cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reducing intrinsic biochemical noise in cells and its thermodynamic limit

In living cells, the specificity of biomolecular recognition can be amplified and the noise from non-specific interactions can be reduced at the expense of cellular free energy. This is the seminal idea in the Hopfield-Ninio theory of kinetic proofreading: The specificity is increased via cyclic network kinetics without altering molecular structures and equilibrium affinites. We show a thermodynamic limit of the specificity amplification with a given amount of available free energy. For a normal cell under physiological condition with sustained phosphorylation potential, this gives a factor of 10(10) as the upper bound in specificity amplification. We also study an optimal kinetic network design that is capable of approaching the thermodynamic limit.
Fibroblasts improve performance of cultured composite skin substitutes on athymic mice.

Background: This study investigated the impact of adding human fibroblasts to a cultured composite skin substitute model of cultured human keratinocytes and acellular human dermis. Methods: Skin substitutes were prepared by seeding human keratinocytes on the papillary side of acellular dermis with or without seeding fibroblasts on the reticular side. Performance of the grafts was compared both in vitro by histology and in vivo on surgically created full-thickness wounds on athymic mice. Graft size and contraction were measured and immunohistochemical stains were done to reveal vascularization. Results: Skin substitutes with fibroblasts formed thicker epidermis than skin substitutes without fibroblasts. When transplanted onto athymic mice, skin substitutes with fibroblasts maintained their original size with only 2% contraction. In contrast, skin substitutes without fibroblasts showed 29% contraction. Vascular basement membrane specific mouse CD31staining and endothelial cell specific mouse collagen type IV staining revealed vascularization as early as 1 week posttransplant in grafts with fibroblasts, and was significantly higher than grafts without fibroblasts at 2 weeks. Conclusions: Addition of fibroblasts to keratinocyte based composite skin substitutes improves epidermis formation, enhances vascularization and reduces contraction.
Comprehensive analysis of lipids in biological systems by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based lipidomics has undergone dramatic developments over the past decade. This review focuses on state of the art in LC-MS-based lipidomics, covering all the steps of global lipidomic profiling. By reviewing 185 original papers and application notes, we can conclude that current advanced LC-MS-based lipidomics methods involve: (1) lipid extraction schemes using chloroform/MeOH or methyl tert -butyl ether (MTBE)/MeOH, both with addition of internal standards covering each lipid class; (2) LC separation of lipids using short microbore C18 or C8 columns with sub-2-µm or 2.6–2.8-µm (fused-core) particle size with analysis time (3) electrospray ionization in positive- and negative-ion modes with full spectra acquisition using high-resolution MS with capability to MS/MS. Phospholipids (phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylglycerols) followed by sphingomyelins, di- and tri-acylglycerols, and ceramides were the most frequently targeted lipid species.
What's the Bottom Line?: Corporate Involvement in an Early Childhood Initiative.

Using data from a qualitative case study of a statewide early childhood initiative, this article critically examines the budding relationship between one state’s early childhood initiative and the corporate community. The analysis is situated within assumptions about the benefits of public–private partnerships and early childhood and childcare as vital to the nation’s current and future workforce. Early childhood stakeholders courted the business sector to gain support for the program, and their actions resulted in unintended consequences, including privileging the perspectives of businesspersons above those of parents, service providers, and other stakeholders.
Composition and Flavor of Milk and Cheddar Cheese Higher in Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Abstract A control diet and two experimental diets were fed to Holstein cows to determine how increasing dietary unsaturated fatty acids changed milk and Cheddar cheese. The control diet consisted mainly of rolled corn and soybean meal in the concentrate mixture. Experimental diets contained added dietary fat from rolled sunflower seeds or extruded soybeans substituted for part of the corn and soybean meal. Milk protein and fat concentrations were similar in milks from cows fed the three diets. Milk and cheese from the extruded soybean and sunflower diets contained lower concentrations of short-and medium-chain fatty acids and increased concentrations of long-chain fatty acids, especially unsaturated fatty acids. Milk from the extruded soybean diet was more susceptible to oxidation. Sensory evaluation of the cheese indicated that extruded soybean and sunflower diets yielded a product of quality similar to that of the control diet. Cheese made from milk obtained with extruded soybean and sunflower diets contained higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids while maintaining acceptable flavor, manufacturing, and storage characteristics.
Orientation by jumping spiders of the genus Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae) during the pursuit of prey

