cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mineralization and pH relationships in healing skeletal defects grafted with demineralized bone matrix

Early studies had indicated that tissue repair is initially associated with a lower than normal serum pH that later becomes more alkaline. To determine how tissue pH may affect skeletal healing and mineralization, we used a rat skeletal repair model consisting of a long bone segmental defect grafted with acid-demineralized bone matrix (DBM), a biomaterial possessing both osteoinductive and osteoconductive repair properties. In this study, femoral and tibial diaphyses from young adult Sprague Dawley rats were cut into cylinders approximately 0.5 cm in length, demineralized in acid, perforated to accommodate a needle-type combination pH microelectrode, and grafted around a 0.3-cm-long diaphyseal fibula defect. The pH of repair tissues was recorded at various time intervals up to 28 days postgrafting. Healing and mineralization were monitored histologically and by the ash and calcium content of repair tissues. During the early healing phase, tissue pH was lower than normal serum pH, presumably because of an accumulation of acidic metabolites in tissue fluids. Subsequent pH increases to more alkaline values were accompanied by a rapid mineral deposition phase and a later phase characterized by a slow, gradual increase in tissue calcium content. The results of this study support previous observations suggesting that the pH of repair tissue fluids may play a regulatory role in the healing and mineralization of bone.
Budget Deficits and the Current Account Balance: New Evidence from Panel Data

This study examines two distinguishing predictions of the finite-horizon open-economy macroeconomic models regarding the effect of fiscal policy on the current account balance: (1) Given the path of government expenditures, a fall in public savings has an adverse effect on the current account balance, and (2) a bond-financed increase in government expenditures exerts a larger adverse effect on the current account balance than a tax-financed alternative. These predictions are vastly different from those of the Ricardian theory. According to this view, (1) lower public savings are met by equal increases in desired private savings, and thus the current account balance does not change, and (2) the response of current account balance to a change in government spending is independent of its financing methods. Empirical analysis of 63 countries is consistent with the conventional theory.
Transport properties of SrCe0.95Y0.05O3−δ and its application for hydrogen separation

Abstract Transport properties of SrCe0.95Y0.05O3−δ were studied by impedance spectroscopy and by measuring open-cell voltage (OCV) and gas permeation. Ionic transference numbers were determined by measuring the OCV of concentration cells and water vapor evolution of an O2/H2 fuel cell. We observed interfacial polarization on the basis of the I–V curves obtained by discharging a hydrogen concentration cell or an O2/H2 fuel cell. The observed high protonic conductivity (high proton and low oxide ion transference numbers) makes SrCe0.95Y0.05O3−δ a potential material for hydrogen separation. From proton conductivity measurements, under a given hydrogen partial pressure difference of 4%/0.488%, the hydrogen permeation rate (of a dense membrane with 0.11 cm in thickness) was calculated to be ≈0.072 cm3 (STP) cm−2 min−1 at 800°C, whereas the permeation rate calculated from short-circuit current measurements was ≈0.023 cm3 (STP) cm−2 min−1 at 800°C. The difference between calculated and observed permeation rates is probably due to interfacial polarization.
Beliefs and actions: expectations and savings decisions by older Americans

Abstract To understand the interaction of savings behavior, pension fund participation and expectations of retirement well being, we ask two questions. Are expected pension benefits a substitute for accumulated savings in replacing preretirement income? Are individuals’ expectations concerning their retirement standard of living realistic based on their accumulated savings and pension plan participation? First-wave data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) are analyzed using a probit regression. The results are consistent with the idea that pension benefits are substitutes for saving and that accumulated savings have a significant impact on the expected standard of living but pension plan participation does not.
The impact of preozonation and biodegradation on disinfection by-product formation

Abstract Ozonation and biological treatment were investigated as a means of controlling the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) as measured by total organic halides (TOX) and purgeable organic halides (POX). Organic matter from a groundwater and a river water source were used and chlorine or chloramines were used as the final disinfectant. The amount formed, the formation kinetics and the impact of disinfectant dose were investigated. Chloramination produced significantly less organic halides, especially POX, compared to chlorination. With both disinfectants and for both sources of organic matter, the nonpurgeable organic halide formation rate was found to be much faster than that of POX. Preozonation decreased the amount of organic halide formation by 10–40% upon subsequent chlorination. With chloramines preozonation had no significant impact on the extent of the reaction. Preozonation followed by biotreatment resulted in the least amount of organic halide formation with a reduction of 50–80% when chlorine was used, and greater than 90% with chloramines. In all cases examined, the ratio of organic halides to dissolved organic carbon decreased after biological treatment indicating a selectivity for the potential reactive sites. Based on the results of this bench scale study, pilot studies of biological treatment for DBP control are being made.
Dynamic beam cleaning by a nonlinear resonance

Abstract The general framework for the dynamic cleaning of a stored proton beam by passing the beam through a nonlinear resonance is developed. The limitations and advantages of this technique are discussed. The method is contrasted with physical beam scraping, which is currently in use at the CERN ISR.
Relationship between age and pupil size: some additional variables.

