cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Effective is Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy (NET) in Downstaging the Axilla and Achieving Breast-Conserving Surgery?

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) is effective in downstaging large hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancers and increasing rates of breast-conserving surgery (BCS), but data regarding nodal pathologic complete response (pCR) are sparse. We reported nodal and breast downstaging rates with NET, and compared axillary response rates following NET and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Consecutive stage I–III breast cancer patients treated with NET and surgery from January 2009 to December 2019 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Nodal pCR rates were compared between biopsy-proven node-positive patients treated with NET, and HR+/HER2- patients treated with NAC from November 2013 to July 2019. 127 cancers treated with NET and 338 with NAC were included. NET recipients were older, more likely to have lobular and lower-grade tumors, and higher HR expression. With NET, the nodal pCR rate was 11% (4/38) of biopsy-proven cases, and the breast pCR rate was 1.6% (2/126). Nodal-dowstaging rates with NET and NAC were not significantly different (11% vs 18%; P = 0.37). Patients achieving nodal pCR with NET versus NAC were older (median age 70 vs 50, P = 0.004) and had greater progesterone receptor (PR) expression (85% vs 13%, P = 0.031), respectively. Of patients not candidates for BCS due to a large tumor relative to breast size, 36/47 (77%) became BCS-eligible with NET (median PR expression 55% vs 5% in those remaining ineligible, P < 0.05). Although nodal pCR is more frequent than breast pCR, NET is more likely to de-escalate breast surgery than axillary surgery. However, with a nodal pCR rate of 11%, NET remains an option for downstaging node-positive patients without clear indications for NAC.
Guidelines for Revitalizing International Organizations for the Post-Covid-19 Era

Caruso, R 2020 "What Post COVID-19? ‹‹Avoiding a 21st Century General Crisis›› "Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy 26 (2) May 2020 provides a prescription for avoiding a general global crisis in the Post-Covid-19 era via the revitalization of Post-WWII era international organizations Here we examine the implications of contributions from the game theory and the trade and conflict realms of the peace science literature to assess the likelihood of successful revitalization of the relevant organizations Unfortunately, we are more pessimistic than optimistic since the contributions of peace science suggest that countries are more likely to fail to implement the guidelines needed to revitalize these organizations © 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Finding PRRSV in sow herds: Family oral fluids vs. serum samples from due-to-wean pigs

The aim of this study was to compare the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in due-to-wean litters in commercial swine breeding herds using family oral fluids (FOF) vs. individual piglet serum samples. FOF and piglet serum samples were collected in 199 due-to-wean litters on six farms containing 2177 piglets. All samples were individually tested for PRRSV RNA by RT-rtPCR. A litter was considered PRRSV-positive when PRRSV RNA was detected in ≥ 1 piglet serum sample or the FOF sample. Mixed effect logistic regression with farm as a random effect was used 1) to evaluate the probability of obtaining a PRRSV RNA positive FOF as a function of the proportion of viremic piglets in a litter and 2) the effect of litter size and parity on the probability that a litter would test PRRSV RNA positive in FOF. A Bayesian prevalence estimation under misclassification (BayesPEM) analysis was used to calculate the PRRSV prevalence and 95 % credible interval given the condition that all samples (FOF and serum) tested negative. In total, 34 of 199 litters (17.1 %) contained ≥ 1 viremic piglet(s), and 28 of 199 litters (14.1 %) were FOF positive. When all piglet serum samples within a litter tested negative, 1 of 165 FOF (0.6 %) tested PRRSV RNA positive. The probability of a PCR-positive FOF sample from litters with 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, and 50 % within-litter PRRSV prevalence was 3.5 %, 35.1 %, 88.8 %, 99.2 %, and >99.9 %, respectively. The odds of a PCR-positive FOF in a first parity litter were 3.36 times (95 % CI: 2.10-5.38) that of a parity ≥ 2 litter. The odds of a positive FOF result in a litter with ≤ 11 piglets were 9.90 times (95 % CI: 4.62-21.22) that of a litter with > 11 piglets. FOF was shown to be an efficacious sample type for PRRSV detection in farrowing rooms. A risk-based approach for litter selection combined with FOF collection can be used to improve on-farm PRRSV detection with a limited sample size, compared to sampling multiple individual pigs. Finally, the BayesPEM analysis showed that PRRSV may still be present in breeding herds when all samples (serum and FOF) test PRRSV RNA negative, i.e., negative surveillance results should be interpreted with caution.
Moving Toward Critical Consciousness and Anti-Oppressive Practice Approaches With People at Risk of Sex Trafficking: Perspectives From Social Service Providers:

Whether and how social service providers use practice strategies that address racism is critically understudied, particularly with people who are at risk of sex trafficking. The purpose of this art...
Ty Gwyn: Documenting the Design of a Special School in Wales

