cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the probabilistic modeling of fatigue crack growth

Abstract A new probabilistic model of fatigue crack growth is constructed in which the parameters are explicit functions of the stress intensity factor. There are two versions of this model. These models are applied to a set of fatigue crack growth data. Some comments are offered on the implications of these models in studies in fatigue crack growth.
Hybrid Mice as Genetic Models of High Alcohol Consumption

We showed that F1 hybrid genotypes may provide a broader variety of ethanol drinking phenotypes than the inbred progenitor strains used to create the hybrids (Blednov et al. in Alcohol Clin Exp Res 29:1949–1958–2005). To extend this work, we characterized alcohol consumption as well as intake of other tastants (saccharin, quinine and sodium chloride) in five inbred strains of mice (FVB, SJL, B6, BUB, NZB) and in their reciprocal F1 hybrids with B6 (FVBxB6; B6xFVB; NZBxB6; B6xNZB; BUBxB6; B6xBUB; SJLxB6; B6xSJL). We also compared ethanol intake in these mice for several concentrations before and after two periods of abstinence. F1 hybrid mice derived from the crosses of B6 and FVB and also B6 and SJL drank higher levels of ethanol than their progenitor strains, demonstrating overdominance for two-bottle choice drinking test. The B6 and NZB hybrid showed additivity in two-bottle choice drinking, whereas the hybrid of B6 and BUB demonstrated full or complete dominance. Genealogical origin, as well as non-alcohol taste preferences (sodium chloride), predicted ethanol consumption. Mice derived from the crosses of B6 and FVB showed high sustained alcohol preference and the B6 and NZB hybrids showed reduced alcohol preference after periods of abstinence. These new genetic models offer some advantages over inbred strains because they provide high, sustained, alcohol intake, and should allow mapping of loci important for the genetic architecture of these traits.
MRI appearance of AIDS subacute encephalopathy

A case of biopsy documented subacute encephalopathy of AIDS was evaluated by CT and MRI. CT scanning revealed ventriculomegaly and ill-defined nonspecific periventricular white matter hypodensities. MRI, however, demonstrated extensive unequivocal diffuse white matter disease as the cause of the ventriculomegaly. MRI findings in this patient support the preliminary suggestion that MRI is more useful than computed tomography (CT) in demonstrating AIDS subacute encephalopathy.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPERM ATTRACTANT FROM OEDOGONIUM CARDIACUM1

SUMMARY A bioassay for the sperm attractant from Oedogonium cardiacum was developed. The attractant was confirmed to be highly water soluble, destroyed by heating to 100 C and by dilute acid or alkali. It was fractionated by gel filtration with the attractant accompanied by yellow pigments. It has it molecular weight between 500 and about 1500, based on gel filtration, ultrafiltration, and dialysis. Freezing changes this to both larger and smaller molecules. It appears to have cationic groups. A paper chromatographic separation was found that divided the pigment into at least 3 major bands, one of which was closely associated with the attractant. An absorption spectrum of this pigment showed 1 peak in the visible spectrum at 417 mμ and 3 well-defined peaks in the ultraviolet region. The lack of a peak at 280 mμ indicates the attractant is not a polypeptide.
Sequence Analysis of Major Structural Proteins of Newly Isolated Mouse Hepatitis Virus

We have isolated the virus from a fecal pellet in the colon of a BALB/c mouse with X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) housed in a room in which there has recently been an epidemic due to mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and designated it as the MHV-TY strain. Sequence analysis of the MHV-TY strain was performed on major structural, spike (S), membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N), proteins directly from PCR products. The comparison of nucleotide sequences of MHV-TY with other strains investigated so far revealed that all three structural proteins of the TY strain had some unique amino acid sequences among MHV strains which can be used as markers of this strain.
Becoming a teller of tales: Associations between children’s fictional narratives and parent-child reminiscence narratives

Previous research has revealed a connection between the contributions parents make while reminiscing and their children's narratives for personally experienced events. The current research expands the literature by focusing on the connection between parental reminiscing and children's production of fictional narratives. After 4- to 9-year-olds and their parents reminisced about past shared events, the children (with an experimenter) produced narratives based on wordless picture books. The results revealed that the overall quality of the fictional narratives was correlated with parents' provision statements that emphasized orientation and evaluation in the reminiscence narrative. For younger children, correlations held for reminiscence narratives about recent events. For older children, correlations held for reminiscence narratives about events from the distant past. The results are consistent with the suggestion that children learn general storytelling skills from adult models.
A Blown Film Process to Disk-Shaped Polymer Ellipsoids**

