cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concussion Awareness Program in High School Football Players and Coaches (P5.211)

Objective: Despite ample amounts of education and growing public awareness about head injuries, concussions continue to be under-reported. In order to improve reporting, a culture needs to be created in which concussions are more readily recognized and athletes willingly report injuries Background: The Concussion Awareness Program (CAP)® was created to offer a comprehensive, effective method of addressing concussion education and underreporting. The CAP Program is a multi-tiered program funded by the NCAA including an educational video using a peer to peer instructional model, pre and a post-test, neurocognitive testing, on-field assessment, and referral. Design/Methods: A ten question pre and post-test was developed based on questions in the current literature. Questions were based on attitude and knowledge. Pre and post video tests were administered. The scores for each question and demographic information were collected in an excel file within the secure website. These scores were analyzed using a dependent t-test in SPSS. Results: Results indicated statistical significance (p Conclusions: Overall, the results demonstrated a change in attitude in regards to concussion for athletes and coaches. We are currently collecting data on the number of reported concussions following this program. Study Supported by: NCAA Disclosure: Dr. Martino has received research support from NCAA. Dr. Marass has received research support from NCAA. Dr. Wilstrup has received research support from the NCAA.
Evaluation and Modeling of the Effect of Tool Edge Radius on Machined Surface Roughness in Turning UNS A92024-T351 Aluminum Alloy

Tool edge radius plays a significant role in affecting the surface integrity of machined products. The vast majority of existing research, however, takes no account of the effect of tool edge radius in the evaluation and modeling of machined surface roughness, an essential indicator of surface integrity. The present study fills this important research gap and has performed a total of 45 turning experiments on Unified Numbering System (UNS) A92024-T351 aluminum alloy with carefully selected cutting tools with three levels of tool edge radii. This article describes the experimental setup and measurements of tool edge radius and machined surface roughness. Machined surface roughness was evaluated using five parameters, including average roughness, root-mean-square roughness, peak roughness, maximum roughness height, and five-point average roughness. The experimental evidence presented in this article shows that the tool edge radius has a profound effect on machined surface roughness, cutting forces, and cutting vibrations. Based on the experimental data, three types of predictive models are developed, including a multiple regression model, multilayer perceptron neural network model, and radial basis function neural network model. The prediction accuracy of the three models is compared based on average mean squared errors. The results show that different models lead to different prediction accuracy for different surface roughness parameters.
The Semiopathic City: notes on urban legibility [Erkennbarkeit]

ABSTRACTDrawing from Benjamin’s Convolutes, ‘The Semiopathic City’ captions a dialogue between two divergent photographic reports on the signs that bedizen Parisian streets. The first honours what ...
Deterministic Stochastic Computation Using Parallel Datapaths

Although one of the main appeals of Stochastic Computation is that complicated arithmetic operations can be performed with incredibly simple circuitry, it suffers from high latency due to the required bit stream length and the area incurred from generating them. Using deterministic bit streams addresses the area problem to some degree, but latency is still an issue. One of the main contributors to this high latency is the fact that each operation is performed serially, and we argue that due to the uniform nature of deterministic stochastic representations this is not necessary. Using the multiply-accumulate (MAC) operation as the target application, our research addresses this latency issue by exploiting data-level parallelism: the bottleneck of a single arithmetic unit is broken by splitting into multiple “parallel datapaths”, effectively reducing overall latency by a factor of $ at the cost of area. We demonstrate how modifying the amount of parallelism can provide a means of trading off some of these performance gains with area reduction. Furthermore, we show that this design can deliver considerable performance and energy-saving benefits for an operation that has broad applications in Machine Learning: the inner-product. Finally, we will show that this drastic reduction in computation time through parallelization can pays dividends on energy consumption per operation, with the fully parallelized MAC circuit consuming nearly 4x less energy than its serial counterpart.
Study on the optical damage mechanism of InP IQ modulators using a step stress test

We reported that optical damage to InP-based modulators occurred when photocurrent density at the entrance of an electrode exceeded threshold current density. This value was independent of optical power, wavelength and device temperature.
Sporadic ERK pulses drive non-genetic resistance in drug-adapted BRAFV600E melanoma cells

SUMMARY Anti-cancer drugs commonly target signal transduction proteins activated by mutation. In patients with BRAFV600E melanoma, small molecule RAF and MEK kinase inhibitors cause dramatic but often transient tumor regression. Emerging evidence suggests that cancer cells adapting by non-genetic mechanisms constitute a reservoir for the development of drug-resistant tumors. Here, we show that few hours after exposure to RAF/MEK inhibitors, BRAFV600E melanomas undergo adaptive changes involving disruption of negative feedback and sporadic pulsatile reactivation of the MAPK pathway, so that MAPK activity is transiently high enough in some cells to drive proliferation. Quantitative proteomics and computational modeling show that pulsatile MAPK reactivation is possible due to the co-existence in cells of two MAPK cascades: one driven by BRAFV600E that is drug-sensitive and a second driven by receptors that is drug-resistant. Paradoxically, this may account both for the frequent emergence of drug resistance and for the tolerability of RAF/MEK therapy in patients.
Explaining the “Racial Contradiction”: An Experimental Examination of the Impact of Sports Media Use and Response Strategy on Racial Bias Towards Athlete Transgressors:

Previous studies have found that minority athletes were perceived more positively than their White counterparts, which is counterintuitive to previous research. In order to explain this “racial con...
Associations of weight cycling with cardiovascular health using American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 in a diverse sample of women.

Abstract Prior research shows that weight cycling is associated with poorer cardiovascular health (CVH). Women experience unique life events (e.g. pregnancy, menopause) which may make them more prone to weight cycling. Examining the influence of weight cycling history (HWC) on CVH, quantified using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 (LS7), may provide novel targets to improve CVH. A cross-sectional sample of 485 women at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2016–2018) were scored on each LS7 metric (BMI, blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose, physical activity, diet, and smoking): 0 (low), 1 (moderate) or 2 (high). Metric points were summed into a composite LS7 score as a measure of CVH: 0–8 (low), 9–10 (moderate), 11–14 (high). Multivariable-adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used for the associations between HWC and CVH. Most women (73%) reported HWC (range: 0–20); 26% had low CVH and 74% moderate/high CVH. Logistic models showed HWC was associated with higher odds of having poor CVH [OR (95%CI): 2.39 (1.36–4.20)]. Linear models showed each additional weight cycling episode was associated with lower LS7 scores [s(SE): −0.37 (0.07); p
Polyphonie et modes d’intervention discursive - À propos de la description sémantique des situations politiques conflictuelles

Dans un projet que nous developpons parallelement a ce present article, nous travaillons a decrire des situations discursives conflictuelles d’ordre politique, d'un point de vue semantique. En construisant cette categorie de situations nous tentons de regrouper au moins deux types d’objets aisement identifiables mais qui sont generalement traites separement : des conflits sociaux qui s'etendent sur le long terme et des assemblees politiques. Malgre la difference flagrante entre l'etendue des premiers objets et l’immediatete du face a face des seconds objets; malgre l'opposition entre un corpus ecrit et un corpus oral, nous avons des raisons de croire que les proprietes semantiques partagees par les situations discursives d’ordre politique permettent d'envisager de les decrire dans un cadre commun.
Program Design and the Development of Students’ Global Perspectives in Faculty-Led Short-Term Study Abroad:

This study explores connections between design features of faculty-led short-term study abroad programs and resulting changes in students’ global perspectives. Over 2,000 students provided data for...
Creep and Fatigue Behaviors of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Effects of Temperature, Mean Stress, Frequency, and Processing Technique

Abstract High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a common polymer with many applications in different industries such as piping, bioimplants, and automotive industry. Creep and fatigue behaviors of HDPE under different temperatures, loading conditions, and manufacturing techniques were investigated in this study. Effects of mean stress, frequency, and thickness on fatigue life were also included in the experimental plan. A general fatigue model was used to account for mean stress, temperature, and frequency effects on fatigue life of HDPE. In addition, cyclic tests with hold time stress were conducted to study creep-fatigue interaction behavior at room and elevated temperatures. The experimental results and the analytical models used to account for the aforementioned effects are presented and discussed.
Analog of electromagnetically induced transparency in metasurfaces composed of identical dielectric disks

An analog of electromagnetically induced transparency was revealed in metasurfaces (MSs), composed from identical dielectric resonators of simple cylindrical shapes. It was detected in numerical experiments at optical and microwave frequencies and confirmed by real experiments in the microwave range. The main specific of the observed phenomenon was its appearance at frequencies of electric dipolar resonances (EDRs) in MS elements, when total reflection of incident waves instead of transmission was expected. Investigations of electric field distributions in MSs allowed for detecting several Fano resonances caused by interaction between background radiation defined by incident waves, and radiation produced by oscillations of resonance fields in dielectric particles. The characteristics for EDR changes in phases of resonance oscillations by π radians were found controlling the transitions from constructive to destructive interference between participating wave processes. The onset of destructive interference was marked by sharp jumps by π radians in the spectra of signal phases. Performed analysis revealed that zero signals at Fano resonances, observed in the gaps between resonators, arranged along the electric field direction, could serve as indicators of realizing the conditions necessary for the transparency of MSs. These conditions included the elimination of the presence of background radiation and thus of interaction between trespassing waves and MSs.
A constant flow-rate microvalve actuator based on silicon and micromachining technology

