cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral mechanisms influencing molt frequency in the American lobster, Homarus americanus Milne Edwards

Abstract The dominance relationship established among communally held juvenile lobsters (Homarusamericanus Milne Edwards) results in an increased time between molts of subordinates, slowing their growth. The experiments reported here elucidated some of the mechanisms of this behaviorally mediated change in growth rate. Rearing the lobsters in pairs on either side of a partition allowing chemical or visual communication showed that neither were sufficient to cause the decrease in molt rate. Removal of the claws reduced the extent of the molt delay and altered, but did not prevent, the development of the dominance relationship. The lobsters must be paired before proecdysis begins for the molt delay to occur. Most of the delay can be attributed to a lengthening of the Do phase of proecdysis. Observations on the feeding behavior of pairs separated and together at feeding time showed the subordinates did not feed as readily or as rapidly as dominants. The slower growth rate of the subordinate may be due to a lower food intake.
Site representation for charge transfer excitations in molecular crystals

A phenomenological site hamiltonian is constructed for molecular crystals whose lowest electronic excitations involve an electron transfer, as in many donor-acceptor and free-radical crystals. When only the lowest chargetransfer states are retained, a fermion representation of the site hamiltonian is obtained which leads to a typical many-body problem. The model reduces in special cases to the Hubbard and the Pariser-Parr-Pople models. However, instead of a one-electron, frozen core model, the site representation includes core rearrangements and polarization.
Analyses of transient characteristics of a nutrient cycling model

Abstract The resilience of an ecosystem model is that part of its stability which includes the return to a reference state subsequent to a perturbation. Using small perturbations of a nutrient cycling model, we show that the system turn-over, free response, initially-controlling eigenvalue, second-order feedback times, and resilience times reflect the dissipative structure of the model. However, for larger perturbations involving 5% of the total system content, steady-state dissipation rates do not describe the model system resilience precisely as measured by a perturbation algorithm. Application of the algorithm to a non-linear formulation of the nutrient cycling model indicates that the transient responses of ecosystem models can be sensitive to the model construct. Stability analyses using numerical techniques of digital simulation elucidate relationships among various analytical approaches, indicate some misapplication of analytical mathematics to ecosystem models, and establish a technique suitable for linear or non-linear models which most ecologists can use. The authors suggest that ecologically meaningful resistance and resilience analyses may require a different model formulation, such as adaptive control or evolutionary ecosystem models.
Titanium Interlayer Mediated Epitaxy of CoSi2 on Si1−xGex

Abstract Titanium Interlayer Mediated Epitaxy (TIME) has been shown to promote the formation of epitaxial CoSi2 on Si (100). Similarities between Si and Si1−xGex alloys have motivated a study of whether the TIME process could be successful in forming epitaxial CoSi2 on Si1−xGex. Titanium layers of varying thickness were deposited as interlayers between a Co layer and c-Si/Si0.8Ge0.2 grown epitaxially onto Si (100) to investigate their role in the formation of epitaxial CoSi2 on Si1−xGex alloys. The effect of Ti interlayer thickness on the orientation of CoSi2 to the Si1−xGex substrate, and the conditions under which a polycrystalline CoSi2 film has been formed have been studied. It was found that Ti was beneficial in promoting epitaxy to the substrate in all cases. The experimental results indicate that with a Ti interlayer thickness of ∼ 50 A, the formation of epitaxial CoSi2 adjacent to the substrate was achieved, and pinhole formation was minimized. It was also observed that for increased interlayer thickness, Ti reacted with Si to form a titanium silicide.
Configuring stand-alone smalltalk-80 applications

The Smalltalk-80™ programming environment, though powerful for prototyping applications, does not have any mechanisms for constructing a stand-alone version of an application. Traditionally, the application is bundled with an image including the entire development environment. Production applications frequently require that the only interface visible to the end user be that of the application. A common misperception among Smalltalk-80 application developers is that it is impossible to: develop and deliver applications containing proprietary algorithms,prevent inspection and modification of the application,separate the development environment from the delivered application,provide annotation of the application classes and methods without actually revealing the source code to the end user.In this paper, we introduce various techniques and mechanisms for meeting these requirements.
Synthesis of 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo- and 6-exo-hydroxylated analogues of epibatidine

Abstract A convenient, high-yield synthesis of N-Boc-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ( 7 ) was developed by SmI2-mediated desulfonylation of 6 . Thus, 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo-, and 6-exo-hydroxylated epibatidine analogues 2a,b and 3a,b were synthesized from 7 by using a Pd(PPh3)4-catalyzed reductive Heck coupling reaction and SmI2-mediated reduction of the carbonyl group as the key steps. Other reaction conditions for the reductive Heck procedure and the reduction step were also investigated.
The use of hydrated trisilicate of magnesium for peptic ulce