This design case describes the design process used for the development of new special school facilities for children with severe disabilities in Wales, United Kingdom. The lived experience is described from the interior design practitioner perspective. The background to the design of the school is outlined, and the design process and design changes that were made during the build process are detailed. The main features discussed are the toilet areas, hoist lifting system, the wayfinding and signage system, the hydrotherapy pool, and the wheelchair storage areas. Working relationships with key stakeholders involved in the design process are documented, including the Head Teacher, the staff, students, health professionals, service providers, and suppliers. During the build process, additional examples are provided of positive working arrangements between the project manager and the contractor to resolve design issues. The design case concludes by suggesting that, in this particular case, constant dialogue between all parties involved was a key component of this successful design outcome, in addition to obtaining design input from a variety of sources and flexibility to overcome issues on site.
Lower-Dose Mepivacaine Plus Fentanyl May Improve Spinal Anesthesia for Knee Arthroscopy

Background Previous work indicates that 30 mg isobaric mepivacaine 1.5% plus 10 μg fentanyl produces reliable anesthesia for knee arthroscopy with a more rapid recovery profile than 45 mg mepivacaine.
A Qualitative Study of Business Ethics: A Sociologist Walks into a Business School

This chapter discusses why this is an opportune time to examine the dominant and alternative discourses in business ethics and business culture and how engaging a variety of cultural perspectives is an essential component of any ongoing evaluation of theory. It also discusses the theoretical basis of the analysis and summarizes the findings of the study.
Biology and anthropology of plant invasions

Invasive plants have significant effects on humans and cause economic, environmental, aesthetic and biological harm to biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human welfare. The appearance of invasive plants in terrestrial and aquatic landscapes is associated with perturbations caused by human population growth and activity. Herein is posed a conjecture that a successful plant invasion is the consequence of the presence of a species possessing life history traits suitable to exploit opportunities available at a locality. Given these two conditions, a successful invader must disperse into, colonize and occupy that locality for some period of time. The last requirement is that humans must perceive some invasions as a problem. Without all these events occurring, a plant is not considered invasive. Perception of a plant as invasive is a complex, often subjective process. Inspection of public policy and reflection on human value systems provides a more systematic method of understanding how human activity creates selection pressure and opportunities for invaders. The human role in creating these opportunities includes the impact of human population size and growth, dispersal of invasive species propagules in global trade, direct and indirect disturbance by human activity, human values and culture, and the organization of the scientific academy in researching invasion biology. Utilization and exploitation of the highly adapted traits for invasion may provide a benefit to humans, as well as provide impetus to preserve valuable germplasm resources from changes in agroecosystems with the introduction of new biotechnologies.
Variations in the circle of Willis in Macaca mulatta.

The circle of Willis was dissected in 75 Macaca mulatta monkeys, and the anatomy is described and compared with several series of human specimens. The principal difference between monkey and man is the presence of a single distal anterior cerebral artery in the former, and the most common anomaly in the moneky is an anterior communicating artery proximal to the junction of the anterior cerebral arteries. A large vessel joining the internal carotid arteries and an accessory branch of the anterior cerebral artery, probably communicating with the external carotid circulation, were found in a small number of our specimens. In man the posterior communicating is significantly reduced in diameter far more frequently than the anterior communicating artery, whereas the reverse situation obtains in the monkey. In general, the intracranial distribution of blood in the moneky is the same as in man, because the similarities in the normal anatomy and variations i the circle of Willis outweight their differences. However, physiological data on collateral cerebral circulation will be more meaningful when it is based on the arterial anatomy in each preparation.
Mechanism Studies of Suppressor-Gene Action

Brody, Stuart (Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.), and Charles Yanofsky. Mechanism studies of suppressor-gene action. J. Bacteriol. 90:687–695. 1965.—Mutations which change the primary structure of the A protein of the tryptophan synthetase of Escherichia coli can be reversed by allele-specific suppressor mutations. Normally, the suppressors of a particular A mutant lead to the appearance of small amounts of a wild-type-like A protein (su-A protein), in addition to the cross-reacting material antigenically similar to the normal A protein (CRM-A protein). In some cases, the particular ratio of su-A protein to CRM-A protein, indicative of a given suppressor gene, was increased when that suppressor gene was transduced into a different strain, such as a K-12 Hfr stock of E. coli. In these cases, there was a general correlation between an increased ratio and a marked instability of the suppressor gene. However, stable suppressed stocks were isolated in the Hfr strain, which also produced a high proportion of su-A protein. The ratios of su-A protein to CRM-A protein remained relatively constant under conditions of tryptophan repression in three different suppressor stocks, suggesting that the formation of each of the su-A proteins does not involve the interaction of a CRM-A protein with any other cellular constituent. It would appear, then, that the changes in the primary structure of the A protein which lead to the formation of the su-A proteins are determined before or during, but not after, the synthesis of the polypeptide chain. The specificity of amino acid activation was investigated in strains bearing one of the suppressor genes. These studies failed to reveal any significant alteration in the amino acyl ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthetases or the transfer RNA molecules for arginine, glycine, histidine, and tyrosine.
Continuity and change in apalachee pottery manufacture

