cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrition education as an instrument of empowerment

Nutrition educators know that poverty is a root cause of malnutrition in the world, but somehow that knowledge rarely informs their teaching. In practice they focus on coping behavior, showing people how to adapt to their deprivation as if it were immutable. Malnutrition is due to poverty, but even more fundamentally to powerlessness. Poverty may put the family unit at risk of malnutrition, but it does not explain the discrepancies in nutritional status within the family. Women and children are relatively powerless within the household. Small children in particular cannot fend for themselves, and are thoroughly at the mercy of others. Some nations suffer much less malnutrition than would be expected on the basis of their average gross national products. Similarly, some resourceful individuals can manage even with little money. There are many cases in which children are found to be better nourished than would be expected on the basis of their families' income levels (see note). Some people do badly even though they have money. The importance of powerlessness becomes evident when we look at middleand upper-class malnutrition which, by definition, do not arise from poverty. Analysts of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia recognize that the problems are not only psychological but also social. Speaking of women's sometime excessive preoccupation with thinness, one doctor said that "caught between demands of those around them and their own needs, they feel powerless" (1). Obesity illustrates the pattern. In developed countries we are all subjected to persistent pressure to eat, but some of us succumb more readily than others. According to data from the United States' National Center for Health Statistics:
The double‐edged helix: Popular narratives and public perceptions of science

(1997). The double‐edged helix: Popular narratives and public perceptions of science. Accountability in Research: Vol. 5, No. 1-3, pp. 197-203.
Haloperidol does not alter expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference.

A recent experiment (Risinger et al., Psychopharmacology, 107 (1992) 453–456) has shown that haloperidol does not prevent acquisition of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, suggesting that dopaminergic mechanisms do not mediate the primary rewarding properties of ethanol. The present experiment examined whether haloperidol would prevent the expression of conditioned reward to ethanol-paired stimuli using the place conditioning paradigm. DBA/2J mice received four pairings of a tactile stimulus with ethanol (2 g/kg, IP). A different stimulus was paired with saline. Before preference testing, different groups received one of three doses of haloperidol (0,0.05 or 0.1 mg/kg); ethanol was not given. Haloperidol produced a dose-dependent decrease in locomotor activity, but did not affect conditioned place preference. These results suggest that expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference is mediated by non-dopaminergic mechanisms.
Clear-cell meningioma: Diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Clear-cell meningiomas have a more aggressive behavior than other meningioma subtypes and the cytologic features of clear-cell meningioma have not been described. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of a sacral clear-cell meningioma was performed in a 28-yr-old woman. This tumor was a metastasis from a posterior fossa meningioma that had been unresectable, but had been present for 7 yr. Cytologically, clear-cell meningiomas have a whorled, syncytial architecture and spindled to polygonal, bland-appearing nuclei. In contrast to the more classic meningioma, the clear-cell variety has vacuolated cytoplasm. The differential diagnosis includes a number of other neoplastic processes. Separation of clear-cell meningioma from these other entities may be difficult because of its rather unusual cytoplasmic features and its occurrence in unusual sites.
Pretest Administration of Glucose Attenuates Infantile Amnesia for Passive Avoidance Conditioning in Rats

Infantile amnesia in rats may be attenuated by a wide variety of retrieval cues which reactivate memory for the training episode. The present study investigated the effects of glucose on memory retrieval in infant rats. In Experiment 1, 17-day-old preweanling rats were trained to criterion on passive avoidance conditioning. Twenty-four hours later, each subject received a subcutaneous injection of either saline, 100 mg/kg, or 250 mg/kg of glucose just prior to testing. Saline animals displayed poor retention scores, suggesting infantile amnesia; however, glucose significantly attenuated the 24-hr retention loss. Experiment 2 attempted to replicate the previous experiment, control for age and general drug effects, and extend the dose of glucose to 400 mg/kg. The results of Experiment 2 were consistent with Experiment 1 and also indicated that infant subjects performed significantly worse than adults. Both 100 and 250 mg/kg of glucose significantly attenuated infantile amnesia; however, 400 mg/kg had no effect. These results support a retrieval failure view of infantile amnesia and extend the memory-influencing properties of glucose to infants. Context and neuroendocrine views of memory retrieval are discussed.
Nanoparticles from a controlled polymerization process.

