cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of limb disability on lousiness of mice: V. Hierarchy disturbance on mutual grooming and reproductive capacities

Abstract Amputee mice subjected to the stressful conditions of a continually disturbed hierarchy developed excessive louse infestations. These infestations apparently were the result of a reduction in mutual grooming. In contrast, mutual grooming, among amputee mice in stable hierarchies maintained the louse infestation at an essentially nonexistent level. Additional evidence for the stressful conditions in the disturbed hierarchies was an eosinopenia among ♂ mice and an approximate 50% decrease in the percentage of pregnancies and relative lack of ovulatory activity in ♀ mice, as compared to that of mice in the stable hierarchies.
The Use and Interpretation of Logistic Regression in Higher Education Journals: 1988-1999.

This article examines the use and interpretation of logistic regression in three leading higher education research journals from 1988 to 1999. The journals were selected because of their emphasis on research, relevance to higher education issues, broad coverage of research topics, and reputable editorial policies. The term “logistic regression” encompasses logit modeling, probit modeling, and tobit modeling and the significance tests of their estimates. A total of 52 articles were identified as using logistic regression. Our review uncovered an increasingly sophisticated use of logistic regression for a wide range of topics. At the same time, there continues to be confusion over terminology. The sample sizes used did not always achieve a desired level of stability in the parameters estimated. Discussion of results in terms of delta-Ps and marginal probabilities was not always cautionary, according to definitions. The review is concluded with recommendations for journal editors and researchers in formulating appropriate editorial policies and practice for applying the versatile logistic regression technique and in communicating its results with readers of higher education research.
The Poetry of Persuasion: Early Literary Theory and Its Advice to Legal Writers

This article will address the possibility and necessity of aesthetic pleasure as a part of persuasive endeavors. It will do so through a review of early literary theorists’ statements about what poetry does artistically, and how it does it. It will seek insight from these theorists by extracting from their writings those precepts that seem most useful to the legal writer. This is a selective and non-comprehensive review of the work of a variety of early theorists. It would be impossible to extract from each writer every “helpful hint” he might provide. Moreover, in assembling a variety of suggestions and commands from writers over the centuries, this article does not presume to be mining new concepts in writing practice. The ideas are not necessarily unfamiliar ones, but come from early, perhaps original sources.The article also attempts to go from these past exhortations to some sort of present-day pertinence. How can the advice be employed in a legal writer’s practice? While the aphorisms of early theorists are invaluable, situating them in practical context may be helpful.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Optical, Magnetic and Thermal Properties of (NH4)2Mn[B2P3O11(OH)2]Cl †‡

(NH4)2MnII[B2P3O11(OH)2]Cl was synthesized as a crystalline colorless powder by reaction of MnCl2, (NH4)2HPO4, H3BO3, and H3PO4 under hydrothermal conditions at 180 °C. According to X-ray single-crystal investigations (NH4)2Mn[B2P3O11(OH)2]Cl crystallizes in a new structure type in the monoclinic space group P21/n (no. 14) [Z = 4, a = 905.24(3), b = 847.29(3), c = 1652.32(5) pm, β = 92.303(1)°, R1 = 0.025, wR2 = 0.063, 2227 data, 229 parameters]. The crystal structure comprises infinite layers of corner-sharing borate, hydroxo-borate phosphate, and hydroxo-phosphate tetrahedra with Mn2+, NH4+, and Cl– ions in-between. The loop-branched (lB) vierer-single layer reveals an open-branched (oB) vierer-single ring as a novel fundamental building unit (FBU) 2∞[B2P3Φ13] (Φ = O, OH). The Mn atom is coordinated slightly distorted octahedrally by five oxygen atoms from two different borophosphate layers and one chlorine atom. Amongst others the magnetic properties of the compound are presented confirming that the compound obeys Curie's law.
Energy efficiency as a resource in state portfolio standards: Lessons for more expansive policies

Abstract In this paper, state electricity portfolio standards in the U.S. are analyzed to examine how energy efficiency is being created as a particular kind of resource through this type of climate change governance. Such policies can incentivize energy efficiency by requiring or encouraging electricity providers to meet a certain percentage of their demand through energy efficiency measures. North Carolina’s portfolio standard is used as an in-depth case study to identify factors that are then compared across all 36 states that include energy efficiency as part of a portfolio requirement or goal. The main finding of this study is that state portfolio standards tend to emphasize demand-side energy efficiency, or energy efficiency on the customer’s side of the electricity meter, and only rarely incentivize a full range of both demand-side and supply-side efficiency changes. As a result, the amount of energy efficiency and climate change mitigation benefits that are likely to result from this type of portfolio standard policy tool are limited. From this analysis, lessons are drawn out for crafting stronger portfolio standards that incentivize a wider range of efficiency changes across electricity networks.
Enhanced MRI relaxivity of Gd3+-based contrast agents geometrically confined within porous nanoconstructs

