cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proton-induced reactions on Fe, Cu, and Ti from threshold to 55 MeV

Theoretical models often differ significantly from measured data in their predictions of the magnitude of nuclear reactions that produce radionuclides for medical, research, and national security applications. In this paper, we compare a priori predictions from several state-of-the-art reaction modeling packages (CoH, EMPIRE, TALYS, and ALICE) to cross sections measured using the stacked-target activation method. The experiment was performed using the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 88-Inch Cyclotron with beams of 25 and 55 MeV protons on a stack of iron, copper, and titanium foils. Thirty-four excitation functions were measured from 4–55 MeV, including the first measurement of the independent cross sections for $$^{\mathrm{nat}}\hbox {Fe}$$ (p,x) $$^{49,51}\hbox {Cr}$$ , $$^{51,{\mathrm{52m}},{\mathrm{52g}},56}\hbox {Mn}$$ , and $$^{{\mathrm{58m,58g}}}\hbox {Co}$$ . All of the models, using default input parameters to assess their predictive capabilities, failed to reproduce the isomer-to-ground state ratio for reaction channels at compound and pre-compound energies, suggesting issues in modeling the deposition or distribution of angular momentum in these residual nuclei.
Leadership going social: How U.S. nonprofit executives engage publics on Twitter

Abstract This study explored how nonprofit executives in the U.S. engaged with online publics through various communication strategies. We investigated the extent to which nonprofit executives leveraged 1) digital dialogic principles, 2) social presence strategies, and 3) message tactics. In addition, this study attempted to explore how different communication strategies influenced publics’ digital engagement with nonprofit leaders. We conducted a content analysis on 700 Twitter posts from 35 nonprofit executive leaders who possess an active Twitter presence and 195 public comments. These executives led America’s largest nonprofits across a wide range of religious, educational, scientific, sports, and social welfare organizations. The results showed that nonprofit executives employed some degree of the four dialogic principles and capitalized on each of the three types of social presence strategies evenly. Regarding message function, nonprofit executives were most active in disseminating information and creating an online community. Findings regarding the associations between communication strategies and public engagement remain mixed.
Optimists: It could have been worse; Pessimists: It could have been better

Abstract Optimism and pessimism are cognitive expectancies regarding future events, whereas counterfactual thinking is the cognitive process of imagining alternatives to events that occurred in the past. The purpose of this study was to conceptualize dispositional optimism and pessimism within the context of norm theory and examine relationships between dispositional optimism and pessimism and counterfactual thinking. Undergraduate students (N = 833) completed measures of counterfactual thinking and optimism and pessimism. After controlling for the effects of positive and negative affect, it was found that downward counterfactual thinking (imagining how things could have been worse) was associated with optimism and that upward styles of counterfactual thinking (imagining how things could have been better) were associated with pessimism. These results suggest that thinking about past events is consistent with expectations about the future.
Off-line parameter estimation for the doubly-fed machine

Frequency-domain estimation of the parameters in a d-q representation of the brushless doubly fed machine in the rotor reference frame is investigated using offline techniques. The underlying theory is summarized and simulation results are presented to show that one power-electronic converter operated in the current-source mode can be used to provide sufficient data to estimate all the parameters of the model, including the mutual coupling inductances between the rotor circuit and the two stator circuits. Laboratory results are presented, along with the constraints imposed in the measurement process. >
Sokal’s Hermeneutic Hoax: Physics and the New Inquisition

As a so-called post-analytic philosopher of science,1 if also from the marginalized sidelines, I have been able to tease analytic philosophers, calling them to account for their desire to imitate scientists and their habit of numbering their paragraphs and their passion for the acronym. Much more seriously, the scientists themselves have recently begun to raise the ante for analytic philosophers in the so-called science wars. In essays and op-ed pieces, physicists are repaying the philosophers’ compliment — not only by adopting, as popular science writers have long done, the role of cultural critic, but also by assuming the mantle of philosophy. Science, once the arbiter of scientific truth, proposes now to vet the truth about everything else. And, as we shall see below, the philosophy of science appears to find itself compelled to offer an uncritical response.
Uptake and depuration of pharmaceuticals in reclaimed water by mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki): A worst-case, multiple-exposure scenario

Previous studies showed that caffeine, diphenhydramine, and carbamazepine were bioconcentrated by mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki) from freshwater bodies directly affected by reclaimed water. To understand the uptake, depuration, and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) under the worst-case conditions, the authors exposed 84 mosquito fish to reclaimed water under static renewal for 7 d, followed by a 14-d depuration phase in clean water. Characterization of the exposure media revealed the presence of 26 pharmaceuticals, whereas only 5 pharmaceuticals-caffeine, diphenhydramine, diltiazem, carbamazepine, and ibuprofen-were present in the organisms after only 5 h of exposure. Caffeine, diltiazem, and carbamazepine were quickly taken up by mosquito fish following a similar uptake curve. Diphenhydramine and ibuprofen, on the other hand, were more gradually taken up by mosquito fish but were also eliminated fairly quickly, resulting in the 2 shortest depuration half-lives at 34 h and 32 h, respectively. For comparison, BCFs based on rate constants (BCFb ), steady-state concentrations (BCFa ), and saturation-state concentrations (BCFc ) were calculated. Values of BCFb ranged from 0.23 to 29 and increased in the order of caffeine < carbamazepine < diltiazem < diphenhydramine < ibuprofen. Values of BCFa and BCFc ranged from 2.0 to 28 and increased in the order of carbamazepine < caffeine < diltiazem < diphenhydramine < ibuprofen. This is the first study using a nonartificial exposure-treated wastewater matrix to generate pharmacokinetic data for pharmaceutical mixtures in aquatic organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1752-1758. © 2013 SETAC.
Tonality driven piano compositions with Grammatical Evolution