Summary.-The negative relationship between age and pupil size has been a consrstent finding in the literature, however, the effects of the related factors of range of pupillary response and level of pupillary activity have never been separated from these two factors. Using a fairly limited age range (19 to 49 yr.) and a fairly small sample (20) the relationship reported in the literature was confirmed using simple Pearson correlations. However, to separate the effects of range and activity from the relationship between age and size, partial correlations were calculated. The age-size relationship no longer was significant following this manipulation. Several other correlations were significant and were briefly discussed. As a part of a larger study the opportunity arose to observe the relationship between S's age and his pupillary responses under a variety of conditions. Previous work by Birren, Casperson, and Borwinick (1950) involving more than 200 Ss indicated that pupil size becomes smaller with age between the ages of 20 and 90 yr. The correlation between age and pupil size in that study was -.70 in dark conditions and -61 in light conditions. This basic observation has been corroborated in a number of subsequent studies (McCawley, Strobel, & Glueck, 1966; Schafer & Weale, 1970; Wikler, Rosenberg, Hawthorne, & Cassidy, 1965). In addition to documenting this basic finding Birren, et al. (1950) also noted, as a result of having tested at two different light levels, that the pupil responded to light by the same change in diameter regardless of differences in absolute size. When the pupil response is used as a dependent measure in psychological experiments, a number of questions relating to absolute size and age ate often relevant to the interpretation of results but have, to date, seldom been dealt with. It is, for instance, important to know to what extent one must control for age, whether a given absolute change in pupil diameter has the same significance for Ss of different ages or for Ss having different initial pupil sizes. Pursuant to these considerations it was hypothesized chat other factors may be involved in the pupil response than size and these may have some relation to age. Two factors relating to the lability of the pupil, range of response and non-specific activity or variability, ate dealt with in the present study.
Abnormal and collateral innervations of sympathetic and peripheral sensory fields associated with a case of causalgia

A 41-year-old female developed spontaneous burning pain (causalgia) and stimulus-induced dysesthesia (allodynia) of the dorso-lateral part of her right foot following trauma. An L3 and L4 sympathectomy eliminated the spontaneous burning pain for only 1 year, but did not affect the stimulus-induced dysesthesia. We evaluated her two years post-sympathectomy with grouped sequential anesthetic blocks and sensory testing. Sympathetic blocks at L1 and L2 eliminated the burning pain and normalized heat perception from baseline hyperalgesia, indicating that the causalgia had been reactivated via more rostral sympathetic ganglia. Anesthetic block of the sural nerve eliminated both the burning pain and the stimulus-induced dysesthesia. During the sural nerve block, perception of touch and pin, but not heat, was preserved in the sural distribution. All perception was lost following subsequent block of the peroneal branches. When the peroneals were blocked first, perception of touch, pin and heat remained in the sural distribution. With peroneal block the burning pain was eliminated, but the stimulus-induced dysesthesia remained, even in the anesthetic peroneal territory. When sural block was added to the peroneal block the stimulus-induced dysesthesia was eliminated, and sensation in the sural distribution was lost. We conclude that the sural distribution received overalapping innervation for touch and pin-prick perception, but that heat perception, burning pain and the stimulus-induced dysesthesia were sural nerve dependent. Further, we were able to dissociate causalgia pain from allodynia in this patient.
The Pituitary Mass: Diagnosis and Management

Ke yW ords. sellar mass, parasellar mass, pituitary adenoma, cystic sellar lesions, sellar neoplasms Several types of lesions may present within the sella turcica and in parasellar areas, of which the most common are pituitary adenomas. Less commonly, sellar lesions are of non-pituitary origin with a broad range of potential etiologies including neoplastic, non-neoplastic cystic lesions, inflammatory and infectious lesions, vascular lesions and pituitary hyperplasia [1]. Differentiating among these various causes may be difficult, as they share similar clinical and radiographic features and easily mimic each other and pituitary adenomas. Making the correct preoperative diagnosis is of clinical relevance since the treatment of choice for many of these non-pituitary sellar masses differs from that of a pituitary adenoma. An overview of the clinical and radiographic features of the more common lesions as well as their management is provided in this article.
The general solution of the vacuum Einstein equation in the limit of strong gravity.

