cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A three-dimensional image processing program for accurate, rapid, and semi-automated segmentation of neuronal somata with dense neurite outgrowth

Three-dimensional (3-D) image analysis techniques provide a powerful means to rapidly and accurately assess complex morphological and functional interactions between neural cells. Current software-based identification methods of neural cells generally fall into two applications: (1) segmentation of cell nuclei in high-density constructs or (2) tracing of cell neurites in single cell investigations. We have developed novel methodologies to permit the systematic identifica-tion of populations of neuronal somata possessing rich morphological detail and dense neurite arborization throughout thick tissue or 3-D in vitro constructs. The image analysis incorporates several novel automated features for the discrimination of neurites and somata by initially classi-fying features in 2-D and merging these classifications into 3-D objects, the 3-D reconstructions automatically identify and adjust for over and under segmentation errors. Additionally, the plat-form provides for software-assisted error corrections to further minimize error. These features attain very accurate cell boundary identifications to handle a wide range of morphological com-plexities. We validated these tools using confocal z-stacks from thick 3-D neural constructs where neuronal somata had varying degrees of neurite arborization and complexity, achieving an accuracy of ≥ 95%. We demonstrated the robustness of these algorithms in a more complex are-na through the automated segmentation of neural cells in ex vivo brain slices. The novel methods surpass previous research improving the robustness and accuracy by: (1) the ability to process neurites and somata, (2) bidirectional segmentation correction, and (3) validation via software-assisted user input. This 3-D image analysis platform provides valuable tools for the unbiased analysis of neural tissue or tissue surrogates within a 3-D context, appropriate for the study of multi-dimensional cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions.
Screening of folate status with use of dried blood spots on filter paper

BACKGROUND Dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper have been a successful and economical matrix for neonatal screening. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to develop and evaluate an optimized method for DBS folate analysis and to assess DBS folate stability. DESIGN DBS were eluted from paper by sonication in 5 g ascorbic acid/L containing 0.1% (by vol) Triton X-100 and hemoglobin folate values (HF; as pmol/g) were calculated from DBS eluate folate and hemoglobin concentrations. RESULTS Over 95% of DBS folate was eluted during a standardized sonication cycle and DBS folate assay reproducibility was acceptable both within (CV: <8%) and between (CV: <9%) runs. HF means (+/-1 SD) from finger-stick DBS and conventional venous methods were 2513 +/- 1144 and 2607 +/- 1195 pmol/g, respectively, in blood samples taken concurrently from 80 donors, and they correlated well (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). HF values and erythrocyte folate measures may be interconverted by using the mean cell hemoglobin concentration. CONCLUSION The DBS matrix has potential as an inexpensive and practical option for folate screening studies.
ATM network centric operations envisioned in ICAO ASBU and FF-ICE

• ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan ♦ Aviation System Block Upgrades ♦ International SWIM Concept • FAA Mini-Global I Project Overview ♦ Phase 1 Demonstration ♦ Mini-Global Architecture ♦ SWIM Service Levels ♦ Use Cases & Scenarios ♦ Lessons Learned • Mini-Global II.
Abnormal auditory N100 amplitude: a heritable endophenotype in first-degree relatives of schizophrenia probands.

Background N100 evoked potential amplitude and gating abnormalities have been widely observed in schizophrenia patients. However, previous studies have been inconclusive as to whether similar deficits are present in unaffected family members. The Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia (COGS) is a multisite National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) initiative examining neurocognitive and neurophysiological measures as endophenotypes for genetic studies of schizophrenia. We report initial results from the COGS dataset of auditory N100 amplitude and gating as candidate endophenotypes. Methods Evoked potential data were acquired from 142 schizophrenia probands, 373 unaffected first-degree relatives, and 221 community comparison subjects (CCS), using an auditory paired-click stimulation paradigm. Amplitude of the N100 response to each click and the click 2/click 1 ratio were dependent variables. Heritability was estimated based on kinships using Solar v.2.1.2. Group differences were examined after subjects were categorized as either "broad" or "narrow," based on the presence (broad) or absence (narrow) of nonpsychotic psychiatric comorbidity. Results Heritability estimates were .40 and .29 for click1 and click2 amplitudes and .22 for the ratio. Broad and narrow patients both had impaired click 1 amplitudes. Broad relatives, but not narrow relatives, exhibited similar impairments. There were no group differences for either click 2 amplitude or the gating ratio. Conclusions N100 amplitude is a heritable measure that is abnormal in patients and a subset of relatives for whom psychiatric comorbidity may be a genetically associated phenotype. Auditory N100 gating, although heritable, is less viable as a schizophrenia endophenotype.
Wave Formation through the Interactions between Clustered States and Local Coupling in Arrays of Neural Oscillators

