cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum response factor and cAMP response element binding protein are both required for cocaine induction of ΔFosB

The molecular mechanism underlying induction by cocaine of ΔFosB, a transcription factor important for addiction, remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate a necessary role for two transcription factors, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and serum response factor (SRF), in mediating this induction within the mouse nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region. CREB and SRF are both activated in NAc by cocaine and bind to the fosB gene promoter. Using viral-mediated Cre recombinase expression in the NAc of single- or double-floxed mice, we show that deletion of both transcription factors from this brain region completely blocks cocaine induction of ΔFosB in NAc, whereas deletion of either factor alone has no effect. Furthermore, deletion of both SRF and CREB from NAc renders animals less sensitive to the rewarding effects of moderate doses of cocaine when tested in the conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure and also blocks locomotor sensitization to higher doses of cocaine. Deletion of CREB alone has the opposite effect and enhances both cocaine CPP and locomotor sensitization. In contrast to ΔFosB induction by cocaine, ΔFosB induction in NAc by chronic social stress, which we have shown previously requires activation of SRF, is unaffected by the deletion of CREB alone. These surprising findings demonstrate the involvement of distinct transcriptional mechanisms in mediating ΔFosB induction within this same brain region by cocaine versus stress. Our results also establish a complex mode of regulation of ΔFosB induction in response to cocaine, which requires the concerted activities of both SRF and CREB.
Melamine/urea and oxamide fertilization of Kentucky bluegrass

Abstract The commercial lawn care industry represents a large market for N sources. A formulated melamine (2,4,6‐triamino‐s‐triazine) plus urea combination (MLU) (45% melamine by weight) and oxamide were evaluated for use by the lawn care industry by comparing turfgrass response from these fertilizers to that from urea, sulfur coated urea (SCU), ureaformaldehyde (Nitroform), and a non‐fertilized check. Fertilizers were applied four times per year to field plots of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) growing on a Flanagan silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic Argiudoll) at a rate of 49 kg N ha‐1 per application. Color ratings and clipping weights were determined weekly during the growing season. Trends in color ratings paralleled those in clipping weights. During the first year of the study, MLU treated turf received significantly higher color ratings than nonfertilized turf on only 38% of the rating dates; this increased to 76% in the third year of the study. Color ratings for MLU fertilized tu...
Cardiovascular surgical outcomes in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome--a case-series.

Background Patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) have severe involvement of the cardiovascular apparatus and often need surgical interventions to correct these manifestations. Few studies that have looked at the outcomes of cardiothoracic surgeries in APLS patients have reported high rates of perioperative mortality and thromboembolic events. Objective Our goal was to examine the outcomes of adult APLS patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and/or valvular surgery. We also wanted to determine whether aggressive anticoagulation therapy could prevent life threatening thromboembolic complications in these patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of nine patients with primary APLS undergoing cardiothoracic surgery between 1985 and 2005 at our institution. Patient demographics, operative procedures and one-year clinical outcomes were obtained. Results Forty-five percent of our patients had more than three cardiovascular risk factors other than APLS. There were no mortalities in our case series. However, 89% of our patients developed major complications. Despite aggressive anticoagulation, 37.5% developed thromboembolic events including cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarctions and vena caval thrombosis. Other complications included heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, redo of CABG surgery and sepsis. Conclusion Despite aggressive anticoagulation and lack of significant pre-operative co-morbidities, APLS patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery appear to have high rates of post-operative clinical events.
Optical cell for observing solidification of helium

Abstract An innovative method to seal a pressure cell for observing crystallization in liquid helium isotopes is presented. Empirically, the cell is superleak-tight up to a pressure of 30 bar, and is reliable after thermal cycles between room temperature and 1 K.
Universal conductivity of dirty bosons at the superconductor-insulator transition

The superconductor-insulator transition at zero temperature in two dimensions is studied by Monte Carlo simulations of interacting bosons (Cooper pairs) moving in a quenched random potential. We calculate the universal conductivity ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ and the critical exponents at the superconductor-insulator transition. For the short-range repulsive case we find ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$=(0.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03)${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{Q}}$, where ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{Q}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$==${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{Q}}$ ==h/(2e${)}^{2}$\ensuremath{\simeq}6.45k\ensuremath{\Omega}, and for long-range Coulomb interactions we find ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$=(0.55\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1)${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{Q}}$.
Protein mobility within secretory granules.