The general solution to the strong coupling limit of the vacuum Einstein field equations is obtained. This limit is related to the theory of symmetric spaces.
Image Reconstruction by Phase Retrieval with Transverse Translation Diversity

Measuring a series of far-field intensity patterns from an object, taken after a transverse translation of the object with respect to a known illumination pattern, has been shown to make the problem of image reconstruction by phase retrieval much more robust. However, previously reported reconstruction algorithms [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 023903 (2004)] rely on an accurate knowledge of the translations and illumination pattern for a successful reconstruction. We developed a nonlinear optimization algorithm that allows optimization over the translations and illumination pattern, dramatically improving the reconstructions if the system parameters are inaccurately known [Opt. Express 16, 7264 (2008)]. In this paper we compare reconstructions obtained with these algorithms under realistic experimental scenarios.
Photoionization of OH in the region 750–950 Å☆

Abstract The relative photoionization cross section of the hydroxyl radical (OH), was determined in the wavelength region from 750 to 950 A at a resolution of 0.07–0.23 A. Numerous new electronic transitions are observed and several members of a Rydberg series converging to OH + a 1 Δ tentatively are assigned.
Up-regulation of Brain N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptors Following Multiple Intracerebro- ventricular Injections of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5] Enkephalin and [D-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin II in Mice

Abstract Bhargava, H. N., S. Kumar and J. T. Bian. Up-regulation of brain N -methyl- D -aspartate receptors following multiple intracerebroventricular injections of [ D -Pen 2 , D -Pen 5 ]enkephalin and [ D -Ala 2 , Glu 4 ]deltorphin II in mice. Peptides 18(10) 1609–1613, 1997.—The effects of chronic administration of [ D -Pen 2 , D -Pen 5 ]enkephalin and [ D -Ala 2 , Glu 4 ]deltorphin II, the selective agonists of the δ 1 - and δ 2 -opioid receptors, on the binding of [ 3 H]MK-801, a noncompetitive antagonist of the N -methyl- D -aspartate receptor, were determined in several brain regions of the mouse. Male Swiss-Webster mice were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with [ D -Pen 2 , D -Pen 5 ]enkephalin or [ D -Ala 2 , Glu 4 ]deltorphin II (20 μg/mouse) twice a day for 4 days. Vehicle injected mice served as controls. Previously we have shown that the above treatment results in the development of tolerance to their analgesic activity. The binding of [ 3 H]MK-801 was determined in brain regions (cortex, midbrain, pons and medulla, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus and amygdala). At 5 nM concentration, the binding of [ 3 H]MK-801 was increased in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and pons and medulla of [ D -Pen 2 , D -Pen 5 ]enkephalin treated mice. In [ D -Ala 2 , Glu 4 ]deltorphin II treated mice, the binding of [ 3 H]MK-801 was increased in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The changes in the binding were due to increases in the B max value of [ 3 H]MK-801. It is concluded that tolerance to δ 1 - and δ 2 -opioid receptor agonists is associated with up-regulation of brain N -methyl- D -aspartate receptors, however, some brain areas affected differ with the two treatments. The results are consistent with the recent observation from this laboratory that N -methyl- D -aspartate receptors antagonists block tolerance to the analgesic action of δ 1 - and δ 2 -opioid receptor agonists.
Predictive models for photoinduced acute toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to Daphnia magna, strauss (cladocera, crustacea)

The photodynamic, actue toxicities of 20 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to Daphnia magna were predicted by photophysical and physiochemical parameters. The photophysical parameters considered were lowest singlet energy, lowest triplet energy, singlet-triplet splitting energy and phosphorescence lifetime. The physiochemical parameters were first- and second-order connectivity indices and log P values. D. magna were exposed to aqueous solutions of each PAH such that equimolar concentrations in D. magna were achieved. The organisms and the PAHs were then exposed to 120 μW/cm2 UV-A and 25 μW/cm2 UV-B light. Mortality times (min) were recorded and the results reported as median lethal time (LT50). Potency factors (π) were calculated and used to rank the PAHs in terms of relative photodynamic toxicity. Some statistically relevant correlations between individual physical parameters and toxicity were observed. Linear, multiple regression models were poor predictors of photoinduced PAH toxicity. A curve-linear model was developed to predict photoinduced toxicity from triplet energy. Goodness-of-fit chi-square tests were performed and demonstrated that triplet energy was an effective predictor both of observed LT50 and of LT50 values adjusted to a constant PAH concentration. Toxicity data were also analyzed using discriminant functional analysis. A stepwise, canonical correlation parameter selection method separated the PAHs into three toxic categories by using triplet energy and phosphorescence lifetime as variables. This model, which classifies PAHs as very toxic, moderately toxic or nontoxic, was 100% accurate when the model developed from one set of PAHs was tested with a different set.
A Science Librarian in the Laboratory: A Case Study

A science librarian in the laboratory can become a “point of access” for database instruction and provide a learning opportunity for students to develop their information literacy skills. A case study describes how a librarian in an organic chemistry laboratory helps the class run smoothly and identifies the science librarian as an ally and a resource. The major objectives of the library part of the laboratory was for students to learn to use MDL CrossFire database, become proficient with finding information from the library, and gain an understanding for searching experimental data in articles.
Advising Undergraduates in Psychology: Exploring the Neglected Dimension:

Three models for advising undergraduates resulted from a nationwide survey of psychology departments. The All Faculty model, which includes faculty from students' first to last year of college, was perceived as superior in meeting student needs. Next most effective was the No Faculty model, adopted by only 13% of departments, which consists of a departmental advising office (with minimal faculty involvement. Private institutions were superior to public institutions in advising effectiveness, and departments with small numbers of students were perceived as superior to departments with many students. Although our respondents gave their advising systems high marks in general, problems with advising included lack of recognition and reward for advisers and unsatisfactory treatment of minority students' needs.
A single-channel solution for transmission power control in wireless ad hoc networks

Transmission power control (TPC) has a great potential to increase the throughput of a mobile ad hoc network (MANET). Existing TPC schemes achieve this goal by using additional hardware (e.g., multiple transceivers), by compromising the collision avoidance property of the channel access scheme, or by imposing impractical requirements on the operation of the MAC protocol. In this paper, we present a novel power control MAC protocol, known as POWMAC, for MANETs that enjoys the same simple single-channel, single-transceiver design of the IEEE 802.11 ad hoc MAC protocol, but that achieves a significant throughput improvement over the 802.11 scheme. Collision avoidance is integrated into the design of POWMAC. Instead of alternating between the transmission of control (RTS/CTS)and data packets, as done in the 802.11 scheme, POWMAC uses an access window (AW) to allow for a series of RTS/CTS exchanges to take place before multiple, concurrent data packet transmissions can commence. The length of the AW is dynamically adjusted (based on local traffic load information) to allow for concurrent interference-limited transmissions to take place in the same vicinity of a receiving node. Collision avoidance informat on is inserted into the CTS packet and is used to bound the transmission powers of potential nterferers, rather than to silence such nodes. Simulation results for "random-grid" and "clustered" topologies are used to demonstrate the signicant throughput and energy gains that can be obtained under the POWMAC protocol.
Design and VLSI implementation of an access processor for a decoupled architecture

Abstract Decoupled computer architectures provide high scalar performance by exploiting the fine-grained parallelism existing between the access and execute functions in a computer program. These architectures employ an access processor to fetch execute processor data ahead of demand. Some of the decoupled architectures employ identical access and execute processors, but special processors that efficiently access data structures have also been proposed. In this paper, we present the design of an access processor targeted for VLSI implementation. The processor hardware elements, instruction set and instruction formats are presented in sufficient detail to define the system architecture. The various trade-offs involved in the design are explained. Finally, a detailed implementation of a scaled down version of the processor is presented.
A low energy helium atom diffraction study of decanethiol self-assembled on Au(111)

Abstract We report the results of low energy helium atom diffraction studies of the surface of decanethiol self-assembled on the (111) face of single crystal gold. Our survey of 13 separate samples indicates that for decanethiol the standard self-assembly methodology results in monolayers of widely varying quality. We observe that surface order is generally enhanced by preparing monolayers in micromolar solution as compared to the usual millimolar preparation [M.D. Porter et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109 (1987) 3559; C.D. Bain et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111 (1989) 321]. This result is in agreement with a parallel study conducted using grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD). Particular attention is focused on two exceptionally high-quality samples which show more clearly than ever before the c(4√3 × 2 √3)R30° diffraction pattern first observed for octadecanethiol monolayers [N. Camillone III et al., J. Chem. Phys. 98 (1993) 3503]. The diffraction patterns observed for these samples and their structural implications are discussed in light of recent advances made in other laboratories. We also discuss the results of thermal annealing experiments.
Dynamic polarization switching and stimulated orientational scattering in nematic liquid crystals

Stimulated Orientational Scattering (SOS) uses the angular reorientation of the director axis in liquid crystals to produce cross-polarized light amplification. Akin to photorefractivity, SOS uses grating formation and the resulting phase-matching to scatter incident radiation into a coherent, cross-polarized signal beam. This paper provides a brief review of the theory underlying SOS, a discussion of the simulation of SOS dynamics, and empirical results of the SOS effect acting in a thin film (300 μm) planar sample of the liquid crystal E7 induced by an Argon ion laser at a wavelength of 488 nm.
Sync or Swarm: Musical Improvisation and the Complex Dynamics of Group Creativity

This essay draws on participant observation, ethnographic interviews, phenomenological inquiry, and recent insights from the study of swarm intelligence and complex networks to illuminate the dynamics of collective musical improvisation. Throughout, it argues for a systems understanding of creativity—a view that takes seriously the notion that group creativity is not simply reducible to individual psychological processes—and it explores interconnections between the realm of musical performance, community activities, and pedagogical practices. Lastly, it offers some reflections on the ontology of art and on the role that music plays in human cognition and evolution, concluding that improvising music together allows participants and listeners to explore complex and emergent forms of social order.
QoS Enhancement and Performance Evaluation of Ad-Hoc Routing Protocols for Rural Public Safety

