cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physiological Identification of Jaw-Movement-Related Neurons in the Trigeminal Nucleus of Cats

Although neurons responsive to jaw movements have been identified in most parts of the trigeminal brainstem nuclei, little is known about how this information is relayed to the thalamus and ultimately to the cortex for kinesthetic functions and sensorimotor integration. The present extracellular recording experiments showed that a substantial amount of movement-related information is relayed to the thalamus through the caudal part of subnucleus interpolaris (Vi) in adult cats. Vertical jaw displacements, natural mechanical stimuli, and electrical stimulation of the masseter nerve were used to determine the receptive fields and response properties of movement-related neurons. Movement-related responses were observed in 161 units. The receptive fields of these units were located in the masseter muscle, other deep structures, hairy skin, oral mucosa, or some combination of these structures (i.e., convergent). The latency of units responding to masseter nerve stimulation ranged from 1.0 msec to 20 msec, which suggested that some movement-related information was provided by smaller-diameter muscle afferents. Movement responses were either tonic or phasic. Tonic units showed continuous firing at some jaw position; some of these showed a "dynamic" response to jaw displacement. Phasic units were only active, or showed increased activity, when the jaw moved through a specific position. Seventy-one movement-related units were activated by stimulation from the contralateral ventroposteromedial nucleus (VPM) of the thalamus. Most of the brainstem recording sites were located in the dorsal part of Vi between the caudal pole of the facial motor nucleus and the obex. Neurons in caudal Vi may be important for facial kinesthesia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Equilibrium selection and the role of information in repeated matching markets

Abstract We examine a repeated one-to-one two-sided decentralized matching environment. Using an experimental strategic framework, we seek to characterize the convergence outcome of this process and its sensitivity to environmental factors such as the information structure.
Adjoint-Based Optimization of Three-Dimensional Flapping-Wing Flows

Optimization of the three-dimensional unsteady viscous flow near a flapping wing in hover is performed using a time-dependent adjoint-based methodology. The sensitivities of a penalized lift coefficient to wing shape and kinematic parameters are computed using a time-dependent discrete-adjoint formulation. The unsteady discrete-adjoint equations required for the calculation of the sensitivity derivatives are integrated backward in time over the entire interval of interest. The gradient of the objective functional obtained using the adjoint formulation is then used to update the values of shape and kinematic design variables. The efficiency of this adjoint-based methodology is demonstrated by optimizing the shape and kinematics of a hovering wing. The numerical results show that the highest improvement in the wing performance is obtained by using combined optimization of the wing shape and kinematics.
A new method for the efficient conversion of alcohols into iodides via treatment with trimethylsilyl iodide

The conversion of alcohols into alkyl iodides is very often a useful and necessary organic transformation. We wish now to report a simple and efficient one-step method for the conversion of alcohols into iodides under mild conditions via treatment of the alcohols or their trimethylsilyl ethers with the interesting electrophilic reagent, trimethylsilyl iodide.' The two classical methods for this reaction are a) the use of red phosphorus and molecular iodine,3 and b) the reaction of alcohols with hydrogen iodide, usually generated in situ from alkali -iodide and acid. 4 Several newer methods have appeared recently which utilize a variety of phosphorus and boron derivatives and in which formation of a molecule containing a very stable phosphorus-oxygen double bond (phosphonate5 and phosphate6 derivatives) or a boron-oxygen single bond7 provides a large part of the driving force for the reaction. Finally, conversion of the alcohol into a good leaving group followed by nucleophilic attack by iodide ion forms the basis of several other recent techniques for this transformation.8
Predictive control of complex hydronic systems

The control of hydronic building systems is considered in this paper, using a simulated chilled water system as a case study. In this context, model-based predictive control strategies have been proposed and compared with traditional feedback control schemes. The advantages and limitations associated with these methodologies has been demonstrated. The cornerstone of this work is the development of a novel, distributed predictive scheme which provides the best compromise in the multidimensional evaluation framework of ‘regulation’, ‘optimality’, ‘reliability’ and ‘computational complexity’.
Computational probe of cavitation events in protein systems.