1. Two commercial samples of trisilicate of Magnesium were analyzed for antacid action. They varied greatly in acid neutralizing ability. The findings in sample B verified the experiments of Mutch. 2. It was found for sample B that, after 20 minutes, 10% of acid present was adsorbed and 45% was neutralized. If percentage was figured from equivalent acid (Mann), the figure for acid adsorbed would be 17.5% and for ac:’d neutralized 61%. 3. Trisilicate of Magnesium was used for 150 patients with peptic ulcer. In a series of 90 cases studied carefully 86 cases could anticipate benefit from medical management. Of these 92% were markedly benefited and 84% kept symptom free for the duration of the study. 4. Trisilieate of Magnesium has no effect on colonic motility in most cases. It produced no discernible toxic effects. It does not affect the acid-base balance of the blood serum. 5. Trisilicate of Magnesium has a use in the treatment of peptic ulcer and will probably replace many antacids now employed.
Outcomes of Hospitalization in Pregnant Women with Brain Tumors: A Population-Based Study (P07.112)

Objective: To determine whether pregnant women with brain tumors have an elevated risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Background Diagnosis of a brain tumor during pregnancy presents complex management challenges, and relevant population-based studies are lacking. Design/Methods: We designed a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a stratified sample of US hospitalizations, to investigate pregnancy outcomes in women with brain tumors. We constructed a logistic regression model for the outcomes of maternal mortality, preterm labor, Caesarean delivery, miscarriage, and elective abortion, controlling for age, medical comorbidities, and demographic and hospital characteristics. Results: We identified 379 malignant and 437 benign brain tumors among 19 million pregnancy-related admissions between 1988 and 2009. Malignant brain tumors were associated with maternal mortality (OR 143), miscarriage (OR 1.8), and elective abortion (OR 11.6). Caesarean delivery was more frequent for malignant (OR 5.3) and benign (OR 2.2) brain tumors. Admissions not resulting in a delivery were more common for malignant (OR 8.6) and benign (OR 4.3) brain tumors. As with non-pregnant adult brain tumor patients, seizures (16%) and hydrocephalus (6%) were the most common associated diagnoses. Hyperemesis gravidarum was more common for malignant (OR 2.2) and benign (OR 2.8) brain tumors, raising the suspicion that elevated intracranial pressure was responsible for symptoms thought to be pregnancy-related. 27% of all hospitalizations involved a neurosurgical procedure, but the likelihood of pregnancy complications was not significantly increased in these patients. All reported associations were statistically significant to a level of p Conclusions: Brain tumors are strongly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but neurosurgery during pregnancy does not appear to enhance these risks. Brain tumors were associated with higher rates of Caesarean delivery, implying a conservative management strategy. Further research is needed to improve understanding of obstetric risk in this patient population and to assist with treatment, prenatal counseling, and monitoring during delivery. Supported by: Harvard Center for Neurofibromatosis and Allied Disorders. Disclosure: Dr. Terry has nothing to disclose. Dr. Barker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leffert has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bateman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Souter has nothing to disclose. Dr. Plotkin has received research support from Pfizer.
The ultrastructure of an intraspindle membrane system in meiosis of spider spermatocytes

An extensive system of membranes was found in the spindles of spermatocytes of two wolf spider species, Lycosa georgicola and L. rabida. Serial section reconstructions of this membrane system revealed that each meiotic bivalent is encased in a tube of membrane, which encloses both kinetochore microtubule bundles and approaches to within a few microns of the centriolar complex. The membrane tube is open at the polar ends. The membrane composing the tube is doubled and resembles smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER). No evidence of nuclear pore complexes has been found in the intraspindle membrane system, but typical pores are present on the nuclear envelope of prophase cells. The membrane tubes are fenestrated and microtubules sometimes penetrate these fenestrae. Besides its possible function in the regulation of chromosome movement, the intraspindle membrane system may participate in the nonrandom segregation of the sex chromosomes at meiosis in these spiders.
Modeling resin flow and fiber tow saturation induced by distribution media collapse in VARTM

Abstract Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is a liquid composite molding (LCM) technique to manufacture large scale composite structures. Fiber preforms are placed on a tool surface and covered by highly permeable layer known as the distribution media to enhance the flow in the in-plane direction. The assembly is enveloped in a plastic bag and a vacuum draws the resin into the preform through the distribution media. Woven and stitched preform architecture contain tightly packed fiber tows which have much lower permeability as compared to the bulk permeability of the fabric. Thus, the tows saturate with resin much later than the pores between the fiber tows and are more prone to microvoid creation, which are detrimental to part performance. Numerical modeling can predict the fiber tow saturation, but it tends to significantly under-predict saturation in VARTM process as compared to experimental results. To improve the predictions one needs to model the post-filling stage in VARTM. After the injection is discontinued, the resin pressure will drop and increase the compaction pressure on the fabric and the distribution media. This will compress the distribution media forcing the resin into the fiber tows and towards the resin trap at the vent location. This post-filling flow has not been addressed in traditional filling simulations. The current work analyzes the resin flow from the collapsing distribution media into unsaturated fiber tows. First, the governing formulation is derived and conditions under which the mathematical model can be simplified are stated. Next, a simplified analytic solution is provided to determine the significant non-dimensional parameters that influence the post-filling process. Finally, the post-filling stage is added to a mold filling simulation package and the predictions of unsaturated fiber tows are found to be more in line with experimental observations.
A Test of Strategies for Enhanced Learning of AP Descriptive Chemistry