We study a system of coupled oscillators with global inhibition and local gap junction coupling. The coupling functions are derived from a biological system in the limit of weak coupling. With global inhibition, the system evolves to a clustered state, while with local gap junctions, waves and synchrony are the only attractors. Increasing gap junction strength from zero destroys the clustered state leaving a complex pattern. Decreasing gap junction strength from a high value results in the loss of stability of waves to a Hopf bifurcation and results in periodically modulated waves. We present analytical results along with numerical simulations.
“Pure persuasion” and verbal irony

Burke's notion of “pure persuasion” is that of a persuasion that paradoxically undercuts its own rhetorical effectiveness with regard to ordinary persuasive motives. This paper examines the utility of “pure persuasion” as a theoretical construct and a critical tool by applying it to the concept of verbal irony.
Business structure, ethnic shifts in labor markets, and violence: The link between company size, local labor markets, and non-Latino homicide

Combining several schools of thought, including the civic engagement thesis, we extend current research by linking three things at the county level; firm size, the ethnic composition of labor markets, and violent crime. Our results suggest that larger businesses (based on the average number of persons employed) are more likely to have an external orientation and long recruitment reach, and this is linked to ethnic shifts in labor markets toward Latino workers. Such shifts are in turn associated with high rates of homicide among non-Latinos. Through indirect effects modeling, we find that increases in Black homicide are linked to rises in concentrated poverty, while increases in White homicide are linked to changes in unemployment. We discuss the implications of our findings.
Interferons--expanding therapeutic roles.

Just over a decade ago, interferon alfa-2 produced by recombinant-DNA technology was introduced into clinical trials. An American Cancer Society initiative, which had confirmed the antitumor activi...
Belief systems concerning the environment: The general public, attentive publics, and state legislators

This paper examines multiple characteristics of belief systems among people at different levels in the policy process using the same measures in the same time period. More specifically, it analyzes belief systems concerning the environment among the general public, several attentive publics, and state legislators in Idaho. The following belief system characteristics are probed: horizontal constraint among specific issue beliefs, and between general environmental orientations and party and ideology; vertical constraint between the general environmental orientation and specific issue beliefs; and the role of general orientations in screening incoming information. Legislators are more likely to connect their environmental beliefs to partisan and ideological orientations. However, attentive and general public respondents do exhibit substantial constraintwithin the environmental issue domain; individual self-placement on a preservationist-developmentalist dimension appears to provide a cohering force in orientations to the environment. While legislators exhibit greater belief connections with general political orientations, the results also suggest an order in the public's beliefs about the environment and in the nature of conflict over the environment.
Varieties of perceptual truth and their possible evolutionary roots

Hoffman, Singh, and Prakash (2014) observe that perception evolves to serve as an interface between the perceiver and the world and proceed to reason that percepts need not, or even cannot, resemble their objects. I accept their premise, but argue that there are interesting ways in which perception can be truthful, with regard not to “objects” but to relations, and that evolutionary pressure is expected to favor rather than rule out such veridicality.
Ultrananocrystalline diamond: New opportunities for the fabrication of novel sensors

The ultrananocrystallne diamond (UNCD) thin films are generally characterized by their small grain size (2-5 nm) with about 98% of the carbon atoms present in the sp3 bonded configuration and rest of the carbon atoms residing at the atomically abrupt grain boundaries mostly in mixed sp3 and sp2 configuration. Previous studies carried out by our group have shown that the UNCD thin film has excellent chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties. The electrical conductivity of the UNCD thin films can be altered significantly by introducing impurities (such as nitrogen or boron) during the growth. Our recent work has demonstrated that the UNCD thin films can be carved into quasi-1 dimensional nanowires using a top-down nano fabrication process. I will discuss how the impurity presence (nitrogen or boron) and its location (within grain or grain boundary) can significantly affect the resistance of UNCD nanowires as a function of gas adsorption and pressure. This effect could be exploited further for developing extremely sensitive gas and pressure/displacement sensors. We believe that these results will open-up new opportunities and possibilities for the fabrication of novel UNCD-based sensors with increased sensitivity and new functionalities for a variety of applications.
Direct Electrochemistry of Tetraheme Cytochrome c554 from Nitrosomonas europaea: Redox Cooperativity and Gating

The tetraheme cytochrome c554 is the redox partner of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) of Nitrosomonas europaea, responsible for accepting the four electrons generated in HAO turnover. Here, we have used protein film voltammetry (PFV) to provide a new, highly resolved picture of the redox properties of cyt c554. The four heme groups of the cytochrome are found to have potentials of +32, +50, −183, and −283 mV (versus hydrogen). While the two lowest potential hemes (III and IV) behave as simple napp = 1 redox cofactors in all experiments, the high potential hemes appear to act as a pair that engages in cooperative electron transfer reactions (napp > 1.0). By studying the cytochrome on variable electrode surfaces, gating of the reduction of the two high potential hemes can also be observed. When the interfacial electron transfer rate for cyt c554 is on the time scale of HAO catalysis (on a mercaptoundecanoic acid-modified gold electrode), gating is found, indicating that oxidation of the two-electron redu...
Effects of Glufosinate-Ammonium and Urea on Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Levels in Corn

