cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The first year of clinical experience with the Copper T intrauterine contraceptive system in the United States and Canada

Abstract A comparison of the clinical effects of the Copper T Model TCu 200 and Lippes loop D was made from a random selection of parous women in nine separate clinics in the United States and Canada. The data from 945 patients bearing the Copper T and 750 patients bearing Lippes loop D are reviewed after 12 months of use. A disparity between the results from one clinic and all the others is presented and a possible explanation is suggested. In general, the advantages of the TCu 200 over Loop D which have been suggested by previous preliminary clinical comparisons continue to be apparent, although the differences are becoming somewhat less marked as the magnitude of the data increases.
Ultrafast metal-insulator transition in VO 2 driven by electron injection

A novel all-optical method of triggering phase-transition in prototypical vanadium dioxide using the “hot-electron” effect is demonstrated. Structural and electronic switching times are retrieved by nondegenerate pump-probe transmission spectroscopy on the hybrid metallic/phase-changing nanomaterial.
PREVENTION OF CEREBRAL OEDEMA INDUCED BY TRIETHYLTIN IN RABBITS BY CORTICO-STEROIDS.

PATIENTS receiving cortico-steroid therapy who underwent craniotomy were observed to have a smoother post-operative course than would have been expected1. Surgeons were thus led deliberately to administer cortico-steroid preparations before and after craniotomy, in order to ease the patient's course. In particular, patients diagnosed as having cerebral œdema, either from a tumour or more diffuse cause, seemed to benefit2, and the improvement is explained on the assumption that this treatment reduces the cerebral œdema. The most recent preparation used has been dexamethasone since it is supposed to have minimal water- and sodium-retaining properties.
Failure Mitigation in Optimal Topology Design Using a Coupled Nonlinear Continuum Damage Model

Abstract This paper presents a novel framework for performing topology optimization of structures while accounting for material damage. A quasi-static non-local brittle damage model is coupled to a linear finite element analysis code for modeling the structural response and the initiation and propagation of damage. The optimization problem is parameterized using SIMP variables, and failure mitigation is achieved through the enforcement of constraints on the maximum local damage intensity. We derive a computationally efficient adjoint sensitivity formulation that accounts for the path-dependence of the coupled analysis problem. The algorithm is validated through a series of numerical examples.
A Qualitative Analysis of the Lesbian Connection's Discussion Forum

Letters submitted to the discussion forum of the Lesbian Connection between 2000 and 2002 were analyzed to identify issues of importance to lesbians. The analysis revealed 5 discussion categories: (a) isolation, safety, and aging; (b) children; (c) lesbian relationships and sexuality; (d) physical and mental health; and (e) political issues. The author presents an overview of those discussions along with the implications of the findings for counselors working with lesbian clients.
Electroabsorption of dimers containing MM (M = Mo, W) quadruply bonded units: insights into the electronic structure of neutral coupled redox centers and their relationship with mixed valence ions.

The electroabsorption spectra for the metal-to-ligand charge transfer transition in complexes containing oxalate and terephthalate bridged MM quadruply bonded units, [(MM)(pivalate)3]2-μ2-BR, where M = Mo or W and BR = oxalate or terephthalate, are reported. The measured magnitude of the change in dipole moment (|Δμ|) and the change in polarizability (Δα) that accompany this electronic transition are found to be small and not to follow the behavior expected on the basis of the two-state model. In addition, the trend in the value of Δα for the neutral states is mirrored by the trend in the degree of electronic coupling (HAB) for the strongly coupled mixed valence states formed by the same complexes in their singly oxidized states.
Exploring factors affecting the adoption of mobile commerce in Singapore

M-commerce is defined as any direct or indirect transaction conducted and facilitated through a wireless telecommunication network. There are currently 94.9 million M-commerce users worldwide in 2003 and the segment is expected to grow to 1.67 billion by 2008. This research explores how Singaporeans are influenced to adopt the M-commerce. The research employs the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to examine factors affecting Singaporeans' attitudes toward this emerging mobile technology and applications.The research uses a quantitative approach to survey 866 Singaporean students examining their decision-making process to adopt M-commerce. Empirical data from regression analyses reflect consumer perceived usefulness (PU) influence attitude toward using (AT) M-commerce. It is also found consumer innovativeness, past adoption behavior, technology cluster adoption, age, and gender affect their adoption behavior. Results from multiple regression analyses further reveal that male respondents tend to perceived M-commerce favorably.The majority of positive relationships between PU, PEOU, AT, innovativeness, adoption behavior, and demographics are supported by the empirical data. Results also support the applicability of TAM and its extension to examine M-commerce adoption by Singapore consumers. This research also validates the robustness of TAM to study emerging technologies outside the U.S. context.
The Dynamics of Particles with Translation–Rotational Coupling in the Stokes Flow Regime

