cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Social Invention: Some Reflections on the Relationship Between Family and Poverty

"One measure of a good society is how well it cares for the weakest and most vulnerable of its members."1 In every society, a substantial proportion of the population will be in need of help from others because it is unable to meet all its needs alone. The elderly, orphans and other needy children, the handicapped, and those with special disabilities (e.g., nervous disorders, prolonged sicknesses, or temporary misfortunes) are necessarily dependent upon others for their financial needs. It is, therefore, no mark against any society that it has in its midst a substantial number of needy and vulnerable members. This will be especially true in modern societies, to which and within which there have been significant migrations, and where most citizens live beyond the traditional support systems of rural villages. It will be true, not least, in a continent-sized, highly mobile society such as the United States. Ironically, the more successful a society is in its health and welfare programs, the more such members it will have, for two reasons. First, its elderly retired from employment will live longer and, as a consequence, some of them will require care and assistance for longer periods of time. It is a great human success to see our parents live longer and in greater numbers than those of any previous generation in history, even if those older than eighty or even seventy may become more dependent than ever before. Second, a dynamic, prosperous society is likely to set ever higher standards of well-being, thereby bringing more people within the scope of its social programs. This, too, is admirable. The official United States poverty line is higher by far than the income of the vast majority of
Air-Operable, High-Mobility Organic Transistors with Semifluorinated Side Chains and Unsubstituted Naphthalenetetracarboxylic Diimide Cores: High Mobility and Environmental and Bias Stress Stability from the Perfluorooctylpropyl Side Chain

N,N'-bis(3-(perfluoroctyl)propyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide (8-3-NTCDI) was newly synthesized, as were related fluorooctylalkyl-NTCDls and alkyl-NTCDls. The 8-3-NTCDI-based organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) on an octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTS)-treated Si/SiO 2 substrate shows apparent electron mobility approaching 0.7 cm 2 V -1 s -1 in air. The fluorooctylethyl-NTCDI (8-2-NTCDI) and fluorooctylbutylNTCDI (8-4-NTCDI) had significantly inferior properties even though their chemical structures are only slightly different, and nonfluorinated decyl and undecyl NTCDIs did not operate predictably in air. From atomic force microscopy, the 8-3-NTCDI active layer deposited with the substrate at 120 °C forms a polycrystalline film with grain sizes >4μm. Mobilities were stable in air for one week. After 100 days in air, the average mobility of three OTFTs decreased from 0.62 to 0.12 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , but stabilized thereafter. The threshold voltage (V T ) increased by 15 V in air, but only by 3 V under nitrogen, after one week. On/off ratios were stable in air throughout. We also investigated transistor stability to gate bias stress. The transistor on hexamethlydisilazane (HMDS) is more stable than that on OTS with mobility comparable to amorphous Si TFTs. V T shifts caused by ON (30 V) and OFF (-20 V) gate bias stress for the HMDS samples for 1 hour were 1.79 V and 1.27 V under N 2 , respectively, and relaxation times of 10 6 and 10 7 s were obtained using the stretched exponential model. These performances are promising for use in transparent display backplanes.
Evaluation of an EIT reconstruction algorithm using finite difference human thorax models as phantoms.

A finite difference model of the human thorax with 113 400 control volumes (nodes) based on ECG gated MRI images was used to evaluate the Sheffield DAS-01P EIT system. Sixteen simulated electrode positions equally spaced around the thorax model at approximately the fourth intercostals space level were selected. Pairs of adjacent positions were excited sequentially by injecting current in a manner similar to that used by the Sheffield DAS-01 P EIT system. The resulting voltages on the non-excited electrode positions were calculated and used to reconstruct the image using the Sheffield filtered back projection algorithm. By changing the resistivities of the lungs, the ventricles and the atria over a range of 1% to 40%, the resulting changes in the images were quantified by measuring the average resistivity change over a region defined automatically by two thresholds, 40% or 80% of the average of the first four pixels with the largest change. The results show that the changes observed in the images are consistently less than the changes in the model, but changed in a nearly linear manner as a function of resistivity in the model. For 40% resistivity changes in the model for right lung, right ventricle and right atrium, the observed resistivity changes in the region of interest (ROI, defined by the 80% threshold) of the images are 32% for the right lung, 11% for the right ventricle and 5.5% for the right atrium, which suggests strong volume dependence of EIT imaging. The effect of structural (size) change between end diastole and end systole was also studied, which showed large resistivity changes caused in the heart region of the constructed image. The study demonstrates that the Sheffield DAS-01P EIT reconstruction algorithm tracks the change occurring in the lungs most closely and with proper scaling may be used to observe physiological changes.
Interpersonal effects of Appearance-based Rejection Sensitivity