force associated with the expansion of the film, we show that the blown film method can be used to biaxially deform the embedded spherical polymer colloids into disk-shaped ellipsoids in a uniform manner. Figure 1 schematically outlines the procedure. In the first step, monodispersed polystyrene (PS) microspheres are dispersed in a diluted aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). [34] A thin composite PS/PVA film is obtained by slowly evaporating the solvent. The film is then mounted on top of the wide opening of a ceramic filtering funnel, and sealed with a steel clamp. To improve the sealing, a polyethylene film, such as those used to package food, may be sandwiched between the funnel and the composite film. The system is then immersed into a hot silicon oil bath at � 1608C. The composite film softens and becomes deformable at this temperature, which is much higher than the Tgs of both PVA (� 858C) and PS (� 958C). Air is then injected into the system through the small opening at the end of the funnel using a syringe, allowing the film to blow into a dome-like shape. The funnel is removed from the oil bath and allowed to cool in air with the pressure maintained so that the stretched PVA films do not show apparent shrinkage upon cooling. The softened PS colloids experience a uniform 2D stretching force because of their small sizes compared to the PVA film, and eventually evolve into disk-shapes during the bubble expansion. It has been suggested that the transformation of the embedded particles is facilitated by the strong adhesion arising from the hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups on the PVA and the surface groups on the latex particle surface. [25,29] The deformed shapes are locked in place when the particles are cooled below their Tg. Finally, dissolving the PVA film in isopropanol/water at 608C releases the stretched PS particles which can be collected by centrifugation. The transformation from spherical colloids to disks can be controlled by the extent of bubble expansion, which can be simply represented by the ratio of the height of the bubble (H) to the original film size (D), which is the diameter of the funnel opening. Practically, the height of the bubble can be controlled by the amount of air injected into the funnel through the syringe. As shown in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images in Figure 2, PS spheres with radius R0 of � 290nm can be uniformly transformed into disk-shaped spheroids with the major axis (Rd )o f� 350nm, � 450nm, and eventually � 575nm at different H/D ratios. Along with the expansion in the major axis, the dimension in the minor axis decreases during the stretching, as clearly demonstrated in the insets of Figure 2. Because very few particles are standing in a perfectly vertical orientation, it is difficult to survey many of them to accurately obtain the average value of the minor axis. We therefore only determined the average value of the major axis by measuring
Raman study of phonons in Sr3Mn2O6.54 and Sr3Mn2O7 layered manganites

Abstract Polycrystalline Sr 3 Mn 2 O 6.54 and Sr 3 Mn 2 O 7 layered manganites were studied at room temperature using Raman spectroscopy. While the phonon spectrum of the stoichiometric Sr 3 Mn 2 O 7 sample is consistent with the group theoretical analysis for the I 4/mm structure, three additional modes are observed in the phonon spectrum of the oxygen-deficient Sr 3 Mn 2 O 6.54 sample. Based on an analysis of the temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum of Sr 3 Mn 2 O 6.54 and a comparison with the Raman spectrum of LaSr 2 Mn 2 O 7 , we conclude that the ‘extra’ modes should be viewed as disorder-induced Raman scattering.
Hypno-behavioral therapy in the case of a traumatic stutterer: a case study.

Abstract Hypnotherapy was used to treat a 41-year-old veteran for a severe stuttering problem, which began suddenly following a traumatic accident while serving during the Korean War and persisted for an ensuing 19-year period. A detailed clinical report illustrates how hypnotherapy was integrated with other treatment modalities to treat a rather distressing, and in this case incapacitating, speech disorder. Various strategies for treatment are discussed.
Hypergraphs with independent neighborhoods

For each k ≥ 2, let ρ k ∈ (0, 1) be the largest number such that there exist k-uniform hypergraphs on n vertices with independent neighborhoods and (ρ k + o(1))( k n ) edges as n → ∞. We prove that ρ k = 1 − 2logk/k + Θ(log log k/k) as k → ∞. This disproves a conjecture of Furedi and the last two authors.
Performance assessment of miscible and immiscible water-alternating gas floods with simple tools

Abstract Water-alternating-gas (WAG) floods are designed to lessen the mobility of CO2 and thereby increase sweep efficiency. Common factors that often lead to less-than-ideal flood performance include reservoir heterogeneity triggering nonintuitive injector/producer connectivity, lack of conformance control, and injection at pressure greater than the fracture pressure, among others. Therefore, intensive reservoir monitoring and data interpretation should be the cornerstone of any prudent reservoir-management practice. This study uses a slate of analytical tools to monitor flood performance in miscible and immiscible WAG floods. These tools include the capacitance-resistance model (CRM) and several diagnostic plots, such as the reciprocal-productivity index (RPI), the water–oil ratio (WOR), EOR-efficiency-measure plot, and modified Hall plot (MH). This paper offers several alternative CRM solutions to account for unbalanced patterns.
Stereoselectivity in DNA-Templated Organic Synthesis and Its Origins

