cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatigue Life Prediction Using Multivariate Gaussian Process

Abstract : A hybrid prognosis model is being developed for real-time residual useful life estimation of metallic aircraft structural components. The prognosis framework combines information from off-line physics-based, off-line data driven and on-line system identification based predictive models. The present paper focuses on the later two components of an integrated, hybrid prognosis model. These components are explicitly based on Gaussian process based data driven approach within a Bayesian framework. Fatigue crack behavior of Aluminum 2024 compact-tension (CT) specimens under variable loading has been modeled using this multivariate Gaussian process technique. The Gaussian process model projects the input space to an output space by probabilistically inferring the underlying non-linear function relating input and output. For the off-line prediction the input space of the model is trained with parameters that affect fatigue crack growth, such as number of fatigue cycles, minimum load, maximum load, and load ratio. For the case of online prediction, the model input space is trained using features found from piezoelectric sensor signals rather than training the input space with loading parameters, which are difficult to measure in a real flight-worthy structure. In both the off-line and on-line case the output space is trained with known associated crack lengths. Once the Gaussian process model is trained, a new output space for which the corresponding crack length or damage state is not known is predicted using the trained Gaussian process model. Concepts are validated through several numerical examples.
An adolescent and young adult condom self-efficacy scale.

The purpose of this study was to initially test the psychometric properties of an adolescent and young adult condom self-efficacy scale. The sample consisted of 209 participants (13 to 26 years old) who voluntarily completed a 19-item scale. The items were developed based on a review of the literature and a review by experts in adolescents' and young adults' condom use. Item analysis was conducted and five items were deleted. Principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation yielded three factors: communication abilities related to condom use, consistent condom use abilities, and correct condom use abilities. The three factors accounted for 42% of the variance. The alpha coefficient was .85 for the total scale. The scale could be used to assess perceived condom self-efficacy and to evaluate effectiveness of strategies to increase perceived condom self-efficacy among adolescents and young adults.
Verbal discrimination learning as a function of brain damage, aging, and institutionalization.

Summary The relationship between young non-brain-damaged nonpatents, elderly non-brain-damaged patients and elderly brain-damaged patients and the acquisition and extinction of verbal discrimination conditioned responses were investigated in this study. Four groups of 10 Ss each were used: one group of elderly brain-damaged patients with speech impairment; one group of elderly brain-damaged patients with no speech impairment; one group of elderly non-brain-damaged patients; and one group of young nonpatient Ss used as a comparison group. The three elderly, brain-damaged and non-brain-damaged groups were unable to make a simple verbal discrimination, while the younger nonpatient group had a nearly perfect record of discrimination responses. No significant differences were obtained between the three elderly patient groups.
Effect of morphine and nalmefene on energy balance in diabetic and non-diabetic rats

Male rats made diabetic by intravenous injection of streptozotocin were used to evaluate the effect of the diabetic state on morphine- and nalmefene-induced changes in food intake and body weight. Morphine increased 4 hour food intake in non-diabetic rats after an initial injection, but increased intake in diabetic rats only after repeated injections. Unlike short term measurements, morphine decreased food intake when measured over 24 or more hours in both groups. Chronic injection of morphine decreased body weight only in non-diabetic rats. Feed efficiency data suggest that morphine had a more potent effect on energy balance in the non-diabetic rats. The opioid antagonist, nalmefene, did not alter body weight in either group and only altered food intake in the diabetic animals. These data are in concert with other reports indicating that the diabetic state renders animals less responsive to the effects of morphine on nociception and smooth muscle contraction.
The Effects of Optimized Nozzle-Substrate Distance on Cold Gas Dynamic Spray (CGDS) Process

This paper presents research that is focused on the particle coating quality of Cold Gas Dynamic Spray (CGDS) process. The coating quality is affected by several different factors, namely the carrier gas species, nozzle-substrate distance, nozzle inlet pressure and the coating particle size. The intent of this research is to use numerical simulations to predict the coating quality and to find the optimized nozzle-substrate distance and particle size in CGDS process by tuning the factor of nozzle-substrate distance and the coating particle size. Air was chosen as the carrier gas to accelerate copper (Cu) particles, which have diameters ranging from 2–50μm.. There are two main target factors, the nozzle-substrate distance and particle size, which are going to affect the coating quality in this study. In the first part, 14 sets of nozzle-substrate distance models ranging from 2.5mm to 100 mm were setup to study the air velocity, density, temperature and pressure contour through the De-Laval nozzle to the aluminum substrate. In the second part, 49 sets of different particle sizes ranging from 2–50μm in diameter were computed. The particle’s impact velocities on the aluminum substrate were applied to 12 different nozzle-substrate distance models. The bow shock wave, a high pressure gradient region, formed in front of the aluminum substrate, makes the copper particles decelerate in front of the substrate. The results showed that the gas flow velocity contours was affected by different nozzle-substrate distances, which caused different particle accelerating characteristics.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
A computationally efficient method for bootstrapping systems of demand equations: A comparison to traditional techniques