Computer modeling and prototype testing of a nearly constant flow-rate microvalve which requires no power consumption to maintain the flow rate has been presented. The parameters of the valve have been obtained by mathematical models with correction factors from the experimental trials. These parameters allow for general design guidelines for a rectangular, thin diaphragm microvalve. To have the experimental data agree with the theoretical model, using the method of least squares, for the prototype rectangular silicon valve described the correction coefficient is 0.45-0.55 for a diaphragm aspect ratio for L/W=2 and 0.8-0.9 for an aspect ratio of L/W=4. The correction factor accounts for the simplified diaphragm deflection equations, incorrect estimated elastic modulus of the diaphragm, and variation in the diaphragm material thickness. >
Chromatography, Gas Chromatography‐GC

Gas chromatography, in which a gaseous moving phase is passed over a liquid or solid stationary phase within a column, is one of the most widely used instrumental analysis techniques today. This article provides a basic overview of gas chromatographic theory, instrumentation and technology. Descriptions of common modes of gas chromatography: packed and capillary columns, inlets, columns, detectors, data systems, multidimensional separations and fast GC are provided. The text is heavily referenced to major texts and research articles for further study. Keywords: Chromatography; Gas chromatography; Instrumentation; Inlets; Stationary Phases; Detectors
Direct Manipulation in Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality interfaces offer several advantages for scientific visualization such as the ability to perceive three-dimensional data structures in a natural way. The focus of this chapter is direct manipulation, the ability for a user in virtual reality to control objects in the virtual environment in a direct and natural way, much as objects are manipulated in the real world. Direct manipulation provides many advantages for the exploration of complex, multi-dimensional data sets, by allowing the investigator the ability to intuitively explore the data environment. Because direct manipulation is essentially a control interface, it is better suited for the exploration and analysis of a data set than for the publishing or communication of features found in that data set. Thus direct manipulation is most relevant to the analysis of complex data that fills a volume of three-dimensional space, such as a fluid flow data set. Direct manipulation allows the intuitive exploration of that data, which facilitates the discovery of data features that would be difficult to find using more conventional visualization methods. Using a direct manipulation interface in virtual reality, an investigator can, for example, move a data probe about in space, watching the results and getting a sense of how the data varies within its spatial volume.
Vision based localization for multiple mobile robots using low-cost vision sensor

This paper presents an efficient approach for a vision based localization of multiple mobile robots in an indoor environment by using a low cost vision sensor. The proposed vision sensor system that uses a single camera mounted over the mobile robots field takes advantages of small size, low energy consumption, and high flexibility to play an important role in the field of robotics. The nRF24L01 RF transceiver is connected to the vision system to enable wireless communication with multiple devices through 6 different data pipes. The downward-facing camera provides excellent performance that has the ability to identify a number of objects based on color codes, which form colored landmarks that provide mobile robots with useful image information for localization in the image view, which is then transformed to real world coordinates. Experimental results are given to show that the proposed method can obtain good localization performance in multi-mobile robots setting.
Suicide Attempt Characteristics Among Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members Receiving Mental Health Services: A Pooled Data Analysis.

Past suicidal behaviors are among the strongest and most consistent predictors of eventual suicide and may be particularly salient in military suicide. The current study compared characteristics of suicide attempts in veterans (N = 746) and active-duty service members (N = 1,013) receiving treatment for acute suicide risk. Baseline data from six randomized controlled trials were pooled and analyzed using robust regression. Service members had greater odds of having attempted suicide relative to veterans, though there were no differences in number of attempts made. Service members also had higher rates of premilitary suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Veterans disproportionately attempted suicide by means of overdose. In veterans, combat deployment was associated with lower odds of lifetime suicide attempt, while history of NSSI was associated with greater attempt odds. Neither was significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempt in service members. Implications for suicide assessme...
A study on the biosynthesis of the Crotalaria alkaloids

Abstract The biosynthesis of monocrotaline by Crotalaria spectabilis has been studied by feeding ornithine-2-C14, propionate-1-C14 and acetate-1-C14 as possible precursors of the alkaloid. C14 from all these compounds was incorporated into monocrotaline to a relatively large extent. Ornithine was utilized mainly for synthesis of the retronecine portion of monocrotaline whereas acetate and propionate were incorporated principally into the monocrotalic acid portion of the molecule.
Test Verification of Water Cooled Gas Turbine Technology

This paper presents the results of three significant tests recently performed by GE under the DOE High Temperature Turbine Technology Phase II Program contract. The first test involved a simulated Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) test of a water-cooled composite nozzle exposed to low Btu coal gas at design operating conditions (2600 F + firing temperature, 12 atm pressure). The second test is that of a water-cooled monolithic nozzle, a full-scale model of the second-stage nozzle planned for the Technology Readiness Vehicle Verification Test. The third test demonstrates coolant water delivery, transfer, and metering distribution, from the stationary feed line to the turbine rotor, enroute to individual bucket airfoil coolant passages. These tests successfully demonstrated the IGCC operation with very good results, and show every indication that operation at firing temperatures up to 3000 F is well within the design capability of the water-cooled turbine.Copyright © 1981 by ASME
Immobilization of a hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.0.0) derivative onto a tentagel-amino resin and its use in uranyl cation detection.

