cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copulatory Behavior in Rats: Changes as Satiety is Approached

Summary.-12 male rats were each given two copulation tests continued to a satiety criterion of 30 min. with no intromissions. In one test the same female was used throughout, while in the other the female was changed after each ejaculation. In addition to previously established phenomena, and independent of changes in the female, ejaculation latency and mean inter-intromission interval increased as satiety was approached. Existent models of the control of rodent copulatory behavior must be revised to account for these changes, as the development of satiery appears more complex than previously thought. Copulatory behavior in rats consists of a sequence of fairly regular and predictable events which may be spaced over a period of several hours. Several theoretical models have been proposed to account for this pattern. The purpose of this paper is to re-examine a basic part of this pattern to be explained by the models, the behavior of male rats as sexual satiety approaches. The copi~latory sequence consists of alternating periods of copulatory activity and inactivity. Each copulation or intromission consists of a vaginal penetration by the male that lasts approximately 0.3 sec. (Pierce & Nuttall, 1961). A group or series of such intromissions is terminated by a longer, distinctive inuomission which constitutes the ejaculation. The period encompassing such a series of intromissions, beginning with an intromission and terminated with the ejaculation is termed the Ejaculation Latency (EL) period and may last from several seconds to many minutes. Each ejaculatory series is characterized by an Intromission ~re~uenc~ (IF), the number of intromissions in the series, h Mount Frequency (MF), the number of mounts by the male that did not result in intromission, and a Mean Inter-intromission Interval (MIII), the mean incerval separating successive intromissions within the series. The periods separating successive ejaculatory series are termed the Post-ejaculatory Intervals (PEI) . If one uses as a criterion for satiety a period of 30 min. with the same female with no intromissions, a mean of about seven ejaculatory series before satiety is typically found. Beach and Jordan ( 1956) described some interesting changes in these measures as a copulatory test progresses. Whereas the first ejaculation was attained with a median EL of 450 sec., later series were shorter with median ELs of about
Protestants, Persecutions, and Pedagogy: The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) and Its Consequences.

Three centuries have gone by since the thoroughgoing termination by the royal and Catholic government of France of the religious, educational, cultural, commercial, and personal freedom of the adherents of the Calvinist Reformed Church, or Huguenots, as they have been better known. This group, which had demonstrated outstanding achievements in all areas of life, would convert to Catholicism, practice its faith underground, resist with arms, or emigrate under adverse circumstances. The Huguenots did all of these. The historical context of the Edict of Fontainebleau (Revocation of the Edict of Nantes) by King Louis XIV, the force of the Edict itself, and the relocation of the Huguenots on three continents form the theme of this essay.
Établissement d’un critère numérique de fissuration à froid

Les aciers faiblement allies presentent une certaine sensibilite au risque dit de fissuration a froid au soudage. Ce risque apparait dans les zones de trempe martensitique, par l’action conjointe de la presence d’hydrogene, introduit par l’operation de soudage, et des contraintes de retrait. Face a ce risque, les soudeurs sont amenes a prendre des precautions operatoires pour l’obtention de soudures saines. Outre le retour d’experience, la definition des parametres operatoires a mettre en œuvre est souvent issue de resultats d’essais de fissuration normalises generalement tres conservatifs. Grâce aux progres de la simulation numerique de nouvelles perspectives s’ouvrent pour une meilleure maitrise des facteurs influents intervenant dans la fissuration a froid. Elle peut aussi a terme etre d’une grande aide pour la definition et la justification de la mise en œuvre de precautions operatoires specifiques dans des cas ou les essais empiriques ne permettraient pas de repondre au besoin par exces de conservatisme. Ce papier presente les travaux realises dans le cadre du developpement d’un outil numerique predictif du risque de fissuration a froid au soudage multipasses des aciers type 16MND5 (SA 508 Gr3 Cl1). Les premiers developpements exposes dans ce document utilisent, comme cas d’etude et de recalage, un essai monopasse normalise dit « essai sur implant » sur acier 16MND5 a l’electrode enrobee. Une caracterisation de la zone affectee thermiquement obtenue est d’abord presentee en termes de microstructure et de microdurete, donnees primordiales vis-a-vis du risque de fissuration a froid. L’influence de la presence d’hydrogene sur les caracteristiques mecaniques de la martensite est aussi abordee en vue de la determination d’un critere numerique de fissuration. Des simulations numeriques realisees avec le logiciel SYSWELD® (thermo-mecanico-metallurgique avec diffusion d’hydrogene) sont confrontees a des resultats experimentaux. Il est ainsi mis en avant des besoins en termes d’amelioration des modeles metallurgiques existants, quand bien meme l’outil a deja fait ses preuves pour des applications predictives en termes de deformations et contraintes residuelles dues au soudage.
Manganese nodule growth rates determined by fossil diatom dating

