cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental characteristics of epileptiform activity in immature rat neocortex: a comparison of four in vitro seizure models

New-onset seizures and epilepsy have a relatively high incidence in infants and children. A leading hypothesis to explain an increased seizure susceptibility of the immature nervous system involves ontogenetic changes in different neurotransmitter systems, such as specific glutamate and GABA receptors. However, few studies have directly tested this hypothesis in a systematic fashion, especially in neocortical structures, where seizures in pediatric patients frequently arise. The present study investigated developmental changes in epileptiform activity in rat neocortical slices from four age groups (postnatal days P4–7, P13–16, P23–26, P41–47) due to four pharmacological conditions (4-aminopyridine, low magnesium, picrotoxin, CGP-35348) that differentially modulate glutamate and GABA systems. A characteristic age-dependence of the incidence of epileptiform activity was observed. In all pharmacological conditions, no epileptiform activity occurred in neocortical slices from P4–7 rats. Interictal discharges, ictal events, and spreading depression had a maximal incidence at P13–16 and decreased progressively in later age groups. 4-Aminopyridine, low magnesium, and picrotoxin induced all types of epileptiform activity with a similar age-dependent pattern, despite minor differences in quantitative characteristics of epileptiform activity between these three conditions. The GABAB antagonist, CGP-35348, did not elicit epileptiform activity in any age group, but could potentiate synaptic potentials. These findings establish that isolated neocortical tissue intrinsically displays ontogenetic changes in seizure susceptibility independent of systemic factors. The similar age-dependent patterns of epileptiform activity with multiple drugs support a concept of global developmental changes in excitability not specifically linked to any particular neurotransmitter system.
Programmed Instruction Nucleus (PIN): a simplified author-language for computer-aided instruction.

Abstract Programmed Instruction Nucleus (PIN) is an author-language designed to enable educators to write computer-aided instruction (CAI) materials with a minimum of assistance from computer programmers. PIN is a set of PL 1 macros and also permits any valid PL 1 . Six commands and five parameters are described. Questions requiring a numeric response, multiple choice questions, true-false questions and fill-in type questions are used to illustrate PIN in sufficient detail so that instructors with little or no experience with computers are able to write CAI lessons.
The Fall and Rise of Torture: A Comparative and Historical Analysis*

Torture was formally abolished by European governments in the 19th century, and the actual practice of torture decreased as well during that period. In the 20th century, however, torture became much more common. None of the theories that explain the reduction of torture in the 19th century can explain its resurgence in the 20th. This article argues that the use of torture follows the same patterns in contemporary times as it has in earlier historical periods. Torture is most commonly used against people who are not full members of a society, such as slaves, foreigners, prisoners of war, and members of racial, ethnic, and religious outsider groups. Torture is used less often against citizens, and is only used in cases of extremely serious crimes, such as treason. Two general 20th-century historical trends have caused torture to become more common. First, an increase in the number and severity of wars has caused an increase of torture against enemy guerrillas and partisans, prisoners of war, and conquered civilian populations. Second, changes in the nature of sovereignty have caused an expansion in the definition of acts constituting treason.
3-fluoro-6-tert-butyltetrahydropyranosyl trichloroacetamidates. "chiral auxiliary donors" for hydroxyalkyl radicals.

An improved THP-based chiral auxiliary for hydroxyalkyl radicals is reported. The key modifications involve introduction of a fluorine substituent at C-3 to make the acetal center more robust and the use of Schmidt's trichloroacetamidate glycosylation methodology for efficient attachment of the auxiliary to the radical precursor. The resulting chiral hydroxyalkyl radical equivalents add to methyl 2-trifluoroacetoxyacrylate with selectivities ranging from 9:1 (0 °C) to 15:1 (−78 °C).
Tuning of Magnetic Second Harmonic Generation by Surface Plasmon Resonance

Tuning of magnetic induced second harmonic generation (MSHG) in a single crystal iron film is experimentally realized under the Kretschmann surface plasmon resonance configuration exhibiting strong enhancement of the transverse magnetic component.
SHAPE RETAINING INJECTABLE HYDROGELS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE BULKING

Purpose: Particle migration, poor shape definition and/or rapid resorption limit the success of current urethral bulking agents. We propose that shape defining porous scaffolds that allow cell infiltration and anchoring, and may be delivered in a minimally invasive manner may provide many advantageous features. Materials and Methods: Alginate hydrogels were prepared with varying degrees of covalent cross-linking and different pore characteristics. Dehydrated scaffolds were compressed into smaller, temporary forms, introduced into the dorsal subcutaneous space of CD-1 mice by minimally invasive delivery through a 10 gauge angiocatheter and rehydrated in situ with a saline solution delivered through the same catheter. Ionically cross-linked calcium alginate gel served as a control. Specimens were harvested at 2, 6, 12 and 24 weeks to evaluate implant shape retention and volume, cell infiltration and calcification, and the presence of an inflammatory response. Results: A total of 90 scaffolds were implanted and 95% were recovered at the site of injection. All of these scaffolds successfully rehydrated and 80% recovered and maintained their original 3-dimensional shape for 6 months. Scaffold volume and tissue infiltration varied depending on the degree of alginate cross-linking. Highly cross-linked materials (20% and 35%) demonstrated the best volume maintenance with the latter facilitating the most tissue infiltration. The inflammatory response was minimal except with the 80% cross-linked material. Calcification was not observed in covalently cross-linked scaffolds. In contrast, 98% of calcium alginate implants were calcified. Conclusions: Shape retaining porous hydrogels meet many of the requirements necessary for a successful injectable bulking agent and offer advantages over currently used agents.
Polymorphism identification within 50 equine gene‐specific sequence tagged sites

The continued discovery of polymorphisms in the equine genome will be important for future studies using genomic screens and fine mapping for the identification of disease genes. Segments of 50 equine genes were examined for variability in 10 different horse breeds using a pool-and-sequence method. We identified 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 9380 bp of sequenced exon, and 25 SNPs, six microsatellites, and one insertion/deletion in 16961 bp of sequenced intron. Of all genes studied 52% contained at least one polymorphism, and polymorphisms were found at an overall rate of 1/613 bp. Several of the putative SNPs were tested and verified by restriction enzyme analysis using natural restriction sites or ones created by primer mutagenesis. The lowest allele frequency for a SNP detected in pooled samples was 10%. Three of the SNPs verified in the diverse horse pool were further tested in six breed-specific horse pools and were found to be reasonably variable within breeds. The pool-and-sequence method allows identification of polymorphisms in horse populations and will be a valuable tool for future disease gene and comparative mapping in horses.
COX-2: a target for prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is the third most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract and the sixth most common cancer worldwide [1]. The disease has a high fatality rate, with more than 335,000 deaths occurring each year worldwide [1]. In the United States, approximately 12,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, and the overall survival rate ranges from 5% to 10%. Most patients cannot be cured by current treatment modalities, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combinations thereof. Given the dismal prognosis of this neoplasm, the development of preventive and/or novel treatment strategies is essential. This review reports epidemiological, experimental and early clinical evidence indicating that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs), represents a potential molecular target for the treatment and/or and prevention of esophageal cancer.
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for Treatment of Cirrhosis-related Chylothorax and Chylous Ascites: Single-institution Retrospective Experience

To investigate the efficacy and safety of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation to treat cirrhosis-related chylous collections (chylothorax and chylous ascites). We retrospectively reviewed data from four patients treated for refractory cirrhosis-related chylous collections with TIPS at our institution over an 8 year period. One patient had chylothorax, and three patients had concomitant chylothorax and chylous ascites. There were no major complications, and the only procedure-related complications occurred in two patients who had mild, treatable hepatic encephalopathy. All patients had improvement as defined by decreased need for thoracentesis or paracentesis, with postprocedure follow-up ranging from 19 to 491 days. TIPS is a safe procedure that is effective in the treatment of cirrhosis-related chylous collections.
Preference for and Performance With Damped and Undamped Hearing Aids by Listeners With Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This study investigated the relationship between acoustic damping of hearing aid responses and listeners’ speech discrimination and judgments of preference and sound quality. Eighteen subjects with...
Pediatric brain natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide reference intervals.

Abstract Background Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) have been shown to be useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of heart failure. Pediatric reference intervals for these analytes have been reported in part. Previous studies lack large numbers in each group, have not covered all age ranges and have not compared results for BNP with NT-proBNP in simultaneously drawn samples. Methods We measured BNP in whole blood using the Biosite Triage point-of-care method and plasma NT-proBNP using the Dade RxL Dimension. We assessed between and within-day precision of both methods and after removing outliers employed the Hoffmann approach to calculate pediatric reference intervals over the age range of 0–21 y. We also compared the 2 methods on simultaneously drawn samples. Results Reference intervals revealed approximately 20-fold higher 97.5th percentiles for neonates than for children > 3 y of age. 97.5th percentiles decreased significantly over the first 3 years of life. As shown by others, the CVs for the automated Dade RxL platform were somewhat lower than those for the POCT method. BNP and NT-proBNP correlated well in simultaneously drawn samples (r = 0.947). Discussion Reference intervals for BNP and NT-proBNP are far higher in neonates and infants than in children older than three years of age. The reasons for this are unknown but resemble the elevated CK-MBs and troponins also found in neonates, although the 97.5th percentiles for these latter 2 cardiac markers decrease more rapidly to values found in older children by 6 months of age.
Worldwide use of the ketogenic diet.

Summary: Purpose: Over the past decade, the use of the ketogenic diet internationally has increased dramatically. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the use of the diet worldwide. Methods: With the use of the Internet, e-mail requests for information about international ketogenic diet centers (outside the United States) were made over a 9-month period. Assistance also was obtained from the Child Neurology Society and International League Against Epilepsy. Questions included patient enrollment (total and annually), year the diet was first offered, unique cultural and religious issues in the country, community opinion, and research interests. Results: Successful communication was made with 73 academic centers in 41 countries outside the United States. Sixteen (39%) countries provided information from multiple centers. The median duration offering the diet was 8 years (range, 1–45 years). The average number of patients enrolled to date was 71.6 per country, with 5.4 new patients annually. Common difficulties included avoiding rice intake, tolerating higher fat-to-protein and carbohydrate ratios (e.g., 4:1), finding specific nutritional labels on foods, and handling the growing interest from large populations with limited resources. Nevertheless, cultural and religious issues were generally not limiting; physician and patient acceptance of the diet as an option is high; and most meals were similar among countries. Centers often had great pride in their programs, and international collaborative groups are forming rapidly. A website is now available with updated center information at http://www.neuro.jhmi.edu/Epilepsy/Peds/ketoworldwide.htm Conclusions: Despite occasional difficulties, the ketogenic diet is being used worldwide.
Electrophoretic analyses of proteins and enzymes in Culicoides varhpennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract 1. 1. Sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) was used to study the changes that occur in the electrophoretic profile of whole body homogenates of Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett) during egg-adult morphogenesis. 2. 2. Relative quantitative changes in particular bands during the course of insect development were observed. 3. 3. Isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels (IFPAG) was used to study the isozymes of aldehyde oxidase, non-specific esterases, α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase,hexokinase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, peptidase, phosphoglucoisomerase, phosphoglucomutase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and triosephosphate isomerase. 4. 4. Variability was evident in six of these enzyme systems.
Stetson Pit, Dare County, North Carolina: An integrated chronologic, faunal, and floral record of subsurface coastal quaternary sediments

Continuous split spoon samples from a drill hole penetrating 34 m of coastal plain sediments at Stetson Pit in Dare County, North Carolina were taken for lithologic, aminostratigraphic, faunal (ostracodes) and floral (pollen) analyses. Three distinct aminozones are recognized in the subsurface section based upon D-alloisoleucine/L-isoleucine (A/I) values in each of the molluscan species Mulinia lateralis and Mercenaria sp. Ostracode zonations in the subsurface section are based on percentages of 80 thermophilic and cryophilic species (those living today south and north of Cape Hatteras) and the percentages of brackish water species. Five assemblage zones are delineated. Six pollen assemblage zones are also delineated within the subsurface section based upon study of 48 sediment samples. The subsurface record at Stetson Pit is interpreted to represent portions of four interglacials based upon the combined faunal, floral and aminostratigraphic data. The two younger aminozones, with amino acid age estimates of 100,000±20,000 yr (−7.2 to −11.2 m MSL) and 300,000–500,000 yr (−13 to −14.2 m MSL), represent portions of middle/late Pleistocene interglacials. The lower aminozone (−17.4 to −33 m MSL) spans an interval that probably includes at least two interglacials (based upon faunal and floral records) and has an age estimated to be between 800,000 and 1,300,000 yr. Boundaries delineated by faunal, floral, and amino acid methods do not always coincide, due to sampling constraints and phase lags between the different records. One major unconformity (at −17.4 m MSL) in the Stetson Pit section is easily recognized from lithologic characteristics and may represent a hiatus of as much as 800,000 yr. Lithologic changes associated with all other zone boundaries are subtle and would probably not be considered significant in the absence of faunal, floral, or amino acid data.
Wafer bonding for 3D integration of MEMS/CMOS

The pressure for reduction in cost and development time in new product, together with the need to pack more functions into smaller volumes in silicon chips has been fueling the system-on-chip (SOC) development. However, the current SOC technologies available essentially involve merging of chips fabricated with standard CMOS technology. These SOC technologies provide an integration solution with compatible fabrication processes that require little changes in process integration. There is no standard cost-effective solution to make 3D MEMS and optoelectronic devices together with CMOS on the same chip without compromising material compatibility, process complexity and system performance. One solution is to fabricate MEMS and CMOS components on separate wafer substrates and then stack them together with well isolated interconnected vias. In order to demonstrate this wafer-level 3D integration technology, a novel wafer-level bonding technology is being developed. This paper reports a detailed study of 3D MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) integration through multi-wafer anodic and polymeric wafer bonding. Different from previously reported wafer bonding studies, this study focuses on the optimization of the bonding process to improve the bonding quality.
Assessing GDSS empirical research

Abstract GDSS experiments can differ from one another in many important dimensions. To interpret the results of a particular experiment in the context of the literature, it is necessary to find similar experiments for comparison. In this paper we present a method for finding the appropriate peer experiments. This method involves defining a set of variables to classify experimental conditions, defining scales for each variable, capturing the difference between experiments by measuring the average distance between them, and by using multi-dimensional scaling as a way of representing the positioning of experiments graphically. The method is applied to experiments analyzed by Pinsonneault and Kraemer (1990) based on the classification scheme they propose. Detailed data and graphs are presented. The results show that the method is a robust way of identifying experiments that are similar and distinguishing among experiments that are fundamentally different from one another.
Quantitative nutritional studies with water-soluble, chemically defined diets. IV. Influence of various carbohydrates on growth, with special reference to D-glucosamine.

Abstract Various chemically defined diets, wherein the sole variable was the source of carbohydrate employed, were offered ad libitum to weanling male rats as 50% solutions in water. Growth responses were best where the sucrose-containing diets were employed, with the d -glucose-, invert sugar-, and d -fructose-containing diets exhibiting both a decreasing order of efficacy and a decreased diet intake. Calculation of the ratio of weight gained to diet intake revealed values of 0.39 – 0.41 for the different diets after some 22 days. Such data indicated that the growth-promoting propensities of the various diets were very nearly the same, with the actual degree of growth attained being dependent upon the diet intake. In addition, a number of diets were prepared which were of identical composition with the exception that various amounts of d -glucosamine were added at the expense of an equal amount of the glucose component. Weanling male rats exhibited a progressively decreasing rate of both growth and diet intake when offered diets of increasing d -glucosamine concentration. The total d -glucosamine intake, at any given time, appeared to reach a limiting value. A plot of weight gain versus diet intake, for the different diets, revealed a remarkably linear relationship and permitted the calculation of base-line diet intake maintenance values, in the absence of growth. The difference between such base-line values, B , and the diet intake, I , then permitted the calculation of the amount of diet, I — B , utilized by the growing animal for increased maintenance needs and growth beyond the initial weight. The ratio of weight gain, G , to I — B , was found to be essentially a constant for the animals on the different diets at any given period after diet administration. It can therefore be assumed that the presence of increasing quantities of d -glucosamine in the diet was not associated with growth inhibition by this carbohydrate, per se, but rather with a decreased diet intake by the animals.
Protein 19F NMR in Escherichia coli

Although overexpression and 15N enrichment facilitate the observation of resonances from disordered proteins in Escherichia coli, 15N enrichment alone is insufficient for detecting most globular proteins. Here, we explain this dichotomy and overcome the problem while extending the capability of in-cell NMR by using 19F-labeled proteins. Resonances from small (∼10 kDa) globular proteins containing the amino acid analogue 3-fluoro-tyrosine can be observed in cells, but for larger proteins the 19F resonances are broadened beyond detection. Incorporating the amino acid analogue trifluoromethyl-l-phenylalanine allows larger proteins (up to 100 kDa) to be observed in cells. We also show that site-specific structural and dynamic information about both globular and disordered proteins can be obtained inside cells by using 19F NMR.
Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter and Primary Cardiac Arrest among Persons With and Without Clinically Recognized Heart Disease

The authors studied the association between incidence of primary cardiac arrest and daily measures of fine particulate matter (</=2.5 micro m) using a case-crossover study of 1,206 Washington State out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (1985-1994) among persons with (n = 774) and without (n = 432) clinically recognized heart disease. The authors compared particulate matter levels on the day of the cardiac event and the 2 days preceding the event with levels from matched reference days. The estimated relative risk for a 13.8- micro g/m(3) increase in fine particulate matter (nephelometry: 0.54 x 10(-1) km(-1 )bsp) on the day prior to cardiac arrest was 0.94 (95% confidence interval: 0.88, 1.02). Pollutant levels measured on the same day as the event and on the 2 days preceding the event demonstrated similar results. No increased risk was found among all cases with preexisting cardiac disease (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.89, 1.07); however, an unexpected association appeared between current smokers with preexisting heart disease and increased particulate matter levels 2 days prior to the event (odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.06, 1.55). This association was not present in the 0- or 1-day lag analyses or in persons with other diseases. There was no consistent association between increased levels of fine particulate matter and risk of primary cardiac arrest.
Nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding the common α subunit of the chicken pituitary glycoprotein hormones