The solution to a Liapunov matrix equation (LME) has been proposed to estimate the parameters of the demand equations derived from the Translog, the Almost Ideal Demand System and the Rotterdam demand models. When compared to traditional scemingly unrelated regression (SUR) methods the LME approach saves both computer time and space, and it provides parameter estimates that are less likely to suffer from round-off error. However, the LME method is difficult to implement without the use of specially written computer programs and, unlike traditional SUR methods, it does not automatically provide an estimate of the covariance of the parameters. This paper solves these two problems, the first by providing a simplified solution to the Liapunov matrix equation which can be written in a few lines of code in computer languages such as SAS PROC MATRIX/IMLTM or GAUSSTM; the second, by bootstrapping the parameter covariance matrix.
Predilection of brain metastasis in gray and white matter junction and vascular border zones.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of the vascular border zone and the gray and white matter junction in the distribution of brain metastases. METHODS We reviewed the medical records, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 105 patients with secondary brain tumors. The metastatic lesions noted on CT scans or MRI were matched with a predetermined standard sheet containing axial images with shading on the border zones. To be included in the border zones, the center or more than 50% of the lesion had to be situated within these zones. RESULTS Among 100 evaluable patients, there were 302 metastatic brain lesions. Of the 302 lesions, 210 lesions were 2 cm or smaller in greatest dimension and located in cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres. The major vascular border zones were the site of predilection for 103 lesions (62%) although the border zones constitute only 29% of the area. Gray and white matter junction was the preferred site for 135 lesions (64%). CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that brain metastasis occurs in the vascular border zone regions and the gray and white matter junction more frequently than previously recognized, and also supported the notion that metastatic emboli tend to lodge in an area of sudden reduction of vascular caliber (gray/white matter junction) and in the area most distal vascular field (border zone). Cancer 1996; 77:1551-5.
Low Temperature Native Oxide Reduction From GaAs Surfaces

The objectives of this paper are three-fold: (1) to describe the necessary conditions for low temperature (i.e. < 500°C) reduction of native oxides from GaAs surfaces; (2) to describe a technique and procedure for establishing those conditions in H2 and possibly N2 gas; and (3) to present results of GaAs native oxide reduction including reduction rates and factors which affect them. Thermodynamic calculations of the necessary PH20/PH2 ratios (equivalent to P02) for oxide reduction from GaAs are presented. These same conditions would be sufficient to remove native oxides from GaInAs and from Ge. Experimental data will show that these atmospheres can be controlled and measured in flowing H2 and N2 through the use of calcia-stabilized zirconia solid electrolytic cells. H2 atmospheres have been obtained with less than 20 parts per billion of water vapor, low enough to reduce oxides of GaAs at temperatures as low as 270°C. Reduction rates have been determined for an anodic oxide on GaAs indicating that the rate as a function of temperature was proportional to exp(-26600/RT); and it was also directly proportional to the logarithm of the average oxide thickness.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Recent progress in understanding ion-beam mixing of metals

Abstract Recent progress in three fundamental areas related to the ion-beam mixing of metal targets is reviewed: (1) molecular dynamics simulations of the temporal development of energetic displacement cascades; (2) the substantially increased mixing efficiencies that have been reported in many systems at intermediate irradiation temperatures; and (3) amorphization during ion irradiation. Significant advances in our fundamental understanding have occurred in all three of these areas in the past few years. Mass transport at various times during the evolution of energetic displacement cascades in Cu and Ni has been calculated recently using fully dynamic computer simulations. These results, discussed in section 2, strongly support the conclusion drawn from earlier experimental work that a majority of ion-beam mixing occurs at low (1–2 eV) atomic recoil energies during the cascade cooling phase. In section 3, characteristic differences are identified between radiation-enhanced diffusion, that is mass transport due to freely-migrating vacancy and interstitial defects and the enhanced ion-beam mixing that has been observed in many materials at intermediate temperatures. It is argued here that true radiation-enhanced diffusion should be observable only at substantially higher temperatures. Finally, recent measurements of the shear elastic constant, the lattice parameter and the long-range order parameter during ion-induced amorphization of highly-ordered intermetallic compounds are summarized in section 4. This new information indicates that ion-induced amorphization is preceded by a first-order phase transformation triggered by an elastic instability and reveals several parallels between solid-state melting and amorphization phenomena.
Effects of propafenone on sinus nodal and ventricular automaticity: In vitro and in vivo correlation☆

The electrophysiologic effects of the new antiarrhythmic drug, propafenone, were evaluated in anesthetized closed-chest dogs and on isolated cardiac tissues with the microelectrode technique. Propafenone (2 to 4 mg/kg intravenously) had no effect on sinus rate or on sinus nodal recovery time, but caused a dose-dependent significant decrease in the rate of idioventricular rhythm and increased the duration of ventricular overdrive suppression in dogs (n = 8) with complete atrioventricular block. On isolated canine Purkinje fibers (n = 8) manifesting automaticity with resting membrane potential less negative than -70 mV, propafenone reduced the slope of phase 4 depolarization and reduced the rate of automatic impulse initiation in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-6) M-4.10(-5) M). At these concentrations, propafenone had no effect on rabbit sinus nodal automaticity (n = 8) or on sinoatrial conduction. However, significant depression of sinus nodal automaticity occurred with propafenone concentrations above 5.10(-6) M in the presence of cholinergic or complete autonomic blockade with atropine (10(-6) M) and propranolol (5.10(-5) M). Propafenone caused a concentration-dependent decrease in the disparity of Purkinje fiber-ventricular muscle action potential duration (APD), mainly by shortening Purkinje fiber APD. We conclude: that propafenone suppresses idioventricular rhythm in the intact dog, most likely by depressing Purkinje fiber automaticity; the depressant effect of propafenone on sinus nodal automaticity is evident only during cholinergic receptor blockade; and the antiarrhythmic properties of propafenone may include removal of APD disparity by selective shortening of Purkinje fiber and not of ventricular muscle APD.
Hormonal factors altering rhythmicity of tyrosine-alpha-ketoglutarate transaminase in rat liver.

The activity of a hepatic enzyme, tyrosine transaminase (TT), was shown to vary with a 24-hr rhythm controlled by at least 3 endocrine glands. This enzyme, known to be induced by glucocorticoids or by long-term thyroxine treatment, was measured in male rats at 2- or 4-hr intervals with a 12-hr day-night lighting. A base line enzyme activity of 3.32–4.20 ×lO3 U/mg protein was seen in the intact animals between 0800 and 1600. Activity then rose rapidly to reach a single sharp peak at 2200 hr that was 4–5 times greater than base line. Alterations in this pattern were noted following adrenalectomy, thyroidectomy, or hypophysectomy. In the adrenalectomized animals the rise at 1600 and peak at 2200 hr seen in the intact animal were absent, but enzyme activity at 2400 and 0400 hr was unchanged from normal. Following thyroidectomy enzyme activity rose at 1600 hr, reaching a peak at 2200 that was significantly higher than in the intact animal (p<.01). Activity then fell at 2400 to concentrations not significantly ...
Multisubstrate analogue based on 5,8,10-trideazafolate

Abstract The preparation and evaluation of the multisubstrate analogue 3 based on the 5,8,10-trideazafolate core for GAR and AICAR Tfase inhibition is detailed.
Drainage Efficiency in Naturally Fractured Tight Gas Sandstone Reservoirs

Modeling of the Mesaverde Formation in the San Juan Basin, northwestern New Mexico, shows the importance of using realistic drainage patterns in a naturally fractured reservoir. Fractures not only enhance the overall porosity and permeability of these reservoirs, but fractures also create significant permeability anisotropy. Permeability anisotropy causes the drainage area around the wells to be elliptical. Directional permeability is best found with multiple well interference tests. Predicted potential for infill drilling depends on the modeling approach, because elliptical drainage creates more overlap and undrained sections than a more radial drainage in an isotropic permeability case. Modeling with permeability anisotropy increases the potential for infill drilling and identifies optimum locations for new infill wells. This approach has been applied in the Mesaverde Formation to determine economic optimization of infill drilling in these reservoirs and demonstrates that field development based on elliptical drainage areas can lead to a reduction in drainage overlap of adjacent wells and prevent leaving undrained areas. From multiple well interference testing a strong permeability anisotropy was found. Reservoir simulations were performed in pilot areas of different fracture intensity to quantify the potential for infill drilling, reducing the well spacing from 320 to 160 acre. Simulation results indicate areas of effective drainage, the optimum locations for infill wells, and the additional recovery from infill wells.
Solid theory and soft implementation in policy design : Florida compact development policies

Abstract Florida's 1985 Growth Management Act (GMA) was amended with three policies in the 1990s: the 1993 Transportation Concurrency, 1996 Sustainable Communities Demonstration Project and the 1999 Urban Infill and Redevelopment. These policies seek to restrain urban and suburban developments that spread towards agricultural and natural systems and, instead, to direct growth to urban areas and to increase compact development. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the legislation of Florida's three compact development policies and its potential impact on local communities. Evaluation is conducted along three elements of policy design: causal theory, implementation tool and intergovernmental implementation process. The conclusion is that the three policies display sound alternative theories and unique intervention modes to alleviate and manage the sprawl problem through a distinct compact development solution; albeit the design of implementation tools and processes is problematic. Discretion...
Biotransformation of musk xylene in trout haemoglobin: dose–response and toxicokinetics of musk xylene metabolites haemoglobin adducts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Musk xylene (MX) is frequently used as a fragrance in commercial toiletries. Biotransformation of MX into 4-amino-MX (4-AMX) and 2-amino-MX (2-AMX) metabolites in rainbow trout haemoglobin (Hb) has been described. The dose–response relationship and toxicokinetics of the metabolites as adducts in the Hb were determined by gas chromatography (GC)–electron capture negative chemical ionization (NCI)–mass spectrometry (MS), and GC–electron ionization (EI)–MS/MS, using selected ion monitoring (SIM). The trout were subjected to a single exposure of 0.010, 0.030, 0.10, and/or 0.30 mg MX/g of fish. Hb samples were collected from exposed and control fish, and analysed subsequent to exposure at intervals of 24, 72, and 168 h. Alkaline hydrolysis released 4-AMX and 2-AMX metabolites from the Hb, and the solutes were extracted into n-hexane. The extracts were preconcentrated and analysed. The presence of the metabolites in the Hb extracts was confirmed based on agreement of similar mass spectral features from NCI/MS a...
TypeDevil: dynamic type inconsistency analysis for JavaScript