Gadolinium chelates, which are currently approved for clinical MRI use, provide relaxivities well below their theoretical limit, and they also lack tissue specificity. Recently, the geometrical confinement of Gd3+-based contrast agents (CAs) within porous structures has been proposed as a novel, alternative strategy to improve relaxivity without chemical modification of the CA. Here, we have characterized and optimized the performance of MRI nanoconstructs obtained by loading [Gd(DTPA)(H2O)]2− (Magnevist®) into the pores of injectable mesoporous silicon particles. Nanoconstructs with three different pore sizes were studied, and at 60 MHz, they exhibited longitudinal relaxivities of ~24 m m−1 s−1 for 5–10 nm pores and ~10 m m−1 s−1 for 30 – 40 nm pores. No enhancement in relaxivity was observed for larger pores sizes. Using an outer-sphere compound, [GdTTHA]3−, and mathematical modeling, it was demonstrated that the relaxivity enhancement is due to the increase in rotational correlation times (CA adsorbed on the pore walls) and diffusion correlation times (reduced mobility of the water molecules), as the pore sizes decreases. It was also observed that extensive CA adsorption on the outer surface of the silicon particles negates the advantages offered by nanoscale confinement. Upon incubation with HeLa cells, the nanoconstructs did not demonstrate significant cytotoxicity for up to 3 days post incubation, at different particle/cell ratios. In addition, the nanoconstructs showed complete degradation after 24 h of continuous agitation in phosphate-buffered saline. These data support and confirm the hypothesis that the geometrical confinement of Gd3+-chelate compounds into porous structures offers MRI nanoconstructs with enhanced relaxivity (up to 6 times for [Gd(DTPA)(H2O)]2−, and 4 times for [GdTTHA]3−) and, potentially, improved stability, reduced toxicity and tissue specificity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Markov-Perfect Industry Dynamics: A Framework for Empirical Work

This paper provides a model of firm and industry dynamics that allows for entry, exit, and firm-specific uncertainty generating variability in the fortunes of firms. It focuses on the impact of uncertainty arising from investment in research and exploration. It analyzes the behavior of individual firms in an evolving market place and derives optimal policies, including exit. Then it adds an entry process and aggregates the optimal behavior of all firms, including potential entrants, into a rational expectations Markov-perfect industry equilibrium and proves ergodicity of the equilibrium process. Numerical examples illustrate the detailed characteristics of the stochastic process generating industry structures.
Robust iterative learning for high precision motion control through L 1 adaptive feedback

Abstract The diversity of precision motion control applications and their demanding design specifications pose a large array of control challenges. Hence, precision motion control design relies on a variety of advanced control strategies developed to cope with specific problems present in control theory. A popular feedforward control technique for repetitive systems is iterative learning control (ILC). While ILC can decrease tracking errors up to several orders of magnitude, the achievable performance is limited by dynamic uncertainty. We propose the combination of L 1 adaptive control ( L 1 AC) and linear ILC for precision motion control under parametric uncertainties. We rely on the adaptive loop to compensate for parametric uncertainties, and ensure that the plant uncertainty is sufficiently small so that an aggressive learning controller can be designed on the nominal system. We exploit the closed loop stability condition of L 1 AC to design simple, robust ILC update laws that reduce tracking errors to measurement noise for time varying references and uncertainties. We demonstrate in simulation that the combined control scheme maintains a highly predictable, monotonic system behavior; and achieves near perfect tracking within a few trials regardless of the uncertainty present.
Studies on the affinity chromatography of serum albumins from human and animal plasmas

Abstract 1. 1. Removal of albumin from plasma using Blue Sepharose as an affinity agent was studied using blood from rats, guinea pigs, baboons and humans with the following results. 2. 2. Relative affinities of albumin obtained from these species for the affinity matrix were human = baboon > guinea pig = rat . 3. 3. Human albumin was removed with the greatest percentage recovery. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the several plasma fractions obtained under different conditions indicated that albumin was, in all sera, the predominant component of the bound material. 4. 4. Recovery of albumin in the unbound fraction may result from incomplete binding to the matrix due to variations in sample preparation.
AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF AN EX-ANTE MODEL OF THE DETERMINATION OF STOCK RETURN VOLATILITY

The assumption that changing expected cash flows and discount factors affect a security's return is at the foundation of many financial models. This study examines empirically the hypothesis that expected stock return variability is a function of cash flow and discount rate uncertainty. Maximum likelihood estimation techniques and expectational data are employed. Strong, positive relationships are found, verifying the foundations of the ex-ante models with ex-ante data and providing a better understanding of security markets by explaining, in part, the causes of expected stock price variability.
Analytical Comparison of Constant Area, Adiabatic Tip, Standard Fins, and Heat Pipe Fins

The purpose of this study is to derive an expression for a constant area, adiabatic end condition, heat pipe fin efficiency. This will be used to compare the performance of a heat pipe fin with a standard fin
Liquid-liquid extraction and stripping of gold with microporous hollow fibers

