cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure of neonatal injection of hexachlorophene to affect reproduction in hamsters.

Abstract Neonatal administration of a near lethal dose of hexachlorophene had no effect on time of puberty, estrous cycle regularity, fertility, or body weight in hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus ). This indicates that the drug does not interfere with neonatal sexual differentiation of the hypothalamic center that later controls pituitary gonadotropin release in adults.
Comparison of techniques for retrograde labeling using the rat's facial nucleus

This comparison of retrograde labeling substances was designed to define parameters which would produce the largest number of labeled neurons. The tracers are, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), cholera toxin subunit B (CTB), wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate (WGA-HRP), cholera toxin subunit B-horseradish peroxidase conjugate (CTB-HRP), Fast blue (FB), Diamidino yellow (DY), and Rhodamine microspheres (RH). The whiskerpad of 29 adult rats was injected with 50 microliters of one of these tracers. The animals were anesthetized and perfused with various concentrations of fixatives to determine the labeling efficiency of the tracers (number of neurons labeled irrespective of their individual mode(s) of transport). All labeled neurons were counted and the averages of the 5 largest counts from every third section of the facial nucleus were compared based on changes in the procedures. The largest number of neurons labeled occurred when WGA was used as the tracer. WGA-HRP and CTB were better than HRP and twice as effective as CTB-HRP. Fast blue and HRP were equally effective. DY did not label as many neurons as CTB-HRP. Rhodamine microspheres did not label any neurons of this peripheral system. Glutaraldehyde reduced the number of neurons labeled.
Conjugation-dependent enhancement of induced and spontaneous mutation in the lacI gene of E. coli.

The frequency of lac- mutations induced in an F′ lacIS plasmid, transferred by conjugation from UV-irradiated, excision-deficient donors to excision-deficient, Δ pro lac recipients, is 2-3 fold higher than that typical of non-mating cells which contain the plasmid. These additional induced mutations can probably be ascribed to errors made during the first, or repliconation, synthesis that takes place in the recipient during the course of plasmid transfer. We also find that spontaneous mutation rates are enhanced in conjugating cells, indicating that fewer errors are corrected, or more made, during transfer replication.
The computer audio research laboratory at the center for music experiment and related research

Abstract Since 1979, the Computer Audio Research Laboratory (CARL) at UCSD's Center for Music Experiment and Related Research (CME) has supported facilities, a regular staff, and a series of visitors engaged in computer music research and music productions with computers. For the past four years, the design of an integrated computer music workstation has been the centerpiece of fundamental research at CARL. This article provides an overview of current and recent research activities, education, and production at CARL.
Energy and Atomic Configurations of Complete and Dissociated Dislocations. II. Screw Dislocation in an fcc Metal

The arrangement of atoms around a screw dislocation in copper has been calculated by a variational method. The pairwise interaction between discrete atoms was represented by a Morse potential function. The displacements parallel to the dislocation line agree well with those given by linear elastic theory except for atoms within a distance of about 5.3 \AA{} of the center of the dislocation. Because of this, there is a disparity between the atomistic and elastic energies inside a core radius of 5.3 \AA{} for a complete $〈110〉$ screw dislocation ($\mathrm{Burgers}\mathrm{vector}=(\frac{{a}_{0}}{2})〈110〉$), where ${a}_{0}$ is the lattice parameter. The corresponding core energy is 1.0 eV per nearest-neighbor distance. In the calculation of the complete dislocation, the atoms were not permitted to relax in a direction perpendicular to the dislocation line. This prevented dissociation. When this constraint is removed, dissociation into two partial dislocations occurs spontaneously. If the core is replaced by a hole of radius ${r}_{\mathrm{eh}}$ (the equivalent hole radius), the inside of which is hollow and outside of which linear-elastic theory holds at all points, this radius is 1.1 \AA{}. The energy of the screw dislocation varies as $\mathrm{ln}r$ at large radii, in agreement with elastic-continuum theory. By comparing this asymptotic behavior with the corresponding curve for the edge dislocation, atomistic values of the shear modulus and Poisson's ratio were obtained.
Buffer Coding for Reliable Transmissions over Wireless Networks

In-network caching is a useful technique for reducing latency and retransmission overhead of lost packets for reliable data delivery in wireless networks. However, in-network caching is challenging to implement in memory constrained devices such as RFIDs and sensors, and also in Wireless LAN (WLAN) gateways for large-scale deployments. In this paper we propose a novel technique for management of in-network caches using XOR coding for optimizing the use of limited buffer space in presence of random and burst packet losses. We identify two critical parameters, coding degree and coding distance for the coding scheme. As a case-study we implement our approach over Snoop and evaluate its performance for WLANs. We further propose a self-adaptive algorithm that tunes coding degree on the fly based on the measured coding behavior and packet loss probability. Using simulations in ns-2, we observe that in our simulation settings, when the size of the retransmission buffer in the gateway is less than 16 packets per TCP flow, the throughput can be enhanced by up to 30% for random losses and up to 20% for burst losses.
Male-male Competition and Reproductive Success in Elephant Seals