In this paper, we explore the feasibility of using Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) for rural public safety. First, we discuss a QoS enhancement to a standard routing protocol, Dynamic Source Routing (DSR). By incorporating a new routing metric and the available bandwidth and delay estimation algorithms with DSR, we design a new routing protocol, QoS-Aware Source Routing (QASR), to meet the QoS requirements specified by Statement of Requirements (SoR) for public safety communications. We then evaluate the performance of QASR and the well-known standard routing protocols including Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) and DSR based on real public safety scenarios using the OPNET modeler at the 4.9GHz public safety spectrum band. Simulation results show that QASR significantly outperforms DSR and AODV in terms of various performance metrics.
A prospective test of criteria for response, remission, relapse, recovery, and recurrence in depressed patients treated with cognitive behavior therapy

The definitions that are commonly employed to describe the outcome of the depressive disorders are often used in inconsistent ways and remain largely untested. The lack of a standard and valid set of outcome definitions hinders the study of the naturalistic course and treatment of depressive disorders. In the present study, we operationalized definitions for response, remission, relapse, recovery, and recurrence and examined their validity in a sample of depressed patients treated with cognitive behavior therapy. Validity was evaluated by the ability of the definitions to predict subsequent outcome in acute treatment and during a 3 year follow-up period. All five definitions demonstrated moderate to excellent validity. Moreover, we were able to empirically distinguish response from remission, and relapse from recurrence, despite the frequent confusion of these terms in the literature. Several of the findings suggest that continued refinement of the outcome definitions may enhance validity even further.
An Analysis of the Results of the 1947 Collegiate Students’ International Contest in Judging Dairy Products

Summary 1.The key to the success of the winning contestants lay in their abilities to evaluate the flavor of the dairy products more nearly in line with the judgment of the official than their competitors. Also, they approximated more nearly the judges' decision in scoring and determining the body and texture of Cheddar cheese and vanilla ice cream. The three high contestants agreed that no body and texture defects were present in the butter samples scored. 2.The items of melting quality and color of ice cream, sediment, container and closure of milk, color and salt of butter, and color of cheese are not so important as flavor and/or body and texture in testing the judging proficiency of the participants in the contest. 3.With the exception of ice cream, contestants of the fourth quartile failed to score higher because of their inability to place a correct score on the flavor of the product. 4.Concerning the use of the suggested normal range in the scoring of each product, the following tendencies were observed: In the scoring of the flavor of butter, the contestants were more conservative than the judges. In the rating of the flavor of cheese and milk, the contestants and the judges were equally moderate. In the scoring of the flavor of ice cream, the contestants were much more conservative than the judge. All contestants were exceedingly cautious in placing scores on the body and texture of cheese and ice cream.
Gestalt similarity principle, difference thresholds and pattern discriminability

Perceptual grouping within a visual array has been studied as a function of the difference limen between elements composing the array. Two experiments are reported in which the array elements differed in size or in shape. Although there is a relationship between perceptual emergence and amount of difference between elements of the display as expected, there was clear evidence that above threshold differences between elements could not be used to predict the emergence of a pattern hidden in the visual array.
One-dimensional sequential sensor fusion

This paper develops a theoretical basis for fusing sensor data in the temporal domain. Examples are used to illustrate the concepts. >
Staging the Greensboro Sit-Ins

Organizers situated and designed their demonstrations to maximize social and political effects. Staging the sit-ins at Woolworth's—an "all- American store"—made great theatre that attracted a national audience.
Iterative capped assembly: rapid and scalable synthesis of repeat-module DNA such as TAL effectors from individual monomers

DNA built from modular repeats presents a challenge for gene synthesis. We present a solid surface-based sequential ligation approach, which we refer to as iterative capped assembly (ICA), that adds DNA repeat monomers individually to a growing chain while using hairpin ‘capping’ oligonucleotides to block incompletely extended chains, greatly increasing the frequency of full-length final products. Applying ICA toamodelproblem,constructionofcustomtranscription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) for genome engineering, we demonstrate efficient synthesis of TALE DNA-binding domains up to 21 monomers long and their ligation into a nucleasecarrying backbone vector all within 3h. We used ICA to synthesize 20 TALENs of varying DNA target site length and tested their ability to stimulate gene editing by a donor oligonucleotide in human cells. All the TALENS show activity, with the ones >15 monomers long tending to work best. Since ICA builds full-length constructs from individual monomers rather than large exhaustive libraries of pre-fabricated oligomers, it will be trivial to incorporate future modified TALE monomers with improved or expanded function or to synthesize other types of repeat-modular DNA where the diversity of possible monomers makes exhaustive oligomer libraries impractical.
Estradiol induces sexual behavior in female túngara frogs