Abstract Microporous hollow fibers have been used in the extraction of gold from aqueous solutions into an organic extractant and in the stripping of gold from the organic extractant into an aqueous stripping solution. The extraction process displayed little membrane resistance to mass transfer while the stripping process appeared to be dominated by membrane resistance. As a result, overall mass transfer coefficients for stripping were approximately an order of magnitude smaller than those found for extraction. The results support previous work suggesting that liquid-liquid extractions with microporous membranes will be more rapid when the membrane is wetted by the phase having the higher solubility for the solute being transferred.
cGMP-dependent cation channel of retinal rod outer segments

Light-modulated cytoplasmic cGMP simultaneously controls plasma membrane Na+ conductance in visual excitation and Ca2+ entry into rods by direct interaction with the cation channel1–3. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ in turn may set operating points and contribute to the dynamics of several enzymes that regulate cGMP levels in the dark4–6, recovery from excitation and receptor adaptation or down regulation7. Similar channels may couple electrical activity to internal nucleotide metabolism in other tissues. We here report the identification, partial purification and behaviour after reconstitution of a protein of relative molecular mass 39,000 (Mr 39K) present in both disk and plasma membranes from bovine rod outer segments that mediates these cGMP-dependent cation fluxes. Its cGMP agonist specificity, kinetic cooperativity, ionic selectivity, membrane density and other features closely match the properties of the visual cGMP-dependent conductance inferred from elec-trophysiological measurements1,2,8,9.
Residual Stress Measurement by Successive Extension of a Slot: The Crack Compliance Method

This article reviews the technical literature on the determination of a residual stress profile by successive extension of a slot and measurement of the resulting strains or displacements. This technique is known variously in the literature as the crack compliance method, the successive cracking method, the slotting method, and a fracture mechanics based approach. The article briefly summarizes the chronological development of this method and then, to facilitate more detailed review, defines the components that make up the method. The theory section of the article first considers forward method solutions including fracture mechanics, finite element, analytical, and body force methods. Then it examines inverse solutions, including incremental inverses and series expansions. Next, the article reviews all experimental applications of the crack compliance method. Aspects reviewed include the specimen geometry and material, the details of making the slot, the deformation measurement, and the theoretical solutions used to solve for stress. Finally, the article makes a brief qualitative comparison between crack compliance and other residual stress measurement methods. In many situations, the crack compliance method offers several advantages over other methods: improved resolution of residual stress variation with depth; the ability to measure both small and very large parts; measurement of stressmore » intensity factor caused by residual stress; measurement of crack closure stresses; increased sensitivity over other material removal methods; and the ability to measure non-crystalline materials. 77 refs.« less
User facilities for engineering support stations

Abstract Our work in developing a Technology Transfer Workstation for aiding technical bibliographic database searchers has resulted in the identification of several prototype “user facilities”. This notion of user facility has broader applicability for engineering support station use in general. We regard a user facility as a program which executes as a process separate from and possibly concurrent to the subject computer system being used and which functions as an interface between the user and that ultimate subject system. In this paper we describe several types of user facilities in general and describe a type which provides “executable documentation” in particular.
Complexity modeling: Identify instability early

Biological systems are innately complex, display nonlinear behavior, and respond to both disease and its treatment in similar complex ways. Complex systems display self-organization and predictive behavior along a range of possible states, often referred to as chaotic behavior, and can be both characterized and quantified in terms of this chaotic behavior, which defined strange attractors (ρ) and variability. In this context, disease can be characterized as a difference in a disease state ρ and a healthy ρ. Furthermore, effectiveness of treatment can be defined as a minimization problem to decrease the phase-state difference between disease and health ρ values, such that effective treatment is defined as the ability to restore the healthy ρ. Importantly, this approach will be effective without anything being known about the physiologic processes that define health or disease. The implication is that this approach is a powerful tool to define the determinants of instability as compared with normal variability, to answer why disease is not healthy, and to identify all potentially effective treatment options independent of known pharmacology and physiology.
The role of STAT, AP-1, E-box and TIEG motifs in the regulation of hepcidin by IL-6 and BMP-9: Lessons from human HAMP and murine Hamp1 and Hamp2 gene promoters

Hepcidin, the principal regulator of the iron metabolism, is up-regulated in response to inflammatory stimuli, bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and iron excess. There are two murine hepcidin genes: hepcidin-1 (Hamp1) and hepcidin-2 (Hamp2). Hamp1 gene responds to both IL-6 and BMPs while Hamp2 responds to neither. We replaced the putative functional regulatory motifs of the Hamp1 promoter with the corresponding putative "non-functional" Hamp2 motifs and vice versa in reporter constructs. Conversion of the Hamp1 STAT site into the Hamp2 site reduced the basal level of reporter expression but did not affect IL-6 and BMP responsiveness; replacing Hamp2 site with the Hamp1 site only resulted in partial responsiveness. These data are in contrast to the role of the STAT site in the human hepcidin promoter which is important in both basal level and IL-6 inducible promoter activity. The murine AP1, E-box and TIEG motifs were found to neither influence the basal level of expression of Hamp1 and HAMP promoters nor play a critical role in the IL-6 and BMP-9 induced response. Our data suggest that the STAT site (nt -148 to -130) is important for the regulation of basal level expression of Hamp1 but there are additional regions that are responsible for the IL-6 and BMP-9 responsiveness within the Hamp1 promoter.
A user-study measuring the effects of lexical simplification and coherence enhancement on perceived and actual text difficulty.