Abstract Appearance-based Rejection Sensitivity (Appearance-RS) is the tendency to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and overreact to rejection based on one’s physical attractiveness. In the present research, we examined how sensitivity to appearance-based rejection influenced desire for social contact. High Appearance-RS participants wanted to avoid social interaction in general (Study 1) and even close others (Study 2) following appearance-based rejection, but not appearance-based acceptance or rejection based on perceived intelligence. Results of a daily diary study revealed that high Appearance-RS participants showed greater social avoidance on days when they felt sensitive to rejection based on their looks (Study 3). High Appearance-RS individuals therefore overreact to appearance rejection by withdrawing from social interactions. Implications for motivation, interpersonal processes, and clinical disorders are discussed.
Volatile odour substances produced by microflora

Literature indicates a broad contribution of microorganisms to the odours occurring in foods. Own research on volatile odour compounds produced by moulds, bacteria and yeasts growing on cereal grains hase been concentrated to 1-octen-3-ol, especially, which was found to be produced in great amounts by certain moulds as well as by mushrooms both growing wild and cultivated. In the bacteria strains studied about 50 volatile compounds have been identified. In most of the bacterial cultures developed on cereal grain acetoin was the predominant substance. Practical applications are proposed and discussed. On one side a flavour concentrate may be produced from mould cultures yielding fungal odour. Otherwise the main microbial metabolites could be used as indices of the growth rate of individual groups of the microflora on cereal grains and other foodstuffs.
Optimal seeding conditions for human endothelial cells.

Anin vitro model of endothelial cell seeding has been developed to individually evaluate the steps required for seeding arterial prostheses. Human saphenous vein endothelial cells are radiolabeled with tritiated thymidine and seeded onto 4 mm polytetrafluorethylene grafts. Grafts are then placed into a perfusion circuit for determination of cellular retention. Using this model, the following variables were studied: (1) graft coating (fibronectin versus serum versus plasma); (2) time of incubation of cells with graft (0, 20, 90 minutes); (3) density of the initial seeding solution (4×103-6×105 cells/cm2). The data suggest that incubation of a graft with plasma provides an adhesive surface that is as effective as fibronectin for enhancing cell retention. With this particular model, seeding densities between 1 and 2 × 105 cells/cm2 produce a confluent monolayer with optimal utilization of cells. A shorter 20 minute incubation period resulted in the retention of only half of the seeded cells, while postperfusion attachment increased significantly with a 90 minute incubation period. Data derived from this system can be used to construct a protocol that may be useful for clinicalin vivo seeding trials.
Forecasting the impact of climate on food systems: Model testing and model linkage

This paper discusses the importance of testing models which may be used to forecast the impact of climate on society. Model testing using sensitivity analysis and validation techniques is illustrated with two models: (1) the YIELD model which simulates the impact of climate on crop yields of several major crops, and (2) the International Futures Simulation model which can be used to simulate the impact of crop yield changes on the world food system. The problems of linking such models to each other are also discussed.
Algorithmic Aspects of Software Realization of the FD-method for the Solution of the Nonlinear Klein–Gordon Equation

We propose explicit and implicit schemes of the functional-discrete method (FD-method) for the solution of the nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation. The algorithm of the proposed FD-method is described and investigated from the viewpoint of its complexity. The explicit and implicit schemes of the FD-method are compared by using a numerical example.
Error-related functional connectivity of the thalamus in cocaine dependence

Error processing is a critical component of cognitive control, an executive function that has been widely implicated in substance misuse. In previous studies we showed that error related activations of the thalamus predicted relapse to drug use in cocaine addicted individuals (Luo et al., 2013). Here, we investigated whether the error-related functional connectivity of the thalamus is altered in cocaine dependent patients (PCD, n = 54) as compared to demographically matched healthy individuals (HC, n = 54). The results of a generalized psychophysiological interaction analysis showed negative thalamic connectivity with the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), in the area of perigenual and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, in HC but not PCD (p < 0.05, corrected, two-sample t test). This difference in functional connectivity was not observed for task-residual signals, suggesting that it is specific to task-related processes during cognitive control. Further, the thalamic-vmPFC connectivity is positively correlated with the amount of cocaine use in the prior month for female but not for male PCD. These findings add to recent literature and provide additional evidence for circuit-level biomarkers of cocaine dependence.
Periconceptional growth hormone treatment alters fetal growth and development in lambs

