cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of arterial stiffness in adolescents with type 2 diabetes in the TODAY cohort: Relationships to glycemic control and other risk factors

Abstract Aims We aimed to determine the prevalence of arterial stiffness in young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes who previously participated in the TODAY clinical trial and whether arterial stiffness is influenced by their prior diabetes treatment assignment or glycemic control. Methods We measured arterial stiffness by femoral, radial, and foot pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and brachial distensibility (BrachD) in 453 TODAY participants (age 20.8 ± 2.5 years, diabetes duration 7.6 ± 1.5 years, 36.4% male, BMI 36.7 ± 8.2 kg/m2) at a mean of 7.6 years post-randomization. Increased arterial stiffness in TODAY youth was defined compared with data from lean controls. We assessed whether glycemic control over time or diabetes treatment in TODAY was associated with arterial stiffness. Results Arterial stiffness was identified in up to 50% of TODAY participants. Prior diabetes treatment assignment was not associated with higher arterial stiffness. Glycemic control over time was associated with PWV radial and foot only. Age, race-ethnicity, sex, higher blood pressure and BMI were also associated with higher arterial stiffness. Conclusions Nearly half of TODAY youth have increased arterial stiffness. Targeting blood pressure and perhaps obesity and glycemic control may positively impact arterial health in adolescents with type 2 diabetes. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00081328 .
Human Activity Benchmark Classification Using Multilayer Artificial Neural Network

Human induced floor vibrations have recently been proposed to track human activity for a number of applications such as health care and surveillance. For example, floor vibrations can be used to identify human falls, or the existence of an intruder in a room. In these applications, the acceleration signals should be classified accurately to eliminate false positives. In this paper, a multi-layer artificial neural network is used to classify floor vibrations. Data from a previously published benchmark problem, which consists of seven types of human activities, is used to train and test the algorithm. Results show the capabilities of a multilayer artificial neural network in human activity classification.
Orbital Lymphangioma: Correlation of Magnetic Resonance Images and Intraoperative Findings

Background: Orbital lymphangiomas generally are invasive, slow-growing lesions that can produce proptosis, motility impairment, and compressive optic neuropathy. Successful surgical management requires detailed preoperative radiologic imaging with the capacity to determine the location and size of the tumors, the presence of cystic or solid components, and extent of infiltration of the tumor into normal orbital structures. Methods: The records of 12 patients with orbital lymphangioma were reviewed with attention to the clinical, radiologic, operative, and histologic findings. Results: Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produced highly detailed renderings of the orbital mass that were both diagnostic and predictive of the intraoperative findings. Magnetic resonance imaging was particularly sensitive to the presence of cysts within the tumor and was able to predict the contents of the cysts. Conclusion: Using preoperative MRI, a more detailed and accurate surgical plan can be formulated than with any other noninvasive technique.
Electrochemical Behavior of Laser-Processed Metal Surfaces

Laser processing of a metal surface can modify its corrosion behavior by altering the surface composition, microstructure, or distribution of impurities and second phases. Examples considered include: anodic behavior of Fe-Cr binary alloys, effect of laser surface melting on the pitting of type 304 stainless steel, preparation and pitting behavior of Mo-bearing surface stainless steel alloys, the effect of laser melting on the corrosion of aluminum and aluminum bronzes, laser-formed amorphous surface alloys, and the use of laser processing for consolidation of metallic coatings. Suggestions for further research are also given.
Heart Simulation by an Immersed Boundary Method with Formal Second-order Accuracy and Reduced Numerical Viscosity

This paper describes a formally second-order accurate version of the immersed boundary method and its application to the computer simulation of blood flow in a three-dimensional model of the human heart.
Academic Engaged Time, Content Covered, and Direct Instruction:

This review of recent research highlights some new findings on the relationship between classroom instruction and student achievement gain. These include the importance of content covered and the n...
Business performance prediction in location-based social commerce

Abstract Social commerce and location-based services provide a data platform for coexisting and competing businesses in geographical neighborhoods. Our research is aimed at mining data from such platforms to gain valuable insights for better support to strategic and operational business decisions. We develop a computational framework for predicting business performance that takes into account both intrinsic (e.g., attributes) and extrinsic (e.g., competitions) factors. Our experiments on synthetic and real datasets demonstrated superiority of a hybrid prediction model that adopts both link-based and context-based assumptions.
Genomic and physiological analyses reveal that extremely thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor changbaiensis deploys unique cellulose attachment mechanisms