Male-male competition and reproductive success of northern elephant seals, Mirounga augustirostris , was studied for six consecutive breeding seasons at Ano Nuevo Island, California. The conclusions were as follows: (i) Less than one third of the males in residence copulate during a breeding season. A few males are responsible for the majority of copulations, (ii) The number and age of males copulating varies with: (a) harem location and topography, (b) the number of estrous females in the harem, and (c) the number of males competing for females, (iii) Copulation frequency is related directly to success in male-male competition, i.e., social rank. (iv) The same individuals may dominate breeding for three consecutive breeding seasons. (v) Successful males die within a year or two after their reproductive peak. (vi) The reproductive success of most males is nil or low because many die before reaching breeding age and some of those that reach maturity are prevented from mating by the highest ranking males. (vii) Individual strategies have important consequences for reproductive success, (viii) Male-male competition is a major cause of pup mortality prior to weaning. The potential reproductive success of males is much greater than that of females. Changes in colony number and composition affect the reproductive success of males as well as females.
Dual-phase argon ionization detector for measurement of coherent elastic neutrino scattering and medium-energy nuclear recoils

We propose to build and deploy a 10-kg dual-phase argon ionization detector for the detection of coherent neutrino- nucleus scattering, which is described by the reaction; nu + (Z,N) rarr nu + (Z,N), where v is the scattering neutrino, and (Z,N) is the target nucleus of atomic number Z and neutron number N. Its detection would validate central tenets of the standard model. We have built a gas-phase argon ionization detector to determine the feasibility of measuring the small recoil energies (~ 1 keV) predicted from coherent neutrino scattering, and to characterize the recoil spectrum of the argon nuclei induced by scattering from medium-energy neutrons. We present calibrations made with 55Fe, a low-energy X-ray source, and report on measurements to date of the recoil spectra from the 2-MeV LINAC Li-target neutron source at LLNL. A high signal-to-noise measurement of the recoil spectrum will not only serve as an important milestone in achieving the sensitivity necessary for measuring coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering, but will break new scientific ground on its own.
Urban students' perceptions of the school environment's influence on school violence

This article provides information about the aspects of the school environment students perceive influence the occurrence of school violence. Concept mapping, a mixed methods methodology, was used with two groups of urban, primarily African American high school students (n=27) to create conceptual frameworks of their understanding of the school social and physical environment's influence on school violence. Each group of students identified over 50 different ways they perceived their school environment contributed to school violence. These ideas were categorized into six main topics: Student Behaviors, Norms of Behavior, Relationships with School Staff, Learning Environment, School Safety, and Neighborhood Environment. Students' perceptions supported the current conceptualization of the role of the school environment in school violence. However, this study supplements the current literature by identifying school level aspects of the social and physical environment that contribute to students perceptions of the safety of their school. At this level, differences were seen between the two school environments, indicating a need for intervention tailoring.
Evaluation of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst recovery efficiencies from various filtration cartridges by electrochemiluminescence assays.

Aims: To evaluate four types of filtration cartridges for their capacities, efficiency for capture and release of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts for detection. Methods and Results: Filtration cartridges included in this evaluation were IDEXX Filta-MaxTM, Gelman Envirochek HVTM, Corning CrypTestTM, and Filterite Sigma+TM. Various dosages of C. parvum oocysts were spiked into water samples with a wide range of turbidity (10–50 NTU). Electrochemiluminescence assays were employed to enumerate viable or total number of C. parvum oocysts in these eluates. Among the cartridges tested, Filta-Max consistently showed higher oocyst recovery efficiency, especially with large volume, highly turbid water samples. Conclusions: Filtra-Max filter is the best performer because of its higher oocyst recovery efficiency. Significance and Impact of the Study: The overall sensitivities of various C. parvum oocyst detection assays in water samples can be improved if highly efficient oocyst recovery filtration cartridges such as Filtra-Max are incorporated in sample preparation.
Brain Maturation and Subtypes of Conduct Disorder: Interactive Effects on P300 Amplitude and Topography in Male Adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective Adolescents with conduct disorder problems are, on average, at increased risk for a variety of unfortunate adult outcomes, including substance dependence. This study was designed to identify the neurophysiological correlates of different categories of conduct disorder problems as well as the relationship between these correlates and the maturational status of the brain. Method The subjects were 94 males, aged 14–19 years, recruited from the community. None were recruited from treatment or juvenile justice programs. The subjects varied in the type and number of conduct problem behaviors exhibited prior to age 15. Groups were operationally defined by the relative number (0 versus ≥1) of DSM-IV conduct disorder diagnostic criteria within each of four categories: rules violations, aggression, deceitfulness/theft, and destructiveness. Age was included as an additional grouping factor. P300 electroencephalographic potentials were recorded while subjects performed a task in which rare auditory stimuli were used to signal a change in stimulus-response mapping during a succeeding set of trials. Results Analyses revealed that boys with a history of rules violations failed to exhibit the normal maturational increase in P300 amplitude found in boys without a history of rules violations. Topographic analyses of current source densities suggest that the source of the maturational deficit involved P300 generators within the frontal brain. Parietal generators of P300 matured normally. Conclusions The present results are interpreted as reflecting a decrement in frontal brain maturation among boys potentially at risk for substance dependence, antisocial personality disorder, or other forms of adult psychopathology.
An Introductory Text to Bioengineering (Advanced Series in Biomechanics, Vol. 4) (Chien, S. et al; 2008) [Book reviews]