We report here that a manganese nodule from the Central Pacific manganese nodule province has been dated by fossil diatoms found in mud scraped from near the nodule's centre. The nodule was taken at DOMES Site B from Core B55–56 at 11°50.3′N and 137°28.2′W in a water depth of 4,892 m. It was resting on the sediment surface, with about 1.5 cm of the nodule bottom (of a total nodule height of 4.2 cm) buried in the mud. The top surface of the nodule was covered with a smooth manganese coating, but the bottom had a very rough, crusty texture. It was found that recent mud had leaked in through cracks in the nodule bottom, but that there were no pre-Pleistocene diatoms in this material. The date obtained was compared with the growth rate determined by the 230Th excess method and found to be in reasonable agreement. This study adds to the work of Harada1,2 on the biostratigraphy (mainly coccoliths) of manganese nodules.
The sports metaphor in American cultural discourse

(2000). The sports metaphor in American cultural discourse. Culture, Sport, Society: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 48-60.
Measurement of I/O bus contention and correlation among heterogeneous device types in a single-bus multiprocessor system

This paper describes an approach to measuring bus contention and quantifying the resulting performance degradation. The focus is contention for a single I/O bus resulting from accesses to multiple heterogeneous I/O device types in an MP system. Heterogeneous device types are defined as devices that have widely different characteristics, such as video, network, and disk devices. Correlation analysis is used to characterize the contention and then the corresponding loss in performance is quantified using actual trace data.
It has been a long journey - From the heart of a loyal computer society volunteer [EIC's Message]

Reflecting on a four-year EIC tenure offers an opportunity to say thanks and encourage continuing volunteer involvement.
Effect of vowel type on reliability of nasality ratings

Abstract This study investigated the effects of high front (HF) vowels and low back (LB) vowels on inter-listener and intra-listener reliability in rating hypernasality. Audio recorded samples of two sentences, one containing only high front vowels and one containing only low back vowels, were judged by two expert listeners. Speakers were 25 children; 20 hypernasal and 5 with normal resonance. The inter-listener ratings for LB samples were more similar than the inter-listener ratings for HF samples ( t = 3.20, (24), p = .004). The mean difference between the two listeners’ ratings for the LB samples was 46.32 (S.D. 49.66) and for the HF samples 85.39 (S.D. 85.81). For intra-listener reliability, the ratings for the LB vowels were significantly more similar for one listener but not for the other. Additionally, the HF samples were rated as significantly more nasal than the LB samples. These findings suggest that listener reliability can be influenced by the vowel content of the stimulus. Learning outcomes : As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to (1) describe the general effects of phonemes on judgments of hypernasality; (2) describe the specific effects of vowel types on the reliability of inter-listener and intra-listener judgments of nasality; and (3) appreciate how this information might be used in clinical and research applications.
Fractionation studies of the ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli

Abstract Ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli were fractionated by column chromatography on carboxymethyl-cellulose, using 8 m -urea solutions (pH 8.0) and a salt gradient. The resulting fractions were characterized by disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels and by determination of amino acid composition and tryptic peptide distribution. Ribosomal proteins were fractionated into four classes of chemically different proteins. All but one class appeared to be complex and composed of multiple proteins by every criterion employed. An acidic protein, called ribosomal A protein, was isolated and partially characterized. On the average, each 70 s ribosome is estimated to contain two to three molecules of this protein. The chemical heterogeneity of ribosomal proteins was found to be large. Variability in amino acid sequence within a limited number of different classes of ribosomal proteins may contribute to the over-all complexity of these proteins.
Embedding arbitrary finite simple graphs into small strongly regular graphs

It is well known that any finite simple graph Γ is an induced subgraph of some exponentially larger strongly regular graph $\overline{Γ}$ (e.g., [2, 8]). No general polynomial-size construction has been known. For a given finite simple graph Γ on ν vertices, we present a construction of a strongly regular graph $\overline{Γ}$ on O(ν4) vertices that contains Γ as its induced subgraph. A discussion is included of the size of the smallest possible strongly regular graph with this property. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 34: 18, 2000
Connecting entanglement in time and space: Improving the folding algorithm

The ``folding algorithm'' [M. C. Ba\~nuls, M. B. Hastings, F. Verstraete, and J. I. Cirac, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 240603 (2009)] is a matrix product state algorithm for simulating quantum systems that involves a spatial evolution of a matrix product state. Hence, the computational effort of this algorithm is controlled by the temporal entanglement. We show that this temporal entanglement is, in many cases, equal to the spatial entanglement of a modified Hamiltonian. This inspires a modification to the folding algorithm, which we call the ``hybrid algorithm.'' We find that this leads to improved accuracy for the same numerical effort. We then use these algorithms to study relaxation in a transverse plus parallel field Ising model, finding persistent quasiperiodic oscillations for certain choices of initial conditions.
Cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain is an essential gene product in Dictyostelium