Dynamic languages, such as JavaScript, give programmers the freedom to ignore types, and enable them to write concise code in short time. Despite this freedom, many programs follow implicit type rules, for example, that a function has a particular signature or that a property has a particular type. Violations of such implicit type rules often correlate with problems in the program. This paper presents Type Devil, a mostly dynamic analysis that warns developers about inconsistent types. The key idea is to assign a set of observed types to each variable, property, and function, to merge types based in their structure, and to warn developers about variables, properties, and functions that have inconsistent types. To deal with the pervasiveness of polymorphic behavior in real-world JavaScript programs, we present a set of techniques to remove spurious warnings and to merge related warnings. Applying Type Devil to widely used benchmark suites and real-world web applications reveals 15 problematic type inconsistencies, including correctness problems, performance problems, and dangerous coding practices.
The long-run impact of nuclear waste shipments on the property market: Evidence from a quasi-experiment☆

Abstract We use evidence from a quasi-experiment – the shipping of radioactive spent nuclear fuel by train through South Carolina – to assess whether many years of incident-free transport of nuclear waste no longer negatively affects market valuation of properties along the route. Using Charleston County (SC) property sales data over 13 years we find, to the contrary, that the negative impact of the nuclear waste shipments on property values continues to be felt over the long run. The perception of risk from nuclear waste transport appears to be resilient. We contribute methodologically by comparing well-defined treatment and control groups of properties to estimate the average treatment effect of the nuclear waste shipment program. The results are affirmed in both a pooled cross-section sample, as well as a panel data sample of repeated property sales.
4,4′-Biphenolate complexes of titanium and zirconium

Abstract 4,4′-Biphenolate ligands (R4BIPOH2) bearing methyl or tert-butyl substituents in the 3,3′,5,5′-positions participate in alcoholysis reactions with metal precursors, including TiCl4, Ti(OiPr)4 and Cp2MCl2. The tetra-tert-butyl derivative shows evidence of an intermediate monotitanium species (Bu4BIPOH)Ti(OiPr)3 during titrations of the ligand with Ti(OiPr)4, while (Bu4BIPO)(TiOiPr)3)2 exists as a simple monomeric molecule in solution. (Me4BIPO)(Ti(OiPr)3)2 shows evidence of aggregation into oligomeric species in solution, although its insolubility hampered the complete characterization of these species. A reaction between the d1 complex TiCl3(THF)3 and 3,3′,5,5′-tBu4-4,4′-biphenoquinone produced (Bu4BIPO)[TiCl3(THF)]2, while dirct reactions between TiCl4 and Bu4BIPOH2 in toluene resulted in the isolation of the dealkylated product, (Bu2BIPO)[TiCl3(Et2O)]2 (where the tBu groups occur in the 3,3′-positions), after treatment with ether. Refluxing Me4BIPOH2 and Cp2MCl2 (M = Ti or Zr) in toluene produced bismetallocene chloride complexes.
Potato quality IX. Use of sequestering agents in preventing after-cooking darkening in pre-peeled potatoes

A 60 second dip in a mixture of 1 per cent sodium bisulfite and 1 per cent sequestering agent (the di sodium or tetra sodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) effectively prevented after-cooking darkening of pre-peeled potatoes when there was a time lag of 24 hours or more between time of treatment and time of cooking.
Hazards education and academic standards in the Southeast United States

A continued increase in US disaster losses suggests that there is still much to be learned about hazards. Hazards education, therefore, remains an important facet of preparedness. This paper investigates the science and social studies academic standards for 10 Southeast states to reveal the extent to which hazard topics are covered in grades K-12. The findings suggest that hazards are treated unevenly from one state to another, that geophysical events are overrepresented in the curriculum, and that little integration between science and social studies exists on the topic. One suggested remedy is to re-incorporate geography strongly within the state standards as an attempt to make both the physical and social aspects of hazards known to the student.
Pocket Guide to Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Rolf D. Schmid. Weinheim, Federal Republic of Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2003, 360 pp., $45.00, softcover. ISBN 3-527-30895-4.

