cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of Superplastic Flow in a Fine-Grained Ceramic Containing Some Liquid Phase

Several results pertaining to large deformations at fast strain rates in a fine-grained ceramic material are described. Results for strain-rate, grain size, and temperature dependence of the flow stress are presented. They show that (a) ultrafine-grained ceramics are capable of high rates of deformation (about 10−4 to 10−4 s−1) at quite low stresses (1 to 20 MPa); (b) the mechanism of deformation is the enhanced rate of matter transport through the liquid phase segregated in the grain boundaries; (c) either uniaxial compression or tension tests may be used to determine the flow properties, except that a correction must be implemented for friction in the case of compression tests; and (d) microstructural changes can occur during deformation which influence the flow behavior. The ceramic is almost infinitely ductile in compression, whereas in tension elongations as large as W5% in one material, and more than 400% in another, were obtained. A model material, β-spodumene glass-ceramic, was used for this study but the results are likely to hold for other materials with equivalent microstructures, e.g., liquid-phase-sintered or hot-pressed materials such as the nitrogen ceramics
Egg-white and blood-serum proteins functioning by noncovalent interactions: studies by chemical modification and comparative biochemistry.

Some of the more interesting and important proteins are those that function by forming associations or complexes with other substances. The structure-function relationships of three of these with very different substances are transferrins, which chelate metal ions; avian ovomucoids, which form complexes with proteolytic enzymes; and antifreeze glycoproteins, which interact at the ice-solution interface. Interrelating studies on the comparative biochemistry with studies using chemical modification have helped identify the side-chain groups of the proteins involved in function as well as to be useful for studies on general protein chemistry. The most strongly associated interaction is the chelation of iron by transferrin, with an association constant of ∼1021; tyrosines, histidines, and sometimes aspartate are involved. For ovomucoids, individual substratelike residues such as lysine are involved in a Michaelis-like complex, and association constants are as high as 1010. By contrast, the antifreeze glycoproteins appear to function by a polymeric interaction at the surface of ice, wiht a much weaker association.
Are There Alternatives in Reading Textbooks? An Examination of Three Beginning Reading Programs.

The first-grade components of three textbook programs—mainstream basal, combined phonics and literature, and phonics emphasis—were compared on cognitive load (e.g., number of different words) and linguistic content (e.g., number of monosyllabic, simple vowel words). Three levels of three components of a program—literature anthologies, decodable texts, and leveled texts—were compared. Texts of the mainstream basal program grew in length but had similar cognitive load and linguistic content across levels and components. The phonics and literature program had numerous decodable texts initially but, at later levels, emphasized a literary anthology and leveled texts that were similar to the mainstream basal program. The phonics-only program had decodable texts with small numbers of unique words. Its literature, however, had no clear connections to the words of decodable texts.
Material-based hydrogen storage

One safety aspect of a material-based hydrogen storage system is the exposure of such system to a high-temperature environment (e.g., a fire) causing an increase in pressure. A simple analysis, based on a material balance, is provided to estimate the effect of temperature on equilibrium storage pressure in a material-based hydrogen storage system. Under certain limited ideal and non-ideal situations and using a linear relationship between the hydrogen in the material phase and vapor phase, simple explicit analytical expression for equilibrium storage pressure at a specified temperature can be easily derived without resorting to complicated numerical techniques.
The formation and fluorination of lithium fluoroplutonate(IV) compounds

Abstract At 300°C, the solid product of the reaction of PuF6(g) with LiF(s) was found to be LiPuF5. At 350–450°C, the solid product of the reaction of LiPuF5(s) with F2(g) was found to be Li4PuF8, and the solid product of the reaction of Li4PuF8(s) with F2(g) was found to be LiF. These experimental observations were used to infer that the reaction of PuF6 with LiF can be expected to produce a number of solid complexes that are analogues of the compounds known to exist in the condensed system LiF-UF4. Activation energies for the rates of reaction of LiPuF5 and Li4PuF8 with fluorine (1 atm) were found to be 12 and 10 kcal/mole PuF4, respectively. Fluorinations of the complexes proceeded with a first-order dependence on fluorine pressure in the range from 0·3 to 1 atm. The fluorination results also limited the value of the equilibrium constant, p F 2 p PuF 6 , for the reaction 4LiF(s) + PuF6(g) ⇄ Li4PuF8(s) + F2(g) at 400°C between 1 × 103 and 16 × 103.
Nanofiber‐expanded human umbilical cord blood–derived CD34+ cell therapy accelerates cutaneous wound closure in NOD/SCID mice