This textbook provides a very comprehensive overview of the issues that bioengineers deal with, such as biomechanics, tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and systems biology.
Reflections on Sixty Years of Solid State Chemistry

In celebration of Rudolf Hoppe's 90th birthday, three developments in solid state chemistry that have occurred over his tenure are personally recalled: (1) The recognition that long-range orbital order-disorder transitions introduce cooperative electron-lattice interactions has (a) accounted for numerous phase transitions in solids, (b) led to formulation of the rules for the sign, ferromagnetic vs. antiferromagnetic, of interatomic spin-spin interactions, and (c) provides a rationale for single-ion magnetostriction and magnetocrystalline anisotropy in transition-metal compounds. Moreover, the further recognition that short-range cooperative orbital ordering extends to temperatures well above the long-range orbital ordering temperature or critical concentration of orbitally degenerate cations has (a) led to the introduction of chemical inhomogeneties into a single crystallographic phase to achieve a technical objective and (b) consideration of their role in determining the sign of spin-spin interactions in a paramagnetic phase containing orbital fluctuations. (2) Exploration of the transition from localized to itinerant 3d-electron behavior in transition-metal oxides showed it to be first-order, which has allowed interpretation of (a) charge-density waves in single-valent systems and (b) dynamic phase segregations in mixed-valent systems to be manifestations of a different type of long-range vs. short-range cooperative electron-lattice coupling. (3) The study of Li-insertion chemistry has led (a) to Li-ion rechargeable batteries, (b) an appreciation of the influence of counter cations in solids on d-electron redox energies, and (c) the concept of Fermi energy pinning and its consequences as the energy of a d-electron couple in a transition-metal compound descends across the top of the anion-p bands.
Detection capability for chrome defect of tri-tone PSM

The semiconductor industry continuously shrink the linewidths and the smaller linewidths are easily affected by the defects. The defects have to be detected to prevent printed images on wafers. This paper will present the detection capability of current inspection machines for chrome defects on attenuated MoSiN layer and simulation results for the effect of chrome defect on attenuated layer. Two inspection machines based on i-line light source were used for comparison of detection capability for chrome defect on attenuated layer. The effect of chrome defect on attenuated MoSiN layer was evaluated with MSM 100 at 248 nm wavelength.
A PARTICLE-BASED MODEL FOR PREDICTION OF CEMENT DIFFUSION DURING OSTEOPOROTIC HIP AUGMENTATION SURGERY: THEORY AND VALIDATION

Elderly patients with preexisting osteoporotic hip fracture are at high risk of a subsequent fracture in their contralateral hip. Current preventive approaches commonly have a long delay in restoring bone strength leaving patients at continued risk despite preventive efforts. Femoroplasty — injection of bone cement into the proximal femur — has been proposed as a potential preventive approach. However, it can cause complications because of extravasation of the cement into unwanted regions of the bone and an increased pressure within the bone, if not controlled and planned carefully. Therefore, precise modeling of the diffusion of the bone cement in osteoporotic bone and control over the injection process is of substantial importance. This paper presents a patient-specific fluid dynamics model to simulate the diffusion of the bone cement inside femur. The model is based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method for particle-based modeling of fluids. The Navier-Stokes equations were built into the SPH formulations and viscosity effects were added to model the flow of cement inside porous media. To validate the model, a new prototype automatic injection device was used to inject acrylic silicone into a porous foam block. Results of simulation of the injection show close matching with experimental data. The model is therefore promising for further development of optimized and fully controlled femoroplasty procedures.© 2010 ASME
Comparison of Media for Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens in Foods