We present a novel method of creating piano melodies with Grammatical Evolution (GE). The system employs a context free grammar in combination with a tonality-driven fitness function to create a population of piano melodies. The grammar is designed to create a variety of styles of musical events within each melody such as runs, arpeggios, turns and chords without any a priori musical information in regards to key or time signature. The fitness of the individuals is calculated as a measure of their tonality defined by a statistical distribution of the pitches in each piece. A number of short compositions are presented demonstrating that our system is capable of creating music that is interesting and unpredictable.
Chapter 11 Regulatory Aspects of Apx, a Novel Na+ Channel with Connections to the Cytoskeleton

Publisher Summary The chapter describes a study on the regulatory aspects of Apx, a novel sodium ion (Na+) channel with connections to the cytoskeleton. It is mentioned that perhaps the most elusive of the amiloride-sensitive apical epithelial Na+ channels is the 9-pS channel, which is a target for vasopressin regulation in renal epithelia. The chapter mentions the initiation of the purification and characterization of an amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel complex from A6 cells and the bovine renal medulla by specific binding to amiloride derivatives. This 700-kDa molecular weight Na+ channel is a multimeric structure containing polypeptides varying from 320 to 35 kDa, with an apparent pore subunit of 150 kDa, which binds amiloride and analogs. The 150-kDa subunit of the A6 Na+ channel complex displays Na+ channel activity in lipid bilayers. Thus, Apx and the 150-kDa subunit may represent the same transmembrane protein. This is further suggested by the fact that antibodies raised against the 150-kDa subunit immunoprecipitate Apx and conversely, antiidiotypic antibodies to Apx immunoprecipitate the 150-kDa subunit of the Na+ channel complex.
Converging slat collimators for hybrid PET

Hybrid PET cameras have a number of hardware compromises that degrade image quality relative to dedicated PET. Such degradation is primarily caused by poor detection efficiency given by Nal scintillation crystals, limited count-rate culpabilities, multi-head as opposed to full-ring camera geometry, and so on. The count-rate limitation is exacerbated by the relatively large axial field-of-view (FOV) offered by most hybrid gamma cameras. In order to fully utilize the available count-rate, It is necessary to shield its many singles and scattered events as possible so that the camera can process the maximum number of true coincidence events. A common approach is to use axial collimators with parallel slats to shield out-of-FOV photons. Such collimators also greatly reduce the number of scattered events. We are investigating converging slat collimators, which may be better able to shield out-of-FOV photons while greatly increasing sensitivity to the central FOV. Such collimators create a pseudo-3D imaging geometry, maintain good shielding of scattered events, and may greatly improve volume-of-interest imaging performance. The GEANT Monte Carlo program (CERN) was used to simulate a variety of parallel and convergent slat collimators. Both lead and tungsten septa were studied. Axially-focused slat collimators were found to provide greatly increased sensitivity to the central FOV while also providing better shielding to out-of-FOV photons. Whole-body NEC performance for fan slat collimators was nearly identical to that for conventional parallel slat collimators, and volume-of-interest NEC was nearly doubled using fan slat collimators.
The diversity paradox: when people who value diversity surround themselves with like-minded others

An anomaly exists between society's push for diversity and people's preference to be with like-minded others—a diversity paradox. Research suggests it is endemic to group life to accentuate similarity within groups and maximize differences between groups. Drawing on uncertainty–identity theory, that uncertainty motivates identification with clearly defined groups, we explore whether increasing community identification to alleviate self-uncertainty is impacted when diversity is important. In a naturalistic experiment, values match and placing importance on diversity each predicted community identification. Uncertainty decreased identification when diversity was important. Greater identification emerged when diversity and value similarity were important. This effect, strong under low uncertainty, did not emerge under high uncertainty. Findings are discussed in terms of the antagonism between society's push for diversity and research on the psychology of groups.
Magic and Property: The Legal Context of Apuleius' 'Apologia'

This paper examines Apuleius’ Apologia from the perspective of its legal context. The paper asks three questions: first, what was the legal situation in relation to the property issues central to the motivations of Apuleius’ accusers? Second, what would the legal effects of a conviction have been on these property concerns? And, finally, what light do our answers to these questions shed on the Apologia itself? The applicable legal rules suggest both that some of the concerns of the prosecutors were ill-founded and that the prosecution would have achieved little in a legal sense in terms advancing their alleged ends. These observations suggest several potential conclusions: first, that Apuleius’ accusers sincerely believed their accusation of magic and thought that it was only the magical skill of Apuleius that threatened their aspirations to Pudentilla’s estate. Conversely, it may be that the accusers were simply ignorant about the law, vindictive towards Apuleius, or both. Third, that Apuleius has misrepresented his accusers’ motivations. Finally, these conclusions on matters of law could even be taken to suggest that the speech does not represent a genuine case, but rather is a work of fiction concocted by Apuleius for literary purposes.
Using Sociograms to Enhance Power and Voice in Focus Groups

Objective To discuss the use of sociograms in our focus groups with homeless sheltered mothers and to assess facilitator influence and the distribution of power influence. Design and Sample An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design that utilizes both focus groups and sociograms. Two focus groups were conducted in December 2009 (N = 7) and January 2010 (N = 4). Data analysis included a content analysis and a process analysis using sociograms to graphically represent group participant dynamics. Results Use of the sociogram provided a means to assess the influence of the facilitator as well as quantify the degree to which group participants' voices are included. Conclusion Using sociograms provides a viable mechanism to complement content analysis and increase the methodological rigor of focus groups in health care research.
Immunoseparation method for measuring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol directly from serum evaluated.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can not be calculated from other lipid measurements when samples are obtained from nonfasting individuals or when triglycerides are > or = 4.0 g/L. We have evaluated a direct LDL cholesterol assay for analyzing 115 fresh serum samples obtained from fasting and nonfasting dyslipidemic patients with triglycerides or = 1.60 g/L 94% of the time. Precision studies provided within- and between-run CVs in the range of 1.2-3.8% and 2.0-5.1%, respectively. Our data indicate that this assay is an accurate method for measuring LDLC directly from fresh serum obtained from fasting or nonfasting subjects with a wide range of triglyceride values.
Chronic olanzapine treatment decreases arachidonic acid turnover and prostaglandin E2 concentration in rat brain

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 364–376. Abstract The atypical antipsychotic, olanzapine (OLZ), is used to treat bipolar disorder, but its therapeutic mechanism of action is not clear. Arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) plays a critical role in brain signaling and an up-regulated AA metabolic cascade was reported in postmortem brains from bipolar disorder patients. In this study, we tested whether, similar to the action of the mood stabilizers lithium, carbamazepine and valproate, chronic OLZ treatment would reduce AA turnover in rat brain. We administered OLZ (6 mg/kg/day) or vehicle i.p. to male rats once daily for 21 days. A washout group received 21 days of OLZ followed by vehicle on day 22. Two hours after the last injection, [1-14C]AA was infused intravenously for 5 min, and timed arterial blood samples were taken. After the rat was killed at 5 min, its brain was microwaved, removed and analyzed. Chronic OLZ decreased plasma unesterified AA concentration, AA incorporation rates and AA turnover in brain phospholipids. These effects were absent after washout. Consistent with reduced AA turnover, OLZ decreased brain cyclooxygenase activity and the brain concentration of the proinflammatory AA-derived metabolite, prostaglandin E2, In view of up-regulated brain AA metabolic markers in bipolar disorder, the abilities of OLZ and the mood stabilizers to commonly decrease prostaglandin E2, and AA turnover in rat brain phospholipids, albeit by different mechanisms, may be related to their efficacy against the disease.
Predicting the distribution potential of an invasive frog using remotely sensed data in Hawaii

Aim Eleutherodactylus coqui (commonly known as the coqui) is a frog species native to Puerto Rico and non-native in Hawaii. Despite its ecological and economic impacts, its potential range in Hawaii is unknown, making control and management efforts difficult. Here, we predicted the distribution potential of the coqui on the island of Hawaii. Location Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Methods We predicted its potential distribution in Hawaii using five biophysical variables derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) as predictors, presence/absence data collected from Puerto Rico and Hawaii and three classification methods ‐ Classification Trees (CT), Random Forests (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM). Results Models developed separately using data from the native range and the invaded range predicted potential coqui habitats in Hawaii with high performance. Across the three classification methods, mean area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.75 for models trained using the native range data and 0.88 for models trained using the invaded range data. We achieved the highest AUC value of 0.90 using RF for models trained with invaded range data. Main conclusions Our results showed that the potential distribution of coquis on the island of Hawaii is much larger than its current distribution, with RF predicting up to 49% of the island as suitable coqui habitat. Predictions also show that most areas with an elevation between 0 and 2000 m are suitable coqui habitats, whereas the cool and dry high elevation areas beyond 2000 m elevation are unsuitable. Results show that MODIS-derived biophysical variables are capable of characterizing coqui habitats in Hawaii.
Effects of weathering and flue-curing on methomyl residues on tobacco