We investigated the basis for previous observations that fluorescent-labeled neuropeptide Y (NPY) is usually released within 200 ms after fusion, whereas labeled tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is often discharged over many seconds. We found that tPA and NPY are endogenously expressed in small and different subpopulations of bovine chromaffin cells in culture. We measured the mobility of these proteins (tagged with fluorophore) within the lumen of individual secretory granules in living chromaffin cells, and related their mobilities to postfusion release kinetics. A method was developed that is not limited by standard optical resolution, in which a bright flash of strongly decaying evanescent field (∼64 nm exponential decay constant) produced by total internal reflection (TIR) selectively bleaches cerulean-labeled protein proximal to the glass coverslip within individual granules. Fluorescence recovery occurred as unbleached protein from distal regions within the 300 nm granule diffused into the bleached proximal regions. The fractional bleaching of tPA-cerulean (tPA-cer) was greater when subsequently probed with TIR excitation than with epifluorescence, indicating that tPA-cer mobility was low. The almost equal NPY-cer bleaching when probed with TIR and epifluorescence indicated that NPY-cer equilibrated within the 300 ms bleach pulse, and therefore had a greater mobility than tPA-cer. TIR-fluorescence recovery after photobleaching revealed a significant recovery of tPA-cer (but not NPY-cer) fluorescence within several hundred milliseconds after bleaching. Numerical simulations, which take into account bleach duration, granule diameter, and the limited number of fluorophores in a granule, are consistent with tPA-cer being 100% mobile, with a diffusion coefficient of 2 × 10−10 cm2/s (∼1/3000 of that for a protein of similar size in aqueous solution). However, the low diffusive mobility of tPA cannot alone explain its slow postfusion release. In the accompanying study, we suggest that, additionally, tPA itself stabilizes the fusion pore with dimensions that restrict its own exit.
Calcium- and Protein Kinase C–Dependent Basal Tone in the Aorta of Hypertensive Rats

Abstract We examined the regulatory influence of nitric oxide on development of calcium- and protein kinase C–dependent basal tone in rings of thoracic aortas from rats with aortic coarctation–induced hypertension and from normotensive controls. Aortic rings from hypertensive rats but not those from normotensive rats, bathed in Krebs’ bicarbonate buffer and subjected to 2 g of passive stretch, were relaxed by removal of calcium from the buffer and by the protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporine and calphostin C. Protein kinase C activity was much greater in homogenates of aortae from hypertensive rats than in those from normotensive controls (2124±785 versus 608±73 pmol · min −1 · mg protein −1 , respectively). Relaxant responses to removal of calcium and to staurosporine were greater in aortic rings rubbed to remove the vascular endothelium than in endothelium-intact rings (−1.07±0.12 versus −0.70±0.10 g tension/mg tissue, respectively, for calcium removal and −1.10±0.12 versus −0.65±0.08 g tension/mg tissue, respectively, for staurosporine). Treatment with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis increased calcium-dependent tone in both intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings from hypertensive rats. Conversely, the administration of sodium nitroprusside or l-arginine reversed tone in both intact and denuded aortic rings from hypertensive rats, but acetylcholine reversed tone only in intact rings. The relaxant effects of these agents were paralleled by increases in cyclic guanosine monophosphate in aortic tissue. We conclude that aortic rings from rats with aortic coarctation–induced hypertension display calcium-dependent, protein kinase C–mediated tone in the absence of exogenous vasoconstrictors. Furthermore, endogenous nitric oxide from endothelial and nonendothelial sources suppresses the development of this tone.
Seromucoid (mucoprotein) determinations in experimental animals.

Abstract The effects of the concentration of perchloric acid upon the hexose and protein contents of the seromucoid fraction have been investigated in pooled human, horse, beef, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, and rat serums. Changes in acid concentration over the range 0.2–2.5 N, intluenced both the chemical composition and the amount of the fraction. In the range, 0.5–0.7 N, the final concentration of perchloric acid caused negligible alterations in the composition and amount of seromucoid in all species. It is recommended that a final concentration of 0.6 N perchloric acid be employed in the initial precipitation step in the isolation of the seromucoid fraction for all species.
eXpress: guided path exploration for efficient regression test generation

Software programs evolve throughout their lifetime undergoing various changes. While making these changes, software developers may introduce regression faults. It is desirable to detect these faults as quickly as possible to reduce the cost involved in fixing them. One existing solution is continuous testing, which runs an existing test suite to quickly find regression faults as soon as code changes are saved. However, the effectiveness of continuous testing depends on the capability of the existing test suite for finding behavioral differences across versions.To address the issue, we propose an approach, called eXpress, that conducts efficient regression test generation based on a path-exploration-based test generation (PBTG) technique, such as dynamic symbolic execution. eXpress prunes various irrelevant paths with respect to detecting behavioral differences to optimize the search strategy of a PBTG technique. As a result, the PBTG technique focuses its efforts on regression test generation. In addition, eXpress leverages the existing test suite (if available) for the original version to efficiently execute the changed code regions of the program and infect program states. Experimental results on 67 versions (in total) of four programs (two from the subject infrastructure repository and two from real-world open source projects) show that, using eXpress, a state-of-the-art PBTG technique, called Pex, requires about 36% less amount of time (on average) to detect behavioral differences than without using eXpress. In addition, Pex using eXpress detects four behavioral differences that could not be detected without using eXpress (within a time bound). Furthermore, Pex requires 67% less amount of time to find behavioral differences by exploiting an existing test suite than exploration without using the test suite.
Mixing by impeller agitation in continuous flow systems containing polysaccharide solutions