Iron Milk Medium (IMM), Tryptose Sulfite Cycloserine (TSC) and Shadihi-Ferguson-perfringens (SFP) agar were compared for enumeration of Clostridium perfringens in four typical foods. The overall recovery in 160 samples tested at two inoculum range levels (102–103 and 104−105 per mL of sample homogenate) indicated that any of the three media could be used for most routine analyses. There were no significant differences in recovery abilities of the three media used for clams, oysters and turkey meats. In 15 naturally contaminated samples, recoveries of C. perfringens were not different in IMM compared to TSC. Therefore, the iron milk medium which is inexpensive, rapid and simple to prepare can be used as an alternative method for routine analyses for C. perfringens in foods such as shellfish and lean meats.
Effect of Foliar Applied Plant Elicitors on Microbial and Nematode Populations in the Root Zone of Potato

Abstract Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a process whereby a plant that successfully resists a pathogen becomes highly resistant to subsequent infection not only by the original pathogen but also by a wide variety of pathogens. Most SAR research has focused on resistance in leaves, so much less is known about the effectiveness of foliar applications of SAR compounds in the protection of plant roots and associated microorganisms in soil. This study was conducted to determine if foliar SAR‐inducing applications (BTH or harpin) negatively impact the potato root system beneficial rhizosphere microbial populations and activity or influence pathogenic nematode populations. Foliar applications of benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazole‐7‐carbothioic acid S‐methyl ester (BTH) and the microbial protein harpin applied in various combinations, timings, and rates showed no effects on microbial biomass, culturable bacteria, Pseudomonas populations, or N‐mineralization potentials over 2 years. No stimulatory or inhibitory effe...
Balloon angioplasty for native aortic coarctation in different anatomic variants.

Balloon angioplasty for native coarctation of the aorta in infants and children is gaining acceptance as an alternative to surgery in discrete membranous obstruction. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and intermediate-term effectiveness and safety of balloon angioplasty in infants and children with discrete membranous obstruction and mild complex arch anomalies. We performed a retrospective study evaluating the immediate and intermediate-term results of balloon angioplasty in 46 consecutive patients with native coarctation of the aorta done between March 1998 and June 2003. Isolated discrete fibromembranous obstruction occurred in 32 patients, and 14 patients had mild complex arch anomalies. Follow-up was obtained in 40 patients. There was no early mortality. The procedure was initially successful in 43 patients (93%). There were three immediate failures. Of the 40 patients who were followed, 32 (80%) had maintained a cuff pressure gradient of 20 mmHg across the dilated area. Four patients developed restenosis, which was successfully treated by repeated balloon angioplasty. The other four patients continued to have mild gradient (20–22 mmHg) with systolic hypertension and without angiographic evidence of restenosis but with isthmus hypoplasia; they received atenolol and captopril. Serial echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular dimension and function revealed significant improvement after balloon angioplasty of aortic coarctation in patients with the echocardiographic picture of hypertensive cardiomyopathy. Balloon angioplasty may be considered as a tool in the armamentarium of management of aortic coarctation in different anatomic variants, taking into consideration the clinical presentation and patient age.
Antimycobacterial drugs currently in Phase II clinical trials and preclinical phase for tuberculosis treatment

Introduction: In 2010, about 8.8 million new cases of tuberculosis were recorded and 1.1 million people died of tuberculosis worldwide. Although numbers are in decrease since 2006, tuberculosis still represents a global issue and a major public health threat, due to appearance of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis cases. Although anti-tuberculosis drugs currently used are effective against tuberculosis, they present however more and more limits, especially in treating complex cases of tuberculosis, increasing therefore the need to develop new tools and approaches to treat tuberculosis today. Areas covered: In this review, we describe anti-tuberculosis drugs in Phase II clinical trials and in preclinical phase that are likely to play a crucial role in the management of tuberculosis cases in a near future. SQ109, TMC207, nitroimidazoles, and oxazolidinones are currently in Phase II clinical trials while BDM31343, SQ641, CPZEN-45, RBx 8700, DC-159a, and BTZ043 are in preclinical ...
Some biochemical changes in penicillin-inhibited Escherichia coli cells.

Abstract Actively growing cultures of Escherichia coli A.T.C.C. 9723 treated with minimum bacteriostatic concentrations of penicillin for short periods of time maintain the ability to synthesize protein which appears in the extracellular medium. At the same time, there is accumulation of an extracellular substance having high absorption at 260 mμ. This substance has been tentatively identified as uracil.
The preparation of cultured cells of vascular origin for transmission electron microscopy

A method is described for obtaining optimal, reproducible ultrastructure of vascular smooth muscle cells and vascular endothelial cells in culture. Routinely grown cultures are prepared for TEM with a precise regimen of fixation, postfixation, en bloc staining, dehydration, and embedment. The most important aspects of this procedure are the following: (1) fixation with a percentage-gradient series of glutaraldehyde solutions at 37°C, (2) immediate postfixation with osmium tetroxide solution, and (3) block-staining with uranyl acetate solution to eliminate any extraction of constituents during subsequent processing.
The Complexity and Importance of Residency Precepting: A Series Introduction:

Preceptor development is an area of significant challenge facing residency leadership and preceptors across the nation. This series will focus on establishing a foundation necessary for successful ...
Closed-form approximate tolerance intervals for some general linear models and comparison studies

The problems of constructing tolerance intervals (TIs) in random effects model and in a mixed linear model are considered. The methods based on the generalized variable (GV) approach and the one based on the modified large sample (MLS) procedure are evaluated with respect to coverage probabilities and expected width in various setups using Monte Carlo simulation. Our comparison studies indicate that the TIs based on the MLS procedure are comparable to or better than those based on the GV approach. As the MLS TIs are in closed-form, they are easier to compute than those based on the GV approach. TIs for a two-way nested model are also derived using the MLS method, and their merits are evaluated using simulation. The procedures are illustrated using a practical example.
Three dimensional mixed convection in plane symmetric-sudden expansion: Symmetric flow regime

Abstract Three-dimensional simulations of laminar buoyancy assisting mixed convection in a vertical duct with a plane symmetric sudden expansion are presented to illustrate the effects of the buoyancy assisting force and the duct’s aspect ratio on the flow and heat transfer. This geometry and flow conditions appear in many engineering applications, but 3-D heat transfer results have not appeared in the literature. This study focuses on the regime where the flow and thermal fields are symmetric in this geometry. The buoyancy force is varied by changing the heat flux on the stepped walls that are downstream from the sudden expansion, and the duct’s aspect ratio is varied by changing the width of the duct while keeping the expansion ratio constant. Results are presented for duct’s aspect ratio of 4, 8, 12, 16, and ∞ (2-D flow), and for wall heat fluxes between 5–35 W/m 2 . The Reynolds number and the range of wall heat flux are selected to insure that the flow remains laminar and symmetric in this geometry and reverse flow does not develop at the exit section of the duct. Results for the velocity, temperature, and the Nusselt number distributions are presented, and the effects of the buoyancy force and the duct’s aspect ratio on these results are discussed.
Free Effects of Integration on Levels of Autistic Behavior.

The trend toward full inclusion of young children with autism raises questions as to whether there are any “free,” or unplanned, benefits of integration. This study explored whether differing levels of autistic behavior were associated with the presence of typical children or with the presence of other children with autism. Participants included 28 preschool-age children with autism. Videotaped observations of naturally occurring behavior were coded on measures of: (a) levels of autistic behavior, (b) the presence of typical peers, and (c) the presence of other children with autism. An ANOVA indicated that significantly decreased levels of autistic behavior corresponded to the close availability of typical peers. Because the database was obtained at the time of children's entry into treatment, it is unlikely that the results were directly related to treatment interventions. However, practices of full inclusion of children with autism may yield additional unplanned treatment benefits.
Large axisymmetric deformations of elastic circular membranes

Presentation d'une methode asymptotique de calcul des grandes deformations axisymetriques de membranes circulaires initialement plates soumises a des charges de surface axiales. On suppose que la deflexion axiale est beaucoup plus grande que la deflexion radiale
Economic incentives to adopt electronic payment schemes under competition

With advances in information and other technologies, newer forms of electronic payment schemes such as Google Checkout, NetPay, WebMoney, etc., have emerged over the last decade. These payment schemes are cheaper for sellers as compared to traditional payment schemes such as credit cards. Further, the convenience of credit cards over these alternative payment schemes is not valued the same by all consumers. Inspite of the cost differences between these payment schemes and the consumer heterogeneity in their relative valuations, sellers typically charge the same price from consumers irrespective of the payment scheme. We develop an economic model to examine a seller's incentive to offer discounts to consumers to encourage the use of alternative payment schemes. We find that while a monopolistic seller does find it optimal to offer a discount, offers of such discounts are almost never optimal when two vertically-differentiated sellers compete with each other. Overall, we demonstrate that sellers' desire to not intensify price competition may partly explain why they do not encourage use of newer and cheaper alternative payment schemes by offering discounts to consumers.
Standardization of the virtual device metafile and the virtual device interface

Abstract The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is developing several graphics standards. Two of these standards, the Virtual Device Metafile and the Virtual Device Interface, are reviewed. The purpose, basic concepts and philosophy of these standards are discussed and contrasted with current practice and the Graphical Kernel System standard. The virtual device metafile is in the final stages of standardization within ANSI and is being reviewed within the International Standards Organization (ISO) for adoption as an international standard. The virtual device interface standard is currently under development within ANSI.
Self-organized integration of adaptive visual cues for face tracking

