Activation of 5-HT2 receptors facilitates depolarization of neocortical neurons by N-methyl-D-aspartate

We prospectively studied 63 children with transient hyperglycemia to determine their risk of acquiring insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and to evaluate the predictive value of immunologic markers of prediabetes and of the intravenous glucose tolerance test. Children with transient hyperglycemia were identified by a prospective systematic review of the laboratory reports of a large children's hospital and an office-based pediatric practice and by referral from pediatricians. Transient hyperglycemia occurred in 0.46% of children seen in the children's hospital and in 0.013% of children attending a pediatric office practice. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus developed within 18 months of identification in 32% of children in whom transient hyperglycemia was discovered in the absence of a serious illness, compared with 2.3% of children identified during a serious illness (relative risk, 13.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 123.5). Islet cell antibodies and competitive insulin autoantibodies each had a 100% positive predictive value for IDDM; the negative predictive value of islet cell antibodies and competitive insulin autoantibodies was 96% and 98%, respectively. The stimulated insulin release during an intravenous glucose tolerance test, adjusted for age, had the highest overall accuracy of prediction. All children less than 6 years of age with stimulated insulin release levels < 85 pmol/L (12 microU/ml) subsequently had IDDM, as did an 11-year-old child whose stimulated insulin release level was below the 1st percentile of 170 pmol/L (24 microU/ml). To date, no child whose stimulated insulin release level was above the 5th percentile has had IDDM. We conclude that when transient hyperglycemia occurs during a serious intercurrent illness, the risk of progression to IDDM is low. In contrast, one third of children in whom transient hyperglycemia is identified without a serious illness can be expected to have IDDM within 1 year. A combination of islet cell antibodies, competitive insulin autoantibodies, and stimulated insulin release levels during an intravenous glucose tolerance test can accurately distinguish children with prediabetes from those with presumed benign transient increases in plasma glucose concentrations.     

Mine operating accurate stability control with optical fibersensing and Bragg grating technology: the European BRITE/EURAM STABILOSproject

Recent developments of stability control in mines, essentially based on Ge-doped fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) are reported including results about the different aspects of the system: accurate characterizations of FBG, sensor network topology and multiplexing method, user interface design and sensor packaging     

Processing,microstructure, and mechanical properties of hot-pressed ZrB2 ceramics with a complex Zr/Si/O-based additive

Densification behavior, microstructure, and mechanical properties of zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) ceramics modified with a complex Zr/Si/O-based additive were studied. ZrB₂ ceramics with 5–20 vol.% additions of Zr/Si/O-based additive were densified to >95% relative density at temperatures as low as 1400°C by hot-pressing. Improved densification behavior of ZrB₂ was observed with increasing additive content. The most effective additive amount for densification was 20 vol.%, hot-pressed at 1400°C (∼98% relative density). Microstructural analysis revealed up to 7 vol.% of residual second phases in the final ceramics. Improved densification behavior was attributed to ductility of the silicide phase, liquid phase formation at the hot-pressing temperatures, silicon wetting of ZrB₂ particles, and reactions of surface oxides. Room temperature strength ranged from 390 to 750 MPa and elastic modulus ranged from 440 to 490 GPa. Vickers hardness ranged from 15 to 16 GPa, and indentation fracture toughness was between 4.0 and 4.3 MPa·m^1/2. The most effective additive amount was 7.5 vol.%, which resulted in high relative density after hot-pressing at 1600°C and the best combination of mechanical properties.     

Carotenoid Composition and Vitamin A Values of Oils from Four Brazilian Palm Fruits

In oils extracted from fresh and sterilized palm fruits (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq. tenera, dura dumpy and psifera and E. oleifera), cis-phytofluene, 13-cis-α-carotene, α-carotene, 13-cis-β-carotene, β-carotene, 9-cis-β-carotene, σ-carotene, zeaxanthin, --cryptoxanthin, poly-cis-lycopene, mono-lycopene and lycopene, were identified and quantified by normal phase open column chromatography (stepwise-elution), TLC, UV/Vis spectroscopy and specific chemical reactions. The sum of α- and β-carotene in all samples analysed was higher than 80% of the total carotenoid content, while the α/β-carotene ratios were W.9, 1/11.1, 1/22 and V2.6 for oils extracted from fresh fruits of dura dumpy, psifera, tenera and E. oleifera, respectively. Total carotenoid contents (pg/g) and vitamin A values (R. E./100 g) of these samples were 1 120.7 and 12 404 for dura dumpy, 283.2 and 3612 for psifera, 660.5 and 7630 for tenera and 1576.8 and 21691 for E. oleifera. The sterilization of fruits (127°C × 35 min.) resulted in isomerization of pigments and reduction of vitamin A values of approximately 45% and 25%, respectively.     

Biosynthesis of fatty acids byTrypanosoma cruzi

The incorporation of [1-¹⁴C] acetate into fatty acids by cultured epimastigotes ofTrypanosoma cruzi was studied. After 8, 24, and 48 hr incubation with labeled precursor, up to 2.8% of the initial radioactivity added to the medium was found in theT. cruzi long chain fatty acids. Saturated (16∶0 and 18∶0), monounsaturated (18∶1ω9), and diunsaturated (18∶2ω6) fatty acids were synthesized. Both the pattern of incorporation of labeled acetate into the fatty acids and the decarboxylation ratios found suggest that de novo synthesis of fatty acids has taken place.     

Fusing distributional and experiential information for measuring semantic relatedness

Models of semantic relatedness have usually focused on language-based distributional information without taking into account “experiential data” concerning the embodied sensorial source of the represented concepts. In this paper, we present an integrative cognitive model of semantic relatedness. The model – semantic family resemblance – uses a variation of the co-product as a mathematical structure that guides the fusion of distributional and experiential information. Our algorithm provides superior results in a set expansion task and a significant correlation with two benchmarks of human rated word-pair similarity datasets.     

A prismoid framework for languages with resources

Inspired by the Multiplicative Exponential fragment of Linear Logic, we define a framework called the prismoid of resources where each vertex is a language which refines the λ-calculus by using a different choice to make explicit or implicit (meta-level) the definition of the contraction, weakening, and substitution operations. For all the calculi in the prismoid we show simulation of β-reduction, confluence, preservation of β-strong normalisation and strong normalisation for typed terms. Full composition also holds for all the calculi of the prismoid handling explicit substitutions. The whole development of the prismoid is done by making the set of resources a parameter of the formalism, so that all the properties for each vertex are obtained as a particular case of the general abstract proofs.     

Evaluating evolution: Naturalistic inquiry and the Perseus Project

Delia Neuman is an assistant professor in the College of Library and Information Services at the University of Maryland, College Park. She has written several articles on the use of naturalistic inquiry to study electronic environments, including two published in Educational Technology Research and Development: Naturalistic Inquiry and Computer-Based Instruction: Rationale, Procedures and Potential (Spring 1989) and Learning Disabled Students' Interactions with Commercial Courseware: A Naturalistic Study (Spring 1991). She is currently involved in a study funded by the American Library Association to use naturalistic methods to investigate high school students' use of CD-ROM and online databases.