A replicated field experiment was conducted at two locations to determine the disappearance of methomyl from flue-cured tobacco. Immediately after application, methomyl residues were 88 and 113 ppm at Clayton and 44 and 105 ppm at Reidsville, respectively, for 0.56 and 1.12 kg/ha application rates. After 5 days these levels dropped to 0.7 and 2.8 ppm at Clayton and 1.4 and 4.1 ppm at Reidsville. At 9 days after application, 99% of the methomyl had disappeared at both locations. Losses of methomyl during flue-curing averaged 96% over locations, rates of application, and times of harvest, compared to an average loss of 98% due to weathering in the field for 5 days. The disappearance of methomyl during the curing process was approximately the same for both locations.
Patterns of performance preservation and loss in healthy aging

Cognitive performance was studied in 67 healthy and highly educated men, ranging in age from 21 to 92 years old. Principal component analysis yielded five independent factors: Perceptual Reasoning, Visuospatial Memory and Organization, Verbal Fund of Knowledge, Verbal Discourse Memory, and Verbal Memory and Organization. The first two factors declined significantly (p < .05) with advancing age, whereas the other factors were not significantly correlated with advancing age. Further analysis indicates that Factor 1 explains all significant age related variance in neuropsychological performance. The data suggest that decline in visuospatial performance with age occurs even in the absence of disease and that memory functions are relatively well preserved in healthy individuals.
Effects of Prostaglandin F2α on Agonist-Induced Progesterone Production in Cultured Bovine Luteal Cells

The present study examines the effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on basal and agonist-stimulated progesterone (P4) production utilizing long-term, serum-free cultures of bovine luteal cells. During the first 24 h of culture, PGF2 alpha had no significant effect on P4 production, and was unable to inhibit either luteinizing hormone (LH)- or dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)-stimulated increases in P4. Treatment with PGF2 alpha on Day 1 produced a moderate, nonsignificant (P greater than 0.05) inhibition of cholera toxin (CT)- and forskolin (FKN)-stimulated P4 synthesis. Beyond Day 1 of culture (Days 3-11), PGF2 alpha continued to have no significant effect on basal P4 production, but suppressed all stimulatory effects of LH, dbcAMP, CT and FKN. Treatment with indomethacin inhibited prostaglandin synthesis by the cultured cells and also elevated levels of P4 from Days 3 to 11 of culture. Concurrent treatment with PGF2 alpha suppressed the steroidogenic effect of indomethacin. From these studies it was concluded that in cultured bovine luteal cells, PGF2 alpha does not affect basal P4 production, but is able to inhibit agonist-stimulated P4 production at a site beyond the accumulation of cAMP. This inhibitory effect is not apparent during the first 24 h of culture, but appears after Day 1 and persists throughout the remaining 10 days of the culture period.
Generation of random fields characterized by discrete regions of constant value

A new simulator is introduced which provides realizations of parameter fields characterized by randomly sized regions within which the parameter value is constant. This generator produces second-order stationary random fields with specified mean and correlation structure. The structure of the simulated field is significantly different than that which can be obtained by previously existing techniques. This new structure provides a valuable simulation tool for discretely varying fields such as required when modeling complex lithologies. One application of this method utilizing ovals in two dimensions and ellipsoids in three dimensions is demonstrated for grids in which a finite number of simulation points are to be generated. This technique is compared with a recently published turning-bands routine and is faster in terms of cpu time for large values of I/L, where I is the integral scale of the correlation structure and L is the length of the longest side of the simulation grid. For small values of I/L, the turning-bands routine is faster. Conditional simulation based on kriging has been studied for this method. The resulting random field varies continuously rather than discretely. A second method of conditioning, which produces discretely varying random fields, is suggested but not examined computationally.
Developmentally based psychotherapies: comments and observations.

(1998). Developmentally based psychotherapies: Comments and observations. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 46-48.
Two sides of the coin: the bully and the bullied.

Bullying has become a worldwide phenomenon that produces serious individual and societal consequences when it is ignored. There are two sides of the coin that require consideration when psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses conduct assessments of situations that involve bullying behaviors. Both the bully and the bullied can incur serious, negative, and debilitating psychological effects. In some cases, physical injury and/or death occurs as a result of bullying. Deciphering the biopsychosocial mental health issues associated with bullying is challenging. PMH nurses have the clinical expertise to develop coping interventions and strategies that stop bullying, as well as enhance the mental health and wellness of both those who bully and who are bullied. This article presents PMH nursing biopsychosocial strategies for both sides of the bullying coin. Exemplars are provided to aid implementation of the strategies. Language: en
Characterization of Barrier Properties and Inducible VEGF Expression of Several Types of Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Medium-Term Culture

Purpose: To investigate and compare the characteristics of four different types of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells cultured for 2 to 5 weeks to provide guidance when choosing RPE cells for experimentation. Methods: Human cell lines ARPE-19 (ARPE) and D407, primary RPE cells from C57Bl/6 mouse (mRPE), and primary human fetal RPE (hfRPE) cells were grown in respective media previously reported to be optimal for each cell type. Two methods to obtain hfRPE were used: one isolated outside and transported to our laboratory, and one isolated primarily within our laboratory from donor human fetal eyes. Barrier function was determined by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and permeability and structure by localization of Na+,K+-ATPase α-1, ZO-1, and actin. VEGF expression, determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for mRNA and ELISA for protein, was determined after exposure to 24 h of 1% oxygen. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were compared as a non-RPE epithelial cell line. R...
The theoretical plausibility of central pit crater formation via melt drainage

