cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Against the Perennial

As philosophers are wont to do, my philosophical career has been centered on the search for a philosophically adequate, i.e., universal and perennial, account of, in my case, scientific change. It has slowly dawned on me that efforts to find a single theory of how science changes seek the wrong grail. Not only has the search for a perennial, systematic, and universal explanation of scientific change been mistaken, but any such effort with respect to any of the major concepts we employ to discuss and analyze the sciences and our technologies is not only doomed, but also rightfully fuels the idea that philosophy is irrelevant. The idea of the perennial lays out the philosophical landscape as if it were static. However, a little reflection on the history of philosophy immediately tells us this is not so. The landscape changes, as it should, because philosophy is a living phenomenon responding to the issues and challenges of the day.
Toward fostering environmental political participation: framing an agenda for environmental education research

Scholars of environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD) have been among the environmental leaders calling for individuals to become increasingly engaged in political action aimed at addressing environmental and sustainability issues. Few, however, have studied how educational experiences might foster greater environmental political engagement. Fortunately, there is a rich body of research in political science, psychology, and education that provides insights that EE and ESD scholars and educators can build on. Studies in these domains suggest, for example, that political efficacy (the belief that individuals’ actions can influence political processes) and political interest (individuals’ willingness to pay attention to politics) are strong predictors of political participation. Moreover, these studies have shown that educators can strengthen individuals’ political efficacy and interest through activities such as open-ended discussions of political issues, opportunities to ...
Transgender Children: Clinical and Ethical Issues in Prepubertal Presentations

The author, a co-founder and the Director of the Gender & Sexuality Psychosocial Program at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., discusses clinical issues and interventions for prepubertal children with atypical gender development. He describes developmental issues related to concepts of gender for preadolescent children. The importance of working within the family system and helping the family to accept their child in order to become advocates for the child are discussed. Finally, some of the complicated issues surrounding the question of whether a child should begin to transition genders prior to reaching puberty are explored.
Impairment in sampling visual stimuli in monkeys with inferotemporal lesions

Abstract Monkeys with inferotemporal (IT) lesions and their controls, monkeys with partial removal of striate cortex (LS) and unoperated monkeys, were trained to discriminate between two stimulus compounds differing in brightness near the response site and in hue, distant from the response site. In subsequent discrimination testing, only the distant cue (hue) was available. All animals learned the original discrimination rapidly. However, in the discrimination test, the IT monkeys made significantly more errors than did the unoperated monkeys, while the LS monkeys were unimpaired. These findings support the view that IT lesions impair visual search. Once the IT monkeys learned the test discrimination, they were not impaired in a series of subsequent tests in which the area of the distant cue was successively reduced.
Conditioned emotionality in the rat as a function of stress in infancy.

1. 1. Animals were shocked, handled, or not handled but exposed to the shock and handling compartment from birth until weaning. At 50 days of age, half of each infantile group were trained on a shock avoidance task and the other half were trained on an instrumental reward task. The groups were further subdivided in terms of whether the learning apparatus was identical to (Runway-S) or different from (Runway-D) the infant treatment setting. On both the stressful and nonstressful learning tasks, Ss shocked in infancy performed faster than controls in Runway-S but performed similarly in Runway-D. These results were dependent on the sex of the animal and the type of task, but the fact that differences were found only in Runway-S provided some evidence that repeated shock stimulation in infancy resulted in direct conditioning of emotional responses to situational cues. 2. 2. Emotionality, measured in terms of open field and consummatory behaviour, subsequent to the learning tasks, was found to be a curvilinear, rather than a monotonic function of the amount of infant stress. 3. 3. A discrepancy between learning data and emotionality data was noted and questions raised regarding the validity of unidimensional theories of early experience phenomena.
Aspect selection in adult L2 Spanish and the competing systems hypothesis: when pedagogical and linguistic rules conflict.

Native-like use of preterit and imperfect morphology in all contexts by English learners of L2 Spanish is the exception rather than the rule, even for successful learners. Nevertheless, recent research has demonstrated that advanced English learners of L2 Spanish attain a native-like morphosyntactic competence for the preterit/imperfect contrast, as evidenced by their native-like knowledge of associated semantic entailments (Goodin-Mayeda and Rothman 2007, Montrul and Slabakova 2003, Slabakova and Montrul 2003, Rothman and Iverson 2007). In addition to an L2 disassociation of morphology and syntax (e.g., Bruhn de Garavito 2003, Lardiere 1998, 2000, 2005, Prevost and White 1999, 2000, Schwartz 2003), I hypothesize that a system of learned pedagogical rules contributes to target-deviant L2 performance in this domain through the most advanced stages of L2 acquisition via its competition with the generative system. I call this hypothesis the Competing Systems Hypothesis. To test its predictions, I compare and contrast the use of the preterit and imperfect in two production tasks by native, tutored (classroom), and naturalistic learners of L2 Spanish.
Streamlined Process for the Chemical Synthesis of RNA Using 2′-O-Thionocarbamate-Protected Nucleoside Phosphoramidites in the Solid Phase