The artifact assemblage from French colonial Old Mobile includes pottery thought to have been made by Apalachee Indians who emigrated from the Apalachee Province of Spanish Florida following the destruction of their missions in 1704. The suspected Apalachee ceramics are characterized by complicated stamped designs and folded and pinched rims. Colono ware pitchers and brimmed vessels with foot ring bases also are thought to have been made by Apalachee emigres. Paste characterization and analyses of design, manufacturing technology, and vessel morphology of this pottery were compared with known local Mobile types and known Apalachee types from Mission San Luis de Talimali in Florida. The results document continuity and change in Apalachee pottery production and may help track the dispersal of the Apalachees and resolve the timing of the disappearance of Apalachee pottery traditions from the archaeological record.
Sub-ribosomal particles of cultured Chinese-hamster cells. Relationship between RNA and protein components.

Low-molecular-weight methylated RNAs exist in the cytoplasm of mechanically or chemically disrupted cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells as nucleoproteins sedimenting in the region of 10—30 S. A differential population of tRNA, representing about 4% tRNA of the cells, is also recovered from this region as is a differential population of aminoacyl synthetases The relationship of these RNA populations to each other and protein moieties of the 10—30-S sub-ribosomal region is the subject of this investigation. As regards preparation of the sub-ribosomal particles, it is found that maximal yield of 10—30-S material with retention of enzyme activity is achieved when cytoplasm is prepared using the non-ionic detergent nonidet P-40. The ratio of protein-to-RNA in this region, which contains 2% protein of the cells, is about 17:1. Concentration and resedimentation of fractions within the 10—30-S region resolve two peaks of approximetaly 18 S and 21 S comprised mainly of protein and a primarily nucleic acid peak of about 20 S which contains most of the tRNA. Low-molecular-weight methylated RNAs are recovered from the entire 18—20-S region with the exception of the largest species, which is preferentially recovered from the 21-S region. Isopycnic cesium chloride analysis of the 18—20-S region after formaldehyde fixation resolves most of the RNA from the majority of the protein. The particulate RNA bands at 1.32—1.38g/ml before and at >1.7g/ml after pronase treatment. Sedimentation values of the protein particles are unaffected by ribonuclease or by prolonged storage at-15 °C or 4 °C. However, tRNA is released as free tRNA as a function of time at 4 °C without concurrent degradation of the 18-S and 21-S protein particles and without release of low-molecular-weight methylated RNA. Thus, it appears that most of the particle tRNA is unassociated with the major sub-ribosomal protein particles or with the particles containing low-molecular-weight methylated RNA.
If You Are Poor, It is Better to be Rural: A Study of Mathematics Achievement in Tennessee

Part of a larger research project involving the study of mathematics achievement of middle and high school students in Tennessee, this report analyzes said achievement in terms of school locale and the percentage of disadvantaged (pdisadv) students enrolled in the school. Schools were designated as Rural, Large Central City, and Other Nonrural. Socioeconomic Status (SES) was determined by the percentage of students receiving federally subsidized free and reduced lunch. Schools were then placed into one of three economic categories: Low to moderate pdisadv (less than 50 percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch), High pdisadv (50-74.99 percent), or Highest (75 percent or greater). The findings involving SES and achievement were as expected, the higher the percentage of disadvantage, the lower the achievement. Interesting results involving locale as well as the intersection between locale and SES were also discovered. If a student is poor, the data suggests, it is better, in terms of mathematics achievement, to be rural. The possibility exists that close-knit, economically disadvantaged rural locales offer a sense of community not found in other economically disadvantaged locales which enables rural students to achieve at a higher level mathematically than their nonrural peers. With the advent of the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Appalachian Cooperative Center for Learning, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics (ACCLAIM), a more focused look at the intersection of mathematics and rural education has begun. Recent studies in the area of rural mathematics have shown that rural areas are not lagging behind nonrural schools in terms of mathematics. Winters (2003) found rural schools outscoring nonrural schools on three separate mathematics achievement measurement instruments (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), Gateway Algebra Test, and ACT) in Tennessee. Examining mathematics achievement in rural Ohio, researchers found that when accounting for the socioeconomic status (SES) of the schools, rural Appalachian districts’ mathematics achievement levels were at the same level as other nonrural districts in the state (Howley, Howley, & Hopkins, 2003). This article will disseminate the findings of a 2004 study with regards to mathematics achievement and school locale in the state of Tennessee (Hopkins, 2004).
ECONOMIC TRANSITION IN CHINA AND RUSSIA