Recombinant cDNA clones that encode the alpha subunit of the chicken pituitary glycoprotein hormones were isolated from a pituitary library. The longer of the two cDNA clones that were sequenced was 754 bp in length. It contained 81 nucleotides of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), an open-reading frame of 360 bp that encoded a 24 amino acid leader polypeptide sequence as well as the 96 amino acid mature alpha subunit, and 268 nucleotides of the 3'-UTR, followed by a 45 bp poly(A) tract. There was 69-79% homology between the nucleotide sequence of the coding region for the chicken and mammalian alpha-subunit cDNAs. Northern blot analysis revealed that the steady-state levels of an approximately 800 bp alpha-subunit specific transcript increased quantitatively when dispersed chicken pituitary glands were treated in culture with chicken gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-I.
Simple harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy utilizing local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation: a safe and rapid alternative to conventional hemorrhoidectomy.

Background Harmonic Scalpel® hemorrhoidectomy (HSH) is an established surgical therapy for the treatment of symptomatic grade III and IV hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid surgery is still being performed as an inpatient procedure with general or regional anesthesia in many centers today. There was a trend toward performing hemorrhoid surgery as an ambulatory procedure using local anesthesia supplemented with intravenous sedation. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HSH performed with combination local anesthesia and intravenous sedation in an ambulatory surgical center.
Vinyl chloride: how many unknown problems?

The chemistry, biotransformation, toxicology, and carcinogenlctty of vinyl chloride have been reviewed. There is little doubt that this chemical produces angiosarcoma in both animals and man. However, the conditions for cancer Induction in man cannot at this point in time be related to ambient exposure levels. An increase in reported cases of vinyl chloride‐induced cases of liver malfunction, angiosarcoma, Raynaud's syndrome, scleroderma, and acroosteolysis should be expected in the near future due to past exposures. The exposure of the general population to vinyl chloride‐propelled aerosols and household products may be a contributor to these disease states. Occupational exposures will probably decrease as VC/PVC plants meet the new exposure standard of 1 ppm. However, epldemiological surveys should be continued to ascertain the latent period and the degree of exposure involved in angiosarcoma development. Animal experiments should be initiated to determine the relationship of short exposures at high con...
Use of soybean milk as an aid in prophylaxis of allergic disease in children.

T HE purpose of this study was to determine whether the incidence of atopic dermatitis (eczema) and other major allergies, as well as their allergic sequelae in potentially allergic infants might be influenced by completely withholding cow’s milk from their diets from birth until the age of six to nine months. By a potentially allergic infant is meant an infant who has one or more allergic parents or siblings. A previous publication1 has discussed the underlying reasoning for, and demonstrated the feasibility of, raising infants in this manner. Ninety-one infants comprised the experimental group. They were all either offsprings or siblings of one or more individuals with one or more major allergies, that is, asthma, pollinosis (rose or hay fever), atopic dermatitis (eczema), or perennial allergic rhinitis (P.:1.R.). Cow’s milk was deliberately withheld from each infant from birth. Each was fed a commercially available soybean formula.” Table I indicates the age at which these infants were changed from soybean milk to cow’s milk. Table 11 shows the length of the follow-up of this group which was continued until the t,irne of this writing. The histories of sixty-five siblings of those in the experimental group were also reviewed. In addition, a second control group was chosen as follows : From reviewing the histories of 4,710 allergic individuals in 1,215 families, 175 children with approsimatelp the same allergic family history were selected. Those in the sibling group, as well as those in the nonre!ated control group, were considered as suffering from a major allergy only if their allergic symptoms occurred !J!-/ or before the age Of onset of their counterparts in the experimental group. For each group the following data were sought: (1) the total incidence of major allergic diseases, (2) the incidence of at,opic dermatitis. (3) the incidence of other allergies to cow’s milk (colic, diarrhea, etc.), and (4) the allergic sequelae of atopic dermatitis and other allergies due to cow’s milk. Table III summarizes the comparative data obtained from the three groups of infants studied. Major allergy occurred in 14 per cent of the experimental group, in 64 per cent of the siblin g controls, and in 52 per cent of the unrelated control group. The chances that these findings are due merely to coincidence is less than one in one hundred (Chi square equals sixteen). The differences in
Evolution of magnetic phases upon annealing in glass-coated Fe–Ni–Cu microwires

Abstract The effects of annealing on the magnetic properties of glass-coated Fe–Ni–Cu microwires have been studied. The FCC Ni–Fe particle size increases with the annealing temperature resulting in higher room temperature coercivity. When the annealing temperature is increased to 500°C, a wasp-waisted hysteresis loop is observed which arises from the locking-in of the domain walls by the directional order of atoms due to diffusion under the influence of the local magnetic field. A magnetically hard glass-coated microwire with coercivity of 600 Oe is obtained after annealing at 700°C for 1 h.
A new delta inverter system for grid integration of large scale photovoltaic power plants