Central pit craters are seen in large craters on some icy satellites and on Mars. We investigate the hypothesis that central pits form when impact melt drains into fractures beneath the impact crater. For this process to occur, the volume of melt generated during the impact, the volume of void space in fractures beneath the impact crater, and the volume of melt able to drain before the fractures freeze shut all must exceed the volume of the observed central pits. We estimate the volume of melt generated using results from previous numerical modeling studies. The fracture volume is estimated using gravity anomalies over terrestrial craters. To estimate the amount of melt able to drain before freezing, we consider flow through plane parallel fractures. These calculations all suggest that enough liquid water could drain into fractured ice beneath a crater on Ganymede to form a central pit. On Earth and the Moon, silicate impact melt will freeze before a large volume is able to drain, so we do not expect to see central pits in impact craters in targets with no ice. In summary, we find our calculations are consistent with observed central pits in craters on Ganymede and the lack of central pits in craters on Earth and the Moon.
Visualizing priming of virus-specific CD8 + T cells by infected dendritic cells in vivo

The rational design of vaccines that elicit CD8+ T cell responses requires knowledge of the identity of the antigen-presenting cell (APC), the location and time of presentation and the nature of the antigen presented by the APC. Here we address these questions for an antigen encoded by a recombinant vaccinia virus. We found that, following local infection, vaccinia virus infected macrophages and dendritic cells in draining lymph nodes. However, only the dendritic cells presented antigen to naive CD8+ T cells, as determined by direct visualization of sectioned nodes by confocal microscopy. Presentation occurred as rapidly as 6 h after inoculation and quickly declined in parallel with the number of infected cells present in the nodes. These data provide direct evidence that virus-infected APCs prime naive CD8+ T cells in vivo.
EVALUATING THE MEASUREMENT PROPERTIES OF PROCEDURAL JUSTICE IN A CORRECTIONAL SETTING

Research and theory on the effects of fair procedures has gained popularity over the past decade. This is understandable given the inherent appeal of these ideas and the supporting evidence. Resear...
Studies on the metabolism and excretion of 1-naphthol, 1-naphthyl-β-d-glucuronide, and 1-naphthyl-β-d-glucoside in the mouse

Abstract Radiolabeled 1-naphthyl-β- d -glucuronide and 1-naphthyl-β- d -glucoside were synthesized from 1-[ 14 C]naphthol. The fate of the three compounds in male mice was studied. After a po dose of 45 mg/kg of 1-naphthol, 100 mg/kg of 1-naphthyl glucuronide, and 100 mg/kg of 1-naphthyl glucoside, 95, 93, and 81%, respectively, of the administered dose were eliminated 72 hr after treatment. 1-Naphthyl glucoside was eliminated more slowly than the other two compounds. 1-Naphthol was metabolized predominantly to the sulfate and the glucuronide conjugates, whereas a portion of 1-naphthyl glucoside was eliminated directly or cleaved and then reconjugated to form the sulfate and the glucuronide conjugates. 1-Naphthyl glucuronide was excreted as parent compound and sulfate, indicating hydrolysis and resynthesis. When the glucoside was administered at three doses (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg), it was observed that the lower doses of the glucoside were more readily eliminated in the urine than the higher doses. Larger amounts of the parent compound were found in the excreta at the lower doses than at the higher doses.
Brainstem carbachol injections in the urethane anesthetized rat produce hippocampal theta rhythm and cortical desynchronization: a comparison of pedunculopontine tegmental versus nucleus pontis oralis injections.

Previous research has demonstrated that brainstem injections of acetylcholine agonists (e.g., carbachol) produced electrophysiological indicators of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep in the cat. Recent reports now indicate that this phenomenon may hold true for rats as well. Relatively few reports, however, have examined the effect of these injections on REM indicators in the anesthetized rat, a preparation useful for elucidating underlying neurobiological mechanisms controlling REM sleep processes. The present study compared the effect of injections of carbachol (5 μg in 250 nl) into the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) or the nucleus pontis oralis (NPO) on two tonic indicators of REM sleep in the urethane-anesthetized rat. Namely, changes in the hippocampal EEG and in the cortical EEG. Carbachol injections into either site produced a change in both the hippocampal EEG and cortical EEG to a REM-like state at short latencies. The length of these changes (duration of effect), however, was site-dependent. Thus, PPTg carbachol injections induced significantly longer lasting effects in both the hippocampal and cortical EEG than did NPO injections. The results suggest that brainstem carbachol injections in rats, as in cats, may provide a useful model for investigating tonic REM sleep processes.
Measuring the foreign exchange exposure of offshore assembly operations