Nanofiber-expanded human umbilical cord blood–derived CD34+ cell therapy has been shown to have potential applications for peripheral and myocardial ischaemic diseases. However, the efficacies of expanded CD34+ cell therapy for treating cutaneous wounds and its mechanisms of action have yet to be established. Using an excisional wound model in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immune deficient mice, we show herein that CD34+ cells accelerate the wound-healing process by enhancing collagen synthesis, and increasing fibroblast cell migration within the wound bed. Concomitantly, reduced levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) such as MMP1, MMP3, MMP9 and MMP13 were detected in the wound beds of animals treated with CD34+ cells compared with vehicle-treated controls. CD34+ cells were found to mediate enhanced migration and proliferation of dermal fibroblast cells in vitro. Moreover, CD34+ cells secrete collagen in a serum-deprived environment. In mechanistic studies, co-culture of CD34+ cells with primary skin fibroblasts increased the expression of collagen1A1, a component of type 1 collagen, and decreased the expression of MMP1 in fibroblast cells in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor. Finally, CD34+ cell–mediated functions were transcriptionally regulated by the c-Jun N-terminal kinases pathway. Collectively, these data provide evidence of therapeutic efficacy and a novel mechanism of nanofiber-expanded CD34+ cell–mediated accelerated wound healing.
Three Hundred Years of Taungya: A Sustainable System of Forestry in South China'

Taungya is a system of forest management in which land is cleared and planted initially to food crops. Seedlings of desirable tree species are then planted on the same plot, leading in time to a harvestable stand of timber. Taungya is believed to have been developed by the British in Burma during the nineteenth century. Historical research indicates that successional systems of forest management which follow the pattern of taungya have been used for at least three centuries by ethnic minorities in and by the Han population. The resilience of these systems is associated with economic and social factors which have made the cultivation of trees an adaptive strategy of land use for the inhabitants of the highlands of southern China.
Effect of ketoconazole on hepatic oxidative drug metabolism

Several clinical reports have suggested (but not demonstrated) that ketoconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal drug, may inhibit hepatic oxidative drug metabolism in man. We recently demonstrated that ketoconazole inhibits caffeine and aminopyrine oxidation in the rat; we now study the influence of ketoconazole on theophylline and chlordiazepoxide kinetics in man. These studies were performed before and after varying doses of ketoconazole within the currently accepted therapeutic range. Ketoconazole had no effect on theophylline clearance, whereas the drug impaired chlordiazepoxide clearance from plasma. After a single dose of ketoconazole, there was a 20% decrease in clearance and a 26% decrease in volume of distribution without evidence of inhibition of drug metabolism. These changes apparently were not related to ketoconazole dose. After repetitive dosing with ketoconazole, chlordiazepoxide clearance decreased by 38% and was associated with reduced concentrations of its first oxidative metabolite, N-desmethylchlordiazepoxide. We conclude that ketoconazole inhibits at least one subset of the hepatic mixed-function oxidase system, but is not as general an inhibitor of hepatic oxidative drug metabolism as cimetidine appears to be. For some coadministered drugs, ketoconazole may also have an effect on other kinetic parameters such as volume of distribution. Therefore, we caution that clinically important drug interactions may occur with the concurrent use of ketoconazole.
Interest rate smoothness and the nonsettling-day behavior of banks

Abstract The variance of federal funds rates on nonsettling days was relatively low during the nonborrowed reserve period. As an explanation, we develop a model where banks maximize expected profits over the reserve maintenance period subject to transaction costs on the settling day (for simplicity, fixed costs) and a probability distribution of stochastic reserve flows. The equilibrium solution reveals the relation between the microeconomic parameters—settling-day transaction costs and the reserve flow variance—and the variance of nonsettling-day rates. Casual evidence suggests that regulatory innovations may have altered the reserve flow variance to produce the observed degree of interest rate smoothness.
Characterization of heterogeneous matrix composites using scanning acoustic microscopy

Acoustic microscopy was used to examine the morphology of multi-phase matrices and composites. The acoustic microscopy imaging could easily resolve the rubber domains dispersed within a thermosetting or thermoplastic continuous phase. However, because the thermoplastic and thermosetting phase domains had comparable elastic moduli, the resolution between them was not always clear. Rayleigh wave distortion of imaging remained as one of the serious limitations that needed to be overcome in order for this technique to be widely utilized in heterogeneous/anisotropic media. In its present form, the acoustic imaging technique can be used to augment other existing analytical tools in order to generate more detailed morphological information that is useful in understanding structure-property relationships for multi-phase toughened matrices used in advanced composites.
Private vs public economics of prairie wetland allocation

Abstract This paper examines the nature of the divergence between private and social net benefits of wetland drainage. To the extent wetlands have social value not considered by landowners, the private development of wetland for use as cropland exceeds the optimum unless the transactions cost of overcoming the externality exceeds social value. For a three-county area in north central Minnesota, data on the private incentive to drain prairie potholes are presented based upon estimates of the private costs and returns to wetland development. A survey provides data on landowner attitudes toward wetland preservation and their willingness to participate in fee simple and easement incentive programs.
Modeling the growth of long-stay populations in public mental hospitals