The integration of information stemming from different sensors, cues, or modalities is among the most fundamental problems of perception in biological and artificial systems. Due to frequent changes in complex environments, the integration has to be adaptive. However, there usually is no teacher available to guide the adaptation. An agent has to figure out on his own which cues are reliable for a given task in the current context - self-organization is required. We have recently proposed a new integration scheme for such situations 1,2 : In Democratic Integration the cues agree on a result and the result agreed upon serves as the basis for individual adaptations. A system with this property will automatically try to keep maximal coherence among its different cues. A technical formulation of this scheme has been employed in a face tracking system. The self-organized adaptation leads to suppression and recalibration of discordant cues, i.e., cues which do not agree with the overall result. Experiments show that the system is robust to sudden changes in the environment as long as the changes disrupt only a minority of the currently used cues at the same time, although all cues may be affected in the long run. The system relies partly on cues for which there was no a priori knowledge about the task available. These cues are bootstrapped by the others and can then keep the system on the right track during situations in which the original cues fail. In this paper we test and compare different measures of agreement between the overall result and individual cues opinions, which serve as the basis for adapting a cue's weight in computing the overall result. Our results suggest, that adjusting a cue's weight in accordance to its current agreement to the overall result can only help if there is sufficient continuity in the cue's performance and may even be harmful otherwise.
Some Rigorous Results on Majority Rule Renormalization Group Transformations near the Critical Point

We consider the majority rule renormalization group transformation with two-by-two blocks for the Ising model on a two-dimensional square lattice. For three particular choices of the block spin configuration we prove that the model conditioned on the block spin configuration remains in the high-temperature phase even when the temperature is slightly below the critical temperature of the ordinary Ising model with no conditioning. We take as the definition of the infinite-volume limit an equation introduced in earlier work by the author. We use a computer to find an approximate solution of this equation and verify a condition which implies the existence of an exact solution.
Methylprednisolone as an antiemetic during cancer chemotherapy—a pilot study

Abstract The possibility that prostaglandin release is involved in the nausea and emesis of chemotherapy prompted this investigation to determine if prostaglandin inhibition by corticosteroid administration would be beneficial. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol, Upjohn) was given to 19 patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Of 11 patients with prior chemotherapy and emesis, 8 obtained noticeable relief. Six patients had no prior chemotherapy and only 1 experienced emesis. Two patients with prior chemotherapy had no emesis associated with their chemotherapy, although 1 had marked nausea which did not recur when treated with the steroid.
A Multicomponent Stress Management Program for College Students

A t the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), an innovative stress management program has been implemented. Although stress management interventions of various types are found on college campuses (Carnahan, Tobin, & Uncapher, 1981; Kolko, 1980; Mallinckrodt, 1983; Romano, 1984), the RIT program relies exclusively on an experiential format. The program components were chosen as ones students could later pursue on their own or through campus courses, workshops, clubs, or activities. The program, which has been offered quarterly since 1982, began in response to expressed student needs. The program is co-sponsored by the Student Health Service and the College Counseling Service. The program leaders are a registered nurse, who is the health education coordinator at the Student Health Service, and a mental health counselor from the College Counseling Service. The goals of the program are (a) to help students understand the components of stress and how stress operates in their lives, and (b) to promote healthy methods of managing stress. The intent is to expose students to various stress management techniques with the understanding that individuals will ultimately choose different strategies based on their personalities and life-styles. The program is offered three times each academic year and there typically is a 10-person limit, although there have been as few as 4 students and as many as 13. Approximately 30 students participate each year. At the end of the program, students rate each component’s helpfulness in reducing their stress. Students are required to pay $10, which is refundable if they complete at least seven of the eight weekly 1-hour sessions. In 2 years, only five students have missed more than seven sessions. Each session is described below.
Effect of systematic sampling on arima models

Given a general homogeneous non-stationary autoregressive integrated moving average process ARIMA(p,d,q), the corresponding model for the subseries obtained by a systematic sampling is derived. The article then shows that the sampled subseries approaches approximately to an integrated moving average process IMA(d,l), l≤(d-l), regardless of the autoregressive and moving average structures in the original series. In particular, the sampled subseries from an ARIMA (p,l,q) process approaches approximately to a simple random walk model.
Are Children Really Inferior Goods?: Evidence from Displacement-Driven Income Shocks

Abstract:This paper explores the causal link between income and fertility by analyzing women's fertility response to the large and permanent income shock generated by a husband's job displacement. I find that the shock reduces total fertility, suggesting that the causal effect of income on fertility is positive. A model that incorporates the time cost of children and assortative matching of spouses can simultaneously explain this result and the negative cross-sectional relationship. I also find that a husband's displacement accelerates childbearing, which is consistent with lifecycle models of fertility in which the incentive to delay is driven by expected earnings growth.
Bacillus subtilis chromosome organization oscillates between two distinct patterns