1. Jumping spiders of the genus Phidippus tend to occupy waiting positions on plants during the day. From such reconnaissance positions, the spiders often utilize an indirect route of access (detour) to attain a position from which sighted prey (the primary objective of pursuit) can be captured. 2. Selection of an appropriate route of access is based upon movement toward a visually determined secondary objective (part of a plant) which may provide access to the prey position (Fig. 2, Table 1). 3. During pursuit, the spider retains a memory of the relative position of the prey at all times. This memory of prey position is frequently expressed in the form of a reorientation turn to face the expected position of the prey (Fig. 1). Each reorientation can be considered to initiate a new segment of the pursuit. 4. Phidippus employ the immediate direction (or route) of pursuit as a reference direction, for the determination of prey position (Figs. 3 and 4). The spider compensates for its own movement in determining the direction of the prey from a new position (Fig. 5). 5. The spider retains a memory of the prey direction with reference to gravity (Fig. 6); this memory of the inclination of prey direction can take precedence over conflicting information based upon the use of the route as a reference direction (Figs. 7 and 8). 6. Visual cues provided by both the background and the immediate plant configuration can be used by the spider to determine a (radial) direction in the plane perpendicular to the route of pursuit (Fig. 9, Table 2). 7. The jumping spider must employ at least two independent reference systems (route direction, gravity, visual cues) in concert to determine the position of the prey in space (Fig. 10 and Table 3, Fig. 11). 8. Apart from the context of predatory pursuit, the indirect pursuit of visually determined objectives is a general feature of the movement of salticid spiders upon vegetation.
Graded compositions and microstructures by infiltration processing

Mullite/alumina particulate composites were fabricated by infiltrating porous alumina preforms with an SiO2-containing sol followed by a heating step to cause mullite formation and densification. Electron microprobe analysis was performed to obtain concentration profiles across sections of the sintered composites. These analyses revealed the existence of concentration gradients, the mullite content decreasing with increasing distance from the surface of the bodies. Analyses with a scanning electron microscope also indicated a microstructural effect; the alumina grain size in composite bodies tended to increase with distance from the surface of the sample. These two effects (microstructural and compositional) have been related and it has been concluded that while the presence of mullite limits grain growth in alumina, the mullite content must be at least ∼5 wt % in order for grain growth to occur in a controlled fashion. The results point out the potential of the infiltration approach as a means for tailoring the composition and microstructure of ceramic bodies.
Preservation of the pelvic circulation during infrarenal aortic surgery.

Paraplegia, ischemia of the colon, and gluteal necrosis are uncommon but devastating sequelae of surgery of the infrarenal aorta. These complications are ischemic in nature, secondary to the following technical maneuvers, individually or in combination: bilateral occlusion of the hypogastric arteries; division of a patent inferior mesenteric artery; or proximal end-to-end aortic to common femoral artery bypass grafting accompanied by stenosis of the external iliac arteries. The etiology of paraplegia after infrarenal aortic surgery is of particular interest since it now appears that it is more likely due to interruption of flow to lumbosacral branches of the hypogastric arteries supplying the conus of the spinal cord and/or to division of a low-lying ‘conus medullaris artery’ rather than to occlusion of the higher-lying great radicularis artery of Adamkiewicz. Knowledge of the pelvic circulation to the colon, buttocks, and terminal spinal cord allows the surgeon prophylactically to avoid or reconstruct critical branches during operations on the infrarenal aorta. While rare, severe complications cannot be completely eliminated; hopefully their incidence can be reduced by an understanding of their etiology.
A Psychometric Study of the College Self-Efficacy Inventory:

Researchers and educators continue to try to understand and predict premature post-secondary institutional departure. According to social cognitive theory, self-efficacy beliefs are the gateway to ...
Methyltrienolone (R1881) is not aromatized by placental microsomes or rat hypothalamic homogenates.

Abstract The in vitro conversion of the synthetic steroidal androgen melhyltrienolone (17β-hydroxy-17α-methylestra-4, 9, 11-trien-3-one) to an estrogen was investigated. First, with a placental microsome preparation a 10-fold molar excess of methyltrienolone did not affect the aromatization of testosterone. Therefore, methyltrienolone did not compete with testosterone in this very active aromatase system, nor did it inhibit the aromatization. Second, while the placental aromatase very efficiently converted testosterone to estrogens, it did not convert methyltrienolone [ 3 H] to estrogenic (phenolic) products. Third, homogenates of rat hypothalamic tissue were also unable to aromatize methyltrienolone, although they converted small quantities of testosterone to estradiol and 19-hydroxyandrostenedione to estrone. This lack of aromatization of methyltrienolone is consistent with observations of additional behavioral and in vivo biochemical experiments.
Influence of verapamil and diltiazem on aggregatory responses in cat and rabbit platelet rich plasma

The effects of verapamil and diltiazem, calcium channel blockers, on aggregatory responses to ADP, arachidonic acid (AA), U46619, a thromboxane A2 mimic, and prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) were investigated in cat and rabbit platelet rich plasma. Results of the present study demonstrate that verapamil and diltiazem inhibit cat or rabbit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, AA, U46619, and PGH2. Furthermore, the present experiments provide the first reported data showing the inhibitory actions of calcium channel blockers on aggregatory responses to PGH2, the pivotal endoperoxide intermediate of arachidonic acid metabolism. Since verapamil and diltiazem at similar concentrations inhibited aggregatory responses to a similar degree in platelet rich plasma from cat or rabbit, the present data indicate that the influence of verapamil and diltiazem on platelet aggregation may be independent of species studied as well as nonspecific in nature.
Effects of excitotoxic striatal lesions on single unit activity in globus pallidus and entopeduncular nucleus of the cat.