Long-stay, chronic patients have been a problematic subpopulation in public mental hospitals for over a century. Despite three decades of deinstitutionalization and a major shift toward shorter episodes of hospitalization, there continues to exist a group of patients who experience lengthy hospital stays. As the number of such patients increases in a facility, its ability to provide acute care may be compromised, and the size of this subpopulation must therefore be anticipated. This paper examines the length-of-stay patterns of a sample of public mental hospital admissions through the use of life table analysis, and develops a dynamic modeling algorithm using sample survival function values. Life table analysis revealed a declining hazard function, indicating a diminishing probability of discharge with increased hospital stay. The dynamic model showed that, after 2 years of operation of a hypothetical facility, current length-of-stay patterns would generate an inpatient population 40% of which had been hospitalized for over 6 months. Goodness-of-fit tests comparing the algorithm's forecast with actual hospital utilization data showed its predictions to be reliable. The authors discuss the use of this methodology to anticipate the effects of programmatic or other types of changes in mental hospitals, and also suggest other types of settings where such modeling techniques might profitably be applied.
Response of chloride efflux from skeletal muscle of Rana pipiens to changes of temperature and membrane potential and diethylpyrocarbonate treatment.

Efflux of36Cl− from frog sartorius muscles equilibrated in two depolarizing solutions was measured. Cl− efflux consists of a component present at low pH and a pH-dependent component which increases as external pH increases. For temperatures between 0 and 20°C, the measured activation energy is 7.5 kcal/mol for Cl− efflux at pH 5 and 12.6 kcal/mol for the pH-dependent Cl− efflux. The pH-dependent Cl− efflux can be described by the relationu=1/(1+10n(pK a -pH)), whereu is the Cl− efflux increment obtained on stepping from pH 5 to the test pH, normalized with respect to the increment obtained on stepping from pH 5 to 8.5 or 9.0. For muscles equilibrated in solutions containing 150mm KCl plus 120mm NaCl (internal potential about −15 mV), the apparent pK a is 6.5 at both 0 and 20°C, andn=2.5 for 0°C and 1.5 for 20°C. For muscles equilibrated in solutions containing 7.5mm KCl plus 120mm NaCl (internal potential about −65 mV), the apparent pK a at 0°C is 6.9 andn is 1.5. The voltage dependence of the apparent pK a suggests that the critical pH-sensitive moiety producing the pH-dependent Cl− efflux is sensitive to the membrane electric field, while the insensitivity to temperature suggests that the apparent heat of ionization of this moiety is zero. The fact thatn is greater than 1 suggests that cooperativity between pH-sensitive moieties is involved in determining the Cl− efflux increment on raising external pH. The histidine-modifying reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) applied at pH 6 reduces the pH-dependent Cl− efflux according to the relation, efflux=exp(−k·[DEPC]·t), wheret is the exposure time (min) to DEPC at a prepared initial concentration of [DEPC] (mm). At 17°C,k −1=188mm·min. For temperatures between 10 and 23°C,k has an apparent Q10 of 2.5. The Cl− efflux inhibitor SCN− at a concentration of 20mm substantially retards the reduction of the pH-dependent Cl− efflux by DEPC. The findings that the apparent pK a is 6.5 in depolarized muscles, that DEPC eliminates the pH-dependent Cl− efflux, and that this action is retarded by SCN− supports the notion that protonation of histidine groups associated with Cl− channels is the controlling reaction for the pH-dependent Cl− efflux.
Group-Theoretical Consideration of Landau Level Broadening in Crystals

A group-theoretical classification of the energy levels for a Bloch electron in a magnetic field is given. The fact is used that the magnetic translation group is a subgroup of the symmetry group for a free electron in a magnetic field, and it is shown that the broadening of the Landau levels in crystals is a general feature that follows from symmetry considerations. An explicit formula for the broadening in the case of cubic symmetry has been derived.
Processos Decisórios no contexto operacional: fluxos comunicacionais em uma empresa estatal de abastecimento de água

Resumo: Analisar como as decisoes acontecem em uma instituicao estatal de abastecimento de agua do ponto de vista operacional guia o presente trabalho. A metodologia privilegiada no trabalho foi um estudo de caso de cunho qualitativo em uma empresa estatal de abastecimento de agua do Sul do Brasil. Os dados referem-se a tres entrevistas com gestores da empresa, as quais foram integralmente transcritas. Os resultados indicam que as demandas dos clientes chegam por meio (mas nao exclusivamente) do Call Center, para depois ser encaminhadas e solucionadas pelas unidades de saneamento. Nos dois niveis de decisao, evidenciou-se que o processo decisorio privilegiado e da modalidade “decisoes baseadas em regras” no que se refere a logica do trabalho. Porem, percebe-se tambem situacoes de risco e que envolvem equipe e identidade embrenhados em processos comunicacionais. Ao receber as solicitacoes ou reclamacoes dos clientes, percebe-se um risco de nao tratar a informacao de maneira correta, ocasionando perda de agua tratada e desperdicio. E mais, observou-se que multiplos atores estao envolvidos em um fluxo comunicacional e de decisoes que desemboca em um gargalo que envolve o dilema funcao x funcao, uma vez que as decisoes envolvem mais de uma funcao e a distribuicao do servico depende da capacidade operativa da unidade para a solucao do problema. Palavras-Chave: Processos Decisorios; Fluxos Comunicacionais; Abastecimento de Agua.
THE EFFECTS OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY, ADRENALECTOMY AND OF THIOURACIL FEEDING ON THE CYTOLOGY OF BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE1