The synthesis of an isoamethyrin derivative containing two CH2CH2CO2CH3 moieties in the β-pyrrolic positions and its use in the colorimetric detection of the uranyl cation after immobilization onto a solid support is reported.
Confocal light scattering spectroscopic imaging system for in situ tissue characterization.

We report on the design and construction of a confocal light scattering spectroscopic imaging system aimed ultimately to conduct depth-resolved characterization of biological tissues. The confocal sectioning ability of the system is demonstrated using a two-layer sample consisting of a 200 μm thick cancer cell layer on top of a scattering layer doped with a green absorber. The measurement results demonstrate that distinct light scattering signals can be isolated from each layer with an axial and a lateral resolution of 30 and 27 μm, respectively. Such a system is expected to have significant applications in the areas of tissue engineering and disease diagnostics and monitoring.
Sources of error in direct microscopic methods for estimation of fungal biomass in soil

Abstract Sources of error in direct microscopic measurement of fungal hyphae in soil were examined and fungal biomass estimates and associated variability obtained by the direct counting method and the ergosterol technique were compared. Nested random effects ANOVA indicated that the major source of variance in the direct microscopic counting method were the people examining the prepared microscope slides, accounting for 83% of the total variance. Sampling variability accounted for approximately 14% of the total variance. Fungal biomass values calculated from soil ergosterol concentrations were close to the range of values derived from hyphal length estimates but coefficients of variation were much lower for soil ergosterol determinations (6–13%) than for hyphal length estimates (16–32%). For one soil sample, we compared total hyphal length and fungal biomass estimates from our lab to those of another lab. Values obtained by the other laboratory were outside the range of values and 95% confidence intervals reached in our lab. Comparison of fungal hyphal length estimates from undisturbed prairie soil and an adjacent cultivated soil indicated that the undisturbed soil contained more than twice as much fungal biomass. Results of our study indicate: (1) extreme caution must be used when comparing hyphal length and fungal biomass estimates made by different laboratories using the direct counting method; and (2) soil ergosterol determinations can provide information on fungal biomass that may be useful in comparing direct count estimates by different labs.
Validation and Verification of LADEE Models and Software

The Lunar Atmosphere Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission will orbit the moon in order to measure the density, composition and time variability of the lunar dust environment. The ground-side and onboard flight software for the mission is being developed using a Model-Based Software methodology. In this technique, models of the spacecraft and flight software are developed in a graphical dynamics modeling package. Flight Software requirements are prototyped and refined using the simulated models. After the model is shown to work as desired in this simulation framework, C-code software is automatically generated from the models. The generated software is then tested in real time Processor-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop test beds. Travelling Road Show test beds were used for early integration tests with payloads and other subsystems. Traditional techniques for verifying computational sciences models are used to characterize the spacecraft simulation. A lightweight set of formal methods analysis, static analysis, formal inspection and code coverage analyses are utilized to further reduce defects in the onboard flight software artifacts. These techniques are applied early and often in the development process, iteratively increasing the capabilities of the software and the fidelity of the vehicle models and test beds.
SARS Surveillance during Emergency Public Health Response, United States, March–July 2003

In response to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the United States established national surveillance using a sensitive case definition incorporating clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory criteria. Of 1,460 unexplained respiratory illnesses reported by state and local health departments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from March 17 to July 30, 2003, a total of 398 (27%) met clinical and epidemiologic SARS case criteria. Of these, 72 (18%) were probable cases with radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Eight (2%) were laboratory-confirmed SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infections, 206 (52%) were SARS-CoV negative, and 184 (46%) had undetermined SARS-CoV status because of missing convalescent-phase serum specimens. Thirty-one percent (124/398) of case-patients were hospitalized; none died. Travel was the most common epidemiologic link (329/398, 83%), and mainland China was the affected area most commonly visited. One case of possible household transmission was reported, and no laboratory-confirmed infections occurred among healthcare workers. Successes and limitations of this emergency surveillance can guide preparations for future outbreaks of SARS or respiratory diseases of unknown etiology.
Corrections to “Techniques for the Analysis and Elimination of Transient Oscillations in Wideband and Ultra-Wideband Pulsed Power Amplifiers” [Oct 13 3733-3742]

In the above paper (ibid., vol. 61, no. 10, pp. 3733-3742, Oct. 2013), Fig. 16 incorrectly duplicates Fig. 17. The correct Fig. 16 is shown here.
Direct action of synthetic progestins on the hypophysis.