Two of the most profound economic events of the past few decades were the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and the rapid emergence of the market economy in China. The paths of economic transitions in the two communist countries have been distinct. China’s transition away from state socialism is generally considered a success while Russia’s is not. Why did China have a better transition away from a communist economy than Russia? This study compares and contrasts the evolution of the Chinese and Russian economic reforms over the past few decades. It examines many differences and a few points of similarity. Differences include initial conditions and political leadership as well as external economic environments. Nevertheless, despite Russia’s ongoing economic difficulties, both countries have made substantial progresses in their moves from communism to capitalism. The two countries are currently converging on a similar economic model of state-led development.
Commercial and Industrial Demand Response Under Mandatory Time-of-Use Electricity Pricing†

This paper is the first to evaluate the impact of a large-scale field deployment of mandatory time-of-use (TOU) pricing on the energy use of commercial and industrial firms. The regulation imposes higher prices during hours when electricity is generally more expensive to produce. We exploit a natural experiment that arises from the rules governing the program to present evidence that TOU pricing induced negligible change in overall usage, peak usage and peak load. As such, economic efficiency was not increased. Bill levels and volatility exhibit minor shifts, suggesting that concerns about increased expenditure and customer risk exposure have been overstated.
Effect of water pollutants and other chemicals upon the activity of lipase in vitro.

Lipase preparations were treatedin vitro with 100 chemicals of various classes, many of which are environmental pollutants, to determine their effect upon enzyme activity. The greatest inhibition was caused by mercuric ion and certain heavy metal cations; almost as inhibiting were pentachlorophenol, dicofol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, and DDT. Less inhibition was found with other inorganic salts, organo-metals, other organic chemicals, and some pesticides. Apart from dichromate ion, the anions studied had a low to negligible effect on lipase. A mixture of 10 inorganic salts had an approximately cumulative inhibitory effect on enzyme activity. None of the chemicals studied caused a measurable activation of the enzyme.
Some Implications of Value Differentiation In Pharmacy

L'analyse des confets de ro1es du professionnel et de l'homme d'affaires est faite du point de vue des valeurs auxquelles souscrivent les pharmaciens. La valorisation que les pharmaciens font de leur occupation influence la satisfaction qu'ils en derivent et le reerutment du personnel. L'interet suscite chez les pharmaciens par des questions politiques et ideologiques ayant trait a la profession represente un substitut institutionnel aux valeurs d'ordre professional. L'auteur suggere d'autres utilisations possibles du modele analytique qu'il a developpe.
Between Powhatan and Quirank: Reconstructing Monacan Culture and History in the Context of Jamestown

One of the more enigmatic events in the history of European colonization in the New World is the generally tolerant reception the Jamestown colonists received in 1607 from Powhatan, the paramount chief of the Powhatan people of Tidewater Virginia. Understanding that event requires an anthropological study of the complex sociopolitical relations between the coastal Powhatan and the less-well-known interior cultures of the native world. This article is primarily concerned with describing one such interior culture, the Monacan, a people who ethnohistoric texts suggest were less complex than, and a principal enemy of, the Powhatan. Analysis of those texts, and insights derived from archeology, provide a picture of the Monacan that leads to a different perspective on the context of the Jamestown settlement, and on relations of power between indigenous cultures in the precontact world.
Doping and defect control of ferromagnetic semiconductors formed by ion implantation and pulsed-laser melting

Abstract We demonstrate a simple but effective route for the synthesis of ferromagnetic semiconductors that combines Mn ion implantation (II) and pulsed-laser melting (PLM). By this process Ga1−xMnxAs films exhibiting a ferromagnetic Curie temperature (TC) exceeding 130 K have been synthesized. These materials possess electrical and magnetic characteristics similar to molecular beam epitaxy-grown (MBE-grown) films that are tunable through experimental parameters such as implantation dose, laser energy fluence, and co-doping with Te donors. We have also used II–PLM to form ferromagnetic single-crystalline Ga1−xMnxP films. These films display magnetic properties similar to their arsenide counterparts despite remaining non-metallic and becoming strongly insulating at low temperatures. Unlike as-grown MBE films, both Ga1−xMnxP and Ga1−xMnxAs formed by II–PLM do not contain Mn at interstitial sites; instead, non-substitutional Mn atoms are found to be randomly located, perhaps as clusters. As a result, post-PLM thermal annealing at temperatures higher than 300 °C leads to a decrease in TC as Mn atoms leave substitutional sites.
Timely Autonomic Adaptation of Publish/Subscribe Middleware in Dynamic Environments

Quality-of-service enabled publish/subscribe (pub/sub) middleware provides powerful support for scalable data dissemination. It is difficult to maintain key quality of service properties (such as reliability and latency) in dynamic environments for distributed real-time and embedded systems (such as disaster relief operations or power grids). Managing quality of service manually is often not feasible in dynamic environments due to slow response times, the complexity of managing multiple interrelated quality of service settings, and the scale of the systems being managed. For certain domains, distributed real-time and embedded systems must be able to reflect on the conditions of their environment and adapt accordingly in a bounded amount of time. This paper describes an architecture of quality of service-enabled middleware and corresponding algorithms to support specified quality of service in dynamic environments.
Beyond Rational Choice: The Social Dynamics of How People Seek Help