Previous all-atom simulations have identified several classes of proteins where hydrophobic de-wetting (cavitation) is at play. Here we develop and validate a computationally fast method that predicts in which protein systems water spontaneously cavitates. We implement a cubic lattice model, which incorporates the protein shape from crystallographic data and the protein–water interactions from thermodynamic data. Combining it with the previously developed coarse-grained model for water, we determine the extent of occupancy of water at protein–protein interfaces and in protein–ligand cavities. The model captures essential findings from all-atom molecular dynamics studies on the same systems by distinguishing protein cavities that dry from those that remain wet. We also interpret the origin of the cavitation inside the melittin tetramer on simple thermodynamic grounds, and show that part of the mellitin surface is sufficiently hydrophobic to trigger cavitation. Using Glauber/Kawasaki dynamics we obtain the time-scales for de-wetting events that are in agreement with those from all-atom simulations. The method can serve as an intermediate step between the necessary initial screening that identifies proteins with abundance of hydrophobic patches using bioinformatics tools (L. Hua, X. H. Huang, P. Liu, R. H. Zhou and B. J. Berne, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2007, 111, 9069), and computationally extensive studies that need to incorporate molecular details (e.g. single mutation studies of amino acid residues).
The Equator Principles: a promise in progress?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the legitimacy of the Equator Principles as a form of private governance of the investment banking industry.Design/methodology/approach – The project finance industry is first described, followed by a consideration of the theories of private governance and legitimacy. The governance of project finance by the Equator Principles is then examined against the backdrop of private governance and legitimacy theory. Cases regarding project finance and the Equator Principles are discussed.Findings – The moral legitimacy of the governance of the Equator Principles is highly questionable, a serious issue for private governance schemes. There are large gaps in the governance structure, and the processes and content of much of the Principles are left to each bank, with little mandated transparency or accountability, particularly at the level of individual deals.Practical implications – The Equator Principles have legitimacy problems arising from their governance struct...
Label-free detection of protein released during platelet activation by CNT-enhanced love mode SAW sensors

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been applied in a series of clinical treatments. PRP contains high-concentrated platelets, which, when activated, could secret a variety of growth factors and cytokines, to promote and/or enhance healing of injured tissues. Non-activated platelets suspension could be prepared by an isolation method of centrifugation and washing currently. However, it is not clear whether platelets, if any, are already activated during this process and there is no simple method to monitor their activation accordingly. Shear-Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave sensors (SH-SAW, Love Mode) are promising in fundamental biology as well as biomedical engineering, detecting cell behaviors in liquid in a non-invasive, simple and quantitative manner. In this study, Love mode sensors are adopted for the label-free detection of protein secreted by platelets. Carbon nanotube (CNT) is reported as an advisable platform of both non-specific protein adsorption and specific protein binding. For further improvement of Love mode sensor performance, novel CNT-coated parylene-C film is prepared on its surface as both the acoustic-wave-guiding layer and bio-interface layer. The S21 loss curves of Love mode sensors were recorded and the corresponding resonance frequencies were extracted. The results showed that the CNT-enhanced sensor possessed an increased resonance frequency shift when compared to normal sensor with single parylene-C film under identical collagen concentrations. Then, the modified sensor is used for label-free detection of protein released by various concentrations of platelets. The results revealed high sensitivity and consistency, indicating the potential of CNT-enhanced Love mode sensors in cell-based applications.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analysis for Determining Oxygen Delignification Yield

Abstract Oxygen delignification studies were carried out using a softwood kraft pulp under varying reaction temperatures (80–140°C) and alkaline charges (1–12%). Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods was employed to analyze oxygen delignification pulp yields, which were compared to gravimetric analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the NIR spectra data was performed and a partial least-square (PLS) regression model was developed to predict the pulp yield of oxygen delignified pulps based on the NIR spectra data. PCA analysis indicated that 99.1% of total variances of NIR spectra data in the range of 1100–2266 nm could be expressed by three principle components. A PLS1 model based on the NIR spectra data had good predictive ability and appeared to be an effective tool for pulp yield prediction for the oxygen delignification process.
Effects of random MOSFET parameter fluctuations on total power consumption

Intrinsic fluctuations in threshold voltage, subthreshold swing, saturation drain current and subthreshold leakage of ultra-small-geometry MOSFETs due to random placement of dopant atoms in the channel are examined using novel physical models and a Monte-Carlo simulator. These fluctuations are shown to pose fundamental barriers to the scaling of supply voltage and channel length and thus, to the minimization of power dissipation in multi-billion transistor chips of the future. In particular, using the device technology and the level of integration projections of the National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors for the next 15 years, standard-maximum deviations of threshold voltage, drive current, subthreshold swing and subthreshold leakage are shown to escalate to 40-600 mV, 10-100%, 2-20 mV/dec. and 10-10/sup 8/%, respectively, in the 0.07 /spl mu/m, 0.9 V CMOS technology generation with 1.3-64 billion transistors on a chip. While these limits can be transcended to some degree by selecting optimal transistor width values larger than the channel length, the associated penalties in dynamic and static power, and in packing density demand novel MOSFET designs aimed at minimizing these fluctuations.
From devices to tasks: automatic task prediction for personalized appliance control

One of the driving applications of ubiquitous computing is universal appliance interaction: the ability to use arbitrary mobile devices to interact with arbitrary appliances, such as TVs, printers, and lights. Because of limited screen real estate and the plethora of devices and commands available to the user, a central problem in achieving this vision is predicting which appliances and devices the user wishes to use next in order to make interfaces for those devices available. We believe that universal appliance interaction is best supported through the deployment of appliance user interfaces (UIs) that are personalized to a user’s habits and information needs. In this paper, we suggest that, in a truly ubiquitous computing environment, the user will not necessarily think of devices as separate entities; therefore, rather than focus on which device the user may want to use next, we present a method for automatically discovering the user’s common tasks (e.g., watching a movie, or surfing TV channels), predicting the task that the user wishes to engage in, and generating an appropriate interface that spans multiple devices. We have several results. We show that it is possible to discover and cluster collections of commands that represent tasks and to use history to predict the next task reliably. In fact, we show that moving from devices to tasks is not only a useful way of representing our core problem, but that it is, in fact, an easier problem to solve. Finally, we show that tasks can vary from user to user.
Proton-Conducting Nanocrystalline Ceramics for High-Temperature Hydrogen Sensing

The proton-conductive doped ceramic materials, including SrCe0.95Tb0.05O3−δ (SCTb), SrCe0.8Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ (SCZY), and SrZr0.95Y0.05O3−δ (SZY), are synthesized in the forms of nanoparticles and nanocrystalline thin films on sapphire wafers and long-period grating (LPG) fibers. The H2 chemisorption and electrical conductivity of the nanocrystalline SCTb, SCZY, and SZY materials are measured at high temperature with and without the presence of CO2 gas. The resonant wavelength shifts ( $$ \Updelta \lambda_{{{\text{R,H}}_{ 2} }} $$ ) of the SCTb, SCZY, and SZY thin-film coated LPGs in response to H2 concentration changes are studied in gas mixtures relevant to coal gasification syngas to evaluate their potential for high-temperature H2 detection. The results show that, at around 773.15 K (500 °C), SCTb has the highest H2 sensitivity but the most severe interferences from impurities such as CO2 and H2S; SZY has the best chemical resistance to impurities but the lowest H2 sensitivity; and SCZY exhibits high H2 sensitivity with reasonable chemical resistance.
High-Power THz Generation, THz Nonlinear Optics, and THz Nonlinear Spectroscopy

It is now possible to generate terahertz (THz) pulses with sufficient energy and field amplitude to enable versatile applications in THz nonlinear optics and spectroscopy. In addition, THz waveform shaping at high intensities promises wide ranging new capabilities in THz coherent control. We review recent progress in generation of high-power THz phonon-polariton waves in lithium niobate that can be coupled into free space THz radiation. A ldquopolaritonicsrdquo toolset for control and processing of the THz waves is also reviewed briefly. Recent demonstrations of THz nonlinear optics and spectroscopy are then presented.
Amino acid transport and turnover of a transport system in liver slices from rats treated with glucagon and antibiotics

Abstract Experiments have been conducted in which glucagon-induced stimulation of α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) transport in rat liver, presumably mediated by cyclic AMP, was markedly inhibited by actinomycin D, cycloheximide or puromycin. Inhibition of transport occurred despite the presence of high concentrations of cyclic AMP, suggesting that the nucleotide may act prior to, or at the same point as, the antibiotics. Kinetic studies showed that 1) the half-life of the glucagon-stimulated system(s) was less than 1 hour, and 2) glucagon treatment doubled V max without having any effect on the apparent K m for hepatic AIB transport. The results suggest that glucagon stimulates hepatic AIB transport by increasing the synthesis of some critical protein having a rapid turnover rate; this effect may be due to a prior increase in RNA synthesis.
Kinetics of cadmium transport in the isolated perfused rat liver

Abstract The uptake of cadmium by the isolated perfused rat liver obeys first-order kinetics at each dose level tested, 0.178, 1.78, and 17.8 μmol cadmium as the chloride. The uptake rate constant is elevated at low cadmium doses indicating the possibility of a mediated transport process. Zinc is secreted into the perfusion medium by the isolated liver at a constant rate in control preparations (3.5 ± 1.2 nmol/min); however, this rate is significantly increased during cadmium exposure in a dose-dependent manner. At low doses the amount of excess zinc secreted by the isolated liver in response to cadmium exposure is approximately equal to the amount of cadmium taken up, on a molar basis. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that cadmium-zinc exchange is one mechanism for mediated cadmium transport in the liver. Cadmium rapidly appears in the bile following exposure, and biliary concentrations increase in relation to dose. The fraction of the cadmium dose excreted in the bile during 3 hr of cadmium exposure reached maximum levels at intermediate doses (6.9% excreted), indicating a threshold for biliary clearance at the low doses and supression of biliary excretion at the high doses due to reduced bile production.
Invitation to the dance: lessons from Susan Sontag's death.

The standard model for end-of-life decision-making gives roles to two parties—the physician, who explains the medical options, and the patient, who selects from among those options. The model can be harmful not only for individuals but also for the state, if the patient's right to control her own choices is understood as a positive right of access to whatever is available.
STRUCTURE OF LIMULUS STRIATED MUSCLE The Contractile Apparatus at Various Sarcomere Lengths

The musculature of the telson of Limulus polyphemus L. consists of three dorsal muscles: the medial and lateral telson levators and the telson abductor, and one large ventral muscle; the telson depressor, which has three major divisions: the dorsal, medioventral, and lateroventral heads. The telson muscles are composed of one type of striated muscle fiber, which has irregularly shaped myofibrils. The sarcomeres are long, with discrete A and I and discontinuous Z bands. M lines are not present. H zones can be identified easily, only in thick (1.0 µm) longitudinal sections or thin cross sections. In lengthened fibers, the Z bands are irregular and the A bands appear very long due to misalignment of constituent thick filaments. As the sarcomeres shorten, the Z lines straighten somewhat and the thick filaments become more aligned within the A band, leading to apparent decrease in A band length. Further A band shortening, seen at sarcomere lengths below 7.4 µm may be a function of conformational changes of the thick filaments, possibly brought about by alterations in the ordering of their paramyosin cores.
Role of PI3K signaling in survival and progression of LNCaP prostate cancer cells to the androgen refractory state.

The mechanisms by which prostate cancer (PCa) cells progress to a hormone refractory state are poorly understood. The progression process under androgen ablation conditions involves the survival of at least a portion of malignant cells and their eventual proliferation in an androgen-independent manner. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of PI3K signaling in such a progression. Using an in vitro model of androgen ablation, we show that after removal of androgen support, the human PCa cell line LNCaP initially arrested in G1 and trans-differentiated into neuroendocrine-like cells that eventually resumed androgen-independent proliferation. Both acute and chronic androgen ablation resulted in an increase in basal levels of PI3K and Akt activity, which were sustained throughout the progression process. Under these conditions, inhibition of PI3K, pharmacologically or with ectopic expression of PTEN, arrested cell proliferation and blocked progression to the androgen-independent state. In contras...
Role of ceramic implants. Design and clinical success with total hip prosthetic ceramic-to-ceramic bearings.

Ceramic implants have become of great interest because of the increased awareness that wear debris from metal-polyethylene components of total hip prostheses can cause osteolysis around implants. Polyethylene wear rates with the Charnley total hip prosthesis were found to be from 0.1 to 0.2 mm/year in the elderly, which corresponded to 30 to 80 mm3 of polyethylene debris being released to the joint tissues. This in turn can be related to 40 million to 40 billion particles being released into the joint every year. This polyethylene particulate is heavily implicated in the osteolytic destruction of periarticular tissues. The ceramic ball, ceramic cup combination of total hip prostheses may have promise of wear rates that could be thousands of times smaller than polyethylene alone. Such alumina ceramic prosthetic concepts were introduced in Europe from 1970 to 1973. Under Food and Drug Administration regulations at that time, the only U.S. introductions allowed circa 1980 were the Autophor and Xenophor types of ceramic prostheses. However, this particular prosthetic design was not successful in the United States because of pain, neck-socket impingement, ceramic fracture, and component loosening. This did not therefore appear to be a successful compromise in the hands of U.S. surgeons. Ceramic innovations from Europe now include cemented ceramic cups of "matching" tolerances with the femoral ball, and press-fit Ti-alloy acetabular shells with modular ceramic inserts. In addition, alumina and zirconia ceramic balls are now in routine clinical use in Europe. The objectives of this Symposium are to highlight these ceramic ball, ceramic cup innovations with their long-term clinical results from Europe. Then one can evaluate which of these innovations in material and design selections offers the best possible alternatives in the 1990s.
Weak guidance with Look functionality in handheld-based classroom activities

Wireless handheld technologies can be used to move technology into the classroom framework rather than to move classrooms into the technology framework. To make such technologies effective, we support activities and teaching practices crucial to children's creativity and competence. However, because of the small screen size and distributed nature of some of the activities, it can be hard for teachers to engage in formative assessment, that is, finding out what students know and can do. The current work reports an idea about how to solve this problem and the first assays of this idea in the classroom. We try to enable what we call weak guidance during collaborative activities, by implementing a system feature called "Look."
Inter-rater reliability and validity of the screenassist lumbar questionnaire: a pilot study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and test–retest reliability of the ScreenAssist Lumbar Questionnaire (SALQ). If a high degree of reliability and validity could be determined, the questionnaire could provide physical therapists with a formal instrument to assist with the identification of patients with nonmusculoskeletal back pain or emergent musculoskeletal causes of back pain requiring referral to an alternate medical provider.Methods: Participants were patients presenting to an internal medicine physician's office with the main complaint of low back pain over a 6 months period. ScreenAssist Lumbar Questionnaire was performed twice on each patient within 48 hours of the appointment. A 4-month post-visit chart review was performed to compare scores and recommendations made by the questionnaire with the assessment and diagnosis made by the physician.Results: The SALQ demonstrated a sensitivity of 0·100 (95% CI: 0·689–0·100) and specificity of 0·786 (95%CI: 0·492–0·951) comp...
Preparation and characterization of lithium aluminate