Research in the area of fetal programming has focused on intrauterine growth restriction. Few studies have attempted to examine programming mechanisms that ultimately lead to lambs with a greater potential for postnatal growth. We previously demonstrated that treatment of ewes with GH at the time of breeding led to an increase in birth weight. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of a single injection of sustained-release GH given during the periconceptional period on fetal growth and development and to determine if the GH axis would be altered in these offspring. Estrus was synchronized using 2 injections of PGF(2alpha); at the time of the second injection, ewes assigned to treatment were also given an injection of sustained-release GH. A maternal jugular vein sample was taken weekly to analyze IGF-I as a proxy for GH to estimate the duration of the treatment effect. In ewes treated with GH, IGF-I increased (P < 0.05) by wk 1 and remained elevated until wk 4 postinjection. Lambs were weighed, crown-rump length and abdominal girth were determined, and a plasma sample was collected. In a subset of male lambs, liver, heart, and brain weights were obtained, as well as left and right ventricular wall thicknesses. On postnatal d 100, a subset of ewe lambs were weighed and challenged with an intravenous injection of GHRH. Lambs from treated ewes had increased (P < 0.05) birth weight and abdominal girth compared with control lambs; however, there was no difference in crown-rump length. Expression of GH receptor and IGF-I were increased (P < 0.05) in lambs gestated by GH-treated ewes compared with control ewes. The left ventricular wall was thinner (P < 0.05) from lambs in the GH-treated group compared with control lambs. On postnatal d 100, those ewe lambs born to ewes treated with GH continued to be heavier (P < 0.05) and had no IGF-I response to GHRH challenge. In conclusion, treating ewes with a single injection of GH appeared to alter fetal growth and development. Lambs born to ewes treated with GH were larger at birth and had altered organ development, which may indicate that early maternal GH treatment may lead to permanent changes in the developing fetus. The ewe lambs maintained their growth performance to at least 100 d of postnatal life and appeared to have an altered GH axis, as demonstrated by the altered response to GHRH.
Effects of DDT and permethrin on neurite growth in cultured neurons of chick embryo brain and Lymnaea stagnalis

The pesticides permethrin and 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT), dissolved in either ethanol (EtOH) or dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), were studied to determine their effect on neurite growth from cultured neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis and embryonic chicks. Both of these toxins decreased the percentage of neurons growing neurites, mean neurite length, and number of neurites/cell in a dose-dependent manner. DMSO increased the toxicity of permethrin and DDT in L. stagnalis neurons. EtOH was not used as a solvent with the embryonic chick cultures. Pre-existing neurites of L. stagnalis neurons exposed to permethrin regressed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These two toxins may affect neurite outgrowth through interference with intracellular calcium regulation.
Isolation of Acute-Phase Proteins from Plasma for Determination of Fractional Synthesis Rates by a Stable Isotope Tracer Technique

Abstract Because of the unavailability of convenient tracer methods, there is no information on the kinetic changes responsible for the increased or decreased pool sizes of the acute-phase proteins (APPs) during the metabolic response to trauma and infections. We have developed a stable isotope tracer method to measure the synthesis rates of the APPs transferrin, haptoglobin, and α1-antitrypsin. The proteins were isolated from plasma by either direct or sequential immunoprecipitation and purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With the exception of haptoglobin, the major band of each protein and its standard ran to a position corresponding to its molecular mass. The major band of haptoglobin and its standard ran to a position corresponding to a molecular mass of slightly less than 44 kDa, which corresponds to the haptoglobin β chain, molecular mass 42.5 kDa. To measure the fractional synthesis rates (FSRs) of these proteins, three children were infused with2H3-leucine for 8 h, and the amount of2H3-leucine incorporated into the proteins was measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The plateau isotopic enrichment of very low density lipoprotein–apoB-100-bound leucine was used to estimate the isotopic enrichment of the hepatic protein synthetic precursor pool. FSRs (%/day) of the proteins were haptoglobin, 50 ± 8; transferrin, 19 ± 1.1; and α1-antitrypsin, 10 ± 1.5.
APPLICATIONS OF VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY TO CHARACTERIZE POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) PROCESSED WITH SUPERCRITICAL CO2

Abstract FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy have been applied to elucidate the morphology and structure of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) processed with supercritical CO2 (scCO2). Infrared and Raman spectra of PET samples show an increased degree of crystallinity after being subjected to scCO2. FT-Raman spectroscopy has also been utilized to study the supercritical dyeing of PET samples with azo dyes. These results may aid optimization of `solvent-free' processes for advanced processing of packaging materials and supercritical fluid dyeing of textiles.
The role of trimethylgallium flow during nucleation layer deposition in the optimization of epitaxial GaN films

Abstract The effects of the trimethylgallium flow (14–55 μmol/min) during the deposition of the GaN nucleation layer on the structure and electronic properties of GaN epilayers were examined. X-ray and mobility studies indicate that GaN epilayers, grown using non-optimal trimethylgallium (TMG) flow, result in wide FWHM peak and low electron mobility. On the contrary, an optimal TMG flow during the nucleation layer growth leads to films with superior structural and electronic properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to systematically investigate the morphological evolution of as-grown nucleation layers, and the nucleation layers were heated to 1000°C under different TMG flows.
Synthesis and serotonin receptor binding properties of 5-substituted 3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-3′-yl) indoles

Abstract A semi-rigid 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) analogue, RU28253 [5-methoxy-3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-3′-yl) indole], is a potent 5-HT 1 and 5-HT 2 agonist. It is isomeric to RU24969 [5-methoxy-3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-4′-yl) indole], a conformationally restricted 5-HT homologue, which has been extensively used in the study and classification of 5-HT receptors. A series of RU28253 derivatives with diverse substituents on indole 5-position were synthesized and their dissociation constants determined at the 5-HT 1 and 5-HT 2 receptors.
The pipeline and future of drug development in schizophrenia

While the current antipsychotic medications have profoundly impacted the treatment of schizophrenia over the past 50 years, the newer atypical antipsychotics have not fulfilled initial expectations, and enormous challenges remain in long-term treatment of this debilitating disease. In particular, improved treatment of the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia which greatly impact overall morbidity is needed. In this review we will briefly discuss the current pipeline of drugs for schizophrenia, outlining many of the strategies and targets currently under investigation for the development of new schizophrenia drugs. Many of these compounds have great potential as augmenting agents in the treatment of negative symptoms and cognition. In addition, we will highlight the importance of developing new paradigms for drug discovery in schizophrenia and call for an increased role of academic scientists in discovering and validating novel drug targets. Indeed, recent breakthroughs in genetic studies of schizophrenia are allowing for the development of hypothesis-driven approaches for discovering possible disease-modifying drugs for schizophrenia. Thus, this is an exciting and pivotal time for the development of truly novel approaches to drug development and treatment of complex disorders like schizophrenia.
Meiotic pairing and imprinted X chromatin assembly in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The genetic imprinting of individual loci or whole chromosomes, as in imprinted X-chromosome inactivation in mammals1,2, is established and reset during gametogenesis; defects in this process in the parent can result in disease in the offspring3. We describe a sperm-specific chromatin-based imprinting of the X chromosome in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that is restricted to histone H3 modifications. The epigenetic imprint is established during spermatogenesis and its stability in the offspring is affected by the presence of a pairing partner during meiosis in the parental germ line. We observed that DNA lacking a pairing partner during meiosis, the normal situation for the X chromosome in males, is targeted for methylation of histone H3 at Lys9 (H3-Lys9) and can be silenced. Targeting unpaired DNA for silencing during meiosis, a potential hallmark of genome defense, could therefore have a conserved role in imprinted X-chromosome inactivation and, ultimately, in sex chromosome evolution.
Estimating mean windflow in hilly terrain from tamarack ( Larix lancina (Du Roi) K. Koch) deformation

The deformation of tamarack, including crown deformation and tree ring asymmetry, was calibrated against the mean wind speed and direction at seven meteorological stations in Newfoundland. The indices, based on regression equations, showed that tree deformation is caused primarily by summer southwesterlies. A crown deformation ratio, D, gave a good estimate of mean windflow in complex terrain. A compression index, C, describing tree-ring asymmetry, gave a reasonably good estimate of mean wind flow over flat terrain but was unreliable for estimating wind flow over hilly terrain.
Probability Computer Method of Determining the Lattice Parameters from Powder Diffraction Data

The procedure which is utilized to derive the lattice constants of unknown substance from its powder X-ray diffraction data is described in the present paper. The essential point of the procedure is based on the probability which can be treated most readily by an electronic computer. Separate programs have been prepared for each of orthorhombic, monoclinic and triclinic systems. They have been tested with some of the powder diffraction data, which are already indexed. Both lattice constants and index assignment have been proved to be derived reliably in many cases, though depending on the quality of given diffraction data.
R&D and product obsolescence

Claims of “planned obsolescence” have often been made by various consumer groups. Bulow (1986) examined a monopolist's choice of product durability and found that firms who sell their products tend to choose lower durability levels than firms that rent. We argue that the speed of new product development may be a more appropriate proxy for obsolescence than is durability. Reformulating Bulow's model in terms of R&D choice rather than durability choice, we find that sales firms engage in higher levels of R&D than do rental firms. Additionally, we provide an empirical example using data from the copier and computer industries which also suggests a strong positive relationship between the R&D intensity of a firm and the proportion of output sold versus rented.
When designing usability questionnaires, does it hurt to be positive?

When designing questionnaires there is a tradition of including items with both positive and negative wording to minimize acquiescence and extreme response biases. Two disadvantages of this approach are respondents accidentally agreeing with negative items (mistakes) and researchers forgetting to reverse the scales (miscoding). The original System Usability Scale (SUS) and an all positively worded version were administered in two experiments (n=161 and n=213) across eleven websites. There was no evidence for differences in the response biases between the different versions. A review of 27 SUS datasets found 3 (11%) were miscoded by researchers and 21 out of 158 questionnaires (13%) contained mistakes from users. We found no evidence that the purported advantages of including negative and positive items in usability questionnaires outweigh the disadvantages of mistakes and miscoding. It is recommended that researchers using the standard SUS verify the proper coding of scores and include procedural steps to ensure error-free completion of the SUS by users. Researchers can use the all positive version with confidence because respondents are less likely to make mistakes when responding, researchers are less likely to make errors in coding, and the scores will be similar to the standard SUS.
Pesticides in Eastern North Carolina Rural Supply Wells: Land Use Factors and Persistence

Water samples were collected from 171 rural domestic well supplies in eastern North Carolina and analyzed for eight pesticides. Information on borehole depth, well-casing depth, distance to nearest pesticide mixing area, types of pesticides used, and distance to nearest field application was obtained for each site. Four herbicides [alachlor, 2-chloro-2'-6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetanilide; atrazine, 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine; metolachlor, 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide; trifluralin, α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine] were detected in the samples, with detection frequencies of 8.8, 8.2, 3.6, and 1.8%, respectively. About 15% of the samples contained at least one of these herbicides, with resampling indicating persistence throughout the year. Only alachlor concentrations were in excess of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs; 2.0 μg L -1 ) or Health Advisory Levels (HALs; 0.4 μg L -1 ) established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Neither atrazine nor alachlor detection exhibited statistical correlation with well depth, although both were rarely detected in wells >100 feed deep. Atrazine concentrations and detection frequencies did not correlate with distance to nearest application site, while alachlor had a significantly greater detection frequency for wells further from the nearest application site. For nearly one-half of the wells with detectable atrazine and alachlor, there was no reported usage of either herbicide on the same farm during the previous three years, possibly indicating herbicide transport in groundwater or long times before degrading. No statistically significant relationships were observed between the presence of alachlor or atrazine, and distance from the well to the nearest pesticide handling and storage area. Although inconclusive by itself, this indicates that at least some contamination originated from other than point-source spills. Nitrate-N concentrations in well water were poor predictors for atrazine and alachlor presence in this study
Conservation of primary structure in the hisI gene of the archaebacterium, Methanococcus vannielii, the eubacterium Escherichia coli, and the eucaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A 2.7 kilobase pair (Kb) fragment of DNA, which complements mutations in the hisI locus of Escherichia coli, has been cloned and sequenced from the genome of the methanogenic archaebacterium Methanococcus vannielii. The cloned DNA directs the synthesis of three polypeptides, with molecular weights of 71,000, 29,000 and 15,600 in minicells of E. coli. Subcloning and mutagenesis demonstrates that hisI complementation results from the activity of the 15,600 molecular weight polypeptide. The primary structure of this archaebacterial gene and its gene product have been compared with the functionally equivalent gene and protein from the eubacterium E. coli (hisI) (Chiariotti et al. 1986) and from the eucaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (his4A) (Donahue et al. 1982). The DNA sequences of the archaebacterial and eubacterial genes are 40% homologous, the archaebacterial and eucaryotic DNA sequences are 47% homologous and, as previously reported (Bruni et al. 1986) the eubacterial and eucaryotic DNA sequences are 45% homologous. In E. coli the hisI locus is part of a bifunctional gene (hisI/E) within the single his operon. In S. cerevisiae the his4A locus is part of a multifunctional gene (his4) which encodes a protein with at least four enzymatic activities. The his genes of S. cerevisiae do not form an operon and are not physically linked. The M. vannielii hisI gene does not appear to be part of a multifunctional DNA sequence and, although it does appear to be within an operon, the open reading frames (ORFs) 5' and 3' to the M. vannielii hisI gene are not related to any published his sequences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Eigenstructure approach to fMRI activation foci detection

The study reported in this paper formulates image region detection problem in a multidimensional signal processing framework. Signal structure to sensor-array-processing presentation is created and the advanced sensor-array- processing technique is employed. Theoretical derivation of this method is given and simulation results are included. Results demonstrated: (1) this method can accurately detect the number of image regions, (2) it possesses extensive computer speed superiority over other existing methods, (3) it particularly facilitates fMRI activation foci detection.
Patients and providers view gout differently: a qualitative study.

Objectives: We sought to examine patients’ and providers’ views on the treatment of gout to better understand why management is suboptimal.Methods: In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with gout patients (n = 26) who initiated treatment with a urate-lowering drug (ULD) in the previous 6 months and with providers who care for gout patients (n = 15). The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Using qualitative methods, results were analysed and themes were identified. Interviews focused on the acute management, chronic management and prevention and improvement strategies.Results: Providers viewed the majority of patients as having excellent relief with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, colchicine and glucocorticoids, while some patients felt these medications were ineffective. Providers felt that most patients had a good understanding of the rationale for ULD therapy and that patients responded well. Some patients felt ULDs triggered, worsened or had no impact on their disease. Most p...
Fractional Rate Non-Uniformly Spaced Equalization