The Advanced Placement (AP) Descriptive Chemistry Website allows users to practice chemistry problems. This study involved the redesign of the Website using worked examples to enhance learner performance. The population sample for the study includes users (students and teachers) interested in learning descriptive chemistry materials. The users were randomly selected to receive worked examples. Usage patterns with the Website were analyzed to assess learner performance using the Independent Samples t-test. No important differences were found in learning between the worked example and more conventional strategies.
Encounters of Royal Terns (Thalasseus maximus) Banded in South Carolina

Abstract Encounters of Thalasseus maximus (Royal Terns) (n = 1387) banded as chicks in South Carolina were used to expand our knowledge regarding winter and migration sites of immature and mature birds, to identify causes of mortality, and to examine natal-site fidelity. Ages of encountered terns ranged from zero (less than one year old) to 27 years old. Mortality was highest in the first year of life. The majority of the encounters (64%, n = 879) were in Florida. Banded birds were also observed outside the US as far west as the Gulf coast of Mexico, east to Guyana, and south to Peru. Royal Terns appear to delay their first migration from winter grounds to breeding sites until the fourth summer. The vast majority of encounters (92%, n = 1275) were due to mortalities; the remaining 8% (n = 112) were of live terns encountered by resighting or capturing. In total, 35% (n = 485) of live or dead encounters were directly attributed to human activities, including entanglement in fishing gear (recorded as late as...
A dynamic damage growth model for uniaxial compressive response of rock aggregates

Abstract A model that combines damage evolution theory with dynamic crack growth is developed to investigate the uniaxial compressive response of rock aggregate. A damage parameter that determines the time at which the rock looses its ability to transmit the stress completely is introduced into the model. Flaw distribution in rocks is described by a two parameter Weibull distribution. The model correlates the damage parameter with the dynamic growth of “wing” cracks from the pre-existing microcracks. Influences of model parameters on stress–strain response and failure strength are studied systematically. The results of the dynamic damage evolution model are compared to the experimental observations on three types of rock and a good correlation is obtained.
Soft x-ray microscopy with a 182-angstrom soft x-ray laser

The high brightness and short pulse duration of soft x-ray lasers provide unique advantages for x-ray microscopy. We briefly review soft x-ray laser development at Princeton University and present results from the development of novel soft x-ray microscopes. The Princeton soft x- ray laser at 18.2 nm has been used to record high resolution contact images of biological specimens. More recently we have demonstrated proof-of-principle of reflection imaging in the soft x-ray wavelength range with the first results from a soft x-ray reflection imaging microscope. The microscope used a Schwarzschild objective with Mo/Si multilayer mirrors (normal incidence reflectivity of approximately 20% per surface) to form an image in reflected 18.2 nm soft x rays. In a separate experiment a novel `diffraction plate,' designed as an alternative to conventional condenser optics, has been tested.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Expression enhancement of a rice polyubiquitin gene promoter.

An 808 bp promoter from a rice polyubiquitin gene, rubi3, has been isolated. The rubi3 gene contained an open reading frame of 1140 bp encoding a pentameric polyubiquitin arranged as five tandem, head-to-tail repeats of 76 aa. The 1140 bp 5′ UTR intron of the gene enhanced its promoter activity in transient expression assays by 20-fold. Translational fusion of the GUS reporter gene to the coding sequence of the ubiquitin monomer enhanced GUS enzyme activity in transient expression assays by 4.3-fold over the construct containing the original rubi3 promoter (including the 5′ UTR intron) construct. The enhancing effect residing in the ubiquitin monomer coding sequence has been narrowed down to the first 9 nt coding for the first three amino acid residues of the ubiquitin protein. Mutagenesis at the third nucleotide of this 9 nt sequence still maintains the enhancing effect, but leads to translation of the native GUS protein rather than a fusion protein. The resultant 5′ regulatory sequence, consisting of the rubi3 promoter, 5′ UTR exon and intron, and the mutated first 9 nt coding sequence, has an activity nearly 90-fold greater than the rubi3 promoter only (without the 5′ UTR intron), and 2.2-fold greater than the maize Ubi1 gene promoter (including its 5′ UTR intron). The newly created expression vector is expected to enhance transgene expression in monocot plants. Considering the high conservation of the polyubiquitin gene structure in higher plants, the observed enhancement in gene expression may apply to 5′ regulatory sequences of other plant polyubiquitin genes.
Energy Assessments: Improving Manufacturing Efficiency