The synthesis of LiAlO/sub 2/ by reaction of alumina with mixtures of alkali carbonates or with alkali hydroxides was studied. At 600 to 700/sup 0/C, ..cap alpha..-LiAlO/sub 2/ was the major allotropic phase produced by the reaction of ..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ with mixtures of Li/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ and K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/. Reaction of LiOH (or mixtures of LiOH and KOH) with ..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ at 450/sup 0/C produced only ..beta..-LiAlO/sub 2/ while reaction of LiOH with ..cap alpha..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ at 450/sup 0/C produced mainly ..gamma..-LiAlO/sub 2/. The major product of the reaction with LiOH at 600/sup 0/C was ..gamma..-LiAlO/sub 2/, regardless of the Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ allotrope used. The ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-LiAlO/sub 2/ powders were observed by scanning electron microscopy to have three distinguishable particle morphologies, which were classified as clumps, platelets and rods. Both ..cap alpha..-LiAlO/sub 2/ and ..beta..-LiAlO/sub 2/ particles were produced in the form of clumps and platelets while ..beta..-LiAlO/sub 2/ particles were also produced in the form of rods. The study was undertaken in an attempt to prepare LiAlO/sub 2/ that can be used as an electrolyte matrix in molten carbonate fuel cells.
Effect Coding as a Mechanism for Improving the Accuracy of Measuring Students Who Self-Identify with More than One Race

The purpose of this paper is to describe effect coding as an alternative quantitative practice for analyzing and interpreting categorical, multi-raced independent variables in higher education research. Not only may effect coding enable researchers to get closer to respondents' original intentions, it allows for more accurate analyses of all race based categories.
FPGA emulation and prototyping of a cyberphysical-system-on-chip (CPSoC)

Cyber-Physical Systems-on-Chip (CPSoC) are a new class of sensor- and actuator-rich multiprocessor system-onchips (MPSoCs) whose operations are monitored, coordinated, and controlled using a computing-communication-control (C3) centric core with additional on-chip and cross-layer sensing and actuation capabilities that enable self-awareness within the observe-decide-act (ODA) paradigm. In order to build, evaluate, and illustrate the effectiveness of various features of this new MPSoC paradigm in a fast and cost effective way, a rapid prototyping and emulation platform along with the tool chains is absolutely necessary. In this paper, we present a design library and an FPGA emulation and prototyping platform to build and investigate self-aware adaptive computing using CPSoC paradigm. Our example implementation of CPSoC prototyping using Xilinx FPGAs includes ring-oscillator (RO) based multipurpose sensors integrated with a sensor network-on-chip (sNoC) which in turn is interfaced either to a bus based shared memory architecture or to a communication and computation networkon- chip (cNoC) distributed fabric supporting several actuation mechanism in the software and hardware stack. We also briefly discuss few applications of the CPSoC design library and the platform.
Modeling differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract The present study is a unified mathematical approach to the analysis of DSC data. It addresses the baseline correction to the DSC record as well as the solutions of DSC curves of single or multiple, physical and chemical transformations. In this study, previous results in the pertinent literature become particular solutions of the general model. The transition baseline in a physical transformation is identical with the instrumental signal. When an ‘empty’ reference pan is used and the results are extrapolated to zero heating-rate, a pseudo-baseline can be defined. Physical transformations in DSC display a straight line signal during transition, followed by an exponential curve during the post-transition state. The model gives solutions for temperature and heat of transformation in both single and multiple physical transformations. The equation of the transition baseline in a chemical transformation accounts for: the pre-transition baseline; the heat-capacity change from that of the reactants to that of the products of the reaction; and the heating-rate difference between sample and reference materials. If there is no change in the heat capacities and either the reference pan is ‘empty’ or the thermal resistance is negligible, then the transition baseline is an extension of the pre-transition baseline. The DSC curve represents the corrected DSC record. The DSC curve of a chemical transformation is a bell-shaped graph whose skewness depends on the order of reaction. From the distinctive features of the DSC curve (i.e., relations at curve peak, inflection points and curve-bounded area), the apparent kinetic parameters are calculated (order of reaction, activation energy, pre-exponential factor and heat of reaction). The parameters specifically involved in these calculations are: peak temperature, inflection point temperature(s), shape index, area before peak, area after peak, asymmetry index, peak area and partial areas. The larger the asymmetry index, the smaller the reaction order. Final solutions contain the heating rate and the initial concentration (initial amount of reactant) as parameters. A zero-order chemical reaction displays an exponential signal and its solutions are particular. Two multiple reaction systems in DSC are analyzed: (a) two irreversible, first-order, parallel reactions, and (b) two irreversible, first-order, consecutive reactions. In the first case, the apparent kinetic parameters correlate with the area before the maxima/minima of the DSC curve. In the second case, the main parameter is the deflection at the maxima/minima. General-order, mechanistically uncoupled reactions are also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the assumptions and the analytical development as well as on the final solutions and their applicability range. The mathematics of physical transformations are referenced with time as an independent variable, whereas chemical transformations relate to temperature. No attempt was made to express the final solutions in both time and temperature coordinates.
Electrode materials for nitric oxide detection.