An improved method for the chemical synthesis of RNA was developed utilizing a streamlined method for the preparation of phosphoramidite monomers and a single-step deprotection of the resulting oli...
Staurosporine inhibits a tyrosine protein kinase in human hepatoma cell membranes

Membranes from the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 mediate the phosphorylation on tyrosine of the asialoglycoprotein receptor. Manganese was the preferred divalent for phosphorylation although magnesium was effective at an 8-fold higher concentration. Calcium was ineffective at promoting phosphorylation and zinc was inhibitory. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine blocked asialoglycoprotein receptor phosphorylation on tyrosine in nanomolar concentrations (IC50= 70 nM). In contrast another protein kinase C inhibitor, H7, was not inhibitory, suggesting that the effect of staurosporine was not mediated by protein kinase C inhibition. Concentrations of staurosporine that inhibit receptor phosphorylation by greater than 90% did not inhibit the phosphorylation of other protein substrates identified on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. These data suggest that staurosporine selectively and directly inhibits a membrane-associated tyrosine protein kinase.
Automated GPS processing for global total electron content data

A software package known as MIT Automated Processing of GPS (MAPGPS) has been developed to automate the processing of GPS data into global total electron density (TEC) maps. The goal of the MAPGPS software is to produce reliable TEC data automatically, although not yet in real time. Observations are used from all available GPS receivers during all geomagnetic conditions where data has been successfully collected. In this paper, the architecture of the MAPGPS software is described. Particular attention is given to the algorithms used to estimate the individual receiver biases. One of the largest sources of error in estimating TEC from GPS data is the determination of these unknown receiver biases. The MAPGPS approach to solving the receiver bias problem uses three different methods: minimum scalloping, least squares, and zero-TEC. These methods are described in detail, along with their relative performance characteristics. A brief comparison of the JPL and MAPGPS receiver biases is presented, and a possible remaining error source in the receiver bias estimation is discussed. Finally, the Madrigal database, which allows Web access to the MAPGPS TEC data and maps, is described.
Selection rules and quasi selection rules in three-body exchange reactions

The coupled τ operator formalism is applied to derive exact and approximate selection rules that govern the rotational state distribution of products following an interaction between a diatomic molecule and a free atom. The analysis is performed for a two-channel system in which one of the atoms is infinitely heavy.
Determination of Racemic Thalidomide in Human Plasma by use of an Avidin Column and Solid Phase Extraction

Abstract A HPLC method was developed to determine racemic thalidomide in plasma on a avidin protein column using solid phase extraction. The enantiomers were separated isocratically using a mobile phase of 2:98 v/v 2-propanol: phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH 4) at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min at ambient temperature with detection at 300 nm. The chromatographic run time was less than 13 min. Calibration curves were prepared for each enantiomer in the range 100–5000ng/mL. The correlation coefficients for each enantiomer were greater than 0.999. The method is sensitive and can be used to measure plasma blood levels (100–1000ng/mL) of each enantiomer. The % RSD for quality control samples for both enantiomers were less than 10%. A C-18 SPE cartridge was used to extract the drug from plasma and recoveries of the enantiomers were greater than 95%. The limits of quantitation and detection were 100ng/mL and 50 ng/mL (s/n <3), respectively, for each enantiomer. Two of the commercially available metabolites of thalidomide ...
Effect of Backing Plate Thermal Property on Friction Stir Welding of 25-mm-Thick AA6061

By using backing plates made out of materials with widely varying thermal diffusivity this work seeks to elucidate the effects of the root side thermal boundary condition on weld process variables and resulting joint properties. Welds were made in 25.4-mm-thick AA6061 using ceramic, titanium, steel, and aluminum as backing plate (BP) material. Welds were also made using a “composite backing plate” consisting of longitudinal narrow strip of low diffusivity material at the center and two side plates of high diffusivity aluminum. Stir zone temperature during the welding was measured using two thermocouples spot welded at the core of the probe: one at the midplane height and another near the tip of the probe corresponding to the root of the weld. Steady state midplane probe temperatures for all the BPs used were found to be very similar. Near root peak temperature, however, varied significantly among weld made with different BPs all other things being equal. Whereas the near root and midplane temperature were the same in the case of ceramic backing plate, the root peak temperature was 318 K (45 °C) less than the midplane temperature in the case of aluminum BP. The trends of nugget hardness and grain size in through thickness direction were in agreement with the measured probe temperatures. Hardness and tensile test results show that the use of composite BP results in stronger joint compared to monolithic steel BP.
NDI and DAN DNA: Nucleic Acid-Directed Assembly of NDI and DAN

Two novel DNA base surrogate phosphoramidites 1 and 2, based upon relatively electron-rich 1,5-dialkoxynaphthalene (DAN) and relatively electron-deficient 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (NDI), respectively, were designed, synthesized, and incorporated into DNA oligonucleotide strands. The DAN and NDI artificial DNA bases were inserted within a three-base-pair region within the interior of a 12-mer oligonucleotide duplex in various sequential arrangements and investigated with CD spectroscopy and UV melting curve analysis. The CD spectra of the modified duplexes indicated B-form DNA topology. Melting curve analyses revealed trends in DNA duplex stability that correlate with the known association of DAN and NDI moieties in aqueous solution as well as the known favorable interactions between NDI and natural DNA base pairs. This demonstrates that DNA duplex stability and specificity can be driven by the electrostatic complementarity between DAN and NDI. In the most favorable case, an NDI–DAN–NDI a...
Proton magnetic resonance study of hydroquinone as hydrogen donor to tetrahydrofuran

Abstract Proton magnetic resonance studies are reported of hydrogen bonding between hydroquinone-OH protons and tetrahydrofuran in cyclohexane medium. Data on the variation of the hydroquinone-OH proton frequency as a function of the concentration of hydroquinone, in the presence of a large excess concentration of tetrahydrofuran, are treated in a manner which permits the determination of the equilibrium constant of the reaction H2Q · THF + THF = H2Q · (THF)2. The enthalpy and entropy changes on the hydrogen bond formation were determined to be −3.6 kcal/mole and −11.0 e.u., respectively.
The author of Wing C6727: Daniel Coxe, F. R. S., or Thomas Coxe, F. R. S

During the Great Plague of 1665, in the absence of most of the licensed physicians, many ignorant apothecaries in London took upon themselves ‘the whole practice of Physick’. And in the chaotic conditions which obtained after the Plague and the Great Fire of 1666, the apothecaries were able not only to consolidate but even to extend their medical practices. The physicians, both inside and out of the Royal College of Physicians, launched a literary counter-attack, warning their patients of the dangers of unlicensed medical practice and urging physicians in retaliation to resume making their own medicines, a practice which had only recently been abandoned. The longest and most interesting of these is an octavo volume entitled A Discourse, Wherein The Interest of the Patient in Reference to Physick and Physicians is soberly debated, Many Abuses of the Apothecaries in the Preparing their Medicines are detected, and Their Unfitness for Practice Discovered. Together with The Reasons and Advantages of Physicians preparing their own Medicines. London, Printed for C.R. MDCLXIX.
Robust channel estimation using the hybrid particle filter

Mobile wireless channels are subject to multipath with potentially large Doppler spreads. Previous joint channel and delay estimation algorithms, based for example on the extended Kalman filter (EKF), are subject to divergence. We present a hybrid particle filter (HPF), also called the particle extended Kalman filter (PEKF) for delay/channel estimation in direct-sequence CDMA applications. The PEKF uses a sampling technique to update the nonlinear delay state variables, combined with Kalman filters to track the linear channel coefficients. Initial simulation results indicate the ability of the PEKF to track delays and channels with large Doppler spreads on the order of 1/spl times/10/sup -3//T, where 1/T is the symbol rate.
FLUORESCENCE QUENCHING OF INDOLE BY DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE

— The effect of dimethylformamide on the lifetime (T) and quantum yield (F) of indole has been determined. Negative Stern-Volmer deviations prevail for T and F, but F0/F T0/T at all DMF concentrations. The deviation between F0/F and T0/T is ascribed to changes in F0 and T0 induced by the change in solvent composition at the higher quencher concentrations.
Improving the evaluation of anticrime programs: There’s work to be done

The summary version of the National Research Council’s report, Improving the Evaluation of Anticrime Programs, published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology, was accompanied by eight commentaries from distinguished criminology researchers. This paper responds to those thoughtful and provocative commentaries by further discussing the two broad questions that they raised: What anticrime programs should be evaluated and what methods should be used to evaluate them. The main themes of this response are that (a) evaluation is needed for the programs, practices, and policies in actual use, not only those developed by criminologists; (b) programs developed and tested by criminologists are more likely to be used if they build on existing programs and give as much attention to “implementability” as to theory; and (c) evaluation of practices, policies, and area-wide programs will be limited unless credible applications of observational and quasi-experimental methods can be developed.
Classifying services from a consumer perspective

Services research to date has focussed mainly on utilitarian service encounters of relatively short duration. Leisure services, on the other hand, generally require customers to spend extended periods of time in the physical surroundings of the service provider (i.e. the “servicescape”). In such cases, the servicescape may have a significant effect on the extent to which customers are satisfied, which in turn will influence how long they will desire to stay at the leisure service, and whether they will want to repatronize the service provider. Shows that specific servicescape elements (facility aesthetics, layout, seating comfort, electronic equipment, and cleanliness) influence customers’ perceived quality and satisfaction with the servicescape. The servicescape model was tested across three different leisure services: major college football, minor league baseball and casinos. Knowing how consumers perceive the servicescape can guide management in renovation and day‐to‐day facility management decisions.
Effects of differential vocabulary instruction and lesson frameworks on the reading comprehension of primary children

