cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal Filtering of Event-Related fMRI Data Using Cross-Validation

Abstract To circumvent the problem of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in event-related fMRI data, the fMRI experiment is typically designed to consist of repeated presentations of the stimulus and measurements of the response, allowing for subsequent averaging of the resulting data. Due to factors such as time limitation, subject motion, habituation, and fatigue, practical constraints on the number of repetitions exist. Thus, filtering is commonly applied to further improve the SNR of the averaged data. Here, a time-varying filter based on theoretical work by Nowak is employed. This filter operates under the stationary wavelet transform framework and is demonstrated to lead to good estimates of the true signals in simulated data. The utility of the filter is also shown using experimental data obtained with a visual–motor paradigm.
Minimally Invasive Redo Antireflux Surgery: Lessons Learned

Reoperative antireflux procedures are traditionally approached through an open technique. However, with increasing experience in minimally invasive antireflux procedures, more reoperative procedures are being performed laparoscopically. The success rate for reoperative surgery, either open or laparoscopic, does not equal that of primary antireflux operations. Redo antireflux surgery is a complex operation and a thorough evaluation prior to treatment is essential. There are several options for failed primary antireflux surgery including reconstructive options, such as redo fundoplication and Roux-en Y near esophagojejunostomy. In some cases of anatomic disruption, esophagectomy is required. In this article, we discuss the following: clinical presentation; the evaluation of patients; causes of failure; and choice of operation with a focus on reconstructive options, and technical aspects of minimally invasive redo antireflux surgery. We describe our experience and summarize the lessons learned.
Identification of the G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinase Phosphorylation Sites in the Human β2-Adrenergic Receptor

Rapid desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors is mediated, at least in part, by their phosphorylation by the G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). However, only in the case of rhodopsin have the actual sites of receptor phosphorylation been unambiguously determined. Although previous studies have implicated the cytoplasmic tail of the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) as the site of GRK-mediated phosphorylation, the identities of the phosphorylated residues were unknown. Here we report the identification of the sites of GRK2- and GRK5-mediated beta2AR phosphorylation. The phosphorylation sites of both serine/threonine kinases reside exclusively in a 40-amino acid peptide located at the extreme carboxyl terminus of the beta2AR. Of the seven phosphorylatable residues within this peptide, six are phosphorylated by GRK5 (Thr-384, Thr-393, Ser-396, Ser-401, Ser-407, and Ser-411) and four are phosphorylated by GRK2 (Thr-384, Ser-396, Ser-401, and Ser-407) at equivalent phosphorylation stoichiometries (approximately 1.0 mol Pi/mol receptor). In addition to the GRK5-specific phosphorylation of Thr-393 and Ser-411, differences in the distribution of phosphate between sites are observed for GRK2 and GRK5. Increasing the stoichiometry of GRK2-mediated beta2AR phosphorylation from approximately 1.0 to 5.0 mol Pi/mol receptor increases the stoichiometry of phosphorylation of Thr-384, Ser-396, Ser-401, and Ser-407 rather than increasing the number of phosphoacceptor sites. The location of multiple GRK2 and GRK5 phosphoacceptor sites at the extreme carboxyl terminus of the beta2AR is highly reminiscent of GRK1-mediated phosphorylation of rhodopsin.
Paleosols and prehistoric populations in the high plains

Excavations in 1980–1981 at sites (32MZ319 and 32MZ380) along Cinnamon Creek Ridge in the Little Missouri River Badlands of McKenzie County, North Dakota, unexpectedly revealed at each locality the presence of one or more deeply buried paleosols with associated cultural materials. At both sites, 32MZ319 and 32MZ380, multiple paleosols are present, each of which is terminated by an episode of aeolian deposition. Fifteen radiocarbon dates on these paleosols establish an incipient chronology for paleosol development in the study area and permit correlation with other High Plains archaeological complexes. Geological and archaeological data for the two multiple paleosol sites are summarized.
Complexity-penalized estimation of minimum volume sets for dependent data

A minimum volume (MV) set, at level @a, is a set G"@a^* having minimum volume among all those sets containing at least @a probability mass. MV sets provide a natural notion of the 'central mass' of a distribution and, as such, have recently become popular as a tool for the detection of anomalies in multivariate data. Motivated by the fact that anomaly detection problems frequently arise in settings with temporally indexed measurements, we propose here a new method for the estimation of MV sets from dependent data. Our method is based on the concept of complexity-penalized estimation, extending recent work of Scott and Nowak for the case of independent and identically distributed measurements, and has both desirable theoretical properties and a practical implementation. Of particular note is the fact that, for a large class of stochastic processes, choice of an appropriate complexity penalty reduces to the selection of a single tuning parameter, which represents the data dependency of the underlying stochastic process. While in reality the dependence structure is unknown, we offer a data-dependent method for selecting this parameter, based on subsampling principles. Our work is motivated by and illustrated through an application to the detection of anomalous traffic levels in Internet traffic time series.
Antidepressant-like effects of uridine and omega-3 fatty acids are potentiated by combined treatment in rats

