cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distance Running as an Ideal Domain for Demonstrating a Sex Difference in Enduring Competitiveness

Men’s dominance of cultural displays has been hypothesized to reflect an evolved male predisposition for enduring competitiveness. Evidence for this hypothesis is equivocal, however, because there are viable alternative explanations for men’s dominance in most display domains. Here I argue that distance running is an ideal domain for addressing this issue. Distance running is ideal because it indicates enduring competitiveness, allows objective comparisons, and is accessible, acceptable, and popular for both men and women. I review recent studies and present new data showing that substantially more men than women run relatively fast in the U.S., that this sex difference in relative performance can be attributed to men’s greater training motivation, and that this pattern has been stable for several decades. Distance running thus provides compelling evidence for an evolved male predisposition for enduring competitiveness. I conclude with suggestions regarding how variation in achievement motivation can be informed by considering how evolved predispositions interact with environmental and social conditions.
An Examination of Government Data Mining and Civil Liberties Complaints in a Post-9/11 America

Data mining is a relatively new technology employed in counterterrorism. It involves obtaining large data sets and analyzing them to predict what individuals are going to do based on their past behavior. Large numbers of records about innocent individuals are included in these sets, the fact of which sparked concern about civil liberties and privacy concerns. Due to a number of factors, strong conclusions cannot be made regarding the relationship between data mining and privacy complaints. However, research has been done that indicates data mining's costs may outweigh its benefits.
Changes in Esters of Fatty Acids of Rhizopus arrhizus During Germination and Growth

Natural esters of fatty acids of Rhizopus arrhizus Fischer increased during the first 48 hr of growth. During the 48- to 72-hr period, there was a shift in concentration from the methyl esters to the ethyl esters of fatty acids.
Coaching via Electronic Performance Feedback to Support Home Visitors' Use of Caregiver Coaching Strategies.

Recommended practices for Part C early childhood special education home visitors encourage use of caregiver coaching strategies to enhance learning opportunities within the natural routines of infants and toddlers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a multicomponent professional development intervention on home visitors’ use of specific caregiver coaching strategies and range of routines utilized during home-based intervention. The professional development intervention systematically tested the effects of two brief workshops followed by 6 weeks of coaching via performance feedback that was based on videotaped home visits and delivered via email. A multiple-baseline design across three home visitors and caregiver/child dyads was used to evaluate home visitors’ use of caregiver coaching strategies and natural routines. Findings provide support for the use of individualized coaching via performance feedback delivered in electronic format as a means to enhance home visitors’ use of careg...
Potential surface constraints on electronic degeneracy factors in statistical phase space calculations

Abstract Degenerate electronic states of isolated collision partners typically split into multiple potential surfaces in the collision region; frequently these splittings are large enough that the dynamics of collision events on the different surfaces are qualitatively distinct. The statistical phase space theory for reaction cross sections is modified to account for this effect by excluding from the statistical analysis any states identified with surfaces that are energetically inaccessible to the “collision complex”. Application of the method to the reaction C+(D2, D)CD+ leads to improved agreement with experiment.
Biomechanical Comparison of Contact Pressure in the Cervical Facet Joint During Bending Using a Probe and Pressure-Sensitive Paper

Non-physiologic loading of the facet joint is a potential cause of facet joint pain in the cervical spine [1]. When the local biomechanical environment of the facet joint is altered, like with trauma or after surgery [2], the cartilaginous articular surfaces of the facets can also be damaged. Defining articular contact pressure can provide a metric of altered joint mechanics and the local mechanical environment of the cartilage in the facet joint. However, accessing the articular surface to make such measurements without altering the overall mechanics of the joint remains a substantial challenge.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Colour-blindness and diversity: race frames and their consequences for white undergraduates at elite US universities