We describe here three different approaches to perturb cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain (DHC) gene function in Dictyostelium: integration of a marker into the heavy chain coding sequence by homologous recombination to disrupt transcription, expression of antisense RNA to inhibit translation, and expression of a 158 kDa amino-terminal coding region to perturb the native protein organization. By homologous recombination, we fail to obtain cells that lack an intact DHC gene product. Cells containing antisense orientation plasmids (but not sense) appear to die 4 to 6 days following transformation. Plasmids designed to overexpress an amino-terminal region of the DHC result in substantially reduced transformation efficiency. When expressed at low levels, the truncated amino-terminal product appears capable of dimerizing with an intact heavy chain or with itself, essentially producing a cargo-binding domain lacking mechanochemical activity. This, in turn, likely competes with the native protein's function. These three approaches taken together indicate that the dynein heavy chain is an essential gene in Dictyostelium. Cell. Motil. Cytoskeleton 39:63–72, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Do the Studies On Identical Twins Prove That Schizophrenia Is Genetically Inherited

Ten studies on identical twins reared apart are reviewed to determine if they substantiate a genetic component of schizophrenia. These studies have not eliminated likely social causes of schizophrenia in the twins, and therefore the origins of schizophrenia remain unsolved.Adherents of the theory that schizophrenia is genetically inherited, point to studies on iden tical twins reared apart as verifying their position. These studies have found several pairs of wins concordant for schizophrenia in which the two individuals were brought up apart from each other. Given this social separation, the explanation that is offered for the concordance is that genetic similarities caused the twins both to become schizophrenic. It is proposed here that none of the studies on identical twins rule out social causes of schizophrenia, and that social causes may very well have been operative.Ten studies have been reported on identical twins reared apart in which at least one twin was schizophrenic. Of the 27 pairs of twins ...
Wavelength-reused ONUs for next-generation optical WDM/OFDMA-PON

In this paper, we discuss recent progress in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based passive optical networks (PON) in a wavelength-reused optical network unit (ONU). To fully regenerate the uplink OFDMA and avoid large bandwidth of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), a coherent receiver with selected sub-band technique is demonstrated.
Past applications and future uses of chirped ISR plasma line observations

Abstract The method of chirped incoherent scatter plasma wave observation is described. Applications of the method to the determination of electron density profiles, ionospheric irregularities, electron temperatures, electron gas vertical motion, field aligned currents, and plasma line enhancements caused by photoelectrons and precipitating auroral electrons are discussed. In all of these observations there is a large increase in the signal-to-noise ratio which allows for much improved time resolution and more accurate determination of ionospheric parameters. Application as a diagnostic tool in ionospheric modification experiments is addressed. The method has been implemented at the Arecibo Observatory and EISCAT. Examples of recent observations are presented. The chirp observation method has not yet found application in routine ISR observations because of lack of sufficient real time computing power.
Can better environmental inputs improve sea clutter estimation? A numerical experiment

Abstract Microwave radars which are deployed near the marine environment, such as shipborne and airborne radars, are subjected to sea return or sea clutter. In many instances, sea return for radars at large angles of incidence (small grazing angles) is of special importance. Here, we examine the effects of better environmental inputs to an existing sea clutter model, which has proved to be adequate for small grazing angles, and point out the limitations in the existing model and the improvements that can be made. Furthermore, plans for improving the existing sea clutter model are outlined and discussed.
Web accessibility evaluation with the crowd: using glance to rapidly code user testing video

Evaluating the results of user accessibility testing on the web can take a significant amount of time, training, and effort. Some of this work can be offloaded to others through coding video data from user tests to systematically extract meaning from subtle human actions and emotions. However, traditional video coding methods can take a considerable amount of time. We have created Glance, a tool that uses the crowd to allow researchers to rapidly query, sample, and analyze large video datasets for behavioral events that are hard to detect automatically. In this abstract, we discuss how Glance can be used to quickly code video of users with special needs interacting with a website by coding for whether or not websites conform with accessibility guidelines, in order to evaluate how accessible a website is and where potential problems lie.
Effects of Acidic Deposition on High-Elevation Spruce-Fir Forests in the United States

Large numbers of dead red spruce trees in high elevation spruce-fir forests of the eastern United States have caused much concern, and have been linked with elevated levels of air pollutants. These high elevation forests receive a significant amount of sulfate and nitrate from cloudwater deposition. The Spruce-Fir Research Cooperative, an integrated multi-institutional program, is investigating a number of hypothesized effects on the spruce-fir forests: (1) soil-mediated effects, (2) altered physiological processes, (3) increased foliar injury, and (4) increased susceptibility to winter injury. The results of Spruce-Fir Research Cooperative research are discussed in this paper.
Encoding with frames in MRI and analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio

Recently, many new encoding techniques have been suggested for magnetic resonance imaging and an important image reconstruction problem has been raised in order to fully exploit the advantages promised by these new encoding techniques. In terms of frames in an L/sub 2/ (R) space, we treat these encoding techniques in a unified perspective and propose a solution for this image reconstruction problem. We first develop a matrix form of frame theory and apply it to numerically construct the duals of the encoding functions, which are the transverse excitation profiles generated by radio-frequency pulses along a linear magnetic field gradient. An analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is also presented. Simulations have been carried out and they show that our image reconstruction algorithm minimizes the mean square error between the original and reconstructed images. The SNRs evaluated from simulations agree with our theoretical predictions.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CERTAIN PHYSICAL‐CHEMICAL MEASUREMENTS AND SENSORY APPRAISALS OF APPLE TEXTURE

Apples were selected as the test medium to provide information about the relative value of physical-chemical measurements as predictors of sensory appraisal of texture. Sensory, shear force, moisture, pH and protopectin/total pectin measurements of textural parameters for five variety-lots, after various storage periods, were treated by multiple regression, analysis of variance, and covariance and path analyses. Statistical treatments revealed relationships that were clearcut and certain trends that appear to be meaningful. Panel scores were not well predicted by objective measurements with one exception. Shear force was an excellent predictor for crispness of Colorado Red Delicious. Tenderness of Golden Delicious increased as storage increased and protopectin/total pectin decreased, whereas losses of crispness and juiciness were small and inconsistent. Overall results of sensory and physical-chemical tests for Winesap and Red Delicious were rather consistent in that tenderness increased and juiciness decreased linearly with the length of storage.
Reducing “Unknown” Data in Violent Death Surveillance: A Study of Death Certificates, Coroner/Medical Examiner and Police Reports From the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2004

To better understand the determinants of violent deaths, researchers need surveillance systems that include a broad spectrum of information (e.g., victim demographics, event characteristics [date/location of death] and preceding circumstances). Missing information can limit the ability to develop preventive interventions.This study examines the value of using multiple source documents (i.e., death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, and police reports) to reduce missing or "unknown" data on violent deaths. When all sources are accessible, more sources should reduce the amount of unknown data. This study finds this to be true only for certain variables, that is, those capturing preceding circumstances.
Countering imbalanced datasets to improve adverse drug event predictive models in labor and delivery

BackgroundThe IOM report, Preventing Medication Errors, emphasizes the overall lack of knowledge of the incidence of adverse drug events (ADE). Operating rooms, emergency departments and intensive care units are known to have a higher incidence of ADE. Labor and delivery (L&D) is an emergency care unit that could have an increased risk of ADE, where reported rates remain low and under-reporting is suspected. Risk factor identification with electronic pattern recognition techniques could improve ADE detection rates. ObjectiveThe objective of the present study is to apply Synthetic Minority Over Sampling Technique (SMOTE) as an enhanced sampling method in a sparse dataset to generate prediction models to identify ADE in women admitted for labor and delivery based on patient risk factors and comorbidities. ResultsBy creating synthetic cases with the SMOTE algorithm and using a 10-fold cross-validation technique, we demonstrated improved performance of the Naive Bayes and the decision tree algorithms. The true positive rate (TPR) of 0.32 in the raw dataset increased to 0.67 in the 800% over-sampled dataset. ConclusionEnhanced performance from classification algorithms can be attained with the use of synthetic minority class oversampling techniques in sparse clinical datasets. Predictive models created in this manner can be used to develop evidence based ADE monitoring systems.
The DEAD box helicase, Dhh1p, functions in mRNA decapping and interacts with both the decapping and deadenylase complexes.

A major pathway of mRNA turnover in eukaryotic cells initiates with deadenylation, leading to mRNA decapping and subsequent 59 to 39 exonuclease digestion. We show that a highly conserved member of the DEAD box family of helicases, Dhh1p, stimulates mRNA decapping in yeast. In dhh1D mutants, mRNAs accumulate as deadenylated, capped species. Dhh1p’s effects on decapping only occur on normal messages as nonsense-mediated decay still occurs in dhh1D mutants. The role of Dhh1p in decapping appears to be direct, as Dhh1p physically interacts with several proteins involved in mRNA decapping including the decapping enzyme Dcp1p, as well as Lsm1p and Pat1p/ Mrt1p, which function to enhance the decapping rate. Additional observations suggest Dhh1p functions to coordinate distinct steps in mRNA function and decay. Dhh1p also associates with Pop2p, a subunit of the mRNA deadenylase. In addition, genetic phenotypes suggest that Dhh1p also has a second biological function. Interestingly, Dhh1p homologs in others species function in maternal mRNA storage. This provides a novel link between the mechanisms of decapping and maternal mRNA translational repression.
Re-evaluation of the Reference Dose for Methylmercury and Assessment of Current Exposure Levels