Background Brain phospholipid metabolism and membrane fluidity may be involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. We showed previously that cytidine, which increases phospholipid synthesis, has antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test (FST) in rats, a model used in depression research. Because cytidine and uridine both stimulate synthesis of cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline, a critical substrate for phospholipid synthesis), we examined whether uridine would also produce antidepressant-like effects in rats. We also examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (OMG), which increase membrane fluidity and reportedly have antidepressant effects in humans, alone and in combination with uridine. Methods We first examined the effects of uridine injections alone and dietary supplementation with OMG alone in the FST. We then combined sub-effective treatment regimens of uridine and OMG to determine whether these agents would be more effective if administered together. Results Uridine dose-dependently reduced immobility in the FST, an antidepressant-like effect. Dietary supplementation with OMG reduced immobility when given for 30 days, but not for 3 or 10 days. A sub-effective dose of uridine reduced immobility in rats given sub-effective dietary supplementation with OMG. Conclusions Uridine and OMG each have antidepressant-like effects in rats. Less of each agent is required for effectiveness when the treatments are administered together.
Giant Dipole Resonances in Hot Nuclei

This paper represents a condensation of the lectures presented on the topic of giant dipole resonances in excited nuclei. It is meant to be self-contained; however, extensive reference is made to a recent review,1 to which the reader is referred for further background and additional detail.
Investigation of Control Design of Vehicle Active Steering

The design of a controller for active steering systems in evasive maneuvers of vehicles is investigated. Dynamics of a vehicle using the bicycle model along with a steering model is developed in state space representation. Parameters of a sports utility vehicle are used. The developed model is validated with simulation results from a commercial vehicle dynamics simulation software. The effects of a PID controller to control the host vehicle in obstacle avoidance maneuvers are investigated. The desired trajectory path is used as an input, and influence of the different gain parameters are studied. Controller can handle disturbances (such as driver’s input) supporting or opposing the maneuver up to a limit. It handles reduced headway distances up to about 60% of the distance to obstacles, but is only capable of keeping the system stable in a small range of velocities.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
University and Community Collaboration Experiential Learning in Human Services

The university contributes instrumentally to society by preparing human service professionals in a broad range of disciplines for the betterment of individuals and families. Today, however, the mul...
State Estimation for the discretized LWR PDE using explicit polyhedral representations of the Godunov scheme

This article investigates the problem of estimating the state of discretized hyperbolic scalar partial differential equations. It uses a Godunov scheme to discretize the so-called Lighthill-Whitham-Richards equation with a triangular flux function, and proves that the resulting nonlinear dynamical system can be decomposed in a piecewise affine manner. Using this explicit representation, the system is written as a switching dynamical system (hybrid system), with an exponential number of modes. The estimation problem is posed using Kalman filtering in each of the linear mode, and the approach becomes computationally tractable by tracking the mode evolution as the estimation is performed at each time step. Numerical results are presented using the Mobile Millennium data set, and compared to results obtained using ensemble Kalman filtering, which is used for estimation in traffic monitoring.
Randomized parallel algorithms for backtrack search and branch-and-bound computation

Universal randomized methods for parallelizing sequential backtrack search and branch-and-bound computation are presented. These methods execute on message-passing multi- processor systems, and require no global data structures or complex communication protocols. For backtrack search, it is shown that, uniformly on all instances, the method described in this paper is likely to yield a speed-up within a small constant factor from optimal, when all solutions to the problem instance are required. For branch-and-bound computation, it is shown that, uniformly on all instances, the execution time of this method is unlikely to exceed a certain inherent lower bound by more than a constant factor. These randomized methods demonstrate the effectiveness of randomization in distributed parallel computation. Categories and Subject Descriptors: F.2.2 (Analysis of Algorithms and Problem Complexity): Non-numerical Algorithms-computation
IN VITRO EFFECTS OF ADRENAL CORTICAL STEROIDS ON TRANSAMINATION BY CELL SUSPENSIONS OF RAT THYMUS AND LYMPHOSARCOMA

Aspartatc-glutamatc transaminase activities have been determined in cell suspensions of thymic lymphocytes from normal and adrenalectomized preand post-pubertal rats and of the transplantable Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma. This activity is lower in thymic lymphocytes obtained from younger than from older normal animals. The in vitro addition of hydrocortisone or of cortisone to such suspensions decreased, or increased, by approximately 40% the transaminase activity of thymic lymphocytes from pre- and post-pubertal rats, respectively. Deoxycorticosterone, testosterone and 17α-ethyl-19-nortestosterone were without influence on transaminase activity in lymphocyte suspensions. Although adrenalectomy may elevate baseline transaminase or depress transaminase activity, in thymic lymphocytes from younger and older rats, respectively, the in vitro addition of hydrocortisone to such suspensions returns transaminase activities to levels seen with normal animals. Lymphocytes obtained from the lymphosarcoma show greatly ...
After 1992: The European Community and the Redistribution of Rents

The only way to make a convincing economic case for the European Community is to assume some dynamic benefits from economic integration. The dynamic mechanism that Mancur Olson postulates is a disruption of redistributive activities that frees more resources for growth. Yet the EC is structured in such a way as to abet the formation and action of redistributive groups at the EC level. This suggests that the economic advantage of integration may be short-lived. Copyright 1991 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG
Duration of immunity in dogs after vaccination or naturally acquired infection.