The present investigation concerns the relation of the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands to so-called “brown fat.” This tissue was formerly considered to be a gland of internal secretion but is now generally regarded as a form of adipose tissue. Its embryological relationship to ordinary fat is poorly understood and its functional significance is unknown, but its gland-like appearance and unusually rich blood supply suggest that it is metabolically more active than ordinary depot fat (Fawcett, ’48). This belief has been strengthened by biochemical studies which reveal that brown adipose tissue has a more rapid rate of phosphorus turnover (Littrell, Martin and Hartman, ’44) and a much greater oxygen consumption than white fat (Hook and Barron, ’41; Mirski, ’42). A relationship between the endocrine glands and adipose tissue has long been inferred from the marked sex differences in fat distribution in humans and from clinical observations on the association of obesity with certain disorders of the pitu...
Formation of Cobalt Silicides in Arsenic Implanted Cobalt on Silicon System

The importance of self aligned cobalt disilicide technology for gate and interconnection, and contact metallization cannot be overemphasized. Simultaneously, the concept of forming shallow junctions by using the metal or silicide layer as a dopant source is gaining prominence. In this work, we will present and discuss the results of the effect of arsenic, implanted into cobalt films on silicon, on the Co-Si reaction. Arsenic redistribution during the reaction, both during furnace annealing and RTA, and the effect of ion implantation and dose and energy will also be included.
Salvage Ureteral Reimplantation After Failure of Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid Injection

Purpose: Ureteroneocystostomy after dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection is reportedly associated with significantly more morbidity, and increased operative time, length of stay and postoperative obstruction. To evaluate our experience, we reviewed results of patients who underwent salvage ureteral reimplantation following failed dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients at a single institution who underwent intravesical ureteral reimplantation as salvage treatment following failed dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection. Data points such as operative time, blood loss and length of stay were compared to those of controls undergoing de novo reimplantation by the same surgeons. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test and chi-square test.Results: We identified 18 patients who underwent salvage reimplant. We compared data to an equal number of controls. Mean age (4.28 years in patients vs 3.34 years in controls, p = 0.62) and m...
Relation of Two Different Subtypes of Croup Before Age Three to Wheezing, Atopy, and Pulmonary Function During Childhood: A Prospective Study

Objective. Some retrospective evidence suggests that children with a history of croup may be at increased risk of subsequently developing asthma, atopy, and diminished pulmonary function. The objec- tive of this study was to determine the long-term out- come of croup (as diagnosed by a physician) in early life. Methods. Lower respiratory illnesses (LRIs) in the first 3 years of life were assessed in 884 children who were enrolled in a large longitudinal study of airway diseases at birth. Pulmonary function tests, markers of atopy, and wheezing episodes were studied at different ages between birth and 13 years. Results. Ten percent of children had croup with wheeze (Croup/Wheeze), 5% had croup without wheeze (Croup/No Wheeze), 36% had another LRI (Other LRI), and 48% had no LRI. Respiratory syncytial virus was more frequently isolated in children with Croup/Wheeze and Other LRI than in those with Croup/No Wheeze. There was no association between croup in early life and markers of atopy measured during the school years. Only children with Croup/Wheeze and with Other LRI had a significant risk of subsequent persistent wheeze later in life. Significantly lower levels of indices of intrapulmo- nary airway function were observed at ages <1 (before any LRI), 6, and 11 years in children with Croup/Wheeze and Other LRI compared with children with No LRI. Conversely, inspiratory resistance before any LRI epi- sode was significantly higher in infants who later devel- oped Croup/No Wheeze than in the other 3 groups. Conclusions. We distinguish 2 manifestations of croup with and without wheezing. Children who present with croup may or may not be at increased risk of sub- sequent recurrent lower airway obstruction, depending on the initial lower airway involvement, and preillness and postillness abnormalities in lung function associated with this condition. Pediatrics 2001;170:512-518; croup, wheezing, atopy, pulmonary function, children.
Mechanisms of Fibrosis in IPF

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disorder characterized by progressive destruction of normal lung architecture and replacement with abundant matrix that stiffens the lung and leads to respiratory failure. The pathobiology of IPF is characterized by the presence of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury and apoptosis, which is accompanied by progressive fibrosis. Thus, while inflammatory signaling may still play a role in IPF, the previous paradigm of an inflammation-driven disorder (alveolitis) has been supplanted by the concept of IPF as a disorder of AEC injury accompanied by a non-resolving wound-healing response. AEC injury and apoptosis result in disordered cross talk between the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments via aberrant cell behavior, profibrotic signaling, and loss of inhibitory homeostatic signals. These aberrant signals lead to disruption of the alveolar basement membrane, formation of a provisional matrix, and recruitment of mesenchymal cells to form the fibroblastic focus, which serves as the site of new matrix accumulation in IPF. Myofibroblast differentiation, matrix synthesis and deposition, and tissue remodeling occur in response to transforming growth factor-β(beta) (TGF-β) and other growth factors. This remodeling process yields a stiffened, fibrotic matrix that independently perpetuates the fibrotic process via activation of TGF-β signaling and myofibroblast differentiation.
Symmetric abnormalities in sulcal patterning in schizophrenia