Purpose Low patient health literacy has been associated with cost increases in medicine because it contributes to inadequate care. Providing explanatory text is a convenient approach to distribute medical information and increase health literacy. Unfortunately, writing text that is easily understood is challenging. This work tests two text features for their impact on understanding: lexical simplification and coherence enhancement.
High-Efficient FLPo Deleter Mice in C57BL/6J Background

Conditional gene manipulation in mice becomes a routine for genetic studies of mammalian gene functions. Additional site-specific recombinases such as FLP or φ31 provide one more level of gene manipulation flexibility. The recombination activity of the currently available FLP deleter mice remains low. We generated a new FLP deleter mouse line with the mouse codon-optimized FLPo gene in C57BJ/6 background, which showed superior recombination efficacy in comparison to FLPe deleter mice. 100% complete removal of FRT-flanked Neo cassette was observed in all F1 progeny mice carrying both FLPo and Neo cassette, which can be transmitted to F2 generation independent of FLPo activity. Our new FLPo transgenic mice (on pure C57BJ/6 background) will largely facilitate the gene targeting process and is valuable for conditional gene manipulation.
Linear Combinatorial Synthesis with Fourier Transform Library Analysis

Combinatorial Synthesis procedures that fit a restrictively defined fully parallel criterion tend to be extremely efficient methods, We describe how linear library organization allows such synthesis, without loss of synthetic history information with an example of a pepide library. Fluorescerce measurements of several types are used to measure activities. A novel Fourier Transform approach to library data analysis allows robust evaluation of trends. The use of the cladding of optical fibers as linear supports for combinatorial libraries significantly extends the potential applications of the technique, allowing for spatially resolved optical evaluation of library activity using laser pulses propagating through the fiber core. Moreover, by using different fiber cladding materials, the range of chemistries amenable to one-dimensional combinatiorial synthesis is significantly increased It is noteworthy that the procedure is particularly applicable to the fabrication and evaluation of real-time sensor arrays.
An SCF treatment of amino substituted pyridines and pyrimidines

Abstract A modified Mataga approach is utilized in a self consistent field treatment of amino substituted pyridines and pyrimidines. lonization potentials, dipole moments and electron densities are generated and used to predict complexing properties of these molecules. The results adequately represent both singlet-singlet and singlet-triplet transition energies with a minimum of configuration interaction (CI).
The adaptive significance of the flexible shell of the tortoise Malacochersus tornieri

Abstract Early reports suggest that the soft, flexibly-shelled tortoise Malacochersus tornieri escapes from predators into narrow rock crevices and wedges itself by inflating its body with air and using its legs as struts. Direct records of intrapulmonary pressure, heart rate, and fore- and hindlimb activity while animals were pulled from an artificial crevice (150 trials) showed no significant or sustained increase in intrapulmonary pressure associated with the wedging action. Disturbed tortoises dug in the foreclaws and rotated the forelimbs outward, wedging the body into place. The soft shell presumably evolved in response to the advantages for entering and fitting into narrow rock crevices and for improved locomotor energetics.
Service labor allocation during development: Longitudinal perspectives on cross-sectional patterns

International cross sectional analyses have frequently indicated that the share of a country's labor force in the service sector increases, declines and then increases again with rising per capita GNP. This pattern deviates from the theoretically justified and empirically observed time series trends in individual countries that show monotonically increasing service labor shares during the course of development. This paper suggests that the apparent paradox results from systematic changes in the longitudinal trends over time that are a result of the differences in the nature of countries entering the transition as well as the changes in the world environment. Simulation analysis is used to demonstrate how the changing longitudinal trends can generate the observed “hump” in cross sectional models of service labor allocation.
Isometries of some Banach spaces of analytic functions

We characterize the surjective isometries of a class of analytic functions on the disk which include the Analytic Besov spaceBp and the Dirichlet spaceDp. In the case ofBp we are able to determine the form of all linear isometries on this space. The isometries for these spaces are finite rank perturbations of integral operators. This is in contrast with the classical results for the Hardy and Bergman spaces where the isometries are represented as weighted compositions induced by inner functions or automorphisms of the disk.
Theory of solid-state contributions to the x-ray elastic scattering amplitude