Steroid hormones play an important role in regulating vertebrate sexual behavior. In frogs and toads, injections of exogenous gonadotropins, which stimulate steroid hormone production, are often used to induce reproductive behavior, but steroid hormones alone are not always sufficient. To determine which hormonal conditions promote sexual behavior in female tungara frogs, we assessed the effect of hormone manipulation on the probability of phonotaxis behavior toward conspecific calls in post-reproductive females. We injected females with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), estradiol, estradiol plus progesterone, saline, or HCG plus fadrozole (an aromatase blocker) and tested their responses to mating calls. We found that injections of HCG, estradiol, and estradiol plus progesterone all increased phonotaxis behavior, whereas injections of saline or HCG plus fadrozole did not. Since injections of estradiol alone were effective at increasing phonotaxis behavior, we concluded that estradiol is sufficient for the expression of phonotaxis behavior. Next, to determine if estradiol-injected females display the same behavioral preferences as naturally breeding females, we compared mating call preferences of naturally breeding females to those of post-reproductive females injected with estradiol. We found that, when injected with estradiol, females show similar call preferences as naturally breeding females, although they were less likely to respond across multiple phonotaxis tests. Overall, our results suggest that estradiol is sufficient for the expression of sexual responses to mating calls in tungara frogs. To our knowledge, ours is the only study to find that estradiol alone is capable of promoting phonotaxis behavior in a frog.
Androgens Induce the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Fetal Prostatic Fibroblasts

Androgens are known to directly stimulate prostate cancer cell growth. We have previously reported that LNCaP prostate cancer cells were dependent upon stromal coinoculation for growth in nude mice and that the stromal cells secreted a potent angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulated tumor angiogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining localized VEGF expression primarily to the stromal cells of human fetal and adult hyperplastic prostates, with both stromal and epithelial cell VEGF expression in prostate cancer. In the present studies, we test the hypothesis that androgens, in addition to their direct effects on prostate epithelial cells, have indirect effects on these cells via up-regulation of stromal VEGF production and angiogenesis. Primary cultures of human prostate fetal fibroblasts were treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the effects on VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined by Northern blotting. DHT (10 nm) increased VEGF mRNA levels maximally...
A shift-invariant filtered backprojection (FBP) cone-beam reconstruction algorithm for the source trajectory of two concentric circles using an equal weighting scheme

In this paper, a shift-invariant filtered backprojection cone-beam image reconstruction algorithm is derived, based upon Katsevich's general inversion scheme, and validated for the source trajectory of two concentric circles. The source trajectory is complete according to Tuy's data sufficiency condition and is used as the basis for an exact image reconstruction algorithm. The algorithm proceeds according to the following steps. First, differentiate the cone-beam projection data with respect to the detector coordinates and with respect to the source trajectory parameter. The data are then separately filtered along three different orientations in the detector plane with a shift-invariant Hilbert kernel. Eight different filtration groups are obtained via linear combinations of weighted filtered data. Voxel-based backprojection is then carried out from eight sets of view angles, where separate filtered data are backprojected from each set according to the backprojection sets' associated filtration group. The algorithm is first derived for a scanning configuration consisting of two concentric and orthogonal circles. By performing an affine transformation on the image object, the developed image reconstruction algorithm has been generalized to the case where the two concentric circles are not orthogonal. Numerical simulations are presented to validate the reconstruction algorithm and demonstrate the dose advantage of the equal weighting scheme.
A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE GLANDULAR ELEMENTS IN THE TUBE FEET OF SOME COMMON BRITISH OPHIUROIDS

Previous work on the tube-foot glands of ophiuroids is reviewed briefly and it is observed that there is some confusion concerning their nomenclature and functions. In Ophiothrix two different types of possible glandular elements have been reported. In the present paper these are designated “A” and “B” and their staining reactions are re-examined and compared. In Ophiothrix and Ophiopholis elements “A” show none of the staining reactions expected of a protein-carbohydrate complex. Elements “B” although weakly positive for acid-mucopolysaccharides exhibit also the staining reactions of a protein-carbohydrate complex which can be classified as a neutral mucopolysaccharide or a muco- or glycoprotein. In Ophiocomina glands are described which secrete an acid-mucopolysaccharide. In Amphiura the staining reactions of the glands point to a mixed secretion consisting partly of an acid mucopolysaccharide and partly of another PAS positive protein-carbohydrate complex.
A Vector Quantization Approach to LMMSE Channel Estimation for OFDM System

The linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) channel estimation has better performance than the least square (LS) channel estimation. However, it requires channel statistics which are often difficult to obtain. In addition, the computational complexity of the LMMSE channel estimation is high because of the inverse matrix computation. In order to overcome these implementation issues, a vector quantization approach to LMMSE channel estimation for OFDM systems is proposed in this paper. The LMMSE filter coefficients (LFC) are assumed to be determined by two parameters: root-mean-square delay spread (RDS) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). After being calculated by using the LS channel estimation at pilot subcarriers, these parameters are mapped into a representation codevector of the quantization region. So that LFC can be obtained through the pre-calculated look-up table, which stores LFC corresponding to the representation codevector. Optimal vector quantization under the memory constraint is also derived. Finally, the proposed method is applied to channel sounding of the IEEE 802.16e specification and the resulting performance is improved compared to the LS channel estimation.
Design of the Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study (CePAWHS) strong healthy women intervention: improving preconceptional health.

Considerable evidence suggests that modifiable risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birthweight include obesity, sedentary behavior, and infections. There is a growing consensus that the preconceptional and interconceptional periods may be an ideal time for preventive intervention targeting these risk factors; enhancing health before pregnancy would subsequently reduce the risk for poor pregnancy outcomes. This paper provides an overview of the development of a health behavior intervention, Strong Healthy Women, that aims to improve women’s preconceptional and interconceptional health. We describe the rationale, delivery, and targeted outcomes of the program, as well as the design of an ongoing trial currently testing program efficacy. The content areas are also discussed and include pregnancy-conception, stress, physical activity, nutrition, infection, sources of smoke in the home, and substance use. This intervention protocol may offer researchers and healthcare professionals a framework for designing other programs aiming to improve women’s preconceptional health.
An Ecological Perspective on Older Adult Eating Behavior

An ecological perspective is a useful conceptual framework that takes into account multiple levels of influence that affect eating behavior of older adults. Eating behavior of older adults is influenced simultaneously by intrapersonal (i.e., individual characteristics), interpersonal (i.e., interpersonal processes and primary groups), institutional (i.e., norms and structures), community (i.e., social networks and norms), and public policy factors (local, state, and federal policies and laws). Addressing these multiple factors is key to effectively implementing nutritional interventions.
MEASURING METACOGNITION IN READING BY DETECTABILITY OF CLOZE ACCURACY

Knowing when one has understood is an important metacognitive skill in reading and in making use of what one has read. It is defined here as the ability to detect failures of comprehension processing. This is measured operationally, using a signal detection model, as the extent to which a respondent's judgments of confidence discriminate between accurate and inaccurate responses on cloze tests. The reliability of the measure is investigated and, as an illustration, it is applied to reading in native and second languages. It is concluded that this new augmented form of cloze testing may be a useful tool in reading research.
What Is a Host? Incorporating the Microbiota into the Damage-Response Framework

Since proof of the germ theory of disease in the late 19th century, a major focus of the fields of microbiology and infectious diseases has been to seek differences between pathogenic and nonpathogenic microbes and the role that the host plays in microbial pathogenesis. Remarkably, despite the increasing recognition that host immunity plays a role in microbial pathogenesis, there has been little discussion about what constitutes a host. Historically, hosts have been viewed in the context of their fitness or immunological status and characterized by adjectives such as immune, immunocompetent, immunosuppressed, immunocompromised, or immunologically impaired. However, in recent years it has become apparent that the microbiota has profound effects on host homeostasis and susceptibility to microbial diseases in addition to its effects on host immunity. This raises the question of how to incorporate the microbiota into defining a host. This definitional problem is further complicated because neither host nor microbial properties are adequate to predict the outcome of host-microbe interaction because this outcome exhibits emergent properties. In this essay, we revisit the damage-response framework (DRF) of microbial pathogenesis and demonstrate how it can incorporate the rapidly accumulating information being generated by the microbiome revolution. We use the tenets of the DRF to put forth the following definition of a host: a host is an entity that houses an associated microbiome/microbiota and interacts with microbes such that the outcome results in damage, benefit, or indifference, thus resulting in the states of symbiosis, colonization, commensalism, latency, and disease.
Clarification of Milk for Cheese Making

Summary A total of 82 cheese were made in this experiment. Clarification of a poor quality of milk under ordinary conditions showed no improvement in the score of cheese. Clarification of poor quality milk handled under strictly sanitary conditions resulted in an improvement of 1.59 points in the score of the cheese. Clarification of a high quality milk under ordinary conditions resulted in an improvement of 2.53 points. Clarification of a high quality milk under strictly sanitary conditions resulted in an improvement of 2.83 points in the total score of the cheese. On the average clarification resulted in an improvement of 1.03 points in total score. The writers wish to express their thanks to C. W. Fryhofer formerly of the United States Department of Agriculture, Dairy Division, for his assistance in scoring a number of the cheese used in this experiment.
The Effect of Customs Unions Among Specialized Countries on International Capital Flows

This paper examines the effect on international capital flows of a customs union formed by specialized countries. We assume no economies of scale, and use a general equilibrium model with internationally mobile capital. It is shown that integration among countries with characteristics generally associated with having specialized economies will lead to a flow of capital into the union. These characteristics specifically concern the types of goods they trade among themselves, and with the rest of the world, and their ability to absorb capital inflows.
Binding of abciximab to alpha V beta 3 and activated alpha M beta 2 receptors: with a review of platelet-leukocyte interactions.