Faced with the ever present need to control costs and expand markets, many domestic manufacturers have shifted to offshore assembly and production to augment their domestic operations. Multinational corporations establish basic assembly operations in strategically located, less-developed countries and capitalize on the lower relative costs of labor associated with the local workforce. These offshore operations, designed to provide only the labor intensive stages of the firm's production cycle, place little emphasis on the local distribution of the final product. The emergence of concentrated pockets of these operations has also fueled industrial growth in many nontraditional areas. Along with raising some highly charged social issues, the prosperity of this specific segment of direct foreign investment revives the ever-present questions concerning the risks of nondomestic investment. Specifically, to what extent are investments in nondomestic assembly operations at risk to changes in foreign exchange rates? Recent empirical studies (Davila 1990, Jorian 1990) have shown the observable impact that exchange rate changes have had on the share returns and equity values of multinational enterprises. However, little work, empirical or theoretical, exists on estimating the relative magnitude of these responses. The reason that foreign exchange risk measures have not been developed in prior academic research is either (1) the lack of a specific valuation model for multinational operations, or (2) the nondomestic valuation models that do exist usually prove to be too complex to accurately assess the exposure of particular nondomestic enterprises. This article attempts to quantify the specific foreign investment risk of offshore operations into manageable as well as intuitive measures.
Modeling of End-On (m-Peroxo)dicopper(II) Complexes.

A force field for (μ-peroxo)dicopper(II) complexes was developed, based on a well-established parameter set for copper(II) complexes, the structural and spectroscopic data of a (μ-peroxo)dicopper(II) complex with tris(2-pyridylmethylamine) donors and a series of (μ-peroxo)dicobalt(III) compounds. This force field is shown to well reproduce the structural properties of the available structures of (μ-peroxo)dicopper(II) and (μ-peroxo)dicobalt(III) complexes, and it was used to compute a series of (μ-peroxo)dicopper(II) compounds with two tris(2-pyridylmethylamin) units linked by different organic spacers at a 5-pyridyl position at each tetradentate moiety. The computed structures and strain energies indicate that (i) in the compound with an ethyl spacer group the ligand induces a considerable strain and distortion in the μ-peroxo product, and these effects compensate the favorable entropy effects due to the ligand preorganization, in agreement with the published experimental results; (ii) the (μ-peroxo)dico...
The Evaluation of TiTe2 as a Diffusion Barrier in the Formation of Low Thermal Conductivity Nanolaminates with Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3

The evolution of designed [(Ti-Te)]x[(Sb-Te)]y, [(Bi-Te)]x[(Sb-Te)]y, [(Ti-Te)]w[(Bi-Te)]x[(Sb-Te)]y and [(Ti-Te)]w[(Bi-Te)]x[(Ti-Te)]y[(Sb-Te)]z precursors were followed as a function of annealing temperature and time using both low and high angle x-ray diffraction techniques to probe the self assembly into nanolaminate materials. The [(Bi-Te)]x[(Sb-Te)]y precursors were found to interdiffuse at low temperatures to form a (BixSb1-x)2Te3 alloy. The [(Ti-Te)]x[(Bi-Te)]y and [(Ti-Te)]x[(Sb-Te)]y precursors formed ordered nanolaminates [{(TiTe2)}1.35]x[Bi2Te3]y and [{(TiTe2)}1.35]x[Sb2Te3]y respectively. The [(Ti-Te)]w[(Bi-Te)]x[(Sb-Te)]x precursors formed [{(TiTe2)}1.35]w[(Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3]2x nanolaminates on annealing, as the bismuth and antimony layers interdiffused. Over the range of TiTe2 thicknesses used in [(Ti-Te)]w[(Bi-Te)]x[(Ti-Te)]y[(Sb-Te)]z precursors, Bi and Sb were found to interdiffuse through the 2-4 nm thick Ti-Te layers, resulting in the formation of (BixSb1-x)2Te3 alloy layers as part of the final nanolaminated products. When the Bi-Te and Sb-Te thicknesses were equal in the amorphous precursors, symmetric [{(TiTe2)}1.35]m[(Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3]n nanolamiantes were formed. When the thicknesses of Bi-Te and Sb-Te layers were not equal in the amorphous precursor, asymmetric [(TiTe2)1.35]m[(BixSb1-x)2Te3]n[(TiTe2)1.35]m[(BixSb1-x)2Te3]p nanolaminates were formed. These results imply that to form (A)w(B)x(C)y nanolaminates using designed layered precursors all three components must be immiscible. To form (A)x(B)y(A)x(C)z nanolaminates, the components must be immiscible or the precursor to the A component and the A component itself must be an effective interdiffusion barrier preventing B and C from mixing.
Large signal characteristics of stimulated Brillouin scattering and Gaussian beam phase conjugation

Stimulated Brillouin scattering has an inherent threshold. The characteristics above this threshold must be analyzed in terms of a large signal backward traveling-wave parametric interaction. The conventional treatment is valid only below the threshold of stimulated scattering and is limited to small signals. Here, the large signal theory is applied to Gaussian beam phase conjugation. The results agree in all aspects with recent experimental measurements. It is found that, for phase conjugation mirror applications, the threshold can be eliminated by incorporating an auxiliary end mirror. >
Odysseus Wandered for 10, I Wondered for 50 Years