To compare the morphology of the cerebral cortex and its characteristic pattern of gyri and sulci in individuals with and without schizophrenia, T1-weighted magnetic resonance scans were collected, along with clinical and cognitive information, from 33 individuals with schizophrenia and 30 healthy individuals group-matched for age, gender, race and parental socioeconomic status. Sulcal depth was measured across the entire cerebral cortex by reconstructing surfaces of cortical mid-thickness (layer 4) in each hemisphere and registering them to the human PALS cortical atlas. Group differences in sulcal depth were tested using methods for cluster size analysis and interhemispheric symmetry analysis. A significant group difference was found bilaterally in the parietal operculum, where the average sulcal depth was shallower in individuals with schizophrenia. In addition, group differences in sulcal depth showed significant bilateral symmetry across much of the occipital, parietal, and temporal cortices. In individuals with schizophrenia, sulcal depth in the left hemisphere was correlated with the severity of impaired performance on tests of working memory and executive function.
Vitamin D may reduce periodontal disease prevalence in older men.

Article title and biographic information Vitamin D and periodontal disease in older men. Alshouibi EN, Kaye EK, Cabral HJ, Leone CW, Garcia RI. J Dent Res 2013;92(8):689-93. Reviewer M. Nathalia Garcia, DDS, MS Purpose/Question The authors analyzed data from a study of aging and oral health in men to investigate if recommended daily intakes of total vitamin D are associated with a better periodontal health, as measured by alveolar bone loss, pocket probing depth, and attachment loss. Source of funding National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Grant #K24DE00419). Type of study/Design Cross-sectional study Level of evidence Level 2: limited-quality, patient oriented evidence Strength of recommendation grade N/A
Aligned dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential: From cigar shaped to pancake shaped

We consider a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), which is characterized by long-range and anisotropic dipole-dipole interactions and vanishing s-wave scattering length, in a double-well potential. The properties of this system are investigated as functions of the height of the barrier that splits the harmonic trap into two halves, the number of particles (or dipole-dipole strength) and the aspect ratio $\lambda$, which is defined as the ratio between the axial and longitudinal trapping frequencies $\omega_z$ and $\omega_{\rho}$. The phase diagram is determined by analyzing the stationary mean-field solutions. Three distinct regions are found: a region where the energetically lowest lying stationary solution is symmetric, a region where the energetically lowest lying stationary solution is located asymmetrically in one of the wells, and a region where the system is mechanically unstable. For sufficiently large aspect ratio $\lambda$ and sufficiently high barrier height, the system consists of two connected quasi-two-dimensional sheets with density profiles whose maxima are located either at $\rho=0$ or away from $\rho=0$. The stability of the stationary solutions is investigated by analyzing the Bogoliubov de Gennes excitation spectrum and the dynamical response to small perturbations. These studies reveal unique oscillation frequencies and distinct collapse mechanisms. The results derived within the mean-field framework are complemented by an analysis based on a two-mode model.
“Scandalous!”: Reputation, impression management, and employee assistance programs (EAPs) in the NBA

This case study explores how the National Basketball Association (NBA) can rebuild its reputation in response to recurrent player scandals. The case centers on a reputation management firm that has...
Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve - a case report and literature review

The prevalence of primary cardiac tumour ranges from 0.0017-0.28% and papillary fibroelastoma is rare but not uncommon benign cardiac neoplasm. Currently, with the advent of higher-resolution imaging technology especially transoesophageal echocardiography such cases being recognized frequently. The clinical presentation of these tumours varies from asymptomatic to severe ischaemic or embolic complications. We herein, present a 50-year-old female patient with a papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve arising from the endocardium of the right coronary cusp very close to the commissure between the right and non-coronary cusps. The patient presented with angina-like chest pain and was investigated using echocardiography and CT angiographic modalities in addition to the usual investigations. The differential diagnosis considered was a thrombus, myxoma, Lambl's excrescence and infective vegetation. The surgical management included a prompt resection of the tumour on cardiopulmonary bypass avoiding injury to the aortic valve. The patient recovered well. A review of the literature suggests that the cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is a rare but potentially treatable cause of embolic stroke and other fatal complications, therefore, a strong suspicion; appropriate use of imaging modality, preoperative anticoagulation and urgent surgical resection is warranted. Also, possibility of this diagnosis should be kept in mind while managing cardiac or valvular tumours.
Integrated action of pheromone signals in promoting courtship behavior in male mice