Striatal projections to the globus pallidus and entopeduncular nucleus are thought to be GABAergic and inhibitory. Thus, striatal lesions might be expected to increase the spontaneous discharge rate of neurons in these nuclei. To test this prediction, we recorded spontaneous single unit activity from awake cats sitting quietly before and 7-160 days after striatal lesions. Striatal lesions were produced by injecting ibotenic acid into the caudate nucleus and putamen. Median, standard deviation, mean, and coefficient of variation of the interspike intervals were calculated for each unit. In globus pallidus the striatal lesion resulted in a significant decrease in median interval length, i.e. an increase in the discharge rate. The prelesion median of 36 ms (S.E.M. = 2.3) decreased 11% to a postlesion value of 32 ms (S.E.M. = 2.1). The lesion also resulted in a significant decrease in the variability of interspike intervals. The coefficient of variation, 1.31 (S.E.M. = 0.08) before the lesion, decreased 25% to 0.97 (S.E.M. = 0.06) after the lesion. In entopeduncular nucleus, the lesion had no statistically significant effect on the rate of activity, but a significant decrease in the variability of activity occurred. The median interval was 33 ms (S.E.M. = 3.3) before the lesion and decreased 2% to 32 ms (S.E.M. = 2.4). The coefficient of variation decreased 48% from 1.44 (S.E.M. = 0.1) to 0.73 (S.E.M. = 0.03). These observations support the hypothesis that loss of GABAergic inputs to the globus pallidus results in disinhibition. The discharge rate in entopeduncular nucleus was not affected by the striatal lesion, suggesting that striatal substance P or subthalamic excitatory inputs may have a role in regulating discharge rate in the entopeduncular nucleus.
Searching for Evidence of Positive Selection in the Human Genome Using Patterns of Microsatellite Variability

Both natural selection and nonequilibrium population-level processes can lead to a skew in the frequency distribution of polymorphisms. Population-level processes are expected to affect all loci in a roughly equal fashion, whereas selection will affect only some regions of the genome. We conducted a sliding-window analysis of the frequency distribution of microsatellite polymorphisms across the human genome to identify regions that may be under positive selection. The analysis was based on a published data set of 5,257 mapped microsatellites in individuals of European ancestry. Observed and expected numbers of alleles were compared under a stepwise mutation model (SMM) using analytical formulae. Observed and expected heterozygosities were compared under a SMM using coalescent simulations. The two sets of analyses gave similar results. Approximately one-fourth of all loci showed a significant deficit of heterozygosity, consistent with a recent population expansion. Forty-three windows were identified with extreme skews in the frequency distribution of polymorphisms (in the direction of a deficit of heterozygosity, given the number of alleles). If these extreme windows are tracking selection at linked sites, theory predicts that they should be more common in regions of the genome with less recombination. We tested this prediction by comparing recombination rates in these extreme windows and in other regions of the genome and found that extreme windows had a significantly lower recombination rate than the genomic average. The proportion of extreme windows was significantly higher on the X chromosome than on the autosomes. Moreover, all the windows with extreme skews on the X chromosome were found in two clusters near the centromere; both these clusters exhibit markedly reduced recombination rates. These analyses point to regions of the genome that may recently have been subject to positive selection. These results also suggest that the effects of positive selection may be more pronounced on the X chromosome than on the autosomes in humans.
X-ray detectors for astrophysics

Abstract High-energy astrophysics provides a window to the hot and violent universe and the nature of compact objects, including black holes. Detector requirements are driven by the broad-radiation bandwidth of cosmic X-ray sources and also by their wide range of variability. The demands on X-ray cameras are described using science themes related to mass-accreting black holes. Wide-angle X-ray cameras (1– 10 keV ) are needed to define the status of the X-ray sky, since the large majority of black holes in the Galaxy are initially discovered as X-ray transients. Pointed X-ray telescopes are needed with sub-ms time resolution and broad energy sensitivity (e.g. 2– 200 keV ) to investigate accretion physics, relativistic jets, and possible applications for the theory of general relativity. On the other hand, the super-massive black holes in distant galaxies require X-ray focusing cameras with excellent spatial and spectral resolution. Astronomers must capitalize on the advances in detector technology with more efficient methods to adapt detectors to the space environment, while demonstrating the required level of assurances for acceptable risk.
Effect of tocainide and quinidine on premature ventricular contractions.