Green energy is beginning to become a highly important issue within the manufacturing world. Frequently businesses do not fully understand what "going green" entails. The reduction in energy consumption often results in more efficient practices that reduce not only the amount of energy used, but also the company's utility expenses. In order to achieve this, either an on-site or outside team can be brought in to perform an energy assessment. An assessment generally consists of several steps. The first step is that a team gathers information about a company's use of energy in several main areas such as: lighting, air conditioning, compressed air, steam, heat losses, and overheated equipment. The next step is to perform research to find more efficient alternatives and to compute the energy and cost savings. The information is then compiled into a report and given to company executives in order to approve the implementation of the recommendations. This electronic document is a "live" template. The various components of your paper [title, text, heads, etc.] are already defined on the style sheet, as illustrated by the portions given in this document.
Characteristics of the inverted-V event

An attempt is made to determine the origin of the inverted-V precipitating electrons and mechanisms that could create the inverted-V structure. The energy and pitch angle structures are compared with predictions from several theories that have been proposed to explain the origin of inverted-V events. Data from the AE-D satellite indicate that the origin of the inverted-V precipitating electrons is in the magnetosphere, the most probable regions being the plasma sheet and the neutral sheet. The energy and pitch angle distributions show that electrons are trapped between the mirror points and the electric field potential. The observations suggest that field-aligned precipitating electrons have been heated, probably when they were accelerated by the parallel electric field. Qualitatively, the detailed structures of the inverted-V events favor the theory of anomalous resistivity.
Blockade with methadone, cyclazocine, and naloxone.

(1970). Blockade with Methadone, Cyclazocine, and Naloxone. International Journal of the Addictions: Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 507-515.
THE ALLOCATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO PROMOTE BUREAUCRATIC OBJECTIVES: AN EMPIRICAL TEST

This article tests whether Job Training Partnership Act Title III discretionary funds are allocated to meet bureaucratic objectives. These funds are targeted to provide a rapid response to mass layoffs or natural disasters and are therefore well suited for detecting political influence because program distributions are awarded contemporaneously and eligibility is difficult to anticipate. After controlling for worker displacements and disaster declarations, discretionary outlays are higher in states with close congressional races, politically active constituents, and powerful congressional representatives. There is additional evidence of politics in the reduction of aggregate outlays during presidential election years.
Spirit baptism: a phenomenological study of religious experience

Pentecostalism and glossolalia have received much attention from the social sciences in recent decades. Although much has been learned from research, little attention has been given to initial Spirit baptism (SB) from a descriptive point of view, and none has been given from a phenomenologically oriented approach – which was the concern of this study. To investigate the experience of SB, we conducted phenomenological interviews with eight participants who were residents in a 12-month drug rehabilitation program sponsored by an independent Pentecostal-oriented congregation in the southeastern USA. A hermeneutic and thematic analysis found six major themes to emerge consistently across all eight transcribed protocols that described the meaning of the experience of SB: (1) “Connection with God”; (2) Physical Sensations; (3) Magnified Feelings; (4) “Prayer Language”; (5) Certain Knowing; and (6) “Hard to Describe.” The findings are discussed in relation to existential grounds of experience and spiritual trans...
Inhibiting the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo through targeted treatment with designer gold nanotherapeutics.

Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest of all human malignancies with limited options for therapy. Here, we report the development of an optimized targeted drug delivery system to inhibit advanced stage pancreatic tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse model. Method/Principal Findings Targeting specificity in vitro was confirmed by preincubation of the pancreatic cancer cells with C225 as well as Nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR - nucleoside transporter (NT) inhibitor). Upon nanoconjugation functional activity of gemcitabine was retained as tested using a thymidine incorporation assay. Significant stability of the nanoconjugates was maintained, with only 12% release of gemcitabine over a 24-hour period in mouse plasma. Finally, an in vivo study demonstrated the inhibition of tumor growth through targeted delivery of a low dose of gemcitabine in an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer, mimicking an advanced stage of the disease. Conclusion We demonstrated in this study that the gold nanoparticle-based therapeutic containing gemcitabine inhibited tumor growth in an advanced stage of the disease in an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer. Future work would focus on understanding the pharmacokinetics and combining active targeting with passive targeting to further improve the therapeutic efficacy and increase survival.
Advances in satellite radiometry for the surveillance of surface temperatures, ocean eddies and upwelling processes in the Gulf of Mexico using GOES‐8 measurements during summer