Methylmercury (Me-Hg) is widely distributed through freshwater and saltwater food chains and human consumption of fish and shellfish has lead to widespread exposure. Both the US EPA Reference Dose (0.3 [mu]g/kg/day) and the FAO/WHO Permissible Tolerable Weekly Intake (3.3 [mu]g/kg/week) are currently based on the prevention of paraesthesia in adult and older children. However, Me-Hg exposure in utero is known to result in a range of developmental neurologic effects including clinical CNS symptoms and delayed onset of walking. Based on a critical review of development toxicity data from human and animal studies, it is concluded that current guidelines for the prevention of paraesthesia are not adequate to address developmental effects. A dose of 0.07 [mu]g/kg/day is suggested as the best estimate of a potential reference dose for developmental effects. Data on nationwide fish consumption rates and Me-Hg levels in fish/seafood weighted by proportion of the catch intended for human consumption are analyzed in a Monte Carlo simulation to derive a probability distribution of background Me-Hg exposure. While various uncertainties in the toxicologic and exposure data limit the precision with which health risk can be estimated, this analysis suggests that at current levels of Me-Hg exposure, a significant fraction of womenmore » of childbearing age have exposures above this suggested reference dose.« less
The Performance of a Multistep Proportional Counter for Use in X-Ray Astronomy

The addition of a parallel field preamplification region has been shown to dramatically improve the performance of a standard multiwire proportional counter, permitting high overall gas gains to be achieved, a prerequisite for good spatial resolution, without in any way compromising energy resolution. The resulting device, known as a multistep detector, has been tested over a wide range of operating conditions and fill gas mixtures. Results are presented here detailing the performance available with argon and xenon as the principle gases, these being of particular relevance to x-ray astronomy.
Optical characterization of diamond MIS capacitors

The transient photoresponse properties of diamond metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitors have been characterized for the first time. Capacitors were fabricated on natural diamond using an electrochemical cleaning step with a CVD SiO/sub 2/ dielectric and an optional carbon implantation to create a nonuniform doping profile. Devices were found to function as integrating photodetectors and were evaluated by the spectral dependence of the transient photocapacitance (PC). We discuss a model that distinguishes between the responses due to inversion layer population and that due to bulk trap occupancy changes. Inversion charge generation was observed at all wavelengths investigated and it dominated the PC transient at photon energies above 3 eV. Possible reasons for this result are discussed and analyzed. We could not demonstrate a suitable way to use carbon implantation to form a surface n-type layer in a MIS device without degrading the device IV properties and eliminating the integrating photoresponse observed on non-implanted devices. These results suggest that diamond charge-storage devices can function only if the diamond surface is prepared properly before device fabrication. >
‘Getting your wheel in the door’: successful full-time employment experiences of individuals with cerebral palsy who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Eight individuals with cerebral palsy who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and were employed full time participated in a focus group discussion that was conducted on the Internet. Six major themes emerged from the discussion: (a) descriptions of employment activities, (b) benefits of employment and reasons for being employed, (c) negative impacts resulting from employment, (d) barriers to employment, (e) supports required for employment, and (f) recommendations for improving employment outcomes for individuals with cerebral palsy who use AAC. Factors identified as key to preparation for successful employmentincluded appropriate education and vocational experiences. Community networks, government policies, and computer technology were identified as important supports for obtaining employment. Personal characteristics, technology, supportive coworkers, personal care assistance, and family supports were described as important supports for maintaining employment.
Dual organism design cycle reveals small subunit substitutions that improve [NiFe] hydrogenase hydrogen evolution.

Photosynthetic microorganisms that directly channel solar energy to the production of molecular hydrogen are a potential future biofuel system. Building such a system requires installation of a hydrogenase in the photosynthetic organism that is both tolerant to oxygen and capable of hydrogen production. Toward this end, we have identified the [NiFe] hydrogenase from the marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii “Deep ecotype” that is able to be heterologously expressed in cyanobacteria and has tolerance to partial oxygen. The A. macleodii enzyme shares sequence similarity with the uptake hydrogenases that favor hydrogen uptake activity over hydrogen evolution. To improve hydrogen evolution from the A. macleodii hydrogenase, we examined the three Fe-S clusters found in the small subunit of many [NiFe] uptake hydrogenases that presumably act as a molecular wire to guide electrons to or from the active site of the enzyme. Studies by others altering the medial cluster of a Desulfovibrio fructosovorans hydrogenase from 3Fe-4S to 4Fe-4S resulted in two-fold improved hydrogen evolution activity. We adopted a strategy of screening for improved hydrogenase constructs using an Escherichia coli expression system before testing in slower growing cyanobacteria. From the A. macleodii enzyme, we created a mutation in the gene encoding the hydrogenase small subunit that in other systems is known to convert the 3Fe-4S medial cluster to 4Fe-4S. The medial cluster substitution did not improve the hydrogen evolution activity of our hydrogenase. However, modifying both the medial cluster and the ligation of the distal Fe-S cluster improved in vitro hydrogen evolution activity relative to the wild type hydrogenase by three- to four-fold. Other properties of the enzyme including thermostability and tolerance to partial oxygen did not appear to be affected by the substitutions. Our results show that substitution of amino acids altering the ligation of Fe-S clusters in the A. macleodii [NiFe] uptake hydrogenase resulted in increased hydrogen evolution activity. This activity can be recapitulated in multiple host systems and with purified protein. These results validate the approach of using an E. coli-cyanobacteria shuttle system for enzyme expression and improvement.
Malignant transformation of a vestibular schwannoma after gamma knife radiosurgery.