Abstract Glufosinate-ammonium [butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)-ammonium salt] (G-A) and urea [CO(NH2)2] were evaluated as foliar treatments for suppression of pre-harvest aflatox...
Chaotic motions of forced and coupled galloping oscillators

Abstract Numerical simulations of the behavior of a periodically forced square galloping oscillator yielded results showing that the behavior of this system has similarities with the behavior of the circle map. Lock-in regions were found to be ordered as rational numbers obtained by the Farey construction. At the transition from quasiperiodic to chaotic motion corresponding to a winding number equal to the golden mean, the fractal dimension of the critical line was found to be 0.864, that is, to within 0.5% of the theoretical value for the circle map. Numerical studies were also performed on an autonomous system consisting of two elastically coupled galloping oscillators. Preliminary tests conducted in the 0.3 m diameter water tunnel of the David Taylor Research Center and in the CBT wind tunnel demonstrated the feasibility of the experimental study of both the forced oscillator and the autonomous coupled oscillators described in the paper. Research on these systems is being conducted in collaboration with the Center for Computational and Applied Mathematics, NIST, and the David Taylor Research Center, U.S. Department of the Navy.
Advances in the remote sensing of clouds and precipitation from CloudSat and the A-Train

The capabilities for observing clouds, precipitation and processes connected to condensed water in the atmosphere by satellites that presently orbit the Earth is unprecedented in the history of spaceborne Earth observations. The so-called A-Train of satellites (Stephens et al., 2002), in particular, represents entirely new observations of key cloud and precipitation processes in a way more advanced that ever before. These new observations represent a unique source of information for evaluating the moist physics parameterizations in models with benefits that are expected to lead to greatly improved and more realistic representations of these important atmospheric processes. This paper outlines a collection of the new findings from the A-Train observing system.
Treatment patterns and metastasectomy among mCRC patients receiving chemotherapy and biologics.

AbstractBackground:Several long-standing chemotherapy regimens are available to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) including: oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (FOLFOX); and irinotecan plus 5-FU and leucovorin (FOLFIRI). More recently, new biologic therapies were approved for use in mCRC.Objectives:This study examined treatment patterns and trends in metastasectomy among newly diagnosed mCRC patients after the introduction of capecitabine (CAP) in 2001 and the biologic therapies in 2004.Methods:Using a large, US-based administrative medical claims database of a national commercially insured population, patients with newly diagnosed mCRC were identified from 2001 to 2005. At least 6 months of patient history prior to mCRC diagnosis were required to confirm patients were newly diagnosed. Patients were followed from initial mCRC diagnosis to death, disenrollment, or 12/31/2006. Chemotherapy and biologic treatments and rates of metastasectomy over time were analyzed.Results:A total ...
Time Optimal Control of Balanced Manipulators

Presentation d'un algorithme efficace pour la commande optimale d'une classe restreinte de manipulateurs: equilibres, decouples. On montre que leur dynamique est assez simple pour que la commande optimale de mouvements point par point puisse etre obtenue analytiquement
Storage, retrieval, and communication of body sensor network data

Recently, Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) are being deployed for monitoring and managing medical conditions as well as human performance in sports. These BSNs include various sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, EMG (Electromyogram), EKG (Electro-cardiograms), and other sensors depending on the needs of the medical conditions. Data from these sensors are typically Time Series data and the data from multiple sensors form multiple, multidimensional time series data. Analyzing data from such multiple medical sensors pose several challenges: different sensors have different characteristics, different people generate different patterns through these sensors, and even for the same person the data can vary widely depending on time and environment.This tutorial describes the technologies that go behind BSNs - both in terms of the hardware infrastructure as well as the basic software. First, we outline the BSN hardware features and the related requirements. We then discuss the energy and communication choices for BSNs. Next, we discuss approaches for classification, data mining, visualization, and securing these data. We also show several demonstrations of body sensor networks as well as the software that aid in analyzing the data.
Multilevel systems security and interoperability between differently classified networks