Nitric oxide oxidation signals were compared for uniform test electrodes of platinum, iridium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, gold, graphite, and a nickel-porphyrin on graphite in deaerated phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.0) at 35 degrees C. All tested materials detected NO(*) amperometrically. Current densities (A/M/cm(2) +/- S.D.) were Ir (0.021 +/- 0.002), Rh (0.088 +/- 0.012), graphite (0.117 +/- 0.018), Pd (0.118 +/- 0.033), Au (0.149 +/- 0. 039), Pt (0.237 +/- 0.117), Ni (II)-tetra(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin on graphite (0.239 +/- 0.009), and Ru (0.680 +/- 0.058). NO(*) oxidation current on ruthenium was maximal at 675 mV (vs Ag/AgCl), nearly three times that on the next-best materials, platinum and Ni-porphyrin on graphite poised at 800 mV. The measured limit of detection for NO(*) on Ru was below 3 nM. Enhanced NO(*) oxidation current on ruthenium is apparently due to formation of nitrosyl- or chloronitrosyl-ruthenium complexes at the electrode surface. At fixed potentials above 675 mV, ruthenium exhibited an even larger NO(*) response, characterized by current flow opposite in polarity to an oxidation, which we hypothesize reflects suppression of the oxidative background current (presumably due to chloride oxidation or to the electrolysis of water) by a film consisting of nitrosyl- or chloronitrosyl-ruthenium complexes. The sensitive response of the ruthenium electrode to the direct oxidation of NO(*) may be useful in sensors for biomedical applications.
Extensive endarterectomy and reconstruction of the left anterior descending artery: early and late outcomes.

Objectives Coronary endarterectomy has been shown to be an effective adjunctive technique of revascularization for diffuse coronary artery disease. A long arteriotomy and reconstruction of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) are occasionally required for complete extraction of the atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this study was to examine early and late results of this technique and compare 2 different reconstruction methods. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 224 consecutive patients who underwent extensive LAD endarterectomy and reconstruction between January 1992 and March 2010. For reconstruction, 101 patients underwent saphenous vein patch and LAD grafting (group A) and 123 patients had left internal thoracic artery onlay patch grafting (group B). We compared early and late outcomes and assessed the association of the reconstruction method and long-term survival. Results The mean age was 66 and 67 years in groups A and B, respectively. Operative mortality was 3.0% and 4.1%, and the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in the LAD territory was 4.0% and 4.1% in groups A and B, respectively. There was no significant difference in early operative outcomes (P > .05). Actuarial 5-year survival was 78.6% and 87.1% and 10-year survival was 45.4% and 49.4% in groups A and B, respectively. Cox hazard proportional analysis showed that the reconstruction method did not have a significant impact on long-term survival. Conclusions Extensive LAD endarterectomy and reconstruction is a safe and feasible technique of revascularization for diffuse coronary artery disease. The reconstruction method should be based on the availability of conduits and length of the arteriotomy.
A characterization of the association schemes of bilinear forms

If n ⩾ 2d ⩾ 6 and q ⩾ 4, the distance-regular graphs Hq (n, d) (with d × n matrices over GF(q) as vertex set, and two vertices A, B being adjacent if and only if the rank of A − B is 1) are characterized by their parameters together with the property that the number of edges of the induced subgraph on the common neighborhood of vertices x and y depends only on the distance between them. As a corollary, we prove that Hq (n, d) has no antipodal covering if n ⩾ 2d ⩾ 6 and q ⩾ 4.
Alterations of serum and urinary carnitine profiles in cancer patients: hypothesis of possible significance.

The present study examined the serum and urinary carnitine concentrations of 21 cancer patients with metastatic disease and 13 healthy age-matched controls by taking three consecutive samples during an 8-week period. The serum concentrations of all fractions of carnitine were significantly lower in the female cancer patients than in the female controls. The concentrations of urinary carnitine fractions were relatively higher in the total cancer population; however, only acid-insoluble acylcarnitine (AIAC) was statistically significant. The renal clearance of acid-soluble acylcarnitine (ASAC) and AIAC was significantly greater in cancer subjects than in controls. Significant inverse relationships were established between the ASAC and AIAC clearances and their respective serum concentrations. The renal tubular reabsorption of AIAC was significantly less in cancer patients than in control subjects as indicated by the fractional excretion of carnitine. The increased clearance of acylcarnitine and excretion of...
3D Surface Reconstruction Using The Shadowgram And A-Priori Knowledge

This paper deals with a new method of reconstructing 3D surfaces using some a-priori knowledge about them. The approach taken here uses the Shadowgram which relates shadows cast by the surface to the light source angle. Assuming that the contour of the surface can be described mathematically using a polynomial, the coefficients of the polynomial are evaluated using information from the Shadowgram.
Workshop on the qualitative and quantitative comparability of human and animal developmental neurotoxicity, Work Group I report: comparability of measures of developmental neurotoxicity in humans and laboratory animals.