The recently introduced non-uniformly spaced equalizers (NUSE) are realized by processing a select number of received symbols obtained from a sampler operating at L times the baud rate where L is an integer. We consider here the more challenging case where the sampler operates at L/M times the baud rate with L and M being coprime integers. We first propose a new and generic discrete time model that includes all previously proposed equalizers as special cases. Using this model, we can then derive necessary conditions for the existence of zero forcing FIR fractional rate NUSE (FR-NUSE) as well as closed form expressions for the minimum mean squared error FIR FR-NUSE. Our simulations show that the FR-NUSE has excellent performance at a much lower computational cost.
Regeneration of central nervous system axons into an acellular tube in the absence of distal tissue

To differentiate between local and distant influences on central nerve regeneration, an impervious, stainless-steel cannula, 12 mm long, was placed in the path of severed axons within the corpus callosum of adult rats. The cannula was occluded for 1 week after implantation to prevent herniation of tissue into its lumen. The extracranial end of the tube was plugged with Gelfoam rather than tissue. Inflammatory cells within the tube decreased in number with time and all animals survived for the experiment's duration of 4 to 16 weeks. Some callosal axons grew into the cannula and eventually extended about 1.3 mm. After 8 to 16 weeks, the lumen of the cannula contained many unmyelinated axons, some of which formed fascicles, myelinated axons, demyelinating axons, a few oligodendrocytes, and many astrocytic processes, macrophages, and blood vessels. A striking feature was the linear orientation of cells and their processes. The distal tip of the core resembled a central nervous system explant: it included an appreciable number of growth cones, synaptic terminals embedded in a generous extracellular space, and occasional remyelinating axons. Thus, within an impervious, acellular conduit and in the absence of distal tissue, intrinsic, neuronal processes can be redirected, fasciculate, myelinate, and can regrow alongside glia and endothelium. An indwelling tube, isolating the growth from surrounding brain fluid, may permit assessment of glial, neuronal, and extracellular contributions to the directed regeneration of adult, central axons.
Selective feed-back inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid in human T-lymphocytes

Abstract Purified human T-lymphocytes exhibit 5-lipoxygenase activity as demonstrated by the conversion of arachidonic acid to 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 5(S),12(R)-di-hydroxy-eicosa-6,14 cis-8,10 trans-tetraenoic acid (leukotriene B 4 ), and 5,12-di-HETE isomers of leukotriene B 4 that lack a 6-cis double bond. The concentrations of leukotriene B 4 , 5-HETE, 11-HETE and 15-HETE in suspensions of T-lymphocytes were increased significantly by concanavalin A and by the calcium ionophore A23187. Preincubation of T-lymphocytes with 15-HETE at μM concentrations, characteristic of suspensions of stimulated lymphocytes, inhibited selectively the increases in the levels of 5-HETE and leukotriene B 4 , but not of 11-HETE and prostaglandin E 2 .
Docosahexaenoic acid decreases phospholipase A2 activity in the neurites/nerve growth cones of PC12 cells

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in nerve growth cones (NGC) during perinatal development and it is neuroprotective in ischemia. Because the phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are present in NGC and these enzymes function in both ischemia and long-term potentiation, the relationship between DHA and PLA2 was investigated in the NGC of nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells. When PC12 cells were incubated with [3H]DHA, it primarily esterified in ethanolamine glycerolipids and concentrated initially in cell bodies with similar levels present in the neurite/nerve growth cone (N/NGC) fraction after 4 days. PLA2 activity in the N/NGC fraction was investigated using [14C]arachidonic acid-labeled phosphatidylinositol ([14C-AA]PI) as substrate. Heat denaturation and pharmacological inhibition showed that much of the PLA2 activity was calcium-independent and secretory rather than cytosolic. Supplementing the media with as little as 33 nM DHA significantly reduced PLA2 activity in the N/NGC fraction.
The cue-depreciation effect on unprimed words

In a word-fragment-completion task, words cued all at once (e.g., O_T_OD__X) have an advantage over words cued incrementally (e.g., O_ _ _ _ _ _X, O_ _ _O_ _X, O_ _ _OD_X, O_T_OD_X). The advantage of standard cues over incremental cues is referred to as the cue-depreciation effect. Typically, this effect has only been observed with previously primed target items. This study investigated whether the cue-depreciation effect can be found in unprimed items. In both experiments reported here, the cue-depreciation effect was found in words that were not previously primed.
Conceptual Development of a Personalized Learning System for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Prevention

Advancing personalized learning has been identified as one of the grand challenges by the National Academy of Engineering. It is an approach that customizes the delivery of information based on different learning groups. Personalized learning provides choices and flexibility in how, what, when and where we learn. It also allows the user of the system to actively participate in the development of their learning. This re-search aims to study personalized learning designed for preventive care of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Health Information System. User-centered design will be applied during the design process. A framework will be developed for the design of a personalized system that individually adapts to learning styles.
Molecular genetics of colorectal carcinoma

The molecular genetics of colorectal carcinoma are among the best understood of any common human cancer. Reported molecular genetic abnormalities involve tumor-suppressor genes that undergo inactivation (e.g., apc, mcc, dcc, p53, and possibly genes on chromosomes 8p, 1p, and 22q) and dominant-acting oncogenes (e.g., ras, src, and m yc). Multiple clonal genetic abnormalities accumulate during the development of colorectal carcinoma in adenomas. Altered DNA methylation is an early event, and the specific genetic alterations occur in a preferential order
Formation of molecular complexes by some water-soluble amides. II. Effect of decreasing water solubility on degree of complex formation.