Most naturally and industrially generated solid particles are irregular in shape. One type of particle commonly encountered can be identified as flakes and their aggregates. This class of particles exhibits translation-rotational coupling. Based on the principle of similarity, we have conducted an experimental investigation of the dynamics of flake-type particles, employing model particles settling in an oil tank. These model particles are about 1–2 cm in size. The particle Reynolds number is kept under 0.02 to simulate the motion of the flaky aerosols. By introducing factors representing the effects of configuration (e.g., finite thickness and rod diameter) and interaction, shape factors for the composite particles can be determined from the constituent disks. The translational configuration factor λt is found to depend mainly on the thickness-to-diameter ratio l s/d s and to satisfy λt = A + B(1 s/d s)0.14. Furthermore, the ratio of the rotational and coupling configuration factors generally increases w...
Chromosome pairing in the oögonial cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Pairing between two nonhomologous chromosomes, one a free X-duplication and the other a free fourth chromosome, has been observed cytologically with high frequencies in the oogonial cells of Drosophila melanogaster. The frequencies of nonhomologous pairing ranged from 27 to 47% and showed a positive correlation with the similarity in size between the two participating nonhomologues. Partial homology increased pairing frequency between nonhomologues in the oogonial cell, in contrast to the behavior of the same nonhomologues at distributive pairing in the oocyte, where pairing is strictly size-dependent. Pairing between homologues in the same oogonial cells occurred at a frequency of only 71% and was higher for the autosomes (73%) than for the sex chromosomes (66%). An increased frequency of homologous pairing was found for older gonial cysts (4-cell, 72.0% ; 8-cell, 76.1%) as compared with younger cysts (1-cell, 59.1% ; 2-cell, 53.1%).
Presenting GPSS/H results with the Graphical Kernel System (GKS)

This paper discusses the interfacing of the latest version of GPSS, namely GPSS/H, and GKS, a graphics system which allows programs to support a wide variety of graphics devices. A computer program to convert a running GPSS/H program to a form compatible for graphical emulation has been developed. An animation program which takes as input the data generated by the modified GPSS/H program has also been developed. Thus, the GPSS programmer needs only to take care of correct modelling of the system under study and need not know anything at all about graphics and animation.
Black women and white women: do perceptions of childhood family environment differ?

Introduction: Few studies have examined racial differences in perceptions of childhood. Little is known about how Blacks perceive their own families, particularly the family environment that they experienced in childhood. Methods: A community sample of 290 women (55% White, 45% Black) from two-parent families, heterogeneous in age and social class, was examined using a self-administered questionnaire, including the Family Environment Scale (FES), followed by a focused interview. Siblings were used as collateral informants. Results: The psychometric properties of the FES showed remarkably little variation by race: The internal scale reliability, correlations between scales, and factor structures were quite similar. Although both White and Black women reported good childhood family environments, Black women when compared with White women rated their families of origin as more cohesive, organized, and expressive, and lower in conflict. Sibling responses corroborated these findings. Discussion: This study addresses a gap in the research literature and provides important evidence of strengths in Black family relationships as reported by a community sample of women. The psychometric properties of the FES, found to be strong for families of both races, lends support to our findings and those of other researchers who have used this measure.
Prostaglandin riddles in energy metabolism: E is for excess, D is for depletion. Focus on “Food deprivation alters thermoregulatory responses to lipopolysaccharide by enhancing cryogenic inflammatory signaling via prostaglandin D2”

this editorial focus features a paper by Krall et al. ([12][1]) from the laboratories of two young investigators at Albany (New York) College of Pharmacy: Alex Steiner and Carlos Feleder. Both have already published their first independent studies ([32][2], [37][3], [38][4]), and their collaborative
Image processing and pattern recognition for ROI compression in cancer detection

One of the goals of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) cancer control program to reach more than 80% of the eligible women in mammography screening by the year 2000 was not fully realized and yet remains as a challenge. In fact, breast cancer is the only type of cancer with a positive growth rate over the last few years (+1 .2%). That is primarily due to 1)the fact that examination process is a complex and lengthy one and 2) it is not available to the majority of women who live in remote and urban sites. This problem can be solved using advanced networking technologies and signal processing algorithms. On one hand, software modules can help detect, with high precision, true negatives (TN), while marking true positives (TP) for further investigation. Since TNs are the majority of examinations on a randomly selected population, this first step reduces the load on radiologists by a tremendous amount. On the other hand, high-speed networking equipment can accelerate the required clinic-lab connection and make detection, segmentation and image enhancement algorithms readily available to the radiologists. This research describes the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Telemammography Network (ATMTN) architecture for real-time, on-line screening, detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. ATMTN is a high-speed network integrated with associated automatic robust Computer Assisted Diagnostic (CAD) methods for mass detection
Anticonvulsants in the treatment of mood disorders: assessing current and future roles.