This paper presents a new grid-connected delta inverter system (DIS) for large scale photovoltaic (PV) power systems. The delta inverter achieves DC to three phase AC inversion by using only three power semiconductor devices instead of six devices as in a conventional full bridge three phase inverter. This reduction in the number of switching devices contributes to higher power density for PV energy conversion systems and potentially, an increase in reliability and lifetime. Two configurations of the proposed DIS are discussed in the paper: (a) A large scale PV field grouped into three DC voltage blocks, each block connected to a front end MPPT boost converter which is connected to a 3-switch DIS interfaced to the utility-grid; (b) PV field connected to a flyback converter with high frequency isolation, followed by a DIS interfaced to utility grid. Advanced pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques are investigated for DIS for operation under unbalanced condition. A design example and simulation results of a 30 kW DIS based PV plant are presented to explore the feasibility of such a system. Experimental results on a scaled down laboratory delta inverter system are shown to demonstrate the operation of this topology.
Interaction of microstructure development with viscous flow processes in glass

Abstract Measurements in glasses undergoing phase separation showed a large increase of viscosity with heat-treatment time. A correlation of this effect with electron micrographs of the structure indicated that the change in viscosity was related to an increase in size of the microstructure. A theoretical analysis is presented which is based on a model relating point-to-point variations in molecular environments to viscous flow processes in glass.
1704 FLUNARIZINE REDUCES BRAIN CATECHOLAMINE RELEASE AND MORPHOLOGIC DAMAGE CAUSED BY PERINATAL HYPOXIA-IS-CHEMIA

Unilateral carotid artery ligation(UCL), followed by timed exposure to an 8% oxygen environment, in 7 day old rat pups is a useful preparation for study of the pathogenesis of hypoxicischemic brain injury. In this model, 1.5 hours of hypoxia-ischemia stimulates striatal dopamine turnover [homovanillic acid(HVA)/ dopamine(D) ratio] acutely and leads to tissue damage in the hemisphere ipsilateral to UCL(Ann Neurol 15:342, Neurosci Lettrs 49: 271). Pre-treatment with flunarizine, an organic calcium antagonist selectively concentrated in brain, markedly attenuated the acute striatal D release in a dose dependent fashion-optimally at 30 mg/kg. In normal pups HVA/D = .09 ± .01(n=20), & in saline pretreated hypoxic ligates HVA/ D =2.15 ± .5 on the side of UCL(n=15). However, in 14 litter-mate ligates given 30 mg/kg flunarizine intraperitoneally (i.p.), HVA/D = .37 ± .17 (p<.025, t-test). The same dosages, administered orally or i.p., limited the extent of morphologic damage; in animals sacrificed 2 weeks after injury, mean ipsilateral hemisphere weight reduction was 5.6 ± 2% in 12 pups given 30 mg/kg of flunarizine and 19 ± 4% in 13 litter-mate controls (p<.01, t-test). These results demonstrate flunarizine's neuroprotective efficacy and confirm that in this model striatal dopamine turnover is a useful biochemical indicator of the threshold of hypoxia-ischemia needed to produce neuronal injury.
Using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) in Dynamic Punch Tests

A dynamic punch test in which three dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) is used to measure the deformation of the rear surface of a disk specimen is introduced. Flat, round Ti-6Al-4V disk specimens are clamped to a custom die fixture that is attached to the transmitter bar of a compression split-Hopkinson bar (SHB) apparatus. A tungsten carbide punch is attached to the incident bar and positioned such that it is in contact with the disk. During a test, a compression wave is introduced into the incident bar which causes the punch to penetrate into the specimen. The die fixture is slotted on both sides such that the rear surface of the disk specimen is visible to two high speed cameras. This provides a stereographic view of the specimen that is used to measure full-field displacement directly on the specimen with three dimensional DIC. The contact force between the punch and the disk is determined from the wave in the transmitter bar. Quasi-static tests using the same fixtures are conducted on a servo-hydraulic load frame. Results from tests with punches of various geometries show that the punch geometry greatly influences the punching force and the failure mode. Forces in the dynamic tests are higher than in the quasi-static tests. The 3D DIC measurements provide data that can be used to construct and validate deformation failure models.
SU‐FF‐I‐167: Non‐Contact Ultrasound Imaging Applied to Cortical Bone Phantoms for Determination of Bone Mineral Density, Speed of Sound, and Ultrasound Attenuation