Bacterial chromosomes have been found to possess one of two distinct patterns of spatial organization. In the first, called “ori-ter” and exemplified by Caulobacter crescentus, the chromosome arms lie side-by-side, with the replication origin and terminus at opposite cell poles. In the second, observed in slow-growing Escherichia coli (“left-ori-right”), the two chromosome arms reside in separate cell halves, on either side of a centrally located origin. These two patterns, rotated 90° relative to each other, appear to result from different segregation mechanisms. Here, we show that the Bacillus subtilis chromosome alternates between them. For most of the cell cycle, newly replicated origins are maintained at opposite poles with chromosome arms adjacent to each other, in an ori-ter configuration. Shortly after replication initiation, the duplicated origins move as a unit to midcell and the two unreplicated arms resolve into opposite cell halves, generating a left-ori-right pattern. The origins are then actively segregated toward opposite poles, resetting the cycle. Our data suggest that the condensin complex and the parABS partitioning system are the principal driving forces underlying this oscillatory cycle. We propose that the distinct organization patterns observed for bacterial chromosomes reflect a common organization–segregation mechanism, and that simple modifications to it underlie the unique patterns observed in different species.
Equivalent model for shielded microstrip transmission lines over lossy layered substrates

An equivalent model for a lossy shielded microstrip line on layered media is constructed by replacing the layered media with a single effective medium and a detailed analysis of its validity at different frequencies and different range of dimensions has been presented for application to on chip interconnects. The relative permittivity for a single layer microstrip which results in the same propagation constant for the dominant mode as the layered one at a given frequency is considered to be the equivalent. The results show that this model is frequency independent for layered structures when the given frequency and frequency of operation are less than the transition frequency (i.e. the frequency at which there is a significant change in the equivalent dielectric constant (∊ req )). For frequencies higher than the transition frequency the equivalent model is not frequency independent but it gives good results for the higher order mode although it is derived using the dominant mode. Also it is seen that at low frequency ∊ req depends on the layers near to the signal metal but at higher frequencies it depends on the layer with the highest value of ∊ r irrespective of its location w.r.t to the metal strip.
SURF: rubber-band routing system for multichip modules

Current PCB (printed circuit board)-based routing tools cannot meet the performance and cost constraints presented by today's packaging technologies, including thin-film multichip modules. The authors describe SURF, a routing system designed specifically to meet these challenges. The strength of the SURF system comes from its extremely flexible rubber-band data representation. The rubber-band model is an ideal framework for performance-driven and cost-driven routing and naturally supports rectilinear, octilinear, and all-angle wiring patterns: one-and-a-half-layer routing; even wiring distribution; and powerful manual editing. The integrated spoke-based design-rule-checking/enforcement mechanism supports an incremental design style. As objects are moved or wires are resized, the wires are adjusted incrementally so that they maintain the same wiring topology. By working in the topological domain instead of the geometrical one, the designer can focus on higher-level design issues while the tool handles the precise geometrical details. >
Exogenous serotonin regulates proliferation of interstitial cells of Cajal in mouse jejunum through 5-HT2B receptors.

Background & Aims: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are required for normal gastrointestinal motility. Loss of ICC is associated with several motility disorders. The mechanisms modulating ICC survival and proliferation are poorly understood. This study aimed to establish whether 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) plays a role in regulating ICC proliferation. Methods: Expression of 5-HT receptor mRNA was investigated in muscle strips, in purified populations of ICC, and in identified single cells. The effect of 5-HT 2B receptor ligands on ICC numbers was studied in primary cell cultures. Proliferation of ICC was determined by counting Ki67-positive cells in culture. Results: Of the 5-HT receptors known to be involved in proliferation, 5-HT 2B receptor mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in jejunal muscle, whereas 5-HT 1A , 5-HT 1D , and 5-HT 2C receptor mRNAs were not. 5-HT 2B receptor mRNA was found in single ICC and cells purified by flow cytometry. Exogenous 5-HT (1 μmol/L) increased (66% ± 9%, P 2 receptor antagonist, ritanserin, and the 5-HT 2B receptor antagonist, SB204741, inhibited the effect of 5-HT. The 5-HT 2B receptor agonist BW 723C86 induced a concentration-dependent increase in ICC number (50% ± 6% at 50 nM, P P Conclusions: These studies establish that 5-HT 2B receptors are expressed on ICC. Exogenous 5-HT regulates ICC numbers through 5-HT 2B receptors in part by increasing ICC proliferation. The 5-HT 2B receptor may serve as a novel pathway to regulate ICC numbers.
A simple method for on-chip, sub-femto Farad interconnect capacitance measurement

In this letter, a sensitive and simple technique for parasitic interconnect capacitance measurement and extraction is presented. This on-chip technique is based upon an efficient test structure design that utilizes only two transistors in addition to the unknown interconnect capacitance to be characterized. No reference capacitor is needed. The measurement itself is also simple; only a dc current meter is required. Furthermore, the extraction methodology employs a self-checking algorithm to verify that the extracted capacitance value is consistent and accurate. The technique is demonstrated by extracting the capacitance of a single crossover between a Metal 1 line and a Metal 2 of 0.44 fF. The resolution limit is dominated by the matching of the minimum sized transistors used for the test structure. We estimate this resolution limit to be about 0.03 fF.
Design of a randomized controlled trial to compare debridement to observation of chondral lesions encountered during partial meniscectomy: The ChAMP (Chondral Lesions And Meniscus Procedures) Trial.