The efficacy on premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) of tocainide 600 mg three times daily and of quinidine sulfate 300 mg four times daily administered for 8 wk versus placebo administered for 6 wk was determined in 41 patients. Neither the subjects nor the interpreter of the Holter recordings knew which medication had been used. Adverse effects occurred in 14 of 22 patients (64%) on tocainide and in nine of 19 (47%) on quinidine. Adverse effects caused 13 of 22 patients (59%) on tocainide and six of 19 (32%) on quinidine to discontinue medication. Reduction of PVCs ≥ 75% over placebo occurred in one of nine patients (11%) on tocainide and in six of 13 (46%) on quinidine. By Lown's classification, a reduction in one grade of PVCs occurred in two of nine patients (22%) on tocainide and in eight of 13 (62%) on quinidine. Neither tocainide nor quinidine has a high incidence of efficacy and a low incidence of adverse effects but, in the doses used, quinidine was more effective, benefited a larger proportion of patients, and induced fewer adverse effects than tocainide. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1980) 28, 431–435; doi:10.1038/clpt.1980.184
Dissimilation of Pyruvic Acid by Clostridium butylicum.

ConclusionsPyruvic acid is converted by cell-suspensions of Cl. butylicum into acetic and butyric acids, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Hydrogen donated by pyruvic acid is available for the reduction of butyric acid to butyl alcohol at a suitable pH. Formic acid it not decarboxylated and lactic acid is not dehydrogenated.
Male morphs in tree lizards,Urosaurus ornatus, have different delayed hormonal responses to aggressive encounters

Few studies have examined the role of steroid hormones in mediating tactic-associated differences in male agonistic behaviour. Long-term (24 h) steroid hormone responses to winning staged male–male encounters in different morphs of free-living male tree lizards,Urosaurus ornatus, were studied. Males belong to either an aggressive, territorial (type) morph or to a less aggressive, non-territorial morph. On the day after winning a staged male–male encounter, males of the less aggressive morph showed elevated plasma levels of the stress hormone corticosterone and depressed levels of the sex steroid testosterone compared with controls of the same morph not subjected to an encounter. In contrast, males of the more aggressive, territorial morph that engaged in an encounter had levels of both hormones similar to controls. This morph difference in hormonal response is the first endocrine difference between adult males of the two tree lizard morphs detected to date; previous field and laboratory studies showed no morph difference in resting hormone levels or in hormonal responses 30 min following male–male encounters. The consequences of these morph differences in hormone responses to male–male interactions are unknown, but the hormonal changes in the less aggressive morph may (1) influence spontaneous agonistic behaviour, (2) influence agonistic behaviour in subsequent male–male interactions or (3) reflect morph differences in physiological capabilities related to energy expenditure during male–male interactions.
Algebra structures on minimal resolutions of Gorenstein rings of embedding codimension four

Recently Buchsbaum and Eisenbud [3] exploited the algebra structure on a finite free resolution of a Gorenstein ideal of codimension three to obtain a complete determinantal description of such an ideal. As they pointed out, the study of algebra structures on resolutions has for the most part been confined to the (generally infinite) minimal free resolution of the residue field of a local ring or the Koszul resolution of an ideal generated by a regular sequence. They proposed, however, to extend the scope of the study to all minimal free resolutions of cyclic modules. Khinich [1] furnished an example of a grade four ideal I for which the minimal resolution of R/I does not admit the structure of an associative, differential, graded commutat ive algebra (DGC algebra). Khinich's ring R/I is Cohen-Macaulay, but not Gorenstein. We conjecture that minimal finite free resolutions of Gorenstein factor rings R/a admit D G C algebra structures. In this paper we establish the conjecture for R a Gorenstein local ring in which 2 is a unit and a a Gorenstein ideal of grade (or height) four. We begin by clarifying what we mean by an algebra structure on a resolution. Let
Polysomnographic Findings in Children With Headaches

Although previous studies suggested a relationship between headache and sleep disturbances, polysomnographic findings in children with headache are rarely described. We investigated polysomnographic findings in children with headaches, and correlated them with headache type and severity, body mass index, and medical treatment. Analysis of polysomnographic findings of 90 children with migraine (60), chronic migraine (11), tension headache (6), and nonspecific headache (13) indicated that sleep-disordered breathing was more frequent among children with migraine (56.6%) and nonspecific headache (54%) vs chronic migraine (27%). Tension headache was not associated with sleep-disordered breathing. In the nonspecific headache group, children with sleep-disordered breathing had higher body mass indexes (P = 0.008). Severe migraine and chronic migraine were associated with shorter sleep time, longer sleep latency, and shorter rapid eye movement and slow-wave sleep. Fifty percent of children with tension headache manifested bruxism vs 2.4% of children with nontension headache (odds ratio, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.34). Our results support an association between migraine and sleep-disordered breathing, and between tension headache and bruxism, in children. Moreover, disrupted sleep architecture with reduced rapid eye movement and slow-wave sleep in severe and chronic migraine headaches may support an intrinsic relationship between sleep and headache disorders.
The use of the nominal group technique to isolate teacher job stressors