Abstract This study compared the use of vocabulary instruction in a traditional basal reader format with that of two other lesson frameworks: (a) Reconciled Reading Lesson, and (b) List‐Group‐Label, as a means for improving comprehension of basal stories. The subjects were 66 average and above‐average second‐grade students. Data were collected for three basal stories with instruction and post testing occurring on alternating days for each story. Results indicated that subjects in the Reconciled Reading Lesson group outperformed subjects in both of the other two groups on a multiple‐choice comprehension measure (p < .001). Additionally, 46% of the variance of the comprehension scores was attributable to vocabulary knowledge. Implications for instruction and directions for future research are cited.
Test of a redesigned glass-fiber reinforced vinyl ester to steel joint for use between a naval GRP superstructure and a steel hull

Abstract The joining of metal structures and composites has a number of applications in engineering fields, for example in naval ship structures. In the present research, the joint design type A from Clifford et al.’s recent paper [Compos. Struct. 57 (2002) 59] was replicated with different glass fiber, vinyl ester and core material. The joint was then redesigned by moving the steel edge away from an area of high stress concentrations. Specimens of both the original and new designs were made and tested. The new joint was lighter, and the limited number of tests suggests that it was stronger as well.
Early vein reconstruction and right-to-left dissection for left-sided pancreatic tumors with portal vein occlusion.

Large left-sided pancreatic tumors are frequently associated with portal vein (PV) and/or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) occlusion. Traditionally, vein reconstruction is deferred until after removal of the tumor. However, division of venous collaterals, as is done in a typical left-to-right fashion, leads to progressive portal hypertension and increased risk of variceal hemorrhage during the dissection. Conversely, early PV/SMV resection and reconstruction restores mesenteric-portal flow and decompresses varices, thereby enabling a safer and easier right-to-left pancreatic resection. This “How I Do It” report describes the technique and advantages of a “reconstruction-first” approach for large left-sided pancreatic tumors with venous involvement and left-sided portal hypertension.
Nonorganic adverse reactions to aeroallergen immunotherapy

Abstract Ten patients are presented who exhibited adverse reactions to immunotherapy (IT) which mimicked immunologically mediated reactions but were thought to be non-organic in etiology. The nonorganic nature of the reactions was considered to be established in 6 of these patients and highly likely in the remaining 4. These reactions tended to occur in young patients, particularly women, at relatively low allergen extract doses and were associated with minimal or no objective findings. There was a high incidence of coexisting or contributory psychiatric problems in these patients, particularly involving hysterical or hypochondriacal personality traits. In some patients presenting with nonorganic adverse reactions to immunotherapy, it appears that the immunotherapy may be successfully continued after the patient gains insight into the nature of the reactions. In other patients, however, these reactions may necessitate discontinuing immunotherapy, and in still other patients, these reactions may confirm the need for psychiatric consultations.
Influence of Creatinine versus Glomerular Filtration Rate on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Prescriptions in Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, are generally contraindicated in chronic kidney disease
Edge-defined metric buckling of temperature-responsive hydrogel ribbons and rings

Abstract We report the temperature-responsive buckling of ribbon-like hydrogel thin films based on photo-crosslinkable copolymers of poly( N -isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) with pendent benzophenone units. Due to the finite resolution of the photo-lithographic patterning method—here dominated by the convergence of light from the illumination source—nominally homogeneous layers are always surrounded by a more highly swelling border with a lateral size scale similar to the film thickness. As one of the in-plane dimensions of the gel sheet is reduced to only several times its thickness, this edge effect serves as a sufficiently large imperfection to drive buckling of the otherwise metrically flat ribbon. Due to the symmetric geometry, the resulting geometry has essentially constant curvature of the mid-line of the ribbon, with a radius of curvature defined by its thickness and width. In this manner, we prepare thermally responsive overcurved rings that buckle into more highly coiled configurations as they swell, due to the mismatch in metric curvature relative to the geometric shape of the object. We consider the conditions for unfrustrated coiling of both circular and polygonal rings in terms of the number of self-crossings made upon wrapping the surface of a sphere, and demonstrate the fabrication of ‘self-cinching unknots’, i.e. coiled ribbons that can fasten themselves onto other objects upon deswelling, due to topological constraints.
Computer modeling at the national biomedical simulation resource

Biological systems are too complex to analyze thoroughly because synergistic interactions among their constituent processes lead to nonintultive and even counterintuitive behavior. Computer modeling and simulation can help in such analysis. Requiring a mathematical representation of the system forces the investigator to focus on the essential elements and interconnections of the processes being modeled. If a model is a sufficiently accurate representation of reality, its mathematical behaviour will be a credible prediction of the properties of the actual system. Thus, the model's behavior aids in the design of definitive experiments to answer outstanding questions about the biological system in question. Should subsequent experiments verify the model's predictions, the assumptions that were made in constructing the model are likely to be realistic. In this manner the modeling process can lead to a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms examined by biomedical researchers. Simulation has not been used as extensively in biomedical research as its utility for the design and interpretation of experiments would suggest. There are four main reasons for this. Most biomedical researchers lack experience in computers and mathematics. Existing computer centers are generally not well-suited to support simulation efforts. There has historically been little sharing of techniques and software among biological researchers. It is difficult to obtain funds for the purchase of computers and programs. The National Biomedical Simulation Resource (NBSR) was formed to alleviate these difficulties. The Resource is funded by the National Institutes of Health to provide biomedical researchers nationwide with access to computers and simulation software. The NBSR staff write their own simulation programs and develops new computer modeling techniques. These programs are available for general distribution to investigators. The Resource conducts a vigorous educational program to train biomedical researchers in the use of simulation. All of these services are without charge to our users.
High Cycle Thermal Fatigue Crack Growth in a Semi-Infinite Plate

When incompletely mixed hot and cold fluid streams pass over the surface of a component or a structure containing a defect, the vibrating mixing fluid boundary with its rapid temperature excursions causes stress fluctuation in the adjacent metal leading to high cycle fatigue damage. In this study the stress intensity factor distribution and the fatigue crack arrest behavior have been obtained for a semi-infinite plate exposed to fluid with oscillating temperature distribution. The number of cycles required to extend a crack of a given depth to a certain amount has been calculated.
Expression and sequence analysis of the mouse adenine nucleotide translocase 1 and 2 genes

Only two isoforms of the adenine nucleotide translocase (Ant) protein have been identified in mouse, as opposed to the three in humans. To determine whether the homologous mouse and human proteins share similar patterns of expression, Northern and Western analyses were performed on several mouse tissues. Mouse Ant1 is expressed at high levels in skeletal muscle and heart, similar to human ANT1. Mouse Ant2 is strongly expressed in all tissues but muscle, in marked contrast to human ANT2. To investigate the molecular basis of these differences, we cloned and sequenced the genomic loci of mouse Ant1 and Ant2, and compared them to the three human ANT loci. The mouse and human ANT1 and ANT2 genes showed substantial homology starting about 300 base pairs (bp) 5' to the coding region and continuing through the 3' untranslated region (UTR). Repeats constituted 32% of 15kb of Ant1 sequence and 36% of the 27kb of Ant2 sequence and included SINEs, LINEs and LTR elements. The core promoters of the mouse and human ANT1 and ANT2 genes are very similar. However, the mouse Ant1 gene lacks the upstream OXBOX and REBOX elements found in human ANT1 genes, thought to be important for muscle-specific expression. The mouse Ant2 gene, like human ANT2, has an upstream GRBOX, yet this element is not associated with suppression of transcription, as hypothesized for human ANT2. These discrepancies indicate that additional studies will be required to fully understand the transcriptional regulation of both Ant1 and Ant2.
The enthalpy of sublimation of cubane

Abstract The sublimation enthalpy of cubane, a key reference material for force field and quantum mechanical computations, was measured by combining the vaporization enthalpy at T = 298.15 K to the sum of the fusion enthalpy measured at T = 405 K and a solid–solid phase transition that occurs at T = 394 K. The fusion and solid–solid phase transitions were measured previously. A sublimation enthalpy value of (55.2 ± 2.0) kJ mol −1 at T = 298.15 K was obtained. This value compares quite favorably the value obtained by comparing the sublimation enthalpy of similar substances as a function of their molar masses but is at odds with earlier measurements.
Picard iterations for a finite element shallow water equation model

Abstract ADCIRC, a finite element circulation model for shelves, coasts and estuaries, will be used for variational data assimilation. The nonlinear Euler–Lagrange (EL) problem will be solved using the iterated indirect representer algorithm. This algorithm makes such large, nonlinear but functionally smooth optimization problems feasible by iterating on linear approximations of the nonlinear problem (Picard iterations) and by making preconditioned searches in the “data subspace” at each iterate. Before solving the nonlinear EL using such Picard iterations, it essential that the iteration scheme be carefully examined within the framework of the nonassimilative or forward problem. The purpose of this paper is (1) to detail a Picard iteration procedure for ADCIRC, including the problematic bottom friction term; (2) to examine the ability of the iteration scheme to recover the nonlinear forward solution from deficient background fields; and (3) to present a study of different interpolation methods for reducing the memory/disk requirements of the iteration scheme. The iteration scheme is shown to be quite robust in its ability to recover the nonlinear solution from a variety of deficient background fields. A new cubic Hermitian interpolation method is shown to be a more effective alternative to standard linear interpolation for reducing memory/disk requirements, especially for high frequency overtides.
Poking Cells in Cell-Gel Constructs: A Potential Way of Measuring Fluid Pressure in Cells