The necessity for cats to be vaccinated annually against common pathogens has been questioned because sarcomas have infrequently been reported at the injection site. However, with few exceptions, the duration of immunity induced by vaccination or infection is uncertain, and there may therefore be a risk associated with a decision not to revaccinate. This article reviews the information available about the duration of immunity induced by vaccination or infection in cats, and reveals many shortcomings that make blanket recommendations impossible. Each vaccine must be considered individually.
ROPS Design for Pre-ROPS Tractors

SUMMARY Tractor overturns are the leading cause of agricultural fatalities in the United States. Many of these fatalities could be prevented if the tractor was equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). Of the estimated 4.8 million tractors, 2.8 million are considered pre-ROPS tractors (tractors that were designed prior to ROPS availability).1 This project involves the design, construction and testing of ROPS for pre-ROPS tractors. Testing was successfully conducted with Ford and John Deere pre-ROPS tractors. Current testing involves a Farmall pre-ROPS tractor. The ASAE Standard S519 is utilized for the testing. Static longitudinal (rear), transverse (side) and vertical (top) tests are conducted in addition to field upset testing. Tractors are equipped with remote controls to perform side and rear field upset tests. Axle housing drawings have been obtained from the tractor manufacturer to assist the ROPS and axle mounting design process. Commercialization of the ROPS is in progress with a ROPS ...
Culture and Women's Sexualities

Anthropological studies of women's same-sex relations in non-Western societies provide an important source for theorizing women's sexuality because they allow us to go beyond a narrow focus on Western cultures and concepts. Looking at studies from groups other than the dominant societies of Europe and America, I explore the diversity of women's sexualities and the sociocultural factors that produce sexual beliefs and practices. This article argues that sexual practices take their meaning from particular cultures and their beliefs about the self and the world. Cultural systems of gender, in particular, construct different sexual beliefs and practices for men and women. I conclude the article by suggesting some broad patterns at work in the production of women's sexualities across cultures.
Non-motorized Winter Recreation Impacts to Snowmelt Erosion, Tronsen Basin, Eastern Cascades, Washington

Many recreation impact studies have focused on summer activities, but the environmental impact of winter recreation is poorly characterized. This study characterizes the impact of snowshoe/cross-country ski compaction and snowmelt erosion on trails. Trail cross-sectional profiles were measured before and after the winter season to map changes in erosion due to winter recreation. Compacted snow on the trail was 30 % more dense than snowpack off the trail before spring melt out. Snow stayed on the trail 7 days longer. Soil and organic material was transported after spring snowmelt with −9.5 ± 2.4 cm2 total erosion occurring on the trail transects and −3.8 ± 2.4 cm2 total erosion occurring on the control transect (P = 0.046). More material was transported on the trail than on the control, 12.9± 2.4 versus 6.0 ± 2.4 cm2 (P = 0.055), however, deposition levels remained similar on the trail and on the control. Snow compaction from snowshoers and cross-country skiers intensified erosion. Trail gradient was found to be significantly correlated to net changes in material on the trail (R 2 = 0.89, ρ = −0.98, P = 0.005). This study provides a baseline, showing that non-motorized winter recreation does impact soil erosion rates but more studies are needed. Trail managers should consider mitigation such as water bars, culverts and avoiding building trails with steep gradients, in order to reduce loss of soils on trails and subsequent sedimentation of streams.
A few comments about communibiology and the nature/nurture question

(2000). A few comments about communibiology and the nature/nurture question. Communication Education: Vol. 49, The Nature/Nurture Balance, pp. 25-28.
Assessment of Previous Heat Treatment Given to Semi-Commercially and Commercially Prepared Meat and Poultry Products Using the “APIZYM” System

A micromethod enzyme system (APIZYM) designed for the detection of 19 individual enzymes was used to assess the previous heat treatment given to a variety of meat and poultry products. Filtrates were obtained from 0.9% saline extracts of heat- processed product. Results indicated the possibility of using the APIZYM system as a screening procedure for monitoring the adequacy of heat-treatment of semi-commercially and commercially prepared products, with the exception of deli-type roast beef and products where several processing time/ temperature combinations were involved. In these tests, leucine aminopeptidase appeared to be a more sensitive indicator enzyme than the currently used acid phosphatase procedure.
Business Statistics: A Comparison of Student Performance in Three Learning Modes

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of three teaching modes and age groups of business statistics sections in terms of course exam scores. The research questions were formulated to determine the performance of the students within each teaching mode, to compare each mode in terms of exam scores, and to compare exam scores by age group. The research hypotheses predicted there would be a difference between the three teaching modes and age groups. The results found significant differences in both the online teaching mode for exam 3 and age groups for the mean of the three exams.
Towards Quick Identification of Students with Problems

This study tested simple screening devices for university students to predict use of a counseling center, being on academic probation, or having problems with the police. Acknowledgement of problems and number of stresses were significantly related to use but not to probation or problems with police. This information could be helpful in counseling programs.
COMPARISON OF THE DATA OF YAMAZAKI AND MIYAUCHI WITH THE BUBBLING BED MODEL

The data of Yamazaki and Miyauchi9) for heat transfer between emulsion phase and gas bubbles in fluid-bed catalytic contactors are analyzed in terms of the Bubbling Bed Model of Kunii and Levenspiel5). It is shown that the effective bubble size needed to fit the Bubbling Bed Model to the reported transport rates is much smaller than the actual bubble size; however, more realistic assumptions regarding temperature measurements indicate that their reported transport rates are much too high. Temperature-corrected data are shown to be reasonably estimated by the Bubbling Bed Model using the measured bubble size.
Analysis of the 4d 9 –4d 8 5p transitions in nine-times ionized xenon (Xe x)

The 4d9–4d85p transition array of nine-times ionized xenon at 130–160 A was photographically observed with the National Bureau of Standards 10.7-m grazing-incidence vacuum spectrograph. The spectral source was a high-voltage spark between carbon electrodes triggered by insertion of a small quantity of xenon. Forty-seven lines were classified as transitions from 34 levels of the 4d85p configuration to the two levels of the 4d9 2D ground term. An excellent correlation was found between the observed and calculated relative intensities. Least-squares-fitted parameter values and their ratios to the Hartree–Fock values are given.
An index for measuring perceived stress in a college population.

(1968). An Index for Measuring Perceived Stress in a College Population. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 70, No. 1, pp. 9-15.
Dynamical properties of the 2D wigner crystal in a strong magnetic field

The dispersion relations and the shear modulus of the 2D Wigner crystal (WC) in the presence of a strong magnetic field are evaluated using a density functional method which includes the effect of electronic correlations. Comparison is made with previous theoretical results on the magnetophonons and the shear modulus. The effect of correlation on the stability of the crystal is discussed.
Neurocan in the embryonic avian heart and vasculature.

The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) neurocan was previously considered to be nervous-system specific. However, we have found neurocan in the embryonic heart and vasculature. In stage 11 quail embryos, neurocan was prominently expressed in the myocardium, dorsal mesocardium, heart-forming fields, splanchnic mesoderm, and vicinity of the extraembryonic vaculature, and at lower levels in the endocardium. A comparison of neurocan staining with QH1 staining of vascular endothelial cells demonstrates that neurocan is frequently expressed by cells adjacent to endothelial cells, rather than by endothelial cells themselves. In some cases, a dispersed subset of cells are neurocan-positive in a field of cells that otherwise appear uniform in morphology. Later in development, neurocan expression becomes relatively limited to the nervous system. However, even in 10-day embryos, neurocan is expressed in the chorio-allantoic membrane in the tissue that separates closely packed, small-diameter blood vessels. In summary, our results suggest that neurocan may function as a barrier that regulates vascular patterning during development. Anat Rec Part A 272A: 556–562, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale and Well-Being: Demographic Comparisons and Scale Validation with Older Jewish Adults and a Diverse Internet Sample

A substantive literature connects spirituality to positive physical, social, and mental health. In this study, the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) was administered to 410 subjects who participated in a community study and to 87 residents at the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale (HHAR), the latter sample consisting primarily of older Jewish respondents. Internal consistency of the DSES in both samples was high and exploratory factor analyses revealed one dominant factor and a second factor, which included 14 and 2 items, respectively, consistent with the scale’s original validation (Underwood and Teresi 2002). Demographic subgroup comparison among religious groups revealed significantly fewer daily spiritual experiences among Jews, and lowest scores among those respondents endorsing no religious affiliation. Women exhibited more frequent daily experience than men, and attainment of higher levels of education was associated with less frequent daily spiritual experience. All but one of the outcome measures of physical and psychologic well-being were found to be positively associated with the DSES so that more frequent daily spiritual experience correlated with less psychopathology, more close friendships, and better self-rated health. Directions for future research, study interpretation and limitations, and clinical implications for use of the DSES are discussed.
Secretion in Cow's Milk of Intravenously Injected Radioactive Phosphorus P32.

SummaryIntravenous injection of 15 and 30 millicuries of P32 respectively into 2 lactating cows produced a maximum relative activity per liter of milk of 1.2% of the injected dose at about 5 hours after injection. The relative activity per liter milk is plotted against time after injection and regression equations are presented for interpolating the data. A week after injection, the milk still contains slightly over 0.1% of the injected p32 per liter.Casein with a radioactivity of 2 microcuries per gram was prepared out of milk collected during 3 days after injection of 40 millicuries of P32.A histogram shows the relative rate of P32 secretion in milk. In a week, the 2 cows secreted in their milk 20 and 23% respectively of the injected P32.
Brief exposure of air-filled guinea-pig isolated trachea to low levels of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) vapor in vitro increases reactivity to methacholine

Abstract Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) causes occupational asthma characterized by inflammation and hyperreactivity of airways to irritants and bronchoconstrictor drugs. We examined the non-immune, direct effect of TDI on airway reactivity in vitro in the absence of an inflammatory response using the guinea-pig isolated, perfused trachea preparation to measure reactivity to methacholine (MCh), and fixed point ion mobility spectrometry to measure moment to moment levels of TDI vapor in air that was delivered to the tracheal mucosa. MCh was added to the mucosal modified Krebs–Henseleit (MKH) perfusing solution to generate control concentration–response curves for contractile responses. The lumen was then emptied and perfused with air or air containing 5, 20 or 70 ppb TDI vapor, after which the trachea was perfused with MKH solution and reactivity to MCh was re-examined. After only 30 min of treatment, TDI vapor concentration-dependently increased reactivity of the trachea to MCh (2.4- and 2.9-fold, respectively, for 20 and 70 ppb TDI; 5 ppb TDI and air alone had no effect). In tracheas treated in vitro with 2 μ M capsaicin to deplete tachykinins TDI caused the same (4-fold) increase in reactivity to MCh that was observed in control tracheas. However, TDI vapor (70 ppb) no longer enhanced reactivity to MCh in tracheas from which the epithelium had been removed. Our results indicate that a direct, non-immune, non-inflammatory action of TDI on respiratory epithelium leads to hyperreactivity of airways in vitro.
Characterization of Protein Aggregation via Intrinsic Fluorescence Lifetime

Aggregation plays an integral role in multivalent protein-carbohydrate interactions, Alzheimer's and other amyloid-related diseases, and infection response. Efforts to apply controlled aggregation in toxin sensors have been made. We have developed a label-free intrinsic fluorescence lifetime assay that uniquely can monitor aggregation processes in real time without interference from precipitation. Fluorescence decay curves were measured with high precision at 1 s time intervals following addition of a glycodendrimer to a lectin-containing solution. Changes in the fluorescence intensity and lifetime signified formation of complexes. However, these changes were not associated with the initial lectin-sugar binding events. Rather, they appeared to be caused by clustering and subsequent conformational rearrangement of the lectins. Studies were conducted with mannose-functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers of the second through sixth generations and Concanavalin A. The apparent rate constant, when expressed on a per-mannose basis, increased with dendrimer generation, particularly in going from the fourth to the sixth generation. However, the identical fluorescence decay waveforms for saturating amounts of dendrimer suggested that all of the glycodendrimer generations studied reach a comparable state of aggregation. Although self-quenching of tryptophan resonances that was induced by clustering was monitored in this study, the reported method is not limited to such and is viable for numerous binding studies.
Multi-regime arrival rate uniform delay models for signalized intersections

This paper presents the development and validation of uniform delay models for coordinated signalized intersections. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) identifies one uniform and five non-uniform (platoon) arrival types. Delays for non-uniform arrival cases are computed by applying progression adjustment factors (PFs) to the delay for uniform arrival case. The range of PF is from 0% to 256%. We found that the PF approach produced accurate results for only one-half of cases. This paper presents an Arrival-Based approach that eliminates the needs for applying PF. The AB approach directly considers the effects of quality of progression in formulating delay models. It uses different flow rates for vehicles within and outside platoons. A total of 11 different delay models were derived to cover all arrival cases. Data from three different states were used for validation of AB delay models. The results indicate that AB models provided accurate results for all arrival types. However, HCM uniform delay model was not accurate for Arrival Types 1, 4 and 6. Furthermore, the results of cycle-by-cycle delay analyses showed that the difference between field delays and AB models were not significant, but that was not the case for the HCM model. The AB models can be simplified to yield the HCM uniform delay model, if a single regime arrival rate is assumed. Single regime arrival rate implies that the flow rate for vehicles in platoon is the same as those arriving randomly. For only the uniform arrival case, the AB delay model is identical to the HCM delay model; thus making the HCM uniform delay model a special case of AB models.
The thermal decomposition of energetic materials. Part 64. Kinetics of decomposition of furazano( 3,4,b) piperazine and its 1,4-dinitro nitramine derivative

Abstract The Arrhenius kinetics of decomposition of the nitramine explosive 1,4-dinitrofurazano[3,4, b ]piperazine (DNFP) and the less energetic parent amine furazano[3,4, b ]piperazine (FP) were determined by isothermal TGA and from the rate of change of selected vibrational modes in the IR spectra. For DNFP, E a = 136 kJ and log A = 15.5 min −1 . The IR spectra show that NNO 2 homoloysis is the dominant initial reaction. For FP, E a = 202 kJ and log A = 22.1 min −1 . The value of E a is the same as the NO bond strength of the furazan ring.
Reduction of Iron-Oxide-Carbon Composites: Part III. Shrinkage of Composite Pellets during Reduction