ABSTRACT The genus Caldicellulosiruptor are extremely thermophilic, heterotrophic anaerobes that degrade plant biomass using modular, multifunctional enzymes. Prior pangenome analyses determined that this genus is genetically diverse, with the current pangenome remaining open, meaning that new genes are expected with each additional genome sequence added. Given the high biodiversity observed among the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, we have sequenced and added a 14th species, Caldicellulosiruptor changbaiensis, to the pangenome. The pangenome now includes 3,791 ortholog clusters, 120 of which are unique to C. changbaiensis and may be involved in plant biomass degradation. Comparisons between C. changbaiensis and Caldicellulosiruptor bescii on the basis of growth kinetics, cellulose solubilization and cell attachment to polysaccharides highlighted physiological differences between the two species which are supported by their respective gene inventories. Most significantly, these comparisons indicated that C. changbaiensis possesses unique cellulose attachment mechanisms not observed among the other strongly cellulolytic members of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor.
Tethering of Multi-Vesicular Bodies and the Tonoplast to the Plasma Membrane in Plants

Tethering of the plasma membrane (PM) and many organelles to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for communication and lipid exchange has been widely reported. However, despite growing interest in multi-vesicular bodies (MVBs) as possible sources of exosomes, tethering of MVBs to the PM has not been reported. Here we show that MVBs and the vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) could be tethered to the PM (PM-MVB/TP tethering) by artificial protein fusions or bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) complexes that contain a peripheral membrane protein that binds the PM and also a protein that binds MVBs or the tonoplast. PM-binding proteins capable of participating in PM-MVB/TP tethering included StRem1.3, BIK1, PBS1, CPK21, and the PtdIns(4)-binding proteins FAPP1 and Osh2. MVB/TP-binding proteins capable of participating in tethering included ARA6, ARA7, RHA1, RABG3f, and the PtdIns(3)P-binding proteins Vam7p and Hrs-2xFYVE. BiFC complexes or protein fusions capable of producing PM-MVB/TP tethering were visualized as large well-defined patches of fluorescence on the PM that could displace PM proteins such as AtFlotillin1 and also could displace cytoplasmic proteins such as soluble GFP. Furthermore, we identified paralogous ubiquitin E3 ligase proteins, SAUL1 (AtPUB44), and AtPUB43 that could produce PM-MVB/TP tethering. SAUL1 and AtPUB43 could produce tethering in uninfected tissue when paired with MVB-binding proteins or when their E3 ligase domain was deleted. When Nicotiana benthamiana leaf tissue was infected with Phytophthora capsici, full length SAUL1 and AtPUB43 localized in membrane patches consistent with PM-MVB/TP tethering. Our findings define new tools for studying PM-MVB/TP tethering and its possible role in plant defense. Significance statement Although not previously observed, the tethering of multi-vesicular bodies to the plasma membrane is of interest due to the potential role of this process in producing exosomes in plants. Here we describe tools for observing and manipulating the tethering of multi-vesicular bodies and the tonoplast to the plant plasma membrane, and describe two plant proteins that may naturally regulate this process during infection.
Semiclassical asymptotics and gaps in the spectra of magnetic Schroedinger operators

In this paper, we study an L2 version of the semiclassical approximation of magnetic Schroedinger operators with invariant Morse type potentials on covering spaces of compact manifolds. In particular, we are able to establish the existence of an arbitrary large number of gaps in the spectrum of these operators, in the semiclassical limit as the coupling constant goes to zero.
Endothelial Cell Chemotaxis in Angiogenesis

A probabilistic model for angiogenesis was developed to investigate the possible role of microvessel endothelial cell (MEC) Chemotaxis in determining microvessel network morphology and growth rate. The model simulates developing microvessels, providing theoretical pictures of the networks. The cell at the tip of a growing capillary is hypothesized to guide the path of the capillary according to a model of single cell migration, using experimentally measured values for MEC speed and persistence time. The simulations demonstrate that random motility alone cannot account for the directional growth of vessels observed in vivo. A moderate chemotactic response, like that we have measured in acidic fibroblast growth factor (Stokes et al., 1990), is necessary to provide directional growth of vessels similar to that observed in vivo.
Cognitive Management and Control for Wavelength Assignment and Reconfiguration in Optical Networks