Anticonvulsants are frequently used in the treatment of affective illnesses, especially for patients refractory to or intolerant of other treatments. The differential therapeutic roles of anticonvulsants, however, remain largely undetermined. The author reviews the available efficacy data for carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, valproate, lamotrigine, gabapentin and topiramate. Valproate is efficacious in the monotherapy of acute manic presentations but confirmatory evidence of the efficacy of valproate in long-term maintenance has been elusive. Valproate and possibly carbamazepine, may provide a therapeutic advantage over lithium in non-classic bipolar conditions such as mixed mood states and rapid cycling conditions. Lamotrigine is unique among the anticonvulsants in its monotherapy efficacy for bipolar I depression. Emerging data also suggest a role for lamotrigine in the adjunctive treatment of depressive mixed states and rapid cycling conditions in the absence of prominent manic symptoms. Controlled trials...
Analysis of acylcarnitine ester for neonatal screening of inborn errors of metabolism using tandem mass-spectrometry

Tandem mass-spectrometry has been introduced worldwide into neonatal screening programs for the quantitative analysis of acylcarnitine species and amino acids for the diagnosis of organic acidurias, defects of fatty acid oxidation, and amino acidopathies, respectively. Since April 2002 more than 200000 newborn infants have been screened in Austria using tandem mass-spectrometry. In this cohort 37 infants with amino acidopathies and 38 infants with fatty acid oxidation defects or organic acidurias have been diagnosed. The overall incidence of these disorders is 0.036%. The analysis of acylcarnitine species using tandem mass-spectrometry has enabled the diagnosis of infants with inborn errors of metabolism prior to clinical presentation and to initiate therapy early enough to prevent long-term sequelae and to reduce mortality in these disorders.
Calling behavior and directional hybridization between two toads (Bufo microscaphus x B. woodhousii) in Arizona.

Abstract Male calling effort and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation were examined in a breeding chorus of toads from a hybrid zone between Bufo microscaphus and B. woodhousii in central Arizona. The chorus comprised 50 B. microscaphus and 17 hybrids, identified on the basis of morphology and advertisement calls; no pure B. woodhousii were observed. Males produced advertisement calls throughout the early evening, even when relatively large numbers of males (>50) were present at the chorus; active searching and satellite tactics were not observed. Calling efforts (call duration × call rate) of hybrids (23.9%, n = 8) and B. microscaphus (24.9%, n = 19) were similar and comparable to call efforts of B. woodhousii (21.9%, n = 10) from a different site. Moreover, repeatabilities of calling effort were significant (r = 0.45) for hybrid males, but not for B. microscaphus and B. woodhousii. Thus, calling behavior of hybrid males was neither significantly reduced nor more variable than that of their parental speci...
Comparison of cholesterol turnover by sterol balance and input-output analysis, and a shortened way to estimate total exchangeable mass of cholesterol by the combination of the two methods.

Daily turnover of cholesterol obtained by the balance method was compared to daily input rates calculated by input–output analysis in 43 experiments. The mean value of input rates for kinetic data of 10.1–16.4 weeks' duration (14 experiments) was 1.05 g/day vs. the chemical turnover of 0.94 g/day (difference 10.9%). For decay curves of 4.8–9.9 weeks' duration (29 experiments) the mean results were 1.67 g/day vs. 1.31 g/day, respectively (difference 20.1%). A combination of the balance method with input-output analysis is proposed to estimate the size of M (minimum value of the total exchangeable mass of cholesterol) in short-term experiments. Using this method, the analysis of curves of 10–12 weeks' duration showed a mean difference of 7.5% with the analysis of curves of 50–66 weeks' duration in 17 patients. However, because of considerable variations that can occur in individual cases, it is urged that a standard correction factor not be used, either in estimating turnover data or M from 10–12 weeks' kinetic data; rather, the proposed combined method will alert the investigator to the occurrence of discrepant results.
TRITON SOLUBILIZED ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE OF BRAIN