DNA-templated synthesis is a surprisingly general strategy for controlling chemical reactivity that enables synthetic products to be manipulated in ways previously available only to biological macromolecules. The chiral nature of the DNA template raises the possibility that DNA-templated synthesis can proceed stereoselectively. Here, we show that DNA-templated substitution reactions can exhibit stereoselectivity without the assistance of chiral groups other than those present in DNA. By characterizing changes in stereoselectivity as a result of systematic changes in the structure of the template−reagent complexes, we begin to reveal the origins of the observed stereoselectivity. We propose that the conformations of nucleotides adjacent to the reactants are largely responsible for stereoselectivity. Indeed, template and reagent sequences that can adopt either a left-handed Z-form DNA helix or a normal right-handed B-form DNA helix generate opposite stereoselectivities in the Z-form and B-form even though t...
Applying minimalist design principles to the problem of computer anxiety

Abstract Computer anxiety is one possible barrier to acquisition of computer skills. To test whether an instructional intervention could decrease computer anxiety while training subjects in basic word-processing skills, instruction was developed according to the minimalist design principles of John Carroll and was compared with a commercially available instructional unit. The design of the experiment was a repeated measures control group with random assignment of subjects. Two instructional sessions were held, separated by 1 month. Subjects were pre- and posttested with respect to computer anxiety during each instructional session. Subjects worked on two similar word-processing tasks, a practice and a transfer task, during the first instructional session and on another similar word-processing task during the second instructional session. Subjects' performances on the word-processing tasks were scored according to a performance checklist. For the experimental group, there was a statistically significant decrease in computer anxiety immediately following the first instructional treatment. For the control group, there was also a decrease in computer anxiety, but this occurred over the 1-month experimental time-frame. Both experimental and control treatments were equally effective in training subjects to perform the word-processing tasks.
Genetic and environmental control of melanotic tumors in Drosophila.

These investigations are concerned with the expression of the genemt which is responsible for the development of pseudotumors depending on different internal and external conditions. Chromosomal rearrangements such as inversions are powerful modifiers ofmt. The Y chromosome has a strongly suppressing effect which is evidently due to its heterochromatin content and particularly to its nucleolus organizer. The view is presented that inversions inDrosophila populations can be considered as “master mutations” which by themselves change the expression of a large number of genes affecting quantitative characters of ecological importance. High temperature decreases, low temperature increases the percentage of tumorous flies. There is also a profound effect of nutrition on the percentage of tumorous individuals, some substances, especially certain amino acids, furthering the development of tumors, other amino acids suppressing the development of tumors markedly. There are parental effects on the expression ofmt produced by genetic as well as environmental conditions; they may be more strongly paternal than maternal. There are also grandparental effects due to genetic as well as environmental influences. It was not tested if the extrachromosomal transmission of the changedmt expression lasts beyond the second generation. In a discussion of the results it is argued that a slight change in the entire system of message transmission, such as the RNA content of the cell, is more important in terms of differentiation and evolution than the profound change in an individual message due to the mutation of a single gene or DNA particle.
Acute effect of traumatic stress on cortisol metabolism in man.

Plasma disappearance rates of 4-14C-cortisol or unlabeled cortisol, or both, were measured in relatively healthy patients before and again during laparotomy. The biologic halftime of labeled cortisol during surgery was unchanged or decreased slightly from the control value. When pharmacologic amounts of unlabeled cortisol were injected along with the labeled steroid, their half-times under nonstressful conditions were approximately equal. During surgery the half-time of unlabeled cortisol was significantly prolonged although halftime of labeled cortisol at the same time remained unchanged. Plasma disappearance of unlabeled cortisol was not delayed during laparotomy in patients whose plasma 17-hydroxycorticoid response had been suppressed by treatment with dexamethasone for several days before surgery. In 2 other patients who were not suppressed but had adrenalectomy at surgery, cortisol disappearance rates were also similar to preoperative values. Under nonstressful conditions the half-time of unlabeled c...
MO-E-M100J-03: Gross Tumor Volume and Normal Structure Definition

Regardless of the degree to which positioning is maintained later in treatment, the critical step in the radiation therapy process involves definition of the initial patient model. Many factors influence this process, most notably the sources of differential contrast in images used, the knowledge and experience of the users defining both normal tissue as well as targeted structures, and distracting factors such as organ movement and imaging artifacts. Significant attention has recently focused on the interobserver variation in target definition, with differences observed that exceed the gains expected through in‐room target localization and potentially through gating/tracking. While Radiation Oncology departments are consumers of advanced imaging information, we have yet to find ways to truly optimize imaging to aid in consistent definition of targeted and avoidance tissues. The objectives of this talk are to: 1. Review the process of initial definition of target and avoidance tissues. 2. Discuss observed variances in target definition. 3. Describe the impact of motion and advances such as 4DCT in the process. 4. Suggest potential areas for improving consistency in these processes.
INVESTIGATION OF LARGE SCALE USE OF RADIOACTIVE KRYPTON-85 FOR LEAK DETECTION IN THE SATURN SPACE VEHICLE

Abstract A major problem in space flight has been leakage of fluids and gases and is particularly serious at launching. Comparatively small leaks of propellant and/or oxidizer can cause disasterous explosions. The emphasis on the initial studies reported in this article has been the development of an improved method for leak detection during factory test and checkout prior to launching and space flight. However, the long-range objective of a versatile leak detection system that could be used in space, during launching, as well as during static testing, was kept in view. A leak detection technique was developed based on the use of Kr 85 as a radiotracer. This technique is described and is believed to be more versatile than any other. Krypton has sufficient solubility to be used as a tracer in all liquids tested, except hydrogen. Leakage rates can be determined with greater precision in the order of 0.005 SCIM (Standard Cubic Inches per Minute) than by any other methods. Because of safety and ease of use, radiokrypton shows great promise for many applications.
Role of Endothelial Nitric Oxide in Shear Stress–Induced Vasodilation of Human Microvasculature Diminished Activity in Hypertensive and Hypercholesterolemic Patients

Background—It has been proposed that flow-mediated shear stress regulates vascular tone; however, whether this operates in the human microcirculation is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effect of shear stress on human microvascular tone, to assess the contribution of nitric oxide (NO), and to determine whether this mechanism is defective in hypertension and in hypercholesterolemia. Methods and Results—In 9 normal controls (NC), 11 hypertensive patients (HT), and 12 hypercholesterolemic patients (HChol), arteries (internal diameter 201±26 μm) isolated from gluteal fat biopsies were cannulated and perfused in chambers. Shear stress was induced by increasing the flow rate from 1 to 50 μL/min after preconstriction with norepinephrine (NE). Arterial internal diameter was expressed as percent of NE-induced constriction. In NC, shear stress induced flow-dependent vasodilation from 23±9% at 1 μL/min to 53±14% at 50 μL/min (P<0.0001), which was abolished by endothelial removal. The NO synthase i...
Using traditional and innovative approaches in the seismic evaluation and strengthening of a historic unreinforced masonry synagogue

Abstract A monumental 100-year-old multi-story brick masonry synagogue in San Francisco was threatened with closure due to non-compliance with an Unreinforced Masonry Building Ordinance. The Ordinance required demonstrating that the building would protect life safety in the event of a major earthquake or upgrading the building to do so, despite the historical record showing that the building survived the Great 1906 Earthquake with relatively little damage. Much of the minor damage that did occur is still visible today as the historic finishes have remained intact since that earthquake. The structure consists primarily of thick, brick masonry perimeter walls, wood-framed diaphragms with diagonal and straight sheathing, and riveted structural steel trusses and columns that support the dome over the main sanctuary and a large portion of the floors and main roof. The structure was subjected to linear dynamic and non-linear static analyses to benchmark its behavior during the 1906 earthquake, to better understand its vulnerabilities in the event of potentially stronger shaking, and to develop seismic improvements that minimize disturbance of its ornately detailed stone and painted plaster finishes. The most appropriate structural solution consistent with preserving the historic fabric takes advantage of the dynamic separation between the modes predominated by in-plane and out-of-plane wall shaking. The out-of-plane wall modes have long periods and low modal mass participation. The in-plane wall modes have higher mass participation, but act rigidly with little amplification. The solution consisted of a combination of intervention techniques, each developed to minimize disturbance to the non-structural finishes and retain the original dynamic characteristics. These interventions include a system of tension ties in the attic that interconnect the four perimeter walls, yet circumvent the domed sanctuary; center-cored reinforcement of the masonry walls; and fiber-wrap of a few critical piers. The tension ties contain super-elastic nitinol wires and were designed to be lightweight, easy to install, and to restrain the walls from falling outward while maintaining the modal separation and inherent flexibility of the system that enabled the structure to survive the 1906 earthquake.
Fish Species in Chicago Harbors of Lake Michigan, 1988 to 1990, as Determined by Electrofishing and Creel Surveys

ABSTRACT We surveyed the fish species in five Chicago harbors of Lake Michigan from the spring of 1988 until the end of June of 1990 to establish a baseline of information regarding this fishery. The study took place prior to the invasion of the zebra mussel and exotic fish species such as the round goby and the ruffe, which have subsequently altered the habitat. Twenty-six fish species were captured by electrofishing. These species included five species which were not known to occur in Illinois waters of Lake Michigan; they were: white perch, quillback carpsucker, longear sunfish, black crappie, and the freshwater drum. Seventeen species were caught by sport fishermen. One of these species, the channel catfish, was never previously caught by fishermen or other sampling techniques in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan. The abundant species were alewife, carp, gizzard shad, golden shiner, and yellow perch. Other species included largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, green su...
ROBERT BRENNER IN THE TUNNEL OF TIME