In this study, fluorescently labeled ATDC5 and bone marrow derived preosteoblastic cells were embedded in agarose gel and poked with a micropipette under a confocal microscope. Image stacks of cross sections of cells were taken before and after poking and the largest cross sectional areas were analyzed. After adjusting for photobleaching effects by equalizing the area of a nearby unpoked cell (by adjusting threshold values of the images) the area of the poked cell before and after poking was measured and the percentage change in area was calculated. The percentage change in cross sectional area was 25 ± 15% for ATDC5 cells and 31 ±13% for bone marrow derived cells (n= 5 for each type of cell). The decrease in area was statistically significant for each cell type (p 80%). These results are consistent with the theory that some of the cell water is free and some are structured or restricted. This method can be utilized to determine fluid pressure in cells. This is significant because it is believed that changes in intracellular fluid pressure can play a role in cellular mechanotransduction.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A Simulation Comparison of Approximate Tests for Fixed Effects in Random Coefficients Growth Curve Models

Often, the response variables on sampling units are observed repeatedly over time. The sampling units may come from different populations, such as treatment groups. This setting is routinely modeled by a random coefficients growth curve model, and the techniques of general linear mixed models are applied to address the primary research aim. An alternative approach is to reduce each subject’s data to summary measures, such as within-subject averages or regression coefficients. One may then test for equality of means of the summary measures (or functions of them) among treatment groups. Here, we compare by simulation the performance characteristics of three approximate tests based on summary measures and one based on the full data, focusing mainly on accuracy of p-values. We find that performances of these procedures can be quite different for small samples in several different configurations of parameter values. The summary-measures approach performed at least as well as the full-data mixed models approach.
Does aneuploidy or mutation start cancer

In his article “Disease backs cancer origin theory,” David Grimm makes a case for the theory that mutation causes cancer via aneuploidy (the state of having an abnormal number of chromosomes) (News of the Week, 15 Oct., p. [389][1]). The “starting gun” is said to be “mutations in a gene
Will social security and Medicare remain viable as the U.S. population is aging

Abstract Yes, subject to concerns about Medicare cost and potentially self-confirming skepticism. The U.S. social security system (broadly defined, including Medicare) faces significant financial problems as the result of an aging population. But demographic change is also likely to raise savings, increase wages, and reduce interest rates. Viewed in this context, the fiscal problems of retirement insurance seem over-rated. A more serious issue is the rapid growth of Medicare spending. Up to a point, a growing GDP-share of medical spending is an efficient response to an aging population. But Medicare growth might be excessive due to moral hazard problems. Except for this caveat, social security is almost certainly economically viable. To examine the political viability of social security, I focus on intertemporal cost-benefit tradeoffs in a median-voter setting. For a variety of assumptions, I find that social security will retain majority support. I also discuss the role of altruism, redistribution, and multi-dimensional voting and find that they provide additional voter support for social security.
Impact on lidar system parameters of polarization selection/tracking scheme to reduce daylight noise

The impact and potential of a polarization selection technique to reduce sky background noise (BGN) for monostatic elastic backscatter lidar measurements is examined. Taking advantage of naturally occurring polarization patterns in scattered sky light, we devised a polarization discrimination technique in which both the lidar transmitter and receiver track and minimize detected sky background noise while maintaining maximum lidar signal throughput. Lidar elastic backscatter measurements, carried out continuously during daylight hours at 532 nm, with a vertically pointing lidar in an urban atmosphere, show that changes of a factor of 10 in detected sky background noise power can occur between different polarization orientations for large solar zenith angles. This translates to over a factor of three improvement in signal to noise ratios (SNR) over conventional un-polarized schemes, depending on inclination of the lidar axis and the solar angle, with potential corresponding improvements in lidar range for elastic backscatter schemes including Raman and DIAL. The experimental measurements show that the diurnal variations in improved signal to noise ratio, including the impact of relative humidity, are consistent with theoretical estimates employing Radiative Transfer (RT) and using an urban aerosol model based on adjacent and simultaneous CIMEL measurements.
Nine episodes of anaphylaxis following cystoscopy caused by Cidex OPA (ortho-phthalaldehyde) high-level disinfectant in 4 patients after cytoscopy.

Abstract Background Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) is a high-level disinfectant commonly used for processing heat-sensitive medical devices. Objective We report 4 patients who experienced 9 episodes of anaphylaxis following cystoscopy after a urology practice switched from using Cidex (glutaraldehyde [GTA]) to OPA for disinfecting their cystoscopes. Methods Allergic evaluations consisted of: skin testing to saline, histamine, glycerin, lidocaine, latex, GTA, and OPA and blood tests for total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and latex specific IgE. Findings The 4 patients were evaluated after 3 of them had experienced 2 episodes of anaphylaxis and one of them 3 episodes following outpatient cystoscopy for ongoing evaluation of bladder cancer. Skin testing of subjects and controls to lidocaine, latex, latex specific IgE, and GTA was negative. Skin testing to OPA resulted in immediate wheal and flare reactions in all 4 patients within 20 minutes and late reactions at 24 hours but negative reactions in controls. Subsequent to the testing, 3 of the patients returned for repeat cystoscopy in which GTA but not OPA was used to disinfect the cystoscopes and tolerated the procedure. Conclusions OPA solution should be considered a cause of anaphylactic/allergic reactions following cystoscopy and possibly following instrumentation with other medical devices disinfected by this material.
Thermal sensitivity of Lamb waves for structural health monitoring applications