This article involves the evaluation of the volume change of iron-oxide-carbon composite pellets and its implications on reduction kinetics under conditions prevalent in a rotary hearth furnace (RHF) that were simulated in the laboratory. The pellets, in general, were found to shrink considerably during the reduction due to the loss of carbon and oxygen from the system, sintering of the iron-oxide, and formation of a molten slag phase at localized regions inside the pellets due to the presence of binder and coal/wood-charcoal ash at the reduction temperatures. One of the shortcomings of the RHF ironmaking process has been the inability to use multiple layers of composite pellets because of the impediment in heat transport to the lower layers of a multilayer bed. However, pellet shrinkage was found to have a strong effect on the reduction kinetics by virtue of enhancing the external heat transport to the lower layers. The volume change of the different kinds of composite pellets was studied as a function of reduction temperature and time. The estimation of the change in the amount of external heat transport with varying pellet sizes for a particular layer of a multilayer bed was obtained by conducting heat-transfer tests using inert low-carbon steel spheres. It was found that if the pellets of the top layer of the bed shrink by 30 pct, the external heat transfer to the second layer increases by nearly 6 times.
Comparison of Bladder Management Complication Outcomes in Female Spinal Cord Injury Patients

AbstractA total of 70 female spinal cord injury patients was retrospectively analyzed for outcomes of long-term bladder management. Three groups were defined: 1) 23 patients on intermittent catheterization, 2) 25 treated by reflex voiding and incontinence padding, and 3) 22 with an indwelling catheter. Mean years of using the specific bladder management technique were 8.5 plus/minus 4.7, 15.8 plus/minus 7.3 and 16.7 plus/minus 9.0 for the 3 groups, respectively. All patients were evaluated for long-term complications. There were 4 major complications (17 percent) in the intermittent catheterization group, 10 (40 percent) in the padding group and 58 (greater than 200 percent) in the indwelling catheter group. The aggregate difference in complication rates among the 3 group was highly significant (p less than 0.00001). Of comparable long-term patients (11 to 23 years) there were no major complications among 6 on intermittent catheterization, 8 among 14 who use padding and 21 among 9 with an indwelling cathe...
Awareness of deficit in multiple sclerosis

The present study examined awareness of deficits among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 74 pairs of persons with MS and their significant others participated. Awareness of cognitive deficit was measured by discrepancy scores between patient reports of their cognitive abilities and objective test results. Awareness of functional deficit was measured by the discrepancy between the patient and significant other reports of the functional abilities of the patient. Results suggest that about one third of MS patients have diminished awareness of their cognitive and/or functional deficits. Unawareness of deficit was more common among patients with secondary-progressive MS than among those with relapse-remitting MS. Executive dysfunction was strongly associated with unawareness of cognitive deficits but not unawareness of functional deficits. Unawareness of cognitive deficits and unawareness of functional deficits appear to be tapping different aspects of unawareness of deficit.
Sedimentary facies and gravity anomaly across master faults of the Rio Grande rift in New Mexico

Detailed gravity profiles across linear gravity gradients 20 to 30 km long indicate 1 to 2 km of structural relief in zones more than 5 km wide. The gravity anomaly is attributed to low-density alluvial basin fill, the density of which is assumed to decrease basinward from the fault as a result of blending of piedmont-slope alluvial with fluvial sedimentary facies. A direct inverse solution of gravity for lateral density variation is derived. The gravity data are compatible with a single large fault and a density contrast increasing from 0 to 0.4 g/cm 3 in a 5-km-wide zone. The data are also compatible with a constant density contrast and a gently dipping fault, although this seems unlikely, geologically, because most observed faults are high angle. Geologic and gravity data considered together suggest the presence of a relatively few, widely spaced, long, steeply dipping (at shallow levels), mostly buried “master” faults, to which most observed faults are secondary and sympathetic.
Radical Prostatectomy: Hospital volumes and surgical volumes – does practice make perfect?

Between the years 1993 and 2003, more than 140,000 men underwent radical prostatectomy (RP), thus making RP one of the most common treatment options for localized prostate cancer in the United States. Localized prostate cancer treated by RP is one of the more challenging procedures performed by urologic surgeons. Studies suggest a definite learning curve in performing this procedure with optimal results noted after performing >500 RPs. But is surgical volume everything? How do hospital volumes of RP weigh in? Could fellowship training in RP reduce the critical volume needed to reach an 'experienced' level? As we continue to glean data as to how to optimize outcomes after RP, we must not only consider surgeon and hospital volumes of RP, but also consider training of the individual surgeon.
Allelic expression of IGF2 in marsupials and birds

