cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency effects and lexical split in the use of [t] and [s] and [d] and [z] in the Syrian Arabic of Christian rural migrants

The change of the Standard Arabic interdentals, [θ] > [t] and [s], and [ð] > [d] and [z], in some Egyptian and Levantine Arabic dialects was traditionally explained in terms of two historical changes. The first change was a complete merger of [θ] with [t] and [ð] with [d]. The second change, i.e. [θ] > [s] and [ð] > [z], began with borrowing words with [θ] and [ð] from Standard Arabic, replacing them with similar sounds from speakers’ native phonology — [s] and [z] respectively. The data set used in this study comprises of naturally occurring speech of fifty-two Christian rural migrants to the city of Hims in Syria. The findings suggest that there is no variation in the use of [t] and [s] instead of [θ]. There is rather a synchronic puzzling STABLE LEXICAL SPLIT PHENOMENON: some words are specifically used with [t] and others are specifically used with [s]. The same applies to [d] and [z]. The study shows that although the two historical changes play a role, they are not the sole explanation of this stable lexical split phenomenon. Hence, the role of frequency is examined. Quantitative analyses reveal that highly frequent words are produced with the stops, whereas less frequent words are produced with the fricatives. This phenomenon is explained in terms of usage-based theory and two opposing frequency effects. The first frequency effect led to the merger with the stops. The second frequency effect made highly frequent words produced with the stops resistant to the second change that introduced words with the fricatives.
Rank-based tapering estimation of bandable correlation matrices

The nonparanormal model assumes that variables follow a multivariate normal distribution after a set of unknown monotone increasing transformations. It is a flexible generalization of the normal model but retains the nice interpretabil- ity of the latter. In this paper we propose a rank-based tapering estimator for estimating the correlation matrix in the nonparanormal model in which the vari- ables have a natural order. The rank-based tapering estimator does not require knowing or estimating the monotone transformation functions. We establish the rates of convergence of the rank-based tapering under Frobenius and matrix oper- ator norms, where the dimension is allowed to grow at a nearly exponential rate relative to the sample size. Monte Carlo simulation is used to demonstrate the finite performance of the rank-based tapering estimator. A data example is used to illustrate the nonparanormal model and the efficacy of the proposed rank-based tapering estimator.
Hypervariable region of human immunoglobulin heavy chains.

THE variable regions of human immunoglobulin light chains contain three areas of unusually high variability1–4. Similar hypervariable regions have been postulated for human heavy chains5, 6, but there are no amino-acid sequence data to support this idea. These hypervariable regions are particularly interesting because they may be the areas of the immunoglobulin molecule involved in antibody complementarity.We have made use of the recent observation that a variable region subclass of heavy chains is characterized by an unblocked amino-terminal residue7 and of the availability of automated sequencing techniques8, 9 to study this question in detail with additional heavy chain sequences.
A chronicle of organ transplant progress in Japan

This study records the progress of organ transplantation in Japan by reviewing significant developments in five areas: actual transplant legislation; landmark cases notably affecting public impressions of organ transplants; efforts to establish brain death criteria; action on the part of the Japan Medical Association; and current attempts to legislate on brain death. The account demonstrates how the notions of both brain death and heart transplantation have met with strong resistance. The first and only heart transplant occurred in 1968. Through its historical emphasis, this report reveals that, although opposition has not impeded transplant research, the determination of death and the idea of heart transplants remain highly controversial due to specific religious, philosophical, and cultural factors.
Characterization of glutamate efflux from preoptic area synaptosomes.

Abstract Treatment of ovariectomized rats in vivo with ovarian steroids has been found to influence the efflux of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid from preoptic area synaptosomes incubated in vitro. Since these studies indicated a possible role of the glutamate carrier in steroid-modulated release of amino acids, the present studies examined the characteristics of efflux of glutamate and of the carrier system for glutamate in synaptosomes of the preoptic area derived from ovariectomized hormone-treated rats. The efflux of [3H]glutamate from preoptic area synaptosomes, was induced by glutamate and by the glutamate carrier agonist, d -aspartate; the putative glutamate carrier antagonist dihydrokainate failed to block this efflux. Dihydrokainate inhibited the uptake of glutamate but it was less effective than d -aspartate. The excitatory amino acid receptor agonists, N- methyl- d -aspartate and kainate were without effect while quisqualate modestly stimulated the efflux of [3H]glutamate. Efflux of [3H]glutamate, induced by glutamate itself or by d -aspartate was not blocked by the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, d -2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione or kynurenate. Glutamate-induced efflux of [3H]glutamate did not require external Ca2+. Glutamate altered neither the basal nor the potassium-induced increases in the intrasynaptosomal concentration of Ca2+ as measured by the fura-2 method. Glutamate-induced efflux of [3H]glutamate was blocked by the putative chloride channel antagonist, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. It is concluded that the glutamate-induced efflux of [3H]glutamate in synaptosomes of the preoptic area is a carrier-mediated process that does not require activation of receptors. Furthermore, the glutamate carrier involved is atypical, in that chloride ion transport may be coupled to glutamate transport.
Alpha‐hemolytic streptococci: Clinical significance in the cancer patient