System response data for step changes in input tracer concentration have been obtained for two different impeller agitated continuous flow mixing systems containing aqueous polysaccharide solutions. The vessel volumes were 1.6 and 10.9 liters. Polysaccharide concentration, dilution rate, and impeller speed were varied according to a plan devised using dimensional analysis and assuming that bulk motion is the predominant mass transport mechanism in the system. The data show that this is not true and that serious errors may occur if scale-up calculations are based on assuming that bulk motion predominates. Under the operating conditions used, perfect mixing was not observed.
Malignant lymphomas in children and adolescents

Malignant lymphomas constitute the third most common group of childhood cancers in the United States. Hodgkin's disease (HD) exhibits a bimodal age peak, with the first peak occurring in the 15-34-year age group. Nodular sclerosis is the most common histologic subtype of HD seen in children. The disease tends to be primarily supradiaphragmatic at presentation. Accurate staging is essential for determination of appropriate therapy. Staging laparotomy with splenectomy is indicated for those patients with clinically localized disease whose therapy may be altered by pathologic staging. Radiation therapy is curative in the great majority of patients with localized disease. Multimodality therapy has been employed with increasing success in patients with advanced disease. The late sequelae of therapy must be considered in the design of optimum therapeutic regimens. More than 90% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in childhood can be grouped into one of three histologic subtypes: lymphoblastic, undifferentiated, and diffuse large cell type. Lymphoblastic lymphomas most commonly present with mediastinal involvement. The majority of nonlymphoblastic lymphomas arise within the abdomen. Because of the tendency of NHL for extralymphatic dissemination, systemic therapy is always required. Treatment is determined by stage and histology. Significant improvements in survival rates have resulted from the development of effective combination chemotherapy programs. Cure rates in excess of 90% can be expected in children with localized disease. The outlook for children with advanced disease of undifferentiated histology remains poor. The presence of central nervous system involvement at diagnosis is a particularly ominous sign.
CARRIER CAPTURE AND TRANSPORT WITHIN TUNNEL INJECTION LASERS: A QUANTUM TRANSPORT ANALYSIS

Hot electron distributions within the active region of quantum well lasers lead to gain suppression, reduced quantum efficiency, and increased diffusion capacitance, greater low-frequency roll-off and high-frequency chirp. Recently, "tunnel injection lasers" have been developed to minimize electron heating within the active quantum well region by direct injection of cool electrons from the separate confinement region into the lasing subband(s) through a tunneling barrier. Tunnel injection lasers, however, also present a rich physics of transport and scattering, and a correspondingly rich set of challenges to simulation and device optimization. In this work, some of the fundamental physics of carrier capture and transport that should be addressed for optimization of such lasers is elucidated using Schrodinger Equation Monte Carlo (SEMC) based quantum transport simulation. In the process, qualitative limitations of the Golden-Rule of scattering in this application are pointed out by comparison. Specifically, a Golden-Rule-based analysis of the carrier injection into the active region of the ideal tunnel injection laser would suggest approximately uniform injection of electrons among the nominally degenerate quantum well states from the separate confinement region states. However, such an analysis ignores (via a random-phase approximation among the final states) the basic real-space transport requirement that injected carriers still must pass through the wells sequentially, coherently or otherwise, with an associated attenuation of the injected current into each subsequent well due to electron-hole recombination in the prior well. Transport among the wells then can be either thermionic, or, of theoretically increasing importance for low temperature carriers, via tunneling. Coherent resonant tunneling between wells, however, is sensitive to the potential drops between wells that split the energies of the lasing subbands and (further) localozes the electron states to individual wells. In this work such transport issues are elucidated using Schrodinger Equation Monte Carlo (SEMC) based quantum transport simulation.
Effects of setting under air pressure on the number of surface pores and irregularities of dental investment materials

Statement of problem Surface roughness and irregularities are important properties of dental investment materials that can affect the fit of a restoration. Whether setting under air pressure affects the surface irregularities of gypsum-bonded and phosphate-bonded investment materials is unknown. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of air pressure on the pore size and surface irregularities of investment materials immediately after pouring. Material and methods Three dental investments, 1 gypsum-bonded investment and 2 phosphate-bonded investments, were investigated. They were vacuum mixed according to the manufacturers' recommendations, then poured into a ringless casting system. The prepared specimens were divided into 2 groups: 1 bench setting and the other placed in a pressure pot at 172 kPa. After 45 minutes of setting, the rings were removed and the investments were cut at a right angle to the long axis with a diamond disk. The surfaces of the investments were steam cleaned, dried with an air spray, and observed with a stereomicroscope. A profilometer was used to evaluate the surface roughness (μm) of the castings. The number of surface pores was counted for 8 specimens from each group and the means and standard deviations were reported. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the data. Results Specimens that set under atmospheric air pressure had a significantly higher number of pores than specimens that set under increased pressure ( P P =.078). Also, no significant difference was observed among the 3 different types of materials tested ( P >.05). Conclusion Specimens set under positive pressure in a pressure chamber presented fewer surface bubbles than specimens set under atmospheric pressure. Positive pressure is effective and, therefore, is recommended for both gypsum-bonded and phosphate-bonded investment materials.
Biological discrimination of differences in natural background radiation level