Free-radical retrograde precipitation polymerization process in the past has shown excellent control characteristics over reaction rate, molecular weight, and in the entrapment of live radicals for the generation of block copolymers. The same principle has now been extended to study the reaction confinement to a nanoscale region. Nanosized polymer particles have been reported to form from block copolymers, conventional precipitation polymerization methods, or through emulsion polymerization approaches. In this work, we present a new method of generating nanosized polymer particles by polymerizing the monomer in an environment that precipitates the polymer above the lower critical solution temperature. The nanoparticles have been characterized by both tapping-mode atomic force microscopy observations and in situ synchrotron time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering analysis. The results from both the techniques showed the formation of nanoparticles in the size range of 15-30 nm, directly from the polymerization process.
A numerical model for wind-borne compact debris trajectory estimation: Part 2 – Simulated vertical gust effects on trajectory and mass momentum

Abstract In a companion paper [1] , the trajectory of compact debris was estimated by accounting for the many uncertainties associated with debris flight. Compact debris are objects possessing non-negligible mass but negligible moment of inertia (e.g., a particle-type object); the wind-driven motion of the debris is predominantly controlled by aerodynamic drag with a limited influence of aerodynamic lift or moment. A numerical algorithm for investigating the probability of wind-borne compact debris impacting on the vertical facade of tall buildings was discussed. In this study, the effect of a “sudden” vertical gust on the trajectory of compact objects was analyzed. Since at initial stages of the flight the effect of turbulence may have an influence on the trajectory, a “Kussner-like” Gust model was proposed, incorporated in the loading model and used in conjunction with the equations of the motion. The numerical simulations, accounting for this simulated vertical gust, indicate that the effect of a simplified vertical turbulence scenario may often be neglected for estimating the trajectory of a compact object. Nevertheless, some effect of this simulated gust on “Iso-probability Impact Contours” and “Universal Probability Curve”, described in [1] , was observed and quantified.
On the existence of uniform momentum zones in a turbulent boundary layer

Instantaneous velocity fields in the x‐y plane of a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer are measured using particle image velocimetry. It is found that there exist random, time‐varying zones in the u‐ν fields in which the streamwise momentum is remarkably uniform. The largest dimension of a typical zone is proportional to the boundary layer thickness. The zone closest to the wall contains viscous‐inertial inclined structures similar to those found in low Reynolds number wall turbulence. A second zone is located above the wall zone in a region that coincides roughly with the logarithmic layer. The wake region of the boundary layer contains a complicated, time‐varying pattern of several nearly‐constant‐momentum zones. The zones are separated from each other and from the free stream by thin viscous shear layers that contain concentrations of spanwise vorticity.
FUNCTIONAL AND STORAGE PROPERTIES OF COWPEA POWDER-WHEAT FLOUR BLENDS IN BREADMAKING

Wheat flour extended with up to 20% cowpea (Vigna sinensis) powder, but not 30%, produced breads acceptable to a Nigerian and mixed member taste panel. Progressive substantial decrease in loaf volume occurred as cowpea powder level increased beyond 10% but could be minimized by including either 1.0% calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, diacetyl tartaric acid ester of monglyceride, or 1.0% calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate plus 0.43% polysorbate in the bread formula. Most bread quality attributes, including acceptable flavor and loaf volume, decreased rapidly when flour blends containing 20% cowpea powder were stored at 30°C. Similar blends at 22°C for at least 12 wk produced acceptable breads, and loaf volume potential of 20% cowpea powder blends decreased only 6–9% at 22°C in 18 wk. Blends containing 10% cowpea powder performed essentially as well as unblended wheat flour initially and better than 20% blends throughout storage.
Properties and Function of Polyreactive Antibodies and Polyreactive Antigen-Binding B Cells

The advent of hybridoma technology has made it possible to study in depth individual antibody molecules. These studies have revealed a number of surprises that have and are continuing to change our view of the immune system. None of these was more surprising than the demonstration that many antibody molecules are polyreactive – that is they can bind to a variety of different and structurally unrelated self and non-self foreign antigens. These findings make it clear that self-reactivity is a common and not necessarily forbidden or pathogenic feature of the immune system and that the well known broad anti-bacterial activity of natural antibodies is largely due to polyreactive antibodies. In this brief review we will discuss these insights and their impact on basic and clinical immunology.
Modeling chlorite-iodide reaction dynamics using a chlorine dioxide-iodide reaction mechanism.

The mechanism of Lengyel, Li, Kustin, and Epstein (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 3708) for the oscillatory chlorine dioxide−iodide reaction accurately models the reaction in closed and open systems. We investigated whether this mechanism minus the single reaction involving chlorine dioxide models the chlorite−iodide reaction equally well. It agrees qualitatively with clock reaction results. As for open system dynamics, the mechanism predicts the existence of two steady states and bistability in very nearly the same regions where these features are found experimentally in the pH range 2−4. A discrepancy in the range of bistability emerges as pH decreases, and it cannot be remedied by taking into account chlorous acid decomposition. That we were unable to locate an oscillatory region is of greater significance. Because the chlorite−iodide reaction is sensitive to mixing effects, we incorporated a two-parameter model of imperfect mixing but still found no oscillations at physically reasonable parameter values...
Manipulation of Coagulation Factors in Acute Stroke