Alpha-hemolytic Streptococci were associated with 29 episodes of sepsis (12 polymicrobial) in 27 patients with cancer during a nine year period. Only two patients had dental manipulation prior to the onset of sepsis, but each had received chemotherapy and 75% were granulocytopenic (PMN less than 500/mm3) at the time of the infection. None of the patients developed bacterial endocarditis. Unlike the normal host in whom a transient bacteria with alpha-hemolytic Streptococci may occur following dental extraction or periodontal procedures, the cancer patient is at risk for more clinically significant sepsis. This risk is probably related to the presence of chemotherapy-induced oral mucusitis and granulocytopenia, and our results suggests that isolation of alpha-hemolytic Streptococci in febrile cancer patients should not be dismissed as a contaminent.
Trauma peptide-mediated prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis: a potential mechanism for trauma-induced immunosuppression

In vitro exposure of peripheral-blood-adherent mononuclear cells or amnion cells to nanomolar quantities of a trauma-associated immunosuppressive peptide resulted in an increased biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Trauma peptide enhanced prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis by as much as 425% compared to buffer controls. The addition of trauma peptide to mixed lymphocyte cultures significantly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation by human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Addition of indomethacin (an inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis) to mixed lymphocyte cultures did not significantly abrogate the immunosuppressive activity of the peptide. These results indicate that suppression of T lymphocyte blastogenesis by trauma peptide is probably mediated by at least two mechanisms: (1) by increased PGE2 biosynthesis, induced by trauma peptide, and (2) through a non-cyclooxygenase-mediated pathway.
HIN-1 and the Nosology of Breast Cancer

Commentary to: Lack of HIN-1 Methylation Defines Specific Breast Tumor Subtypes Including Medullary Carcinoma of the Breast and BRCA1-Linked TumorsPascaline Tisserand, Coralie Fouquet, Michel Barrois, Catherine Gallou, Remi Dendale, Dominique Stoppa-Lyonnet, Xavier Sastre-Garau, Alain Fourquet and Thierry Soussi
Central cholinergic influence on self-administration of morphine and amphetamine.

Abstract Atropine and methylatropine were tested in rats for an ability to alter the reinforcing action of intravenous morphine sulfate and d-amphetamine sulfate (60 μg/kg/injection). Atropine blocked the self-administration of morphine, but methylatropine did not. Similarly, atropine but not methylatropine prevented the establishment of a conditioned reinforcer based on passive intravenous infusions of morphine. Self-administration of d-amphetamine was enhanced by atropine but not by methylatropine. The results indicate that a central cholinergic system exerts an influence on the brain mechanisms which are affected by morphine or d-amphetamine to produce positive reinforcement.
Short-term changes in protective stepping for lateral balance recovery in older adults

Background Fall prevention for older adults is dependent on the ability to maintain protective balance. This study measured the short-term changes of protective stepping following waist-pull perturbations in the medio-lateral direction, to identify what, if any, properties of protective stepping are improved with repeated perturbation exposures.
43: Effect of stress and of formula feeding on the acquisition of intestinal flora in newborn rats

In a rat model of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, breast milk, and most specifically milk macrophages have been shown to be protective to the susceptible stressed rat. Moreover, it was found that the affected animals died with enterobacterial septicemia. (Ped. Res. 1974, V. 8, p. 110). In order to batter define the role of the gastrointestinal flora in this disorder, the kinetics of their establishment in the stressed and unstressed newborn rat were determined as a function of feeding. Newborn rats were fed whole breast milk, frozen breast milk, formula and formula with peritoneal macrophages. They were studied on days 1, 3, and 7 following birth. The gut was divided into duodenum-jejunum, ileum-cecum, and colon. These portions of gut were homogenized and quantitative cultures of aerobic and anaerobic flora were performed. Stress alone appeared to favor the establishment of enterobacterial flora, this effect being most dramatic in the duodenum-jejunum. Sterile milk formula and frozen rat milk fed rats had a greater level of enterobacterial colonization than nursed rats or rats fed the formula plus peritoneal macrophages. Thus these leukocytes, which can be demonstrated to be viable in the stomach and jejunum, protect against colonization with enteric bacteria in vivo. Whether they protect through their demonstrated bactericidal activity or through other mechanisms remains to be determined.
Do expected budget deficits affect household expectations of interest rates

Abstract This paper tests the hypothesis that agents forming expectations of interest rates will incorporate information pertaining to forecasts of the budget deficit if they believe that a relationship exists between current budget deficits and interest rates. Thus it examines the interrelationship between the expectations of different economic variables. The results indicate that there is no significant relationship between expected interest rates and budget deficits after controlling for other factors influencing the expectations of the interest rate.
Holism: Revolution or reminder?