Pheromones are chemicals that are given off by living things and they lead to a range of social responses in others of the same species. These chemical signals, for example, can let an animal know when a suitable mate is near and trigger the release of hormones that encourage the animal to mate. In mammals, an organ found between the roof of the mouth and the nose detects pheromones. This organ contains more than 300 different receptors for these chemicals. However, only a few of these receptors have been matched with the pheromones that they detect. One example is a chemical released by male mice that interacts with a specific nasal receptor and causes a female mouse to arch her back in a way that signals she is ready to mate. One reason that more pheromone-receptor pairs are not known is that pheromones are released in very small quantities, which makes them hard to detect. In an effort to identify more pairs, Haga-Yamanaka et al. took tissue slices from the organ that detects pheromones in mice and then looked for cells that responded to the urine of female mice. Two previously unknown pheromone-receptor pairs were found. One helps male mice detect when a female is present, while the other lets him know if she is ready to mate. Together these two chemicals alert a male mouse to a potential mate and cause him to mount her in order to mate. However, neither chemical is able to trigger this male courtship behavior on its own. The techniques developed by Haga-Yamanaka et al. may, in the future, help identify more pheromone-receptor pairs. The next challenge will be to identify the pathways of nerve cells that integrate the information about pheromones and trigger the courtship behaviors.
Amygdalar function reflects common individual differences in emotion and pain regulation success

Although the co-occurrence of negative affect and pain is well recognized, the mechanism underlying their association is unclear. To examine whether a common self-regulatory ability impacts the experience of both emotion and pain, we integrated neuroimaging, behavioral, and physiological measures obtained from three assessments separated by substantial temporal intervals. Our results demonstrated that individual differences in emotion regulation ability, as indexed by an objective measure of emotional state, corrugator electromyography, predicted self-reported success while regulating pain. In both emotion and pain paradigms, the amygdala reflected regulatory success. Notably, we found that greater emotion regulation success was associated with greater change of amygdalar activity following pain regulation. Furthermore, individual differences in degree of amygdalar change following emotion regulation were a strong predictor of pain regulation success, as well as of the degree of amygdalar engagement following pain regulation. These findings suggest that common individual differences in emotion and pain regulatory success are reflected in a neural structure known to contribute to appraisal processes.
Structural insights into the design of nonpeptidic isothiazolidinone-containing inhibitors of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B

Structural analyses of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) active site and inhibitor complexes have aided in optimization of a peptide inhibitor containing the novel (S)-isothiazolidinone (IZD) phosphonate mimetic. Potency and permeability were simultaneously improved by replacing the polar peptidic backbone of the inhibitor with nonpeptidic moieties. The C-terminal primary amide was replaced with a benzimidazole ring, which hydrogen bonds to the carboxylate of Asp48, and the N terminus of the peptide was replaced with an aryl sulfonamide, which hydrogen bonds to Asp48 and the backbone NH of Arg47 via a water molecule. Although both substituents retain the favorable hydrogen bonding network of the peptide scaffold, their aryl rings interact weakly with the protein. The aryl ring of benzimidazole is partially solvent exposed and only participates in van der Waals interactions with Phe182 of the flap. The aryl ring of aryl sulfonamide adopts an unexpected conformation and only participates in intramolecular π-stacking interactions with the benzimidazole ring. These results explain the flat SAR for substitutions on both rings and the reason why unsubstituted moieties were selected as candidates. Finally, substituents ortho to the IZD heterocycle on the aryl ring of the IZD-phenyl moiety bind in a small narrow site adjacent to the primary phosphate binding pocket. The crystal structure of an o-chloro derivative reveals that chlorine interacts extensively with residues in the small site. The structural insights that have led to the discovery of potent benzimidazole aryl sulfonamide o-substituted derivatives are discussed in detail.
Charting the Impact of Federal Spending for Education Research A Bibliometric Approach

Impact evaluation plays a critical role in determining whether federally funded research programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are wise investments. This paper develops quantitative methods for program evaluation and applies this approach to a flagship National Science Foundation–funded education research program, Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE). Results of three different bibliometric analyses all point to the same conclusion: REESE is an interdisciplinary research program that attracts highly productive investigators who exhibit an additional increase in their productivity rate as a result of receiving REESE funding. Limitations of the bibliometric approach are discussed, and directions are provided for the future of impact evaluations of research programs intended to serve the public good.
N-acetylcysteine amide, a promising antidote for acetaminophen toxicity