Assessment measures used in developmental neurotoxicology are reviewed for their comparability in humans and laboratory animals, and their ability to detect comparable adverse effects across species. Compounds used for these comparisons include: substances of abuse, anticonvulsant drugs, ethanol, methylmercury, lead, PCBs, and ionizing radiation. At the level of functional category (sensory, motivational, cognitive and motor function, and social behavior), close agreement was found across species for all neurotoxic agents reviewed, particularly at high exposure levels. This was true even though the specific end points used to assess these functions often varied substantially across species. In addition, it was found that: 1) the U.S. EPA Developmental Neurotoxicology Test Battery presented at the Workshop would have identified the hazard to humans of exposure to the above compounds, although it may have underestimated human risk in some cases; 2) assessment of developmental neurotoxicity should involve evaluation of all categories of function; 3) for most compounds reviewed, the neurotoxic effects of prenatal exposure cannot be attributed to maternal toxicity, and exposure at or just below the threshold for such toxicity is an appropriate upper level for developmental neurotoxicity testing; 4) maternal exposure during the postnatal period poses a number of serious methodological problems; and 5) animal studies would better parallel human studies if more emphasis was placed on evaluation during development.
Pyrolysis of 1,1,1-trimethylamine-2-arylcarbamoylimides

Pyrolysis of 1,1,1-trimethylamine-2-phenylcarbamoylimide gave sym-diphenylurea, phenylurea, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylsemicarbazide, 1,1,2-trimethyl-4-phenylsemicarbazide, aniline, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, trimethylamine, nitrogen and carbon monoxide as products. Azoformanilide, a possible intermediate, decomposed at lower temperatures and gave diphenylurea, formanilide. and phenyl isocyanate. 1,1,1-Trimethylamine-2-[1-naphthylcarbamoyl]imide behaved s in addition a small amount of naphthalene. Carbarmoylimides involving two substituents in the 2-position behaved differently and gave indazolones.
Fetal but not maternal serum cytokine levels correlate with histologic acute placental inflammation

Our objective was to determine if placental histologic acute inflammation is related to maternal and fetal serum cytokine levels in preterm labor, using a data set previously constructed blinded to histopathologic information. To this goal in 1992, 32 consecutive patients at 20-36 weeks with progressive labor and tocolytic failure were recruited. Maternal serum sampled during the active phase of labor, and fetal (umbilical vein) serum were assayed by ELISA for levels of soluble interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2 R), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) (T-Cell Diagnostics). Acute placental inflammation was scored by two groups blinded to clinical data, and the average scores analyzed for relationships to serum cytokine levels. Weighted kappa values, reflecting interobserver agreement in scoring of acute inflammation, were: amnion 0.84; choriodecidua 0.84; umbilical cord 0.85; and chorionic plate 0.73. Fetal levels of IL-1β and IL-2 R were higher with grade 3-4 acute amnionitis than with grades 0-2 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.023). Fetal levels of all three cytokines were higher in grade 3-4 umbilical vasculitis (IL-1β p = 0.008, IL-2 R p = 0.01, and IL-6 p = 0.03). In contrast, maternal serum cytokine levels were not associated with presence or severity of histologic evidence of acute placental inflammation. Histologic acute inflammation was not related to duration of labor, interval from membrane rupture to delivery, and presence or duration of antibiotic therapy. We conclude that fetal serum, but not maternal serum cytokine levels, are correlated with histologic evidence of acute placental inflammation, and may reflect a predominant placental origin of the cytokines.
Pascal with internet primitives for pedagogy

An extension to standard Pascal which includes the kind of Internet primitives necessary to support meaningful programming projects for a networks course is described. The new language, Pascal with Internet Primitives (PIP), is a simple modification of the standard Pascal language providing interprocess communication library routines. The PIP use requests and uses networked services which are presented as Pascal-style files. Primitives calls are handled transparently by a compiler preprocessor and an extended run-time environment. This simple file-based extension allows the student to immediately write pedagogically useful programs using pre-planned Internet facilities. More complex assignments, such as the development of network servers, protocols, et cetera, are possible with increased awareness of primitive function calls. Increased awareness can come about gradually as a part of the course and occurs within the syntactically familiar setting of Pascal. This approach allows presentation of programming essentials as meaningful excursions, rather than as a separate topic. Design, implementation, and use of the system are described.
Physical restraint use in acute care settings

Increasing reliance on physical restraint devices within hospital settings can be attributed to many reasons, perhaps including litigation. Restraint use represents a quality improvement issue; therefore, a review of all studies involving restraints in acute care settings was conducted. Results of a descriptive study using focus groups is also included. The focus groups explored the decision-making process nurses used in restraining or releasing a patient from a mechanical device.
Concept Formation in Normative and Empirical Studies: Toward Reconciliation in Political Theory

