cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Structural Impairment Detection System Using Competitive Arrays of Artificial Neural Networks

Impairments that occur in structural systems may degrade performance or prevent a structure from functioning safely. Detecting impairments prior to a structural failure reduces the effect of impairments on the safety of those using a structure. This article describes the computational framework of a Structural Impairment Detection System (SIDS) that processes the digital data streams of electronic sensors attached to critical components of a structure. The resulting system comprises a competitive array of neural networks that can accurately describe the types and severity of likely impairments present in the structure. The competitive array of neural networks is trained to detect patterns in data streams specific to likely target impairments. Data streams generated from ABAQUS models and from electronic sensors are used in training and evaluating the system. As part of the initial development of this SIDS, the counterweight truss of a 100-year old railroad drawbridge was instrumented and evaluated. The resulting data streams were diagnosed autonomously by the SIDS as being similar to one of two operational conditions: unimpaired or a single impairment present in a member embedded within the counterweight. Further investigation of the counterweight truss is underway to verify the accuracy of the assessments.
Habitat persistence for sedentary organisms in managed rivers: the case for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the Delaware River

SUMMARY 1. To manage the environmental flow requirements of sedentary taxa, such as mussels and aquatic insects with fixed retreats, we need a measure of habitat availability over a variety of flows (i.e. a measure of persistent habitat). Habitat suitability measures in current environmental flow assessments are measured on a ‘flow by flow’ basis and thus are not appropriate for these taxa. Here, we present a novel measure of persistent habitat suitability for the dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon), listed as federally endangered in the U.S.A., in three reaches of the Delaware River. 2. We used a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model to quantify suitable habitat over a range of flows based on modelled depth, velocity, Froude number, shear velocity and shear stress at three scales (individual mussel, mussel bed and reach). Baseline potentially persistent habitat was quantified as the sum of pixels that met all thresholds identified for these variables for flows ‡40 m 3 s )1 , and we calculated the loss of persistently suitable habitat by sequentially summing suitable habitat estimates at lower flows. We estimated the proportion of mussel beds exposed at each flow and the amount of change in the size of the mussel bed for one reach. 3. For two reaches, mussel beds occupied areas with lower velocity, shear velocity, shear stress and Froude number than the reach average at all flows. In the third reach, this was true only at higher flows. Together, these results indicate that beds were possible refuge areas from the effects of these hydrological parameters. Two reaches showed an increase in the amount of exposed mussel beds with decreasing flow. 4. Baseline potentially persistent habitat was less than half the areal extent of potentially suitable habitat, and it decreased with decreasing flow. Actually identified beds and modelled persistent habitat showed good spatial overlap, but identified beds occupied only a portion of the total modelled persistent habitat, indicating either that additional suitable habitat is available or the need to improve habitat criteria. At one site, persistent beds (beds where mussels were routinely collected) were located at sites with stable substratum, whereas marginal beds (beds where mussels were infrequently collected or that were lost following a large flood event) were located in scoured areas. 5. Taken together, these model results support a multifaceted approach, which incorporates the effects of low and high flow stressors, to quantify habitat suitability for mussels and other sedentary taxa. Models of persistent habitat can provide a more holistic environmental flow assessment of rivers.
GaxIn1−xAs thermophotovoltaic converters

Abstract Preliminary research into the development of single-junction Ga x In 1− x As thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power converters is reviewed. The devices structures are grown epitaxially on single-crystal InP substrates. Converter band gaps of 0.50–0.74 eV have been considered in accordance with modeling calculations. A 1-sun, AMO efficiency of 12.8% is reported for a lattice-matched, 0.74-eV converter. Converters with lower band gaps are fabricated using lattice-mismatched, compositionally graded structures. Functional TPV converters with good performance characteristics have been demonstrated for band gaps as low as 0.5 eV.
Correction to “A cartesian presentation of weak n–categories”

In this note, I provide a correction to the proof of Proposition 6.6 of [Rez10]. It forms a key part of the proof of the main Theorem 1.4 of that paper. The error lies in the use of Proposition 2.19, which is simply false as stated. In fact, it is easy to construct counterexamples to 2.19 when the poset P does not have contractible nerve. The error the original paper was pointed out to me by Bill Dwyer, who also suggested the idea which forms the basis of the proof given here. I thank Bill Dwyer for his help. The author was supported under NSF grant DMS-0505056. I assume context and notation of [Rez10].
Maximum Lifetime Data Regeneration for Persistent Storage in Wireless Sensor Networks

Erasure codes have been employed to achieve persistent storage in distributed storage networks. Recent work has shown that, in addition to reduction in storage space requirements, the communication bandwidth in the data regeneration process can be further reduced by using Regenerating Codes. In this paper, we consider the issue of energy- efficient data regeneration in wireless sensor networks with the objective of minimizing energy expenditure and thereby maximizing network lifetime. We formally prove the NP-hardness of finding the optimal set of source nodes and corresponding routes for data regeneration in general networks, and devise an optimal polynomial algorithm, TROY, for acyclic networks; the cardinality of the set is pre- defined. Building upon TROY, we devise a heuristic algorithm for general networks and show, through extensive simulation studies, that this heuristic is near-optimal.
Conditional overexpression of active transforming growth factor β1 in vivo accelerates metastases of transgenic mammary tumors