Among the four propositions considered in this paper, we have found two which can contribute to a holistic environmental ethic: individuals acquire some of their value through participating in communities, including biotic communities, and wholes, including biotic communities, can have values which are not the sum of the values of the individuals composing them. However, accepting these propositions does not represent a revolutionary break distinguishing holism from traditional value theories or ethics. On the other hand, the holistic propositions we considered which would clearly differentiate holism from (at least some) traditional value theories and ethics are unacceptable. Consequently, if the propositions we have discussed fairly represent what goes under the name of “holism,” then rather than being a new kind of ethic, a viable ethical holism will make its contribution by emphasizing the communal elements of traditional ethics which have sometimes been neglected in glorifications of the individual. This would not be an inconsiderable contribution, philosophically, socially, or environmentally.
An elementary note on asymptotic properties of Toeplitz and multilevel Toeplitz matrices

Abstract Let { a l ( f )} l=−∞ ∞ be the Fourier coefficients of f ∈ L [−π,π] and consider the Toeplitz matrices { T n ( f )}, where T n ( f )=( a i − j ( f )) i , j =1 n ; thus, { T n ( f )} is generated by the symbol f . There are many results on asymptotic properties of { T n ( f )} as n →∞. If r is a positive integer and T n ( r ) ( f )=( a r ( i − j ) ) i , j =1 n , then { T n ( r ) ( f )}={ T n ( f r )} where f r is easily obtained from f . Hence, known results on the asymptotic behavior of Toeplitz matrices generated by a symbol can be applied to { T n ( r ) ( f )}. Although this is elementary, to our knowledge it has not been previously exploited. We extend this idea to multilevel Toeplitz matrices.
Scientists track solar event all the way to Earth

For the first time ever, the satellites of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) “Observatory” have tracked a solar eruption all the way from the Sun to the Earth. The resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) traveled 4 days through interplanetary space before arriving at Earth, where it caused violent disturbances of the magnetic environment and spectacular auroral displays. The initial expulsion occurred on the Sun on January 6, 1997, and the resulting magnetic cloud hit the Earth on January 10. The Sun often erupts. It flings out whitehot ionized gas (actually hotter than whitehot, to where it glows in X rays) with explosive violence. Only occasionally is this gas aimed at Earth, however, and it is even more unusual for scientists to be watching the potentially disruptive mass ejection (as they were in January) just as it leaves the Sun. This made it possible to alert other scientific teams of possible activity they might observe 2 to 3 days later. It normally takes that long for such ejecta to travel the 150-million-km void from Sun to Earth. Thus while this is not the first, or the largest, event to be detected, the ISTP Observatory comprises a complement of spacecraft and ground-based missions that allows study of this “space storm” on a scale never accomplished before.
Effect of fluorophenylalanine on indole-3-acetic acid levels in Aveaa coleoptiles

The effect of the amino acid analogue D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine on indole-3-acetic acid levels in Avena has been examined. Previous studies have established that D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine promotes elongation, lowers phenolic levels and depresses auxin oxidase activity of etiolated Avena coleoptiles. This study employs an enzyme immunoassay to measure endogenous indole-3-acetic acid concentrations in coleoptile apices. These data demonstrate that treatment of Avena coleoptiles with D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine results in altered auxin levels and help clarify the mechanism of D,L-p-fluorophenylalanine action in Avena
Well blowout rates and consequences in California Oil and Gas District 4 from 1991 to 2005: implications for geological storage of carbon dioxide

Well blowout rates in oil fields undergoing thermally enhanced recovery (via steam injection) in California Oil and Gas District 4 from 1991 to 2005 were on the order of 1 per 1,000 well construction operations, 1 per 10,000 active wells per year, and 1 per 100,000 shut-in/idle and plugged/abandoned wells per year. This allows some initial inferences about leakage of CO2 via wells, which is considered perhaps the greatest leakage risk for geological storage of CO2. During the study period, 9% of the oil produced in the United States was from District 4, and 59% of this production was via thermally enhanced recovery. There was only one possible blowout from an unknown or poorly located well, despite over a century of well drilling and production activities in the district. The blowout rate declined dramatically during the study period, most likely as a result of increasing experience, improved technology, and/or changes in safety culture. If so, this decline indicates the blowout rate in CO2-storage fields can be significantly minimized both initially and with increasing experience over time. Comparable studies should be conducted in other areas. These studies would be particularly valuable in regions with CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and natural gas storage.
The Problem with ADHD: Researchers’ Constructions and Parents’ Accounts

An enduring controversy over the nature of ADHD complicates parents’ decisions regarding children likely to be diagnosed with the condition. Using a fallibilist perspective, this review examines how researchers construe ADHD and acknowledge the controversy. From a systematic literature search of empirical reports using parents of ADHD-diagnosed children as primary informants, 36 reports published between 1996 and 2008 (corresponding to 30 studies) were selected. Data on the studies’ characteristics and methodologies, definitions of ADHD, and extent of the acknowledgment of the ADHD controversy were extracted, as were data on a wide range of parental concerns and experiences. Researchers in 27 of 30 studies define ADHD as a valid disorder, in 22 studies they tend to recommend parental adherence to the biomedical view, and in eight studies they specifically acknowledge an ADHD controversy. This body of studies reports varied and poignant observations on parents’ situations and dilemmas. Still, it largely reflects a Western-ethnocentric view and appears greatly preoccupied with parents who do not medicate their children, ignoring parents’ rationales for using medications.
Hangman's fracture or primary spondylolysis: a patient and a brief review.