In this paper we bring together the literatures on frame analysis, the meaning of race and campus racial climate to analyse the race frames – lenses through which individuals understand the role of race in society – held by white students attending elite US universities. For most, the elite university experience coincides with a strengthening or emergence of the diversity frame, which emphasizes the positive benefits of cultural diversity. Still, many also hold a colour-blind frame, which sees race groups as equivalent and racial identities as insignificant. We highlight the ambivalence that these divergent frames create for student perspectives on affirmative action and interracial contact on campus. Our findings demonstrate the mutability of race frames. We also highlight the impact that institutions may have on individuals' race frames. The paper is based on in-depth interviews with forty-seven US-born white undergraduates attending Brown University and Harvard University.
The polyhomologation of 1-boraadamantane: mapping the migration pathways of a propagating macrotricyclic trialkylborane.

Trialkyl and triaryl organoboranes undergo multiple, repetitive homologations upon reaction with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide (1). This multiple homologation reaction, or polyhomologation, produces polymethylene in a living reaction. Applying the polyhomologation reaction to cyclic and polycyclic organoboranes permits the construction of unique oligomeric and polymeric architectures that are not readily accessible by standard olefin polymerization. The polyhomologation of 1-boraadamantane.THF (2) by ylide 1 generates novel macrotricyclic trialkylboranes (3). The oxidation of these macrocyclic organoboranes generates a three-armed star polymethylene polymer (4) incorporating a cis,cis-1,3,5-trisubstituted cyclohexane core. Interestingly, only one-third of the initiators lead to product formation, resulting in an observed degree of polymerization 3 times higher than expected. Close examination of the initial stages of polymerization show that 1-boraadamantane.THF reacts with 1 equiv of 1 to afford a monohomologated product. Subsequent homologations were found to contain branch points leading to isomeric tricyclic products after the third, fourth, and fifth methylene insertions. At these stages of homologation, all of the propagating species result in tricyclic trialkylborane cages with collapsed, inverted pyramidal boron centers that are substantially less reactive toward ylide. Approximately two-thirds of the species discontinue polymerization at these stages. However, one-third of these species continue to propagate and eventually result in the formation of giant macrotricyclic polymers of narrow polydispersity. Molecular modeling and kinetic simulation have aided in the analysis of the probable pathways through which the reaction proceeds.
Is it really better to have your brain lesion early? A revision of the "Kennard principle".

Abstract Redirected growth of the optic tract in hamsters with lesions of the midbrain tectum at birth results in anomalous retinal projections with correlated functional effects; these include a sparing of visually elicited turning responses which are lost after comparable lesions in adulthood. However, the animals sometimes overshoot or undershoot the target, and the responses are slow to be completed. In cases of early unilateral lesions, an optic tract projection to the wrong side of the midbrain is correlated with turning in the wrong direction in response to stimuli in specific locations. These misdirected movements can be enhanced by reward or suppressed by non-reward, or abolished by surgical section of the abnormal pathway in the mature animal. Principles derived from the experiments with animals allow us to predict that specific lesions in fetal and neonatal humans will cause particular patterns of altered growth of neuroanatomical pathways. These alterations can be expected to cause behavioral anomalies, not only in sensorimotor functions, but also in cognitive functions and in emotional responses and expression; some neuropsychological findings can be interpreted in this manner.
Temporal bone chondroblastoma with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst presenting as an intracranial mass with clinical seizure activity

Chondroblastomas are rare tumors that characteristically arise from the epiphyseal cartilage of long bones of the immature skeleton. Intracranial involvement is uncommon, though the squamous portion of the temporal bone is preferentially affected due to its cartilaginous origin. Patients with temporal bone chondroblastomas classically present with otologic symptoms, while primary neurological complaints are rare. In this report, we describe a 33 year-old man with a chondroblastoma of the temporal bone and an associated aneurysmal bone cyst constituting a large intracranial mass lesion who presented with new-onset seizure activity. We review issues relevant to the pathology and treatment of these lesions.
Visuomotor tracking ability of young adult speakers