The objective was to assess the capacity of synthetic progestins to influence the hypophysis by direct action. For this purpose norethynodrel, norethindrone, and medroxyprogesterone were individually mixed with cholesterol; pellets of these mixtures or of cholesterol only were implanted in the hypophyseal pars distalis of ovariectomized rats and the subsequent cytological response was observed in the surrounding tissue with the aid of immunochemical staining. Minimal changes were observed in all cell types around cholesterol pellets. Both norethynodrel and norethindrone caused hypertrophy of prolactin cells in a region that spread laterally, ventrally and caudally from the pellet; in a similar area LH—cells were reduced in size. These effects were attributed to the intrinsic estrogenicity of these compounds. The amount of glandular tissue affected by implanted hormone was related to the intraglandular position of the pellet. Medroxyprogesterone, which is a potent progestational compound but lacks estrogen...
External economies in banking

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide the first empirical study of external economies (agglomeration economies) in the banking industry.Design/methodology/approach – The author extends a standard specification of banking costs to control for community and market characteristics.Findings – Banks' costs are a decreasing function of the number of rival banks and an increasing function of market population. Estimated magnitudes of these effects, modest at the bank level, are large in aggregate. Multimarket operation of rival banks is also important.Originality/value – These findings suggest a previously unrecognized cost‐side benefit of structure‐based antitrust policies, and have additional implications for public policy toward banking structure, as well as calling for a re‐interpretation of previous studies of scale economies, cost efficiency, and price‐cost margins in banking.
Noncontact Visual Three-Dimensional Ranging Devices

This paper describes design and development of two types of 3-D ranging devices for robotic applications: both are noncontact, optical devices based on active illumination and triangulation. One is a laser scanning ranging device for medium-range (50cm), and the other is a proximity range sensor for short range (5 cm). The features of the devices are that both use analog area position sensor chips and that they provide simple, fast, accurate, non-contact visual sensing of range information.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exact solutions for laminated composite cylindrical shells in cylindrical bending

Analytic elasticity solutions for laminated composite cylindrical shells under cylindrical bending are presented. The material of the shell is assumed to be general cylindrically anisotropic. Based on the theory of cylindrical anisotropic elasticity, coupled governing partial differential equations are developed. The general expressions for the stresses and displacements in the laminated composite cylinders are discussed. The closed form solutions based on Classical Shell Theory (CST) and Donnell's (1933) theory are also derived for comparison purposes. Three examples illustrate the effect of radius-to-thickness ratio, coupling and stacking sequence. The results show that, in general, CST yields poor stress and displacement distributions for thick-section composite shells, but converges to the exact elasticity solution as the radius-to-thickness ratio increases. It is also shown that Donnell's theory significantly underestimates the stress and displacement response.
A steady-state approach to excitation mechanisms in the ICP

Abstract A new approach to investigating ionization and excitation mechanisms within the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is described. The method involves a comparison of the spatial behavior of analyte emission intensities with the concentration product of reacting species as predicted by an assumed kinetically controlling mechanism. The limitations and uncertainties in this approach to mechanistic understanding are evaluated. In this preliminary study, the involvement of Penning and electron impact processes resulting in ionization and excitation of calcium atoms and ions has been investigated and the resulting correlations are described. From these correlations, atom excitation seems to occur through an ion-electron recombination process whereas ion generation and excitation is suggested to occur by a Penning process in the outer plasma regions and excitation by electron impact within the central channel of the ICP.
Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) organophosphate hydrolysis is not reduced in ALS.

Objective: Four recent studies report a genetic association of the paraoxonase locus with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We tested the hypothesis that this association correlates with functional changes in paraoxonase 1 (PON1, MIM 168820). Methods: Sera from 140 ALS participants; 153 age-, race-, and sex-matched controls; and 30 matched CSF samples were tested for paraoxonase, diazoxonase, and arylesterase activities. Participants with ALS were genotyped using tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms across the PON locus. Survival data and enzyme activity were correlated with genotype. Results: There was a trend toward increased paraoxonase activity in ALS compared with controls (mean control paraoxonase 701.9 ± 469.7 U/L, mean ALS 792.5 ± 574.1 U/L; p = 0.066 after correction) which correlated with increased frequency of the homozygous arginine (RR) variant of PON1 Q192R ( p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in PON1 protein levels, or arylesterase or diazoxonase activities. Organophosphate hydrolysis rates had no effect on ALS survival. Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, PON1 protein, paraoxonase, diazoxonase, and arylesterase activities were not reduced in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The increase in PON1 R192 frequency in ALS in our study supports previous genetic susceptibility studies. Our findings suggest that the influence of PON1 polymorphisms on ALS susceptibility is not due to reduced organophosphate hydrolysis.
Reply: Inflammatory breast carcinoma as a model of accelerated self-metastatic expansion by intra-vascular growth