This paper discusses technical challenges and concerns that must be resolved in order to implement a computer network security architecture for accessing differently classified data from a single network computer. Most multilevel security approaches utilize a trusted operating system (OS) to maintain data separation between differently classified data. The goal is to enable simultaneous or multiplexed viewing of differently classified data through a Windows manager. However, application development costs are expensive due to strict compliance requirements imposed by secure (trusted) OS procedures. Furthermore, security mechanisms employed in a trusted OS, sometimes preclude customer-required features, and integrating government off-the-shelf (GOTS) software from competing vendors on the application server can be problematic. A computer system security architecture provides a superior alternative to the cumbersome and costly trusted OS approach for displaying differently classified data on the same computer screen. Given the proper security architecture, the system should be accredited for government use, liberating software programmers to apply modern development techniques without excessive concern over security. This will leave the developer more time to concentrate on code functionality and reduce the cost of GOTS applications.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
STRUCTURAL ISOMERS OF SOME TRIVALENT TRANSITION METAL OXINATES

Abstract The oxinates of Co(III), Rh(III) and Ir(III) were prepared in relatively high cis/trans isomer ratios. These isomers were separated by silica gel column chromatography and characterized by TLC, HPLC, elemental analyses and proton NMR. The existence of the expected trans and cis structural isomers for trivalent metal oxinates was conclusively demonstrated.
Overview of NOAA's Exclusive Economic Zone Survey PROGRAM

NOAA's National Ocean Service has begun a new program of mapping the ocean floor within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone. The program will produce base maps to support the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of natural resources in this vast area which is now under national sovereignty. This is a cooperative effort with the United States Geological Survey and a part of a Federal program in support of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The primary mission of the program is to produce accurate, high resolution bathymetric data using modern multibeam swath mapping systems. NDAA is currently applying its two systems - a Sea Beam and a Bathymetric Swath Survey System (BS3)- to this task. Additional systems are to be installed. Characteristics of these systems and the positioning equipment being used as well as the data processing techniques being employed will be examined and related to the data products which are being prepared. Mapping progress to date will be reviewed and survey plans described. Opportunities for acquisition of other data in conjuction with the planned surveys will be presented.
Stimulation of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte superoxide anion radical production by tumor promoters

Comparison was made of the ability of the potent tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), as well as less active PMA analogs and non-phorbol ester tumor promoters, to stimulate superoxide anion radical (O-.2) production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The rate of O-.2 production was found to correlate with the tumor-promoting activity of the phorbol esters as opposed to their inflammatory activity. Mezerein and telocidin B were slightly better stimulators of O-.2 production than PMA. Acetic acid was inactive. These data are discussed in terms of a possible role for O-.2 and other reactive oxygen species in tumor promotion.
Evaluation of the error in automatic measurement of interlevel alignment

As device densities continue to increase, lithographic requirements will continue to expand through the 90's. Although progress is being made in the resolution requirements in the 0.5 micron regime, resolution is not the only critical issue in submicron lithography. Interlevel alignment, or overlay registration, is also an area of vital concern. Various optical instruments are currently available to automatically determine interlevel alignment of photomask layers in integrated circuit manufacturing. It will be shown that the accuracy of those alignment instruments that use an optical column can be affected by mark design and the magnification in the optical column. The mathematical relationship between the alignment structure layout and the magnification of the optical system, and the resulting error is developed. Experimental data is then taken and found to agree with the mathematical prediction. From the mathematical relationship, an optimum structure layout is determined.
Voice therapy improves quality of life in age-related dysphonia: a case-control study.

Summary The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of voice therapy in the treatment of age-related dysphonia. The study was conducted using a retrospective case-control chart review. The medical records of 54 patients older than 60 years diagnosed with age-related dysphonia without complicating diagnoses were reviewed. Patients who chose to undergo voice therapy were grouped as cases. Patients who chose not to undergo voice therapy were grouped as controls. The voice-related quality of life (VRQOL) measure was used to measure outcomes before and after treatment in cases and at a minimum 2-month follow-up in controls. Of the 54 patients, 19 (10 female, 9 male; mean age 73 years) chose to undergo voice therapy and filled in >1 VRQOL questionnaire. Six patients (3 female, 3 male; mean age 66 years) chose not to undergo voice therapy and filled in >1 VRQOL questionnaire. The 19 cases experienced a mean improvement in VRQOL score of 19.21 (2-tailed matched pairs t test P =0.00038) after a mean of 4.1 voice therapy sessions and 5.1 months. The six controls experienced a mean change in VRQOL score of 0.42 (2-tailed matched pairs t test P =0.96) after a mean of 3.3 months. Voice therapy leads to statistically significant improvement in the VRQOL life in elderly patients with age-related dysphonia. It is an efficacious noninvasive therapy for this disease.
Applications of high-throughput sequencing to symbiotic nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis

Entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis live in symbiosis with pathogenic Photorhabdus bacteria. Heterorhabditis nematodes are entirely dependent on these bacteria for their food source; in return, the nematodes offer the bacteria a way to infect and kill insects. For their part, Photorhabdus bacteria are lethal to a broad range of insect hosts, to other nematodes, and to other microorganisms, but not to their Heterorhabditis hosts. These nematodes offer the potential to provide a robust experimental system for the in•depth study of a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship, with both members of the partnership accessible to molecular and genetic studies. New genomic technologies offer the possibility for this potential to be realized, and for Heterorhabditis nematodes to become a standard model system for the investigation of host•symbiote relationships. We present a perspective on the application of these technologies to nematode•bacterial symbiosis and an update on our efforts to sequence three Heterorhabditis species reported at the recent NemaSym meeting.
Recovery of Bitumen From Tar Sand Deposits With the Radio Frequency Process

The IIT Research Institute (IITRI) radio frequency (RF) process for tar sands consists of two steps: (1) the deposit is volumetrically heated with RF energy to lower the viscosity of the bitumen, and (2) the bitumen is produced by one of several petroleum recovery methods. The RF heating step is accomplished by inserting tubular electrodes into boreholes and by energizing them with an RF power source. The electrode pattern is designed so that the deposit between the electrodes is uniformly heated with a minimum energy loss. The operating frequency is selected on the basis of the electromagnetic characteristics of the deposit. The recovery techniques that they investigated include replacing the heated bitumen with sodium silicate solutions, by gravity drainage, and by autogenously developed steam and hydrocarbon gases. Two small-scale field experiments were conducted in the Asphalt Ridge tar sand deposit near Vernal, UT. About 25 m/sup 3/ (33 cu yd) of the deposit was heated with RF energy, and about 35% of the total in-place bitumen was recovered during the 3-week test period.
Two Cu(II) complexes synthesized by using a solid-state compound with an extended crystal structure as the copper-ion source

A three-dimensional (3D) solid-state copper(II) oxide (tenorite) was used as the copper-ion source for reactions with 2, 5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and 2,2′-dipyridylamine or with 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and 2,2′-dipyridylamine under hydrothermal conditions, producing two new complexes with polymeric structures linked via hydrogen bonding.
Credit unions and risk

The structure of the credit union industry has been transformed by regulatory changes and the subsequent switch by many credit unions to community and multiple-bond fields of membership. This study explores the impact of these trends by testing for differences in risk across credit unions with different field-of-membership types. In tests for differences in risk of bankruptcy and of breaching regulatory standards, risk is found to be greater for credit unions with broader field-of-membership types. These differences in risk appear to derive from greater earnings volatility and lower ROA and net-worth ratios at community and multiple-bond credit unions. These differences in risk decline with greater asset size. Evidence is also presented that credit unions that switched from single-bond institutions to broader field-of-membership types now operate with greater risk.
Impact of runoff on superficial femoral artery endoluminal interventions for rest pain and tissue loss

Background While aggressive endoluminal therapy for superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease is commonplace, the implications of runoff on long-term outcomes of these interventions in patients with rest pain and tissue loss is unclear. Runoff is known to negatively effect graft patency. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of distal runoff on long-term outcomes of SFA interventions for critical ischemia. Methods A prospective database of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of the SFA between 1986 and 2007 was queried. Patients with Rutherford symptom classification 4, 5, and 6 were selected. Patients with concomitant tibial interventions were excluded. Pre-operative angiograms were reviewed in all cases to assess distal popliteal and tibial runoff and were scored according to modified Society of Vascular Surgery criteria for both vessels such that a higher score implies worse runoff (minimum 1 and maximum 19). Three runoff score groups were identified: 10 (Poor). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed to assess time-dependent outcomes. Multivariate and Factor analyses were performed. Results Three hundred six limbs in 241 patients (57% male, mean age 68 years) underwent endovascular treatment for critical ischemia (44% rest pain and 56% tissue loss.) Technical success was 96% with 61% SFA undergoing angioplasty, 37% SFA primary stenting and 2% SFA an atherectomy. Overall mortality was 1% and overall morbidity was 16% at 90 days after the procedure. At 5 years, vessels with compromised and poor runoff had significantly worse cumulative patency (82 ± 9%, 56 ± 4%, and 52 ± 7% for Good, Compromised, and Poor runoffs, respectively, mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]). Freedom from recurrent symptoms (65 ± 8%, 39 ± 9%, and 18 ± 9% for Good, Compromised, and Poor runoffs, respectively) and limb salvage (65 ± 5%, 41 ± 4%, and 20 ± 6% for Good, Compromised, and Poor runoffs, respectively) were incrementally curtailed by worsening runoff with significant decreases as runoff category deteriorated. Conclusions In patients presenting with rest pain and tissue loss who are treated with SFA percutaneous interventions, patency is negatively affected by compromised and poor runoffs in keeping with the bypass literature. More importantly, freedom from recurrent symptoms and limb salvage are incrementally curtailed as runoff scores worsen. These findings are consistent with the bypass literature.
Advanced Education-Past, Present, and Future