Abstract The nominal group technique, a small-group decision-making process which offers open and relatively unrestricted response to problem identification and resolution, was used as a means of identifying the major stressors of elementary school teachers and the concomitant solutions to their problems. Although the specific stressors that have been presented in this paper are not necessarily applicable to other school districts, the nominal group technique itself should be very useful in other school districts as well as in most any work setting. The active involvement of teachers in defining and solving their own problems is a critical aspect of the technique. Teachers, like most employees, will more actively solve problems and accept innovations if they can see some tangible benefit for themselves in doing so. “Intensity of work demands” was the most frequently mentioned job stressor and also received the highest combined ranking for the nine teacher groups. “Student misbehavior and lack of motivation” ranked a close second.
Six-body hyperspherical solution to /sup 6/Li bound states

We apply the hyperspherical method to the N-body Schroedinger equation and solve for the bound states of /sup 6/Li with the center of mass motion correctly treated. It is shown how to construct antisymmetric hyperharmonic polynomials of definite J, J/sub z/, T, and T/sub z/ from Slater determinants with shell model coordinates. A set of coupled one dimensional differential equations are obtained and solved in K/sub min/ approximation. A super-soft- core potential that provides a good fit to the two-nucleon scattering phase shifts is given a slight state dependence and is used for the two-nucleon potential. The proper handling of the potential energy matrix element with the center of mass motion excluded is detailed. A prescription for obtaining effective interactions for shell model calculations is presented. The difference in the potential energy matrix element of four S/sub 1/2/ nucleons in a /sup 4/He nucleus or in a /sup 6/Li nucleus is shown not to be zero. A J, T = 1, 1 state of /sup 6/Li is calculated to have a binding energy of 15.245 MeV. This state may resemble a nuclear molecule of /sup 3/H and /sup 3/He.
Reciprocity and partner preference in grooming of female blue monkeys

Grooming among adult and older juvenile females in a wild group of blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni) is analyzed and related to agonistic behavior. Both grooming and agonistic behavior were less frequent than would be expected in baboon and macaque groups. Fair shares of grooming were given and taken, both within and between interactions, in amost dyads, and all females were seen to groom with at least half the others. The reciprovity of grooming was its most outstanding feature. There was no evidence that grooming was preferentially directed at kin. Frequent grooming partnerships fell into two clusters, one of which ranked higher than the other. We suggest that grooming throughout the group helps to establish a coherent team of females which effectively, defends its territory in daily encounters at the boundaries with neighboring groups.
Phosphorus Fertilization Increases the Abundance and Nitrogenase Activity of the Cyanolichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata in Hawaiian Montane Forests

Nitrogen-fixing epiphytes (especially lichens with a cyanobacterial symbiont-cyanolichens) have the potential to contribute significant amounts of nitrogen (N) to montane tropical forests, which are typically low in N-but the factors controlling the abundance and distribution of epiphytic cyanolichens are poorly understood. In long-term fertilization experiments in montane forests on a 4.1 million-yr-old Oxisol on the island of Kaua' i and on a 152-yr-old lava flow on the island ofHawai'i, the epiphytic cyanolichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata increased significantly in abundance in canopies of host trees fertilized with phosphorus (P). There was no response to fertilization with N or other essential elements. Nitrogen-fixation rates were also elevated in lichens in P-fertilized plots at both sites. Phosphorus supply to host trees may be an important factor controlling N inputs to montane tropical forests by N-fixing epiphytes.
Microwedge indentation of the thin film fine line-II. Experiment

Experimental results of microwedge indentation are presented in order to evaluate the thin film fine line on a thick substrate as a fracture mechanics test specimen. Crack length is found to be proportional to indentation volume, allowing assessment of adhesion. The amplitude of single-buckles is used to estimate induced residual stress in the fine line and adhesion is independently assessed. The phenomena of double-buckling and spallation during indentation are experimentally verified, and are used to estimate fracture toughness of the thin film columnar grain boundaries. Although values of adhesion are unreasonably high, cracking of the substrate occurred, violating the critical assumption of negligible substrate compliance. The amplitude assessment gives a more reasonable value. A hypothesis for the complete sequence of events is proposed.
Efficient synthesis and photodynamic activity of porphyrin-saccharide conjugates: targeting and incapacitating cancer cells.

Since the role of saccharides in cell recognition, metabolism, and cell labeling is well-established, the conjugation of saccharides to drugs is an active area of research. Thus, one goal in the use of saccharide-drug conjugates is to impart a greater specificity toward a given cell type or other targets. Although widely used to treat some cancers and age related macular degeneration, the drugs used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) display poor chemical selectivity toward the intended targets, and uptake by cells most likely arises from passive, diffusional processes. Instead, the specific irradiation of the target tissues, and the formation of the toxic species in situ, are the primary factors that modulate the selectivity in the present mode of PDT. We report herein a two-step method to make nonhydrolyzable saccharide−porphyrin conjugates in high yields using a tetra(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin and the thio derivative of the sugar. As a demonstration of their properties, the selective uptake (and/or bindin...
Circulating nitric oxide metabolites during luteolysis and the effect of luteinizing hormone on circulating nitric oxide metabolites in heifers