To address the role of transforming growth factor (TGF) β in the progression of established tumors while avoiding the confounding inhibitory effects of TGF-β on early transformation, we generated doxycycline (DOX)-inducible triple transgenic mice in which active TGF-β1 expression could be conditionally regulated in mouse mammary tumor cells transformed by the polyomavirus middle T antigen. DOX-mediated induction of TGF-β1 for as little as 2 weeks increased lung metastases >10-fold without a detectable effect on primary tumor cell proliferation or tumor size. DOX-induced active TGF-β1 protein and nuclear Smad2 were restricted to cancer cells, suggesting a causal association between autocrine TGF-β and increased metastases. Antisense-mediated inhibition of TGF-β1 in polyomavirus middle T antigen-expressing tumor cells also reduced basal cell motility, survival, anchorage-independent growth, tumorigenicity, and metastases. Therefore, induction and/or activation of TGF-β in hosts with established TGF-β-responsive cancers can rapidly accelerate metastatic progression.
Identification of Rat Ventral Tegmental Area GABAergic Neurons

The canonical two neuron model of opioid reward posits that mu opioid receptor (MOR) activation produces reward by disinhibiting midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons through inhibition of local GABAergic interneurons. Although indirect evidence supports the neural circuit postulated by this model, its validity has been called into question by growing evidence for VTA neuronal heterogeneity and the recent demonstration that MOR agonists inhibit GABAergic terminals in the VTA arising from extrinsic neurons. In addition, VTA MOR reward can be dopamine-independent. To directly test the assumption that MOR activation directly inhibits local GABAergic neurons, we investigated the properties of rat VTA GABA neurons directly identified with either immunocytochemistry for GABA or GAD65/67, or in situ hybridization for GAD65/67 mRNA. Utilizing co-labeling with an antibody for the neural marker NeuN and in situ hybridization against GAD65/67, we found that 23±3% of VTA neurons are GAD65/67(+). In contrast to the assumptions of the two neuron model, VTA GABAergic neurons are heterogeneous, both physiologically and pharmacologically. Importantly, only 7/13 confirmed VTA GABA neurons were inhibited by the MOR selective agonist DAMGO. Interestingly, all confirmed VTA GABA neurons were insensitive to the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (0/6 inhibited), while all confirmed dopamine neurons were inhibited (19/19). The heterogeneity of opioid responses we found in VTA GABAergic neurons, and the fact that GABA terminals arising from neurons outside the VTA are inhibited by MOR agonists, make further studies essential to determine the local circuit mechanisms underlying VTA MOR reward.
A Class of Non-Standard Modules for Affine Lie Algebras.

On etudie la structure des modules de Verma pour des algebres de Lie affines quand le poids le plus haut est orthogonal aux racines imaginaires. On considere l'algebre de Lie A 1 (1) =sl(2,C) 1
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: RESULTS FROM A MULTINATIONAL, CLINICAL TRIAL SAMPLE

This study aims to extend previous research by considering gender differences in borderline personality (BPD) using both dimensional selfreported and clinical measures of symptomatology. Drawing from a cross- cultural, clinical trial sample, the authors compared female and male BPD subjects (N = 770; 211 male) between the ages of 18 and 65 using diagnostic and self- report data. The authors found that women with BPD have greater hostility and relationship disruption than men. Gender differences in eating disorders, particularly bulimia, are more divergent than in the general population. Generally, gender differences in BPD in this sample are consistent with known general population differences. Women show greater overall symptomatology, including depressive, anxious, and somatic symptoms. Men have higher rates of antisocial personality disorder and a trend toward higher rates of narcissistic personality disorder. However, several gender differences consistently found in the general population are not present in this BPD sample. There are no differences in aggression, suicidality, substance abuse, panic disorder, or obsessive- compulsive disorder. Gender differences in major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are attenuated. These findings support the conclusion that BPD may diminish normal gender differences. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and serious psychiatric disorder associated with severe functional impairment. There has been some controversy regarding gender disparity in the prevalence of BPD. A meta- analysis of clinical studies showed that females make up 76% of individuals with BPD (Widiger & Trull, 1993). These results are probably due to sampling bias rather than a reflection of a true female preponder ance (Skodol & Bender, 2003). Epidemiological studies have not found a
Structure and innervation of the ciliary processes of the albino rabbit eye.