Reply: Inflammatory breast carcinoma as a model of accelerated self-metastatic expansion by intra-vascular growth
Determination of surface state parameters from surface photovoltage transients: CdS

Abstract A method was developed for determining surface state parameters such as density, fractional occupancy and capture cross section for electrons and for photons from surface photovoltage transients. These transients were found to be associated with the photostimulated transition of electrons from surface states to the conduction band. Suitable analytical expressions were derived from basic semiconductor surface equations. The application of the method to CdS surfaces is presented.
Associative Learning in Aplysia: evidence for conditioned fear in an invertebrate

Aversive classical conditioning of Aplysia californica, a gastropod mollusk suited for neurobiological study, produces a learned reaction to the chemosensory conditioned stimulus that is expressed as a marked facilitation of four defensive responses: two graded reflexes (head and siphon withdrawal), an all-or-none fixed act (inking), and a complex fixed action pattern (escape locomotion). In addition, the conditioned stimulus produces a concomitant depression of at least one appetitive response, feeding. These extensive and selective actions of the conditioned stimulus in Aplysia resemble the actions of conditioned fear stimuli in higher mammals and suggest that the functional equivalent of fear occurs in invertebrates and thus may be an adaptive mechanism that is widespread in the animal kingdom.
Androgen- and estrogen-independent regulation of copulatory behavior following castration in male B6D2F1 mice.

Male reproductive behavior is highly dependent upon gonadal steroids. However, between individuals and across species, the role of gonadal steroids in male reproductive behavior is highly variable. In male B6D2F1 hybrid mice, a large proportion (about 30%) of animals demonstrate the persistence of the ejaculatory reflex long after castration. This provides a model to investigate the basis of gonadal steroid-independent male sexual behavior. Here we assessed whether non-gonadal steroids promote mating behavior in castrated mice. Castrated B6D2F1 hybrids that persisted in copulating (persistent copulators) were treated with the androgen receptor blocker, flutamide, and the aromatase enzyme inhibitor, letrozole, for 8 weeks. Other animals were treated with the estrogen receptor blocker, ICI 182,780, via continual intraventricular infusion for 2 weeks. None of these treatments eliminated persistent copulation. A motivational aspect of male sexual behavior, the preference for a receptive female over another male, was also assessed. This preference persisted after long-term castration in persistent copulators, and administration of ICI 182,780 did not influence partner preference. To assess the possibility of elevated sensitivity to sex steroids in brains of persistent copulators, we measured mRNA levels for genes that code for the estrogen receptor-α, androgen receptor, and aromatase enzyme in the medial preoptic area and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. No differences in mRNA of these genes were noted in brains of persistent versus non-persistent copulators. Taken together our results suggest that non-gonadal androgens and estrogens do not maintain copulatory behavior in B6D2F1 mice which display copulatory behavior after castration.
Inhibition of Amyloid Fiber Assembly by Both BiP and Its Target Peptide

Immunoglobulin light chain (LC) normally is a soluble, secreted protein, but some LC assemble into ordered fibrils whose deposition in tissues results in amyloidosis and organ failure. Here we reconstitute fibril formation in vitro and show that preformed fibrils can nucleate polymerization of soluble LC. This prion-like behavior has important physiological implications, since somatic mutations generate multiple related LC sequences. Furthermore, we demonstrate that fibril formation in vitro and aggregation of whole LC within cells are inhibited by BiP and by a synthetic peptide that is identical to a major LC binding site for BiP. We propose that LC form fibrils via an interprotein loop swap and that the underlying conformational change should be amenable to drug therapy.
Lattice Dynamics of a Linear Chain Model of an Imperfect Molecular Crystal

The lattice dynamics are discussed, using the method of Green's functions, for a linear chain of homonuclear diatomic molecules, one of which has a different force constant from the others. The model can represent a molecular crystal in which one molecule is electronically excited. The frequencies of the antisymmetric normal modes can be deduced from the frequencies of the symmetric modes of a chain of alternating masses, in which one of the lighter atoms is replaced by an isotopic impurity, and vice versa. The alternation of symmetry arises because, in the present model, the defect consists of two atoms instead of one. A localized mode in the bandgap or above the optical band is obtained.
Metabolism of the liver tumor promoter ethinyl estradiol by primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