A non‐contact ultrasound imaging (NCU) system including transmitting and receiving transducers coupled to the air was applied to custom designed cortical bone phantoms to determine bone mineral density, speed of sound, integrated acoustical response and attenuation for possible medical applications in quantitative ultrasound imaging. Air gaps of greater than a centimeter for two non‐contact transducers specially designed for thin cortical bones such as those in the distal radius, two transmission as well as two reflection paths, and a digital signal processor were used to collect data on cortical bone phantoms of nominal density that varied from 1.17 g/cm3 to 2.25 g/ cm3, with nominal bone mineral density (BMD) from 0 g/ cm3 to 1.7 g/cm3. Good correlation between nominal density and measuredspeed of sound, integrated acoustical response, and attenuation was obtained for all of our phantoms and techniques for limiting various sources of systematic errors were studied. In particular, reproducibility, agreement with contact ultrasound, and stability for speed of sound and other parameters versus phantom BMD was found to be at a level of a few (about 1–3) percent over a period of several months when the NCU system was carefully and routinely optimized and calibrated. The results of these investigations suggest that non‐contact ultrasound might find applications in quantitative bone assessment and in medical imaging in the near future.
Is the decremental pattern in Lambert-Eaton syndrome different from that in myasthenia gravis?

Abstract Objective We reviewed our experience to determine if the decremental pattern during low frequency repetitive nerve stimulation (LF-RNS) distinguishes between the Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods LF-RNS studies were reviewed from 34 LEMS and 44 MG patients, 4 of whom had antibodies to muscle specific kinase (MuSK). In each train we calculated the ratio between the early and the later decrement. Receiver-operator characteristic curves were calculated to determine the ratio that best distinguished between LEMS and MG. Results The late decrement was more often greater in LEMS and the converse was true in MG, but with some overlap in values in individual patients. A late decrement more than 102% of the early decrement discriminated between LEMS and MG in 90% of studies. The decremental pattern in MG patients with MuSK antibodies resembled that in LEMS. Conclusion When the decrement becomes progressively greater during low frequency RNS, the patient is more likely to have LEMS than MG, and in MG, is more likely to have MuSK antibodies. Significance A progressive decrement in patients otherwise felt to have MG should prompt further clinical, serological and electrodiagnostic tests. Further studies are needed to assess the decremental pattern in MuSK MG.
13C nuclear magnetic resonance of the errichrome peptides: structural and strain contributions to the conformational state.

Abstract The 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of l -ornithine, of the di- and tripeptide linear derivatives, and of the siderophore-occurring, modified residue δ- N -acetyl-δ- N -hydroxy- l -ornithine (Orn) are reported for 2 H 2 O solutions, at pD 7. The assignment of all the resonances is directly established from the comparative data. This information, together with available literature data, is used to identify the resonances of the metal-free cyclohexapeptides deferriferrichrome, deferriferricrocin, and deferriferrichrysin. The spectra of the analogous peptides at pD 7 in 2 H 2 O are shown to vary in the pattern of the Orn C β resonances, suggesting different conformations for deferriferrichrome and the two seryl-containing analogs, in agreement with previously resported 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance data. Co-ordination of the Al 3+ ion results in extensive changes in both the carbonyl and the aliphatic regions which enhance the overall resolution of the spectra. Most resonances are identified, and many assigned, from the comparative data for the three metal ion co-ordinated analogs. Except for the hydroxamate moiety, directly involved in the complexation event, the drastic chemical shifts induced by metal binding reflect an overall change in the conformational state of the peptides. Differences in the C a region of the Al 3+ -bound and metal-free peptides are attributed to strain or environmental effects rather than to inductive effects arising from primary structure.
Reply to comment on "Discrete-sample curve fitting using Chebyshev polynomials and the approximate determination of optimal trajectories via dynamic programming"

Some useful properties of the Chebyshev polynomials are derived. By virtue of their discrete orthogonality, a truncated Chebyshev polynomials series is used to approximate a function whose discrete samples are the only available data. If minimization of the sum of the discrete squared error is used as the criterion, subject to some constraints on initial conditions and/or terminal conditions, the coefficients of the polynomials are easy to obtain. The simplicity of computing the coefficients of the polynomials from the discrete values of the function to be approximated is utilized to the approximate determination of optimal trajectories via dynamic programming using the technique of polynomial approximation. This allows use of the functional equation approach to solve multi-dimensional variational problems.
Visual feedback attenuates force fluctuations induced by a stressor.

Purpose: The fluctuations in force during a steady contraction can be influenced by age, vision, and level of physiological arousal. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a stressor on the force fluctuations and information transmission exhibited by young, middle-aged, and older adults when a pinch-grip task was performed with and without visual feedback. Methods: Thirty-six men and women (19-86 yr) participated in a protocol that comprised anticipatory (30 min), stressor (15 min), and recovery periods (25 min). The stressor was a series of noxious electrical stimuli applied to the dorsal surface of the left hand. Subjects sustained a pinch-grip force with the right hand at 2% of the maximal voluntary contraction force. The normalized fluctuations in pinch-grip force (coefficient of variation), information transmission (log2 signal:noise), and the spectra for the force were quantified across the 70-min protocol. Results: Removal of visual feedback exacerbated the force fluctuations (3.83 +/- 3.15 vs 2.82 +/- 1.64%) and reduced the information transmission (5.01 +/- 0.86 vs 5.34 +/- 0.71 bits) only during the stressor period. The effect was similar for all age groups. Older adults exhibited greater force fluctuations and lower information transmission compared with young and middle-aged adults, especially during the stressor period. The impairments in fine motor performance during the stressor were associated with an enhancement of the power at 1-2 Hz in the force spectrum (R2 = 0.41-0.52). Conclusion: Removal of visual feedback increased the force fluctuations and decreased information transmission during a stressor period, which suggests that integration of visual feedback can attenuate the stressor-induced enhancement of synaptic input received by the motor neuron pool
Short-wave ultraviolet irradiation increases photo-affinity labeling of benzodiazepine sites.

Abstract Photoaffinity labeling of benzodiazepine sites with [3H]-flunitrazepam was examined using either long-wave (366 nm) or short-wave (254 nm) ultraviolet irradiation. A multiple exposure protocol was employed so that the time course of the process could be determined as well as the fraction of total sites labeled. At 366 nm, approximately 20% of the total sites present were labeled and the remainder showed reduced affinity for flunitrazepam, in agreement with published reports. When membranes from either cortex or cerebellum were irradiated at 254 nm, however, the fraction of sites labeled increased above 40%. The change in the ratio of labeled sites to those showing reduced affinity, as well as differences in the time courses of the two phenomena, are taken as evidence that the labeling and affinity change are independent processes rather than two effects of a single event. Inhibition of labeling by clonazepam and Ro15-1788 indicated the “central” nature of the labeled sites.
The Hispanic Spin Party Politics and Governmental Manipulation of Ethnic Identity

On November 3, 1970, the federal Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) convened the Interagency Committee on Uniform Civil Rights Policies and Practices. Under the general direction of Frank C. Kent, director of the office's Human Rights Division, approximately 30 middleand highlevel equal-opportunity officials from federal departments and agencies with programs affecting "poor or minority group citizens" were brought together. A Racial Data Collection Subcommittee established by this committee held four biweekly meetings between January 14 and February 25, 1971, and then recommended among other things that the federal government develop "uniform racial/ethnic data categories." The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was to establish a standard set of racial/ethnic categories to be employed in all data collection efforts and in the evaluations making use of the new data. Each agency was to implement this direction by undertaking the amendment of all data collection instruments with racial designations (Sklar and Cotter, 1971: 1, 5, 8, 11, 98). The recommendations of the subcommittee (also known as the Interagency Racial Data Committee) were designed to be far-reaching, affecting every category of statistical data compiled by federal agencies and contractors. Significantly, however, the subcommittee's membership included not a single representative from the Department of the Interior or from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Moreover, the report collected from the Interior Depart-
Potentiostatic transient technique, a simple approach to estimate the corrosion current density and Stern–Geary constant of reinforcing steel in concrete

The linear polarization resistance (LPR) method, introduced by Stern and Geary, is widely used in determining corrosion rates of steel bars in concrete or synthetic pore solution. The major limitation of this method is that the value of the Tafel slopes, and consequently the Stern-Geary constant (B), is necessary for accurate calculation of the corrosion rate. This paper proposes a simple method for determining the corrosion current density and the Stern-Geary constant, using the results of the potentiostatic transient technique. The effect of the Stern-Geary constant on the corrosion rate of steel bar in concrete is also discussed. Results of this study show that potentiostatic transient method can be used successfully to determine the corrosion rate of steel bars in concrete without using the pre-assumed value of B.
The Dehnel-Petrusewicz Memorial Fund - an experiment in international cooperation

Following World War II, two Polish mammalogists emerged as founders of outstanding programs of research and teaching, one in ecology (K. Petrusewicz) and the other in more traditional mammalogy (A. Dehnel). Both were also leaders in international cooperation, and K. Petrusewicz in particular was effective in making Poland a center of international scientific activities. This exciting and productive situation was curtailed, starting in the mid-1970’s, by political and economic constraints. In response to this development, the Dehnel-Petrusewicz Memorial Fund was established, effectively in 1983 and formally in April 1985, to help active Polish scientists continue with their research and especially to attend international meetings. Until the Fund was dissolved in April 1999, it dispensed $12,485 in 41 grants to 33 recipients. It also helped in many other ways to encourage and facilitate the role of Polish scientists in fostering international cooperation and as effective communication bridges between the West and Soviet bloc countries.