Genomic imprinting, the parent-of-origin- specific expression of genes, has been observed in a variety of eutherian mammals. One gene that has been shown to be imprinted in all eutherians examined is the IGF2 gene. This gene encodes a potent fetal-specific growth factor that is expressed almost exclusively from the paternal chromosome. Several other imprinted genes in the IGF2 pathway are imprinted as well, suggesting that IGF2 is a focal point for the selective pressure leading to imprinted gene expression. This observation is in keeping with a proposal that imprinting arose as the result of a genetic conflict between parents over the allocation of maternal resources to the embryo. One prediction of this model is that imprinting exists in species in which there is at least some contribution of maternal resources to the embryo, and in which polyandry is observed. To test this prediction the allelic expression of the IGF2 gene was examined in two noneutherian species. The IGF2 gene was shown to be expressed in a paternal-specific manner identical to that in eutherians in Monodelphis domestica, a placental South American opossum. In contrast, the IGF2 gene is biallelic in expression in chickens, which are oviparous, and make no postfertilization contribution of maternal resources to the offspring.
Protamine inhibits platelet derived growth factor receptor activity but not epidermal growth factor activity

Protamine sulfate blocked 125I-PDGF binding to its specific physiological receptor on Swiss mouse 3T3 cells. Reduced 125I-PDGF binding in the presence of protamine sulfate correlated directly with a protamine sulfate dose-dependent decrease in the PDGF-dependent incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into 3T3 cells and a decreased PDGF-stimulated tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity in isolated membrane preparations of 3T3 cells. Protamine sulfate blocked 125I-PDGF binding to simian sarcoma virus transformed cells (SSV-NIH 3T3 and SSV-NPl cells) and to nontransformed cells in a manner qualitatively identical to unlabelled PDGF. In contrast, protamine sulfate enhanced the specific binding of 125I-EGF by increasing the apparent number of EGF receptors on the cell surface. The increase in 125I-EGF receptor binding was not prevented by cycloheximide nor by actinomycin D. Protamine sulfate did not affect 125I-EGF binding to membranes from 3T3 cells or the EGF-stimulated 3T3 cell membrane tyrbsinc specific protein kinase activity, suggesting that protamine sulfate may have exposed a population of cryptic EGF receptors otherwise not accessible. Protamine sulfate was fractionated into four active fractions by Sephadex G-50 gel filtration columns; the half maximum inhibition concentration of 125I-PDGF binding to 3T3 cells of protamines I and II (MW ∼ 11,000 daltons and 7,000 daltons, respectively) is ∼ 0.4 μM. Protamine II (MW ∼ 4,800 daltons) was equally active (half maximum inhibition concentration ∼ 0.4 μM); protamine IV (MW ∼ 3,300 daltons) was substantially less active (half maximum inhibition concentration ∼ 2.8 μM). These investigations have extended previous observations that protamine sulfate is a potent inhibitor of PDGF binding and establish that protamine sulfate blocks PDGF binding at the physiological receptor, preventing PDGF initiated biological activities. Protamine sulfate can be used as a reagent to separate the influence of PDGF and EGF on cells with high specificity and has been used to demonstrate that the receptors on simian sarcoma virus transformed 3T3 cells qualitatively respond identically to protamine sulfate as to unlabelled PDGF and are likely identical to those on nontransformed 3T3 cells.
A Linear Growth Model for Nile Tilapia in Intensive Aquaculture

Abstract Efficient intensive aquaculture requires a growth model that accurately predicts daily growth in length increments as a function of temperature. Using fish of different sizes but from the same source, I grew androgen-sex-reversed Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus over a range of temperatures in two different years. In 2002, fish grew from 1.8 g (47 mm) to a range of 5–26 g (67–112 mm) in 50 d at 21–30°C temperatures. Fish growth (mm/d) was highly correlated with temperature (r = 0.99). The experiment was repeated with larger fish in 2005, during which 47-g (137-mm) fish grew to 107–219 g (178–225 mm) in 70 d. The coefficient of correlation for growth versus temperature was 0.94. The two slopes did not differ (P < 0.05), so I present the following equation to predict Nile tilapia growth rates in flowing-water culture for the temperature range of 21–30°C: ΔL = −1.6707 + 0.09682T (r 2 = 0.95), where ΔL is predicted growth (mm/d) and T is temperature (°C). Weight (W; g) can be converted to length (L...
Target Cell Lysis by CTL Granule Exocytosis Is Independent of ICE/Ced-3 Family Proteases

Activation of ICE/Ced-3 family proteases (caspases) has been proposed to mediate both the granule exocytosis and Fas-Fas ligand pathways of rapid target cell death by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In agreement with this model, two peptide fluoromethyl ketone caspase inhibitors and baculovirus p35 blocked apoptotic nuclear damage and target cell lysis by the CTL-mediated Fas-Fas ligand pathway. The peptide caspase inhibitors also blocked drug-induced apoptotic cell death in tumor cells. In contrast, the caspase inhibitors blocked CTL granule exocytosis-induced target apoptotic nuclear damage, but did not inhibit target lysis. These results are consistent with recent demonstrations that granzyme B can activate caspases leading to apoptotic nuclear damage, but show that target cell lysis by CTL granule exocytosis occurs by a caspase-independent pathway.
Deficit Hysteria Arthur Benavie praeger, 1998, 149 pp.