This pocket guide, with beautiful color illustrations by Ruth Hammelehle, would fit in your blazer coat pocket but would more likely be found in your briefcase. As Dr. Schmid tells us in the preface, the history of biotechnology is essentially the history of civilization. Although bread and cheese are properly part of food technology and not extensively covered, beer, ethanol, and other products of fermentation are featured with emphasis on modern biotechnology. This 350-page book can be accessed …
A fraction from Anabaena variabilis enriched in the reaction center chlorophyll P700.

Abstract Extraction of carotenoids from lyophilized membrane fragments of Anabaena variabilis followed by treatment with Triton X-100 and sucrose density gradient centrifugation yields a bluish-green membrane fragment which is enriched in P700. This high-P700 fragment, denoted HP700, contains three P700 molecules per 100 chlorophyll a; the ratio is three times higher than that of the Photosystem I fragment (obtained by treatment with Triton X-100 alone). Examination of the HP700 fragment by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate reveals the presence of only one chlorophyll—protein complex band. The protein content in the HP700 fragment is about half that of the Photosystem I fragment on a chlorophyll a basis. The HP700 fragment shows the characteristic absorbance change of P700 and the related electron paramagnetic resonance signal upon illumination. Compared with the Photosystem I fragment, the HP700 fragment shows a slower rate of bleaching of P700 upon illumination. These two fragments also differ in their fluorescence properties. The intensity of fluorescence at 685 mμ is higher for the HP700 fragment at 25°. At —196° the long-wavelength fluorescence is found at a shorter wavelength (722 mμ) in the HP700 fragment and is lower in intensity than that observed with the Photosystem I fragment. These data indicate that there is less efficient energy transfer between the light-harvesting chlorophyll a and P700 in the HP700 fragment. The electron micrograph of the HP700 fragment shows the presence of small membrane fragments and some strands. Exposure of the HP700 fragment to ferricyanide or to light causes an oxidation of the P700 chlorophyll. Accompanying this change is a decrease in absorbance at 680 mμ. This change may represent another chlorophyll species which is part of the reaction center complex.
‘In the heat of the moment’: mediating versus moderating relationships between sexual arousal and perceived sanctions

A growing body of research suggests that perception of various benefits can mediate the role of emotions on offending, however similar research has yet to find much support for the impact of emotional state on cost perceptions. Other research suggests that the influence of cost perceptions may be moderated by emotional state – that is, only relevant to those in ‘cool’ states. The current study utilized random assignment to arousal conditions to examine the potential for either mediating effects of emotions on cost perceptions, or for sanction perceptions to be moderated by sexual arousal (measured as assigned condition or reported level of arousal). Results provided little support for the notion that arousal impacts cost perceptions, but did suggest that cost perceptions were moderated by arousal level. Implications for understanding the role of emotional states in decision making are discussed.
Spatial resolution of ERTS images by computer

The authors discuss a solution to one of the problems concerned with the use of the large amounts of data now available from remote sensing satellites.
Intelligent mobile robots in the workplace: leaving the guide behind

Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) that incorporate transport robots are currently dominated by the use of automatic guided vehicles. These AGVs generally require significant restructuring of the workplace in order for them to be useful. The concept of flexibility in manufacturing is somewhat compromised by this strategy.Our previous work in mobile robots, resulting in the Autonomous Robot Architecture (AuRA), is applied to the manufacturing domain. This approach, contrary to the AGV methodology, embeds significant amounts of knowledge (both environmental and behavioral) to ultimately give a mobile robot far greater latitude in interacting with its environment.This paper presents the motivation and subsequent simulation studies that demonstrate the feasibility of migrating schema-based navigation into an FMS. In particular, the creation of a docking motor schema to accomplish interaction with the workplace is detailed.
Enhanced De Novo Neurogenesis and Dopaminergic Neurogenesis in the Substantia Nigra of 1‐Methyl‐4‐phyenyl‐1,2,3,6‐Tetrahydropyridine‐Induced Parkinson's Disease‐Like Mice

Research reports on de novo neurogenesis, particularly dopaminergic (DA) neurogenesis in the adult mammalian substantia nigra (SN), remain very controversial. For this reason, we used the nestin second intron enhancer-controlled LacZ reporter transgenic mouse model coupled with the 1-methyl-4-phyenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) lesion system to investigate whether there are neurogenesis and DA neurogenesis in the SN of the adult normal and Parkinson's disease (PD)-like mice. First, we demonstrated the presence of neural progenitor cells (NPCs), basal levels of neurogenesis, and DA neurogenesis in the normal adult mouse SN. Second, we showed that there is not only a significant increase in the number of NPCs but also a dramatic increase of neurogenesis from the NPCs in the SN and the midline region adjacent to the SN of the PD-like mice compared with that of normal controls. More importantly, we also demonstrated that there is an increase of DA neurogenesis in the SN of the MPTP-lesioned mice. Third, we showed that the increased DA neurogenesis in the MPTP-lesioned mice was derived from the NPCs and 5-bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells, suggesting that multiple stem cell lineages may contribute to the enhanced neurogenesis in the adult SN. Taken together, these results establish that there are basal levels, albeit low, and increased levels of de novo neurogenesis and DA neurogenesis in the SN of the adult normal and PD-like mice, respectively. The increased NPCs in the MPTP-lesioned mice further suggest that experimental approaches to promote de novo neurogenesis may provide an effective therapy for PD by functional replacement of degenerated DA neurons.
Obstructing posterior urethral valves in octogenarian