The title of this paper is highly individualistic: It uses “I” and it is very competitive! Yet I was raised in Greece when it was a collectivist culture, as is clear from Triandis (1972). I started as an allocentric and ended up as idiocentric person. In January 1948, at age 21, I came to Canada, to study at McGill University, because the Technical University (Polytechnion) where I was studying in Athens was not in good shape just after the war (e.g., poor labs). I found the contrast between Athens and Montreal as great in temperature (leaving in 50 degree weather and finding -10 F) as well as in social relationships. Montreal had an individualist culture, with people having many, but relatively superficial relationships, and that contrasted with Athens collectivism where one had few but deep relationships. In Montreal my friends talked to their parents once a month, while if I could have afforded it I would have talked to my parents every day. In Montreal social relations were fluid and quick-changing, in Athens they were stable and more or less unchanged. Traces of allocentrism remain, so that when I go back to Athens, each year, I spend time with my old friends, even 50 years after leaving. The contrast between Canada and Greece started me thinking about cultural comparisons.
Hearing Loss in Syndromic Craniosynostoses: Introduction and Consideration of Mechanisms

Purpose There are a number of craniosynostosis syndromes with hearing loss—including Muenke, Apert, Pfeiffer, Crouzon, Beare-Stevenson, Crouzon with acanthosis nigricans, and Jackson-Weiss syndrome...
What is a clear margin in breast conserving cancer surgery

Team work is the key to successful breast conservation therapy. Patient education and the informed consent process should include a discussion about the importance of margin status. Specimen management is critically important to obtain the highest quality information about margins. Operating technique should avoid trauma to or disruption of the specimen surface. The specimen should be oriented for the pathologist using standard techniques including sutures, clips, or colored inks. Specimen radiography is mandatory to confirm complete resection of the target tissues and can be used to direct additional margin resections during the initial procedure. With a well-designed and oriented specimen, the pathologist can give an accurate description of the margin distance for both the invasive and in situ components of the cancer. In most cases, decision-making about margins will be straightforward. Positive margins should be re-excised or the treatment is converted to mastectomy. Clear margins (>5 mm) require no further surgical therapy. “Close” margins (1–4 mm) will remain a point of controversy because of conflicting reports from clinical series. At UAB, decision for re-excision is made on a case-by-case basis. Routinely 2 mm is considered adequate, however, volume of disease and intraductal component are important considerations when making recommendations.
Task Difficulty in Oral Speech Act Production

This study took a pragmatic approach to examining the effects of task difficulty on L2 oral output. Twenty native English speakers and 59 Japanese students of English at two different proficiency levels produced speech acts of requests and refusals in a role play task. The task had two situation types based on three social variables: interlocutors� power difference (P), social distance (D), and the degree of imposition (R). In one situation type, the power relationship was equal, the distance was small, and the degree of imposition was small (PDR-low). In the other situation type, the listener had greater power, the distance was large, and the degree of imposition was also large (PDR-high). The participants� production was analyzed for overall appropriateness (rated on a 6-point scale), planning time, and speech rate. Results showed that L2 learners produced PDR-low speech acts significantly more easily and quickly, but little difference was observed in native speakers� production. There was a significant proficiency effect on appropriateness ratings and speech rate, but not on planning time. Post hoc analyses showed that each group demonstrated different patterns in the choice of linguistic expressions over the two situation types, indicating the noteworthy impact of situational variation on oral speech act production.
Management choice and adherence to follow-up after colposcopy in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine women’s preference when given a choice of management between cryotherapy and cytology surveillance and to compare subsequent adherence to serial cytologic follow-up after being diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1). METHODS: Two hundred nineteen low-income women with biopsy-proven CIN1 seen in a reproductive health clinic from August 1995 through December 1999 were offered cryotherapy or cytology surveillance, followed by cytologic testing every 4 months until three consecutive results were normal. Endpoints of the study were: successful completion of follow-up; transferred or referred out of clinic; or lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Ninety-four women (42.9%) chose cryotherapy, compared with 125 women (57.1%) who chose cytology surveillance (P CONCLUSION: Successful completion of a commonly recommended protocol for serial cytology follow-up was low. Management choice affected initial adherence but not adherence to long-term follow-up.
Insoluble immune complexes and chronic periodontal diseases in man and the dog