We address the design of fast wavelength assignment and reconfiguration using cognitive management and control that can quickly and accurately adapt to the operating conditions for optical networks. The traffic detection performances of two Bayesian estimators and a stopping-trial (sequential) estimator are examined based on the transient behaviors of networks. The stopping-trial estimator has the fastest response time to the changes of traffic arrival statistics. We propose a wavelength reconfiguration algorithm with continuous assessment where the system reconfigures whenever it deems necessary. The reconfiguration can involve addition or subtraction of multiple wavelengths. Using the fastest detection and reconfiguration algorithm can reduce queueing delays during traffic surges without over provisioning and thus can reduce network capital expenditure and prevent waste of resources upon erroneous decision on occurrence of surges.
Gastrectomy versus stomach left in situ with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for the treatment of gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a debilitating functional disorder of the stomach marked by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Patients with severe, refractory symptoms may ultimately be managed with Roux-en-Y reconstruction; however, it is unclear whether the stomach should be left in situ, similar to a conventional gastric bypass, or resected as in gastrectomy. All patients undergoing Roux-en-Y for the treatment of gastroparesis (GP) at our institution from September 2010 through March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with prior gastric resection or whose primary operative indication was not gastroparesis were excluded from analysis. Twenty-six patients underwent Roux-en-Y with stomach left in situ (RY-SIS) and twenty-seven patients underwent gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction during the study period. The mean age was 49.7 years in the RY-SIS cohort and 48.5 years in the gastrectomy cohort. Etiology of GP was similar between the two cohorts. Patients undergoing gastrectomy were more likely to have previous interventions for GP (63.0% vs. 26.9%). RY-SIS was associated with a shorter operative time (155 vs. 223 min), less blood loss (24 vs. 130 mL), and shorter length of stay (4.0 vs. 7.2 days). Twelve patients (44.4%) had complications within 30 days following gastrectomy compared to two patients (7.7%) following RY-SIS (p = 0.001). Patients in the RY-SIS cohort were more likely to require further subsequent surgical intervention for GP (23.1% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.04). At last follow-up, there were no differences in reported GP symptoms or symptom scoring. Gastrectomy was associated with greater perioperative morbidity compared to leaving the stomach in situ. Symptomatic improvement at intermediate follow-up was equivalent following either procedure. However, patients undergoing RY-SIS were more likely to require subsequent surgical intervention, suggesting that gastrectomy may be a more definitive operation for the management of medically refractory gastroparesis.
Flexions of the Popliteal Artery and the Culture Could Challenge the Outcomes of the Endovascular Procedures

Recently a hinge point or the maximum bending stress point of the popliteal artery was identified when the knee bends using a lateral view dynamic angiography and a correlation between the lateral view angiography with the extended limb angiography to predict the potential location of the hinge point was defined. A hinge point has been correlated to stent fracture. These findings allowed us to develop a dynamic classification of the popliteal artery. The dynamic classification is useful for endovascular procedures in the popliteal artery. Cultural aspects of our patient population must be considered previous to the endovascular treatment of the popliteal artery, especially to the Japanese culture, which is commonly observed sitting posture such as "seiza ()."
Chapter 24 – Ku and Ki Autoantibodies

Autoantibodies against Ku and deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) are directed against a complex of 70-kDa, 80-kDa, and 460-kDa proteins (DNA-PK) that plays a central role in the DNA nonhomologous end-joining reaction and the maintenance of telomeres. These autoantibodies are strongly associated with polymyositis-scleroderma overlap syndrome in Japanese people and with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), myositis, and overlap syndromes in American peoples. Although there was initially some confusion in the literature, anti-Ki autoantibodies recognize a protein of 32 kDa that is unrelated to the Ku/DNA-PKcs antigens and has been shown to be the γ subunit of the PA-28 (proteasome activator) family. Anti-Ki autoantibodies are associated primarily with SLE and Sjogren syndrome.
Modelling and Examining the Dynamic Characteristics of an Electro-Hydraulic Unit for Discrete Control Based on Direct Acting High-Speed Servo Valve

The paper presents and examines the possible application of discrete control method to hydraulic actuators. A dynamic model of the electro-hydraulic unit for discrete control is proposed as a main component in such power system. This unit consists of connecting pipe, small volume accumulator and a direct acting high-speed servo valve. The dynamic behavior of the unit is examined in the time domain. The obtained numerical results infer the practical significance of such control method.
Uncovering the Past by Exploring the Future: An Analysis of Bio-Archives

Heritage science is a discipline that combines scientific research with cultural heritage studies. “Bio-archives,” a term coined by the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Michael Witmore, is a narrower study within this field that focuses on archival collections and the information held within their physical forms, such as DNA samples and the chemical compounds of ink. This review surveys current methods of practice to illustrate ways in which researchers can use modern technology to uncover further information about the history of artifacts. By revealing new information, bio-archives stress the continued importance of archives and the physical objects they house.
Numerical investigation of a biomimetic elastic valve for microfluidic pumping

Abstract We use three-dimensional simulations to study the fluid–solid interactions between a highly-deflective biomimetic valve and a viscous fluid within a microfluidic channel, so as to guide the effective design of a biomimetic micropump. We study the steady state and dynamic behavior of the valve and fluid in response to applied fluid pressure gradients using a steady pressure drop and a trapezoidal pressure gradient waveform, respectively. We use dimensionless parameters to characterize the effect of various physical parameters on pumping performance. We determine the range of parameters in which valves can be designed to provide microfluidic pumping that is independent of the period of oscillation of pressure gradients driving the flow. Our findings guide the effective design of such a biomimetic microvalve for harnessing physiological motion to passively provide pumping in an implantable biosensor.
Myopericarditis After the Pfizer Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Coronavirus Disease Vaccine in Adolescents.