[1] GOES-8 satellite infrared (IR) measurements have been under-utilized in oceanographic research, although they provide several advantages over measurements from other sensors such as the NOAA AVHRR. Frequent coverage (48 times/day) over large regions, low noise in the mid- IR channel, and sole use of nighttime data have enabled the development of improved techniques for producing “de-clouded” images and calculating accurate SSTs (with RMS errors <0.5°C), over cloudy and humid regions such as the Gulf of Mexico. Animations of SST composite images reveal movements of the Loop Current, its frontal eddies and coastal upwelling even during summer months. GOES-12 and future GOES imagers for the next decade are missing the 12 μm channel; however, this study demonstrates that the mid-IR channel is even more useful than previously thought.
Food Imprinting in the Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina

Three groups of hatchling snapping turtles, totaling 20, were fed either meat, fish, or worms. When they were tested for preference after 12 daily feedings, each preferred the diet to which it was accustomed. After 12 more days of eating a different food, each still preferred its original diet. A form of imprinting may be operative in the feeding behavior of this species.
Exchange‐Rate Uncertainty and Economic Performance

Some models support the notion that exchange-rate uncertainty promotes economic growth while others suggest that exchange-rate uncertainty slows growth. Most empirical work supports the latter hypothesis, leading policymakers to strive for more stable exchange rates. The authors question the appropriateness of the methodology usually employed, and variables constructed to measure the impact of exchange-rate uncertainty on growth. They use an alternative approach and find no discernable impact of exchange-rate uncertainty on economic performance as captured by production.
The import of hospital rate setting programs on hospital and health care expenditures, 1975–85

To reduce hospital expenditures, many jurisdictions now regulate hospital rates. Prior theoretical work has demonstrated, however, that the effect of rate regulation on total expenditures is a priori unclear. Empirical research has found that hospital rate setting programs have reduced expenditures per diem and per admission, but not necessarily hospital expenditures or total health care expenditure per capita. This study extends this empirical research. It employs pooled cross section-time series data on state level expenditure, regulatory, and demographic variables obrserved annually for 1975–85. The analysis provides little evidence that hospital rate setting programs have reduced hospital expenditures. Some rate setting programs actually are positively and significantly related to hospital expenditures. Overall, this study does not suggest that regulatory programs will reduce hospital expenditures.
THE ROLE OF TOPICAL DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE IN BURN WOUND INFECTION: EVALUATION IN THE RAT*

The results of this study indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the effectiveness of 1% silver sulfadiazine in DMSO and 1% silver sulfadiazine in a hydrophilic base (Silvadene), when these formulations were used as antimicrobials applied topically to thermal burn wounds. The antimicrobial efficacy of silver sulfadiazine was not destroyed by mixing this agent with DMSO, since the recovery of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was significantly lower in all animals treated with silver sulfadiazine, whatever the formulation, when compared to animals not treated with silver sulfadiazine. Further studies with higher concentrations of silver sulfadiazine in DMSO may be useful. Although the concept of DMSO as a medicinal "carrier" is not novel, with further investigation, it may prove to be germane in the treatment of eschar-covered thermal burns.
SPECT and Alzheimer's Disease

: This article is review of the role of single photon emission tomography (SPECT) in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It begins by describing AD in terms of diagnosis, pathology and current pharmacological treatment. The relevance of the pathological changes in relation to SPECT is outlined. This is discussed in terms of receptor abnormalities and atrophic changes which in turn effect cerebral blood flow. A detailed description of SPECT methodology describes how the quality of the image is effected by SPECT instrumentation, image reconstruction techniques and a number of subject factors. The article goes on to discuss the role SPECT in the diagnosis of AD and its potential for facilitating early diagnosis. The main focus here is on the changes which occur in cerebral blood flow in AD and the sensitivity and specificity of regional changes in cerebral blood flow is described. Image analysis is an area in which there has been many developments in the last number of years and the authors describe the differences between qualitative and quantitative image analysis, with a particular focus on statistical parametric mapping (SPM). There is a brief discussion concerning receptor ligands and their potential use in the diagnosis and management of AD, although this remains an undeveloped area in SPECT imaging as yet. Finally, the authors discuss the future possibilities for SPECT and AD, and conclude that there is considerable potential for SPECT in the diagnosis and management of AD with further refinement of image analysis techniques and the development of cholinergic receptor ligands.
Systems Biology Approaches and Applications in Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Diseases

The metabolically connected triad of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases is a major public health threat, and is expected to worsen due to the global shift toward energy-rich and sedentary living. Despite decades of intense research, a large part of the molecular pathogenesis behind complex metabolic diseases remains unknown. Recent advances in genetics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics enable us to obtain large-scale snapshots of the etiological processes in multiple disease-related cells, tissues and organs. These datasets provide us with an opportunity to go beyond conventional reductionist approaches and to pinpoint the specific perturbations in critical biological processes. In this review, we summarize systems biology methodologies such as functional genomics, causality inference, data-driven biological network construction, and higher-level integrative analyses that can produce novel mechanistic insights, identify disease biomarkers, and uncover potential therapeutic targets from a combination of omics datasets. Importantly, we also demonstrate the power of these approaches by application examples in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Fine Structure of the Accessory Boring Organ of the Gastropod, Urosalpinx