This study was conducted to (a) study the ability of young adult subjects to track target signals with the lower lip, jaw, or larynx, (b) examine subjects’ abilities to track different sinusoidal f...
Genetically engineered luminescent proteins in biosensing

Luminescent proteins originally isolated from marine or terrestrial organisms have played a key role in the development of several biosensing systems. These proteins have been used in a variety of applications including, immunoassays, binding assays, cell-based sensing, high throughput screening, optical imaging, etc. Among the luminescent proteins isolated, the bioluminescent protein aequorin has been one of the proteins at the forefront in terms of its use in a vast number of biosensing systems. In our laboratory, we have employed aequorin as a label in the development of highly sensitive assays through chemical and genetic modifications from single step analysis of physiologically important molecules in biological fluids. An important aspect of optimizing these assays for clinical use involves understanding the stability of the various aequorin variants that are available. To this end we have designed several stability studies involving three important aequorin mutants, Mutant S, Mutant 5, and Mutant 53. The cysteine free aequorin, Mutant S, has been the most ubiquitously used aequorin variant in our laboratory because of its increased stability and activity as compared to native aequorin. Mutant 5 and Mutant 53 contain a single cyteine residue at position 5 and 53 in the protein, respectively. Because of the presence of a single cysteine residue, Mutant 5 and Mutant 53 both can be site-specifically conjugated. This site specific conjugation capability gives Mutant 5 and Mutant 53 an advantage over native aequorin when developing assays. Additional studies optimizing the expression, purification, and charging of aequorin Mutant S were also performed. A thorough understanding of the efficient expression, purification, and storage of these aequorin mutants will allow for the more practical utilization of these mutants in the development of future biosensing systems.
Nature of Contacts in Centric Occlusion in 32 Adults

An evaluation of the location and nature of occlusal contacts in centric occlusion of 32 adults revealed teeth that had no occlusal contact, no opposing tooth, contact on flat surfaces, contact on one or more inclined planes, and contacts on a combination of flat and inclined planes.
Discrete-Time Synergetic Optimal Control of Nonlinear Systems

Discrete-time synergetic optimal control strategies are proposed for a class of nonlinear discrete-time dynamic systems, in which a special performance index is used that results in closed-form solutions of the optimal problems. Reduced-dimension aggregated variables representing a combination of the actual controlled plant variables are used to define the performance index. The control law optimizing the performance index for the respective nonlinear dynamic system is derived from the associated first-order difference equation in terms of the aggregated variables. Some connections between discrete-time synergetic control and the discrete-time linear quadratic regulator as well as discrete-time variable-structure sliding-mode controls are established. A control design procedure leading to closed-loop stability of a class of nonlinear systems with matched nonlinearities is presented. For these types of systems, the discrete-time synergetic optimal control strategy for tracking problems is developed by incorporating integral action. The closed-loop stability depends upon proper construction of the aggregated variables so that the closed-loop nonlinear system on the manifold specified by the aggregated variables is asymptotically stable. An algorithm for the construction of such a stabilizing manifold is given. Finally, the results are illustrated with an example that involves a discrete-time nonlinear helicopter model.
Pressure-time history of pylon wake on a pusher propeller in flight

Miniature, high-frequency, pressure transducers were mounted on a pusher propeller at 75 and 90% radii. Time history of fluctuating surface pressure over 700 propeller revolutions and 26 flight conditions reveals intriguing phenomena. The anticipated pylon wake signature manifests itself as a negative pressure pulse over extended portions of the propeller suction surface. The phenomenon further develops into a primarily random turbulence signature at 80% propeller chord and interestingly may re-evolve as a coherent wake signature further downstream, say at 90% chord. A new type of periodic disturbance of long-time scale, compared to propeller period of revolution, is discovered at positions beyond 0.6 chord on the propeller suction surface in the transonic regime. These and other peculiar propeller-surface events recorded by the transducers are highlighted, and some plausible explanations are offered.
A long-snouted, multihorned tyrannosaurid from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia

Tyrannosaurid theropods are characterized by a generalized body plan, and all well-known taxa possess deep and robust skulls that are optimized for exerting powerful bite forces. The fragmentary Late Cretaceous Alioramus appears to deviate from this trend, but its holotype and only known specimen is incomplete and poorly described. A remarkable new tyrannosaurid specimen from the Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) of Mongolia, including a nearly complete and well-preserved skull and an extensive postcranium, represents a new species of Alioramus, Alioramus altai. This specimen conclusively demonstrates that Alioramus is a small, gracile, long-snouted carnivore that deviates from other tyrannosaurids in its body plan and presumably its ecological habits. As such, it increases the range of morphological diversity in one of the most familiar extinct clades. Phylogenetic analysis places Alioramus deep within the megapredatory Tyrannosauridae, and within the tyrannosaurine subclade that also includes Tarbosaurus and Tyrannosaurus. Both pneumatization and ornamentation are extreme compared with other tyrannosaurids, and the skull contains eight discrete horns. The new specimen is histologically aged at nine years old but is smaller than other tyrannosaurids of similar age. Despite its divergent cranial form, Alioramus is characterized by a similar sequence of ontogenetic changes as the megapredatory Tyrannosaurus and Albertosaurus, indicating that ontogenetic change is conservative in tyrannosaurids.
TEL-AML1 in cord blood: 1% or 0.01%?

In this issue of Blood , Lausten-Thomsen et al challenge the notion that TEL-AML1 transcripts are prevalent in newborns, raising questions about our understanding of the natural history of childhood ALL and the potential utility of newborn screening.[1][1] The t(12;21) translocation results in the
Putative Phage Hyperparasite in the Rickettsial Pathogen of Abalone, “ Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis”

Studies on the ecology of microbial parasites and their hosts are predicated on understanding the assemblage of and relationship among the species present. Changes in organismal morphology and physiology can have profound effects on host–parasite interactions and associated microbial community structure. The marine rickettsial organism, “Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis” (WS-RLO), that causes withering syndrome of abalones has had a consistent morphology based on light and electron microscopy. However, a morphological variant of the WS-RLO has recently been observed infecting red abalone from California. We used light and electron microscopy, in situ hybridization and16S rDNA sequence analysis to compare the WS-RLO and the morphologically distinct RLO variant (RLOv). The WS-RLO forms oblong inclusions within the abalone posterior esophagus (PE) and digestive gland (DG) tissues that contain small rod-shaped bacteria; individual bacteria within the light purple inclusions upon hematoxylin and eosin staining cannot be discerned by light microscopy. Like the WS-RLO, the RLOv forms oblong inclusions in the PE and DG but contain large, pleomorphic bacteria that stain dark navy blue with hematoxylin and eosin. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination revealed that the large pleomorphic bacteria within RLOv inclusions were infected with a spherical to icosahedral-shaped putative phage hyperparasite. TEM also revealed the presence of rod-shaped bacteria along the periphery of the RLOv inclusions that were morphologically indistinguishable from the WS-RLO. Binding of the WS-RLO-specific in situ hybridization probe to the RLOv inclusions demonstrated sequence similarity between these RLOs. In addition, sequence analysis revealed 98.9–99.4 % similarity between 16S rDNA sequences of the WS-RLO and RLOv. Collectively, these data suggest that both of these RLOs infecting California abalone are “Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis,” and that the novel variant is infected by a putative phage hyperparasite that induced morphological variation of its RLO host.
Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders and Predictors of Pain Management Program Success in Patients With Chronic Pain.