Abstract Previously, we reported that relatively high micromolar concentrations of the liver tumor promoter 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE 2 ) stimulated DNA synthesis and enhanced the DNA synthetic response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) in primary cultures of female rat hepatocytes [J. D. Yager, B. D. Roebuck, T. L. Paluszcyk, and V. A. Memoli, Carcinogenesis 7 , 2007–2014 (1986); Y. E. Shi and J. D. Yager, Cancer Res. 49 , 3574–3580 (1989)]. In this study, our goal was to examine the metabolism of EE 2 in cultured hepatocytes. After 4, 24, and 48 hr of culture, hepatocytes maintained their ability to convert up to 95% of a 4 n m concentration of [ 3 H]EE 2 to polar conjugates within 4 hr. EE 2 at 2 μ m was also 95% metabolized within 4 hr. HPLC analysis of the metabolites confirmed the rapid disappearance of [ 3 H]EE 2 and the formation of polar conjugates as detected by organic extraction. HPLC separation of hydrolyzed conjugates indicated that the major aglycone was the parent compound, EE 2 . In general, the metabolites differed both qualitatively and quantitatively from those reported in vivo in the rat. The rapid metabolism of EE 2 by hepatocytes in culture may, at least in part, explain the high concentrations of EE 2 required to stimulate DNA synthesis in cultured hepatocytes and to potentiate the response to EGF.
SmpB: A Protein that Binds to Double-Stranded Segments in tmRNA and tRNA†

Binding of the SmpB protein to tmRNA is essential for trans-translation, a process that facilitates peptide tagging of incompletely synthesized proteins. We have used three experimental approaches to study these interactions in vitro. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that tmRNA(Δ90−299), a truncated tmRNA derivative lacking pseudoknots 2−4, has the same affinity for the Escherichia coli and Aquifex aeolicus SmpB proteins as the intact E. coli tmRNA. These interactions can be challenged by double-stranded RNAs such as tRNAs and 5S rRNA and are abolished by removal of 24 amino acids from the C-terminus of the A. aeolicus protein. A combination of enzymatic probing and UV-induced cross-linking showed that three SmpB molecules can bind to a single tmRNA(Δ90−299) and tRNA molecule. Irradiation of E. coli tmRNA and yeast tRNAPhe bound to a single SmpB molecule with UV light induced cross-links to residues C343 and m1A48, respectively, in their T-loops and to their 3‘ terminal adenosines. These findings in...
Effects of Dietary Selenium and Training on Oxidative Stress in Young Horses

Introduction Exercise training can enhance antioxidant status, but it is unknown whether selenium supplementation can further improve antioxidant defenses. Methods American Quarter Horse yearlings (n = 20; mean ± SE 18 ± 0.2 months) balanced with regard to age and sex were randomly assigned to four dietary Se and training treatments for 14 weeks: 0.1 mg Se/kg DM with (n = 5) or without (n = 5) training or 0.3 mg Se/kg DM with (n = 5) or without (n = 5) training. Trained horses were exercised 4 d/wk for 30 min/d. At wk 14, all horses underwent a 2-hr, 27.5 km submaximal exercise test (SET). Blood samples and biopsies of the gluteus medius were obtained before and after training and in response to the SET. Serum Se, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in whole blood and muscle, and plasma lipid hydroperoxides (LPO) were evaluated. Data were analysed using a mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures. Results Serum Se was higher (P = 0.02) at wk 14 in trained horses receiving 0.3 than 0.1 mg Se/kg, but was unaffected by diet in untrained horses. Muscle GPx activity was unchanged after 14-weeks of Se and training, but in response to the SET, muscle GPx was higher (P = 0.05) in trained than untrained horses. An effect of training*time (P = 0.008) was noted for whole blood GPx, reflecting greater (P = 0.01) activity in trained than untrained horses immediately after the SET. Plasma LPO was not influenced by dietary Se, but increased (P<0.0001) in untrained horses immediately after the SET while remaining unchanged in trained horses. Conclusions Training appears to mitigate oxidative damage in response to prolonged exercise in young horses. Although trained horses responded to a higher level of dietary Se, it showed no clear advantage for reducing oxidative stress. Ethical Animal Research This project was approved by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Animal Care Committee at the University of Florida (approval number 016-12ANS). Sources of funding: Partial financial support of this project was provided by Alltech, Nicholasville, KY, USA. Competing interests: none.
Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 abundance is increased in brain tissues of late-gestation fetal sheep in response to cerebral hypoperfusion.