Penetration of shell by the muricid gastropod, Urosalpinx cinerea follyensis, is accomplished by successive alternating periods of radular rasping and chemical activity by the accessory boring organ (ABO) . This paper reports on thehistology of the ventral secretory disc of the ABO in relation to the functional state of the organ. The secretory disc is composed of tall columnar epithelial cells which are arranged in groups and only form a continuum over the ABO surface at their distalmost end. The interstitial spaces between the epithelial cell groups contain muscles and capillaries and also form the link between the distally open capillaries and the sinus of the ABO stalk. Abundant nerve fibers are found interstitially as well as in close relationship to the epithelium. The epithelial cells possess cytological features characteristic of secretory cells. The increased differentiation especially of the Golgi complex during periods of active boring indicates that the cells elaborate a product which plays a rolein the chemical dissolution of the shell of prey. The cells also appear capable of regulating secretory overproduction and of storing glycogen during inactive periods for subsequent use.
Paramagnetic Structure of the Soliton of the 30° Partial Dislocation in Silicon

Based on ab initio calculations, we propose a new structure for the fundamental excitation of the reconstructed 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} partial dislocation in silicon. This soliton has a rare structure involving a fivefold coordinated atom near the dislocation core. The unique electronic structure of this defect is consistent with the electron spin resonance signature of the hitherto enigmatic thermally stable $R$ center of plastically deformed silicon. This identification suggests the possibility of an experimental determination of the density of solitons, a key defect in understanding the plastic flow of the material.
Enthalpies of formation of LaBO3 perovskites (B = Al, Ga, Sc, and In)

Enthalpies of formation from constituent oxides and elements at 298 K were determined by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry for a group of technologically important perovskites LaBO3 (B = La, Ga, Sc, and In). Enthalpies of formation from oxides of LaAlO3 and LaGaO3 are −69.61 ± 3.23 kJ/mol and −52.39 ± 1.99 kJ/mol, respectively. The data were consistent with literature values obtained using other methods. The enthalpies of formation of LaScO3 and LaInO3 from oxides were reported for the first time as −38.64 ± 2.30 kJ/mol and −23.99 ± 2.31 kJ/mol, respectively. As seen for other perovskites, as the tolerance factor deviates more from unity (in the order Al, Ga, Sc, In), the enthalpy of formation from oxides becomes less exothermic, indicating a less stable structure with respect to the constituent oxides.
Coarse Sediment Yields from Seacliff Erosion in the Oceanside Littoral Cell

Abstract The coarse sediment fraction of geologic formations exposed in 42 km of southern California seacliffs in the Oceanside Littoral Cell was estimated using more than 400 samples. An impulse laser, oblique photographs, and coastal maps were used to define thickness and alongshore extent of the geologic units exposed in the seacliffs. The coarse sediment (defined as diameter > 0.06 mm) fraction in each geologic unit was estimated by sieving. About 80% of the exposed cliff face is coarse and can contribute to beach building. Finer cliff sediments are transported offshore by waves and currents. Although there are some differences, the observed 80% coarse fraction is generally consistent with previous estimates based on an order of magnitude fewer samples. Coastal development has largely eliminated about 40% of seacliffs in the Oceanside Littoral Cell as potential beach sand sources. For the remaining seacliffs, 1 cm of average cliff retreat yields 10,000 m3 of potential beach-building material.
Anomaly detection and diagnosis in grid environments

Identifying and diagnosing anomalies in application behavior is critical to delivering reliable application-level performance. In this paper we introduce a strategy to detect anomalies and diagnose the possible reasons behind them. Our approach extends the traditional window-based strategy by using signal-processing techniques to filter out recurring, background fluctuations in resource behavior. In addition, we have developed a diagnosis technique that uses standard monitoring data to determine which related changes in behavior may cause anomalies. We evaluate our anomaly detection and diagnosis technique by applying it in three contexts when we insert anomalies into the system at random intervals. The experimental results show that our strategy detects up to 96% of anomalies while reducing the false positive rate by up to 90% compared to the traditional window average strategy. In addition, our strategy can diagnose the reason for the anomaly approximately 75% of the time.
Effect of three weeks of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on mood in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: A randomized placebo-controlled study

Abstract Background Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) commonly have mood symptoms such as depression and anxiety. However, the results of randomized controlled trials on the therapeutic effect of CPAP on mood symptoms have been inconsistent. The present study examined whether three weeks of CPAP treatment had specific therapeutic effects on mood symptoms in patients with OSA compared with placebo. Methods A double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial using therapeutic and placebo CPAP was performed in 71 patients newly diagnosed with OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index [AHI]⩾10). Mood was assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) before and after three weeks of treatment. AHI was used to assess the severity of apnoea. The two groups were compared using a simple comparison of the changes within each arm and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results Fifty-six subjects completed the study: 26 in the CPAP group and 30 in the placebo group. The two groups were well matched at baseline, with no significant differences in demographic, mood and apnoea variables. Both groups had severe apnoea, mild depression, and anxiety at baseline. After three weeks of treatment, AHI decreased significantly in the CPAP group. The mean change in AHI was −30.7 (standard deviation [SD] 23.1) in the CPAP group and −5.8 (SD 18.3) in the placebo group (difference between groups P P >0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, three weeks of CPAP treatment did not show a specific therapeutic effect on mood symptoms in patients with OSA.
Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease

The burden of diabetes continues to increase worldwide with diabetic nephropathy (DN) leading in the causes for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the developed world. DN may occur in both type 1 and type 2 as well as in other secondary forms of diabetes mellitus (DM) with similar lifetime risks of developing nephropathy. Increased urinary albumin excretion hallmarks the clinical manifestation of diabetic kidney disease with associated significant risk for developing overt DN. Microvascular disease including retinopathy and neuropathy is frequently present in those with type 1 DM. Approximately 2/3 of patients with type 2 DM also have evidence for these microvascular changes. Renal biopsy findings of mesangial expansion, basement membrane thickening, and glomerulosclerosis are typical for DN. Hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, and fibrosis with activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as well as formation of Amadori glycation end products. These biologic processes appear to play important roles in podocyte injury, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix protein deposition with subsequent albumin leak. Clinical factors such as genetic predisposition, high blood pressure and lipids, obesity, and smoking increase the rate of progression of DN. Thus, identifying patients predisposed to the development of diabetes or early recognition of those with diabetes is important in considering early intervention to prevent microvascular complications. Optimizing blood glucose and blood pressure, use of RAAS blockers, control of serum lipids, weight control, and smoking cessation are important interventions in slowing progression of diabetic kidney disease. Optimal treatment for DM continues to evolve with new therapies including inhibitors of TGF-β and agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) being investigated to decrease progression of DN.
A Two-Channel 8–20-GHz SiGe BiCMOS Receiver With Selectable IFs for Multibeam Phased-Array Digital Beamforming Applications

An 8-20-GHz two-channel SiGe BiCMOS receiver is presented for digital beam-forming applications. The receiver is based on a dual-down-conversion architecture with selectable IF for interference mitigation and results in a channel gain (in-phase and quadrature paths) of 46-47 dB at 11-15 GHz and >;36 dB at 8-20 GHz with an instantaneous bandwidth of 150 MHz. A 2-bit gain control (0-16 dB) is also provided at baseband. The mea sured noise figure (NF) is <;4.1 dB (3.1 dB at 15-16 GHz) and is independent of the gain state. The measured OPldB is -10 dBm and the input PldB is -56 to -40 dBm at 15 GHz depending on the gain, which is sufficient for satellite applications. The on-chip channel-to-channel coupling is <; -48 dB. The measured evanescent mode is <;3% for a 1-Ms/s quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation at 8-20 GHz, and <;1.8% for a 0.1-, 1-, and 10-Ms/s QPSK, 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), and 64-QAM modulations at 15 GHz. The chip is fabricated using a 0.18-μm SiGe BiCMOS process, has electrostatic discharge protection on the RF and dc pads, consumes 70 mA per channel from a 3.0-V power supply, and is 2.6 × 2.2 mm2, including all pads. A 15-GHz eight-element phased array with an NF <;3.8 dB is also demonstrated with multiple simultaneous beam performance. To our knowledge, this is the first two-channel 8-20-GHz beam-forming chip in SiGe BiCMOS technology.
Transverse migration of polyelectrolytes in microfluidic channels induced by combined shear and electric fields

If a dilute solution of a polyelectrolyte such as DNA is forced through a microcapillary by an electric field, while simultaneously driven by a pressure gradient, then the polymer will migrate in directions transverse to the field lines. Here we investigate the sharp increase in concentration in the center of the channel that arises when the flow and electric field drive the polymer in the same direction. We report the first systematic investigation of the effects of flow velocity, electric field, and ionic strength on the degree of migration. Our experiments show that migration increases with increasing shear and electric field as predicted by kinetic theory [Butler et al., Phys. Fluids, 2007, 19, 113101], but eventually saturates as suggested by computer simulations [Kekre et al., Phys. Rev. E: Stat., Nonlinear, Soft Matter Phys., 2010, 82, 050803(R)]. The addition of salt reduces the strength of the migration, consistent with a screening of long-range hydrodynamic flow fields by added salt. However, increasing the ionic strength of a Tris–acetate–EDTA buffer solution has much less effect on the degree of migration.
CHAOS/sup art/: support for real-time atomic transactions