Temporal relationships among circulating concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites (NOM), progesterone (P4), and luteinizing hormone (LH) within the hours of a PGFM pulse were studied during luteolysis in heifers. The peak of a PGFM pulse was designated Hour 0. All of the following increases and decreases were significant. Within a spontaneous PGFM pulse (experiment 1; n = 7), concentrations of P4 and LH decreased between Hours -1 and 0 and increased between Hours 0 and 1; NOM increased between Hours -1 and 2. In experiment 2, PGFM pulses were simulated by intrauterine infusion of PGF2α (PGF group, n = 6), and another group was also treated with acyline to inhibit LH secretion (acyline-PGF group, n = 6). Averaged over the two groups, concentration of P4 decreased between Hours -2 and 0, increased (rebounded) between Hours 0 and 1, and decreased after Hour 2. In the PGF group, concentration of LH decreased between Hours -2 and -0.5 and increased between Hour 0 and Hour 1.5 to a maximum at Hour 1.5; NOM decreased between Hours -2 and -1.5 and increased between Hours 0 and 1.5. In the acyline-PGF group, the effect of hour was not significant for concentrations of LH and NOM. The absence of an increase in NOM concentration when LH was inhibited is a novel finding. The hypotheses were supported that concentrations of LH and NOM are temporally related, and LH has a role in the increase in NOM within the hours of a PGFM pulse.
Hydraulic fracturing of a saturated porous medium-II: Special cases

Abstract This analysis investigates the steady-state propagation of a hydraulic fracture in an infinite isotropic fluid-saturated elastic porous medium in the limiting cases of slow and rapid crack growth. In the limiting case of slow crack propagation, it is found that the governing field equations become decoupled, and that a closed-form solution for the stress and pore pressure components can be obtained by solving these equations subject to the appropriate boundary conditions. In the limiting case of rapid crack propagation, it is found that the field equations reduce to a degenerate form, and that the stress and pore pressure components given by the solution of the equations do not satisfy the boundary conditions imposed at the crack faces and at the crack tip. This suggests the presence of stress and pore pressure boundary layers along the surfaces and at the tip of the propagating crack. Closed-form solutions for stress and pore pressure components in the boundary layer are then obtained by formulating a singular perturbation problem which is subsequently investigated by the method of matched asymptotic expansions.
Gastric acid secretory responses to some purified foods and to additions of sucrose or olive oil.

The total outputs of acid from vagally innervated pouches of 6 dogs in response to the ingestion of equicaloric meals of lean meat, purified proteins (lactalbumin, gluten, milk casein, and egg albumin), olive oil, and sucrose were determined. In comparison to the outputs to the meals of meat, equicaloric quantities of sucrose, methylcellulose (inert control meal), olive oil, and egg albumin produced the least acid; 25, 31, 40, and 42% of the meat response, respectively. The other purified proteins stimulated the production of acid equivalent to 60–92% of that obtained with meat. Except for egg albumin, the quantity of acid secreted in response to the ingestion of these foods was directly related to their buffering capacity.
History of thoracoscopic surgery in Japan and the world

The aim of this study was to review articles to learn how current thoracoscopic surgery was developed to the present status. The Internet literature search engines PubMed and Index Medicus were used to search for the published articles. Interpretation of the articles was reflected in the reviewer’s personal experience, who was closely associated with the developmental history. Altogether, 49 articles were selected and reviewed. A variety of applications of thoracoscopy have been developed. It remains the major surgical technique in thoracic surgery.
Chemoprophylaxis with Oral Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole In Otitis Media Relevance of Hematologic Abnormalities

The author reviewed the potential risks of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) treatment in children so that a more educated decision can be made in the choice of a prophylactic drug for recurrent acute otitis media, particularly in the penicillin (ampicillin, amoxicillin) allergic child.
Effects of Increased Psychiatric Treatment Contact and Acculturation on the Causal Beliefs of Chinese Immigrant Relatives of Individuals With Psychosis

Encounters with Western psychiatric treatment and acculturation may influence causal beliefs of psychiatric illness endorsed by Chinese immigrant relatives, thus affecting help-seeking. We examined causal beliefs held by forty-six Chinese immigrant relatives and found that greater acculturation was associated with an increased number of causal beliefs. Further, as Western psychiatric treatment and acculturation increased, causal models expanded to incorporate biological/physical causes. However, frequency of Chinese immigrant relatives' endorsing spiritual beliefs did not appear to change with acculturation. Clinicians might thus account for spiritual beliefs in treatment even after acculturation increases and biological causal models proliferate.
Video error concealment with outer and inner boundary matching algorithms

Low-complexity error concealment techniques for missing macroblock (MB) recovery in mobile video delivery based on the boundary matching principle is extensively studied and evaluated in this work. We first examine the boundary matching algorithm (BMA) and the outer boundary matching algorithm (OBMA) due to their excellent trade-off in complexity and visual quality. Their good performance is explained, and additional experiments are given to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Then, two more extensions of OBMA are presented. One is obtained by extending the search pattern for performance improvement at the cost of additional complexity. The other is based on the use of multiple overlapped outer boundary layers.
UV hazard on a summer’s day under Mediterranean conditions, and the protective role of a beach umbrella