Despite the fact that the study of politics has become increasingly empirical, quantitative and “behavioral” in recent years, and despite the apparently increasing tendency to feel that whatever meaningful debate ever existed between the behavioralists and the anti-behavioralists has ended, should end, or at least has become irrelevant since a more sophisticated and empirically productive behavioralism now predominates in virtually all fields of the discipline, the methodological debate continues, diminished perhaps in quantity but not in intensity.This essay is based on the assumption that the antagonists concerned with the methodological issues raised by the “new science of politics” have but rarely focused precisely on the arguments raised by their opponents. A second motivating assumption is that nothing constructive, conciliatory or conducive to the integration of the discipline can be done “until the issues have been squarely confronted on the basic and general plane of philosophy….” A thorough analysis of all of the meaningful issues involved can only be a task of long-range proportions. But in the hope of bringing about some degree of communication, if not reconciliation, it is my intention in this essay to bring one of these issues into sharper focus, to show that almost despite themselves, some of the critics and proponents of the “new science of politics” have addressed themselves to the problem of concept formation, and that despite their proclaimed differences are talking at cross-purposes about a similar problem. Indeed, it will be seen that the conflict between the “traditionalists” and the “behavioralists” is utterly dependent—in the area of concept formation—upon an outmoded positivistic interpretation of behavioral science and a misguided reaction on the part of some political theorists to that obsolete conception.
Some current questions on solving linear elliptic problems

Common properties of elliptic problems and their solutions are compared with those of difference equations, with emphasis on the classical Dirichlet problem. Resistance network analogies are used to construct discrete harmonic functions; a new 9 POINT NET approximation is defined on `elementary domains' whose solutions haveO(h 4) max-norm error. The convection-diffusion equation is studied with especial emphasis on new fast iterative methods for solving its difference approximations. A new analysis of the structure of the matrix representation of difference approximations reveals special features which can naturally be associated with diffusion and with convective processes.
Application of FTIR spectroscopy In Laser-Induced Chemistry

FTIR spectroscopy is routinely used by this research group as a tool in laser-induced chemistry for identification of end products, reaction mechanisms and kinetic studies. Specific recent studies have included the dissociation of the C-0 bond in alcohols and phosphorus compounds, the formation of polycrystal-line germanium films from germane and the kinetics of the laser-induced chemistry of allylic species and NF3/NO reactions. The specifics of the experimental techniques used in these investigations have been adequately described elsewhere)-2. Fundamentally, the technique is simply the irradiation of gas phase samples using a continuous wave CO2 laser at the frequency of an absorption band in the molecule which is resonant with the output of the CO2 laser.
Improved protection of swine from pleuropneumonia by vaccination with proteinase K-treated outer membrane of Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae

The immunogenic and protective potentials of an outer membrane-enriched fraction (OM) from a serotype 5 strain of Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae (APP) and the same OM degraded with proteinase K or periodate were evaluated in swine. Groups of pigs were vaccinated with two doses of OM, proteinase K-treated OM (P-OM), periodate-treated OM (PI-OM), or placebo vaccine and challenged intranasally with the homologous strain of APP. Results from triplicate experiments indicated that proteinase K treatment of OM resulted in an improved efficacy. This improved efficacy of P-OM vaccine over untreated OM vaccine was evidenced not only by less severe lung lesions in P-OM vaccinated pigs but also by significant reduction (P less than 0.05) in the number of P-OM vaccinated pigs which developed lung lesions upon challenge with APP. Assessment of sera from vaccinated animals by immunoblotting, complement fixation test, or ELISA indicated that the immunogenicity of some but not all protein or carbohydrate components were reduced (or eliminated) by proteinase K and periodate treatments respectively.
SU‐E‐T‐123: Evaluation of Integrated Gating Systems on a Novalis Tx System Using Quantitative Motion Tracking Analyses and Efficient Time‐Delay Measurements

Purpose: To investigate accuracy of motion tracking and radiation delivery controlling of integrated gating systems on a Novalis Tx system. Methods: The study was performed on a Novalis Tx system, which is equipped with Varian RPM and BrainLAB ExacTrac gating systems. In this study, the two systems were assessed on accuracy of both motion tracking and radiation delivery controlling. To evaluate motion tracking, one artificial sinusoidal profile and three patients' respiratory profiles were used. The motion trajectories acquired by the two gating systems were compared against the references. To assess radiation delivery controlling, time‐delays were measured using a single‐exposure method. More specifically, radiation is delivered with a 4‐mm diameter cone within 10%–45% phases for BrainLAB ExacTrac system and within 0%–25% phases for Varian RPM system during expiration, each with three times. Radiochromic films were used to record the radiation exposures and to calculate the time‐delays. In the work, the discrepancies were quantified using mean and standard deviation (SD). Pearson's product moment correlational analysis was used to test correlation, which is quantified using a parameter of r. Results: The trajectory profiles acquired by the gating systems show good agreement with those references. A quantitative analysis shows that the average mean discrepancy between BrainLAB ExacTrac system and known references is 1.68 mm for artificial and patient profiles, with the maximum motion amplitude of 28.0 mm. As for Varian RPM system, the corresponding average mean discrepancy is 1.54 mm for artificial and patient profiles. With the single‐exposure method, the time‐delays are found to be 0.20±0.03 seconds and 0.09±0.01 seconds for BrainLAB ExacTrac and Varian RPM systems, respectivelyConclusions: The results indicate the gating systems on the Novalis Tx system can track motion and control radiation delivery with reasonable accuracy. The single‐exposure method has been demonstrated feasible in measuring time‐delays efficiently.