Abstract Variations in terrestrial radiation level have generally been dismissed as too small to constitute an important differential for the biota. Yet within a plant population indigenous to a radioactive dike near Central City, Colorado, morphological abnormalities occur more frequently in clones from sites of higher radioactivity. This observation prompted experiments to test the ability of the highly radiosensitive plant, Tradescantia, to discriminate between the levels of radiation present at the dike, in the absence of any contribution from possible radio-chemical absorption by the plant roots from the dike soil. During the summer of 1962, plants of a hybrid Tradescantia (clone 02), heterozygous for flower colour, were scored for the base-line (spontaneous) somatic mutation rates at Science Lodge, Colorado (back-ground radiation level, 0·05 mR/hr). When these plants were moved to the radioactive dike for a 2-week exposure at a radiation level of 0·25 mR/hr, the frequency of mutant sectors increased 4–5-fold and that of morphological anomalies of the floral apparatus rose nearly 9-fold. Subsequent growth chamber studies at Michigan State University using the same clone confirmed the mutagenic effectiveness of an equivalent change in radiation level induced by Co60 irradiation. In the summer of 1963, two groups of plants from the Tradescantia 02 clone were first matched for number of flowering clusters and base-line mutation rate at Science Lodge, then were exposed to the radioactive dike for 4 weeks at radiation levels of 0·10 and 0·25 mR/hr. The somatic mutation rates in both groups of clusters at the dike rose above the rates exhibited at Science Lodge, then declined in conjunction with adverse weather conditions. In flower clusters of the same age, exposure to 0·25 mR/hr produced a significantly higher frequency of somatic mutations than 0·10 mR/hr. In addition, younger flower clusters exhibited much higher mutation rates at the same radiation level than older clusters, and also demonstrated a finer degree of discrimination between the dike radiation levels. Differences in base-line mutation rates and slopes of the radiation response curves from the three studies, however, imply that factors other than radiation can also play important modifying roles.
Survival of the enteric adenoviruses 40 and 41 in tap, sea, and waste water

Abstract The enteric adenoviruses types 40 (Ead 40) and 41 (Ead 41) have emerged as a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, second in importance only to the rotaviruses. The role of the enteric adenoviruses as waterborne pathogens has not been evaluated. This study compared the survival of these agents with poliovirus type 1 (polio 1) and the hepatitis A virus (HAV) in tap water at 4°C, and at room temperature, with polio 1 in primary and secondary wastewater at 4, and 15°C, and in sea water at 15°C. Assays were conducted at regular intervals by the TCID50 method in PLC/PRF/5 cells. The survival of Ead 40 and Ead 41 in primary and secondary wastewater was slightly greater than that of polio 1. However, in tap, and sea water, the enteric adenoviruses were substantially more stable than either polio 1 or HAV. These results suggest that the enteric adenoviruses may survive for prolonged periods in water, representing a potential route of transmission.
Cope's rule as psychological artefact

According to a 'law' formulated by E. D. Cope in 1871, the body size of organisms in a particular evolutionary lineage tends to increase. But Cope's rule has failed the most comprehensive test yet applied to it.
Remarks on axially and centrally symmetric elasticity problems

The solutions to axially and centrally symmetric Lame problems are derived within the displacement, stress and strain-based approach by the specification of the general boundary conditions which encompass all possible combinations of kinematic and kinetic conditions at the inner and outer boundaries. It is shown that the mathematical structure of the governing differential equations in the strain-based approach is identical to that in the stress-based approach. A reduction of the compatibility conditions from general two and three-dimensional elasticity to their form applicable to axially and centrally symmetric problems is also discussed.
Turbidity as a Water Quality Standard for Salmonid Habitats in Alaska

Abstract Evidence both of trophic level changes induced by reduction in light penetration and of more direct effects of sediment and turbidity on aquatic life indicates that turbidity constitutes a valid and useful water quality standard that can be used to protect aquatic habitats from sediment pollution. A review of studies conducted in Alaska and elsewhere indicated that water quality standards allowing increases of 25 or 5 nephelometric turbidity units above ambient turbidity in clear coldwater habitats provide moderate and relatively high protection, respectively, for salmonid fish resources in Alaska. Even stricter limits may be warranted to protect extremely clear waters, but such stringent limits apparently are not necessary to protect naturally turbid systems.
Theory and simulations of charged polymers: From solution properties to polymeric nanomaterials