Mediterranean beaches are very crowded during summer and, because of the high values of solar UV radiation, the potential risk for human health is relevant. In this study, all-day measurements of biologically effective global and diffuse UV radiation for skin (UVBEeryt) and eye (UVBEpker, UVBEpconj, UVBEcat) disorders were carried out on differently tilted surfaces on a summer’s day on a Mediterranean beach. The role played by beach umbrellas in protection from excessive sun exposure was also investigated. Erythema, photokeratitis and cataract seem to require almost the same exposure time to reach the risk threshold dose. Under full sunlight, the highest global and diffuse UV values are reached on surfaces normally oriented towards sunlight and on horizontal surfaces, respectively. Over vertical surfaces, at this northern hemisphere site, global and diffuse UV radiation reaches maxima values in the south-facing direction around noon, while maxima values are reached early in the morning and late in the afternoon over surfaces facing east and west, respectively. The quality of the beach umbrella’s protection (efficiency in blocking solar UV radiation) varies with surface orientation; the highest efficiency for our specific site and geometrical conditions occurs over horizontal surfaces, with efficiency being least over vertical surfaces when incident radiation values are still relevant.
New native crops for the arid Southwest

Agricultural production in the arid Southwest is heavily dependent upon water for irrigation. If current trends of water use continue, the amount of water available to agriculture in the year 2000 will only meet approximately 50% of the needs of currently available irrigated crop land. Development of new crops with low irrigation needs is of highest priority. None of the major crop plants of the world is well adapted to arid lands. However, in the Sonoran Desert, more than 375 species of noncultivated food plants have been identified, and approximately 40 of these served as major local food resources for native people in the region. Research and development of new crops must address the issues of water use, productivity, chemical composition, and quality. Domestication of native species that have evolved and became adapted to arid conditions in the Southwest is considered to be a good strategy. Research and development programs on such native, new crops as guayule, jojoba, and buffalo gourd are well underway. New domestication programs involvingCuphea species for medium-chain fatty acids,Lesquerella species for hydroxy fatty acids,Grindelia camporum for resin production, and interspecific hybrids ofBaccharis for landscape plant materials are described. The role of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, state agricultural experiment stations, and industry in the development of new crops is discussed.
Late Output Pulses from Fast Photomultipliers

Fast photomultipliers operating in the single-photoelectron limit exhibit a bimodal time distribution of output pulses; typically, 0.01 of output pulses occur several nanoseconds later than the most probable time. Correlation techniques can be used to characterize photomultiplier time response, and results are given for some commonly used tubes. Late pulse probability is a function of some tube parameters, but even when it is minimized, the effects of late pulses are significant in uses of single-photon counting such as the study of macromolecule fluorescence decay.
Regression methods for correcting salary inequities between groups of academic employees

This chapter explores some of the ways in which an institution can make salary adjustments to remove salary inequities for individuals. A new approach is developed for correcting salary inequities.
In-Flight Dynamical Method to Verify Sample Collection for Small-Body Sample-Return Mission

An in-flight dynamical method is introduced for use by sample-collection missions to identify the presence and quantity of collected sample material. The method, denoted as G-Sample, implements a maximum-likelihood estimator to identify the collected samplemass, based on onboard force-sensormeasurements, thruster firings, and a dynamicsmodel of the spacecraft. In terms of hardware, G-Sample requires only a force sensor. Hardware complexities are avoided by treating sample mass determination largely as a computational problem in modern estimation, rather than requiring the need for additional specialized equipment or sophisticated sensing architectures. Simulation examples are provided for a spacecraft configuration with a sample-collection device mounted on the end of an extended boom. In one representative example, a 1000 g sample mass is estimated to within 110 g (95% confidence) under realistic assumptions of thruster profile error, spacecraft parameter uncertainty, and sensor noise. For convenience to future mission design, an overall sample-mass estimation error budget is developed to approximate the effect of model uncertainty, sensor noise, data rate, and thrust profile error on the expected estimate of collected sample mass.
Comprehensive uncertainty analysis of a Wiebe function-based combustion model for pilot-ignited natural gas engines