A classic problem common to sociology and other social sciences revolves around how people make decisions. Some recent approaches start with and revise an individually focused, rational action framework. While this orientation to building transdisciplinary, multilevel models provides many insights, it fails to capture essential features of social life. The social organization strategy (SOS) framework presented in this article offers a complementary approach to social action in general and decision making in particular. This orientation, a network and event-centered counterpart to rational choice, rests on fundamental principles that distinguish the discipline of sociology: social interaction is the basis of social life, and social networks provide the mechanism (interaction) through which individuals learn about, come to understand, and attempt to handle difficulties. This approach shifts the from individual "choice" to socially constructed patterns of decisions, including consultation with others. Utiliz...
Immunolocalization of low-affinity prostaglandin E2 receptors, EP1 and EP2, in adult human epidermis

Four prostaglandin (PG)E2 receptors have been described, termed E-series prostaglandin receptors (EP1–EP4), that can be further subclassified as low-affinity (EP1 and EP2) or high-affinity (EP3 and EP4) receptors. Activation of the low-affinity PGE2 receptors is likely to be important in mediating the actions of the high levels of PGE2 found in various pathologic processes. The pattern of expression of these receptors in epidermis, however, is unknown. We therefore examined the immunolocalization of the EP1 and EP2 receptors in human epidermis. The EP1 and EP2 receptors demonstrated both plasma membrane and perinuclear or nuclear staining within the basal and spinous layers. Within the granular layer, both receptors were expressed in the cytoplasm with a grainy or granular appearance. The major differences were that the EP2 receptor demonstrated a zone of decreased to absent plasma membrane staining in the superficial spinous layer and only scattered cellular staining within the granular layer. In contrast, the EP1 receptor was prominently expressed throughout the stratum granulosum and the plasma membrane staining pattern was seen throughout the spinous layer. In cultured primary human keratinocytes, we also verified the presence of functional EP1 receptor coupled to intracellular calcium mobilization and EP2 receptor coupled to cAMP production.
Dynamic range and intensity discrimination with high-rate pulse-train carriers: predictions from a stochastic model and comparison with performance for noise-modulated pulse-train stimuli

Abstract This work investigates the properties of the neural response to a low frequency sinusoidal signal with a high-rate pulse-train carrier using a stochastic auditory nerve model. The agreement between the theoretical predictions, model simulations, and psychophysical data is demonstrated. Theoretical prediction of threshold (THL) and the most uncomfortable level (UCl), thus dynamic range, is considered as a function of various stimulus parameters, including carrier rate. Performance of dynamic range and intensity discrimination are compared for sinusoidal amplitude-modulated stimuli with high-rate pulse-train carriers and noise-modulated pulse-train stimuli.
Hamiltonian theory of the composite-fermion Wigner crystal

Experimental results indicating the existence of the high-magnetic-field Wigner crystal have been available for a number of years. While variational wave functions have demonstrated the instability of the Laughlin liquid to a Wigner crystal at sufficiently small filling, calculations of the excitation gaps have been hampered by the strong correlations. Recently a new Hamiltonian formulation of the fractional quantum-Hall problem has been developed. In this work we extend the Hamiltonian approach to include states of nonuniform density, and use it to compute the transport gaps of the Wigner crystal states. We find that the Wigner crystal states near $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/5$ are quantitatively well described as crystals of composite fermions with four vortices attached. Predictions for gaps and the shear modulus of the crystal are presented, and found to be in reasonable agreement with experiments.
An Update on Transformational Learning

Andragogy and self-directed learning continue to be important to our present-day understanding of adult learning.
Approximations of Selected Standard English Sentences by Speakers of Black English

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in six selected linguistic features as a function of age among children from the North Texas area who utilized features of black English in ...
Capital Investment and Operational Decision Making in the Offshore Drilling Industry

Drilling contractors new build or idle rigs based on market conditions and business strategies. In theory, contractors invest in new building when the expected net present value of adding a rig to the fleet is positive, and idle capacity when the costs of operation are expected to exceed the costs of idling. We developed models of capacity decision making in the offshore contract drilling industry and found that high combinations of day rates and utilization are required to justify new build investment and that idling capacity may be preferred even if daily operating costs exceed daily revenue.
Brain retractor systems.