Robert Brenner is a follower of one tradition in Marxism that is as diffusionist, as Eurocentric, as any conservative position. Within one of the most egalitarian of all socio-political doctrines, this is a tradition that believes in the historical superiority of Europeans over non-Europeans. Eurocentric Marxists are not racist, nor even prejudiced, but most of them believe that Europe is the fountainhead of civilization, the permanent source of innovative social change.
Acid dissociation constants of bilirubin and related carboxylic acid compounds in bile salt solutions

Bilirubin, the yellow-orange tetrapyrrole pigment of jaundice, is essentially insoluble in pure water, but is much more soluble in solutions of bile salts such as sodium taurocholate. The biophysical chemistry of bilirubin in bile salt solutions is affected by changes in the pH of the solution in the range 5-9, suggesting that interactions with bile salt molecules and micelles may alter the acidity of the pigment. We have examined this possibility by determining the apparent pKa values for a series of carboxyl 13C-enriched model compounds, including the bilirubin analog mesobilirubin XIIIalpha, in solutions of sodium taurocholate and sodium taurodeoxycholate. Apparent pKa values were determined by 13C NMR titrations in dimethyl sulfoxide-water mixtures. The results show that the acidity of all compounds is decreased, or pKa increased, in micellar bile salt solution relative to pure water and that the effect is greatest for the larger, less water-soluble compounds. We have proposed a model to explain these results and discussed the implications of these findings for the biophysical chemistry of bilirubin in bile.
Large cortical lesions produce enduring forelimb placing deficits in un-treated rats and treatment with NMDA antagonists or anti-oxidant drugs induces behavioral recovery.

Abstract Previous studies have utilized a lesion model of cortical injury that produces transient behavioral impairments to investigate the recovery of function process. To better understand the recovery process, it would be beneficial to use a lesion model that produces more severe, enduring, behavioral impairments. The purpose of experiment 1 was to validate whether large lesions of the sensorimotor cortex (SMC), which included the rostral forelimb and caudal forelimb regions, produced enduring behavioral deficits. Rats were given large unilateral electrolytic lesions of the SMC, administered either the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, MK-801 or saline 16 h after injury, and tested on a battery of behavioral tests. Enduring behavioral deficits were observed, for at least 6 months, on two tests of forelimb placing while transient deficits were observed on the foot-fault and somatosensory neutralization tests. Administration of MK-801 facilitated recovery on the somatosensory neutralization test; however, it did not induce recovery on either forelimb placing test. A second experiment was performed to determine if earlier administration of MK-801, the NMDA antagonist magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ), or the anti-oxidant N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) could induce behavioral recovery in this chronic model. Treatment with these drugs induced behavioral recovery on the forelimb placing tests, whereas, the saline-treated rats did not show any signs of behavioral recovery for at least 3 months. Anatomical analysis of the striatum showed that MK-801 and MgCl 2 but not PBN reduced the extent of lesion-induced striatal atrophy. These results suggest that administration of MK-801, MgCl 2 , or PBN shortly after cortical injury can induce recovery of function when recovery is otherwise not expected in un-treated rats.
Accurate universal parameterization of absorption cross sections II — neutron absorption cross sections

A recent parameterization (here after referred as paper I, Ref. [4]) of absorption cross sections for any system of charged ions collisions including proton -nucleus collisions, is extended for neutron-nucleus collisions valid from approximately 1 MeV to a few GeV, thus providing a comprehensive picture of absorption cross sections for any system of collision pair (charged and/or uncharged). The parameters are associated with the physics of the problem. At lower energies, the optical potential at the surface is important and the Pauli operator plays an increasingly important role at intermediate energies. The agreement between the calculated and experimental data is better than earlier published results.
Mentoring young academic surgeons, our most precious asset.

Picture the following. It is late June and the new surical interns have just started on the service. At one of he orientation sessions, the program director makes the ollowing remarks: “This is a tough program but surgeons ave to be tough. There is no room for mistakes—we annot afford to have patients die. We will monitor your rogress on a monthly basis to be certain that you do your ob by the book and that you do it well. If you can’t cut it e will find someone who can—we had 500 applications or six positions this past year.” In another city miles away, a second program director ddresses a different group of new surgical house officers. We are here to help you become the best you can be,” she ays, “and we recognize that excellence is not created vernight. While we have high expectations of you, we now that each of you will make mistakes in the months head. Together, we will try to learn from these mistakes o that, whenever possible, they can be avoided in the uture. One of our primary goals is for each of you to evelop greater initiative, independence, and selfonfidence. We measure the success of our residency by oth the professional and personal quality of the sureons that complete the program.” Based on the above dialogues, which program is ore appealing to you? Which scenario best represents he personality of training program in your departent? In the long run, which program is likely to roduce better surgeons? Power, control, and subservience rule the first interhange between faculty and young trainees. In marked ontrast, the second exchange is governed by trust, comitment, and empowerment. It describes the kind of nvironment in which we would all like to work. It emodies many of the essential characteristics of mentoring.
Evaluation and application of a semantic network partition

Semantic networks (SNs) are excellent knowledge representation structures. However, large semantic networks are difficult to comprehend. To overcome this difficulty, several methods of partitioning have been developed that rely on different mixes of structural and semantic methods. However, little has appeared in the literature concerning the question whether a partition of a semantic network creates subnetworks that agree with human insight. We address this issue by presenting a comparison between the results of an algorithmic partitioning method and a partition created by a group of experts. Subsequently, we show how a network partition can be used to generate various partial views of a semantic network, which facilitate user orientation. Examples from the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) SN are used to demonstrate partial views.
Sexuality in Dugesia tigrina (syn. Planaria maculata )

INDIVIDUALS of the striped variety of Dugesia tigrina collected in the summer of 1935 in the pond behind the Episcopal Church, Falmouth, Mass., have been maintained in the laboratory in finger bowls containing tap water and have been fed beef liver twice or three times a week. During their seven-year stay in the laboratory they have produced egg capsules annually.
A Search for Delayed Photons from Stopped Sea Level Cosmic-Ray Mesons

If the meson disintegrates into a photon and an electron, the stopping of a meson and its subsequent decay should give rise to a delayed 50-Mev photon. Delayed coincidences were sought between the stopped meson and the photon, detected by its materialization in a Pb sheet (calculations are presented of the photon detection efficiency for various lead thicknesses and photon energies of 20, 40, and 60 Mev; the electron range-energy curves used in the calculation are also shown). In 477.4 hours, nine apparent delayed photon coincidences were found. The measured inefficiency of the anticoincidence arrangement leads us to expect five spurious delayed photon coincidences in this time, so we conclude that the number of true delayed photon coincidences is small, if not zero. If the hypothesis under test is correct, the expected number of true delayed photon coincidences, computed from the rate of delayed electron coincidences (as measured with the same geometry) and the calculated photon detecting efficiency, is of the order of 100. The negative result of this test argues not only against decay into a photon and an electron, but also shows that if meson decay leads to a neutral meson which then decays into two photons, the mean life against the latter process must be greater than about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ sec.
The reported active metabolite of methoxychlor, 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane, inhibits testosterone formation by cultured Leydig cells from neonatal rats.

Methoxychlor (MC) is an insecticide that is presently used on agricultural crops, especially after the ban on the use of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) in the United States. Following administration in vivo, MC is converted to 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE), which is thought to be the active agent. However, both MC and HPTE have been reported to have weak estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, and they are thought to exert their potential adverse (endocrine disruptive) effects through the estrogen and androgen receptors, respectively. In a recent study, HPTE was shown to inhibit both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone production by cultured Leydig cells from immature and adult rats, and these effects were reported to be mediated through the estrogen receptor. Because fetal Leydig cells represent a separate population from adult Leydig cells and many of the reported adverse actions of endocrine disruptors are thought to have their effects during gestational exposure, the present studies examined the effects of HPTE on testosterone formation by cultured fetal Leydig cells from neonatal rats to determine whether these cells are sensitive to HPTE. Our studies demonstrated that HPTE inhibited both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Significant declines in testosterone were observed at about 100 nM HPTE, and this effect was detected as early as 1 h after exposure. The main effects of HPTE appeared to be localized to the cholesterol side-chain cleavage step which converts cholesterol to pregnenolone. In addition, this effect did not appear to be mediated through the estrogen receptor as a weak estrogen or the androgen receptor as an antiandrogen, which are the currently proposed modes of action of MC and HPTE.
Towards robust features for classifying audio in the CueVideo system

The role of audio in the context of multimedia applications involving video is becoming increasingly important. Many efforts in this area focus on audio data that contains some built-in semantic information structure such as in broadcast news, or focus on classification of audio that contains a single type of sound such as cleaar speech or clear music only. In the CueVideo system, we detect and classify audio that consists of mixed audio, i.e. combinations of speech and music together with other types of background sounds. Segmentation of mixed audio has applications in detection of story boundaries in video, spoken document retrieval systems, audio retrieval systems etc. We modify and combine audio features known to be effective in distinguishing speech from music, and examine their behavior on mixed audio. Our preliminary experimental results show that we can achieve a classification accuracy of over 80% for such mixed audio. Our study also provides us with several helpful insights related to analyzing mixed audio in the context of real applications.
Visual Analytics for Finding Critical Structures in Massive Time-Varying Turbulent-Flow Simulations

Visualization and data analysis are crucial in analyzing and understanding a turbulent-flow simulation of size 4,096aamp;#xB3; cells per time slice (68 billion cells) and 17 time slices (one trillion total cells). The visualization techniques used help scientists investigate the dynamics of intense events individually and as these events form clusters.
A Meta-Analysis of the Functional Matching Effect Based on Functional Attitude Theory

The functional theory of attitudes (Katz, 1960) proposes that if persuasive messages target the reason why the audience possesses an attitude on that subject (the attitude's function) such messages will be more persuasive than if they target a different function. The “functional matching” effect was tested by meta-analyzing 16 articles, which reported 38 relationships between matching and persuasiveness and had a combined sample of 1,460. The functional matching effect was consistently strong across all moderators (r = .37). The use of the self-monitoring scale to identify functions produced a somewhat smaller effect than the average. Research employing other means of identifying attitude functions is called for. No evidence was found consistent with publication bias. Future directions for functional attitude theory research based on these results are discussed.
Fronts of spin tunneling in molecular magnets

Dissipative spin-tunneling transitions at biased resonances in molecular magnets such as ${\text{Mn}}_{12}$ Ac are controlled by the dipolar field that can bring the system on and off resonance. It is shown that this leads to spin relaxation in form of propagating fronts of tunneling, with the dipolar field adjusting self-consistently to provide a zero bias within the front core. There are two regimes of the front propagation: laminar and nonlaminar with discontinuous magnetization and dipolar field. In the laminar regime the speed of the front can exceed that of the magnetic deflagration, if the transverse field is large enough. Fronts of tunneling can be initiated by magnetic field sweep near the end of the crystal.
Nicotine for the treatment of Tourette's syndrome

Recent evidence has demonstrated that nicotine may obtund the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome (TS). TS is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics, obsessions and compulsions, and frequently with impulsivity, distractibility, and visual-motor deficits. While neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, are most effective for treatment of the motor and vocal tics of TS, these medications have many side effects. In this article, we review the evidence, consistent with findings in animals, that administration of nicotine (either 2 mg nicotine gum or 7 mg transdermal nicotine patch) potentiates the therapeutic properties of neuroleptics in treating TS patients and that a single patch may be effective for a variable number of days. These findings suggest that transdermal nicotine could serve as an effective adjunct to neuroleptic therapy for TS.
Synthetic hydraphile channels of appropriate length kill Escherichia coli

Crown ether-based synthetic cation conducting channels called hydraphiles show clear ionophoretic activity in phospholipid vesicles. These compounds are shown to be active against the bacterium E. ...
Surgical Site Infection and Analytic Morphometric Assessment of Body Composition in Patients Undergoing Midline Laparotomy

Background Obesity is a known risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI). Our hypothesis is that morphometric measures of midline subcutaneous fat will be associated with increased risk of SSI and will predict SSI better than conventional measures of obesity. Study Design We identified 655 patients who underwent midline laparotomy (2006 to 2009) using the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative database. Using novel, semiautomated analytic morphometric techniques, the thickness of subcutaneous fat along the linea alba was measured between T12 and L4. To adjust for variations in patient size, subcutaneous fat was normalized to the distance between the vertebrae and anterior skin. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors independently associated with the incidence of SSI. Results Overall, SSIs were observed in 12.5% (n = 82) of the population. Logistic regression revealed that patients with increased subcutaneous fat had significantly greater odds of developing a superficial incisional SSI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76 per 10% increase, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.83, p=0.019). Smoking, steroid use, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and incision-to-close operative time were also significant independent risk factors for superficial incisional SSI. When comparing subcutaneous fat and body mass index (BMI) as the only model variables, subcutaneous fat significantly improved model predictions of superficial incisional SSI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.60, p=0.023); BMI did not (AUC 0.52, p=0.73). Conclusions Abdominal subcutaneous fat is an independent predictor of superficial incisional SSI after midline laparotomy. Novel morphometric measures may improve risk stratification and help elucidate the pathophysiology of surgical complications.
Molecular cloning of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase and the CoA-dependent methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase

Abstract The complete amino acid sequence of rat liver CoA-dependent methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for the oxidative decarboxylation of malonate- and methylmalonate semialdehydes to acetyl- and propionyl-CoA in the distal portions of the valine and pyrimidine catabolic pathways, has been deduced from overlapping cDNAs obtained by screening a λgt11 library with nondegenerate oligonucleotide probes synthesized according to PCR-amplified portions coding for the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme. Although unique because of its requirement for coenzyme A, the methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase clearly belongs to the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily of enzymes. Quantitation of mRNA and protein levels indicates tissue-specific expression of methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. A large increase in expression of methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase occurs during 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation into adipocytes. The complete amino acid sequence of rat liver branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase, the enzyme responsible for phosphorylation and inactivation of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex, was deduced from a cDNA cloned by a procedure similar to that described above for the methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Expression of the cDNA in E. coli yielded a protein that phosphorylated and inactivated the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. Very little sequence similarity between branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase and other eukaryotic protein kinases could be identified. However, a high degree of similarity within subdomains characteristic of prokaryotic histidine protein kinases was apparent. Thus, this first mitochondrial protein kinase to be cloned appears closer, evolutionarily, to the prokaryotic histidine protein kinases than eukaryotic ser/thr protein kinases.
Analysis of DNA double-strand break response and chromatin structure in mitosis using laser microirradiation

In this study the femtosecond near-IR and nanosecond green lasers are used to induce alterations in mitotic chromosomes. The subsequent double-strand break responses are studied. We show that both lasers are capable of creating comparable chromosomal alterations and that a phase paling observed within 1–2 s of laser exposure is associated with an alteration of chromatin as confirmed by serial section electron microscopy, DAPI, γH2AX and phospho-H3 staining. Additionally, the accumulation of dark material observed using phase contrast light microscopy (indicative of a change in refractive index of the chromatin) ∼34 s post-laser exposure corresponds spatially to the accumulation of Nbs1, Ku and ubiquitin. This study demonstrates that chromosomes selectively altered in mitosis initiate the DNA damage response within 30 s and that the accumulation of proteins are visually represented by phase-dark material at the irradiation site, allowing us to determine the fate of the damage as cells enter G1. These results occur with two widely different laser systems, making this approach to study DNA damage responses in the mitotic phase generally available to many different labs. Additionally, we present a summary of most of the published laser studies on chromosomes in order to provide a general guide of the lasers and operating parameters used by other laboratories.
Multiple Bone Hemangiomas Presenting As Bony Metastasis of Unknown Primary

Bone hemangiomas are rare benign tumors of the bones of vascular origin. A patient with bony pains and abnormal radiological findings is described. Following an unsuccessful extensive search for primary malignancy the patient was diagnosed as multiple bone hemangioma. This case serves as a reminder for considering benign causes of bone lesion while investigating cases with such presentation. Keywords: Hemangioma; multiple; sclerosing hemangioma; back pain DOI: 10.3329/jom.v11i2.5473 J MEDICINE 2010; 11 : 196-199
A new test for detection ot the His 58 variant transthyretin allele in hereditary amyloidosis; creation of diagnostic restriction endonuclease recognition sites by PCR based mutagenesis

A new test has been developed to detect the His 58 variant transthyretin allele associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type II in the Maryland/German kindreds. Since the point mutation identified in this disease does not alter the restriction pattern of the TTR gene, previous DNA testing had been accomplished through the use ofallele-specific amplification. In order to increase the accuracy of the testing process and allow detection of individuals homozygous for the mutation, an alternative technique utilizing polymerase chain reaction-mediated site-directed mutagenesis has been developed to produce a unique restriction site in the PCR product derived from the His 58 variant allele. This method, which we have termed PCR-In-duced Mutation Restriction Analysis (PCR-IMRA), maybe applied to the detection of nearly all single base changes in genomic DNA which fail to produce a restriction fragment length polymorphism. A strategy for devising diagnostic tests by this method is presented.
The Vaccinium corymbosum FLOWERING LOCUS T -like gene ( VcFT ): a flowering activator reverses photoperiodic and chilling requirements in blueberry

The blueberry FLOWERING LOCUS T ( FT )-like gene ( VcFT ) cloned from the cDNA of a tetraploid, northern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is able to reverse the photoperiodic and chilling requirements and drive early and continuous flowering. Blueberry is a woody perennial bush with a longer juvenile period than annual crops, requiring vernalization to flower normally. Few studies have been reported on the molecular mechanism of flowering in blueberry or other woody plants. Because FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) from Arabidopsis thaliana plays a multifaceted role in generating mobile molecular signals to regulate plant flowering time, isolation and functional analysis of the blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) FT-like gene (VcFT) will facilitate the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of flowering in woody plants. Based on EST sequences, a 525-bpVcFT was identified and cloned from the cDNA of a tetraploid, northern highbush blueberry cultivar, Bluecrop. Ectopic expression of 35S:VcFT in tobacco induced flowering an average of 28 days earlier than wild-type plants. Expression of the 35S:VcFT in the blueberry cultivar Aurora resulted in an extremely early flowering phenotype, which flowered not only during in vitro culture, a growth stage when nontransgenic shoots had not yet flowered, but also in 6–10-week old, soil-grown transgenic plants, in contrast to the fact that at least 1 year and 800 chilling hours are required for the appearance of the first flower of both nontransgenic ‘Aurora’ and transgenic controls with the gusA. These results demonstrate that the VcFT is a functional floral activator and overexpression of the VcFT is able to reverse the photoperiodic and chilling requirements and drive early and continuous flowering.