In patients with an acute cerebral infarction, anticoagulation may spare tissue in the ischaemic penumbra from irreversible necrosis by preventing thrombus extension from a vascular bed with good collateral circulation to one with poor collateral circulation. In addition to the possibility of limiting infarct volume, anticoagulation may be given acutely to prevent early recurrent cerebral infarction or to prevent or treat thrombus outside the nervous system (i.e. deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolus). In one controlled trial of a low molecular weight heparin, administration of nadroparin calcium within 48 hours of onset of cerebral infarction decreased the combined incidence of dependency and all-cause mortality at 6 months. Another controlled trial in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis demonstrated the benefit of continuous intravenous adjusted-dose unfractionated (UF) heparin compared with placebo. Although results of anticoagulation appear promising in patients with acute cerebral infarction and cerebral venous thrombosis, the benefits of these agents remain unconfirmed. The results of large multicentre trials using a heparinoid (ORG 10172) and subcutaneous UF heparin in patients with acute cerebral infarction are expected within the year.
Obesity without overeating in golden hamsters

Abstract When male golden hamsters were switched from a diet of Purina rodent chow to a calorically-dense high-fat diet or were given ad lib access to a 32% sucrose solution in addition to chow, they adjusted their food intakes rapidly (within 24 hr) and did not overeat. Nevertheless, the fat-fed hamsters tripled their rate of weight gain and nearly doubled their carcass fat content after one month on the diet. Resting oxygen consumption (animals awake but quiet) was significantly lower in fat-fed animals than in chow-fed controls. Sucrose feeding had no effect on food intake, body weight gain, carcass composition or oxygen consumption. Thus, whereas rats exhibit dietary obesity in spite of increases in energy expenditure (diet-induced thermogenesis), fat-fed hamsters seem to become obese because of decreases in energy expenditure. However, although actual energy expenditure is reduced, fat-fed hamsters exhibit an enhanced thermogenic capacity. Interscapular brown adipose tissue mass, protein content, and DNA content as well as norepinephrine-stimulated oxygen consumption were all significantly elevated in fat-fed hamsters. The significance of these concurrent diet-induced decreases in energy expenditure and increases in thermogenic capacity is not clear, but they could be of some value in preparing the hamster for winter.
Multi-scale modeling of an aircraft coated with complex composite materials

The continued evolution of lighter, stealthier, and more efficient aircraft has fostered longstanding drive for multifunctional composite materials that combine good mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic (EM) properties together. Because of the fine features present in the composite materials and large size of a typical aircraft, analysis of scattering from such a target, which is crucial for application related to radar detection and recognition, is extremely challenging. In this paper, we present an approach consisting of micro- and macro-scale simulations to analyze the impact of composite materials on the radar signature of an aircraft.
Symmetrical decomposition and transformation

Abstract This paper is concerned with the development of efficient procedures for the design of two-dimensional (2-D) finite impulse response (FIR) digital filters. Symmetry properties of 2-D real functions are employed to derive a number of results on the transformation functions useful in transformation based design. A procedure to decompose a given frequency response into symmetrical and antisymmetrical components is outlined. Application of symmetrical decomposition in optimization based 2-D FIR filter design is described. Examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of this procedure.
Miscibility of blends of α-methyl styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers with styrenic copolymers containing acrylonitrile or maleic anhydride

Abstract Blends of α-methyl styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers with styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers and with styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers are shown to exhibit regions of miscibility that appear to depend rather sensitively on component molecular weights. These blends did not exhibit lower or upper critical solution temperature phase behaviour. A refined set of monomer unit pair interaction energies are given that reasonably describe the experimental results in terms of the Flory-Huggins theory.
Particle swarm optimization and its application to the design of diffraction grating filters

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is an evolutionary, easy-to-implement technique to design optical diffraction gratings. Design of reflection and transmission guided-mode resonance (GMR) grating filters using PSO is reported. The spectra of the designed filters are in good agreement with the design targets in a reasonable computation time. Also, filters are designed with a genetic algorithm (GA) and the results obtained by the GA and PSO are compared.
Protease domain glycans affect oligomerization, disulfide bond formation, and stability of the meprin A metalloprotease homo-oligomer.

The meprin A homo-oligomer is a highly glycosylated, secreted zinc metalloprotease of the astacin family and metzincin superfamily. This isoform of meprin is composed of disulfide-bonded dimers of α subunits that further associate to form large, secreted megadalton complexes of 10 or more subunits. The aim of this study was to determine the sites of glycan attachment and to assess their ability to affect the formation and stability of the homo-oligomer. Nine of the ten potential N-linked glycosylation sites (Asn-41, Asn-152, Asn-234, Asn-270, Asn-330, Asn-426, Asn-452, Asn-546, and Asn-553) were found to be glycosylated in recombinant mouse meprin A using chemical and enzymatic deglycosylation methods and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Chemical cross-linking demonstrated that carbohydrates are at or near the noncovalent subunit interface. The removal of two glycans in the protease domain at Asn-234 and Asn-270, as well as one in the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor domain at Asn-452, by a deglycosidase under nondenaturing conditions decreased the chemical and thermal stability of the homo-oligomer without affecting quaternary structure. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that no single glycan was essential for oligomer formation; however, the combined absence of the glycans at Asn-152 and Asn-270 in the protease domain hindered intersubunit disulfide bond formation, prevented noncovalent associations, and abolished enzymatic activity. These studies provide insights into the role of glycans in the biosynthesis, activity, and stability of this extracellular protease.
Radiation effects in rf photonic components for space-based applications

This paper describes the development of compact, polarization insensitive mode-locked erbium-doped fiber lasers producing picosecond pulses for use as optical sampling sources in photonic analog to digital converters (ADCs). High-sampling rate and high resolution ADCs are required to convert the `naturally occurring' received analog signals to digital signals suitable for on-board data processing. The laser was constructed in a linear cavity, Fabry-Perot configuration with the saturable absorber at one end of the cavity and a chirped fiber Bragg grating at the other end. Theoretical modeling of the pulse formation within the laser cavity is presented and is in close agreement with the experimental data. The influence of radiation effects on erbium-doped fiber and fiber Bragg gratings is also investigated.
Technological Forecasting In The Decision Process

Technological forecasting, as distinct from general forecasting activity, has been described as “the probabilistic assessment, on a relatively high confidence level, of future technology transfer.”...
In situ hybridization protocol for enhanced detection of gene expression in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea

The freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea has emerged as a powerful model for studies of regenerative, stem cell, and germ cell biology. Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and whole-mount fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) are critical methods for determining gene expression patterns in planarians. While expression patterns for a number of genes have been elucidated using established protocols, determining the expression patterns for particularly low-abundance transcripts remains a challenge. We show here that a short bleaching step in formamide dramatically enhances signal intensity of WISH and FISH. To further improve signal sensitivity we optimized blocking conditions for multiple anti-hapten antibodies, developed a copper sulfate quenching step that virtually eliminates autofluorescence, and enhanced signal intensity through iterative rounds of tyramide signal amplification. For FISH on regenerating planarians, we employed a heat-induced antigen retrieval step that provides a better balance between permeabilization of mature tissues and preservation of regenerating tissues. We also show that azide most effectively quenches peroxidase activity between rounds of development for multicolor FISH experiments. Finally, we apply these modifications to elucidate the expression patterns of a few low-abundance transcripts. The modifications we present here provide significant improvements in signal intensity and signal sensitivity for WISH and FISH in planarians. Additionally, these modifications might be of widespread utility for whole-mount FISH in other model organisms.
The role of visual monitoring in observational learning of action patterns: making the unobservable observable.

The present experiment tested the hypothesis that concurrent visual feedback enhances observational learning of a novel action pattern that normally would be unobservable. Subjects repeatedly enacted a modeled action pattern with visual monitoring of their reproductions throughout enactments, during only early, or late phases of enactment, or not at all. At periodic intervals, the adequacy of their conception of the modeled pattern was also measured. Visual feedback during ongoing performance enhanced accurate reproduction of the modeled pattern; the facilitative effect was most pronounced for reproduction of complex response components. The superiority of subjects who had enacted these difficult response components with visual feedback was maintained even when both the model and feedback were withdrawn. Visual feedback did not facilitate accurate enactment of the modeled pattern before development of an adequate cognitive representation of it. The results support the social learning view that observation...
Algorithms and analysis of scheduling for low-power high-performance DSP on VLIW processors

Switching activity and schedule length are the two most important factors that influence the energy consumption of an application executed on a VLIW (very long instruction word) processor. Considering these two factors together, we propose an instruction-level energy-minimisation scheduling technique to reduce the energy consumption of applications on VLIW processors. We first formally prove that this problem is NP-complete. Then three heuristic algorithms, MSAS, MLMSA, and EMSA, are proposed. While switching activity and schedule length are given higher priority in MSAS and MLMSA respectively, EMSA gives the best result considering both of them. The experimental results show that EMSA gives a 31.7% reduction in energy compared with the traditional list scheduling approach on average.
Effect of gender and preoperative diagnosis on results of revision total knee arthroplasty.

Recent studies question an effect of gender on outcome of primary TKA. We questioned whether the results of revision TKA were affected by gender. We separated 67 revision TKAs by gender and preoperative diagnosis into four groups (arthrofibrosis, infection, instability, and wear and loosening). Each revision TKA was individually matched by age and gender to two primary TKAs. Postoperative Knee Society pain and function scores after revision TKA were lower than for primary TKA for both females and males. However, postoperative Knee Society pain and function scores were similar in males and females. Postoperative pain and function scores were lower for all revision groups compared with primary TKA, except for pain and function scores after revision for instability. Postoperative pain and function scores were higher for instability and wear or loosening than for arthrofibrosis. Our data suggest the results of revision TKA are affected by preoperative diagnosis but not gender.
Unilateral leg edema caused by abdominoscrotal hydrocele: Elegant diagnosis by MRI

A 5-month-old boy presented with bilateral hydroceles since birth and right leg edema. An ultrasound of the pelvis showed a 4-cm cystic mass that was diagnosed as a teratoma or cystic hygroma. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which showed a dumbbell shaped contiguous, fluid filled mass extending intraabdominally through the inguinal canal from the scrotum. The cystic portion in the right iliac fossa was lying on the right iliac vessels, which were patent. A bilateral hydrocelectomy was performed, and the intraperitoneal sac was completely excised through the inguinal incision. The edema of the right leg disappeared a few days after surgery.
Oxidation of molybdenum particles by electron microscopy at various temperatures

Abstract A procedure using titanium thin films as getter is described which allows electron microscopy study on fine particles of molybdenum at high temperatures with a minimum in oxidation. Spherical molybdenum particles ranging from 0.31 to 0.85 μ in diam. were studied for oxidation in regular time intervals up to I h at various temperatures up to 600°C, in vacuum, with and without Ti thin films as getter. It was determined that appreciable oxidation (0.11 A/see) occurred even at beam temperatures (≈170°C) without titanium as a getter. Oxidation rates determined without titanium getter from 200° to 400°C were found to range from 0.26 to 0.28 A/sec for a 1 h period. The rates measured with titanium getter from 200° to 400°C were found to range from 0.01 to 0.04 A/sec for the same time period. At 600°C a substantial decrease in the oxidation rate was observed with increasing particle diameter, without titanium films, ranging from 0.32 A/sec (0.37μ particle) to 0.28 A/sec (0.85 μ particle) for a 1 h period. The oxidation rate with titanium getter ranged from 0.05A/sec (0.32 μ, particle) to 0.033 A/sec (0.76μ particle) for the same time period at 600°C. High temperature X-ray diffraction on thin layers of molybdenum particles showed an increase in oxidation as monoclinic MoO 2 up to 400°C. From 400° to 750°C a decrease in MoO 2 was observed.
Romantic gift giving as chore or pleasure: The effects of attachment orientations on gift giving perceptions

Abstract In two studies we introduce Attachment theory as a fresh consumer research perspective on the study of gift giving perceptions among individuals in romantic relationships. We explore the intricacies of romantic gift giving as affected by the interplay between long-lasting individual dispositional variables and relationship-specific variables. In Study 1 we show that when provided with descriptions of unknown persons' attachment orientations and their emotional needs in romantic relationships, participants can accurately predict those persons' gift giving perceptions. In Study 2 we directly assess the links between dispositional attachment orientations and gift giving perceptions as well as the underlying processes through self-reports of participants currently in romantic relationships. We find that self-esteem and relationship satisfaction influence the link between attachment orientations and gift giving perceptions. We also provide implications for future research and practitioners.
Improved adhesion of sputtered refractory carbides to metal substrates

Sputtered coatings of the refractory metal carbides are of great interest for applications where hard wear-resistant materials are desired. The usefulness of sputtered refractory carbides is often limited in practice by spalling or interfacial separation. In this work improvements in the adherence of refractory carbides on iron, nickel and titanium base alloys were obtained by using oxidation, reactive sputtering or sputtered interlayers to alter the coating-substrate interfacial region. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and argon ion etching were used to characterize the interfacial regions, and an attempt was made to correlate adherence as measured in wear tests with the chemical nature of the interface.
Probability Learning by Aphasic Subjects.

Nine aphasic and nine nonaphasic patients participated in a two-choice probability learning experiment in which they attempted to turn on a set of red “reinforcement” lights by pressing push button...
Micellar formation and correlation in the cavity of porous silica glass.

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is used to study the scattering length density correlations in a dry porous silica glass (Vycor) and in the glass filled with anionic and cationic surfactant molecules dispersed in water. SANS intensity distributions from empty pores of the glass can be satisfactorily analyzed using a standard late stage spinodal decomposition model in which the porous structure is described by a superposition of random density waves. This model, however, agrees with experiment only if one allows for a suitable distribution of wave numbers for the density waves. Micellar formation is observed in Vycor filled with surfactant solutions. We discuss the interpretation of the intermicellar correlations, measured by SANS, within the pores of the Vycor glass.
The falling ball viscometer— a new instrument for viscoelastic fluids

Abstract It is shown that the falling ball viscometer, a simple and inexpensive measuring system, can be used to determine the steady shear viscosity of viscoelastic fluids at low shear rates if appropriate analytical and experimental procedures are adopted. In addition, the relaxation time, a measure of the elasticity of these fluids, can be determined. These rheological properties are necessary for the analysis of the fluid mechanical and heat transfer behavior of viscoelastic fluids.
Freezing a single distal motion in dihydrofolate reductase.

Constraining a single motion between distal residues separated by ∼28 A in hybrid quantum/classical molecular dynamics simulations is found to increase the free energy barrier for hydride transfer ...
A Review of the Theory and Applications of Optimal Subband and Transform Coders

Abstract The problem of optimizing digital filter banks based on input statistics was perhaps first addressed nearly four decades ago by Huang and Schultheiss. These authors actually considered a special case, namely transform coder optimization. Many of the subband coder optimization problems considered in recent years have close similarities to this work, though there are fundamental differences as well. Filter banks are used today not only for signal compression, but have found applications in signal denoising and in digital communications. A recent result is that principal component filter banks (PCFBs) offer an optimal solution to many problems under certain theoretical assumptions. While this result is quite powerful and includes several earlier results as special cases, there still remain some open problems in the area of filter bank optimization. We first give a review of the older classical methods to place the ideas in the right perspective. We then review recent results on PCFBs. The generality of these results is demonstrated by showing an application in digital communications (the discrete multitone channel). We show, for example, that the PCFB minimizes transmitted power for a given probability of error and bit rate. Future directions and open problems are discussed as well.
Comments on "Comments"

Wertz suggests that we will probably continue to treat clients with aphasia in the early postonset period. I hope he's right and that my view of managed care as a runaway train is an overreaction. ...
Augmentation of glutathione in the fluid lining the epithelium of the lower respiratory tract by directly administering glutathione aerosol.

Glutathione (GSH), a cysteine-containing tripeptide, functions as an antioxidant, provides cells with cysteine, and is required for optimal function of the immune system. Because the epithelial-lining fluid (ELF) of the lower respiratory tract normally contains high GSH levels and lung ELF GSH deficiency states can exist, we evaluated the feasibility of augmenting lung ELF GSH levels by (i) administering GSH to sheep i.v. and by direct aerosolization and then (ii) measuring the GSH levels in lung ELF, lung lymph, venous plasma, and urine. When GSH (600 mg) was administered i.v. (n = 11), GSH levels in venous plasma, lung lymph, and ELF rose, but only transiently, suggesting the i.v. route would not deliver adequate GSH to the alveolar epithelial surface. For directly administering GSH to the lung by the aerosol route, in vitro studies were first conducted to show that greater than 50% of a GSH solution could be converted to droplets less than 3 microns in aerodynamic diameter without oxidizing the GSH. To target functional GSH to the lower respiratory tract, an aerosolized solution of GSH (600 mg) was administered to sheep (n = 12). Significantly, the GSH level in ELF increased 7-fold at 30 min (preaerosol, 45.7 +/- 10 microM; 30-min postaerosol, 337 +/- 64 microM; P less than 0.001). The ELF GSH levels remained above baseline at 1 hr (P less than 0.01), returning toward baseline over a 2-hr period. In contrast, GSH levels in lung lymph, venous plasma, and urine were not significantly increased during the period--i.e., aerosol therapy selectively augmented the GSH levels only at the lung epithelial surface. Thus, functional GSH can be delivered by aerosol to directly augment the ELF GSH levels of the lower respiratory tract. Such an approach may prove useful in treating a variety of lung disorders.
Discipline in the context of development: a case of the social sciences in Malawi, Southern Africa

Changes in research production precipitated by the globalization have generally been theorized as applying across nations and disciplinary projects. This article examines the relation of discipline to research production from the situational vantage point of the developing world, specifically the Southern African country of Malawi, and from the empirical perspective of the social sciences. Evidence derives from eight months of ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Malawi in 2003 and 2004, drawing specifically from over 100 formal interviews and from analysis of historical and contemporary documents. The article finds that against depictions of academic disciplines as inflexible, arbitrary, and in need of restructuring, the case of the social sciences in Malawi demonstrates the value of distinctly disciplined expertise in problem-oriented research. This efficacy is, however, precariously dependent on the capacity of local disciplinary communities to regenerate and reproduce their expertise and compete effectively in the increasingly competitive knowledge market.
Genomic analysis of cold-active Colwelliaphage 9A and psychrophilic phage–host interactions

The 104 kb genome of cold-active bacteriophage 9A, which replicates in the marine psychrophilic gamma-proteobacterium Colwellia psychrerythraea strain 34H (between −12 and 8 °C), was sequenced and analyzed to investigate elements of molecular adaptation to low temperature and phage–host interactions in the cold. Most characterized ORFs indicated closest similarity to gamma-proteobacteria and their phages, though no single module provided definitive phylogenetic grouping. A subset of primary structural features linked to psychrophily suggested that the majority of annotated phage proteins were not psychrophilic; those that were, primarily serve phage-specific functions and may also contribute to 9A’s restricted temperature range for replication as compared to host. Comparative analyses suggest ribonucleotide reductase genes were acquired laterally from host. Neither restriction modification nor the CRISPR-Cas system appeared to be the predominant phage defense mechanism of Cp34H or other cold-adapted bacteria; we hypothesize that psychrophilic hosts rely more on the use of extracellular polymeric material to block cell surface receptors recognized by phages. The relative dearth of evidence for genome-specific defenses, genetic transfer events or auxiliary metabolic genes suggest that the 9A-Cp34H system may be less tightly coupled than are other genomically characterized marine phage–host systems, with possible implications for phage specificity under different environmental conditions.
Preoperative Consolidation-to-Tumor Ratio and SUVmax Stratify the Risk of Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Limited Resection for Lung Adenocarcinoma ≤2 cm

Purpose Limited resection is an increasingly utilized option for treatment of clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) ≤2 cm (T1aN0M0), yet there are no validated predictive factors for postoperative recurrence. We investigated the prognostic value of preoperative consolidation/tumor (C/T) ratio [on computed tomography (CT) scan] and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
Effect of topological defects and site impurities in conjugated polymer chains

The effect of branch points and site impurities on a conjugated trans-polyacetylene chain is studied using minimum energy calculations performed directly on the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Hamiltonian. New mid-gap states found in the case of branched molecules are described. The evolution of nonlinear excitations as a site potential is turned on is investigated.
Determining Optimal Current Intensity and Duration for Electrically Activated Silver-Based Prophylactic Hip Implant Prototype Design

Infections associated with medical prostheses result in notable morbidity, and traditional osteomyelitis treatments are often accompanied by high risk and cost. The probability of prosthetic joint infections is 1–2.5 % for primary hip or knee replacements and 2.1–5.8 % for revision surgeries, and the cost of treating such an infection is estimated to be over $50,000 per episode. [1] While the potential benefits of silver surfaces stimulated by low intensity direct current (LIDC) have been discussed in literature, we have recently utilized that concept in the actual design of prophylactic indwelling residual hardware prostheses for the very first time. [2–4] A modular titanium hip stem coated with silver at the anode (and titanium as the cathode) and activated by a watch battery encapsulated within the two electrode modules (Figure 1) will result in oligodynamic iontophoresis (OI) in the soft tissue surrounding the implant which is prone to infections. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo results have demonstrated the potency of silver-based OI as an effective local antibacterial therapy in osteomyelitis treatment with advantages over various antibiotics. However, the main challenge here is achieving the antibacterial potency while minimizing any potential toxic effects on local tissues. [4]Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Charged-particle emission from dielectric materials initiated by a tunable picosecond mid-infrared laser

In the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared, single and multiphoton electronic transitions can explain the production and emission of charged atoms, molecules and photoelectrons during laser ablation and desorption. However, the process of charge transfer and ionization during ablation of dielectrics in the mid-infrared is not well understood. Even though significant electronic excitation is unlikely, copious emission of charged particles, e.g. atoms, molecules and electrons, is observed. No evidence of laser plume interactions is observed and inverse Bremsstrahlung (IB) is ruled out as a primary ionization/charge transfer mechanism. By irradiating with an ultrashort pulse-width mid-infrared laser tuned to a vibrational resonance it is possible to generate a high vibrational excitation density in dielectric materials. This high excitation density creates a non- equilibrium state of matter that exists until the deposited energy fully thermalizes. In this paper we report measurements of the kinetic energy of ions and electrons from CaCO3, NaNO3 and dihydroxybenzoic (DHB) acid that are highly non- thermal. This non-thermal energy distribution is evidence that the primary production of charged species occurs while the material is in a non-equilibrium state. The fact that it occurs in quite different materials, and without some of the characteristic signatures of electronically induced desorption and ionization, points toward a new mechanism.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ebstein's anomaly; presentation of ten cases.