Various physiological and anatomical studies have suggested that the ciliary epithelium may be under the influence of adrenergic nerve fibers. This study was undertaken in an attempt to characterize the innervation of the ciliary epithelium. Both light and electron microscopy revealed that the ciliary epithelium is only sparsely innervated. In addition, the ciliary epithelium overlies a highly vascular stroma, and the distance between the large vascular channels and the ciliary epithelium is small. These features of the stroma indicate it is structurally suited for a transport function, a fact which supports earlier reports that the elaborate membrane infoldings of the ciliary epithelium are indicative of a transport function. The discrepancy between previous descriptions of the innervation of the ciliary epithelium, demonstrating complex subepithelial plexuses of adrenergic nerve fibers, and the results of the present study may be due to the fact that the fluorescence technique used in previous studies could have labelled some other tissue component in addition to adrenergic nerve fibers. Results with orcein and aldehyde fuchsin stains indicate that the disposition of elastic fibers in the ciliary processes is similar to previous descriptions of adrenergic nerve fibers as determined by fluorescent techniques.
Theory of electrical instabilities of mixed electronic and thermal origin

Abstract Switching phenomena in amorphous semiconductors have been analyzed in a thermoelectric model. We have been able to obtain current-voltage characteristics from very general mathematical considerations concerning existence, uniqueness, local and global stability, bifurcation, and asymptotic behavior of the non-linear equations for temperature and field. Similar considerations show taht switching proceeds by the nucleation and growth of a hot spot in the interior. Detailed quantitative results are presented for simple models.
On the Analytic Solution of the First-Order Perturbed Wave Function of the Two-Electron Atom

It is shown that the first-order perturbation equation for the ground state of the helium atom, with r−112 as the perturbation, may be solved by an infinite power series in r12. The coefficients, which are functions of r1 and r2, satisfy two-term differential recursion relations which can be integrated analytically to give the higher coefficients in terms of the lower. In this preliminary communication, the first coefficient, which describes short-range correlation, is given explicitly. The extensions of the technique are discussed.
Predation on Lake Trout Eggs and Fry: a Modeling Approach

A general model was developed to examine the effects of multiple predators on survival of eggs and fry of lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, associated with spawning reefs. Three kinds of predation were simulated: epibenthic egg predators consuming eggs on the substrate surface during spawning, interstitial egg predators that can move in rocky substrate and consume incubating eggs, and fry predators. Also simulated was the effect of water temperature on predation rates. The model predicted that interstitial predation on eggs accounted for most (76 to 81%) of the predation on early life history stages of lake trout; epibenthic egg predation (12 to 19%) and fry predation (0 to 12%) had less effect on lake trout survival. Initial predation conditions chosen for the model were: epibenthic egg predation peaked at 2 eggs/m2/d over 30 d, interstitial egg predation at 2 eggs/m2/d over 180 d, and fry predation at 1 fry/m2/d over 60 d. With a starting egg density of 100 eggs/m2 and initial predation conditions, no lake trout were estimated to survive to swim-up. At egg densities of 250 eggs/m2, 36% of the lake trout survived. At the highest egg densities examined, 500 to 1,000 eggs/m2, estimated survival increased to about 70 to 80%. Simulated survival rates of lake trout decreased dramatically as predation rate increased but were not as sensitive to increases in the duration of predation.
Is the intrapartum biophysical profile useful

Abstract Objective To assess the role of biophysical profile (BPP) during normal labor. The secondary goal was to assess the effect of oxytocics, regional anesthesia, and ruptured membranes on fetal behavior during labor. Methods The BPP (according to the Manning criteria) was performed prospectively in 100 normal, singleton pregnancies in active labor. To evaluate its role in the prediction of cesarean delivery and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), statistical analysis included χ 2 and Fisher exact tests for frequency analyses and t tests for comparisons of continuous data. Results At the mean cervical dilatation of 5.2 ± 1.4 cm, 73 women had a BPP score of at least 8/10, 16 had 6/10, six had 4/10, and five had 2/10. The BPP was not influenced by use of oxytocics, prostaglandins, or epidural anesthesia. Fetal breathing (95% versus 71%; P = .002) and gross fetal movements (98% versus 84%; P = .04) decreased with rupture of amniotic membranes (Table 2) . A BPP score of 6/10 or less in labor was associated with a relative risk (RR) for cesarean delivery of 8.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4, 26.5). Cessation of any ultrasound component of BPP significantly increased the risk of cesarean delivery and admission to the (NICU) (RR = 29; 95% CI 2.73, 308.66). In the multivariable analysis, however, fetal movements and amniotic fluid volume were most important in predicting the need for cesarean delivery. Conclusion Fetal heart rate monitoring alone did not predict the need for cesarean delivery or neonatal outcome, whereas the BPP did. Biophysical profile could prove to be a clinically useful adjunctive tool in the assessment of fetal well-being in labor.
Simvastatin-mediated enhancement of long-term potentiation is driven by farnesyl-pyrophosphate depletion and inhibition of farnesylation

Simvastatin (SV), a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and a widely prescribed treatment for hypercholesterolemia, exerts numerous positive pleiotropic effects that are thought to occur independent of its cholesterol-lowering properties. In previously published work, we have shown that chronic SV treatment rescues cognitive function in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, and enhances learning and memory in non-transgenic mice without affecting total brain cholesterol and amyloid-beta levels. More recently, we demonstrated the ability of SV to enhance long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in slices from wild-type C57BL/6 mice via a mechanism dependent upon phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt activation during LTP induction. The present study was conducted to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying SV-induced enhancement of LTP. Specifically, it was found that inhibiting production of isoprenoid intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway for cholesterol triggers the downstream events leading to enhanced LTP. Interestingly, two major isoprenoid intermediates exhibit differential effects. Replenishment of farnesyl pyrophosphate, but not geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, abolished the LTP-enhancing ability of SV. In parallel to this finding, inhibiting farnesylation, but not geranylgeranylation, replicated the enhancement of LTP caused by SV. Finally, inhibiting farnesylation promotes the activation of Akt during the induction phase. Together, these results suggest that SV enhances LTP in CA1 by modulating isoprenylation-dependent molecular pathways downstream of farnesyl transferase. These findings will aid in the identification of novel therapeutic targets that modulate synaptic and cognitive function.
Adolescents' aggression to parents: longitudinal links with parents' physical aggression.

Abstract Purpose To investigate whether parents' previous physical aggression (PPA) exhibited during early adolescence is associated with adolescents' subsequent parent-directed aggression even beyond parents' concurrent physical aggression (CPA) and to investigate whether adolescents' emotion dysregulation and attitudes condoning child-to-parent aggression moderate associations. Methods Adolescents (N = 93) and their parents participated in a prospective longitudinal study. Adolescents and parents reported at waves 1–3 on four types of parents' PPA (mother to adolescent, father to adolescent, mother to father, and father to mother). Wave 3 assessments also included adolescents' emotion dysregulation, attitudes condoning aggression, and externalizing behaviors. At waves 4 and 5, adolescents and parents reported on adolescents' parent-directed physical aggression, property damage, and verbal aggression and on parents' CPA. Results Parents' PPA emerged as a significant indicator of adolescents' parent-directed physical aggression (odds ratio [OR]: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–1.55; p = .047), property damage (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.1–1.5, p = .002), and verbal aggression (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.15–1.6, p p = .003), and father-to-mother aggression predicted adolescents' parent-directed verbal aggression (OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.0–3.3, p = .036). Emotion dysregulation and attitudes condoning aggression did not produce direct or moderated the effects. Conclusions Adolescents' parent-directed aggression deserves greater attention in discourse about lasting, adverse effects of even minor forms of parents' physical aggression. Future research should investigate parent-directed aggression as an early signal of aggression into adulthood.
Endoscopic Deflux injection for pediatric transplant reflux: a feasible alternative to open ureteral reimplant.

Abstract Objective Pediatric renal transplantation is frequently performed using a freely refluxing vesicoureteral anastomosis. The resulting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) may increase the morbidity of urinary tract infections (UTIs) that commonly occur in this setting, yet open surgical correction of the refluxing anastomosis can prove difficult. We report our experience using endoscopic injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Deflux®) to correct transplant VUR. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients treated with endoscopic injection of Deflux (Q-Med, Uppsala, Sweden) for VUR into their renal allograft. Indications for inclusion in the study were renal allograft transplantation for primary end-stage renal disease, radiographically proven VUR into the allograft, normal voiding history, and at least one documented febrile UTI. Preoperative and postoperative images, including voiding cystourethrogram and allograft ultrasound, were compared. Location of the transplant orifice and volume of Deflux were recorded. Clinical outcomes, including documented UTI and changes in serum creatinine following treatment, were also assessed. Results Eight patients were identified who were treated for transplant VUR, with a total of nine transplant ureters injected. Mean patient age at time of injection was 11.6 years (range: 7–19 years). Post-injection voiding cystourethrograms and allograft ultrasound were available for all patients. Following treatment, four ureters demonstrated resolution of VUR and one ureter demonstrated improvement to grade 1 VUR. The remaining four ureters demonstrated no change in VUR grade. No patients showed any change in their serum creatinine, and no episodes of transplant pyelonephritis have occurred during the follow-up period. Mean post-injection follow-up has been 17.3 months (range 9–26 months). Conclusion Initial results demonstrate that endoscopic treatment with Deflux is feasible and may provide a less invasive alternative for treatment of transplant VUR. Further investigation with a larger group of patients and longer follow-up is needed.
Upper Extremity Injuries in the Paediatric Athlete

Injuries to the upper extremity in paediatric and adolescent athletes are increasingly being seen with expanded participation and higher competitive levels of youth sports. Injury patterns are unique to the growing musculoskeletal system and specific to the demands of the involved sport. Shoulder injuries include sternoclavicular joint injury, clavicle fracture, acromioclavicular joint injury, osteolysis of the distal clavicle, little league shoulder, proximal humerus fracture, glenohumeral instability and rotator cuff injury. Elbow injuries include supracondylar fracture, lateral condyle fracture, radial head/neck fracture, medial epicondyle avulsion, elbow dislocation and little league elbow. Wrist and hand injuries include distal radius fracture, distal radial physeal injury, triangular fibrocartilage tear, scaphoid fracture, wrist ligamentous injury thumb metacarpalphalangeal ulnar collateral ligament injury, proximal and distal interphalangeal joint injuries and finger fractures. Recognition of injury patterns with early activity modification and the initiation of efficacious treatment can prevent deformity/disability and return the youth athlete to sport.
Preservation of Bone Structure and Function by Lithothamnion sp. Derived Minerals

Progressive bone mineral loss and increasing bone fragility are hallmarks of osteoporosis. A combination of minerals isolated from the red marine algae, Lithothamnion sp. was examined for ability to inhibit bone mineral loss in female mice maintained on either a standard rodent chow (control) diet or a high-fat western diet (HFWD) for 5, 12, and 18 months. At each time point, femora were subjected to μ-CT analysis and biomechanical testing. A subset of caudal vertebrae was also analyzed. Following this, individual elements were assessed in bones. Serum levels of the 5b isoform of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and procollagen type I propeptide (P1NP) were also measured. Trabecular bone loss occurred in both diets (evident as early as 5 months). Cortical bone increased through month 5 and then declined. Cortical bone loss was primarily in mice on the HFWD. Inclusion of the minerals in the diet reduced bone mineral loss in both diets and improved bone strength. Bone mineral density was also enhanced by these minerals. Of several cationic minerals known to be important to bone health, only strontium was significantly increased in bone tissue from animals fed the mineral diets, but the increase was large (5-10 fold). Serum levels of TRAP were consistently higher in mice receiving the minerals, but levels of P1NP were not. These data suggest that trace minerals derived from marine red algae may be used to prevent progressive bone mineral loss in conjunction with calcium. Mineral supplementation could find use as part of an osteoporosis-prevention strategy.
Molecular self-assembly guided by surface reconstruction : CH3SH monolayer on the Au(111) surface

Abstract Self-assembly of methanethiol (CH3SH) on Au(1 1 1) was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy at T 6 2 0 2 unit-cell. Only one of three possible azimuthal domains of the monolayer was observed with domain walls pinned at the rotational boundaries of the herringbone reconstruction. From a real-time observation of monolayer formation at T = 60 K we propose a phenomenological model for the growth of preferential domains, which is based on the interplay between molecular detachment from domain boundaries and anisotropic mass transport on the Au(1 1 1) surface due to its herringbone reconstruction.
Engineered doping of organic semiconductors for enhanced thermoelectric efficiency

The conversion efficiency of heat to electricity in thermoelectric materials depends on both their thermopower and electrical conductivity. It is now reported that, unlike their inorganic counterparts, organic thermoelectric materials show an improvement in both these parameters when the volume of dopant elements is minimized; furthermore, a high conversion efficiency is achieved in PEDOT:PSS blends.
The face of interest

The present paper explores the validity of 16 facial movements (e.g., eyelid widening, lips part) and two psychophysiological responses (e.g., heart rate) as interest-associated behaviors. In a pilot study we selected interesting and uninteresting stimuli, and in two experiments we asked undergraduate volunteers to watch and listen to a series of 4-min film clips and self-report their level of interest. As each participant viewed the films, we videotaped, coded, and scored his or her facial movements and recorded the autonomic responses. Using repeated-measure ANOVAs and correlational analyses, we found support for five upper facial behaviors (eyes closed, number of eye glances, duration of eye glances, eyelid widening, exposed eyeball surface), one lower facial behavior (lips part), and two general head movements (head turns, head stillness) as interest-associated facial movements. The discussion focuses on how these findings confirm, contradict, and clarify the observations of others (e.g., Darwin, Tomkins, Izard).
Clinical manifestations of mitochondrial DNA depletion

Objective We studied five new patients with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion to better define the clinical spectrum of this disorder. Background mtDNA depletion has been associated with myopathy or hepatopathy, or both, in infants and young children. Involvement of the CNS and peripheral nervous system has not been clearly established. Methods We reviewed the clinical course and performed morphologic, biochemical, and genetic analyses of muscle samples from five patients. Results Age at onset ranged from 3 months to 5 years, and one patient survived until age 10% years. Two patients had laboratory and clinical features reminiscent of dystrophinopathy, two had evidence of brain involvement, and two had peripheral neuropathy. Muscle biopsy specimens in all patients showed abundant ragged-red fibers. Biochemistry showed cytochrome c oxidase deficiency in all patients tested and decreased activities of other respiratory chain complexes in some. Conclusions Inheritance appeared to be autosomal recessive, suggesting that mutations in nuclear DNA are responsible for mtDNA depletion. mtDNA depletion should be considered in children with mitochondria1 disorders of uncertain etiology, and criteria for diagnosis are proposed.
Effect of prostaglandin inhibitor on the uterotrophic response of estradiol and gibberellic acid.

Abstract An investigation was undertaken on the mode of estrogenic actions of gibberellic acid (GA 3 ), and estradiol (E 2 ) as determined by the mouse uterine bioassay. The prostaglandin inhibitor, indomethacin (I) was administered in order to learn whether E 2 and GA 3 activities were related to prostaglandin biosynthesis. E 2 and GA 3 stimulated a significant increase in the weight of the mouse uterus, whereas I inhibited the effects of E 2 and GA 3 . These findings indicate an apparent involvement of the prostaglandins and their biosynthesis on the action of E 2 and GA 3 .
Compiler-assisted, selective out-of-order commit

This paper proposes an out-of-order instruction commit mechanism using a novel compiler/architecture interface. The compiler creates instruction “blocks” guaranteeing some commit conditions and the processor uses the block information to commit certain instructions out of order. Micro-architectural support for the new commit mode is made on top of the standard, ROB-based processor and includes out-of-order instruction commit with register and load queue entry release. The commit mode may be switched multiple times during execution. Initial results for a 4-wide processor show that, on average, 52% instructions are committed out of order resulting in 10% to 26% speedups over in-order commit, with minimal hardware overhead. The performance improvement is a result of an effectively larger instruction window that allows more cache misses to be overlapped for both L1 and L2 caches.
Nanotubes in Microwave Fields: Light Emission, Intense Heat, Outgassing, and Reconstruction

SWNTs, produced via the HiPco process, display strong microwave absorption (1.01 × 10-5 eV microwave field) with subsequent dramatic light emission, intense heat release (2000 °C), outgassing, mechanical extension, and nanotube reconstruction (welding and loop formation).
A Thermodynamic Model of Redissolution of Calcium Sulfonate Precipitates in NaCl Solutions

Precipitation-redissolution-reprecipitation phenomenon in sodium dodecylsulfonate system has been investigated. At various levels of CaCl2 in a wide range of NaC1 concentration. Precipitation and residual sulfonate concentrations were estimated by chemical analysis while critical micelle concentrations of various solutions were determined by specific conductivity, Kraft point solubility, surface tension and dye solubilization techniques. While precipitation is found to be caused by the formation of calcium disulfonate, redissolution was observed to occur only when micelles are formed. Correlation of the effect of ionic strength on the redissolution to that of it on micellization supports the proposed mechanism of micellar redissolution. The thermodynamic model with capabilities to predict the nature and concentrations of various species in different solutions, given the thermodynamic constants and the initial levels of surfactants and inorganic ions has been developed. 20 refs.
Embryonic death in cattle.

Successful calving follows survival of the conceptus through embryonic and fetal development (ovulation ratefertilization rateembryonic survival ratefetal survival rateperinatal survival rate). To assure that all readers interpret the terms used on the same basis, ovulation rate is herein defined as the proportion of cows ovulating among cows in estrus; fertilization rate is defined as the proportion of recovered oocytes that are fertilized; embryonic survival is based upon the proportion of fertilized oocytes at one stage that remain as viable embryos at a later embryonic stage; and fetal survival is defined as the proportion of fetuses at one stage that are present as viable fetuses at a later stage, which will often be term. Conception rate is defined as the proportion of inseminated cows that are detected pregnant at diagnosis by ultrasound or palpation per rectum, and pregnancy rate is defined as the proportion of cows with successful pregnancies among animals treated or eligible to be bred. Based upon reviews by numerous authors, summarized by Inskeep (1), much of the loss of potential offspring in cattle is concentrated in the embryonic period, the first 42 days after breeding (Fig. 1). This article covers the impact of embryonic mortality on success of pregnancy in cattle, and some of the hormonal factors involved in pregnancy losses during the embryonic period. To establish the relative importance of embryonic death in the final outcome of mating, brief consideration is given to conception rate and fertilization rate.
A framework for assessing the quality of event detection in sensor networks

Despite the multitude of protocols that have been designed for event monitoring in sensor networks, very little work has been devoted to assessing the quality of these protocols in terms of their ability to provide timely and accurate information about events. The problem is challenging because of the combined effects of the stochastic nature of event arrival and duration and the stochastic nature of a sensor's sleep-awake schedule. These various stochastic processes need to be modelled jointly in order to be able to reason, with any degree of confidence, about the quality of the event detection. The main contribution of this paper is a framework for assessing our confidence about the occurrence of events in sensor networks. Our framework models the interaction between the stochastic nature of an event arrival, the event duration, and the sensor sleep/awake schedule. By employing our framework, it is possible to configure individual sensor duty cycles to meet the requirements of mission-oriented applications in terms of timely and accurate information about events of interest.
Inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase from Sarcoma 180 cells—Substrate and inhibitor specificity