Abstract Objective: Reviews of the brain retractor evolution are described. Instrument characteristics as well as the physiopathological and histopathological damage of the brain are induced by brain retraction. Materials and methods: The literature related to the brain retractor was reviewed. Journals, books, personal testimony, government patents, and electronic media databases were analysed. Results: The brain retractor started as a hand-held flat ribbon manufactured on copper and stainless steel. This shape evolved into a shovel. Several shapes acquired from the early period were from a tappered, spoon shape covered by silicone. The posterior evolution was the development of the articulate arm, fixed to the skull or to the self-retaining subcutaneous retractor, or attached to a frame or to a stereotactic instrument. The pressure monitor was the most important safety addition. Conclusion: In conclusion, a better monitor system needs to be developed to avoid brain injury.
The relationship between certain personality factors and measures of cortical arousal

Abstract Sixty-three undergraduate students were tested on 35 objective personality tests, carefully selected to mark four well-known personality dimensions, two of which have been hypothesized earlier to relate to individual differences in habitual cortical activation. Each student (S) took a special EEG examination. The personality scores were factor analyzed and estimated factor loadings of both resting and non-resting EEG measures (per-cent-time alpha, alpha frequency, alpha amplitude, length of continuous alpha phases) were determined for these factors. Two of the four personality factors (U.I. (T) 16: Assertiveness; U.I. (T) 22: Cortical Alertness) yielded consistent EEG correlations. The former chiefly related to frontal arousal, the latter to occipital. Both this and a first factoring of EEG measures per se are interpreted as contradictory to a unifactorial concept of psycho-physiological activation. Differences between resting and non-resting EEG measures in terms of personality factor correlations were interpreted with reference to Gastaut's three EEG syndromes.
Dynamics of nonlinear oscillators with fluctuating parameters

Abstract We derive the (integro-differential) master equation of an oscillator in a thermal environment which is driven by a non-linear randomly varying force. The thermal noise is assumed to be δ-correlated gaussian noise and the parameter fluctuations are assumed to be multiplicative white Poisson noise. For the case of a large viscosity we derive a generalized Smoluchowski equation and sketch the modification of Kramers' reaction rate. The rate is shown to contain a temperature-independent “tunneling” contribution.
TARGETED MUTATION OF THE MOUSE CRH GENE IN EMBRYONIC STEM (ES) CELLS

Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) is known to be a major regulator of the HPA axis, but its role in relation to other modulators of ACTH secretion, i.e. vasopressin and catecholamines, is unclear. CRH has also been found in the cerebral cortex and immune system, where its functions are poorly understood. To address these questions, and also to analyze the role of CRH in development of the HPA axis we are constructing a mammalian model of CRH deficiency. We have cloned and sequenced the mouse CRH gene, and mapped its location in the mouse genome to the proximal region of chromosome 3 by interspecific mouse backcrosses. No known mutations near this region have a phenotype suggestive of CRH deficiency. We have constructed a vector which replaces the entire coding region of the CRH gene with the neoR gene and has the herpes thymidine kinase gene flanking CRH sequences. This vector was linearized and electroporated into 6×107 ES cells, which subsequently underwent selection with G418 and gancyclovir. 250 doubly resistant clones were obtained, and 2 targeted mutations with disrupted CRH genes were obtained from 87 screened. These targeted clones will be injected into blastocysts to obtain chimeric animals, which will then be bred to obtain animals hetero- and homozygous for CRH deficiency.
THE ISOLATION OF RETINAL OUTER SEGMENT FRAGMENTS

Bovine retinal outer segment fragments were isolated by density gradient centrifugation in a high centrifugal field. Assays of the final preparation for enzymes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain indicated mitochondrial contamination not in excess of 1 per cent. Glucose-6-phosphatase and TPNH-cytochrome c reductase activities, presumably diagnostic for microsomes, were also absent. Electron micrographs did not disclose the presence of significant numbers of particles other than fragments of the outer segment discs. The red fragments were characterized by an ascorbate-oxidizing system and a high lipid content.
Influence of Variations in Liquid-Crystalline Content upon the Self-Assembly Behavior of Siloxane-Based Block Copolymers

A series of well-defined smectic side chain liquid-crystalline (LC) block copolymers with a low glass transition (Tg) siloxane block has been synthesized viaanionic polymerization; these systems consist of a glassy polystyrene block and a unique low glass transition temperature LC block based on poly(vinylmethylsiloxane) to which six different LCs have been synthesized and attached. The synthesis techniques used provide systematic control over covalent LC side chain content, allowing for a range of morphologies to be obtained from a single block copolymer backbone during a one-step LC attachment reaction. Variations in the LC structure and content significantly affect the morphology of the LC mesophase, allowing the smectic-to-isotropic transition temperature to be tuned from room temperature up to 150 °C. There are two key driving forces in the self-assembly behavior of these materials that are significantly affected by the LC content. The first is the segmental interaction parameter (χ) between the blocks, which is a function of the amount of LC attached to the siloxane block. The attachment percent of the LCs to the siloxane block determines the packing density, which affects the stability of the LC mesophase and its interactions with the inter-material dividing surface. The self-assembled morphologies are characterized as a function of LC content and the mechanisms for the observed behavior are detailed. Additional insights into the interactions between the LC and block copolymer mesophases are gained by investigating the morphologies in response to mechanical deformation. The elastic modulus of this system can be tailored over several orders of magnitude by controlling the LC content, and the thermo-mechanical behavior is also highly dependent. The ability to precisely control the degree of LC functionalization enables the custom design and tailoring of material properties for specific applications such as electro-mechanical, damping, and mechano-optical devices.
On the MacMahon cube law for election results