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) is one of the most widely used over the counter antipyretic and analgesic medications. It is safe at therapeutic doses, but its overdose can result in severe hepatotoxicity, a leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure in the USA. Depletion of glutathione (GSH) is one of the initiating steps in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity; therefore, one strategy for restricting organ damage is to restore GSH levels by using GSH prodrugs. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a GSH precursor, is the only currently approved antidote for an acetaminophen overdose. Unfortunately, fairly high doses and longer treatment times are required due to its poor bioavailability. In addition, oral and I.V. administration of NAC in a hospital setting are laborious and costly. Therefore, we studied the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), a novel antioxidant with higher bioavailability, and compared it with NAC in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. Our results showed that NACA is better than NAC at a low dose (106mg/kg) in preventing oxidative stress and protecting against APAP-induced damage. NACA significantly increased GSH levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver to 66.5% and 60.5% of the control, respectively; and it reduced the level of ALT by 30%. However, at the dose used, NAC was not effective in combating the oxidative stress induced by APAP. Thus, NACA appears to be better than NAC in reducing the oxidative stress induced by APAP. It would be of great value in the health care field to develop drugs like NACA as more effective and safer options for the prevention and therapeutic intervention in APAP-induced toxicity.
Thermal Cycling and Vacuum Baking Effects on the Thermal Expansion of Graphite Fiber Reinforced Composite Laminates

The need for dimensionally stable materials in aerospace applications has prompted interest in fiber reinforced composites. Unfortunately thermal cycling and moisture absorption can cause significant dimensional changes in these materials. Some graphite fibers have a negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), so it is possible to construct structures with very low or even zero overall CTE. This paper reports experimental and numerical studies on the effect of thermal cycling, matrix microcracking and moisture desorption on the longitudinal CTE of cross ply graphite fiber-reinforced composite cylinders. A tentative identification of the responsible mechanisms is presented.
Swelling, reductive stress, and cell death during chemical hypoxia in hepatocytes

In rat hepatocytes, we examined the relationship between cell volume, bleb formation, and loss of cell viability during chemical hypoxia with KCN plus iodoacetic acid. In hypotonic media (150-200 m...
Understanding users of cloud music services: Selection factors, management and access behavior, and perceptions

Recent, rapid changes in technology have resulted in a proliferation of choices for music storage and access. Portable, web-enabled music devices are widespread, and listeners now enjoy a plethora of options regarding formats, devices, and access methods. Yet in this mobile music environment, listeners' access and management strategies for music collections are poorly understood, because behaviors surrounding the organization and retrieval of music collections have received little formal study. Our current research seeks to enrich our knowledge of people's music listening and collecting behavior through a series of systematic user studies. In this paper we present our findings from interviews involving 20 adult and 20 teen users of commercial cloud music services. Our results contribute to theoretical understandings of users' music information behavior in a time of upheaval in music usage patterns, and more generally, the purposes and meanings users ascribe to personal media collections in cloud-based systems. The findings suggest improvements to the future design of cloud-based music services, as well as to any information systems and services designed for personal media collections, benefiting both commercial entities and listeners.
General Discussion and Future Directions

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) considers herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccines an important priority. Our primary purpose in organizing this meeting was to generate discussion about the kinds of research the herpes vaccine research community considers important to pursue and to obtain a sense of the state of the science. We have done this through the presentations and now have the opportunity to share some thoughts you have about what needs to be accomplished in the future. We face an enormous challenge in the next few yearsnamely the identification of the resources to support this research. To a certain degree, we can redistribute some resources internally but it will still be a major challenge. The budgetary situation of the federal government is rather severe, and we have to be as forceful, energetic, and articulate as possible in developing arguments for obtaining the resources required to achieve our goals. Returning to Dr. Bernard Roizman's introductory comments, we first ought to discuss what the goals for an HSV vaccine might be. There is obvious interest in preventing infection and disease, and an interest in using such a vaccine to decrease rates of HSV transmission. Attenuated vaccines
Anterior chest wall tuberculosis in children

Musculoskeletal tuberculosis (TB) occurs in 1-3% of patients with TB, while TB of the chest wall constitutes 1% to 5% of all cases of musculoskeletal TB. We present a case of anterior chest wall tuberculous abscess in childhood. An eleven-month-old boy was admitted with a swelling on the anterior chest wall growing gradually. Physical examination on admission revealed a soft nonfluctuant, non tender lesion over the body of the sternum. He had received Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination at birth, but has no scar. Mantoux test showed induration of 14 mm. Mycobacterial culture of gastric aspirate was negative. Brucella test was negative too. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed soft tissue mass, osteolytic lesion of the sternum and reactive hillar adenopathy. Histopathologic examination revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation. The patient was treated with isoniazid and rifampin for 6 months. In conclusion TB should be considered in children with undiagnosed chest wall lesions, even if they have been vaccinated with BCG. Adequate anti-tuberculosis treatment can result in a complete recovery. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent serious complications.
Comparison of the taste and acceptance of three potassium chloride preparations