Objective To report a single case of malignant transformation of a vestibular schwannoma after radiosurgery and review the growing body of literature describing patients with malignant transformation of primary benign tumors after radiosurgery, including vestibular schwannoma. Methods A 46-year-old woman presented with right facial paresthesias and imaging consistent with a right-sided vestibular schwannoma (volume approximately 18.5 cm 3 ). Results The patient underwent subtotal resection followed by Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) 6 months after surgery. Initial histology showed a benign vestibular schwannoma with an MIB-1 labeling index of 5.7%. At 43 months after GKRS, the patient underwent repeat subtotal resection of a benign vestibular schwannoma (MIB-1 labeling index 7.4%). At 59 months after GKRS, she underwent a third resection, and histology showed frank malignant transformation (MIB-1 labeling index 33.8%). Conclusions Malignant vestibular nerve tumors are extremely rare; only 18 cases have been reported in the literature. Our patient is the sixth pathologically confirmed case of malignant transformation after radiosurgery, supporting the contention that radiosurgery itself may play a causative role in transformation. In a histologically benign lesion, the presence of an elevated MIB-1 labeling index may predispose toward malignant transformation in the setting of adjuvant radiosurgery.
Acoustic noise signal generation due to magnetostrictive effects in electrical equipment

The inverse magnetostriction effect (IME) is investigated for noise generation, identification and evaluation in shipboard propulsion machinery applications. The finite element (FE) implementation is performed on an example drive motor in two dimensions. The FE implementation results show an increase in the forces acting on the ferromagnetic region causing more deformation in the stationary core center and in the back iron. This deformation causes increased vibration and hence an audible noise propagation. Wavelet analysis of displacement waveforms at selected points shows the involved frequency range causing noise during the operation. The results confirm the magnetostrictive origin of noise production. The importance of such information realized and utilized for the reduction of noise in machinery problems especially in sensitive applications
Polysomes, Ribonucleic Acid, and Protein Synthesis During Germination of Neurospora crassa Conidia

The level of polysomes in ungerminated conidia of Neurospora crassa depends on the method used to collect spores. Spores harvested and exposed to hydration contain 30% of their ribosomes as polysomes, whereas those not exposed to hydration contain only 3% of their ribosomes as polysomes. During the germination process, the percentage of the ribosomes which sediment as polysomes increases rapidly to a level of approximately 75% during the first 15 to 30 min of germination. This rapid increase has been shown to require a carbon source. During the first 30 min of germination, spores synthesize ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) and heterogeneously sedimenting RNA, i.e., presumptive messenger RNA.
Functional genomics via multiscale analysis: application to gene expression and ChIP-on-chip data

We present a fast, versatile and adaptive-multiscale algorithm for analyzing a wide-variety of DNA microarray data. Its primary application is in normalization of array data as well as subsequent identification of 'enriched targets', e.g. differentially expressed genes in expression profiling arrays and enriched sites in ChIP-on-chip experimental data. We show how to accommodate the unique characteristics of ChIP-on-chip data, where the set of 'enriched targets' is large, asymmetric and whose proportion to the whole data varies locally. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary figures, related preprint, free software as well as our raw DNA microarray data with PCR validations are available at http://www.math.umn.edu/~lerman/supp/bioinfo06 as well as Bioinformatics online.
The Interrelation of the Long-Term Gold Yield with the Yields of Another Asset Classes

In the article the appealing of gold as the long-term asset of investments is discussed. Particularly it is shown that the 10-years average for the gold yield well correlates with the current real earnings yield (reciprocal of the P/E ratio). So in the phase of earnings multiple expansions, when the market's growth essentially outstrips the earnings growth, the average gold yield tends to fall down. And vice versa, when the earnings multiple is in the phase of contraction, the market participants tend to pick up gold that leads to growth of the gold yield.
Land Value Taxation and Economic Development with Utah Applications

The author says that the land tax (a tax on land only) is efficient and useful in combating urban sprawl. It encourages more intensive development. If the tax is used to finance public benefits, it can be equitable. However, implementing a land tax can be politically difficult, the author says.
P1-S2.67 Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among college students who attended the Johns Hopkins University Health and Wellness Center from 2009 to 2010

Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that sexually active women 25 years or younger be tested yearly for Chlamydia trachomatis . An ongoing screening program among college students attending a university gave students the opportunity to be screened for C trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC). Methods Male and female college students attending Johns Hopkins University were offered screening for chlamydia and gonorrhoea by the Health and Wellness Center. From February 2009 to December 2010, 1114 male urines and female vaginal specimens were submitted to the STD Research Laboratory for CT and GC screening using the Gen-Probe Aptima Combo2 assay. Results were returned to the Johns Hopkins University Student Health and Wellness Center which treated the infected students. 10 students were also tested for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) with Gen-Probe ATV Analyte Specific Reagent assay (ASR). Results As of 31 December 2010, there were 284 (25.5%) males and 830 (75%) females tested, between the ages 17−48 yr. 810 (72.7%) were White, 76 (6.8%), Black, 146 (13.1%). Asian/Pacific Islander, 5 (0.44%) were American Indian, and Other/unknown 78 (7.0%). 71 (6.4%) students were Hispanic and 120 (10.8%) indicated they were symptomatic. The overall prevalence of CT and GC was 1.6% (18/1114) and 0.2% (2/1114), respectively. All TV results were negative. 8/284 (2.8%) males and 10/830 (1.2%) females were CT positive. 5/18(27.8%) were symptomatic (3 females, 2 males) and 7/8 were between 18 and 29 yrs of age (there was one 34 yr. old Black male). Among the 18 CT positive students, 13 were White, 1 Black, 2 Asian/Pacific Islander, 2 were other/unknown; 4 were Hispanic and 14 non-Hispanic. Both GC positive female students were asymptomatic; one was 19, and one was 25 yrs old. Both were non-Hispanic with one being Asian and one White. Conclusions This ongoing screening program of male and female students from the Johns Hopkins University Student Health and Wellness Center demonstrated a low prevalence of CT and GC among students, attending the Center. Targeted, innovative screening programs may improve outreach to populations with higher prevalences.
Spin-Memory Loss in Metallic Multilayers

We review the results of measurements of spin-memory loss (spin-flipping) at cryogenic temperatures in sputtered or electrodeposited ferromagnetic and non-magnetic metals and alloys, and at metallic interfaces, using the current perpendicular to plane (CPP) geometry.
Some Drosophilidae (Diptera) from the Galapagos Islands

Drosophila immigrans Sturtevant was reported from the Galapagos by Curran (1934), and as far as I have been able to determine this is the only species of the Drosophilidae recorded from these little-known islands. Among some Drosophilidae sent to me by workers at the U. S. National Museum for identification were 45 specimens from the Galapagos, representing four species, collected by K. Vinton during July and August 1948. Drosophila immigrans was not among them. The four additional species records are as follows:
Unexpected Alkyl Group Migration in Palladium(II) Benzocarbaporphyrins

Reaction of a benzocarbaporphyrin with methyl or ethyl iodide and potassium carbonate in refluxing acetone primarily afforded the 22-alkylation products. Subsequent metalation with palladium(II) acetate in refluxing acetonitrile gave the palladium(II) organometallic derivatives where the alkyl group had migrated to the 21-position.
Synthetic biologists spring into action at the 245th American Chemical Society National Meeting.

As the field of synthetic biology continues to define itself, it has merged concepts from many related areas of research: molecular biology, genetics, bioengineering, and chemistry. At the 2013 Spring American Chemical Society National Meeting in New Orleans, LA, this mixture was manifested in a wealth of sessions emphasizing the use of modern synthetic biological approaches to solve many of today’s biggest chemical problems. As a result of the field’s diverse yet pervasive nature, synthetic biology concepts were present in several of the conferences many divisions, including Biological Chemistry, Biochemical Technology, Cellulose and Renewable Materials, and several others. Here we offer a snapshot of some of the exciting research discussed in the dedicated synthetic biology sessions throughout the week.
High Dose Vitamin D Administration in Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Pilot Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Background There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the critically ill patient population. Several intensive care unit studies have demonstrated an association between vitamin D deficiency [25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) Material and Methods Pilot, double blind randomized control trial conducted on mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients. Subjects were administered either placebo, 50,000 IU vitamin D 3 or 100,000 IU vitamin D 3 daily for 5 consecutive days enterally (total vitamin D 3 dose = 250,000 IU or 500,000 IU, respectively). The primary outcome was plasma 25(OH)D concentration 7 days after oral administration of study drug. Secondary outcomes were plasma levels of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin (LL37), hospital LOS, SOFA score, duration of mechanical ventilation, hospital mortality, mortality at 12 weeks, and hospital acquired infection. Results A total of 31 subjects were enrolled with 13 (43%) being vitamin D deficient at entry (25(OH)D levels 3 regimens each resulted in a significant increase in mean plasma 25(OH)D concentrations from baseline to day 7; values rose to 45.7 ± 19.6 ng/mL and 55.2 ± 14.4 ng/mL, respectively, compared to essentially no change in the placebo group (21 ± 11.2 ng/mL), p 3 group, compared to the placebo group (25 ± 14 and 18 ± 11 days compared to 36 ± 19 days, respectively; p = 0.03). There was no statically significant change in plasma LL-37 concentrations or other clinical outcomes by group over time. Conclusions In this pilot study, high-dose vitamin D3 safely increased plasma 25(OH)D concentrations into the sufficient range and was associated with decreased hospital length of stay without altering other clinical outcomes.
Electron spin resonance in 13C-labeled chlorophyll and 13C-labeled algae