Charged polymers are macromolecules with ionizable groups. These polymeric systems demonstrate unique properties that are qualitatively different from their neutral counterparts. In this review I survey the recent progress made in understanding properties of the solutions of charged polymers, swelling of polyelectrolyte gels, conformational transformations of charged dendrimers, complexation between charged macromolecules, adsorption of charged polymers at surfaces and interfaces, and multilayer assembly in ionic systems.
Prospects for electron imaging with ultrafast time resolution

Many pivotal aspects of material science, biomechanics, and chemistry would benefit from nanometer imaging with ultrafast time resolution. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of short-pulse electron imaging with t10 nanometer/10 picosecond spatio-temporal resolution, sufficient to characterize phenomena that propagate at the speed of sound in materials (1-10 kilometer/second) without smearing. We outline resolution-degrading effects that occur at high current density followed by strategies to mitigate these effects. Finally, we present a model electron imaging system that achieves 10 nanometer/10 picosecond spatio-temporal resolution.
Combustion of pulverized coal using waste carbon dioxide and oxygen

Combustion of pulverized coal in CO2O2 as well as in air atmospheres is studied. Predictions using a one-dimensional computer code were compared with actual experimental data from tests conducted by Battelle Columbus Laboratories. The comparison of predicted and measured data for all test cases show that the observed trends of distributions of temperature and of species concentrations are generally predictable. The study confirms that the combustion of pulverized coal can be completed in a CO2O2 atmosphere over a range of CO2-to-O2 mole ratios between 2.23 and 3.65.
Evaluation of circulating anti-sperm antibodies in fertile and patient populations.

: Several reports have demonstrated the presence of anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) in infertile populations; however there is a paucity of information regarding ASA in fertile populations. The purpose of this study was to establish objective criteria for the interpretation of the Immuno-bead Binding Test (IBT) based on values obtained from fertile individuals. Sera from 20 fertile couples (n = 40) were assayed by using a modification of the IBT previously described by Clarke et al. An initial lower limit of binding for positivity (lower limit) of 14% was used based upon the mean value for each isotype plus 2 standard deviations (SD) of 4 negative control sera assayed 4 to 7 times each. One-way ANOVA or chi-square analyses were used to analyze these data. There was no difference in percent immunobead binding between males and females in the fertile population (P > 0.1); therefore the data were pooled. Percent binding for fertile controls was: IgG, 21.7 + 31.9% (mean + SD); IgA, 19.5 + 25.8%; IgM, 16.9 + 14.9%. Initial analysis indicated no significant difference (P > 0.10) in percent binding between fertile and infertile individuals. The corresponding frequency of positive values (for at least one isotype) using a 14% lower limit was 23/40 (57.5%). This was not significantly different (P > 0.1) from the frequency observed in the patient population (140/ 242, 57.8%). New lower limits of positivity for each isotype were established based upon the mean plus 2 SD from the fertile control data: IgG, 85.4%; IgA, 71.1%; IgM, 46.7%. The frequencies of positive values obtained by using these criteria were not different (P > 0.1) between fertile and patient populations (20.0 vs. 18.7%, respectively). In addition, neither the number of beads bound per sperm nor the location of bead binding differed (P > 0.10) between the 2 populations. These data indicate that the frequency of circulating ASA is similar in fertile and infertile populations and suggests that ASA testing may be of questionable clinical significance.
Risk in supply response: an optimal control approach *

An empirical analysis of risk sensitivity of supply response is attempted here for seven major field crops in California over a twenty-two year period 1949–70. Two distinct types of risk sensitivity are evidenced by the empirical trend e.g., for crops like alfalfa, sugarbeets and sorghum, where short run adjustment factors are important, the year-to-year acreage changes reflect the negative impact of price and returns risk very strongly. For other crops like rice and barley, where long run factors of adjustment are important, the impact of price changes rather than the variance of prices or returns are more important. This pattern of risk sensitivity has important economic implications for welfare gains resulting from price support and stabilization policies pursued by the federal government.
A fast-starting mechanical fish that accelerates at 40 m s(-2).

We have built a simple mechanical system to emulate the fast-start performance of fish. The system consists of a thin metal beam covered by a urethane rubber, the fish body and an appropriately shaped tail. The body form of the mechanical fish was modeled after a pike species and selected because it is a widely-studied fast-start specialist. The mechanical fish was held in curvature and hung in water by two restraining lines, which were simultaneously released by a pneumatic cutting mechanism. The potential energy in the beam was transferred into the fluid, thereby accelerating the fish. We measured the resulting acceleration, and calculated the efficiency of propulsion for the mechanical fish model, defined as the ratio of the final kinetic energy of the fish and the initially stored potential energy in the body beam. We also ran a series of flow visualization tests to observe the resulting flow patterns. The maximum start-up acceleration was measured to be around 40 m s−2, with the maximum final velocity around 1.2 m s−1. The form of the measured acceleration signal as function of time is quite similar to that of type I fast-start motions studied by Harper and Blake (1991 J. Exp. Biol. 155 175–92). The hydrodynamic efficiency of the fish was found to be around 10%. Flow visualization of the mechanical fast-start wake was also analyzed, showing that the acceleration peaks are associated with the shedding of two vortex rings in near-lateral directions.
Board size and firm risk-taking

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relevance of board size and firm’s risky policy choices. I find that both the managerial pay to performance sensitivity (delta) and the managerial pay to firm risk sensitivity (vega) are negatively related to board size, suggesting that small boards give CEOs larger incentives and force them to bear more risk than larger boards. While controlling for the effects of managerial compensation schemes on corporate investment policy and financing policy, I find that companies with smaller boards take lower leverage but more risky investment. Finally, after controlling for the effects of financial decisions on overall firm risk, I find that companies with smaller boards are associated with higher future risk. This supports the hypothesis that board size has negative impact on firm’s risk taking. My results are robust to various estimation methods that control for endogeneity and panel dynamics.
The effects of oxytocin and its analog, carbetocin, on genetic deficits in sensorimotor gating

Converging evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggest that oxytocin has therapeutic potential for schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex (PPI) is a measure of sensorimotor gating, an important brain function involved in filtering environmental information. We previously demonstrated that systemically administered oxytocin reversed psychostimulant-induced PPI deficits in rats suggesting that oxytocin can produce antipsychotic-like central effects. That finding was supported by a recent trial in humans, which found that intranasal oxytocin reduced symptoms of schizophrenia. The goal of this study was to extend this line of investigation by testing the effects of oxytocin, and a structural analog of oxytocin, carbetocin, on non-pharmacological deficits in PPI. In experiment 1, Brown Norway (BN) rats, a rat strain that has naturally low PPI, were given either saline or one of three doses of oxytocin (0.04-1.0 mg/kg, sc). In experiment 2, BN rats were given either saline, one of three doses of carbetocin (0.04-1.0 mg/kg) or oxytocin (1 mg/kg). PPI and acoustic startle response (ASR) of rats were tested. Oxytocin significantly increased PPI (P<0.01) and decreased ASR levels (P<0.01) in BN rats in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, carbetocin had no effect on PPI levels or ASR. The facilitation of BN PPI by oxytocin is similar to what we have previously observed with clozapine and thus further supports oxytocin having antipsychotic properties. In contrast to oxytocin, our data do not support the use of carbetocin as an antipsychotic drug.
Individual and cultural-diversity competency: Focus on the therapist

The Competencies Conference: Future Directions in Education and Credentialing in Professional Psychology was held in Arizona in November 2002. One of the workshops, Individual and Cultural Differences (ICD), focused on racism, homophobia, and ageism. The consensus was that self-awareness and knowledge about the three “isms” are critical components in the education and training of psychologists. This article, authored by four of the workshop attendees, is a review of the current research and theoretical literature. Implications that address both content and context in graduate programs and training sites are presented. This is one of a series of articles published in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology. Several other articles that resulted from the Competencies Conference will appear in Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and The Counseling Psychologist. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol.
Connection between the isotropic-nematic Landau point and the paranematic-nematic critical point

Abstract It is shown, within the context of Landau theory, that in uniaxial liquid crystal systems the isotropic-nematic Landau point lies at the intersection of three coexistence curves and a line of paranematic-nematic critical points. The global phase diagram in external magnetic (or electric) field, temperature, and concentration is discussed in terms of lyotropic micellar nematics with positive magnetic (dielectric) anisotropy.
Teaching to the Test: Coaching or Corruption

Despite their current popularity, many still view coaching schools for college admissions as somehow vaguely unethical, as a form of “teaching to the test.” But “coaching” as an instructional exercise only crosses some ethical line of propriety when instructors have access to and in fact teach the actual items that will appear on the operative examination. A distinction is drawn between coaching that relies on “test wiseness” and memorizing answers, and coaching that results in genuine understanding. Three different outcomes of effective coaching are discussed, two of which may actually contribute to the validity of the test in predicting school success, and only one of which potentially detracts from test validity.
The origin of variation in “wild” Raphanus sativus (Cruciferae) in California

Analyses of populations ofRaphanus growing in the central part of California, from the Sierra Nevada foothills to the Pacific coast, show that pureR. raphanistrum can be found only in the Central Valley, while over the remainder of the area populations of the so-called “wild” (weedy)R. sativus occur. More detailed morphological studies of a number of populations in this area have revealed that the populations of “wild”R. sativus originated by hybridization of the cultivated forms of this species (the radish) with another introduced species, already a weed,R. raphanistrum. The composition of each hybrid population with respect to the proportion of characters of the one or the other species depends upon the habitat it occupies and its geographic location. Populations in inland areas display a high proportion ofR. raphanistrum characters, while in those near the coastR. sativus characters predominate. Artificial hybrids betweenR. raphanistrum and a cultivated form ofR. sativus exhibited about 50% pollen fertility and were heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation. Examination of “wild” populations ofR. sativus revealed that plants heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation are present in varying proportions. Experimental evidence is produced to show that this translocation is identical with that separatingraphanistrum from cultivated forms ofsativus. Thus a cytological proof of the introgression is added to the morphological evidence. Introgression ofraphanistrum characters appears to have been a major factor in converting the erstwhile crop plant,R. sativus, into a highly successful weed in California.
Carbon and carbon monoxide hydrogenation on nickel: Support effects

Hydrogenation of carbon, deposited on nickel catalysts by CO disproportionation, was investigated by temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR) for four oxide supports, Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, and SiO2 · Al2O3. The rate of carbon monoxide hydrogenation was measured by temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) for comparison. The rate of carbon hydrogenation to methane was found to be independent of the support and an average activation energy of 42 kJ/mol was estimated. In contrast, the rate of carbon monoxide hydrogenation was very sensitive to the catalyst support. Nickel supported on TiO2 exhibited the highest specific activity, and two distinct sites for methanation were observed on NiTiO2 and NiAl2O3. The lowest specific activities were observed for NiSiO2 and NiSiO2 · Al2O3. For all catalysts, carbon hydrogenation occurred at a lower temperature than carbon monoxide hydrogenation. For both TPR and TPSR, small amounts of ethane were formed and at a lower temperature than methane. The amount of less-active, β-carbon observed in TPSR experiments was very small on all catalysts. These results indicate that at high coverages, carbon hydrogenation does not depend on the support, and thus it is not rate-determining for CO hydrogenation in excess hydrogen. The support is also shown to change the specific rate of carbon monoxide methanation; activity differences seen in steady-state experiments are not just due to differences in site densities.
Determination of dynamic parameters in amino acids from 17O NMR line width measurements

The viscosity and temperature dependence of the 17O NMR line width of glycine, alanine, proline, leucine, histidine and phenylalanine were investigated at pH 2, 7 and 12.5. The observed viscosity/temperature (η/T) dependence of the reorientation correlation time, τc, is compared with that given by hydrodynamic models. It was found that for amino acids the Gierer–Wirtz model is superior to the Stokes–Einstein–Debye and Hu–Zwanzig models. The 17O quadrupole coupling constant for glycine, alanine and histidine was determined in water solution; the activation energies for molecular tumbling were evaluated, and the hydration of the amino acids in their cationic zwitterionic and anionic ionization states is discussed.
Toward Poetic Science

This article is an extension of earlier discussion in the present journal regarding feelings in literature and, more broadly, the distinction between literary and scientific discourse. Valid though this distinction may be on some level, it is argued herein that it owes its very existence, in part, to a problematically narrow view of what constitutes science, one that not only eschews the life of feeling but that fails to abide by the primary obligation of the scientific endeavor-namely, to practice fidelity to the phenomena of concern. In this respect, it might plausibly be said that much of contemporary psychological science is not scientific enough and that, consequently, a more open and capacious conception is called for. More specifically, it is suggested that a portion of the discipline move in the direction of what might be called poetic science, a form of science that, in its very art-fulness, can do justice to the ambiguity, complexity, and depth that characterizes lived experience.
From serpentinization to carbonation: New insights from a CO2 injection experiment

Abstract We injected a CO2-rich hydrous fluid of seawater chlorinity into an ongoing, mildly reducing ( H 2 ( a q ) ≈ 3 mmol / kg ) serpentinization experiment at 230 °C and 35 MPa to examine the changes in fluid chemistry and mineralogy during mineral carbonation. The chemistry of 11 fluid samples was measured, speciated, and compared with MgO–SiO2–H2O–CO2 (MSHC) phase equilibria to approximate the reaction pathway from serpentinization to carbonation. Although the overall system was in apparent disequilibrium, the speciated activities of dissolved silica ( a SiO 2 ( a q ) ) and carbon dioxide ( a CO 2 ( a q ) ) evolved roughly along MSHC equilibrium phase boundaries, indicative of 4 distinct mineral assemblages over time: (1) serpentine–brucite (± magnesite) before the injection, to (2) serpentine–talc–magnesite 2 h after the injection, to (3) quartz–magnesite (48 h after injection), and (4) metastable olivine–magnesite (623 h after injection) until the experiment was terminated. Inspection of the solid reaction products revealed the presence of serpentine, magnesite, minor talc, and magnetite, in addition to relict olivine. Although quartz was saturated over a short segment of the experiment, it was not found in the solid reaction products. A marked and rapid change in fluid chemistry suggests that serpentinization ceased and precipitation of magnesite initiated immediately after the injection. A sharp decrease in pH after the injection promoted the dissolution of brucite and olivine, which liberated SiO 2 ( a q ) and dissolved Mg. Dissolved Mg was efficiently removed from the solution via magnesite precipitation, whereas the formation of talc was relatively sluggish. This process accounts for an increase in a SiO 2 ( a q ) to quartz saturation shortly after the injection of the CO2-rich fluid. Molecular dihydrogen ( H 2 ( a q ) ) was generated during serpentinization of olivine by oxidation of ferrous iron before the injection; however, no additional H 2 ( a q ) was generated after the injection. Speciation calculations suggest a strong affinity for the formation of methane ( CH 4 ( a q ) ) at the expense of CO 2 ( a q ) and H 2 ( a q ) after the injection, but increased CH 4 ( a q ) formation was not observed. These findings suggest that kinetically fast mineral carbonation dominates over sluggish CH 4 ( a q ) formation in mildly reducing serpentinization systems affected by injection of CO2-rich fluids.
Recovery from hemiparesis and unilateral spatial neglect after neonatal stroke. Case report and rehabilitation of an infant