The palatability and acceptance of three commercially available potassium chloride solutions were evaluated. Adult ambulatory patients routinely self-administering potassium chloride solution rate the palatability and acceptance of each preparation. An open-label, three-treatment crossover study design was used. The taste of Klorvess was rated significantly more palatable than Kaochlor (p less than 0.01) or KayCiel (p less than 0.05). Klorvess was rated significantly more acceptable if taken over a long period of time than Kaochlor (p less than 0.01) or KayCiel (p less than 0.01). The average amount consumed of all three products was 57% of the prescribed amount. The amount of Klorvess returned was significantly less than the amount of either KayCiel (p less than 0.01) or Kaochlor (p less than 0.01). The flavoring agents are described and the importance of ensuring that the patient uses an accurate measuring spoon is discussed.
Distribution of Labelled Nitrogen From N2-Fixing Bacteria Into Zeamays and Soil

The capacity of nitrogen-fixing root-associated bacteria to provide reduced nitrogen to plants is largely unknown. Unlike the legume-Rhizobium symbiosis, there is no direct mechanism for the transfer of fixed nitrogen. The translocation of fixed nitrogen in the rhizosphere, from the bacteria to the plant, is mandatory if associative nitrogen fixation is to make a significant short-term contribution to the nitrogen economy of crop plants. Most nitrogen-fixing bacteria do not excrete appreciable amounts of reduced nitrogen into the environment. This suggests that the nitrogen fixed by these bacteria is released only at cell lysis. This nitrogen is probably incorporated into large molecules that are difficult for plants to assimilate. Many soil organisms have the capacity to metabolize these molecules, giving them a competitive advantage over plants. Soil organic matter, especially compounds that are not readily metabolized, is another sink for reduced nitrogen. Bacterial nitrogen lost from the biomass can be recovered in the humin fraction of the soil. Living cells of Azospirillum brasilense (strain JM125A2) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 15574) were uniformly labelled with 15N (31.5 atom%). The bacteria were inoculated into the rhizosphere of greenhouse-grown Zea mays (cv. Funks 509) at two levels of bacterial nitrogen. The plants were harvested at maturity and suparated into roots, shoots and grain, dried and weighed.
Association of Poor Kin Relations, College Adjustment and Psychological Well-Being among African American Undergraduates

The purpose of this study was twofold. The first was to examine the association of poor kin relations with students’ psychological distress and college adjustment in a sample of 83 African American undergraduates. The second was to assess whether the relationship of poor kin relations with both psychological distress and college adjustment was mediated by perceived stress and self-esteem. Fifty-nine female and 24 male African American undergraduates were administered the study measures via online survey. Findings revealed that poor kin relations were positively associated with psychological distress and negatively related to college adjustment. Evidence of the meditational role of perceived stress and self-esteem was found. Poor relations with kin were linked to increased vulnerability to stress and decreased self-esteem, which in turn, was associated with increase in psychological distress and decrease in college adjustment. For counselors, administrators and faculty concerned with the adjustment and retention of ethnic minority undergraduates, understanding the role of extended family and other off-campus relations in students’ psychological well-being may be highly important.
Low dose breast imaging-comparative performance of MBI and BSGI systems

1863 Objectives To compare the relative performance of a breast specific gamma imaging (BSGI) system and a molecular breast imaging (MBI) system for low dose imaging Methods The BSGI system comprised a single-head multi-crystal NaI system (pixel size 3.2×3.2 mm) equipped with a hexagonal-hole (HH) lead collimator. The MBI system comprised a dual-head cadmium zinc telluride solid state detector system (pixel size 1.6×1.6 mm) equipped with either conventional HH lead collimators or registered tungsten (RT) collimators. System sensitivity, uniformity, energy and spatial resolution were measured using standard NEMA methods. A 6-cm thick contrast detail (CD) phantom with 48 hot spots (3-10 mm diameter) was used to assess contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) using background count densities equivalent to those observed in clinical studies at doses of 4mCi and 20mCi Tc-99m sestamibi Results The BSGI and MBI systems had integral uniformities of 6.5% and 3.2% respectively. Significant energy peak drift with count rates above 5 kcps was observed with BSGI. Energy resolution for Tc-99m was 14.2% and 4.4% for the BSGI and MBI systems respectively. System sensitivity was 390 (BSGI), 334 (MBI-HH) and 968 cpm/uCi (MBI-RT). MBI was configured with RT collimators and energy window 110-154 keV for clinical studies. Sensitivity of the MBI-RT was 1216 cpm/uCi for the clinical setting. At distances of 1, 3 and 5 cm, resolution was measured at 4.1, 5.2 and 6.3 mm on the BSGI system and 3.8, 4.8 and 7.9 mm on the MBI-RT system. However with dual head, effective resolution at 5 cm dropped back to 3.8 mm on MBI-RT. Using the Rose criterion for lesion detection (CNR>3) results from the CD phantom revealed that for the BSGI system, 9 hot spots at 4mCi and 5 at 20mCi were undetectable. For the MBI-RT system, 5 hot spots at 4mCi and 3 at 20mCi were undetectable Conclusions Over the range 0-6 cm, the MBI-RT system demonstrated comparable or better spatial resolution than BSGI while yielding a 3-fold greater sensitivity. This resulted in improved lesion detection at all doses and allows MBI to be utilized at significantly lower doses than BSGI