Murine monoclonal antibody 7E3, as well as the derivatives of 7E3 used in vivo [7E3-F(ab’)2, 7E3 Fab’, mouse/human chimeric 7E3 Fab (c7E3 Fab; abciximab; ReoPro™)], inhibit platelet aggregation induced by physiologic and pathologic agonists by binding to the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor.1,2 This biological activity formed the basis of its development as an antithrombotic agent to prevent and treat plateletmediated ischemic cardiovascular disease. During its development, 7E3 was reported to also react with two other integrin receptors, the αVβ3 “vitronectin” receptor (CD51/CD61)3,4 and at least one activation-dependent conformation of the αMβ2 or “Mac-1” receptor (CD11b/CD18).5 Whereas both αVβ3 and αMβ2 have been implicated in a number of different physiologic and pathologic processes, it is possible that some effects of abciximab are due to its reactivity with one or the other of these receptors. Moreover, the reactivity of abciximab with these receptors opens up the possibility that abciximab, or other agents that inhibit these receptors, may be useful in preventing or treating disorders in which these receptors play a role. This review will address these issues.
Sour taste finds closure in a potassium channel

Taste cells in taste buds of the mammalian tongue and oral cavity can detect five basic modalities: sweet, bitter, umami, salty, and sour. Each taste cell expresses distinct molecular sensors, such as G protein-coupled receptors or ion channels, which detect tastants (i.e., chemical stimuli that elicit taste sensation) and initiate an intracellular response that culminates in membrane depolarization and/or action potentials (APs) causing transmitter release. The race to solve the molecular identity of taste receptors more than 20 y ago sparked a revolution in gustatory physiology. The transduction components for sweet, bitter, umami, and salty taste have since been documented (1, 2), but sour taste remains poorly understood. The sour taste machinery has begun to emerge in recent years, but the intracellular response underlying sour taste detection is not known. In PNAS, Ye et al. (3) report a potassium (K+) channel as a key component of sour taste transduction, which fills a significant gap in the field.
Investigating Effectiveness of Activated Carbons of Natural Sources on Various Supercapacitors

Activated carbon can be produced from natural sources, such as pistachio and acorn shells, which can be an inexpensive and sustainable sources of natural wastes for the energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors. The carbonaceous materials used in this study were carbonized at the temperatures of 700°C and 900°C after the stabilization process at 240°C for two hours. These shells showed approximately 60% carbon yield. Carbonized nutshells were chemically activated using1wt% potassium hydroxide (KOH). Activated carbon powders with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) were used to construct carbon electrodes. A 1M of tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEABF4) and propylene carbonate (PC) were used as electrolytes. Electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used for the characterization of the supercapacitors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to inspect the surface texture of the activated carbons. Activated pistachio shells carbonized at 700°C showed more porous surface texture than those carbonized at 900°C. Effects of the carbonization temperatures were studied for their electrochemical characteristics. The shells carbonized at 700°C showed better electrochemical characteristics compared to those carbonized at 900°C. The test results provided about 27,083 μF/g specific capacitance at a scan rate of 10mV/s. This study showed promising results for using these activated carbons produced from the natural wastes for supercapacitor applications.
Thermal oxidation of silicon carbide with surface modification by the molecular layering method

We studied the character and degree of influence on the corrosion resistance of powdered SiC of certain elemental oxide additives, incorporated in the surface layer by the molecular layering method. We established that treating powdered SiC with vapors of CrO2Cl2 increases its resistance during heating to 1500°C in air by 20–23%.
Effect of some hormones on calcium balance in elderly subjects.

Our earlier studies on calcium and phosphorus balance in elderly subjects have shown that calcium requirements are higher for such subjects than other workers found for young adults, with little change in phosphorus requirements (1,2). We later noted that addition of Vit. D to a supposedly adequate diet increased calcium retention in these subjects (3). Increased calcium requirements in the aged make it more likely that such subjects will be in negative calcium balance on an ordinary diet. The increase in incidence of osteoporosis in the aged has been noted by many workers(4). We have been studying the effects of various hormones on nitrogen balance in elderly subjects for some time. Some cause an increase in nitrogen retention and definite clinical improvement(5,6). Use of these hormones has found a definite place in treatment of debilitated elderly subjects(7). In view of the precarious state of calcium equilibrium in such individuals, we felt it advisable to make further studies on the effect of these ...