CHAOS/sup art/ is an object-based, real-time operating system kernel that provides an extended notion of atomic transactions as the basic mechanisms for programming real-time, embedded applications. These transactions are expressed as object invocations with guaranteed timing, consistency, and recovery attributes. The mechanisms implemented by CHAOS/sup art/ kernel provide a predictable, accountable, and efficient basis for programming with real-time transactions. These mechanisms are predictable because they have well-defined upper bounds on their execution times that are (can be) determined before their execution. They are accountable because their decisions are guaranteed to be honored as long as the system is in an application-specific safe state. >
Structural ensemble and microscopic elasticity of freely diffusing DNA by direct measurement of fluctuations

Precisely measuring the ensemble of conformers that a macromolecule populates in solution is highly challenging. Thus, it has been difficult to confirm or falsify the predictions of nanometer-scale dynamical modeling. Here, we apply an X-ray interferometry technique to probe the solution structure and fluctuations of B-form DNA on a length scale comparable to a protein-binding site. We determine an extensive set of intrahelix distance distributions between pairs of probes placed at distinct points on the surface of the DNA duplex. The distributions of measured distances reveal the nature and extent of the thermally driven mechanical deformations of the helix. We describe these deformations in terms of elastic constants, as is common for DNA and other polymers. The average solution structure and microscopic elasticity measured by X-ray interferometry are in striking agreement with values derived from DNA–protein crystal structures and measured by force spectroscopy, with one exception. The observed microscopic torsional rigidity of DNA is much lower than is measured by single-molecule twisting experiments, suggesting that torsional rigidity increases when DNA is stretched. Looking forward, molecular-level interferometry can provide a general tool for characterizing solution-phase structural ensembles.
USING MANIPULATIVES TO IMPROVE LEARNING IN THE UNDERGRADUATE NEUROPHYSIOLOGY CURRICULUM

Educational research has demonstrated that the use of concrete objects or manipulatives in the classroom enhances problem-solving skills and conceptual learning. This project examines the use of manipulatives in a neurophysiology curriculum and assesses their effectiveness on student comprehension. Three activities, building an ion channel, building a nerve cell, and passive membrane properties, were developed using modeling clay and beads as manipulatives. Their effect on learning was assessed in a neurobiology class that had been divided into an experimental group that worked with manipulative-based activities and a control group that did not. After the experimental group had completed the manipulative activity, both groups were given a quiz. Students who had used manipulatives scored significantly better than those who had not. In a second study, students were given a quiz before and after completing a manipulative activity. Students who had used manipulatives showed the greatest grade improvement. These studies suggest that manipulative activities can be used to enhance learning in the neurophysiology curriculum.
Peripheral arterial disease enters the biomarker era. Does risk stratification tell us something that we don't already know?

After decades of obscurity, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is gaining recognition as a serious cardiovascular (CV) disorder. It is estimated that >27 million individuals in Europe and the USA have PAD, though there remains a widespread lack of awareness of this disorder among at-risk patients and healthcare professionals.1,2 In addition to functional impairment and related effects on quality of life, individuals with PAD are at a markedly increased risk of a major CV event, namely myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death. Brevetti and colleagues have investigated the utility of two inflammatory biomarkers, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), to stratify CV risk among patients with PAD.3 A cohort of 156 patients with intermittent claudication and an ankle–brachial index (ABI) <0.9 were identified from a single vascular laboratory and followed for incident CV events. Patients with critical limb ischaemia and those with recent coronary or cerebrovascular events were excluded. A single blood sample was drawn at the beginning of the study. Patients were followed at 3-month intervals for incident CV events, namely first fatal or non-fatal MI or ischaemic stroke. There was a rigorous definition of MI, requiring both electrocardiographic changes and a 2-fold increase in creatine kinase-MB fraction. The definition of ischaemic stroke was a clinical diagnosis of stroke in the absence of intracranial haemorrhage. At a median follow-up of nearly 18 months, the investigators determined that elevated MPO was associated with an increased risk of a major CV event.3 An MPO value … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 216 445 3689, Fax: +1 216 444 7370, Email: gornikh{at}ccf.org
Unusual Soft Tissue Manifestations of Neisseria Meningitidis Infections

Soft tissue involvement is an unusual presenting feature for children with meningococcal infection. We describe 2 children, 1 with conjunctivitis and another with a thyroglossal duct cyst abscess associated with Neisseria meningitidis, and review previous reports of these entities to emphasize the broad spectrum of meningococcal disease and pertinent aspects of treatment and of prophylaxis of contacts.