Abstract ESR signals have been recorded from algae and chlorophyll a highly enriched in 13C. A theoretical treatment of the effects on line shape to be expected from 13C substitution has been developed. The 13C isotope effect in the line shape of ESR photosignal I in 13C-labeled algae is shown to be consistent with delocalization of the spin over a special pair of chlorophyll molecules. The anisotropy of 13C ESR signals allows the conclusion to be drawn that reaction center chlorophyll in photosynthesizing algae is held in a rigid matrix.
Reproductive Science for High School Students: A Shared Curriculum Model to Enhance Student Success

The lack of a national reproductive biology curriculum leads to critical knowledge gaps in today's high school students' comprehensive understanding of human biology. The Oncofertility Consortium developed curricula that address the basic and clinical aspects of reproductive biology. Launching this academy and creating easy-to-disseminate learning modules allowed other universities to implement similar programs across the country. The expansion of this informal, extracurricular academy on reproductive health from Northwestern University to the University of California, San Diego, Oregon Health & Science University, and the University of Pennsylvania magnifies the scope of scientific learning to students who might not otherwise be exposed to this important information. To assess the experience gained from this curriculum, we polled alumni from the four centers. Data were collected anonymously from de-identified users who elected to self-report on their experiences in their respective reproductive science academy. The alumni survey asked participants to report on their current academic standing, past experiences in the academy, and future academic and career goals. The results of this national survey suggest the national oncofertility academies had a lasting impact on participants and may have contributed to student persistence in scientific learning.
Search for TeV γ-Rays from Wolf-Rayet Stars

A search for TeV γ-rays from the non-thermal radio stars WR125, WR140, WR144 and WR147 has yielded only upper limits. The implications are discussed.
Sexual intensity of adolescents' online self-presentations

Adolescents produce and distribute a vast quantity of digital media content. A growing literature examines the sexually explicit (i.e., nude) content that adolescents share online. Because adolescents' sexual content need not be sexually explicit, however, this study examined the sexual intensity with which adolescents choose to present themselves in the context of a social media platform. Exemplifying the variability of adolescents' online sexual self-presentations, survey participants (N?=?265; age range: 13-15 years) constructed social media profiles using components (e.g., photos, fashion brands) that varied in sexual intensity. In accord with predictions drawn from the Media Practice Model, the study found that the sexual intensity of adolescents' online self-presentations is a product of the sexual self-concept, a relationship that is partially mediated by sexual media diet and moderated by extraversion. This study bridges emerging research on sexual self-presentation with established literature on adolescents' sexual media uses and effects. Study asks teens to present themselves online in non-explicit sexual ways.Sexual intensity of self-presentation is predicted by the sexual self-concept.Sexual media diet mediates link between self-concept and presentation intensity.Extraversion moderates effects of self-concept and sexual media on presentation.Future research should treat sexual self-presentation (sexting) as a media effect.
Die strategiegerechte F&E-Organisation

Ziel des F&E-Managements ist es, „die richtigen Dinge zu tun“ (dazu dient das F&E-Projektportfolio) und „die Dinge richtig zu tun“. Die Dinge richtig zu tun, erfordert einen standigen Abstimmungsprozes mit den anderen Funktionsbereichen und der Unternehmensleitung. Dieser Abstimmungsprozes mus organisiert werden. Dabei spiele drei Aspekte eine wesentliche Rolle: die Organisationsstruktur die Fuhrungs- und Steuerungsprozesse die Menschenfuhrung.
Decentralized sequential change detection with ordered CUSUMs

We consider the problem of decentralized sequential change detection, in which K sensors monitor a system in real time, and at some unknown time there is an anomaly in the environment that changes the distribution of the observations in all sensors. The sensors communicate with a fusion center that is responsible for quickly detecting the change, while controlling the false alarm rate. We focus on two families of decentralized detection rules with minimal communication requirements. First, we assume that each sensor runs a local CUSUM algorithm and communicates with the fusion center only once, when it detects the change. The fusion center then declares that a change has occurred when m of the K sensors have raised an alarm. Assuming that all sensors have the same signal strength, we show that the asymptotic performance of these one-shot schemes is free of m to a first order, but decreases with m to a second-order, suggesting that the best strategy for the fusion center is to detect the change with the first alarm. Second, we consider schemes that detect the change when m of the K sensors agree simultaneously that the change has occurred. While a first-order asymptotic analysis suggests that it is optimal for the fusion center to wait for all sensors to agree simultaneously, a second-order analysis reveals that it can be better to wait fewer (but more than half) of the sensors to agree. The insights from these asymptotic results are supported by a simulation study.
Carnitine Deficiency Syndromes

Carnitine deficiency syndromes manifested as metabolic encephalopathy, lipid storage myopathy, or cardiomyopathy are reviewed from the Department of Pediatrics, Park Nicollet Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN.