cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence excitation and ultraviolet absorption spectra and theoretical calculations for benzocyclobutane: Vibrations and structure of its excited S1(π,π*) electronic state

The fluorescence excitation spectra of jet-cooled benzocyclobutane have been recorded and together with its ultraviolet absorption spectra have been used to assign the vibrational frequencies for this molecule in its S1(π,π*) electronic excited state. Theoretical calculations at the CASSCF(6,6)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory were carried out to compute the structure of the molecule in its excited state. The calculated structure was compared to that of the molecule in its electronic ground state as well as to the structures of related molecules in their S0 and S1(π,π*) electronic states. In each case the decreased π bonding in the electronic excited states results in longer carbon-carbon bonds in the benzene ring. The skeletal vibrational frequencies in the electronic excited state were readily assigned and these were compared to the ground state and to the frequencies of five similar molecules. The vibrational levels in both S0 and S1(π,π*) states were remarkably harmonic in contrast to the other bicyclic molecules. The decreases in the frequencies of the out-of-plane skeletal modes reflect the increased floppiness of these bicyclic molecules in their S1(π,π*) excited state.
Effects of doxorubicin on the canine erythroid and myeloid progenitor cells and bone marrow microenvironment

The antineoplastic drug doxorubicin is known to cause cytopenias. In humans and in dogs treated with doxorubicin, neutropenia is a common haematological toxicity. To determine the mechanism of doxorubicin haematotoxicity in the dog, in vitro bone marrow progenitor and microenvironment assays were done in the presence of doxorubicin. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of doxorubicin for canine erythroid colony-forming unit (CFU-E) was 0.042 ± 0.01 μM and for canine granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) it was 0.0084 ± 0.002 μM To determine the effects of doxorubicin on the bone marrow microenvironment, fibroblast colony-forming unit (CFU-F) assays were performed. The 50% inhibitory concentration for canine CFU-F was 0.030 ± 0.01 μM. Morphologically, the CFU-F were made up of predominantly cells (73 ± 8%) with fibroblast-like morphology. Within the colonies as well as between the colonies, there were cells with macrophage (27 ± 8%) morphology. To support the morphological classification of these cells, cytochemical staining was done. The cells with the fibroblast-like morphology were negative for butyrate esterase and those with macrophage morphology were positive, whereas both cell types were positive for acid phosphatase in the presence or absence of tartrate. Our data show that the effects of doxorubicin on in vitro haematopoiesis in the dog are similar to those described in man.
The Body of Love in Almodóvar's Cinema: Metaphor and Metonymy of the Body and Body Parts

This article focuses on how the human body and body parts such as the legs, abdomen, and torso are conceptualized in Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's films. The comparative analysis follows a qualitative methodology in which instances of the use of body parts are analyzed within their multimodal, sociocultural, and cinematic contexts. Through camera work and mise-en-scene, the actors' bodies and bodily functions are mapped onto complex cultural, social, and filmic targets within the narrative structure. Ultimately, the author shows how artistic creativity is an activity whose purpose is a reembodiment of the emotion by visual and physical alteration. The new body is an environment onto which traditional views of the body based on folk theories are mapped, and body parts and functions are metonymically highlighted.
Does Twitter motivate involvement in politics? Tweeting, opinion leadership, and political engagement

This paper, in order to deepen our understanding of the role of opinion leadership on Twitter, the world's largest microblogging service, has investigated the interrelationships between opinion leadership, Twitter use motivations, and political engagement. It finds that Twitter opinion leaders have higher motivations of information seeking, mobilization, and public expression than nonleaders. It has also been found that mobilization and public-expression motivations mediate the association between perceived opinion leadership and Twitter use frequency. Most importantly, this study finds that Twitter opinion leadership makes a significant contribution to individuals' involvement in political processes, while Twitter use itself or media use motivation does not necessarily help individuals' political engagement.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Overexpression Enhances Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Alters Remodeling in the Injured Rat Carotid Artery

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis as well as intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. We used Fischer rat smooth muscle cells (SMCs) overexpressing MMP-9 to determine the role of MMP-9 in migration and proliferation as well as in vessel remodeling after balloon denudation. Fischer rat SMCs were stably transfected with a cDNA for rat MMP-9 under the control of a tetracycline-regulatable promoter. In this system, MMP-9 was overexpressed in the absence, but not in the presence, of tetracycline. In vitro SMC migration was determined using a collagen invasion assay as well as a Boyden chamber assay. In vivo migration was determined by measuring the invasion into the medial and intimal layers of transduced SMCs seeded on the outside of the artery. Transduced SMCs were also seeded on the luminal surface, and the effect of local MMP-9 overexpression on vascular structure was measured morphometrically at intervals up to 28 days. MMP-9 overexpression enhanced SMC migration in both the collagen invasion assay and Boyden chamber in vitro, increased SMC migration into an arterial matrix in vivo, and altered vessel remodeling by increasing the vessel circumference, thinning the vessel wall and decreasing intimal matrix content. These results demonstrate that MMP-9 enhances vascular SMC migration in vitro and in vivo and alters postinjury vascular remodeling.
Inhibition of tobacco NADH-hydroxypyruvate reductase by expression of a heterologous antisense RNA derived from a cucumber cDNA: Implications for the mechanism of action of antisense RNAs

Tobacco plants were genetically transformed to generate antisense RNA from a gene construct comprised of a full-length cucumber NADH-dependent hydroxypyruvate reductase (HPR) cDNA placed in reverse orientation between the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and a nopaline synthase termination/polyadenylation signal sequence. In vivo accumulation of antisense HPR RNA within eight independent transgenic tobacco plants resulted in reductions of up to 50% in both native HPR activity and protein accumulation relative to untransformed tobacco plants (mean transgenote HPR activity=67% wild type, mean transgenote HPR protein=63% wild type). However, in contrast to previous reports describing antisense RNA effects in plants, production of the heterologous HPR antisense RNA did not systematically reduce levels of native tobacco HPR mRNA (mean transgenote HPR mRNA level=135% wild type). Simple regression comparison of the steady-state levels of tobacco HPR mRNA to those of HPR antisense RNA showed a weak positive correlation (r value of 0.548, n=9 ; n is wild type control plus eight independent transformants; significant at 85% confidence level), supporting the conclusion that native mRNA levels were not reduced within antisense plants. Although all transgenic antisense plants examined displayed an apparent reduction in both tobacco HPR protein and enzyme activity, there is no clear correlation between HPR activity and the amount of either sense (r=0.267, n=9) or antisense RNA (r=0.175, n=9). This compares to a weak positive correlation between HPR mRNA levels and the amount of HPR activity observed in wild-type SRI tobacco plants (r=0.603, n=5). The results suggest that in vivo production of this heterologous HPR antisense RNA is inhibitory at the level of HPR-specific translation and produces its effect in a manner not dependent upon, nor resulting in, a reduction in steady-state native HPR mRNA levels. In this context, the observed antisense effect appears to differ mechanistically from most antisense systems described to date.
Appetite, hunger, and satiety in the elderly

Food intake declines with age and the elderly frequently report a decrease in appetite. Social and physical factors as well as decreased energy expenditure may be part of the explanation for the decreased food intake; however, it is possible that changes in hunger mechanisms are also involved, but more studies similar to those conducted on thirst are needed. The consumption of a varied diet depends in part on sensory-specific satiety, that is, the decrease in the pleasantness of a food as it is consumed. We have shown that sensory-specific satiety changes with age such that it was absent in individuals over the age of 65 and this could be part of the explanation of why the elderly consume more monotonous diets. Additional basic studies on how aging affects the controls of food intake will suggest ways to improve the nutritional status of the elderly.
The nuclear pore comes to the fore.

The nuclear pore complex is the gateway of macromolecular trafficking between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Although its composition is well characterized in yeast and mammalian systems, little is known about the plant nuclear pore. Several recent reports describe complex whole-organism phenotypes based on mutations in plant nucleoporins. The pathways affected include plant–microbe interactions, auxin response, cold-stress tolerance and flowering-time regulation. The effects are probably based, at least in part, on changes in protein import and/or RNA export (including regulatory small RNAs). Here, we review these new findings while comparing and contrasting them with what is known about nucleoporin functions from non-plant organisms, including nucleoporin activities not linked to nucleocytoplasmic transport.
Temperament mediates the effects of family history of substance abuse on externalizing and internalizing child behavior.

Temperament has been hypothesized to mediate the effects of family history of substance abuse (SA) on behavioral maladjustment in children. To date no study has provided empirical evidence to support this mediation hypothesis. In this study the temperament mediation hypothesis was tested employing hierarchical regression and other linear regression procedures. “Difficult affective temperament” in fathers and sons was found to mediate the relationship between SA+ family history and behavior maladjustment in 10- to 12-year-old sons of SA+ (n=41)and SA-(n = 39) families. The authors discuss implications of the phenotype of difficult affective temperament in describing the developmental pathway to substance abuse.
Clinical prediction rules: What are they and what do they tell us?

Question Clinical prediction rules are research-based tools that quantify the contributions of relevant patient characteristics to provide numeric indices that assist clinicians in making predictions. Clinical prediction rules have been used to describe the likelihood of the presence or absence of a condition, assist in determining patient prognosis, and help the classification of patients for treatment. The recent rapid rise in the use of clinical prediction rules raises questions about the conditions under which they may be used most appropriately. What is the potential role of clinical prediction rules in physiotherapy practice and what are the strategies by which clinicians can determine their appropriate use for a given clinical setting? Conclusion Clinical prediction rules use quantitative methods to build upon the body of literature and expert opinion and can provide quick and inexpensive estimates of probability. Clinical prediction rules can be of great value to assist clinical decision making but should not be used indiscriminately. They are not a replacement for clinical judgment and should complement rather than supplant clinical opinion and intuition. The development of valid clinical prediction rules should be a goal of physiotherapy research. Specific areas in need of attention include deriving and validating clinical prediction rules to screen patients for potentially serious conditions for which current tests lack adequate diagnostic accuracy or have unacceptable cost and risk, and to assist in classification of patients for treatments that are likely to result in substantially different outcomes in heterogeneous groups of patients.
Danazol relieves refractory pruritus associated with myeloproliferative disorders and other diseases

Severe pruritus is frequently associated with myeloproliferative and other systemic illnesses, and often fails to respond to conventional measures. We used danazol (Danocrine), a synthetic attenuated androgen, in the treatment of severe pruritus refractory to conventional therapy. Eight patients had myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), seven had autoimmune disorders, and seven had skin diseases. Danazol at 400-800 mg/day was administered, and previous medications were tapered off. When itching was controlled with danazol alone, the dosage was reduced or discontinued, and resumed if itching recurred. Clinical responses were graded, and side effects were monitored. Overall, in 12 of 22 patients refractory to other measures, itching was controlled with danazol alone. In 10 patients itching returned when danazol was discontinued or dosage was continued for up to 5 years in responders. No serious side effects were observed. Our experience indicates that danazol is a good alternative for patients with severe pruritus associated with myeloproliferative and other systemic disorders.
Module structure of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) may provide bases for its complex role in the visual cycle – structure/function study of Xenopus IRBP

Background Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein's (IRBP) remarkable module structure may be critical to its role in mediating the transport of all-trans and 11-cis retinol, and 11-cis retinal between rods, cones, RPE and Muller cells during the visual cycle. We isolated cDNAs for Xenopus IRBP, and expressed and purified its individual modules, module combinations, and the full-length polypeptide. Binding of all-trans retinol, 11-cis retinal and 9-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy monitoring ligand-fluorescence enhancement, quenching of endogenous protein fluorescence, and energy transfer. Finally, the X-ray crystal structure of module-2 was used to predict the location of the ligand-binding sites, and compare their structures among modules using homology modeling.
The Structure of Atmospheric Turbulence and its Application to the Design of Pipe Arrays

Summary Turbulent boundary layers at the surface of the Earth limit the detection of infrasonic waves with periods greater than 1 s. Pipe arrays designed to improve the signal-to-noise ratios of infrasonic waves usually assume that the background noise due to this turbulent boundary layer is incoherent between the array inlets. The power at various points on a surface was measured; coherences between these points were determined and they were found to be significant in the period range 1-100 s. Such coherent noise must be considered when pipe arrays are designed. Infrasonic waves of periods greater than 1 s travel long distances due to low absorption and are therefore important in studies of the structure of the atmosphere. The detection of such waves is limited, however, by the presence of a turbulent boundary layer at the surface of the Earth. The effects of such turbulent noise can be reduced by using multiple-sampling pipe arrays as inlets to the pressure measuring transducers (Daniels 1959). A lack of statistical data on the nature of this turbulent boundary layer has hampered the design of pipe arrays. There have been investiga- tions into the variations of turbulence with altitude (e.g. Davenport 1961) but few data are available for determinations of the horizontal structure of turbulence in the period range common to the periods of infrasonic waves. The objective of the research presented here was to determine the power due to turbulence on a flat surface and then to find the coherence between recording points as a function of distance of separation, confining the observations and results to the period range 1-100s. This information was then used to design pipe arrays with optimum signal-to-noise ratios. In our studies we used as the source of turbulence the steady prevailing wind of high summer in North Texas. Velocities were determined from cross-spectra; these clearly indicated that the turbulence travelled at the velocity of the wind as determined by an anemometer. The coherence fell rapidly with increasing distance and we concluded that the power levels were associated with the wind-derived turbu- lence and not with propagating signals. Experimental conditions Priestley (1966) has performed one of the few investigations of the structure of atmospheric turbulence in the period range 1-100 s. The present investigation was initially intended to repeat and extend that of Priestley, but, as will be shown later, different criteria were used in the selection of the data.
Optimal Token Allocations in Solitaire Knock 'm Down

In the game Knock ’m Down, tokens are placed in N bins. At each step of the game, a bin is chosen at random according to a xed probability distribution. If a token remains in that bin, it is removed. When all the tokens have been removed, the player is done. In the solitaire version of this game, the goal is to minimize the expected number of moves needed to remove all the tokens. Here we present necessary conditions on the number of tokens needed for each bin in an optimal solution, leading to an asymptotic solution. MR Subject Classications: primary: 91A60
General compared with spinal anesthesia for total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty may be performed under general or spinal anesthesia. The purpose of the current study was to compare perioperative outcomes between anesthetic types for patients undergoing primary elective total hip arthroplasty. Methods: Patients who had undergone primary elective total hip arthroplasty from 2010 to 2012 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Operating room times, length of stay, thirty-day adverse events, and readmission were compared between patients who had received general anesthesia and those who had received spinal anesthesia. Propensity-adjusted multivariate analysis was used to control for selection bias and baseline patient characteristics. Results: A total of 20,936 patients who had undergone total hip arthroplasty met inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 12,752 patients (60.9%) had received general anesthesia and 8184 patients (39.1%) had received spinal anesthesia. On propensity-adjusted multivariate analyses, general anesthesia for total hip arthroplasty was associated with increased operative time (+12 minutes [95% confidence interval, +11 to +13 minutes]; p < 0.001) and postoperative room time (+5 minutes [95% confidence interval, +4 to +6 minutes]; p < 0.001). General anesthesia was also associated with the occurrence of any adverse event (odds ratio, 1.31 [95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 1.41]; p < 0.001), prolonged postoperative ventilator use (odds ratio, 5.81 [95% confidence interval, 1.35 to 25.06]; p = 0.018), unplanned intubation (odds ratio, 2.17 [95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 4.29]; p = 0.024), stroke (odds ratio, 2.51 [95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 6.20]; p = 0.046), cardiac arrest (odds ratio, 5.04 [95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 22.07]; p = 0.032), any minor adverse event (odds ratio, 1.35 [95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 1.45]; p = 0.001), and blood transfusion (odds ratio, 1.34 [95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 1.45]; p < 0.001). General anesthesia was not associated with any difference in preoperative room time, postoperative length of stay, or readmission. Conclusions: General anesthesia was associated with an increased rate of adverse events and mildly increased operating room times. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Advanced supply chain planning with mixtures of backorders, lost sales, and lost contract

Abstract This paper investigates a supply chain system in which a supplier prepares for the selling season by building stock levels prior to the beginning of the season and shortages realized at the beginning of the season are represented as mixtures of backorders and lost sales. Backlogged items are replenished as soon as possible through an emergency procurement as opposed to waiting until the next scheduled delivery as in many continuous review scenarios, and the backorder rate is modeled as a piecewise linear function of the magnitude of the shortage. The often intangible cost associated with lost sales and customer goodwill is also quantified. In particular, the buyer and supplier are engaged in a contractual agreement and the loss of customer goodwill from the supplier’s perspective is represented as the expected cost associated with violating the conditions of the contract. The likelihood of contract cancellation is also represented as a function of the magnitude of shortage. The optimal solution is derived in closed form for the case of exponential demand distribution, and an example problem is illustrated with numerical data in order to demonstrate calculation of the optimal solution and corresponding sensitivity analysis for demand distributions in which the solution cannot be expressed in closed form.
Apolipoprotein E and prospective memory in normally aging adults.

The 4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE) is an established risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, despite uncertainty as to its effect on cognitive function in normal aging. Some evidence suggests poor episodic memory and executive functioning in 4 allele carriers. Prospective memory has been overlooked in investigations of the relationship between APOE and cognition. The authors used a laboratory paradigm to examine the relationship between prospective memory and APOE status in healthy elderly adults, and they varied the association (high vs. low) between a target word and a response word. The authors found a significant deficit in prospective memory for 4 allele carriers but no effect of association in either group. The results suggest the deficit was due to failure of the prospective component of the task. Seven percent of elderly adults over age 65 develop an affliction that is perhaps the most tragic of all age-related conditions—Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—and in the next 30 years, the prevalence of AD is expected to triple (Rosen, Bergeson, Putman, Harwell, & Sunderland, 2002). AD, a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive function, has damaging effects on the quality of life of older adults. Memory loss, especially for recent events, is one of the earliest and most characteristic signs of AD. There are anecdotal accounts that people in the early stages of AD also have great difficulty with prospective memory. Prospective memory refers to the ability to remember to perform an intended action at a particular point in the future, and prospective memory tasks are pervasive in daily activities. Individuals in early stages of AD fail to remember tasks they need to do and fail to remember to do these tasks at the appropriate times (Camp, Foss, Stevens, & O’Hanlon, 1996). Despite the potential of prospective memory failures to result in serious consequences (e.g., forgetting to take medication), little research has addressed such memory failures in pathological aging. Recently, efforts have been directed toward understanding the disease process of AD with the goals of prevention and/or treatment. The presence of the 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been associated with increased risk and decreased age of onset for AD (cf. Corder et al., 1993) and constitutes a wellestablished risk factor related to the disease (cf. Kehoe et al., 1999). APOE presents a genetic polymorphism with three common alleles: 2, 3, and 4. APOE 3 is found in 77%–78% of the general population, whereas APOE 2 (7%– 8%) and APOE 4 (14%–16%) are less common. The 4 allele of the APOE gene has been implicated in all of the major biochemical disturbances associated with AD, such as beta amyloid deposits, neurofibrillary tangle formation, neuronal cell death, oxidative stress, synaptic
Implementing Treatment Sequences to Promote Reduction of DBPs in Small Drinking Water Systems

The performance of three drinking water treatment sequences found in small community systems in reducing disinfection by-product precursor concentrations and the corresponding disinfection by-product formation potential was evaluated. Raw water quality and its potential for effective removal were characterized by the specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) components of absorbance of ultraviolet light at 254 nm wavelength (UV254) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The results demonstrate that, for the source water qualities tested (hydrophobic SUVA with moderate DOC content, 2.0 to 4.8 L/(mg.m) and 4.1 to 6.3 mg DOC/L), there was a tendency to produce a higher percentage of total trihalomethane (TTHM) over the five regulated species of haloacetic acid (HAA5). The treatment sequence and chemical selection play a critical role in the ability of a small community system operator to achieve compliance with the concentration of regulated disinfection by-products. For the waters tested ferric chloride coagulants perform better at reducing the higher molecular weight, hydrophobic organic precursors. Powdered activated carbon does not perform as well with these source waters unless its application is followed by a clarification process that effectively forms a sludge blanket. This research provides additional criteria for linking source water quality with treatment sequence for sustainable management of disinfection by-product (DBP) compliance.
EFFECT OF EMMENIN ON GONADOTROPIC HORMONE EXCRETION IN CASTRATES AND SPONTANEOUS MENOPAUSE

A number of preceding investigations (1, 2, 3) give evidence that the hypophysis during the menopause is over-acting and flooding the system with excessive quantities of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones. We have been guided in arriving at this conclusion by assays of the blood and urine of such patients, continued over long periods of time. Additional objective criteria have been the vaginal spreads of the patient taken throughout the time of investigation (4). These vaginal smears are commonly negative (leucocytes with occasional deep cells) but in some patients permanently resemble the positive phase—squamous cells with large nuclei, deep ovoid cells with large nuclei and occasionally leucocytes. In addition, such patients complain subjectively of neurovascular symptoms, flushes, sweats and headaches, arthritic pains, as well as digestive symptoms. As these symptoms are purely subjective, less importance has been conceded to them in our investigations. Our studies with dihydrotheelin benzoa...
Ultracool Objects: L, T, and Y Dwarfs

The discovery of the first bona fide brown dwarfs in 1995 ushered in a new era in both stellar and planetary astrophysics. The emergent spectra of brown dwarfs are distinct from those of the lowest-mass stars and thus the creation of three new spectral classes, L, T, and Y, were required in order to classify them. In this chapter, I provide a historical review of the creation of these spectral classes and briefly discuss the physical conditions that give rise to the variations in spectral morphology used for classification.
Latino Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship in the United States: An Overview of the Literature and Data Sources

While significant attention has been paid to the growth of the Latino population and its contribution to the U.S. labor market, less scholarly and popular media attention has focused on Latino self-employment, entrepreneurship, and business growth. A review of interdisciplinary research literature on Latino entrepreneurship over the past twenty-five years indicates a gap in our knowledge about the accelerated growth in Latino small business ownership across the United States. The authors provide an overview of the current state of research on Latino entrepreneurial activities and recommend a broader research agenda that includes community-based organizations as part of the entrepreneurship landscape in urban and rural high-density Latino communities.
Brood parasitism in a host generalist, the Shiny Cowbird. II: Host selection

-Host selection by brood parasitic Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) was studied at two sites in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The eggs of the parasite are either spotted or immaculate, so host selection was studied with respect to egg type as well as to site. Immaculate eggs were rare at both sites. Cowbirds in this region prefer to parasitize nests of birds larger than themselves. This preference contrasts with that of almost all other brood parasites, and even that of Shiny Cowbirds in other parts of the species' range. One large species, the Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus) was used frequently and consistently at both sites. At least two other large species (thrushes) were used at Site I, but neither was present at Site II. Cowbirds were more specialized on large hosts at Site I: only 9% of the spotted eggs were laid in nests of small birds at Site I, whereas 35% were laid in such nests at Site II. Small species, such as the Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis), were used to a greater extent at Site II than Site I (where some of the same species were not used at all). The shift to smaller hosts is probably a response to a change in the structure of the community; large host species are relatively less abundant at Site II. Rejecter species are large, and all were parasitized while many smaller accepter species were unmolested. Surprisingly, more immaculate eggs were laid in nests where they had little chance of successful incubation, rather than in nests of accepters. No evidence suggests that host races ("gentes") are formed. To the contrary, female cowbirds laying different egg types apparently select hosts in the same manner. Received 8 August 1984, accepted 25 July
Intra-operative ICG Use in the Management of Hemangioblastomas

Technology that assists in obtaining a safe, complete resection of central nervous system (CNS) tumors can have a tremendous impact on patient outcomes. Indocyanine green (ICG) is a fluorescent dye that has established utility in the intraoperative visualization of intracranial vasculature during aneurysm surgery. Recently, the use of ICG as an adjunct in tumor resection has been described. Intraoperative ICG use may help visualize vascular tumors, such as hemangioblastomas, to ascertain the tumor margins and to assure that no residual tumor remains. ICG can also assist in intraoperative localization of tumors and operative planning by visualizing the tumor in real time. Intraoperative ICG videography has the potential to become a powerful adjunct in the resection of specific CNS neoplasms.
The Effect of Inflation Stabilization Plans on Emerging Market Stock Returns

Emerging market stock returns exhibit a strong positive response to inflation stabilization programs. There are three principal components to this finding, which I document for a cross section of 24 emerging economies. First, the magnitude of the response depends upon the type of stabilization initiative. Over a three month stabilization window, cumulative abnormal returns average 23.1 percent for domestic inflation stabilization programs that have no international stamp of approval, versus 4.1 percent for stabilization programs that are sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF); IMF Stand BY arrangements have a larger impact than Extended Fund Facility arrangements. Second, the average level of inflation over the twelve month period preceding implementation helps predict the size of the markets' response to an IMF stabilization program. When inflation exceeds 100 percent, cumulative abnormal returns average 20.4 percent for the three month stabilization period and are statistically indistinguishable from the 23.1 percent effect associated with domestic stabilization programs. When inflation is less than 100 percent, IMF programs do not elicit a significant equity market response. Finally, the stock market does not seem to be able to predict which stabilization programs will be successful; the ex-ante positive abnormal response to stabilizations which are successful ex-post is the same as it is for failed stabilizations. Overall, the results imply that inflation stabilization programs only have a significant effect on the stock market when inflation is very high, and when inflation is very high, it does not matter whether the stabilization plan is IMF sponsored or not.
Morphological, cytochemical and neuropharmacological evidence for the presence of catecholamines in hydrozoan planulae.

Planula larvae of Halocordyle disticha were examined for the presence of catecholamines using a multipronged approach. Transmission electron micrographs of planular sensory cells and ganglionic cells demonstrated dense-cored vesicles and electron-dense droplets in both cell types. These vesicles and droplets were similar in morphology to catecholamine-containing granules of vertebrates. Planulae processed with the SPG histofluorescence technique, specific only for catecholamines, exhibited blue-green fluorophores which were most prominent in the anterior ectoderm. Such fluorescence was associated with sensory cells, ganglionic cells and the neural plexus. Pretreatment of planulae with neuropharmacological agents which prevent reuptake (reserpine) or cause release (nicotine, ephedrine) of catecholamines caused a diminution of the fluorophores. Pretreatment of animals with 6-hydroxydopamine, which causes destruction of catecholamine-containing cells, prevented any fluorescent response. Ultrastructural examination of reserpine-treated planulae revealed a dramatic reduction in the populations of dense-cored vesicles and electron-dense droplets. Furthermore, many of the vesicles and droplets remaining in reserpinized animals appeared washed out, i.e. stained faintly. Exposure of planulae to exogenous norepinephrine caused premature, rapid metamorphosis and produced polyps with slightly stunted tentacles and pitted, irregular hypostomes. Exposure of planulae to nicotine caused similar effects. Rearing planulae in sea water containing alpha blockers, phentolamine and tolazoline, had no discernible effect on behaviour (motility, phototactic response) or gross morphology. However, planulae raised in sea water containing propranolol, a beta blocker, ceased all movement, became tack-shaped and died within 72 h. These results meet multiple criteria for the identification of catecholamines in hydrozoan planulae and suggest that such catecholamines may function as neurotransmitters, neurohormones or neuromodulators during larval development.
Accurate Monte Carlo Estimation of Very Small P-Values in Markov Chains

There are many events in the real world that are far from random. If we could assign significance levels to them based on a rigorous random model, such p-values must be very small indeed. Why should we be interested in such small numbers? Basically because the number -log(pval) is an estimate of the expected amount of information in bits that must be added to the random model to determine the event in question. Such self information provides an estimate of the complexity of the event and may serve to rank events in order of interest prior to human examination. In some cases we can determine very small p-values from closed formulas. In other cases the appropriate random model is sufficiently complicated that we cannot do so. We present here an algorithm that allows one to calculate very small p-values for some complicated random models that can be realized as Markov processes. Three examples are given illustrating the performances of the algorithm.
Pheromone and Blacklight Trap Monitoring of Adult European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Western Massachusetts

Adult European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), was monitored in western Massachusetts by using black light (BL) traps and pheromone traps. Pheromone tmps were better indicators of first-generation flights than BL traps. The 97:3 ( Z ) and ( E )-11-tetradecenyl acetates and 3:97 ( Z )- and ( E )-11-tetmdecenyl acetates populations occur sympatrically, which requires the use of both blends for monitoring ECB.
A Note on Panel Bias

> In analyzing continuous consumer panels for making marketing decisions, one must make some assumptions about how accurately the panel represents the total population of consumers. Yet very little work has been published on the representativeness of consumer panels. This article deals with a limited aspect of the problem: the effect of the length of time consumers have been in the panel on their purchasing characteristics. Tentative hypotheses are formulated on the basis of some empirical data and suggestions for future studies are given.
Optical Switching in a Nonlinear Fiber-Loop Mirror: Effects of Polarization-Mode Dispersion

We describe the impact of polarization-mode dispersion on the switching performance of a nonlinear optical loop mirror. Our analysis reveals that spatial randomness of residual birefringence leads to temporal power fluctuations within the switching window and reduces the switching contrast.
Optimization of the Four-rod Mechanism of Beam-pumping Unit Beased on Genetic Algorithm

The mathematics model of the four-rod mechanism of beam-pumping unit by changed it’s length in order to achieve energy-saving are Building,and optimized it’s structure by using genetic algorithm. The actual calculation of the CYJ8-3-48HB model under the field condition shows that method is simple and feasible,the property of motion and dynamic has been greatly improved ,the active powder decreases by 21.8%,and the energy saving effect is obvious.
Modeling and Simulation of HVDC Control and Protection System Based on RTDS

It is necessary to model on HVDC system,especially its control and protection system,for the purpose of conducting the large-scale AC/DC system real-time simulation in RTDS,as well as studying the interaction between AC and DC system.The HVDC control and protection system is constructed based on RTDS,referring to the actual program in the DC control and protection cabinet.Through the response comparison with the DC control and protection cabinet,this model is verified in terms of its accuracy and feasibility.
Surface Polishing of Hardened Grey Cast Iron with a Compliant Abrasive Filament Tool

Abstract Sliding guideways play a critical role in the accuracy and dynamic performance of machine tools. Discontinuous jerking motion occurs due to wringing if the guides are too smooth, but excessive wear results is the surface is too rough. The current fabrication approach uses large and expensive grinding machines that place logistical restrictions on production. A higher productivity milling process, using cubic boron nitride (CBN) tooling has been attempted, but this process does not achieve the necessary surface quality. Secondary finishing using a spindle mounted abrasive filament tool could be implemented as a post process to improve surface quality. This study determined the relationship between number of passes and Spk, Sk, and Svk areal functional parameters for three types of filament tools.
An Antimony Selenide Molecular Ink for Flexible Broadband Photodetectors

The need for low-cost high-performance broadband photon detection with sensitivity in the near infrared (NIR) has driven interest in new materials that combine high absorption with traditional electronic infrastructure (CMOS) compatibility. Here, we demonstrate a facile, low-cost and scalable, catalyst-free one-step solution-processed approach to grow one-dimensional Sb2Se3 nanostructures directly on flexible substrates for high-performance NIR photodetectors. Structural characterization and compositional analyses reveal high-quality single-crystalline material with orthorhombic crystal structure and a near-stoichiometric Sb/Se atomic ratio. We measure a direct band gap of 1.12 eV, which is consistent with predictions from theoretical simulations, indicating strong NIR potential. The fabricated metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors exhibit fast response (on the order of milliseconds) and high performance (responsivity ~ 0.27 A/W) as well as excellent mechanical flexibility and durability. The results demonstrate the potential of molecular-ink-based Sb2Se3 nanostructures for flexible electronic and broadband optoelectronic device applications.
Hormone-Secreting Tumors

Tumors may produce many classes of substances including hormones, enzymes, and biogenic amines. These substances are usually indistinguishable from their native counterparts and are normally synthesized and secreted in response to physiological stimuli. This discussion will focus on hormone-secreting tumors and their clinical presentations. For practical purposes, every hormone known to be physiologically secreted has been associated with ectopic tumor secretion. Peptide hormones are the most frequently produced ectopic hormones. Ectopic secretion of corticosteroids and thyroid hormones are extremely rare, probably because they require more sophisticated, compartmentalized enzymatic synthesis.
Psychopathology, Bereavement, and Aging

Publisher Summary Psychopathology in later life occurs in the context of lifelong patterns of coping, social support, and connectedness, accumulated resources such as education and income, and characteristic late-life changes in physical health, cognition, and social relationships. This chapter presents a life-span perspective on psychopathology in late life, considering the interactions of specific manifestations of psychological disorders with the biopsychosocial and personal historical contexts within which they occur. It focuses on major clinical syndromes that fall within the categories of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders. It also examines the role of bereavement as a common late life stressor. Most existing data on aging and psychopathology do not, however, take a life course perspective but instead describe prevalence data and associated symptoms without the backdrop of the individual's past and present life experiences. Even studies that take into account psychiatric history do not often examine this history in the context of the rest of the individual's personality, self-concept, or social context. To gain a fuller appreciation of the strengths and the vulnerabilities of older adults being evaluated for psychological disorders, psychologists working with these populations, both as researchers and as clinicians, should instead place the individual against a chronological backdrop that regards the expression of symptoms as a reflection of the multiple intersecting factors impinging on the individual at any one point in time that may have changed from the past and may change in the future.
Plasma treatment effect on polymer buried interfacial structure and property

Adhesion is important in many industrial applications including those in the microelectronics industry. Flip-chip assemblies commonly utilize epoxy underfills to promote reliability and the buried interfacial structure of underfills is crucial to device lifetime. Poor adhesion at this interface can cause premature device failure. One method to increase adhesion strength is to plasma treat the substrate attached to underfills, however, the mechanism of this increase in adhesion strength has not been thoroughly investigated at the molecular level in situ, because it is difficult to probe a buried interface where the adhesion occurs. In this work, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the buried polymer/epoxy resin interface at the molecular level. Plasma treatment was performed on the polymer surfaces and the effects were examined. The buried interfaces between the polymer surface before and after plasma treatment and epoxy were then investigated to understand if the effects of the treatment can be observed using SFG. It was found that the molecular structure of the buried interface of the pristine polymer surface in contact with epoxy is drastically different from the buried interface of the plasma treated surface with epoxy. The buried interface containing the plasma treated polymer surface was found to be considerably more disordered and had much higher adhesion strength. This research elucidates the plasma treatment effects on structures and properties of buried polymer/epoxy interfaces, providing in-depth understanding on the mechanism of adhesion strength increase facilitated by plasma treatment.
Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Education: A Learning Progression

AbstractThis study used a Delphi technique to identify relevant modeling and simulation practices required in present-day workplace engineering. Participants consisted of 37 experts divided into tw...
Abstract WP185: The Risk of Pregnancy-associated Stroke Does not Increase With Age: an Analysis of Claims Data From New York State

Introduction: Stroke is a rare but feared complication of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Prior studies have found that older age is associated with increased risk of pregnancy-associated stro...
Sirolimus for the treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cystic lung disease that is associated with recurrent pneumothorax, abdominal tumors including lymphangioleiomyomas and angiomyolipomas, chylous fluid accumulations and progressive respiratory failure. Sirolimus has been shown to slow the progression of disease.Areas covered: In this review, the current evidence, indications, precautions, and practical use of sirolimus therapy in patients with LAM is discussed.Expert opinion: In LAM, the lung becomes diffusely infiltrated with smooth muscle-like cells containing mechanistic target of rapamycin complex (mTOR) activating mutations in tuberous sclerosis genes which drive destructive parenchymal remodeling. LAM cells arise from an unknown source, migrate to the lung and express vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D). In the laboratory, mTOR inhibitors block destructive LAM cell behaviors including abnormal growth, migration and metalloproteinase production and induce tumor regression in ani...
Tokyo 2020: Opportunity for Regional Reconciliation or Protracted Antagonism?

This essay surveys the ways in which the Japanese imperial state harnessed Olympic sports as a vehicle for projecting national power and prestige before World War II. It also examines the circuitous way in which Japan reestablished itself as a peace-loving nation in the International Olympic Movement in the postwar years. It argues that Japan’s hosting 2020 Olympics betokens a discomforting trend towards reverting the prewar ‘Imperial Model’ of state-driven sports promotion and use of elite sport as a tool of statecraft.