—The total AChE of brain can be readily extracted into aqueous Triton X-100. By column chromatography of these extracts a preparation was obtained at least six times as active as the original material and in yields of 60-80 per cent of the original amounts. The molecular weight of this material was estimated to be over 200,000. When brain tissue was treated with venom or bacterial protease, a water-soluble AChE was obtained with an overall purification of 150-fold. The most active preparation of AChE hydrolysed 880 μ-moles of acetylthiocholine/hr/mg of protein. The molecular weight of this preparation was estimated to be about 100,000. The enzyme which was extracted by Triton X-100 is probably the precursor of the more water-soluble enzyme that can be prepared from brain tissue by treatment with venom or protease.
A serum-free defined medium capable of supporting growth of four established human prostatic carcinoma cell lines

This paper describes a serum-free defined medium (Gc) that was initially designed to support growth of the human prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCaP. Our studies indicate that this medium formulation is capable of supporting short-term, long-term, and clonal growth of the LNCaP cell line. Component deletion experiments have shown that the three most critical components for LNCaP short-term growth are insulin, triiodothyronine (T3), and fetuin. Additionally, this medium was found to support short-term and clonal growth of three other human prostatic carcinoma cell lines, DU 145, PC-3, and ALVA-31. The availability of such a medium should aid in the distinction of the regulatory factors involved in growth and differentiation of malignant prostatic epithelium.
Hormone responses to social stress in abstinent alcohol-dependent subjects and social drinkers with no history of alcohol dependence.

Background: Previous studies have described blunted stress hormone responses after pharmacological activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in sober alcoholics. The aim of the present study was to compare ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin responses to a psychological stressor in abstinent alcohol-dependent subjects matched to healthy control subjects. Methods: Individuals who met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for a history of alcohol dependence but not for other axis I disorders were included in the study (n= 18; mean duration of abstinence ± SEM, 3.5 ± 5.7 years). Social drinkers (n= 23) served as control subjects. The sober alcohol-dependent and control subjects were matched for demographic measures including levels of stress symptoms. All subjects underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a laboratory-based psychological stressor. Prestress and poststress plasma ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin levels, as well as a self-report measure of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), were obtained. Results: Nondepressed, abstinent alcoholics and control subjects did not differ with regard to age, racial composition, or baseline or poststress ratings of anxiety. Whereas ACTH and cortisol levels increased in response to the TSST, prolactin levels did not. Stress hormone response curves for the three hormones did not differ between the alcoholics and control subjects. Conclusions: When matched for levels of stress, a laboratory-based psychological stress test did not induce differential hormone response curves for abstinent alcoholics and control subjects.
Altered SR protein expression associated with contractile dysfunction in diabetic rat hearts

The goal of this study was to examine whether alteration of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein levels is associated with early-onset diastolic and late-onset systolic dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat hearts. Four-week diabetic rat hearts exhibited slow relaxation, whereas 6-wk diabetic rat hearts exhibited slow and depressed contraction. Total phospholamban level was increased, and phosphorylated level was decreased in 4- and 6-wk diabetic rat hearts. Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2) protein level was unchanged in 4-wk but decreased in 6-wk diabetic rat hearts. Only the apparent affinity of SR Ca2+ uptake for Ca2+ was decreased in 4-wk diabetic rat hearts, but the apparent affinity and the maximum rate was decreased in 6-wk diabetic rat hearts. Insulin treatment of the diabetic rats normalized SR protein expression and function. It was concluded that an increase in nonphosphorylated phospholamban and a decrease in the apparent affinity of SR Ca2+ pump for Ca2+ are associated with early-onset diastolic dysfunction and decreases in SERCA2 protein level and apparent affinity and maximum velocity of SR Ca2+ pump are associated with late-onset systolic dysfunction in diabetic rats.
The Grass is Always Greener: Do Monsoon Rains Matter for Molt of the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)?

ABSTRACT. Millions of migratory and resident passerines molt in southwestern North America each summer, when ecological productivity spikes in response to the North American Monsoon. Although a monsoon-region molt is a critical event in the annual cycle of many species, the benefits of molting in the monsoon region are unclear. I used museum specimens to compare molt dynamics of the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) in relation to the timing and location of the monsoon rains, and between northern and southern monsoon latitudes. In the north and the south, populations did not vacate arid non-monsoon areas to molt in adjacent monsoon areas, unlike several other lowland western passerines with more northern distributions. Onset, rate, and intensity of molt were similar between populations in and out of the monsoon region at the same latitude. By contrast, molt started significantly later and was significantly faster at northern latitudes than in the south, suggesting a strong, latitude-based tempor...
Kinematics of a Territorial Defense Maneuver by the Dragonfly Pachydiplax longipennis (Odonata: Anisoptera: Libellulidae)

A high speed (1000 frame/s) video segment, 0.367 seconds long, showing a territorial male Pachydiplax longipennis dragonfly responding in the field to a challenge from a conspecific male, reveals that the defender used a high rate yaw-turn to position itself to drive off the challenger. In-phase flapping of the fore and hind wings was used during the yaw turn and in the following pursuit of the challenger. During the right yawing turn, the dragonfly flapped its right wings to a more negative stroke amplitude than its left wings on the first two downstrokes (1st downstroke: -65° right wing, -45° left wing; 2nd downstroke: -90°right wing, -50°left wing). Upstroke amplitudes were the same for both wings throughout the yaw turn. The 135° yaw turn was executed, in three wing beats (0.085 s) and in about 6/10ths of a body length of horizontal travel, at an average yaw rate of 1590%., and a peak turn rate of 3000%. This rapid yawing rotation was accompanied by a significant deceleration in flight path speed, whi...
Lipid imaging in the zebra finch brain with secondary ion mass spectrometry

Lipids have diverse functions in the nervous system, but the study of their anatomical distributions in the intact brain is rather difficult using conventional methodologies. Here we demonstrate the application of high resolution time-of-flight (ToF) secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to image various lipid components and cholesterol across an entire brain section prepared from an adult zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), with a spatial resolution of 2.3m, resulting in the formation of 11.5 megapixel chemical images. The zebra finch is a songbird in which specific neural and developmental functions have been ascribed to discrete “song control nuclei” of the forebrain. We have observed a relative increase of palmitic acid C16:0 and oleic acid C18:1 in song control nuclei versus the surrounding tissue, while phosphate (PO3 − ), representative of phospholipids, was lower in these regions. Cholesterol was present at a high level only in the white matter of the optic tectum. More diffuse distributions were observed for stearic, arachidonic, linolenic, and palmitoleic acids. The presented results illustrate that SIMS imaging is a useful approach for assessing changes in lipid content during song circuit development and song learning. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Finite element and conjugate gradient methods for a nonlinear optimal heat transfer control problem

The boundary control problem of optimal heating of an infinitely long slab with tempertue-dependent thermal conductivity, subjected to a convection and radiation boundary condition, is analysed by numerical methods. In order to reformulate the optimal control problem of distributed parameter systems as a mathematical programming problem of finite dimension, a space, co-ordinate is discretized by use of the finite element method, while the Runge–Kutta method is utilized for time integrations. Finally, the performance index of the optimal control problem is minimized by the conjugate gradient method of optimization.
Timing models for prosody and cross-word coarticulation in connected speech

Gauging durations of acoustic intervals is useful for recognizing the phrasing and stress pattern of an utterance. It aids in the recognition of segments that are differentiated by duration, and it can improve segment recognition in general because knowing the stress and phrasing reduces the vocabulary search space. However, models of speech timing that compute acoustic segment lengths cannot capture spectral dynamics, and they rapidly become unwieldy in connected speech, where many effects interact to determine interval durations. I will review two results from recent work on articulatory dynamics that suggest a more workable alternative. Browman and Goldstein have developed a general model of the timing of articulatory gestures. Using this model they can describe many assimilations and apparent deletions of segments at word boundaries in terms of simple manipulations of intergestural timing, an account which should be useful for predicting the lenition pattern and for interpreting the resulting spectra in order to recover the underlying form. Beckman, Edwards, and Fletcher have applied Browman and Goldstein's model in examining articulatory correlates of global tempo decrease, phrase-final position, and sentence accent. Their data show that these three different lengthening effects are functionally distinct and suggest that the kinematics of formant transitions and amplitude curves can be used for distinguishing among the effects to parse the prosodic organization of an utterance.
Electoral Competition in Mexico and Career Trajectories of PRI Gubernatorial Candidates, 1991–2001

This study examines the relationship between increased competition in Mexican gubernatorial elections and changes in the career trajectories of PRI gubernatorial candidates between 1991 and 2001. Specifically I examine whether or not the PRI changed its electoral strategy in response to increased competition in gubernatorial elections by nominating gubernatorial candidates in subsequent elections who were more “homegrown” and less likely to be perceived by the voters in a state as being imposed on them by the national party organization? To test this hypothesis, the level of Competition in gubernatorial elections in twenty-seven Mexican states was correlated to the PRI gubernatorial candidates' career trajectories in the subsequent elections in those states. The results of the correlation analysis suggest that while winning PRI gubernatorial candidates in subsequent elections have less leadership experience in the federal bureaucracy where competition was high in a previous election, there was only modest evidence to suggest that increased competition in previous elections influenced the amount of prior state/local leadership experience of PRI gubernatorial candidates in subsequent elections. Paradoxically, losing PRI gubernatorial candidates had less prior national party/sector leadership experience and more prior leadership experience in the state/local bureaucracies in states where competition was high in a previous election.
A self-organizing neural network for multidimensional approximation

A neural network based on the combination of a feature map (memory) and linear filters is proposed as a generalized adaptive processor for multidimensional nonlinear mapping. The self-organizing part of the system provides a progressively finer embedding of the input space as more units are added to the network. The linear filters, which tap from the memory, provide the function approximations. Learning is achieved with simple rules of the Hebb's type with no backpropagation needed. The author reports some preliminary results on two-dimensional patterns that show the potential of this approach. >
Physical Properties and Microstructural Changes during Soaking of Individual Corn and Quinoa Breakfast Flakes

The importance of breakfast cereal flakes (BCF) in Western diets deserves an understanding of changes in their mechanical properties and microstructure that occur during soaking in a liquid (that is, milk or water) prior to consumption. The maximum rupture force (RF) of 2 types of breakfast flaked products (BFP)--corn flakes (CF) and quinoa flakes (QF)--were measured directly while immersed in milk with 2% of fat content (milk 2%) or distilled water for different periods of time between 5 and 300 s. Under similar soaking conditions, QF presented higher RF values than CF. Soaked flakes were freeze-dried and their cross section and surface examined by scanning electron microscopy. Three consecutive periods (fast, gradual, and slow reduction of RF) were associated with changes in the microstructure of flakes. These changes were more pronounced in distilled water than in milk 2%, probably because the fat and other solids in milk become deposited on the flakes' surface hindering liquid infiltration. Structural and textural modifications were primarily ascribable to the plasticizing effect of water that softened the carbohydrate/protein matrix, inducing partial collapse of the porous structure and eventually disintegration of the whole piece through deep cracks.
Regulation of de Novo Biosynthesis of Thyrotropin in Normal, Hyperplastic, and Neoplastic Thyrotrophs*

We have studied the in vitro regulation of de novo biosynthesis of TSH and a-subunit in normal and hyperplastic rat pituitary cells and mouse thyrotropic tumor cells. Twenty-four-hour cell cultures were exposed to a variety of stimulatory and inhibitory agents. Total (intracellular plus extracellular) unlabeled TSH and α-subunit were measured by RIA, and [35S]methionine-labeled products were measured by immunoprecipitation. TRH (10 nin) and potassium (K+; 60 HIM) were found to stimulate total unlabeled TSH (40–86% increments above control levels) and a-subunit (13–86%) as well as labeled TSH (25–45%) and a-subunit (18–119%). Responses to TRH and K+ were greater for secreted products than intracellular products. TRH and K+ also caused increases in [35S]methionine- labeled total proteins, but not to statistical significance. In long term cultures of thyrotropic tumor cells, the response of secreted TSH to TRH increased with time. A peak response of a 180% increase in TSH was reached after 6 days of culture....
Network I/O Extensibility without Administrator Privilege

Kernel extension mechanisms for network I/O are very useful for creating customized packet processing. However, such extensions have been accessible only to system administrators for security reasons. This paper investigates an approach to realize network I/O extensibility without administrator privilege. To this end, we build on a novel virtualization scheme developed for network control, hierarchical virtualization of network interfaces, which allows recursive creation of the virtualized network interfaces and attaches the created interfaces to OS entities, such as sockets and processes. We show that the hierarchical virtualization has desirable properties for safe execution of packet processing code inside OS kernels, even by ordinary users and untrusted applications. For proof-of-concept, functionality of the system is demonstrated by a prototype implementation and execution profiling is taken to verify if such a kernel extensibility can be realized at practical performance overhead. The systematic experiments illustrated that the hierarchical virtualization can realize kernel extensibility without administrator privilege.
Nonparametric Clustering for Studying RNA Conformations

The local conformation of RNA molecules is an important factor in determining their catalytic and binding properties. The analysis of such conformations is particularly difficult due to the large number of degrees of freedom, such as the measured torsion angles per residue and the interatomic distances among interacting residues. In this work, we use a nearest-neighbor search method based on the statistical mechanical Potts model to find clusters in the RNA conformational space. The proposed technique is mostly automatic and may be applied to problems, where there is no prior knowledge on the structure of the data space in contrast to many other clustering techniques. Results are reported for both single residue conformations, where the parameter set of the data space includes four to seven torsional angles, and base pair geometries, where the data space is reduced to two dimensions. Moreover, new results are reported for base stacking geometries. For the first two cases, i.e., single residue conformations and base pair geometries, we get a very good match between the results of the proposed clustering method and the known classifications with only few exceptions. For the case of base stacking geometries, we validate our classification with respect to geometrical constraints and describe the content, and the geometry of the new clusters.
Frequency and impact of trauma in older women: A military and nonmilitary sample

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the impact of trauma on late-life functioning in older females is needed in order to provide best care. We explored the impact of trauma on late-life psychological and physical health and functioning among older women (n = 48) who served in the military, or participated in a military lifestyle. Eleven of these women were not veterans, but married to military personnel. Number of traumatic exposures and types of events experienced was associated with increased trauma symptom severity. Trauma symptom severity was associated with decreased physical functioning and increased pain. Increased numbing and avoidance was significantly associated with poorer physical functioning and increased pain. Older women in this study remained at risk of experiencing negative consequences of trauma in terms of increased quantity and severity of trauma symptoms and physical decline and pain. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
The effect of extremity strength training on fibromyalgia symptoms and disease impact in an existing multidisciplinary treatment program.

Summary Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of upper and lower body extremity strengthening exercise in patients with Fibromyalgia (FM) within an existing multidisciplinary treatment program. Participants Patients between the ages of 18–65 with the medical diagnosis of FM. Methods Comparative study design. The control and experimental group received the same multidisciplinary treatment except that the experimental group performed upper and lower extremity strengthening exercises. Outcome Measures The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was administered at evaluation and discharge from the program in order to measure change in quality of life (QOL). Results Statistically significant changes in FIQ scores were found for both groups. The addition of extremity strengthening in the experimental group produced an average 4 points greater reduction in FIQ score, however, these results are not considered statistically significant. Conclusions This study appears to validate the success of a multidisciplinary approach in treating patients with FM, with the possibility for further benefit with the addition of extremity strengthening.
The sternal marrow aspiration of amyloid in multiple myeloma.

1. A case of multiple myeloma is presented in which the diagnosis of amyloidosis was established by means of the sternal marrow aspiration. 2. The polymorphonuclear leukocytes probably play a role in the removal of amyloid deposits.
Unique Experiment in Four-Platedness by a Miocene Barnacle (Cirripedia: Balanidae) That Darwin Considered Improbable

ABSTRACT The number of wall plates and the manner in which they articulate or fuse to one another are major criteria in the systematics of balanomorph barnacles. Zulloa imperialensis, a new genus and species of balanid from the Imperial Formation of Late Miocene age at Yuha Buttes, Imperial County, California, represents an unprecedented experiment in the reduction from 6 to 4 wall plates. During ontogeny in this species, the second pair of carinolatera fuses with the carina forming a compound plate, a combination that Charles Darwin considered possible but improbable. Why the reduction occurred and why the experiment failed likely relates to environmental factors, but why it involved this unique combination of wall plates remains conjectural. In general, the reduction from 6 to 4 plates in various lineages has been a gradual rather than a saltational process, as is evident here.
PHENOTYPIG DIMORPHISM AND POPULATIONAL FITNESS IN PHLOX.

Evolution is a process which yields population systems whose corporate genotype can adjust to and prevail over a defined range of environmental vicissitudes. Populations of most species differ in their ability to exploit current environments and adjust to environmental change and correlatively vary in their probability of survival and reproduction. Those which maximize this probability may be regarded as the most adapted. Populations which contribute the most offspring to the species' gene pool of the following generation relative to other populations may be regarded as the most fit. The distinction between fitness and adaptedness recently has been expounded by Dobzhansky (1968). The definition of populational fitness presented here is based upon a permutation of Dobzhansky's view of Darwinian fitness which he characterizes as "the average contribution which the carriers of genotype, or of a class of genotypes, make to the gene pool of the following generation relative to the contributions of other genotypes." Darwinian fitness is a relative term whereas adaptedness is an absolute term. This paper will deal with dimorphism and adaptedness in the perennial herb Phlox pilosa L. We will consider the adaptedness of pink and white corolla phases within natural populations of P. pilosa and compare the adaptiveness of populations which differ in pink-white balance. Adaptedness will be considered in terms of the ability to exploit a vital environmental resource, namely pollinators. The phase and population which
Does the Utilization of a Temporary External Anchoring Suture Increase the Risk of Driveline Infection After Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device

s S213 Conclusion: TAH implant is associated with a higher degree of ischemic strokes compared to LVADs. More effective anticoagulation is needed to prevent these complications.
Advances in shrub-willow crops for bioenergy, renewable products, and environmental benefits.

Short-rotation coppice systems like shrub willow are projected to be an important source of biomass in the United States for the production of bioenergy, biofuels, and renewable bio-based products, with the potential for auxiliary environmental benefits and multifunctional systems. Almost three decades of research has focused on the development of shrub willow crops for biomass and ecosystem services. The current expansion of willow in New York State (about 500 ha) for the production of renewable power and heat has been possible because of incentive programs offered by the federal government, commitments by end users, the development of reliable harvesting systems, and extension services offered to growers. Improvements in the economics of the system are expected as willow production expands further, which should help lower establishment costs, enhance crop management options and increase efficiencies in harvesting and logistics. As a result, deploying willow in multifunctional value-added systems provides opportunities for both potential producers and end users to learn about the system and the quality of the biomass feedstock, which in turn will help overcome barriers to expansion.
Reconciling cloning fidelities

In most theoretical literature on Quantum Cloning fidelity is defined in terms of den-sity matrices by assuming clones which are produced in distinguishable spatial modes.Recent optical implementations of cloning [1, 2], however, do not produce clones indistinct spatial modes, therefore another simpler expression for fidelity was proposed.However, no clear theoretical justification was provided for the equivalence of the twoexpressions. It is important to be able to compare experimental results with theoretic-cal predictions, therefore the theoretical justification is given in this paper, along withthe circumstances under which the two expressions for fidelity are equivalent. They areshown to be equivalent for all symmetric N→M QC, with the symmetry requirementbeing lifted for ancilla-free cloners. The fidelity is verified explicitly for the 1→2 UQCbased on stimulated emission proposed in [1], where the spatial indistinguishability ofthe output clones is also discussed.
Tracking developments in Japanese science and technology : JICST-EPlus

Many searchers have used the JICST-E database produced by the Center of Science and Technology (JICST), either on STN or JICST's own online system JOIS. Although JICST is fairly prompt its document processing , it created a database, JQUICK to provide quicker access, albeit to partial records. The records, available only in Japanese. JICST-EPlus changes that,by incorporting translated recodes from JQUICK into the English-language JICST-E database. This significantly improves the timleliness and comprehensives of itd predecessor, JICST-E
Proteus: a network service control platform for service evolution in a mobile software defined infrastructure

We present Proteus, a mobile network service control platform to enable safe and rapid evolution of services in a mobile software defined infrastructure (SDI). Proteus allows for network service and network component functionality to be specified in templates. These templates are used by the Proteus orchestrator to realize and modify service instances based on the specifics of a service creation request and the availability of resources in the mobile SDI and allows for service specific policies to be implemented. We evaluate our Proteus prototype in a realistic mobile networking testbed illustrating its ability to support service evolution.
News of Biomedical Advances in HIV: Relationship to Treatment Optimism and Expected Risk Behavior in US MSM

HIV treatment optimism and the ways in which news of HIV biomedical advances in HIV is presented to the most at-risk communities interact in ways that affect risk behavior and the incidence of HIV. The goal of the current study was to understand the relationships among HIV treatment optimism, knowledge of HIV biomedical advances, and current and expected increased risk behavior as a result of reading hypothetical news stories of further advances. Most of an online-recruited sample of MSM were quite knowledgeable about current biomedical advances. After reading three hypothetical news stories, 15–24% of those not living with HIV and 26–52% of those living with HIV reported their condom use would decrease if the story they read were true. Results suggest the importance of more cautious reporting on HIV biomedical advances, and for targeting individuals with greater treatment optimism and those living with HIV via organizations where they are most likely to receive their information about HIV.
Modeling and Verification of Firewall and IPSec Policies Using Binary Decision Diagrams

As firewall is the main front-end defense, IPSec is the standard for secure Internet communications, providing traffic integrity, confidentiality and authentication. Although IPSec supports a rich set of protection modes and operations, its policy configuration remains a complex and error-prone task. Unlike firewalls, IPSec exhibits more complex semantic that allows for triggering multiple rule actions of different security modes. This inherent complexity increases significantly the potential of policy misconfiguration and can violate the integrity of IPSec VPN security. Secure and safe deployment of IPSec requires thorough and automated analysis of the policy configuration consistency for firewall and IPSec devices across the entire network. In this chapter, we present a general composable model based on using Boolean expressions that can represent different ACL filtering semantics. We use this model to derive a canonical representation for firewall and IPSec policies using Ordered Binary Decision Diagrams. Based on this representation, we develop a comprehensive framework to classify and identify conflicts in a single firewall and IPSec device (intra-policy conflicts) or between different firewall and IPSec devices (inter-policy conflicts) in enterprise networks. Our testing and evaluation study on different network environments demonstrates the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach for identifying conflicts in firewall and IPSec policies.