To determine the mechanism by which cerebral hypoperfusion enhances prostanoid secretion by fetal brain tissues. Studies were performed on five intact and five carotid sinus—denervated sheep fetuses (124-136 days) exposed to 10 minutes of cerebral hypoperfusion. Plasma collected from lingual artery and sagittal sinus, and microdialysates collected from brain stem and hypothalamus were assayed for prostanoid production. Fetal hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and brain stem were collected from intact animals and 30 minutes after cerebral hypoperfusion for the expression, activity, and distribution of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-1 (PGHS-1), PGHS-2, and thromboxane synthase. Thromboxane B2 increased significantly in sagittal sinus compared with arterial blood, but PGE2 did not change. Thromboxane B2 decreased in brain stem and hypothalamus microdialysates, and prostaglandin E2 increased in these regions. PGHS-2 immunoreactive protein levels in brain tissues increased in the cerebral hypoperfusion fetuses compared with those of the intact animals. By contrast, PGHS-1 and thromboxane synthase protein levels did not change between these two groups. Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase activity in brain tissues decreased with the increased levels of immunoreactive PGHS-2. 1) Prostanoids are produced in response to cerebral hypoperfusion, 2) the increase in the production of prostanoid responses to cerebral hypoperfusion is associated with the decrease in activity of, and therefore, the “suicide” inactivation of PGHS, and 3) PGHS-2 is the predominant form of PGHS, whose synthesis is induced by cerebral hypoperfusion in the fetal brain.
P02.130. The relationship of client expectations of massage to changes in pain and affect: results from a practice-based research study

Methods Practice-based research was used to collect client data (N=321) before and after a massage provided by one of 24 licensed massage therapists in Iowa. The pre-massage survey included items regarding their chief complaint, the client expectations of massage scale, the numeric rating scale for pain, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Expanded form (PANAS-X). The post-massage survey included the same measures of pain and affect as well as demographics. Paired t-tests were used to test for significant changes in pain and affect. A structural equation model with outcome, interpersonal, clinical, and educational expectations as latent exogenous variables and changes in serenity, negative and positive affect, and pain as endogenous variables was tested using Mplus.
The cell envelope proteome of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Summary The cell envelope of gram-negative bacteria serves a critical role in maintenance of cellular homeostasis, resistance to external stress, and host–pathogen interactions. Envelope protein composition is influenced by the physiological and environmental demands placed on the bacterium. In this study, we report a comprehensive compilation of cell envelope proteins from the periodontal and systemic pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans VT1169, an afimbriated serotype b strain. The urea-extracted membrane proteins were identified by mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics. The membrane proteome, isolated from actively growing bacteria under normal laboratory conditions, included 648 proteins representing 27% of the predicted open reading frames in the genome. Bioinformatic analyses were used to annotate and predict the cellular location and function of the proteins. Surface adhesins, porins, lipoproteins, numerous influx and efflux pumps, multiple sugar, amino acid and iron transporters, and components of the type I, II and V secretion systems were identified. Periplasmic space and cytoplasmic proteins with chaperone function were also identified. A total of 107 proteins with unknown function were associated with the cell envelope. Orthologs of a subset of these uncharacterized proteins are present in other bacterial genomes, whereas others are found exclusively in A. actinomycetemcomitans. This knowledge will contribute to elucidating the role of cell envelope proteins in bacterial growth and survival in the oral cavity.
A Nonparametric Selection Procedure's Efficiency: Largest Location Parameter Case

Abstract Suppose that X1, ···, Xk are mutually independent observations from populations π1, ···, πk and that Xi has a density fxi(·)(1 ≤ i ≤ k). For i = 1, ···, k let pi = P[Xi > maxj ≠ i Xj], and let p[k] = max (p1, ···, pk). Bechhofer and Sobel [4] have proposed a nonparametric selection procedure based on multinomial random variables for the problem of selecting a population which has the highest probability, p[k], of producing the largest observation. (The density fxi(·) may be different for each i(i = 1, ···, k) and unknown.) If the k distribution functions have the same form, differing only in location, a population with the highest probability of yielding the largest observation corresponds to a population with the largest location parameter. This latter situation allows use of certain alternative procedures designed for specific parametric cases, and the present article studies the relative efficiency (in terms of fixed sample sizes required to guarantee a given probability of a correct selection...
Visual functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome

The purpose of this study is to report different patterns of visual cortex activation in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome as compared with healthy control subjects. Utilizing a visual paradigm of flashing lights, three children with Sturge-Weber syndrome were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging. The results are compared with those documented in eight normal sedated children, and six young adult awake volunteers, using the same paradigms. All adult volunteers manifested bilateral activation in primary visual cortex (Brodmann's 17 and 18 areas). Two of them also had activation in secondary visual cortex (Brodmann's 19 area). In the eight sedated normal children, seven manifested activation in primary visual areas. The last exhibited no activation. The patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome demonstrated in the affected occipital lobe increased activation in one patient (11 months old), no activation in the second (12 years of age), and abnormal distribution of the activation in the third (11 months old). This report demonstrates that the vascular malformation of Sturge-Weber syndrome does not necessarily prevent cortical activation in the expected occipital cortex and may be associated with different patterns of abnormal activation. Assessing cortical function with functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome may be helpful in decisions of surgical management and counseling.