This note was prompted by remarks of Stanton (1980) which suggest a procedure MacMahon may have used in arriving at the cube law for election results. We begin by briefly reviewing the law and the mystery surrounding its original motivation. We end by assessing Stanton's contribution to the solution of the mystery and pointing out alternative laws.
Vertical concentration profiles of lead in the Central Pacific at 15°N and 20°S

Concentrations of lead were measured in a surface transect and at two vertical profile stations (15°N and 20°S) in the Central Pacific. These measurements complement similar measurements made earlier in the North Pacific at 33°N and in the Northwest Atlantic at 34°N, as well as recent measurements of eolian lead input fluxes near each of these locations. The new transect of surface water concentrations of lead corroborates previous measurements, which decrease from 13 ng/kg at 30°N to 4 ng/kg at 17°S in the Central Pacific. This transect gradient is shown to overlie a similar geographic gradient of subsurface maximum concentrations of lead in the three Pacific vertical profile stations, decreasing from 14 ng/kg at 33°N to 11 ng/kg at 14°N to 2.5 ng/kg at 20°S. Lead concentrations at each of those locations exhibit maxima at 400 m, decreasing concentrations to 2500 m and approximately concentrations of 0.8–1.1 ng/kg below that depth. The subsurface maximum at the northwest Atlantic profile station (36 ng/kg at 34°N) is also congruent with surface water lead concentrations which decrease from 806 ng/kg to 32 ng/kg in an offshore transect from Rhode Island to 34°N, 66°W, and the shape of the Atlantic profile is congruent with those in the Pacific. There is a positive correlation between the magnitudes of eolian lead input fluxes and the magnitudes of the upper water maxima in lead concentration profiles at corresponding locations as follows: South Pacific easterlies 3 ng/cm^2 yr vs. 2.5 ng/kg; North Pacific easterlies 6 ng/cm^2 yr vs. 11 ng/kg; North Pacific westerlies 50 ng/cm^2 yr vs. 14 ng/kg; and North Atlantic westerlies 170 ng/cm^2 yr vs. 36 ng/kg. This relationship enables one to view the anthropogenic perturbations of the marine lead cycle on a global scale, since the industrial origin of eolian and seawater lead has been established by correlations between geographic patterns of industrial lead emissions to the atmosphere and isotopic ratios of industrial leads and by geographic patterns of Pb/silicate-dust ratios and lead isotopic ratios in ocean surface waters. These new data coupled with earlier biogeochemical data indicate that surface water concentrations of lead in the North Pacific and North Atlantic are now conservatively estimated to be 8 to 20-fold greater and those in the South Pacific are 2-fold greater than natural concentrations because of industrial emissions of lead to the atmosphere.
Dynamical processes related to the atomic oxygen equinox transition

Abstract Both ground based and satellite observations have shown a “springtime transition” in the night-time OI 557.7 nm airglow emission and O2 atmospheric band emission characterized by a relatively persistent period of very low emission rates around spring equinox at mid and high latitudes, indicating depletion of the peak atomic oxygen between 95 and 100 km . The salient feature of this depletion is reproduced by the NCAR thermosphere–ionosphere–mesosphere-electrodynamics general circulation model simulation. Analysis of the simulation results shows that the mean circulation in the upper mesosphere/mesopause and lower thermosphere is altered significantly by changes in gravity wave filtering and gravity wave forcing around equinox. The change first starts in form of a distinctive circulation cell in the summer lower thermosphere when the westward jet in the summer stratosphere and mesosphere begins to reverse. The circulation cell then becomes deeper and expands to lower altitudes and to the other hemisphere. This circulation can span a large vertical depth and drives an exchange of mass and chemical species between the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The variation of the peak atomic oxygen concentration around equinox is caused by this exchange, and the vertical transport of atomic oxygen dominates the diffusive transport in this process. Additional variability of the atomic oxygen and corresponding airglow emissions may result from the variability of gravity wave sources, planetary waves and transience of their amplitudes and phases, and circulation change due to late and final stratospheric sudden warming.
NiPt salicide process improvement for 28nm CMOS with Pt(10%) additive

This study successfully demonstrates 50-80% NiSi defect reduction and P-FET 3% leakage improvement using Pt(10at.%) additive for 28nm node silicide process. Additionally, this study also discovers that lower thermal budget is required for getting same thick NiSi and better NiSi Rs distribution with higher concentration of Pt additive.
Motility efficiency and spatiotemporal synchronization in non-metastatic vs. metastatic breast cancer cells