A brief historical review of education beyond the baccalaureate with particular emphasis on graduate study in electrical engineering is followed by an examination of present trends. Consideration is given to such topics as admission requirements, programs of study, graduation requirements, and residence requirements as they affect students. Staff factors such as qualifications, load, compensation, research, and advancement are considered. The problems that must be examined to assure a healthy future are listed to stimulate continuing discussion.
Comparisons of Ebonex® and graphite supports for platinum and nickel electrocatalysts

Abstract The electrogenerative oxidation of simple aliphatic and aromatic alcohols and formaldehyde has been investigated for platinum and nickel on supported Ebonex® catalysts with sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide electrolytes. Comparisons were made with similarly prepared metal catalysts on graphite to permit some inferences concerning the effect of the support. The Ebonex® support caused a decrease in the activity of the supported platinum catalyst, but enhanced the activity of the supported nickel catalyst, which was particularly effective for formaldehyde oxidation with base even exceeding that of the platinum/graphite catalyst. The effect of a tin–palladium pretreatment, used for the deposition of the metals, was also investigated on the Ebonex® catalysts. The pretreatment improved performance, but not to the extent observed for graphite supports. Possible origin of the support interactions is discussed.
On subspaces associated with partial reconstruction of state vectors, the structure algorithm, and the predictable directions of Riccati equations

The close relations are discussed that exist among the three subspaces that arise in three apparently unrelated problem areas: 1) the subspace associated with the error of state vector reconstruction in informationally decentralized control problems; 2) the subspace associated with the solution of the Riccati equation; and 3) the null space of the certain observation matrix constructed by the structure algorithm.
Role of Dyslipidemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

AbstractThe presence of dyslipidemia is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients and likely contributes to the development of both renal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that renal lipid accumulation is nephrotoxic and can play a role in the initiation and/or progression of renal disease. Data from clinical studies have suggested that dyslipidemia is not causative of renal disease but likely contributes to the progression and severity of renal injury in patients. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD, and there is extensive literature that supports the use of lipid-lowering agents to inhibit progression of CVD in patients with CKD. Thus, there is great potential for use of lipid-lowering agents to prevent or inhibit progression of CVD in patients with CKD, and, possibly, to limit progression of CKD for these patients as well. Our article reviews the literature identifying the role o...
Stacking faults in sic particles and their effect on the fracture behavior of a 15 Vol Pct SiC/6061-AI matrix composite

Mechanical tests and microstructural examinations performed on a SiC-particle-reinforced 6061-A1 matrix composite indicate that particle cracking during mechanical testing significantly affects the failure mechanisms of the composite. Microcracks were observed to nucleate and propagate on stacking faults and interfaces between the 4H (or 3C) and 6H hexagonal phases within the SiC particle reinforcements. These planar defects were the predominant defects seen in the SiC particles. Partial dislocations, having a 1/3 (10άrc10) Burgers vector, were also observed bounding the stacking faults in the reinforcement phase.
Systemic expression of Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) Vflip in endothelial cells leads to a profound proinflammatory phenotype and myeloid lineage remodeling in vivo

KSHV is the causative agent of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a spindle-shaped endothelial cell neoplasm accompanied by an inflammatory infiltrate. To evaluate the role of KSHV vFLIP in the pathogenesis of KS, we constructed mice with inducible expression of vFLIP in endothelial cells. Abnormal cells with endothelial marker expression and fusiform appearance were observed in several tissues reminiscent of the spindle cells found in KS. Serum cytokines displayed a profound perturbation similar to that described in KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS), a recently described clinical condition characterized by elevated IL6 and IL10. An increased myeloid component with suppressive immune phenotype was found, which may contribute to functional changes in the microenvironment and cellular heterogeneity as observed in KS. These mice represent the first in vivo demonstration that vFLIP is capable of inducing vascular abnormalities and changes in host microenvironment with important implications for understanding the pathogenesis and treating KSHV-associated diseases.
CodY Is a Nutritional Repressor of Flagellar Gene Expression in Bacillus subtilis

Expression of the sigma(D)-dependent flagellin gene, hag, is repressed by the CodY protein in nutrient-rich environments. Analysis of a codY mutant bearing a hag-lacZ reporter suggests that the availability of amino acids in the environment is the specific signal that triggers this repression. Further, hag-lacZ expression appears to be sensitive to intracellular GTP levels, as demonstrated by increased expression upon addition of decoyinine. This result is consistent with the postulate that the availability of amino acids in the environment effects intracellular GTP levels through the stringent response. However, the levels of hag-lacZ measured upon the addition of subsets of amino acids suggest an additional mechanism(s). CodY is a DNA binding protein that could repress flagellin expression directly by binding to the hag promoter region, or indirectly by binding to the fla/che promoter region that governs expression of the sigma(D) transcriptional activator required for hag gene expression. Using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we have demonstrated that purified CodY protein binds specifically to both the hag and fla/che promoter fragments. Additionally, CodY acts as a nutritional repressor of transcription from the fla/che promoter region that contains two functional promoters. CodY binds to both the sigma(D)- and sigma(A)-dependent promoters in this region, as demonstrated by DNase I footprint analyses. Footprint analyses of the hag gene demonstrated that CodY binds downstream of its sigma(D)-dependent promoter. Taken together, these results identify new members of the CodY regulon that encode motility functions in Bacillus subtilis and are controlled by the sigma(D) alternate sigma factor.
Bioluminescent assays for ADME evaluation: dialing in CYP selectivity with luminogenic substrates.