The formation of molecular complexes in aqueous solution was generally enhanced, as expected, by the “squeezing out” effect of water on complexing agents rendered less water‐soluble by structural modifications. The stereochemical effect, however, appears to impose limitations on these modifications. Substitution of ethyl for methyl in several dialkyl amides resulted, in most cases, in an apparent increase in complex formation and marked decrease in the solubility of the complex formed.
Dyslipidemia, but not hyperglycemia, induces inflammatory adhesion molecules in human retinal vascular endothelial cells.

Purpose The initial determinants of retinal microvascular damage in diabetic retinopathy are not well understood, but are likely to be induced by hyperglycemia and/or dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of fatty acids and hyperglycemia on human retinal vascular endothelial (hRVE) cells as a means of mimicking diabetic metabolic disorders. Methods The expression of adhesion molecules in hRVE and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was assayed by Western blot analysis and confirmed by leukocyte adhesion assay. The mechanisms underlying the induction of adhesion molecules by fatty acids were further investigated by using cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and P450 monooxygenase (MOX) inhibitors. Results Treatment of hRVE cells with the n6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) 18:2n6 and 20:4n6 for up to 24 hours resulted in a significant induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 protein levels. In contrast, treatment with high glucose (22 mM) for 24 hours did not affect CAM expression. Induction of CAM by n6 PUFA correlated with enhanced leukocyte binding to hRVE cells. The effect of n6 PUFA on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was blocked by an inhibitor of LOX, but not by COX or MOX inhibitors. In contrast to hRVE cells, n6 PUFA did not induce ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 in HUVECs. Conclusions The data obtained in this study demonstrate that acute exposure to linoleic or arachidonic acid, but not hyperglycemia, induces inflammatory adhesion molecule expression in the presence of LOX in microvascular hRVE cells, but not in HUVECs. These results are consistent with the emerging hypothesis recognizing early-stage diabetic retinopathy as a low-grade chronic inflammatory disease.
225 RESERVE BILIRUBIN BINDING CAPACITY (RBBC) MEASURED BY ABSORBANCE DEVIATION (AD) AT SATURATION OF PRIMARY ALBUMIN-BINDING SITES (PABS)

This method requires the sequential addition of 5 μl increments of bilirubin solution (BS) of 25 mg/dl to 50 μl of neonatal serum (NS) in 2 ml of 200 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. With each addition of BS to the NS, there is a constant increase in absorbance at 484 nm until all PABS are exceeded. The table shows the expected absorbance change (Δ A484 nm) per addition of BS which results in a linear relationship between added BS and Δ A484 nm until saturation of PABS. Deviation from linearity occurs when the saturation of PABS is exceeded. The volume of BS that can be added to a NS before this point is reached provides an index of how far a patient is from the point at which bilirubin (BR) concentration will exceed primary capacity and unbound BR will rapidly rise. The proposed method is less cumbersome than the methods currently being used, other than the less available BR hematofluorometer (Pediatrics 65:767, 1980). Uniform lots of stable BS were provided by A. Louderback of Clinical Chemistry Consultants, Temple City, California.
Binding of EDTA to DEAE-cellulose and its interference with protein determinations.

Abstract EDTA binds to DEAE-cellulose columns and salt-eluted fractions may contain as much as 20 times the original concentration of EDTA. If not corrected for, this high concentration of EDTA will interfere with three of the most frequently used protein assays. The errors encountered were reductions in apparent protein concentration of 50% as measured by the Lowry assay, 25% by the biuret determination, and as much as 90% by the spectrophotometric method. The mechanisms for these interferences appear to be chelation of copper by EDTA, in the case of the Lowry and biuret assays, and differential absorption of ultraviolet light by EDTA in the spectrophotometric case. Several possible methods for overcoming these interferences are discussed.
A 23.8-kD alpha-zein with N-terminal sequence and immunological properties similar to 26.7-kD alpha-zeins

A 23.8-kD alpha-zein polypeptide, K55PC7, has been shown to be a truncated member of the 26.7-kD alpha-zein class based on its amino acid composition, N-terminal sequence, and immunological properties. This unusual polypeptide was isolated by chromatographing whole alpha-zein from inbred K55. The N-terminal sequence of K55PC7 is highly homologous to those of 4 putative 26.7-kD alpha-zeins but shows no homology to those of 10 putative alpha-zeins that belong to the 23.8-kD class. Its higher valine and lower phenylalanine contents also suggest that K55PC7 is a member of the 26.7-kD class. In addition, studies with antibodies raised to peptides corresponding to regions unique to each of the two alpha-zein classes indicate that K55PC7 has immunological similarity to 26.7-kD alpha-zeins. Peptide mapping data suggest that K55PC7 is not the putative product of the truncated 26.7-kD alpha-zein gene zA1 isolated from inbred W64A and described by Spena et al. [26]. It appears that K55PC7 occurs as a major component in inbred K55 and is a truncated version of a 26.7-kD alpha-zein, arisen either by an internal deletion or premature termination due to a nonsense mutation.
Factors affecting the composition of Canadian oil seeds.