Recognizing cervical fractures in the younger patients is often difficult. Potential fractures may look like congential lesions or normal uncalcified synchondroses. We report a three month old infant with a subtle hangman's fracture which might have been confused with primary spondylolysis. The traumatic nature of the defect was confirmed by serial plain films and CT. In addition to showing the value of serial studies, we believe that this is the youngest confirmed case of hangman's fracture reported to date. The literature is reviewed.
Alternative neural pathways initiate fast-start responses following lesions of the mauthner neuron in goldfish

1. Previous studies in adult fish show a one-to-one, time-locked, correlation between the presence of an initial action potential in the Mauthner (M-) cell and the onset of C-type fast-start responses in which the initial turn is away from the side of the active M-cell. In the present study we ask whether the M-cell is necessary for such behavioral acts. 2. Single M-cells in goldfish were electrolytically lesioned by passing current (7.2 μA for 20 s) from a stainless steel microelectrode situated at the M-cell initial segment. Behavioral responses were elicited by dropping a ball into the aquarium holding the fish. The behavior was filmed at 500 frames/s and responses with an initial turn opposite the side of the lesioned cell (non-Mauthner responses) were compared with responses opposite the intact cell (M-initiated responses). 3. Control experiments on acute preparations showed that such lesions prevent the M-cell from participating in behavioral responses because orthodromic synaptic activation of the M-axon is blocked, even though after the lesion the axon maintained resting potential and could conduct impulses to antidromic stimulation (Fig. 1). Chronic recordings from lesioned fish showed that in no case was the damaged M-cell observed to fire during any behavioral trials. 4. The main finding was that non-Mauthner responses were no different in mechanical performance (angular velocity, displacement speed, etc.) or response probability than M-initiated responses (Figs. 4, 10, 11). The only difference was that the non-Mauthner responses were significantly longer in response latency than the M-initiated responses (Fig. 7). Such non-Mauthner responses have not yet been observed in intact goldfish. 5. It is concluded that firing of the M-cell is causally related to the onset of C-type fast-start responses. But, when the M-cell is inactivated, alternative neural pathways that coexist with the M-cell can initiate the C-type fast-start behavior pattern.
Development of the mental, emotional, and bodily toughness inventory in collegiate athletes and nonathletes.

Abstract Context: The assessment of an individual's mental toughness would assist clinicians in enhancing an individual's performance, improving compliance with the rehabilitation program, and improving the individual treatment program. However, no sound measure of mental toughness exists. Objective: To develop a new measure of mental toughness, the Mental, Emotional, and Bodily Toughness Inventory (MeBTough). Design: Participants were invited to complete a 45-item questionnaire. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 261 undergraduate students were recruited to complete the questionnaire. Main Outcome Measure(s): The Rasch-calibrated item difficulties, fit statistics, and persons' mental toughness ability estimates were examined for model-data fit of the MeBTough. Results: Forty-three of the 45 items had good model-data fit with acceptable fit statistics. Results indicated that the distribution of items was fittingly targeted to the people and the collapsed ra...
A Toll receptor from Manduca sexta is in response to Escherichia coli infection

Genomic and cDNA sequences of a Toll receptor were cloned from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. M. sexta Toll (MsToll) gene contains six introns and seven exons. The full-length cDNA of MsToll is 3495 bp with an open reading frame of 2892 bp, which encodes a protein of 963 amino acids. MsToll is a typical single-pass transmembrane protein containing characteristic domain architecture of Toll and Toll-like receptors, including an extracellular domain composing of leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) and a cytoplasmic TIR domain. The deduced amino acid sequence of MsToll is most similar to Apis mellifera Toll (27% identity). Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that MsToll was expressed in hemocytes, fat body, Malpighian tubule, midgut and epidermis. Real-time PCR analysis showed that MsToll mRNA in hemocytes was significantly induced by Escherichia coli, as well as by yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and Micrococcus lysodeikticus. However, MsToll transcript in fat body was not induced by these microorganisms. Immunohistochemistry assay showed that MsToll was detected on hemocytes. The TIR domain of MsToll also has high similarity to those of vertebrate TLR4 and zebra fish TLR (35-39% identity). Our results suggest that MsToll may play a role in innate signaling in response to E. coli infections.
Nonvolatile memory MOS capacitors made of CdSe embedded ZrHfO high-k gate dielectric