A unique case of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to posterior urethral valves in an octogenarian is presented.
Fluids confined to narrow pores: A low-dimensional approach

A fluid physisorbed in a narrow pore forms a nearly one- or two-dimensional monolayer, depending on the pore geometry, when the characteristic dimension of the pore is only slightly larger than the molecular size. In such cases, previous work shows that the average density of an adsorbed phase in equilibrium with a bulk phase can be predicted by treating the adsorbate as a low-dimensional (low-D) fluid, when the adsorbate density is low. For example, a fluid of hard spheres adsorbed inside a narrow planar pore resembles a fluid of hard disks. We improve the low-D model by regarding the adsorbate as a polydisperse fluid constrained to a lower dimension; thus, molecular size in the lower-dimensional space replaces the adsorbate position in the dimension normal to the adsorbate surface in the true geometry. The size distribution in the pseudo-low-D mixture is not chosen arbitrarily, but specified by the equilibrium condition between the low-D mixture and the bulk fluid. This equilibrium condition follows naturally from the formalism of the semigrand canonical ensemble, which provides a convenient thermodynamic description of polydisperse mixtures. The mapping of the adsorbed phase onto a polydisperse low-D fluid is examined for examples of hard-particle fluids. We report the average adsorbate density relative to the density of a bulk fluid in equilibrium with the adsorbed phase. The polydisperse low-D model provides a better representation of dense adsorbed layers than the simpler low-D model throughout the entire range of applicability of the models, as demonstrated by comparison to Monte Carlo simulations. The theory also fares better than a well-regarded smoothed density-functional theory in predicting density profiles for hard spheres in very-narrow-slit pores.
Fifteen Pages that Shook the Field: Personal Influence, Edward Shils, and the Remembered History of Mass Communication Research

Personal Influence's fifteen-page account of the development of mass communication research has had more influence on the field's historical self-understanding than anything published before or since. According to Elihu Katz and Paul Lazarsfeld's well-written, two-stage narrative, a loose and undisciplined body of prewar thought had concluded naively that media are powerful—a myth punctured by the rigorous studies of Lazarsfeld and others, which showed time and again that media impact is in fact limited. This “powerful-tolimited-effects” story line remains textbook boilerplate and literature review dogma fifty years later. This article traces the emergence of thePersonal Influence synopsis, with special attention to (1) Lazarsfeld's audience-dependent framing of key media research findings and (2) the surprisingly prominent role of Edward Shils in supplying key elements of the narrative.
Filament lengths in frog semitendinosus and tibialis anterior muscle fibres.

In frog semitendinosus muscle the descending limb of the length-tension curve is shifted rightward relative to that of tibialis anterior. Both the plateau right corner and the zero-force intercept are equally shifted. To investigate the reason for this shift, we compared filament lengths in the two muscles. Single fibres were mechanically skinned, stretched to reveal filaments clearly, incubated in a solution containing one of several antibodies to enhance filament visualization, and examined by electron microscopy. We found no differences of filament length. Thick filament lengths were 1.62 and 1.61 μm, respectively. I-segment lengths were measured by two methods. With the first, filament length was the same for both muscles, 1.95 or 1.98 μm, depending on the value taken for the troponin repeat; with the second it was 1.92 and 1.94 μm, respectively, for the two muscles. These differences are insignificant. Thus, the reported differences of shape of the length-tension curve are not explainable in terms of differences of filament length.
The Half-Axial Projection A New Look at the Proximal Left Coronary Artery

The half-axial view is a dividend of large film selective coronary arteriography. The half-axial projection is obtained by combining caudal tilt of the overhead tube with rotation of the patient into the right posterior oblique position. Thus, the main left coronary artery and the proximal portions of its primary and secondary branches are maximally displayed because the X-ray beam is nearly perpendicular to these vessels and overlap is minimized. The half-axial view adds less than two minutes to the procedure and in nearly half of our patients adds significantly to the arteriographic assessment of the left coronary artery.
The Protein‐Phosphatase Inhibitor Okadaic Acid Mimics MSH‐Induced and Melatonin‐Reversible Melanosome Dispersion in Xenopus laevis Melanophores

The present study describes the ability of 315 nM okadaic acid to induce melanosome dispersion in cultured Xenopus laevis melanophores. This effect of okadaic acid is similar to that of a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) and can be reversed by melatonin treatment; it indicates that a member of the protein-phosphatase 1 or 2A families must be active for maintenance of the aggregated state. Higher concentrations of okadaic acid (1 microM) attenuate the response of Xenopus melanophores to melatonin leading to the hypothesis that melatonin action is mediated by the calcium/calmodulin activated phosphatase 2B. This hypothesis seems unlikely, however, since the calcium/calmodulin inhibitors TFP and W7 do not prevent melatonin-induced pigment aggregation, but instead induce aggregation on their own.
Bone modeling during growth: Dynamic strain equilibrium in the chick tibiotarsus

Bone loading was quantified, usingin vivo strain recordings, in the tibiotarsus of growing chicks at 4,8, 12, and 17 weeks of age. The animals were exercised on a treadmil at 35% of their maximum running speed for 15 minutes/day.In vivo bone strains were recorded at six sites on the tibiotarsus. Percentages of the bone's length and a percentage of top running speed were used to define functionally equivalent sites on the bone, and a consistent exercise level over the period of growth was studied. The pattern of bone strain defined in terms of strain magnitude, sign, and orientation remained unchanged from 4–17 weeks of age, a period when bone mass and length increased 10-fold and threefold, respectively. Our findings support the hypothesis that bones model (and remodel) during growth to achieve and maintain a similar distribution of dynamic strains at functionally equivalent sites. Because strain magnitude and sign (tensile versus compressive) differed among recording sites, these data also suggest that cellular responses to strain-mediated stimuli differ from site to site within a bone.
Remarks on Janusz Slawinski's paper

This paper by Michael Grosso analyzes points made by Janusz Slawinski in their paper "Electromagnetic Radiation and the Afterlife." It specifies that the author's hypothesis cannot be tested currently, and thus, it cannot be falsified. More research and data is needed, according to Grosso.
Low-Loss Plasmonic Metamaterials

Metamaterials (MMs) are artificial, engineered materials with rationally designed compositions and arrangements of nanostructured building blocks. These materials can be tailored for almost any application because of their extraordinary response to electromagnetic, acoustic, and thermal waves that transcends the properties of natural materials (1–3). The astonishing MM-based designs and demonstrations range from a negative index of refraction, focusing and imaging with sub-wavelength resolution, invisibility cloaks, and optical black holes to nanoscale optics, data processing, and quantum information applications (3). Metals have traditionally been the material of choice for the building blocks, but they suffer from high resistive losses—even metals with the highest conductivities, silver and gold, exhibit excessive losses at optical frequencies that restrict the development of devices in this frequency range. The development of new materials for low-loss MM components and telecommunication devices is therefore required.
A model for the deliverable capacity of the TiS2 electrode in a Li/TiS2 cell

Abstract A mathematical model is presented for a Li/TiS2 cell under galvanostatic discharge. This model has been used to illustrate the importance of considering the effect of the separator on the material utilization of a porous TiS2 electrode in a Li/TiS2 cell. The model predictions show that a porous TiS2 electrode in a cell with a thin separator would deliver much more capacity than the electrode would in a large volume of electrolyte and that the material utilization of the TiS2 electrode increases with a decrease in the separator thickness.
Processing and properties of highly enriched double-wall carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes consist of one or more concentric graphene cylinders and are under investigation for a variety of applications that make use of their excellent thermal, mechanical, electronic and optical properties. Double-wall nanotubes are ideal systems for studying the interwall interactions influencing the properties of nanotubes with two or more walls. However, current techniques to synthesize double-wall nanotubes produce unwanted single- and multiwall nanotubes. Here, we show how density gradient ultracentrifugation can be used to separate double-wall nanotubes from mixtures of single- and multiwall nanotubes through differences in their buoyant density. This technique results in samples that are highly enriched in either single- or double-wall nanotubes of similar outer wall diameter, with the double-wall nanotubes being, on average, ∼44% longer than the single-wall nanotubes. The longer average length of the double-wall nanotubes provides distinct advantages when they are used in transparent conductors. Current methods for synthesizing double-wall carbon nanotubes also produce single- and multi-wall nanotube impurities. Density gradient ultracentrifugation has now been used to separate double-wall nanotubes from such mixtures. The resulting material has distinct advantages over single-wall nanotubes when used in transparent conductors.
A Pilot Study on the Cross-Cultural Acceptance of Technology

In this period of technological innovations, there is no doubt that the study of technology acceptance and diffusion is important. There have been numerous advancements in this regard. However, there has been relatively little cross-cultural research done in this domain. The purpose of this study is to explore the role that cultural differences play in the acceptance of technology and in particular, a popular email service provider, Gmail©. A mixed methods approach was followed for this study. Data regarding perception of Gmail© between participants in India (collectivist) and the U.S. (individualistic) was collected using online questionnaires. Correlational analysis and content analysis were used to analyze the data. While there was no statistical significance regarding ease of use, content analysis found that ‘ease of use’ could be an important factor for the Indian sample. Difference in loyalty towards Gmail© was found to be approaching significance (at α=0.05). ‘Ease of acquiring’ was found to be imp...
Nonlinear photoionization and laser-induced damage in silicate glasses by infrared ultrashort laser pulses

We show that photoionization of wide band gap silicate glasses by infrared ultrashort laser pulses can occur without laser-induced damage. Two glasses are studied, fused silica and a multi-component silicate photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass. Experiments are performed by low numerical aperture focusing of ultrashort laser pulses (100 fsec<τ<1.5 psec) at the wavelengths 780 nm, 1430 nm, and 1550 nm. Filaments form inside both glasses and are visibly observable due to intrinsic luminescence. Keldysh’s theory of nonlinear photoionization is used to model the formation of filaments and values of about 1013 W cm−2 for the laser intensity and 1019 cm−3 for the free electron density are estimated for stable filaments to arise. Laser-induced damage is studied by the generation of a third harmonic from an interface created between a damage site and the surrounding glass matrix. It is found that third harmonic generation occurs only after several thousands of laser shots indicating that damage is not a single-shot phenomena. The ability to photoionize PTR glass without damage by ultrashort laser pulses offers a new approach for fabricating diffractive optical elements in photosensitive glass.
Rate coefficients of the reactions of isopentane with H and CH3 radicals: Quantum mechanical approach

Abstract The rate coefficients of the H-abstraction reactions of isopentane by H and CH3 radicals were determined by transition state theory (TST) and canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with the potential energy surfaces calculated at the CBS-QB3 and G3B3 levels, and with the quantum mechanical tunneling effect corrected using the small-curvature tunneling (SCT) and Eckart methods. It was found that the G3B3 method predicts good barrier heights for the reactions of isopentane + H radical, and that the CBS-QB3 method predicts good barrier heights for the reactions of isopentane + CH3 radical. Furthermore, the energy barriers for the abstraction of primary, secondary, and tertiary hydrogen of isopentane were found to be consistent with the corresponding H-bond dissociation energies derived by the enthalpy difference between the C5H11 radical + H and isopentane. By using isodesmic reaction analysis, the enthalpies of formation (Δ H f 298 o ) of the four initial H-abstraction radical products of isopentane C·H2CH2CH(CH3)CH3, CH3CH2CH(CH3)C·H2, CH3C·HCH(CH3)CH3, and CH3CH2C·(CH3)CH3 were determined to be 12.0, 11.9, 9.4, and 7.0 kcal mol−1, respectively. To account for quantum mechanical tunneling effects, the rate coefficients corrected by the SCT method were found to be closer to the experimental data than those by the Eckart method. Thermal rate coefficients for the abstraction of primary, secondary, and tertiary hydrogen atom within isopentane by H and CH3 radicals in the temperature range of 300–1500 K were determined and also compared with available experimental data and theoretical results.
A Tridimensional View of Intradermal Nevi as Revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy

When scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to the study of intradermal nevi, interesting tridimensional features were recognized. The free surface of the lesions showed ruffled keratinized cells. "Normal" hairs as well as "corkscrew" hairs emerged from the follicular openings. Nevus cells were either round or elongated and surrounded by connective tissue fibers.
Collagenase-I, stromelysin-I, and matrilysin are expressed within theplacenta during multiple stages of human pregnancy

Human pregnancy is associated with extensive growth and remodelling of the uterus and placenta, and restructuring of these tissues during specific stages of gestation likely involves the degradative activity of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this investigation, we used in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to identify the sites and cell source of collagenase-1 (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), matrilysin (MMP-7), and 92 kDa gelatinase (MMP-9), a subgroup of MMPs with the combined ability to degrade essentially all matrix proteins. Human tissues were recovered from uncomplicated pregnancies at various gestational ages and from pregnancies complicated by chorioamnionitis, pre-eclampsia, and placenta accreta. Our results show prominent expression of all four MMPs in specific cells of human placentae involved in trophoblast invasion and placental maturation. Collagenase-1 and stromelysin-1 were detected in cells of the amnion, decidua, and chorionic villi at all stages of pregnancy. Ninety-two kilodalton gelatinase was present in granulocytes whenever present. Matrilysin was seen in cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts during early pregnancy but only in cytotrophoblasts by the third trimester. In addition, we found that matrilysin is over expressed and is produced by more cell types in placentae from pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia suggesting that the proteolytic activity of this MMP contributes to the pathology of this condition. We conclude that certain MMPs produced by resident cells of the human placenta, and in particular trophoblasts, participate in the physiological progress human gestation and parturition.
Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids

Far too many babies and children in the United States today struggle with myriad conditions that negatively affect their emotional, mental, and physical health. We initially see this tragedy in the...
Women Organizers of the First Professional Associations in Technical Communication

Women technical communicators helped to organize many of the first professional associations for technical communicators in the 1940s and 1950s. For some of these women, organizing was an occupational closure strategy of revolutionary usurpation: They may have hoped to position themselves favorably to shape a future profession that was not predicated on hidden forms of their inclusion. Exclusionary and demarcationary forces, however, seem to have ultimately undermined their efforts, alienating some of them and inducing others to adopt a strategy of inclusionary usurpation. In addition to using gender-sensitive revisions of occupational closure theory to explain the phenomenon of the woman organizer, the author chronicles the emergence of 8 professional associations for technical communicators and identifies the women technical communicators who helped to organize them.