Reports have emerged of myocarditis and pericarditis predominantly after the second dose of the coronavirus disease messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine. We describe 13 patients aged 12-17 years who presented with chest pain within 1 week after their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and were found to have elevated serum troponin levels and evidence of myopericarditis.
Estimation of the Share of Net Expenditures on Insulin Captured by US Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Pharmacies, and Health Plans From 2014 to 2018

Importance Recent US media and policy attention on insulin affordability has focused on the role of manufacturers in setting prices; however, the role of other drug distribution intermediaries in determining prices has received less attention. Objective To estimate the share of net expenditures on insulin captured by manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies, and health plans from 2014 to 2018. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study of the US insulin market was conducted in 2020 using 2014-2018 data from multiple sources, including list and estimated net prices from SSR Health for 32 insulin products, mean use weights from a commercial pharmacy claims database, mean acquisition costs and reimbursements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, mean spread and share of rebates retained by pharmacy benefit managers from state Medicaid and drug transparency reports, and profit margins from the public filings of distribution system participant companies. Participants were insulin manufacturers, drug wholesalers, pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and health plans. Main Outcomes and Measures Mean list and net insulin prices, mean net expenditures on insulin, share of expenditures retained by each distribution system participant. Results Between 2014 and 2018, mean list prices of 32 insulin products increased by 40.1% (from $19.60 to $27.45), while mean net prices received by manufacturers decreased by 30.8% (from $10.53 to $7.29). Net expenditures per 100 units of insulin increased by 3.2% (from $15.11 to $15.59) while the share of a hypothetical $100 insulin expenditure accruing to manufacturers decreased by 33.0% (from $69.71 to $46.73) and the share accruing to health plans decreased by 24.7% (from $13.82 to $10.40). The share of insulin expenditures retained by pharmacy benefit managers increased by 154.6% (from $5.64 to $14.36), the share retained by pharmacies increased by 228.8% (from $6.21 to $20.42), and the share retained by wholesalers increased by 74.7% (from $4.63 to $8.09). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cross-sectional study of the distribution of insulin expenditures suggest that policies to control insulin costs should consider all entities throughout the insulin distribution system. Manufacturers represented a decreasing share of insulin expenditures, and pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and wholesalers accounted for a growing share; all entities play a role in increasing insulin costs.
SES gradient in psychological distress revisited: A dynamic perspective on the mediating effect of financial strain and mastery

There is a well-established literature that both psychological distress and mental disorders are linked to the gradient of socioeconomic status (SES). According to the stress process model or the life stress paradigm, SES could affect mental health in at least two ways: first, by creating situations where lower SES people tend to experience stressors in greater quantity; second, by enhancing (e.g., due to underexposure of stress for high SES people) or undermining (e.g., due to overexposure of stress for low SES people) coping resources that are beneficial to psychological wellbeing. While the stress process model or the life stress paradigm underscores an intra-personal process where changes in stress, resources, and distress are hypothesized to be inter-correlated within the same individual over time, most previous research on testing relevant hypotheses has been cross-sectional by design, focusing on between-person differences in stress, resources, and distress across the SES spectrum. Even among those exceptions that have collected data at multiple occasions in time, the prevailing analytic approaches have failed to take into account individual variations in the trajectories (either growth or decline) of stress, resources, and distress across time. This study extends previous research by using panel data and latent growth curve (LGC) modeling to examine the extent to which intra-individual changes in depressive symptoms are related to
All Magnetic Circuit Techniques

Publisher Summary The great success of magnetic cores in computer memory systems in the early 1950's resulted in a strong desire to incorporate these reliable and inexpensive elements into logic circuits as well. Of special interest was the fact that the bulk of a typical magnetic memory system actually consisted of only the memory cores themselves and interconnecting wires. It was hoped that magnetic logic circuits could similarly be developed in which only cores and wire played the prominent role. For memory, or storage, it is necessary only that the memory cores have proper remanence. For a logic system, however, still other requirements must be met. In particular, it requires power gain in order to overcome inherent losses in the coupling circuits. Thus, in any logic system in which magnetic cores play a prominent role, some cores must be such that each one is capable of driving another core at least as large as it drives. To achieve general logic capability, there are more requirements than for only a shift register (e.g., the ability for one core to drive more than one receiver core, and the ability to mix signals according to different logical combinations). Although core-diode logic circuits have been quite successfully applied, there has been a continuing desire to eliminate all components other than the cores themselves and the interconnecting wires, thus achieving corewire or all-magnetic circuits. All-magnetic circuit technology is currently such that, in many applications, circuits of this type are strongly competitive with the more conventional circuit techniques. In some applications, the advantages of this type of circuit cannot be matched by other techniques. The present status of logic realization with all-magnetic circuitry and the special properties of such circuits are discussed.
Fear of Freedom: The New Speech Regulation in Cyberspace