MOS capacitor composed of nc-CdSe embedded ZrHfO high-k gate dielectric stack was fabricated and characterized for nonvolatile memory functions. Detailed material and electrical properties have been investigated. With a large charge trapping capability, this kind of device can trap electrons or holes depending on the polarity and magnitude of the applied gate voltage. For the same stress time, the device trapped more holes than electrons under the same magnitude of gate voltage but different polarity. The negative differential resistance peak was observed at the room temperature due to the Coulomb blockade effect. The charge trapping mechanism was delineated with the constant voltage stress test. After 10 years of storage, about 56% of trapped charges still remain in the device.
Physical aspects of yttrium-90 microsphere therapy for nonresectable hepatic tumors

Administration of yttrium-90 microspheres via the hepatic artery is an attractive approach to selectively delivertherapeuticdoses of radiation to livermalignancies. This procedure allows deliveringradiation absorbed doses in excess of 100 Gy to the tumors without significant liver toxicity. The microsphere therapy involves different specialties including medicaloncology,radiationoncology, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, medical physics, and radiation safety. We have treated 80 patients with nonresectable hepatic tumors with yttrium-90 microspheres during the past two years on an institutional study protocol. The nominal radiation absorbed dose to the tumor in this study was 150 Gy. Required activity was calculated based on the nominal radiation absorbed dose and patient’s liver volume obtained from the CT scan, assuming a uniform distribution of the microspheres within the liver. Microspheres were administered via a catheter placed into the hepatic artery. The actual radiation absorbed doses to tumors and normal liver tissue were calculated retrospectively based on the patient’s 99 m Tc-MAA study and CT scans. As expected, the activity uptake within the liver was found to be highly nonuniform and multifold tumor to nontumor uptake was observed. A partition model was used to calculate the radiation absorbed dose within each region. For a typical patient the calculated radiation absorbed doses to the tumor and liver were 402 and 118 Gy, respectively. The radiation safety procedure involves confinement of the source and proper disposal of the contaminated materials. The average exposure rates at 1 m from the patients and on contact just anterior to the liver were 6 and 135 uSv/h, respectively. The special physics and dosimetry protocol developed for this procedure is presented.
Copulatory behavior of male hamsters as a function of time since androgen withdrawal

The copulatory behavior of three groups of sexually experienced male hamsters was observed after androgen withdrawal. Each group was given four tests spaced five days apart: Group I began 45 days, Group II 60 days, and Group III 75 days after hormone removal. Amount of copulatory activity was found to be similar for all groups. In experienced males, the reduction of sexual behavior following androgen withdrawal may involve an active extinction process.
Kinetics of O(6)-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine repair by O(6)-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase within K-ras gene-derived DNA sequences.

O6-Methyl-2‘-deoxyguanosine (O6-Me-dG) is a potent mutagenic DNA adduct that can be induced by a variety of methylating agents, including tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). O6-Me-dG is directly repaired by the specialized DNA repair protein, O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), which transfers the O6-alkyl group from the modified guanine to a cysteine thiol within the active site of the protein. Previous investigations suggested that AGT repair of O6-alkylguanines may be sequence-dependent as a result of flanking nucleobase effects on DNA conformation and energetics. In the present work, a novel high-performance/pressure liquid chromatography−electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC−ESI+−MS/MS)-based approach was developed to analyze the kinetics of AGT-mediated repair of O6-Me-dG adducts placed at different sites within the double-stranded DNA sequence representing codons 8−17 of the K-ras protooncogene, 5‘-G1TA G2TT G3G4A G5CT G6G7T G...
A MULTIWAVELENGTH SCATTERED LIGHT ANALYSIS OF THE DUST GRAIN POPULATION IN THE GG TAURI CIRCUMBINARY RING

We present the first 3.8 μm image of the dusty ring surrounding the young binary system GG Tau, obtained with the W. M. Keck II 10 m telescope's adaptive optics system. This is the longest wavelength at which the ring has been detected in scattered light so far, allowing a multiwavelength analysis of the scattering properties of the dust grains present in this protoplanetary disk in combination with previous, shorter wavelength, Hubble Space Telescope images. We find that the scattering phase function of the dust grains in the disk is only weakly dependent on the wavelength. This is inconsistent with dust models inferred from observations of the interstellar medium or dense molecular clouds. In particular, the strongly forward-throwing scattering phase function observed at 3.8 μm implies a significant increase in the population of large (1 μm) grains, which provides direct evidence for grain growth in the ring. However, the grain size distribution required to match the 3.8 μm image of the ring is incompatible with its published 1 μm polarization map, implying that the dust population is not uniform throughout the ring. We also show that our 3.8 μm scattered light image probes a deeper layer of the ring than previous shorter wavelength images, as demonstrated by a shift in the location of the inner edge of the disk's scattered light distribution between 1 and 3.8 μm. We therefore propose a stratified structure for the ring in which the surface layers, located ~50 AU above the ring midplane, contain dust grains that are very similar to those found in dense molecular clouds, while the region of the ring located ~25 AU from the midplane contains significantly larger grains. This stratified structure is likely the result of vertical dust settling and/or preferred grain growth in the densest parts of the ring.
An Elementary Proof of Error Estimates for the Trapezoidal Rule