Abstract Background Few studies have examined whether chondral lesions encountered in patients undergoing meniscectomy should be surgically treated. The primary aim of the ChAMP (Chondral Lesions And Meniscus Procedures) Trial is to determine whether there is a difference in knee pain between patients undergoing debridement versus observation of chondral lesions encountered during arthroscopic meniscectomy. This paper describes the rationale and study design for the ChAMP Trial. Methods/Design The ChAMP Trial is a randomized controlled trial of patients aged 30 and older undergoing partial meniscectomy and randomly allocated to debridement (CL-Deb, N = 98) or observation (CL-Obs, N = 92) of chondral lesions identified during surgery and deemed to be significant (Outerbridge Grade II-IV). Patients and data collectors were unaware of treatment allocation until completion of the study. Patients with surgically insignificant (Outerbridge Grade I) chondral lesions or no chondral lesions were included as a third non-randomized comparison group (NoCL, N = 76). The primary outcome is the difference in knee pain assessed by WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) between the CL-Deb and CL-Obs groups at 1-year after surgery. Secondary outcomes include 1-year differences in additional measures of knee pain, function, symptoms, activity, and quality of life assessed by the WOMAC, KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), visual analog pain scale, and physical exam; as well as general health assessed with the SF-36 (Short-form Health Survey). Increased intraoperative costs associated with the addition of chondral debridement will also be assessed. Discussion This study will add to the scant literature regarding management of chondral lesions in patients undergoing meniscectomy and might provide treatment guidance for clinicians and their patients.
A Novel Application of the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) Instrument to Improve Glycemic Control and Patient Satisfaction

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to use the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) instrument in a novel manner and assess whether providing primary care physicians the results of the questionnaire completed by their patients immediately prior to a clinical encounter would result in improvement in a patient’s glycemic control and/or postencounter satisfaction score.MethodsA 6-month longitudinal pilot study, involving 4 general internal medicine physicians and 61 patients in 4 separate offices, was designed. The patient sample was 54% male and 46% female with ages from 41 to 91. The sample included newly diagnosed diabetic patients and those with longstanding disease; as such, the patient population had a range of diabetes-related complications from none to end-stage renal disease. At baseline, 3-month, and 6-month clinic visits, patients completed the PAID questionnaire, and results were provided to the physician prior to the clinical encounter. Satisfaction was measured postencounter. A1C was checked at al...
Design and Kinematic Modeling of Constant Curvature Continuum Robots: A Review

Continuum robotics has rapidly become a rich and diverse area of research, with many designs and applications demonstrated. Despite this diversity in form and purpose, there exists remarkable similarity in the fundamental simplified kinematic models that have been applied to continuum robots. However, this can easily be obscured, especially to a newcomer to the field, by the different applications, coordinate frame choices, and analytical formalisms employed. In this paper we review several modeling approaches in a common frame and notational convention, illustrating that for piecewise constant curvature, they produce identical results. This discussion elucidates what has been articulated in different ways by a number of researchers in the past several years, namely that constant-curvature kinematics can be considered as consisting of two separate submappings: one that is general and applies to all continuum robots, and another that is robot-specific. These mappings are then developed both for the single-section and for the multi-section case. Similarly, we discuss the decomposition of differential kinematics (the robotâ??s Jacobian) into robot-specific and robot-independent portions. The paper concludes with a perspective on several of the themes of current research that are shaping the future of continuum robotics.
Cues for Mate Recognition and the Effect of Prior Experience on Mate Recognition in Enallagma Damselflies

In many coenagrionid damselflies, sexually mature females exhibit color polymorphisms, with some females resembling conspecific males. Although it has been suggested that the latter function as male mimics, this does not appear to be the case for those in the genus Enallagma. We found that sexually dimorphic coloration of the female abdomen and thorax are important cues for sexual recognition by males. We demonstrate for the first time in the Odonata, that males learn to recognize andromorphs as potential mates. After 2 days in an enclosure, sexually mature males exposed to only andromorphic females initiated more sexual interactions with tethered andromorphs than with heteromorphs, the majority morph in the natural population. Exposure to only heteromorphic females tended to decrease males' sexual responses to andromorphs, but not significantly so. Because the frequency of female morphs often varies within a population, learned mate recognition would be advantageous for males that search for mates. Our results lead to a novel, frequency-dependent hypothesis for the occurrence and maintenance of female-limited color polymorphisms.