Metastatic breast cancer cells move not only more rapidly and persistently than their non-metastatic variants but in doing so use the mechanical work of the cytoskeleton more efficiently. The efficiency of the cell motions is defined for entire cells (rather than parts of the cell membrane) and is related to the work expended in forming membrane protrusions and retractions. This work, in turn, is estimated by integrating the protruded and retracted areas along the entire cell perimeter and is standardized with respect to the net translocation of the cell. A combination of cross-correlation, Granger causality, and morphodynamic profiling analyses is then used to relate the efficiency to the cell membrane dynamics. In metastatic cells, the protrusions and retractions are highly “synchronized” both in space and in time and these cells move efficiently. In contrast, protrusions and retractions formed by non-metastatic cells are not “synchronized” corresponding to low motility efficiencies. Our work provides a link between the kinematics of cell motions and their energetics. It also suggests that spatiotemporal synchronization might be one of the hallmarks of invasiveness of cancerous cells.
A reply to the comments by Tollin on Franck's theory of the primary steps in photosynthesis

Abstract Tollin's calculations which seem to rule out the possibility that a two-step excitation of a chlorophyll a molecule can play a role in photosynthesis are based on certain premises which are different from those which we have applied when we introduced this hypothesis. Reasons why we prefer our calculations are discussed in this paper.
Type II secretion: a protein secretion system for all seasons

In Gram-negative bacteria, type II secretion (T2S) is one of five protein secretion systems that permit the export of proteins from within the bacterial cell to the extracellular milieu and/or into target host cells. An analysis of numerous sequenced genomes now reveals that T2S genes are common, but by no means universal, in Gram-negative bacteria. Recent functional studies indicate that T2S can promote the virulence of human, animal and plant pathogens, as well as the physiology of various environmental bacteria. Thus, it is an opportune time to highlight the new and different ways in which T2S serves bacterial function.
Nonequilibrium Modeling of Heat Transfer in a Gas-Saturated Powder Layer Subject to a Short-Pulsed Heat Source

Heat transfer in a gas-saturated powder layer subject to a short-pulsed volumetric heat source is modeled using a two-temperature model. The energy equations for the powder particles and gas in the powder layer are coupled by an interphase coupling coefficient. The effect of the heat source pulse width, particle diameter, and the heat source fluence on the powder and gas temperatures are investigated. The results show that the nonequilibrium is significant when the heat source pulse width is less than 1 µs, and therefore heat transfer during nanosecond laser–powder interaction should be modeled using a nonequilibrium model. For the case with long pulse width, on the other hand, the equilibrium model is valid.
Electrotonic junctions in cecropia moth ovaries.

Abstract The steady-state potential of the oocyte, resistance between the ooplasm and the medium, and electronic coupling between oocytes in adjacent follicles were examined in vitellogenic ovarioles of Hyalophora cecropia . The steady-state potential had a constant value of −40 mV throughout the 100-fold volume increase accompanying yolk deposition, while membrane resistance decreased gradually with increasing size. Resistance rose steeply with the onset of chorion deposition, but did not detectably change with either nurse cell collapse or termination of vitellogenesis. Nonrectified electrical coupling was found between oocytes in adjacent follicles, and fluorescein ions injected into the ooplasm moved readily from follicle to follicle. Large surface area and low membrane resistance made coupling difficult to detect electrically between more mature oocytes, but interfollicular fluorescein migration was found to persist until the end of vitellogenesis. Migration of fluorescein from the oocyte to the follicular epithelium could also be visualized and fingers of ooplasm that cross the vitelline envelope and terminate in dome-shaped attachments to the epithelial cells were implicated in this transfer. The termination of interfollicular coupling coincided with the termination of epithelial-oocyte coupling, and is proposed to result from thickening of the vitelline envelope and withdrawal of the ooplasmic processes.
TRANSMISSIBILITY OF TYPE B HEPATITIS IN A SPECIAL CARE NURSERY

The opportunity to investigate nurse-infant hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmissibility arose when a nurse in the special care nursery (SCN) developed acute Type B hepatitis. This nurse had close contact with all 31 neonates in the SCN during the month prior to the onset of her clinical hepatitis. Six months later sera were obtained from 24 of the 31 Infants and from 22 of their mothers. Sera were analyzed for HBeAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs. The nurse's serum and saliva were strongly positive for HBsAg; her serum antl-HBc = 1:32. Neither HBeAg nor anti-HBe was detectable in her serum. No infant or mother demonstrated evidence of HBV infection. These data show that a nurse caring for infants in a SCN did not transmit HBV to any of the neonates with whom she had direct contact despite the fact that she had acute icteric hepatitis, HBeAg in her serum and saliva, and ongoing viral replication. The fact that the nurse was HBeAg negative may have influenced the results.