(2003). An Elementary Proof of Error Estimates for the Trapezoidal Rule. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 76, No. 4, pp. 303-306.
In situ infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroelectrochemical study of lubricant degradation

An attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared (IR) cell was designed using a boron-doped silicon wafer as the optically transparent electrode to simultaneously perform ATR-IR spectroscopic and electrochemical impedance measurements. The degradation of industrial lubricants was investigated by monitoring the near-surface concentration of hydrocarbons, detergents and anti-wear additives and the formation of degradation products, while polarizing the cell using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The detergent and the anti-wear agent concentration on and near the silicon surface, based on the IR spectra, and the sum of bulk solution and charge transfer resistance, based on the impedance spectra, were all at a maximum for 30 h drain oil, and then decreased for later drain oils. These results agree with other independent measurements, such as oil viscosity, total acid number (TAN), and total base number (TBN) to indicate that the lubricant is significantly degraded after 30 h in the engine test. These data demonstrate the potential use of the ATR silicon-based electrochemical cell as a monitoring device for lubricant degradation, and as an effective analytical tool capable of studying interfacial kinetics, surface interactions of the additives, and performance of silicon-based spectroelectrochemical devices.
Developing security community in the Western Balkans: The role of the EU and NATO

This article examines how external third parties, particularly international organizations, can facilitate the development of security community and international integration within post-conflict societies. Focusing on seven countries in the Western Balkan region, this study offers unique insight into how and why feelings of trust and a sense of community can be encouraged by external actors – the EU and NATO in this case – and how and if trust and community can filter down to the most local levels within post-conflict societies. Ultimately, we argue that both the EU and NATO have, primarily through membership requirements to engage in regional interaction and cooperation, significantly contributed to the development of security community among Western Balkan neighbors at the elite level. However, we also find that feelings of trust and belongingness are still very much lacking among the general population of the Western Balkan region. Such insights will further efforts to enhance conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction in the Western Balkans and elsewhere.
Effects of viral infection on corticosterone secretion and glucocorticoid receptor binding in immune tissues

During an immune challenge it has been suggested that responding cells secrete cytokines which then stimulate the release of glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids, in turn, are believed to bind to their receptors in target immune tissues and provide feedback inhibition on evolving immune responses. The foundations for this hypothesis have been drawn primarily from studies on animal models of autoimmune and/or inflammatory processes, and the relevance of these glucocorticoid-immune interactions to viral infections has not been extensively examined. Accordingly, we infected mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and measured plasma corticosterone and cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding at multiple time points throughout the day and throughout infection (days 3, 5, 7 and 10 post infection). Despite a vigorous immune response to this virus, LCMV infection was associated with minimal and transient increases in corticosterone secretion. Interestingly, however, significant decreases in cytosolic GR were found in immune tissues. Receptor decreases were characterized by a significant decrease in GR binding during the diurnal rise in corticosterone in the spleen and thymus of infected but not uninfected animals on days 5–10 post infection. In addition, in the morning on these days, GR binding in the spleen of infected mice was decreased compared to uninfected control mice. Following an acute injection of corticosterone on day 7 post infection, LCMV-infected animals exhibited a significantly greater decrease in splenic GR binding than uninfected control mice, suggesting an increased sensitivity to corticosterone in infected animals. No changes were found in the affinity (Kd) of the GR during infection, nor was there evidence of an infection-associated decrease in plasma corticosteroid binding globulin. The appearance of significant GR changes in the spleen and thymus, in the absence of significant elevations in corticosterone or decreases in its binding protein, suggests that cytokines and/or other factors produced within the immune tissues during infection either directly influenced GR number and/or function or influenced the local availability of corticosterone. Taken together, the results indicate that interactions between the neuroendocrine and immune systems can be modified at the level of the GR in the context of an ongoing immune response such as during a viral infection.
STM Investigation of Pyridine Interaction with Heteropoly Acid Monolayers