This article is a brief consideration of the ways in which the development of the Internet challenges existing categories of First Amendment free speech jurisprudence. The new avenues for speech made possible by the Internet call into question many of these conflicting doctrines that define modern First Amendment free speech jurisprudence. Speech in cyberspace casts doubt upon the content and viewpoint-protective First Amendment doctrines, because to many government regulators (though not yet many judges) the broad and unfiltered access to "bad" speech over the Internet creates a much greater risk that speech can facilitate antisocial, and even illegal, conduct in ways that would not have been possible even a decade ago. Conversely, the ethereal nature of the Internet - which is both everywhere and nowhere - renders obsolete many of the Court's old rationales for regulating speech. Concepts of speech regulation that are premised on the need to protect a local community's moral atmosphere seem like relics of a bygone age in a time when everyone with a telephone line has immediate access to the latest artistic, political, scientific, social, and sexual attitudes and expression. Likewise, concepts of speech regulation that are premised on the need to protect public spaces from noise, litter, or unruly crowds have very little logical application to a medium that by design does not occupy a firmly situated physical space. This article discusses the application of some of these doctrines in cyberspace and considers whether the further development of the new medium will likely lead to more or less speech-protective First Amendment doctrine.
MPI-Based Parallel Omplementation of a Lithography Pattern Simulation Algorithm

This paper presents the parallelization of a pattern simulation algorithm for Imaging Interferometric Lithography (IIL), a Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) process technology for producing sub-micron features. The approach uses Message Passing Interface (MPI) libraries [1]. We also discuss some modifications to the basic parallel implementation that will result in efficient memory utilization and reduced communications among the processors. The scalability of runtime with degree of parallelism is also demonstrated. The scalability of runtime with degree of parallelism is also demonstrated. The algorithm was tested on three different platforms: IBM SP-2 running AIX, SGI Onyx 2 running IRIX 6.4, and a LINUX cluster of Pentium-233 workstations. The paper presents the results of these tests and also provides a comparison with those obtained with Mathcad (on Windows 95) and serial C (on Unix) implementations.
Status of the Federally Endangered Alabama Cavefish, Speoplatyrhinus Poulsoni (Amblyopsidae), in Key Cave and surrounding Caves, Alabama

Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni, the Alabama cavefish, is a federally endangered stygobitic fish that is restricted to Key Cave in northwestern Alabama. Due to the low abundance of this species and the continuous threats to the cave's recharge area, we surveyed Key Cave from 1992 to 1997. Alabama cavefish were present in five different pools and had numbers comparable to previous surveys performed in the 1970's and 1980's. Three different size classes were observed, indicating recruitment is occurring. These data suggest that the population is relatively stable, but future monitoring is recommended. The Alabama cavefish is an endangered species and is extremely difficult to capture, therefore any marking program to accurately estimate the population size is unlikely. A single specimen of Typhlichthys subterraneus was captured in Key Cave. This falsifies the previous assumption that these two species are allopatric. Because of this discovery, we resurveyed seven caves in the area around Key Cave for additional populations of S. poulsoni. These caves had either known populations of T. subterraneus or unidentified cavefish. No additional populations of S. poulsoni were discovered, but further investigation is warranted. The Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge was established in the high recharge area of Key Cave to protect this habitat, yet threats to the groundwater continue from encroaching urbanization.
Benefits of Additional Make-to-Stock Channel with Price Control Characteristic to Make-to-Order Channel

In this paper we study the benefits for a manufacturer or supplier of having a secondary sales channel with price control in addition to its primary sales channel. Our definition of the primary sales channel is that a majority of company’s total profit is from it, and that the company has make-to-order (MTO) production environment to meet this demand. On the other hand, our definition of the secondary channel is that the company is assumed to be able to create certain demands by reducing the price of standard products for the channel. Therefore, the secondary channel is supplied by make-to-stock (MTS) products as a manufacturer tries to make use of excess capacity after meeting the demand for the primary channel. We assume that the manufacturer can create just enough volume of demand from the secondary channel to match the excess production capacity. We call the primary channel MTO, and the secondary MTS. In other words, a manufacturer or supplier can increase revenues/profits and smooth the MTO productions by using the MTS channel through utilizing the excess capacity. However, developing MTS channel needs investments. In this paper, we try to find out in what operational characteristics a company can justify the investments for the benefits of developing the additional MTS channel to the existing MTO channel. We measure the quantitative benefits of the additional channel over various sets of operational characteristics and interpret the results. With a set of experiments, we investigate the effect of demand variability, capacity utilization, and holding and other production-related costs with a simple price-demand relationship. We have observed that benefits increase as demand variability increases, as capacity utilization decreases, and as capacity change costs. However, the holding does not seem to impact the benefits.
Surface properties of normal and neoplastic rat liver cells: Lectin-induced cytoagglutination and lectin receptor activity of cell-surface glycopeptides☆