Primary objective: To report rehabilitation of neglect in a child through task contexts.Methods and procedures: A 7-month-old boy with hemiparesis and neglect following neonatal stroke was evaluated with standard assessments during the first year of intervention. The intervention included timely training of each upper limb's movement (reaching, grasping, lifting, rotating, releasing, etc.), balance training and Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT). We promoted the storing of spatial representation through enriched environment by meaningful sensory inputs engaging spatial localization/orientation and eye movements.Main outcomes: During intervention the child developed reaching and grasping and other new motor behaviours (holding, releasing, lifting, rotating, transferring, pulling, manipulating objects, gesturing, self-feeding, walking). In parallel he also exhibited a decrease of neglect.Conclusion: Infants with stroke should be routinely checked for neglect. Especially those with hemiparesis and ne...
THE LEONIDS BY RADAR—1957 TO 19681

Radar observations of the Leonid meteor shower, made near Ottawa during the years from 1957 to 1968 inclusive, are analyzed and reduced to give comparative flux rates. A strength classification has been made in terms of the ratio of shower rates to background rates. The relative strengths found by radar, showing marked variability from year to year, are confirmed by analysis of available visual observations. There is also great variation in the distribution of particle sizes. The high rates of the 1966 return were accompanied by a relatively high percentage of small particles. In 1965 there was a much higher proportion of large particles, and the high rates of 1961 showed a mass or size distribution intermediate between that of 1966 and of 1965.
Enhanced diffusion in strongly magnetized astrophysical plasmas

We demonstrate that the diffusion coefficient for low energy particles, tied to a magnetic field which random walks, may be considerably larger than previously estimated in a strongly magnetized system — like the solar wind or the Galaxy. This is of interest with respect to propagation and lifetime considerations of low energy cosmic rays in the solar wind and the Galaxy.
Absorption and electroabsorption on amorphous films of polyvinylcarbazole and trinitrofluorenone

On disordered films of 1:1 PVK:TNF absorption and electroabsorption measurements have been performed in the energy range of the charge transfer absorption band. The spectra which show some similarity to results on amorphous selenium can quantitatively be explained by two charge transfer absorption bands at 2.17 and 2.83 eV originating from transitions between localized molecular states. The electroabsorption response is caused by an energy shift of the molecular states due to the interaction of molecular electric dipoles with the external field. The electroabsorption spectrum rises quadratically with the field strengh and is proportional to the second derivative of the absorption spectrum versus photon energy. The results indicate that the charge transfer from the donor molecule (PVK) to the acceptor (TNF) takes place with the excitation of the complex. An amorphen Schichten von 1:1 PVK:TNF wurden Absorptions- und Elektroabsorptionsmessungen im Bereich der Charge-Transfer-Absorptionsbande durchgefuhrt. Die Spektren, die Ahnlichkeit zu denen des amorphen Selen haben, konnen quantitativ durch zwei Absorptionsbanden bei 2,17 und 2,83 eV erklart werden, die von Ubergangen zwischen lokalisierten molekularen Zustanden stammen. Das Elektroabsorptionssignal ruhrt von einer Energieverschiebung der Molekulzustande infolge der Wechselwirkung der molekularen Dipole mit dem auseren Feld her. Das Elektroabsorptionsspektrum wachst quadratisch mit der Feldstarke und ist proportional zur zweiten Ableitung (nach der Energie) des Absorptionsspektrums. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das der Charge-Transfer vom Donator-Molekul (PVK) zum Akzeptor (TNF) bei der Anregung des Komplexes stattfindet.
Two-dimensional to three-dimensional tunneling in InAs/AlSb/GaSb quantum well heterojunctions

We examine room temperature band-to-band tunneling in 2D InAs/3D GaSb heterostructures. Specifically, multi-subband, gate-controlled negative differential resistance is observed in InAs/AlSb/GaSb junctions. Due to spatial confinement in the 10 nm-thick InAs layer, tunneling contributions from two distinct subbands are observed as sharp steps in the current-voltage characteristics. It is shown that the relative position of the steps can be controlled via external gate bias. Additionally, the extracted separation in the subband energy agrees well with the calculated values. This is the first demonstration of a gate controlled tunneling diode with multiple subband contributions.