Images and tunneling spectra of H3PMo12O40 and Cs3PMo12O40 deposited on graphite were obtained in air using scanning tunneling microscopy before and after pyridine adsorption, and the effects of pyridine adsorption on the HPA arrays and on their tunneling spectra were examined. Fresh H3PMo12O40 formed well-ordered two-dimensional arrays with a nearly square symmetry on the graphite surface, with a characteristic lattice spacing of about 10.8 A, as determined from STM images. Upon interaction with pyridine, the STM images showed not only a change in array symmetry from square to hexagonal but also an increase in the lattice constant to ca. 16.5 A, as well. This indicated that even in the two-dimensional array of H3PMo12O40, the ∼6 A pyridine molecules were mainly adsorbed on the acid sites in the interstices between the polyanions, causing an increase in the interstitial spacing. In contrast, STM images of both fresh Cs3PMo12O40 and pyridine-adsorbed Cs3PMo12O40 showed similar two-dimensional ordered array...
HLA alleles in frequently relapsing steroid-dependent and -resistant nephrotic syndrome in Egyptian children

The association between HLA class II antigens and childhood primary nephrotic syndrome has been reported in different populations. To investigate this association in Egyptian children, DRB1 alleles were typed by DNA polymerase chain reverse hybridization in 20 frequent relapsers/steroid-dependent and 14 steroid-resistant children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and 121 unrelated healthy controls from the northern part of Egypt. The strength of the association was expressed as the relative risk (RR) estimated by the odds ratio. The DRBI *07011 allele frequency was significantly higher among patients than controls (78.9% vs. 16%, Pc <0.001). The etiological fraction (EF) was high at 0.75 [RR=20.1, confidence interval (CI)=6.0–66.7]. Similarly, patients with steroid-resistant MCNS had a higher frequency of the DRBI *07011 allele than controls (64.3% vs. 16.5%, P c<0.001). The EF was high at 0.57 (RR=9.6, CI 2.9–31.7). In the whole group of patients the frequency of DRBI *11 alleles was low compared with controls (11.4% vs. 32.2%, P =0.02), but was not significant when P was corrected. In conclusion, the DRBI *07011 allele confers susceptibility to a frequently relapsing and steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant course of childhood MCNS. These patterns of the disease seem to have the same immunogenetic components.
Transmitted Murmurs in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Forty patients undergoing hemodialysis were examined for bruits transmitted from the vascular access arm. In patients with forearm access, the bruits were localized to the clavicular and cervical regions on the same side. However, transmission to the sternal edge was noted in 8 of 10 patients with upper arm access. Compression of the fistula is a useful maneuver that allows the clinician to distinguish transmitted murmurs from those arising in cardiac valves.
Review: rosiglitazone increases risk for MI but does not differ from other drugs for CV death in type 2 diabetes.

Source Citation Nissen SE, Wolski K. Effect of rosiglitazone on the risk of myocardial infarction and death from cardiovascular causes. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:2457-71. 17517853
Surgeon volume and adequacy of thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer.

Introduction We aimed to determine influence of surgeon volume on (1) frequency of appropriate initial surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and (2) completeness of resection. Methods We reviewed all initial thyroidectomies (Tx; lobectomy and total) performed in a health system during 2011; surgeons were grouped by number of Tx cases per year. For patients with histologic DTC ≥1 cm, surgeon volume was correlated with initial extent of the operation, and markers of complete resection including uptake on I 123 prescan, thyrotropin–stimulated thyroglobulin levels, and I 131 dose administered. Results Of 1,249 patients who underwent Tx by 42 surgeons, 29% had DTC ≥1 cm without distant metastasis. At a threshold of ≥30 Tx per year, surgeons were more likely to perform initial total Tx for DTC ≥1 cm ( P = .01), and initial resection was more complete as measured by all 3 quantitative markers. For patients with advanced stage disease, a threshold of ≥50 Tx per year was needed before observing improvements in I 123 uptake ( P = .004). Conclusion Surgeons who perform ≥30 Tx a year are more likely to undertake the appropriate initial operation and have more complete initial resection for DTC patients. Surgeon volume is an essential consideration in optimizing outcomes for DTC patients, and even higher thresholds (≥50 Tx/year) may be necessary for patients with advanced disease.
Learning Disabilities and Presumed Central Nervous System Dysfunction.

Although learning disabilities have historically been presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, it has only been within the past decade that this origin has been acknowledged in a c...
ENERGY LOSS AND STRAGGLING OF 150-MEV ELECTRONS IN Li, Be, C, AND Al

The most probable energy loss and the straggling distribution for 150-Mev electrons in thin targets (\ensuremath{\sim}2.5 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$) of Li, Be, C, and Al have been measured utilizing the electron beam of the Stanford Mark III linear electron accelerator. The primary beam energy spectrum had a full width at half-height of 0.20 Mev. The data for the most probable energy loss agree with the theory of Landau when corrected for the density effect according to Sternheimer. A recent recalculation of this density effect on the basis of new values for the mean excitation potentials after Caldwell noticeably improves agreement between theory and experiment for carbon. Comparison is made with previous calculations using Bakker and Segr\`e potentials. The half-widths of the straggling distributions are between 7 and 15% wider than the Landau theory predicts, in qualitative agreement with a recent comment by Hines.
Parameter estimation for stochastic linear hereditary systems