Abstract The substrate and inhibitor specificity of IMP dehydrogenase from Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells has been studied with twenty purine nucleotide analogs. Several were found to be substrates with the following efficiencies ( V max / K m ):IMP (4000), 8-azaIMP (1360), 6-thioIMP (250), araIMP (250) and dIMP (240). While substrate activity was not detected with the 5′-phosphates of 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside or 1-ribosylallopurinol (rates less than 1/10,000th that of IMP), they were competitive inhibitors with respect to IMP (both with K i , values of 0.43 mM). Seven XMP analogs and six GMP analogs were also found to be competitive inhibitors with respect to IMP. Methods for the synthesis of the 5′-phosphates of arabinosylhypoxanthine. arabinosylxanthine. arabinosylguanine and 2′-deoxyxanthosine are described.
A kinetic model for autotrophic denitrification using elemental sulfur

Increasing prices for methanol and other petrochemicals have decreased the attractiveness of biological dentrification processes which require such compounds. An alternative to such treatment systems is an autotrophic process using enrichment cultures of Thiobacillus denitrificans fed reduced sulfur compounds. Elemental sulfur appears to be the most promising substrate for this system due to its low cost and ease of handling. However, present models for microbial growth are inadequate to describe growth at high biomass density on a water-insoluble solid substrate such as elemental sulfur. This paper presents a model to describe such a system, and experimental evidence of its validity. The model recognizes three steps which could limit the observed rate of denitrification. (1) Sulfur must be solubilized in the attached biofilm and be transported through the film while being simultaneously removed by microbial reaction. (2) Nitrate must be transported from the bulk liquid to the biofilm surface. (3) Nitrate must be transported through the biofilm where it is microbially reduced to nitrogen gas. The model predicts and experimental evidence verifies that the unit rate of denitrification will be proportional to the ratio of the sulfur concentration to the biomass concentration when this ratio is low and nitrate is in excess. At high values of this ratio, the unit rate is observed to approach a maximum as predicted by the model. The accuracy of the model's prediction for the dependence of the unit rate of denitrification on the concentration of nitrate could not be evaluated due to very low concentrations of nitrate measured in the steady-state reactors. Available evidence also supports the prediction of the model that, at low values of the sulfur to biomass ratio, the activation energy of the reaction is about half the value that would be observed at higher sulfur to biomass ratios.
Balanced neural architecture and the idling brain.

A signature feature of cortical spike trains is their trial-to-trial variability. This variability is large in spontaneous conditions and is reduced when cortex is driven by a stimulus or task. Models of recurrent cortical networks with unstructured, yet balanced, excitation and inhibition generate variability consistent with evoked conditions. However, these models lack the long timescale fluctuations and large variability present in spontaneous conditions. We propose that global network architectures which support a large number of stable states (attractor networks) allow balanced networks to capture key features of neural variability in both spontaneous and evoked conditions. We illustrate this using balanced spiking networks with clustered assembly, feedforward chain, and ring structures. By assuming that global network structure is related to stimulus preference, we show that signal correlations are related to the magnitude of correlations in the spontaneous state. In our models, the dynamics of spontaneous activity encompasses much of the possible evoked states, consistent with many experimental reports. Finally, we contrast the impact of stimulation on the trial-to-trial variability in attractor networks with that of strongly coupled spiking networks with chaotic firing rate instabilities, recently investigated by Ostojic (2014). We find that only attractor networks replicate an experimentally observed stimulus-induced quenching of trial-to-trial variability. In total, the comparison of the trial-variable dynamics of single neurons or neuron pairs during spontaneous and evoked activity can be a window into the global structure of balanced cortical networks.
Sensitivity of human placental monooxygenase activity to maternal smoking

The in vitro oxidation of 7-ethoxyresorufin was studied in placental microsomes from 47 full-term pregnancies. Placental activities were compared in four groups formed on the basis of maternal smoking history as follows: nonsmokers (n = 12), passive smokers (n = 16), 1 to 20 cigarettes/day (n = 13), and 20+ cigarettes/day (n = 5). Passive smoking was defined as living with someone who smoked cigarettes. Umbilical cord plasma thiocxanate concentrations were measured to confirm histories and were higher when mothers smoked (80 ± 10 μM, 1 to 20 cigarettes/day, 116 ± 8 μM, 20+ cigarettes/day) than when mothers did not smoke (34 ± 3 μM, nonsmokers; 35 ± 3 μM, passive smokers). 7-Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity was increased 10- to 30-fold in placentas from smokers. Activity toward 7-ethoxyresorufin in placentas from smokers was markedly inhibited in vitro by addition of 7,8-benzofiavone. Among nonsmokers, percent inhibition of O-deethylase activity by 7,8-benzoflavone was greater (P < 0.05) in placentas from women passively exposed to cigarette smoke. Human placental monooxygenase activity is sensitive to both active and passive cigarette smoke exposure. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 30, 687–692; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.221
Germinated Seed versus Ungerminated Seed in the Diet of Adult Bobwhite Quail