One of the drawbacks of the current Lamb wave structural health monitoring methods are the false positives due to changing environmental conditions such as temperature. To create an environmental insensitive damage detection scheme, the physics of thermal effects on Lamb waves must be understood. Dispersion and thermal sensitivity curves for an isotropic plate with thermal stress and thermally varying elastic modulus are presented. The thermal sensitivity of dispersion curves is analytically developed and validated by experimental measurements. The group velocity thermal sensitivity highlights temperature insensitive features at two critical frequencies. The thermal sensitivity gives us insight to how temperature affects Lamb wave speeds in different frequency ranges and will help those developing structural health monitoring algorithms.
Photoelectrochemistry in particulate systems. 5. Visible light‐induced polymerization of 1‐vinylpyrene in semiconductor suspensions

Photoelectrochemical polymerization of 1-vinylpyrene has been achieved in a semiconductor photocatalyst suspension under visible light irradiation (λ > 480 nm). Bandgap excitation of CdS, CdSe or Fe2O3 led to the oxidation of 1-vinylpyrene, which initiated the polymerization process. A 25–47% yield of poly(1-vinylpyrene) could be obtained upon irradiation of these semiconductor photocatalyst suspensions with 1-vinylpyrene in acetonitrile. Dependence of the polymer yield on various experimental conditions is described.
HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF UNTREATED AND POLYMER-TREATED BENTONITE IN INORGANIC LANDFILL LEACHATES

Short- and long-term exposure to inorganic solutions can cause significant degradation of the hydraulic properties of bentonite clay used in geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). In particular, the increase in hydraulic conductivity due to cation exchange when Na-montmorillonite is subjected to leachates rich in Ca and Mg has caused problems in incinerator ash landfill liners located in wet environments, where large quantities of leachates are generated. Experimental results are presented to evaluate the immediate change in hydraulic conductivity of seven types of GCL clays upon permeation with leachate generated from three ash landfills. The composition of the ash, which is a by-product of the incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW), in turn influences the composition of the resulting leachate. Falling head permeability tests were performed on flexible-wall permeameter specimens, with back-pressure saturation. Chemical analysis shows that the three leachate products contain high, medium, and low concentration Ca and Mg cations. The clay component of GCL materials tested in this study consists of regular and polymer-treated bentonite. Polymer treatment is believed to render the clay non-reactive to many organic and inorganic chemicals. The results of this study indicate that: (1) polymer treatment is generally more beneficial if the clay is first saturated with water and not directly with the leachate; (2) high swell potential of the bentonite is more advantageous than polymer treatment, especially when low hydraulic conductivity is required in the short term and if the clay is pre-hydrated. Experiment setup and special specimen preparation procedures are also discussed.
Importance of oestrogen receptors to preserve functional β-cell mass in diabetes

Protecting the functional mass of insulin-producing β cells of the pancreas is a major therapeutic challenge in patients with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The gonadal hormone 17β-oestradiol (E2) is involved in reproductive, bone, cardiovascular and neuronal physiology. In rodent models of T1DM and T2DM, treatment with E2 protects pancreatic β cells against oxidative stress, amyloid polypeptide toxicity, lipotoxicity and apoptosis. Three oestrogen receptors (ERs)--ERα, ERβ and the G protein-coupled ER (GPER)--have been identified in rodent and human β cells. Whereas activation of ERα enhances glucose-stimulated insulin biosynthesis, reduces islet toxic lipid accumulation and promotes β-cell survival from proapoptotic stimuli, activation of ERβ increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. However, activation of GPER protects β cells from apoptosis, raises glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and lipid homeostasis without affecting insulin biosynthesis. Oestrogens are also improving islet engraftment in rodent models of pancreatic islet transplantation. This Review describes developments in the role of ERs in islet insulin biosynthesis and secretion, lipid homeostasis and survival. Moreover, we discuss why and how enhancing ER action in β cells without the undesirable effect of general oestrogen therapy is a therapeutic avenue to preserve functional β-cell mass in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Cytosolic Malic Enzyme 1 (ME1) Mediates High Fat Diet-Induced Adiposity, Endocrine Profile, and Gastrointestinal Tract Proliferation-Associated Biomarkers in Male Mice