Given the response covariance of a linear heredity system and a parameterized model, a model error method is developed to estimate unknown system parameters. It is assumed that the system is linear and time-invariant, but not necessarily finite-dimensional. A characterization of the time-invariant property in terms of the response covariance function leads to a simplified error functional to estimate the unknown parameters. Numerical results are presented illustrating agreement between the estimated model and the data. Robustness of the methods to errors in the covariance function is discussed. >
Preliminary results of a pilot study using WR-2721 before fractionated irradiation of the head and neck to reduce salivary gland dysfunction☆

Abstract Purpose: Based on in vivo evidence of radioprotection of the salivary glands using WR-2721, a pilot study was undertaken to determine the feasibility, toxicity, and salivary function of patients receiving WR-2721, while undergoing radiation therapy to the head and neck. Methods and Materials: Patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer of the head and neck were eligible if the major salivary glands received more than 45 Gy. WR-2721 was administered over 6 min IV, 10–15 min prior to each dose of radiation five times per week. Saliva was collected and measured prior to radiation therapy, weekly during radiation therapy, 1 month postradiation therapy, and every 3 months thereafter. Flow rates of unstimulated whole saliva, stimulated whole saliva, and stimulated parotid saliva were measured using standard techniques. 99m Tc salivary scintiscans were performed prior to radiation therapy, 1 month postradiation therapy and every 3 months thereafter. Nine patients are presently enrolled on the first dose level (100 mg/m 2 ) of this study. Eight completed per protocol, two with minor decreases of total WR-2721 doses. Two patients progressed with distant metastases soon after completion of therapy. All available data are included in the analysis. Median follow-up for all patients is 18 months. Results: Flow rates of unstimulated whole saliva decreased significantly during radiation therapy reaching 5.6% of baseline at 9 months postradiation therapy, subsequently recovering to 20% of baseline, then remaining stable over time. Stimulated whole salivary flow rate similarly decreased during radiation therapy and reached its nadir (11% of baseline) at 3 months postradiation therapy, improving to 27% of baseline by 2 years. The stimulated parotid flow rate decreased during radiation therapy to 1.4% of pretreatment levels. Significant recovery took place 6 months postradiation therapy and by 18 months values had recovered to 54% of baseline. 99m Tc salivary scintiscans confirmed this rebound of parotid function postradiation therapy. Toxicity was minimal with the exception of one patient who received only 27% of the planned total drug dose due to grade 3 hypotension after the eighth treatment. No recovery of salivary function has been seen in this patient; flow rates remain zero in all three areas tested 21 months after radiation. Conclusions: Administration of WR-2721 prior to each dose of radiation was feasible and without significant toxicity at 100 mg/m 2 . Salivary gland function improved over time after completion of radiation, particularly the parotid. Future directions include escalation of WR-2721 dose to 200 mg/m 2 and then 300 mg/m 2 , and a Phase III randomized trial will be undertaken once the optimal dose is established.
Following experts at work in their own information spaces: using observational methods to develop tools for the digital library

Digital libraries allow information access to be integrated into work processes rather than separated from them, but also have the potential to overwhelm users with excessive or irrelevant information, impairing their performance rather than improving it. With the opportunity to create new models of what a library is and how it can be used comes the challenge of improving our understanding of its patrons, their work, and the circumstances under which they perform it. In this article we offer an overview of our experiences using observational methods to learn about one class of users, expert clinicians treating patients in hospital settings. We describe the evolution of our understanding of the users and their informational tasks, and how this evolving understanding is guiding our efforts to create digital library technology. The multidisciplinary composition of our team has enriched our observations and improved the validity of our analysis and interpretations. The multiple observation methods we have employed, including "think-aloud" scenarios in the laboratory, participant observation in the field, key informant interviews, and focus group sessions, have enabled us to enrich the data set, gain greater insight, and verify findings with informants. The relatively tight cycle of observation, analysis, development, and repeat observation has enabled us to iteratively and more rapidly refine our "user model" and "task model," improving, we hope, the usefulness of the technologies we are developing.
Monitoring Fish Wheel Catch Using Event-Triggered Video Technology

Abstract In large, turbid rivers, fish wheels are often used as a live-capture technique for monitoring migratory fish runs. After capture in the wheel's rotating baskets, fish are lifted out of the water, slid down a chute, collected in a live-box, and then sampled. To eliminate the handling and holding of fish associated with fish wheel live-boxes, an event-triggered video system was developed so that fish were video recorded during capture and then immediately released back into the river. A magnetic switch, connected to an exit door installed in the fish wheel chute, signaled a computer to videotape passing fish. Periods of no fish capture were not recorded. Reliability and accuracy were evaluated over a 3-year period, 2001–2003. In over 14,000 h of operation and 262,000 recorded fish images, the system failed only once (due to a malfunction of the exit door). Fish counts from the video system were 4% higher than counts from fish wheel live-boxes, mostly because fish were jumping out of the live-box b...