Ten cases of Ebstein's anomaly are presented and the literature is reviewed. Certain diagnostic features of the clinical profile, in particular the auscultatory findings, are emphasized.
Efficient microwave syntheses of the compounds Os3(CO)11L, L = NCMe, py, PPh3

The results of simple microwave-assisted ligand substitution reactions of Os3(CO)12 are reported. In a remarkably short period of time, the labile complex Os3(CO)11(NCMe) is prepared in high yield without the need for a decarbonylation reagent such as trimethylamine oxide. Microwave irradiation of Os3(CO)12 in a relatively small amount of acetonitrile is shown to be a useful first step in two-step, one-pot syntheses of the cluster complexes Os3(CO)11(py) and Os3(CO)11(PPh3).
Integrated models to study the impact of ELMs and disruptions on lithium in the NSTX divertor

Abstract Lithium as a potential plasma-facing material has many attractive features including a reduction in recycling of hydrogenic species and ability to withstand high heat and neutron fluxes in fusion reactors. Recent analysis of the National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX) device has shown significant and recurring benefits of lithium coatings on plasma-facing components performance. To self-consistently study the performance of lithium divertor during ELMs and disruptions in NSTX, integrated multi-fluid and multi-dimensional models are being developed based on HEIGHTS simulation package that address and combine several areas from the bulk plasma energy released to the magneto-hydrodynamic evolution and production of lithium plasma in the complex magnetic field structure. The simulation showed the importance of the 3D geometrical effects on divertor erosion dynamics. Lithium expansion in divertor and SOL areas may potentially cause bulk plasma contamination during high power ELMs.
Long-term retinal vascular abnormalities in an animal model of retinopathy of prematurity

PurposeA conventional criticism of animal models of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) concerns the common occurrence of rapid spontaneous resolution of retinal vascular sequelae. The purpose of this study was to determine whether animals subjected to a novel variable oxygen exposure protocol would undergo the rapid spontaneous resolution of retinal vascular pathology that is typical of past models.MethodsNewborn rats were exposed to an oxygen environment that alternated between 50% and 10% every 24 h for 14 days and then removed to room air, or were raised from birth in room air as controls. To determine early retinal vascular growth rate, both exposed and non-exposed rats were sacrificed between 3 and 28 days of age, after which eyes were enucleated and retinas dissected and stained for adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) activity to demonstrate the vasculature. Rats were maintained in room air for 2 to 18 weeks after the variable oxygen exposure period for assessment of long-term retinal vascular abnormalit...
When Does Human Object Recognition Use a Viewer-Centered Reference Frame?

How do people recognize an object in different orientations? One theory is that the visual system describes the object relative to a reference frame centered on the object, resulting in a representation that is invariant across orientations. Chronometric data show that this is true only when an object can be identified uniquely by the arrangement of its parts along a single dimension. When an object can only be distinguished by an arrangement of its parts along more than one dimension, people mentally rotate it to a familiar orientation. This finding suggests that the human visual reference frame is tied to egocentric coordinates.
DRAK2 regulates memory T cell responses following murine coronavirus infection.

The contribution of DRAK2 [death-associated protein kinase (DAPK)-related apoptosis-inducing kinase 2] to anti-viral memory T cell responses following infection with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) was examined. DRAK2 is a lymphoid-enriched serine/threonine kinase that is an important regulatory molecule involved in modulating T cell responses. Memory T cells derived from MHV-immunized Drak2− / − mice exhibited amplified proliferation and IFN-γ secretion following stimulation with viral epitopes. Transfer of Drak2− / − memory T cells into Rag1− / − mice infected intracerebrally with MHV resulted in accelerated clearance of virus from the brain. Thus, DRAK2 may be a novel target for stimulating protective immunity to viral pathogens.
Living by a biological clock: age‐related functional changes of sleep homeostasis in people aged 65–88.5 years

A retrospective study of 124 non-demented elderly people (aged 65–88.5 years) complaining of sleep disturbances and meeting the criteria of exclusion was made. The participants were admitted to a sleep medicine center laboratory in Taiwan and underwent a nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) from 1 January 2002 to 31 January 2003. The data of 1014 controls originated from 15 798 individuals were compared without a PSG. The assessment included changes in the sleep homeostat: total sleep time (TST), insomnia, snoring, apnea-hypopnea, sleep efficiency and a probability based evaluation of sleep variables. A comparison between the current study and other published reports was made. Other discussions included the role of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and its effect on sleep apnea, the apolipoprotein epsilon 4 genotype status, the effect of sleep apnea on various TST, the different TST above and below the median and long sleep time. Low snoring and a high apnea-hypopnea index and the significance of central type sleep apnea were evaluated. Although vasopressin-positive and vasoactive-intestinal-polypeptide neurons were not measured post-mortem, as there was no death case, the focus was on the analyzing sleep disturbances that could be interpreted as the result of an altered SCN function. Evidence was presented for a reduction of the circadian rhythm, which leads to the impairment of sleep consolidation. The function of SCN regresses with age and diminishes more with advanced age. Given all the other possibilities of things going wrong in aging, it is significant that sleep disturbances are in the forefront.