Introduction: The cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are central to ADME studies because of their central role in drug metabolism. Proper CYP assay design and a correct understanding of CYP assay selectivity are critical for generating and interpreting biologically relevant data during drug development. Bioluminescent CYP assays use luminogenic probe substrates that have the unique property of producing photons in a second reaction with luciferase. Areas covered: This article presents the general design principles for in vitro CYP assays. Specifically, the article focuses on the bioluminescent approach that couples CYP activity with photon production. Expert opinion: Highly selective luminogenic substrates for CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, CYP3A7, CYP4A and CYP4F have been developed with utility for interrogating the roles of these enzymes in biochemical and cell-based formats. These selective substrates are part of a larger collection of probes that deliver CYP inhibition and induction data that predict in vivo d...
Is an Anticholinergic Agent Superior to a β2-Agonist in Improving Dyspnea and Exercise Limitation in COPD?

Study objective To evaluate the impact of a week-long course of inhaled albuterol compared with ipratropium on expiratory peak flow, exercise performance, and dyspnea in patients with stable COPD. Design and interventions A double-blind, two-period, crossover evaluation, wherein the subjects inhaled albuterol, two puffs four times a day (qid) for 7 days, or ipratropium, two puffs qid for 7 days, in random sequence. Setting Outpatients of the Pennsylvania State University Hospital, Lebanon VA Medical Center, and local private office practices. Participants A sample of 15 subjects with stable COPD with FEV1 Measurements and results Variables measured at baseline (no inhaled bronchodilator) and/or on day 7 of each arm included FEV1 (liters), 12-min walk test distance (meters), "rescue" puffs of metaproterenol needed each week, and dyspnea scoring after walking, on the Borg Category Scale (0 to 10=maximal). There was no significant difference in distance walked in 12 min (mean of 751.0 ± 55.5 [±SE]) vs 755.7 ± 61.3 m) or perceived dyspnea (mean 2.7 ± 0.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.4) during albuterol or ipratropium use. Seven patients preferred ipratropium, seven preferred albuterol, and one had no preference. Conclusion We conclude that the effects of 1 week of albuterol or ipratropium have similar effects on exercise performance and subjective dyspnea in patients with stable COPD.
Cognitive vulnerability to depression: examining cognitive control and emotion regulation

Disordered affect is a key feature of depression. Basic research on emotion and emotion regulation, therefore, promises to increase our understanding of depression vulnerability. Recent studies that examine cognitive processes that may underlie the ability to regulate emotion effectively have shown that depression is associated with deficits in cognitive control and that these deficits are related to difficulties in emotion regulation. This article reviews recent empirical evidence for these deficits in cognitive control, focusing on updating, shifting, and inhibition, and their relation to emotion dysregulation in depression. The review puts special emphasis on studies that examine neural correlates of cognitive control difficulties in this disorder and discusses future directions and treatment implications of this line of research.
On the structure of glassy polymers. I. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering from polycarbonate

The small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) from glassy bisphenol-A polycarbonate has been measured using a Bonse–Hart system. The data cover the angular range (2θ) between 20 sec and 2 deg. After correcting for absorption, background, and vertical beam divergence, they have been placed on an absolute basis by comparison with the scattering from a standard silica suspension. The corrected absolute intensity decreases strongly with increasing angle over the range between 20 sec and 30 min, and is nearly constant between 30 min and 2 deg. The magnitude of the scattering in the constant range, 0.44 (electrons)2 A−3, is well represented by the thermodynamic theory for fluids applied at the glass-transition temperature. The increase in intensity at smaller angles cannot be described by structures on the scale of the nodules reported in this material (50–200 A), but can be well represented by a small concentration of heterogeneities (0.04% by volume or less), several thousand angstrom units in size, superimposed on the thermal density fluctuations frozen in at the glass transition. It is suggested that the nodular features reported for this material are not representative of bulk material but should be associated with surface effects. The bulk structure can—as far as the SAXS is concerned—be well described as a random amorphous solid, containing simple thermal fluctuations and a small concentration of relatively large heterogeneities.
Pattern Recognition by Convolution Polynomial