This paper presents a comprehensive uncertainty analysis of a Wiebe function-based combustion model for advanced low-pilot-ignited natural gas (ALPING) combustion in a single-cylinder research engine. The sensitivities, uncertainty magnification factors (UMFs), and uncertainty percentage contributions (UPCs) of different experimental input variables and model parameters were investigated. First, the Wiebe function model was validated against experimental heat release/mass burned fraction profiles and cylinder pressure histories for three pilot injection timings (start of injection (SOI)): -20°, -40°, and -60° after top dead center (ATDC). Second, the sensitivities and UMFs of predicted cylinder pressure histories were determined. Finally, crank angle-resolved uncertainties were quantified and mapped as 'uncertainty bounds' in predicted pressures, which were compared with measured pressure curves with error bars for cyclic variations. The Wiebe function-based combustion model with a quadratic interpolation equation for the specific heat ratio (γ) provided reasonable cylinder pressure and heat release/mass burned fraction predictions for all SOIs (better for -20° and -60° ATDC SOIs compared with -40° ATDC). Uncertainty analysis results indicated that γ (parameters in the quadratic interpolation equation), compression ratio, mass and lower heating value of natural gas trapped in the cylinder, overall trapped mass, and ignition delay were important contributors to the overall uncertainty in predicted cylinder pressures. For all SOIs, γ exhibited the highest UPC values (80-90 per cent) and therefore, γ must be determined with the minimum possible uncertainty to ensure satisfactory predictions of cylinder pressure histories. While the importance of γ in single-zone combustion models is well recognized, the specific contribution of the present analysis is quantification of the crank angle-resolved UPCs of γ and other model parameters to the overall model uncertainty. In this paper, it is shown that uncertainty analysis provides a unique methodology for quantitative validation of crank angle-resolved predictions from any type of engine combustion model with the corresponding experimental results. It is also shown that uncertainties in both predicted and measured cylinder pressures and heat release rates must be considered while validating any engine combustion model.
Computational study of NOx formation in hydrogen-fuelled pulse detonation engines

The formation of NOx in hydrogen-fuelled pulse detonation engines (PDE) is investigated numerically. The computations are based on the axisymmetric Euler equations and a detailed combustion model consisting of 12 species and 27 reactions. A multi-level, dynamically adaptive grid is utilized, in order to resolve the structure of the detonation front. Computed NO concentrations are in good agreement with experimental measurements obtained at two operating frequencies and two equivalence ratios. Additional computations examine the effects of equivalence ratio and residence time on NOx formation at ambient conditions. The results indicate that NOx formation in PDEs is very high for near stoichiometric mixtures. NOx reduction requires use of lean or rich mixtures and the shortest possible detonation tube. NOx emissions for very lean or very rich mixtures are, however, fairly insensitive to residence time.
CareerQuesting: Evaluating Web-Based Resources for Interesting Girls in STEM Careers

This paper develops an educational strategy to foster the interest and persistence of middle school girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers using existing websites. Criteria are specified that enable middle school teachers to evaluate websites that can serve as supplemental learning activities within prescribed curricula. In particular, these criteria help evaluate sites that provide materials appealing to both boys and girls. This allows teachers to adopt them without concern that they are providing an unfair advantage to girls.
Effects of three monoamine oxidase inhibitors on ethanol preference in mice

These experiments investigated the effects of pargyline, N-[2-(o-Chlorophenoxy)-ethyl]-cyclopropylamine (Lilly 51641), and nialamide on voluntary ethanol consumption of C57BL/6J mice. Both pargyline and Lilly 51641 reduced ethanol preference; in contrast, nialamide did not affect preference, despite the fact that it inhibited MAO activity by more than 90%. A subsequent experiment determined that both pargyline and Lilly 51641 produced substantially greater elevations in acetaldehyde levels than did nialamide. It is suggested that increased acetaldehyde is the mechanism responsible for the reduction in ethanol preference observed with pargyline and Lilly 51641.
A Systematic Review of Treatments for Infant Colic

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of rigorously evaluated treatments for infant colic. Methods. Online bibliographic databases were searched for the term “colic” in articles classified as clinical trials or randomized controlled trials and conducted in infants. Reference lists from review articles, meta-analyses, and the selected articles were also reviewed for potential studies. The abstracts or full-text articles of 57 relevant studies were examined, of which 22 met the selection criteria. The methodology and findings of all retrieved articles were critically evaluated. Data were extracted from each article regarding study methods, intervention studied, outcomes measured, and results. Results. Four of the interventions studied had data of adequate quality and statistically significant numbers needed to treat (NNT): hypoallergenic diet (NNT = 6), soy formula (NNT = 2), reduced stimulation (NNT = 2), and herbal tea (NNT = 3). Conclusions. There are some effective therapies for infant colic, but additional rigorous studies of existing and alternative therapies are needed.
“Our Berendeevka”: The Invented Tradition of Russian Modernity

This article considers the Berendeevka tradition as one manifestation of Russian cultural identity that took hold of the national imagination near the turn of the twentieth century. The fairy-tale village Berendeevka emerged as the setting for A. Ostrovsky’s play in verse The Snow Maiden (1873). Initially a literary invention, the Berendeevka construct was cultivated by the creative intelligentsia in the artists’ colonies Abramtsevo and Talashkino and became part of public culture via theatrical performances, handicraft exhibitions and sales, world’s fairs, and concurrent critical commentary in the press. It has enjoyed ubiquitous success ever since. Yet this affirmative national ideal, Dianina argues, was born out of bitter criticism. Paradoxically, the negative publicity, which accompanied Ostrovsky’s play and later followed related artistic creations, did not undermine but, on the contrary, reinforced Berendeevka as a special site of the national imaginary.