Abstract The putative role of immune complexes in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontal disease was evaluated using immunofluoresence and elution procedures on human and dog tissues. The tissues contained large quantities of immunoglobulin (Ig), the bulk of which was IgG with less than 2 per cent IgM. Of the total Ig eluted from the tissues, more than 99 per cent was soluble under non-dissociating conditions, such as phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), indicating that it is present in a state other than insoluble immune complexes. Less than 0.2 per cent of the recoverable Ig was eluted under dissociating conditions such as acid pH conditions or chaotropic ion solutions. There was a positive correlation between the amount of PBS-elutable Ig and the severity of disease as measured by pocket depth (r = 0.64). Some of the Ig in both the PBS and in the acid citrate eluates reacted with Actinomyces viscosus and native double-stranded DNA. In the latter case, a specific enrichment of antibody activity was observed, although less than 0.01 per cent of the recoverable Ig was involved in the antibody reactions. Pocket depth did not correlate the levels of anti-A. viscosus antibody, or with the amount of anti-double stranded-DNA antibody in the acid citrate eluate, but a positive correlation existed between the pocket depth and the amount of anti-double stranded-DNA antibody in the PBS eluate. In additional experiments in which eluates were fluoresceinatcd and re-applied to diseased gingival tissue from the same and from other individuals, the frequency and intensity of binding was very low. Using gingival tissue from untreated dogs examined by immunofluorescence microscopy, deposits containing C3 and Ig were found with low frequency and in very small quantities. The frequency and quantities of fluorescent deposits were much smaller than those observed in other inflammatory diseases, such as lupus erythematosus, where immune complex mediated tissue damage is suspected. Our observations indicate that tissue-bound insoluble immune complexes may not be a determinative factor in the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease, but at present the role of soluble immune complexes cannot be evaluated.
Catalytic gasification of graphite by chromium and copper in oxygen, steam and hydrogen

Abstract Controlled atmosphere electron microscopy studies have demonstrated that both chromium and copper are extremely active catalysts for the graphite-oxygen reaction over the range 550–800°C. Under these conditions the active catalytic entities are probably Cr 2 O 3 and CuO, respectively. The behavior of chromium is quite unique, not fitting into the well established patterns, i.e. pitting or channeling. Instead, particles remain motionless throughout the oxidation sequence and the action is seen as an acceleration of edge recession all over the specimen. In contrast, copper exhibited conventional channeling activity, which diminished at higher temperatures (>700° C ) due to the wetting and spreading of active particles along graphite edges. Such edges underwent rapid recession following this phenomenon. Neither metal showed any tendency to catalyze gasification of graphite in the presence of steam. Copper was found to be an active catalyst for graphite hydrogenation at temperatures in excess of 800°C, but chromium remained inactive.
Incorporating risk into the analysis of production

This paper evaluates alternative strategies for incorporating risk into the analysis of production and argues that accounting for the effects on production of financial structure and endogenous risk, motivated by the objective of value maximization, is essential to recovering firms' technologies, measuring their efficiencies, and detecting such risk-related phenomena as the effects of better diversification on scale economies and the agency costs of different mixes of debt and equity. This paper also demonstrates how the Most Preferred Production System of Hughes et al. [1996] incorporates endogenous risk and the firm's financial structure and, in doing so, is able to control for differences in risk among banks in measuring their profit efficiency and to uncover scale economies in U.S. commercial banking that elude studies based on standard cost and profit functions.
EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATION OF OVERALL HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT IN JACKETED VESSELS

Abstract A method is proposed for the determination of overall heat transfer coefficients in jacketed vessels from experimental data. The technique consists in running a test in which the temperature inside the vessel is varied as a result of a temperature change in the jacket. The time-temperature response is then applied to the pertinent mathematical model to compute the sought coefficient. The principles developed in this work can be extended to vessels equipped with internal coils.
Effect of bifidogenic factors on growth characteristics of bifidobacteria in infant formulas.

A bifidogenic factor, lactulose or fructooligosaccharides, was added (0.5%) into infant formula based on soy or infant formula with hydrolyzed casein. The infant formulas were then inoculated (2.5%) with Bifidobacterium bifidum (ATCC 15696), Bifidobacterium breve (ATCC 15700), Bifidobacterium infantis (ATCC 15697), or Bifidobacterium longum (ATCC 15708) or their mixture (mixed culture) and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Lactulose did not influence maximal counts or generation times in either formula for any species except B. infantis, which had lower counts. Trends of developed acidity and pH of the mixed culture in the infant formulas with or without lactulose were similar to those for B. breve. Maximal counts and generation times remained unchanged with or without fructooligosaccharides for all species and the mixed culture, except for B. bifidum in the formula based on soy, for which maximal counts did not occur. Growth in either formula was inhibited for B. infantis with lactulose and B. breve with fructooligosaccharides past 8 h of inoculation.
On estimating the total number of genes of a given kind in the genome and similar problems

From a collection of objects identified by a common characteristic such as mutations of a given phenotype or DNA sequences with a given property, it is possible to estimate the total number of classes these objects may belong to from the number of such classes represented in the sample. An estimation procedure is presented here complementing earlier work by Lewontin and Prout (1956). The precision and bias of the astimate can also be calculated.
DEP Domains: More Than Just Membrane Anchors

The DEP domain is present in a number of signaling molecules, including Regulator of G protein Signaling (RGS) proteins, and has been implicated in membrane targeting. New findings in yeast, however, demonstrate a major role for a DEP domain in mediating the interaction of an RGS protein to the C-terminal tail of a GPCR, thus placing RGS in close proximity with its substrate G protein α subunit.