Abstract IN CONNECTION with studies being conducted on the biological value of various feedstuffs, both wild and domestic, in the diet of captivity-reared adult Bobwhite quail, two tests were run in 1940 to determine if quail preferred germinated seed to ungerminated seed, and if germination might enhance the feeding value of seed in a maintenance diet. FIRST TEST In the first test, conducted in January, 7 quail, 2 males and 5 females, were placed in each of four battery units, kept in a subbasement room. They were continued on their regular maintenance mash for a week. At the beginning of the second week, the diet was changed to one of the following formula: Parts Ground yellow corn 34 Ground wheat 17 Ground kaffir 17 Ground oat groats 17 Ground mammoth yellow soybeans 13 Alfalfa leaf meal 2 — 100 In separate containers, grit, and a mixture of oyster shell and salt (4:1) . . .
The Australian sheep industry - undergoing transformation.

Changes in the sheep industry over the last 20 years represent a trend that is unlikely to be reversed. The farm gate value of wool production has decreased from over $6 billion to ~$2.5 billion and the value of sheep meat has increased from $0.5 to $2.2 billion. Wool and meat are now on an equal footing in terms of the economic value of each sector of the industry. Future profitability of both wool and sheep meat production depends on achieving a high rate of productivity gain and improving quality attributes valued by consumers. Wool and sheep meat cannot compete on price or volume with synthetics and cotton in the textile market or with chicken and pork in the meat market. Differentiation based on quality and consistency needs to be measurable and clearly understood by consumers. The combination of genetic selection and good management can deliver improved productivity gain. Skills development and training will be essential for the industry to fully utilise available knowledge and new technologies.
The human medial amygdaloid nucleus no evidence for sex difference in volume

The volume of the medial nucleus of the amygdala was determined in the right and in the left hemispheres in 17 human brains ranging in age from 35 weeks of gestation to 94 years of age. An analysis of covariance which adjusted for differing age and brain size distributions in the male and female samples showed no significant sexual dimorphism in medial nucleus volume. This finding is discussed in relation to evidence for sexual dimorphism in the medial nucleus of the amygdala in animal brains.
Relative stereotypy of water-ingestive behavior induced by frontal cortical lesions in the rat.

Abstract The variability of water-reinforced barpressing rate and duration was observed in rats in the progression of thirst to satiety, under CRF and extinction conditions, after electrolytic lesions of the frontal cortex. Although there was an ultimate recovery of mean rate and duration, frontal animals continued to display a lower variance of response rate and duration than controls under CRF thirst conditions. Additional indications of a relative response stereotypy as a result of the lesions are presented, and the data are discussed in terms of brain mechanisms of the initiation and cessation of thirst-motivated behavior in the rat.
Morphine, but not inhalation anesthesia, blocks post-injury facilitation. The role of preemptive suppression of afferent transmission.

BackgroundThe subcutaneous injection of formalin in the rat paw results in several minutes of flinching (phase 1) followed by cessation of activity then resumption of flinching (phase 2), which depends on facilitation of spinal transmission evoked by C-fiber activity generated immediately after the
The effect of stromal components on the modulation of the phenotype of human bronchial epithelial cells in 3D culture.

The stroma plays an important role in the development and progression of human diseases. Pulmonary diseases such as asthma, fibrosis and cancer are thought to be the result of altered communications between the epithelial and stromal tissue compartments. In order to study these epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, we developed a three dimensional (3D) in vitro model of the human airway that mimics bronchial morphology and function. This model consists of a type-I collagen matrix, normal human fetal lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) or primary human adult lung cancer-associated fibroblasts (LuCAFs), and a surface epithelium of normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). When cultured at an air–liquid interface (ALI), the epithelial component generated a well-differentiated pseudo-stratified bronchial epithelium that contained basal, ciliated, and non-ciliated (secretory) epithelial cells. IMR-90 and LuCAFs differentially altered the phenotype of HBECs in distinct ways. While IMR-90 permitted HBECs to form a typical respiratory surface epithelium, LuCAFs promoted HBECs to invade the collagen gel forming both epithelial nodules and cysts, suggesting that LuCAFs may alter the HBEC phenotype by modifying biomechanical signals conveyed through the extracellular matrix (ECM). Furthermore, LuCAFs secreted soluble factors that induced HBECs to express genes associated with immune responses, apoptosis, mitosis, cell survival, differentiation and cancer.
A session-based search engine

In this poster, we describe a novel session-based search engine, which puts the search in context. The search engine has a number of session-based features including expansion of the current query with user query history and clickthrough data (title and summary of clicked web pages) in the same search session and the session boundary recognition through temporal closeness and probabilistic similarity between query terms. In addition, the search engine visualizes the rank change of web pages as different queries are submitted in the same search session to help the user reformulate the query.