Importance of climate, plant breeding, and economics to production of oil seeds in Canada is considered. The influence of temperature and rainfall on the oil content and fatty acid composition of linseed and rapeseed is discussed. Major changes in the fatty acid composition of rapeseed oil can be effected by modern techniques in plant breeding and selection, i.e. erucic acid content can be reduced from approximately 40% to 0. The impact on the oil meal market of continued selection for high oil in crops and varieties is discussed.
Alternative to Hand-Tuning Conductance-Based Models: Construction and Analysis of Databases of Model Neurons

Conventionally, the parameters of neuronal models are hand-tuned using trial-and-error searches to produce a desired behavior. Here, we present an alternative approach. We have generated a database of about 1.7 million single-compartment model neurons by independently varying 8 maximal membrane conductances based on measurements from lobster stomatogastric neurons. We classified the spontaneous electrical activity of each model neuron and its responsiveness to inputs during runtime with an adaptive algorithm and saved a reduced version of each neuron's activity pattern. Our analysis of the distribution of different activity types (silent, spiking, bursting, irregular) in the 8-dimensional conductance space indicates that the coarse grid of conductance values we chose is sufficient to capture the salient features of the distribution. The database can be searched for different combinations of neuron properties such as activity type, spike or burst frequency, resting potential, frequency-current relation, and phase-response curve. We demonstrate how the database can be screened for models that reproduce the behavior of a specific biological neuron and show that the contents of the database can give insight into the way a neuron's membrane conductances determine its activity pattern and response properties. Similar databases can be constructed to explore parameter spaces in multicompartmental models or small networks, or to examine the effects of changes in the voltage dependence of currents. In all cases, database searches can provide insight into how neuronal and network properties depend on the values of the parameters in the models.
Solar dimming and CO2 effects on soil moisture trends

[1] Summer soil moisture increased significantly from 1958 to the mid 1990s in Ukraine and Russia. This trend cannot be explained by changes in precipitation and temperature alone. To investigate the possible contribution from solar dimming and upward CO2 trends, we conducted experiments with a sophisticated land surface model. We demonstrate, by imposing a downward trend in incoming shortwave radiation forcing to mimic the observed dimming, that the observed soil moisture pattern can be well reproduced. On the other hand, the effects of upward CO2 trends were relatively small for the study period. Our results suggest tropospheric air pollution plays an important role in land water storage at the regional scale, and needs to be addressed accurately to study the effects of global warming on water resources.
Effect of mechanical ventilation waveforms on airway wall shear

Better understanding of airway wall shear stress/strain rate is very important in order to prevent inflammation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation due to respiratory problems in intensive-care medicine. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of mechanical ventilation waveforms on airway wall shear/strain rate using computational fluid dynamics analysis. Six different waveforms were considered to investigate the airway wall shear stress (WSS) from fluid dynamics analysis for the airway geometry of two-to-three generations. The simulation results showed that Original with Sine Inhale Waveform (OSIW) produced the highest WSS value and the Near True Sine Waveform produced the lowest WSS value. Also, the Original with Sine Inhale Waveform and the Short Sine Inhale with Long Sine Exhale Waveform (SSILSEW) produced a higher shear strain rate in comparison to the Original Waveform (OW). These results, combined with optimization, suggest that it is possible to develop a set of mechanical ventilation waveform strategies to avoid inflammation in the lung.
Sharp polyelectrolyte adsorption cutoff induced by a monovalent salt

This work documents a sharp adsorption cutoff for a cationic polymer (poly(dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate)) adsorbing onto a negative surface (silica) from buffered aqueous solution, as a function of ionic strength. In this system, electrostatic attractions drive adsorption, without contribution from chemical or hydrophobic interactions between the polymer and the surface. In the limit of dense surface charge and sparse polymer charge, a small increase in monovalent salt concentration (less than a factor of 2) completely eliminates polymer adsorption. At conditions where the polymer charge is more dense and the surface charge less dense, added salt still diminishes adsorption, albeit more gradually. The sharpness of the salt-induced polymer adsorption cutoff can be tuned through the polymer charge density. Comparisons with existing theory agree in the limit of the low-charge sharp-cut behavior. The more gradual transition at high polymer charge density is not accurately predicted.