques in solving the linearized Boltzmann particle transport equation. From an analysis based on the performance of these schemes on various parallel architectures, a third chaotic scheme is developed that executes faster in either parallel or sequential modes. The behavior of these methods, both deterministic and chaotic, will be examined for the Denelcor HEP, the Encore Multimax, and the Intel iPSC hypercube.