We present a real space Green's function theory of solid-state contributions and polarization dependence of the x-ray elastic scattering amplitude. In this approach the calculation separates naturally into contributions from the central (embedded) absorbing atom and multiple-scattering contributions from the environment. Both real and imaginary parts of the anomalous x-ray scattering amplitude are calculated simultaneously in the complex energy plane, without the necessity of a Kramers-Kronig transform. This approach also takes into account final-state effects, including core-hole lifetime, the finite temperature Fermi distribution and Debye-Waller factors, as well as experimental resolution. The approach is implemented in a generalization of the ab initio, self-consistent code, FEFF8.10, which permits applications to a number of x-ray spectroscopies for general, not necessarily periodic systems. The solid-state effect on the fine structure in the anomalous scattering amplitude near an absorption edge is illustrated for Cu metal. Calculations are also presented of the x-ray anomalous cross scattering amplitude ${F}_{\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ for Cd metal, and x-ray natural circular dichroism in ${\mathrm{LiIO}}_{3},$ which are both due entirely to solid-state effects.
Spliceosomes and snurposomes

In cell extracts, the snRNAs exist associated with proteins as small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs, pronounced «snurps»). In an in vitro splicing reaction, the snRNPs, other essential protein factors, and the pre-mRNA form a macromolecular complex known as a spliceosome. Spliceosomes can be isolated from the reaction in relatively pure form for biochemical studies; in the electron microscope they appear as 40- to 60-nm particles with a distinctive morphology. Much of our knowledge comes from in vitro biochemical experiments
An investigation of the yield and postyield behavior and corresponding structure of poly(methyl methacrylate)

The effects of physical aging on the yield and postyield behavior and corresponding evolution in the structural state of glassy polymers are investigated. A systemetic program of uniaxial, isothermal, constant strain-rate rests on poly(methyl methacrylate) specimens of different thermal histories was carried out and positron annihilation lifetime measurements were performed. The results of the mechanical tests show that aging acts to increase both the initial yield stress and the amount of strain softening which occurs subsequently to yield.
Nontransient learned helplessness

Dogs who receive repeated, spaced exposure to inescapable electric shock in a Pavlovian hammock fail to escape shock in a shuttle box I week later, while one session of inescapable shock produces only transient interference. Cage-raised beagles are more susceptible to interference produced by inescapable shock than are mongrels of unknown history. These results are compatible with learned helplessness and contradict the hypothesis that failure to escape shock is produced by transient stress.
Recent advances using streptokinase for acute coronary thrombosis

Most important in comparison to earlier European trials, streptokinase (STK) is administered now at the earliest time possible after acute coronary thrombosis. In this series, STK was started 2.5 (+/- 1.5) h after onset of chest pain, with reperfusion achieved approximately 1 h later in 6 (55%) of 11 patients treated. Posttreatment angiograms will not be required to identify thrombolysis if noninvasive indicators will provide this information correctly. Early creatine kinase enzyme peaking 8 to 15 h after chest pain appears to be the most accurate marker available. Among untreated and unsuccessfully treated patients, creatine kinase peaking usually occurs 18-36 h after chest pain. A large intravenous STK loading dose of 1,500,000 IU produces a plasma concentration of approximately 500 IU/ml, equal to that concentration employed originally by intracoronary infusions. Such large doses have been employed in 60 patients thus far, without an unusual incidence or severity of hemorrhages. High dose, ultrashort-term treatment for only 1 h is being investigated now. Systemic STK penetrates most "blind coronary pouches" and gains access to acute thrombi, as identified by radiocontrast material washout during angiography in patients with severe coronary occlusions. Streptokinase exerts a significant anticoagulant effect, not previous considered, which may be beneficial in the prevention of new clot formation and the rapid dissolution of acute coronary thrombi.
Increased hydrogen peroxide levels in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient erythrocytes exposed to acetylphenylhydrazine

Abstract Acetylphenylhydrazine (APH), a classic hemolytic drug that produces hydrogen peroxide via a coupled oxidation with oxyhemoglobin, was incubated with normal and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PD)-deficient erythrocytes. Higher concentrations of H 2 O 2 were attained in the G6-PD-deficient cells. The intracellular H 2 O 2 levels were monitored by studying the formation od the enzyme-substrate complexes of catalase: Two separate anticatalase effects of APH distinguished the two complexes; in both instances, the change in catalase activity was the dependent experimental variable that served as a convenient and specific amplifier of intracellular H 2 O 2 . The formation of Complex II was indicated by an inhibition of catalase, reversible by ethanol. The steady state concentration of Complex I was evaluated by measuring its rate of reaction with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, a reaction leading to irreversible inhibition. Greater anticalase action by APH alone or by APH plus aminotriazole indicated higher concentrations of H 2 O 2 in the G6-PD-deficient cells. These results support the theory that drug-induced hemolysis in G6-PD-deficient individuals involves oxidant damage by H 2 O 2 .
Social exclusion and early-stage interpersonal perception: Selective attention to signs of acceptance.