Background Obesity and associated hormonal disturbances are risk factors for colon cancer. Cytosolic Malic Enzyme (ME1) generates NADPH used for lipogenesis in gastrointestinal (GI), liver and adipose tissues. We have reported that inclusion of soy protein isolate (SPI) in the diet lowered body fat content and colon tumor incidence of rats fed AIN-93G diet, while others have demonstrated SPI inhibition of rat hepatic ME1 expression. The present study examined the individual and combined effects of dietary SPI and absence of ME1 on: 1) serum concentrations of hormones implicated in colon cancer development, 2) expression of lipogenic and proliferation-associated genes in the mouse colon and small intestine, and 3) liver and adipose expression of lipogenic and adipocytokine genes that may contribute to colon cancer predisposition. Methods Weanling wild type (WT) and ME1 null (MOD-1) male mice were fed high-fat (HF), iso-caloric diets containing either casein (CAS) or SPI as sole protein source for 5 wks. Somatic growth, serum hormone and glucose levels, liver and adipose tissue weights, GI tissue parameters, and gene expression were evaluated. Results The MOD-1 genotype and SPI-HF diet resulted in decreases in: body and retroperitoneal fat weights, serum insulin, serum leptin, leptin/adiponectin ratio, adipocyte size, colon mTOR and cyclin D1 mRNA abundance, and jejunum FASN mRNA abundance, when compared to WT mice fed CAS-HF. Regardless of diet, MOD-1 mice had reductions in liver weight, liver steatosis, and colon crypt depth, and increases in adipose tissue expression of IRS1 and IRS2, compared to WT mice. SPI-HF diet reduced ME1 gene expression only in retroperitoneal fat. Conclusions Data suggest that the pharmacological targeting of ME1 or the inclusion of soy protein in the diet may provide avenues to reduce obesity and its associated pro-tumorigenic endocrine environment and improve insulin sensitivity, potentially disrupting the obesity-colon cancer connection.
Translational control by heme-regulated eIF2α kinase during erythropoiesis.

Purpose of reviewThis review will provide an overview of the translational regulation of globin mRNAs and integrated stress response (ISR) during erythropoiesis by heme-regulated eIF2α kinase (HRI). HRI is an intracellular heme sensor that coordinates heme and globin synthesis in erythropoiesis by i
Mouse embryos fail to synthesize detectable quantities of guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate.

Abstract The unusual highly phosphorylated nucleotide, guanosine 5′-diphosphate 3′-diphosphate, has been implicated in the control of development of the mouse (Irr, J. D., et al. (1974) Cell 3, 249). We have been unable, however, to detect guanosine 5′-diphosphate 3′-diphosphate synthesis either in preimplantation and postimplantation mouse embryos cultured in the presence of [ 32 P]orthophosphate or in assays using ribosomes isolated from 10- to 13-day mouse embryos. Three unidentified phosphorous-containing compounds were detected in blastocyst stage mouse embryos.
Technical Advice: Residual Plots to Check Assumptions

Question: I have been told that we should look at residual plots whenever we perform a designed experiment or a regression analysis, but I do not understand why. I also am confused by Minitab becau...
810 nm diode grid laser treatment for massive chronic serous retinal detachment following combined kidney and pancreas organ transplantation

An insulin-dependent diabetic woman of 42 years received a combined pancreas and kidney transplant five years prior to referral to our clinic for ophthalmic consultation. Her systemic immunosupress...
Vagal neuropathy after upper respiratory infection: a viral etiology?

Purpose: To describe a condition that occurs following an upper respiratory illness, which represents injury to various branches of the vagus nerve. Patients with this condition may present with breathy dysphonia, vocal fatigue, effortful phonation, odynophonia, cough, globus, and/or dysphagia, lasting long after resolution of the acute viral illness. The patterns of symptoms and findings in this condition are consistent with the hypothesis that viral infection causes or triggers vagal dysfunction. This so-called postviral vagal neuropathy (PVVN) appears to have similarities with other postviral neuropathic disorders, such as glossopharyngeal neuralgia and Bell’s palsy. Materials and Methods: Five patients were identified with PVVN. Each patient’s chart was reviewed, and elements of the history were recorded. Results: Each of the 5 patients showed different features of PVVN. Conclusions: Respiratory infection can trigger or cause vocal fold paresis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and neuropathic pain. (Am J Otolaryngol 2001;22:251-256. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company) Cranial nerves are known to be affected by inflammatory neuropathic processes. Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia are examples of such cranial neuropathies. These represent isolated nerve injuries that result in motor and sensory dysfunction (eg, paralysis, pain), depending on the nerves affected. Other cranial neuropa
Wire bonding, bumping & assembly related failures & improvements

In this paper, investigation of wire bonding, bumping and assembly related failures are performed using optical microscopy, secondary electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Also, the understandings of the failures and root causes are presented. For example, corrosions caused by contaminant such as Fluorine and Cu precipitates on Al-Cu alloyed bond pads that lead to discolored or non-stick on pads problem are discussed. In addition, the formation of small bumps when oxide/silicon nitride passivation is employed and chipping at die edges caused during assembly that leads to open-circuit are studied. In conclusion, possible solutions of these failures are recommended to achieve robust assembly and packaging.