Pattern recognition is considered as a mapping from the set of all inputs to the numbers 0 to 1. The inputs are treated as vectors. A topological group algebra over the vector space is described. The input is treated as avariable in a polynomial of that group algebra. A correspondence between inputs and numbers is established. This correspondence is used to prove that the polynomials in the algebra can represent a solution to any pattern recognition problem. When the coefficients of the polynomial are suitably chosen vectors, the natural topology of the input vector space is preserved. The importance of this approach as a basis for a completely general efficient parallel process, and practically realizable pattern recognizing machine is presented. The concept may be realized by a modular parallel process type of machinery.
A Stone of Hope: Prophetic Religion and the Death of Jim Crow

The power of religion in the civil rights movement In a provocative assessment of the success of the civil rights movement, David L. Chappell reconsiders the intellectual roots of civil rights reform, showing how the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament - sometimes translated into secular language - drove African American activists to unprecedented solidarity and self-sacrifice. Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, James Lawson, Modjeska Simkins, and other black leaders believed, as the Hebrew prophets believed, that they had to stand apart from society and instigate dramatic changes to force an unwilling world to abandon its sinful ways. Although segregationists outvoted and outgunned black integrationists, the segregationists lost, Chappell concludes, largely because they did not have a religious commitment to their cause.
Support for enterprise JavaBeans in component broker

Objects were introduced as programming constructs that encapsulate data and methods. The goal was to foster software reuse and simplify the developer's concept of how a task was implemented. The developer need only know the interfaces to an object to use its functionality. Distributed objects simplified conceptualization further by removing the need to know the locality of an object. Clients invoked methods on distributed objects as if the objects existed in the client's process. Beyond this location transparency, the need arose for distributed objects to survive beyond the life of one client, to be able to support thousands or millions of clients, and to participate in transactions. To support scalability, persistence, and transactional semantics with no dependencies on platform or data store, "component models" were developed. In this paper we look at various component models, focusing on two: IBM's Component Broker and Sun's Enterprise JavaBeansTM. We show that they augment each other and propose how Enterprise JavaBeans can use the additional functions of Component Broker to provide a scalable, transactional, and persistent environment to clients of both worlds.
A GIS framework for the refinement of species geographic ranges

The archives of species range polygons developed under comprehensive assessments of the conservation status of species, such as the IUCN's Global Assessments, are a significant resource in the analysis of biodiversity for conservation planning. Species range polygons obtained from these studies are known to exhibit omissions (because of knowledge gaps) and imprecision in their boundaries. In this work, we present a method to refine those species range polygons in order to create more realistic representations of species geographic ranges. Using range polygons of four species of mammals in South America and environmental variables at a 1 km resolution, combined with a set of GIS algorithms, a procedure was developed to map the confidence that sub-polygon elements belong to a logical species range. The confidence map is then used as a weight for a Mahalanobis typicality empirical modelling procedure to generate a map of species-weighted typicalities that is then thresholded to generate the refined species r...
Photoemission of Holes and Valence Band Structure in Anthracene

Abstract Recent measurements of the Hall effect for volume-generated holes in anthracene and analysis of the differences between Hall and drift mobility values for electrons and holes suggest that both carriers move in a two-band system; a narrow band where the mobility is of the order of 1 cm2v−1 sec−1 separated from a much wider band with high mobility by an energy of the order of 0.05 eV.(1) For electrons, the existence of wider bands has been well established by internal photoemission.(2,3) The conduction band system consists of a narrow band, less than 0.33 eV wide, separated by less than 0.05 eV from a higher band 0.3 eV wide.(3)
Ovarian Sertoli‐Leydig cell tumors with heterologous elements. II. Cartilage and skeletal muscle: A clinicopathologic analysis of twelve cases

Twelve ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors that contained heterologous elements in the form of skeletal muscle (nine cases), cartilage (seven cases) and neuroblastoma (one case) in either the primary of recurrent specimens are reported. Four of the primary tumors also contained foci of gastrointestinal type epithelium with argentaffin cells identifiable in two of them. The age of the patients ranged from 11-48 years (average, 24 years). Ten patients presented with an abdominal mass, one with abdominal pain and one with acute abdominal symptoms. Five of the patients, two of whom were virilized and one of whom was hirsute, had evidence establishing or suggesting androgen overproduction. All the tumors were unilateral. Four had ruptured preoperatively and two ruptured during the operation. The tumors averaged 18.5 cm in greatest diameter and had extensive areas of hemorrhage and necrosis in half the cases. On microscopic examination the Sertoli-Leydig cell component was poorly differentiated in 11 cases and of intermediate differentiation in one case. In two cases the primary tumor was a poorly differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor and heterologous elements were identified only in a recurrent mass. Follow-up of ten patients revealed that eight of them had died of tumor from five months to seven years postoperatively.