Social exclusion can thwart people's powerful need for social belonging. Whereas prior studies have focused primarily on how social exclusion influences complex and cognitively downstream social outcomes (e.g., memory, overt social judgments and behavior), the current research examined basic, early-in-the-cognitive-stream consequences of exclusion. Across 4 experiments, the threat of exclusion increased selective attention to smiling faces, reflecting an attunement to signs of social acceptance. Compared with nonexcluded participants, participants who experienced the threat of exclusion were faster to identify smiling faces within a "crowd" of discrepant faces (Experiment 1), fixated more of their attention on smiling faces in eye-tracking tasks (Experiments 2 and 3), and were slower to disengage their attention from smiling faces in a visual cueing experiment (Experiment 4). These attentional attunements were specific to positive, social targets. Excluded participants did not show heightened attention to faces conveying social disapproval or to positive nonsocial images. The threat of social exclusion motivates people to connect with sources of acceptance, which is manifested not only in "downstream" choices and behaviors but also at the level of basic, early-stage perceptual processing.
Cardiac evaluation of the diabetic patient prior to peripheral vascular surgery

The benefit of preoperative cardiac evaluation in the diabetic patient undergoing peripheral vascular surgery is uncertain. To investigate this issue we performed a retrospective review of 192 procedures performed in diabetic patients for chronic lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. The incidence of adverse postoperative cardiac events was determined, as well as its association with several preoperative factors including symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD), extent and results of preoperative noninvasive cardiac evaluation, and operative site (aorta vs. lower extremity). The overall death and cardiac complication rates were 10.2% for lower extremity and 25.7% for aortic procedures (p=0.02). For myocardial infarction and cardiac death alone, the rates were 5.1% and 5.7%, respectively (p>0.10). Although a history of symptomatic CAD predicted the occurrence of any cardiac complication (28.3% vs. 8.2% [p 0.10) or, if testing was performed, if the results were abnormal or normal (35.3% vs. 20.0%,p>0.10). Similar results were obtained in patients with no history of symptomatic CAD. In summary, this retrospective review of our experience with noninvasive evaluation to detect CAD in diabetic patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery failed to show any benefit in terms of reducing the incidence of postoperative cardiac events.
Generation of oligodendroglial cells by direct lineage conversion

Transplantation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) is a promising potential therapeutic strategy for diseases affecting myelin. However, the derivation of engraftable OPCs from human pluripotent stem cells has proven difficult and primary OPCs are not readily available. Here we report the generation of induced OPCs (iOPCs) by direct lineage conversion. Forced expression of the three transcription factors Sox10, Olig2 and Zfp536 was sufficient to reprogram mouse and rat fibroblasts into iOPCs with morphologies and gene expression signatures resembling primary OPCs. More importantly, iOPCs gave rise to mature oligodendrocytes that could ensheath multiple host axons when co-cultured with primary dorsal root ganglion cells and formed myelin after transplantation into shiverer mice. We propose direct lineage reprogramming as a viable alternative approach for the generation of OPCs for use in disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
Informed consent for pediatric phase 1 cancer trials: physicians' perspectives.

BACKGROUND. This study was conducted to gather pediatric oncologists' opinions about and suggestions for improvement of informed consent (IC) in pediatric phase 1 cancer trials. METHODS. A questionnaire designed to elicit perspectives was distributed to 146 physicians at 6 participating institutions. A total of 103 completed surveys were returned for a 71% response rate. RESULTS. Pediatric oncologists believe providing information so families can decide about phase 1 study entry is the most important goal of the IC process (ICP). The majority of physicians (64%) report that they describe the phase 1 study without any attempt to influence parents' decisions. Several answers provided by physicians were associated with their gender and prior IC training. Male physicians were significantly more likely to endorse the no-attempt-to-influence approach, whereas female physicians were more likely to suggest to parents that other children will benefit from what is learned in phase 1 studies. Responses to an open-ended question provided 63 suggestions for improvement of the ICP, including document and training changes and tools to enhance physician-family communication. CONCLUSIONS. Pediatric oncologists tended to present phase 1 trials as an option rather than a strong recommendation and were reluctant to influence decisions of families about these studies. They believe most but not all parents understand key concepts involved in consent to this type of research, and had ample suggestions for how to improve the ICP. Future research and education efforts around this ethically challenging topic were warranted. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
AN EFFECTIVE LAGRANGIAN CALCULATION OF THE SEMILEPTONIC DECAY MODES OF THE τ LEPTON

The semileptonic decay rates of the τ lepton into final states containing up to three pseudoscalar mesons are calculated using a general low energy effective Lagrangian for pseudoscalar and vector mesons with U(3)×U(3) chiral symmetry. Symmetry breaking is taken into account in the meson masses and mixing angles. All of the coupling constants in the Lagrangian are determined empirically from vector meson decay data without additional ad hoc hypotheses such as vector meson dominance. The results compare well with the measured decay rates where data are available. No unexpectedly large branching fractions are found that might account for the “missing” decay modes of the τ.
Identification and characterization of resistate minerals containing uranium and thorium

A set of natural matrix Standard Reference Materials were developed by the National Bureau of Standards for analytical methods evaluation. These materials were analyzed using a KF fusion procedure and an acid dissolution procedure. The latter method yielded radioactive concentrations that were 15–20% lower then that of the former. This was thought to be due to a fraction of the sample, “resistates,” that did not dissolve during the dissolution. In this study, HF dissolutions were conducted on NIST natural matrix SRMs, in which ~0.08% of total sample mass remained after dissolution. The acid resistant residual materials were concentrated, then dissolved using a LiBO2 fusion procedure and were found to contain a considerable fraction of the uranium and thorium.
Determination of Fluorogen-Labeled Neurotransmitters at the Zeptomole Level Using Two-Photon Excited Fluorescence with Capillary Electrophoresis

Two-photon excited (2PE) fluorescence detection is demonstrated to be a highly sensitive means for analyzing fluorogen-labeled neurotransmitters fractionated in submicrometer capillary electrophoresis channels. In this approach, fluorescamine-labeled neurotransmitters that have been electrophoretically separated in 620-nm-i.d. capillaries intersect the focused output from a near-infrared mode-locked titanium−sapphire laser positioned at the capillary outlet. Extremely high peak laser intensities (∼1011−1012 W cm-2) facilitate the nearly simultaneous absorption of two near-IR photons (λex ≈ 780 nm) to excite fluorescamine derivatives ordinarily excited with a single, near-ultraviolet photon (λex ≈ 390 nm). Rapid cycling of analytes through the fluorescent excited state and low background from scatter and out-of-sample luminescence combine to make 2PE fluorescence a highly sensitive approach for detecting minute quantities of neurotransmitters. In these studies, mixtures of the fluorescamine derivatives of ...
Community pharmacists' knowledge of diabetes management during Ramadan in Egypt.

Background Although Muslim diabetic patients may be aware of their religious exemption from fasting, many still fast and adjust their medication regimens accordingly. Pharmacists have a significant potential to identify and prevent harm from medication misuse in Ramadan. Objectives This study examines Egyptian pharmacists’ knowledge regarding management of diabetes during Ramadan. It also explores pharmacists’ willingness to attend a 1 day workshop on medication regimen adjustment during Ramadan. Setting Community pharmacies throughout Alexandria, Egypt. Methods A cross-sectional study using a pretested self-administered survey was conducted among a random sample of community pharmacists. The survey included three knowledge questions relevant to counseling diabetic patients during Ramadan. Questions covered the recommended timing and dosing for metformin and insulin as well as the safe blood glucose range required for diabetic patients to safely continue their fast. Using logistic regression, a model was estimated to predict pharmacists’ willingness to attend a workshop on the adjustment of medication regimens during Ramadan. Content analysis was used to analyze pharmacists’ answers to the question concerning what they would like the workshop to cover. Main outcome measure Pharmacists’ aggregate scores for all three diabetes management knowledge questions and pharmacists’ willingness to attend a workshop on the adjustment of medication regimens during Ramadan. Results Ninety three percent of the 298 approached pharmacists agreed to participate. Forty three pharmacists (15.9 %) did not know the correct answer to any question, 118(43.7 %) 24 answered one correctly, 86 (31.9 %) answered two correctly and only 23 (8.5 %) answered all 25 three correctly. Confidence in therapeutic knowledge regarding medication regimen 26 adjustment during Ramadan was not associated with the pharmacists’ knowledge of diabetes management during Ramadan. One hundred seventy five (63.6 %) pharmacists wanted to attend a workshop on adjusting medication regimens during Ramadan. This was significantly associated with pharmacists being Muslim (OR 3.52, CI 1.70–7.27) and of younger age (OR 30 = 0.98, CI 0.96–0.99978). Pharmacists offered specific content and communication process 31 suggestions for the workshop content. Conclusion This study identifies variability among community pharmacists’ knowledge of diabetes management during Ramadan. It also shows willingness among the majority of pharmacists to learn more about the topic
Attention and Sentence Processing Deficits in Parkinson's Disease: The Role of Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative condition involving a motor disorder that is related to reduced dopaminergic input to the striatum. Intellectual deficits are also seen in PD, but the pathophysiology of these difficulties is poorly understood. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was studied in neurologically intact subjects during the performance of attention-demanding, sentence processing tasks using positron emission tomography (PET). The results demonstrated significantly increased rCBF in a distributed set of cerebral regions during the detection of an adjective or a particular agent in a sentence, including anterior cingulate cortex, left inferior and middle frontal cortex, left inferior temporo-occipital cortex, posterolateral temporal cortex, left caudate, and left thalamus. We identified defects in this cerebral network by studying PD patients with two PET techniques. Resting PET studies revealed a significant correlation between regional cerebral glucose metabolism in anterior cingulate cortex and deficits in attending to subtle grammatical aspects of sentences. Studies of PD patients with the PET activation technique revealed little change in anterior cingulate and left frontal CBF during performance of the adjective detection or agent detection tasks. These data suggest that a defect in anterior cingulate cortex contributes to the cognitive impairments observed in PD.
Renormalization Group Evolution of Multi-Gluon Correlators in High Energy QCD