Abstract Rat liver cells were isolated by two techniques: perfusion with citrate followed by mechanical dispersal and enzymatic dissociation by perfusion with collagenase. The viability and ultrastructural integrity of the enzymatically dispersed cells were superior to those dissociated mechanically. Hepatocytes prepared by mechanical dispersal were not agglutinated by high concentrations of concanavalin A (ConA) or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), whereas hepatocytes isolated by the enzymatic method were agglutinated by both lectins and exhibited a significant increase in their agglutinability after treatment with papain. These data indicate that cell viability and/or structural integrity are required for ConA- or WGA-induced agglutination of rat hepatocytes. A non-dialyzable sialoglycopeptide fraction cleaved from the cell surface by digestion with papain was isolated from enzymatically dispersed hepatocytes and Novikoff ascites hepatoma cells. These sialoglycopeptide fractions were further purified using gel filtration (Sephadex G-50). Comparison of their gel filtration profiles and lectin receptor activities revealed significant qualitative differences between the cell-surface sialoglycopeptides of normal and malignant rat liver cells. The most prominent cell-surface sialoglycopeptide fraction from hepatoma cells was excluded from the gel and possessed the major portion of the lectin receptor activity, whereas the most prominent cell-surface sialoglycopeptide fraction from hepatocytes was partially accessible to the gel and possessed no detectable ConA or WGA receptor activity. These data indicate that papain-labile cell-surface sialoglycopeptides are not involved in the ConA- and WGA-induced agglutination of intact rat hepatocytes and that, in contrast to Novikoff hepatoma cells, ConA and WGA receptor sites are not released by papain digestion of the intact hepatocytes.
Electrochemical Impregnation of Nickel Hydroxide Flow‐Through vs. Stagnant Electrodes

The electrochemical impregnation of nickel hydroxide in porous electrodes has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The loading level and plaque expansion were the most important parameters to be considered. The effects of flow, counterelectrode placement, and pH have been identified. A novel flow‐through electrochemical impregnation is proposed in which the electrolyte is forced through the porous nickel plaque. The thickening of the plaque can be reduced while maintaining high loading capacity. A mathematical model for flow‐through electrochemical impregnation is presented which describes the transport of the nitrate, nickel, and hydroxyl ions and the consecutive heterogeneous electrochemical reduction of nitrate and the homogeneous precipitation reaction of nickel hydroxide. The distributions of rate of precipitation and active material within the porous electrodes are obtained. Deviation of loading curve from Faraday's law, in the case of stagnant electrodes, is believed to be the dissolution of surface‐deposited ; while the main loss in loading, in the case of flow‐through electrodes, is attributed to the hydrodynamic washout.
Evaluation of maximum-likelihood estimators in nonintensive auditory psychophysics

This is a brief report on the use of maximum-likelihood (ML) estimators in auditory psychophysics. Slope parameters of psychometric functions are characterized for three nonintensive auditory tasks: forced-choice discrimination of interaural time differences (ΔITD), frequency (Δf), and duration (Δt). Using these slope estimates, the ML method is implemented and threshold estimates are obtained for the three tasks and compared with previously published data. ΔITD thresholds were additionally measured for human observers by means of two other psychophysical procedures: the constant-stimuli (CS) and the 2-down 1-up methods (Wetherill & Levitt, 1965). Standard errors were smallest for the ML method. Finally, simulations showed ML estimates to be more efficient than the CS andk-down 1-up procedures fork=2 to 5. For up—down procedures, efficiency was highest fork values of 3 and 4. The entropy (Shannon, 1949) of ML estimates was the smallest of the simulated procedures, but poorer than ideal by 0.5 bits.
Optoelectronic techniques for ultrafast device network analysis to 700 GHz

Recent advances in state-of-the-art optoelectronic techniques are presented for small-signal electronic device network analysis. The impetus for optoelectronic approaches is given by the severely inadequate bandwidth coverage of existing measurement techniques. Based on a comparison of the trade-offs offered by various optoelectronic techniques, external electrooptic sampling was chosen. Then, the three basic building blocks of an electrooptic characterization system are discussed, which cover the areas of wide-band signal measurement, generation and transmission. The building blocks are subsequently integrated into a complete electrooptic network analyser system capable of active device characterization over a 100 GHz bandwidth. These capabilities are demonstrated on a heterojunction field-effect transistor with a directly-measured maximum frequency of oscillation of 94 GHz. Then, the performance of the electrooptic network analyser is optimized by minimizing transmission line losses, and by improving signal generation and measurement geometries. The resulting system exhibits an unprecedented single-measurement bandwidth of 700 GHz on passive structures. The system performance is verified by comparing measured results with simple models of the measured passive structures.
VESCF calculations of the spectra of some hydrocarbons containing triple bonds

The ultraviolet spectra of acetylene, diacetylene, triacetylene, allene, and their alkyl derivatives were calculated by a modified Pariser-Parr method using VESCF orbitals and including all singly and doubly excited states in the CI matrix, a method which has given good results in previous calculations on compounds containing only ethylenic carbon atoms. In the present work two new parameters were introduced, namely, the effective nuclear charge of an acetylenic carbon, and the integral (ie261-01). The calculated spectra agreed well with experiment for transitions observed above 190 mμ ( 7.3 eV), the calculated energies were always too high. Agreement with experiment was improved by the inclusion of triply excited configurations, particularly in the case of acetylene.
Seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle

Abstract From the study of ultramafic rocks it is clear that there is a strong tendency toward olivine orientation in which the b crystallographic axes show a distinct concentration normal to a schistosity or banding. Olivine a and c axes tend to lie in a girdle normal to this b axis concentration. Laboratory measurements of the elasticity of dunite with this fabric show behavior similar to transversely isotropic media for compressional waves. Evidence is sufficiently strong from both laboratory studies of elasticity and petrofabric studies to suggest that many ultramafic rocks behave macroscopic ally as transversely isotropic elastic solids. On the strength of prevailing theories regarding the composition and mechanical behavior of the upper mantle, these results suggest an upper mantle which is transversely isotropic to seismic wave propagation. The existence of laminar convection in the upper mantle may provide a mechanism to produce sub-parallel orientation of olivine. Where mantle flow is predominantly sheet-like over large regions such as beneath the oceans, a normal vertical axis transverse isotropy is suggested. In these regions there is no directional dependence of compressional wave refraction arrivals. However, where this pattern is disrupted by rising convection currents or transcurrent faulting, appreciable deviations from this configuration should occur. If seismic observations prove to substantiate the transversely isotropic behavior of the upper mantle, observable seismic anisotropy will be a powerful tool in determining the mantle composition, stress state, and existence and pattern of convection currents, as well as the type of mechanical behavior associated with convection.
Women Give Birth and Pizzas Are Delivered: Language and Western Childbirth Paradigms

This article examines two differing health paradigms, their language, and their effect on the culture of Western childbirth practices. Specifically, the differences in perspectives and language between the dominant paradigm/culture (the biomedical model of curing) and the alternative paradigm/culture (a holistic model of caring) are explored. Examples of language from the medical, midwifery, and nursing literature that affect childbirth culture and the care of childbearing women and their families are examined. The use of language as a tool of power and its known and postulated effects on the childbirth experience, nursing care, midwifery practice, and holistic care are explored. The author argues for the use of a woman-centered paradigm for childbirth experiences.
Short-Range Correlations and Electron-Gas Response Functions

The behavior of interacting electrons is dominated by the Coulomb repulsion in the limit of zero interparticle separation. Hence, in this limit the derivative of the two-particle correlation function is equal to the two-particle correlation function itself divided by the Bohr radius. Because correlation functions can be obtained from linear-response functions, the relation between the correlation function and its derivative can be used as a criterion for the validity of approximate linear-response functions. Some of the more familiar dielectric functions and spin susceptibilities are discussed in this context. For these response functions it is shown that the electric and magnetic response should approach the same ($q\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$) asymptotic limit.
The usefulness of neuroeconomics for the study of depression across adolescence into adulthood.

a t t p d b h e w T his commentary addresses the aspects of economics that can be exploited by neuroscientists to study goal-directed and reward-related behavior in depression throughout adolesence into adulthood. By intent, reward-related studies (e.g., 1) that o not utilize economics principles are only peripherally addressed. ndeed, this commentary emphasizes aspects of the novel neuroconomic approach, which go beyond classical studies of reponses to rewards. For ease of readability, definitions of terms are rovided in Table 1.
Temporal trends toward stability of Hudson river PCB contamination

PCB was used in the manufacture of electrical equipment at two General Electric Company (GE) facilities located on the upper Hudson River about 1 km apart in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls (Washington Co.) New York. Discharges of PCB from these plants resulted in concentrations in bottom sediments of the Hudson River which now exceed those of other major rivers by about two orders of magnitude and those of small remote streams by more than three orders of magnitude. Intensive monitoring was initiated in 1977 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to ascertain the magnitude of and trends in contaminant conditions of biotic and physical strata. The paper summarizes PCB trends from 1977 to 1981 in three major monitoring components - water, multiplate residues and fish.
Compartmentalization of Immune Responses during Staphylococcus aureus Cranial Bone Flap Infection

Decompressive craniectomy is often required after head trauma, stroke, or cranial bleeding to control subsequent brain swelling and prevent death. The infection rate after cranial bone flap replacement ranges from 0.8% to 15%, with an alarming frequency caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , which is problematic because of recalcitrance to antibiotic therapy. Herein we report the establishment of a novel mouse model of S. aureus cranial bone flap infection that mimics several aspects of human disease. Bacteria colonized bone flaps for up to 4 months after infection, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and quantitative culture, demonstrating the chronicity of the model. Analysis of a human cranial bone flap with confirmed S. aureus infection by scanning electron microscopy revealed similar structural attributes as the mouse model, demonstrating that it closely parallels structural facets of human disease. Inflammatory indices were most pronounced within the subcutaneous galeal compartment compared with the underlying brain parenchyma. Specifically, neutrophil influx and chemokine expression (CXCL2 and CCL5) were markedly elevated in the galea, which demonstrated substantial edema on magnetic resonance images, whereas the underlying brain parenchyma exhibited minimal involvement. Evaluation of immune mechanisms required for bacterial containment and inflammation revealed critical roles for MyD88-dependent signaling and neutrophils. This novel mouse model of cranial bone flap infection can be used to identify key immunologic and therapeutic mechanisms relevant to persistent bone flap infection in humans.
Particle–velocity gauge system for nanosecond sampling rate of shock and detonation waves

A high‐resolution, particle‐velocity gauge system was developed to obtain a hydrodynamic streamline in the flow field associated with shock waves or detonation products. The system is composed of a passive current loop (stirrup probe) embedded in the host material, a magnetic field generator to establish a Lorentz force, and a computer‐controlled, analog‐to‐digital transient recorder to monitor the gauge response. The operation principle is that the motion of one side of a rectangular loop in a magnetic field produces a current proportional to the velocity of that leg. System tests were conducted with 50‐mm diam. by 50‐mm long cylinders of 1,3,5‐triamino–2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB) explosive and explosive‐driven polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The velocity profiles obtained have a time resolution of a few nanoseconds with an amplitude uncertainty of approximately 2% based on a system error analysis. Detailed descriptions of the gauge system components are included.
Alternating current electrokinetic separation and detection of DNA nanoparticles in high‐conductance solutions

In biomedical research and diagnostics, it is a significant challenge to directly isolate and identify rare cells and potential biomarkers in blood, plasma and other clinical samples. Additionally, the advent of bionanotechnology is leading to numerous drug delivery approaches that involve encapsulation of drugs and imaging agents within nanoparticles, which now will also have to be identified and separated from blood and plasma. Alternating current (AC) electrokinetic techniques such as dielectrophoresis (DEP) offer a particularly attractive mechanism for the separation of cells and nanoparticles. Unfortunately, present DEP techniques require the dilution of blood/plasma, thus making the technology less suitable for clinical sample preparation. Using array devices with microelectrodes over-coated with porous hydrogel layers, AC electric field conditions have been found which allow the separation of DNA nanoparticles to be achieved under high-conductance (ionic strength) conditions. At AC frequencies in the 3000 Hz to 10,000 Hz range and 10 volts peak-to-peak, the separation of 10-microm polystyrene particles into low field regions, and 60-nm DNA-derivatized nanoparticles and 200-nm nanoparticles into high-field regions was carried out in 149 mM 1xPBS buffer (1.68 S/m). These results may allow AC electrokinetic systems to be developed that can be used with clinically relevant samples under physiological conditions.
Design and performance of a matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometer utilizing a pulsed nitrogen laser

Abstract The design considerations and experimental performance of a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer are reported for performing matrix-assisted laser desorption studies. A simple pulsed gas-discharge nitrogen laser (337.1 nm) is successfully used in contrast to the more widely used frequency-quadrupled (266 nm) or frequency-tripped (355 nm) Nd : YAG solid-state laser. Optical considerations in utilizing the pulsed nitrogen laser are discussed and a simple optical arrangement is described which allows for suitable imaging of the poor spartial beam profile of the pulsed nitrogen laser. Laser spot sizes of 150 × 450 μm are obtainable. As with the frequency-tripled Nd : YAG laser, sinapinic acid is found to be the most useful matrix for producing protonated molecular species from proteins. Appropriate laser power levels are determined, as are matrix/sample levels. Adequate response for most small to medium molecular weight proteins are obtained for less than 1 pmol of sample. A simple einsel lens incorporated into the ion source does not appear to provide any significant focusing of the laser-desorbed ions; however, a constant d.c. voltage applied to beam steering plates enhances the ion signal significantly. Selective, pulsed deflection of the low-mass ions produced from the matrix is also utilized to prevent excessive saturation of the microchannel plate ion detector. High source potentials are found to provide improved resolution and sensitivity in comparison with lower source potentials combined with post-acceleration at the detector. Representative mass spectra of several proteins and peptides are presented. Increased formation of photoinduced adduct ions are observed in comparison with that reported for matrix-assisted laser desorption experiments utilizing a Nd : YAG laser and significant amounts of dimer and trimer ions are produced. The former may be due to non-optimized sample/matrix compositions as opposed to wavelength-induced effects, whereas the latter is only observed at higher protein concentrations. Significantly more peak broadening than would normally be expected is observed above 20 000 u. This may be due to the post-acceleration design of the microchannel plate detector used.