Arthur Benavie's purpose inDeficit Hysteria [1998] is to argue how the U.S. aversion to deficits in the federal government's budget has been misguided. Chapter 2 ranges far and wide but basically consists of the argument that, left to itself, the private macroeconomy may fail to generate sufficient aggregate demand to provide full employment, and at such times, increased federal government spending can effectively boost demand and employment. Deficit hysteria should not prevent the use of this policy option. The purpose of Chapter 3 is to counter the arguments of deficit hawks that cutting the deficit will raise productivity. Much shorter subsequent chapters deal with issues of income distribution, Social Security, and the negative implications of the 1991 Maastricht Treaty provisions for Western European economies.
Neonatal development of the thyrotrope in the male rat pituitary.

The neonatal development of the rat thyrotrope was studied in sections of male rat pituitaries with stereometric techniques on cells that had been identified cytochemically with antirat TSHβ and either the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique or the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique. The TSH cells were poorly granulated at 2 days of age, and the hormone was stored in pleomorphic saccules or granules. In adult rats, thyrotropes were 4–6% of the pituitary cell population. In the neonatal rat pituitary, the thyrotropes proliferated in clusters, and the percentage of stained cells increased to 18.8% by 9 days of age. The TSH cell percentages then decreased, and the clusters dispersed. The 15-day-old rat pituitaries contained 5% thyrotropes. The TSH cells matured morphologically during the first 10 days of development, and by 7 days, they contained the small granules that are typical of the thyrotrope. After that time, the thyrotropes enlarged and partially degranulated, and TSH/3 was stored in some of...
The use of the mass spectrometer for the quantitative analyses of mixtures of amino acids

Abstract The quantitative analysis of a low vapor pressure unstable solid mixture of amino acids is possible by putting the solid mixture in a crucible which is then placed directly into the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer. Relative sensitivities for the various acids in a mixture can be established by the proper use of a particular amino acid as an internal-calibrating standard. The success of the method depends upon: (1) the reproducibility of the mass spectra of the pure components, (2) the ideal vapor pressure behavior of the solid mixture, (3) the preparation of an intimate solid mixture by rapid freezing of the water solution of the acids with subsequent vacuum sublimation of the ice and ball-milling the dried mixture.
Effect of soil-applied carbofuran on transmission of maize chlorotic dwarf virus and maize dwarf mosaic virus to susceptible field corn hybrid.

The effects of carbofuran on the transmission of maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV) and maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) to a susceptible field corn hybrid were evaluated in a greenhouse-laboratory study. The incidence of MCDV and MDMV in plants treated with an amount of carbofuran equivalent to 1.46 kg (AI)/ha of soil incorporated at planting was compared with that in untreated control plants. Graminella nigrifrons (Forbes) and Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), the respective vectors of MCDV and MDMV, transmitted MCDV and MDMV to untreated, three-leaf-stage corn plants at rates averaging 89.2 and 64.4%, respectively, when 7 leafhoppers or 15 aphids were used per plant. Carbofuran treatment significantly reduced transmission of MCDV by G. nigrifrons , resulting in a disease incidence of 12.8%. Reduction of MCDV in treated plants was due to the 90.8% mortality of G. nigrifrons within 4 h after placement on the plant. Carbofuran treatment did not affect the transmission of MDMV by R. maidis but did reduce R. maidis populations by 80.4% within 24 h, thus suggesting possible reduction of the secondary spread of virus in field situations.
Sexual harassment among captive patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas)

Observations of the sexual harassment occurring within a captive group of patas monkeys are reported. Immature males performed most harassing attacks, while immature and adult females were infrequent harassers. The adult male of the group appeared to be the object of the majority of attacks, and on occasion the male’s copulatory behavior was modified by harassment. It is hypothesized that the harassing attacks performed by immature patas monkeys may be based upon (a) the excitatory effect of witnessing adult sexual interactions, and (b) the approach/withdraw conflict experienced during close approach to the adult male. The preservation of the one-male group structure is suggested as a possible function of sexual harassment.
The Neocities Simulation: Understanding the Design and Experimental Methodology Used to Develop a Team Emergency Management Simulation

This paper describes the continued development of a scaled-world simulation designed to conduct empirical research on team cognition and decision-making within a distributed environment. The NeoCITIES simulation was created to study decision-making and the impact of hidden knowledge profiles on team performance within a distributed command, control, and communications (C3) setting. NeoCITIES has been designed for the purpose of representing both new and operationally relevant scaled worlds, while emulating the complexities and attributes of emergent decision-making scenarios involving emergent counterterrorism events. Because patterns of activity emerge across time, knowledge is often hidden and disconnected within and across teams. NeoCIITES has been orchestrated to assess and evaluate the extent to which teams can socially construct knowledge while ineteracting through various means of technological support. Specifically, NeoCITIES is an interactive computer program designed to display information perta...