Forward rapidity di-hadron azimuthal angular correlations in high energy proton-nucleus and proton-proton collisions are sensitive to quadrupoles; traceless correlator of 4 Wilson lines whereas single inclusive particle production iNVOLVES only dipoles, traceless correlator of 2 Wilson lines. We discuss the progress made in understanding the energy (rapidity) evolution of the quadrupole as well as its various limits.
Cementless acetabular revision: past, present, and future. Revision total hip arthroplasty: the acetabular side using cementless implants.

Background Acetabular revision is probably the most difficult aspect of hip reconstructive surgery. Although the majority of acetabular revisions can be performed using an uncemented hemispherical acetabular device with ancillary fixation, patients with severe acetabular deficiencies and poor bone quality require more complex alternatives for revision. The limitations of traditional cementless acetabular implants has promoted the development of improved methods of fixation and revision techniques. Highly porous metals have been introduced for clinical use in arthroplasty surgery over the last decade. Their higher porosity and surface friction are ideal for acetabular revision, optimising biological fixation. The use of trabecular metal cups in acetabular revision has yielded excellent clinical results.
Refinement of a Hypervelocity Gouging Model for the Rocket Sled Test

In an effort to improve the accuracy of current numerical models of the hypervelocity gouging impact phenomenon at the Holloman Air Force Base High Speed Test Track (HHSTT), several investigations were conducted. First, a metallurgical study of a gouged rail section is summarized that quantifies the nature of the non-equilibrium thermodynamic event. Second, the current CTH model of the sled/rail interaction is scaled mathematically to determine the feasibility of a laboratory experiment to generate gouging. Additionally, the various material contact schemes in CTH are evaluated to determine the most accurate approach in the gouging impact problem. Next, the absence of specific constitutive models for 1080 steel and VascoMax 300 (which are the materials of interest in the HHSTT gouging problem) is addressed with Split Hopkinson Bar characterization. These models are validated by comparison to Taylor Impact Tests conducted on the same materials. Finally, the two coatings used at the HHSTT to mitigate gouging are experimentally compared using the Taylor test. Conclusions are drawn from the experimentation and numerical modeling efforts with regard to the gouging phenomenon.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Hilbert–Kunz functions for irreducible plane curves

Abstract Let C be a characteristic p irreducible projective plane curve defined by a degree d form f, and n → e n ( f ) be the Hilbert–Kunz function of f. e n = μ p 2 n − R n with μ ⩾ 3 d 4 and R n = O ( p n ) . When C is smooth, R n = O ( 1 ) ; Brenner has shown the R n to be eventually periodic when one further assumes C defined over a finite field. We generalize these results, dropping smoothness. An additional term, (periodic) p n now appears in R n , with the periodic function taking values in 1 d ⋅ Z [ 1 p ] . We describe it using 1-dimensional Hilbert–Kunz theory in the local rings of the singular points of C, together with sheaf theory on C, and work explicit examples.
Modulation of bradykinin-induced calcium changes in SH-SY5Y cells by neurosteroids and sigma receptor ligands via a shared mechanism

In this study we investigated the effects of sigma receptor ligands and neurosteroids on bradykinin-induced intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) changes in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. [Ca2+]i levels in cells loaded with fura-2 were monitored with dual-wavelength ratiometric fluorescence measurement. Submicromolar concentrations of bradykinin elicited [Ca2+]i responses with a fast rise followed by a slow decline in these cells. Preincubation of low micromolar concentrations of the neurosteroids pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), or the prototypic sigma (sigma) receptor agonist (+)pentazocine potentiated bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i changes in SH-SY5Y cells. The sigma receptor antagonist haloperidol blocked the enhancing effects on [Ca2+]i by (+)pentazocine or pregnenolone. Progesterone did not significantly affect the basal [Ca2+]i level or bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i changes in these cells. However, coincubation of progesterone with (+)pentazocine, pregnenolone, or DHEA reversed their potentiating effects. The antagonistic effects of haloperidol and progesterone on the potentiating effects of (+)pentazocine and pregnenolone suggested that these ligands might act through a common mechanism. We further showed that progesterone, pregnenolone, and DHEA competed for [3H]+pentazocine binding in SH-SY5Y cells with Ki values of 0.13 +/- 0.03 microM, 0.98 +/- 0.34 microM, and 5.2 +/- 1.4 microM, respectively. Thus, the modulation of bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i changes by neurosteroids in these cells is likely due to their actions on sigma receptors.