Background: This prospective investigation assessed success rates of a pain management program for patients with and without DSM-III-R Axis I and II psychiatric disorders. Method: Subjects included 40 consecutive patients with chronic pain who were referred to a physical therapy–oriented, “standard” pain management program. Serial ratings of pain levels were measured via a visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline, weekly throughout a 12-week program, and during a follow-up interval 1 month after completion of the program. Weekly reports of hours of gainful employment were recorded. VAS scores and number of hours worked per week were combined into a measure of pain improvement. This dependent variable was used to compare groups of patients across psychiatric disorders diagnosed via the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). Percentages of patients in each diagnostic group who met minimal criteria for improvement were computed and compared. A chi-square analysis was conducted on success rates between patients with and without any Axis I disorder, any Axis II disorder, and any substance abuse/dependence disorder. Results: Overall, 70% of patients (N = 28) were found to have a DIS psychiatric disorder. There were differences in improvement between patients with and without Axis I disorders and between those with and without Axis II disorders. The presence of a diagnosis was associated with significantly lower improvement rates (p < .05). Conclusion: Patients with chronic pain enrolled in this clinic had a high prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders, and these comorbid patients were less likely to improve with standard chronic pain treatment. In a population of patients seeking treatment for chronic pain, these results suggest a need for detection and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and further research on the efficacy of psychiatric treatment interventions in chronic pain management.
Elderly-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence, clinical course and treatment.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune multi-system disease of uncertain aetiology with highly variable clinical manifestations. Women of child-bearing age are most often affected; however, approximately 10-20% of cases occur in older patients. Elderly-onset lupus has been defined in various studies as onset of lupus after age 50-65 years. Menopause and changes in cellular immunity with aging may contribute to development of lupus in older adults. Many studies suggest that the clinical and serological features of elderly-onset lupus differ from those of lupus in younger patients. Arthritis, fever, serositis, sicca symptoms, Raynaud's syndrome, lung disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms are more common in patients with elderly-onset lupus, while malar rash, discoid lupus and glomerulonephritis are less common in elderly-onset patients compared with younger lupus patients. Most elderly-onset lupus patients have a positive anti-nuclear antibody test, but the prevalence of anti-double-stranded DNA and hypocomplementaemia is lower in elderly-onset patients than in younger patients. Rheumatoid factor, anti-Ro/Sjogren's syndrome (SS) A and anti-La/SSB are more often positive in elderly-onset patients. The diagnosis of elderly-onset lupus may be delayed for many months: insidious onset, low prevalence and similarity to other more common disorders make the diagnosis of lupus challenging in this population. Treatment of lupus in the elderly may be complicated by co-morbidities and increased risk of toxicities from usual treatments. Optimal management of elderly-onset lupus is empiric because of a lack of randomised controlled studies. However, the approach to treatment is similar regardless of the age of the patient. This article discusses the prevalence, clinical course, serological features, prognosis and treatment of elderly-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
Predicting Fracture Toughness of TRIP 800 Using Phase Properties Characterized by In-Situ High-Energy X-Ray Diffraction

Transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel is a typical representative of first generation advanced high-strength steel, which exhibits a combination of high strength and excellent ductility due to its multiphase microstructure. In this article, we study the crack propagation behavior and fracture resistance of a TRIP 800 steel using a microstructure-based finite element method with the various phase properties characterized by in-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD) technique. Uniaxial tensile tests on the notched TRIP 800 sheet specimens were also conducted, and the experimentally measured tensile properties and R curves (resistance curves) were used to calibrate the modeling parameters and to validate the overall modeling results. The comparison between the simulated and experimentally measured results suggests that the micromechanics based modeling procedure can well capture the overall complex crack propagation behaviors and the fracture resistance of TRIP steels. The methodology adopted here may be used to estimate the fracture resistance of various multiphase materials.
Utilization of a carbohydrate reserve comprised primarily of mannose by Leishmania donovani

Promastigotes from late log phase and 3-day stationary phase cultures of Leishmania donovani were collected, washed in buffer, and the cell pellet was treated with boiling KOH. A putative carbohydrate storage material was then precipitated and washed in ethanol/LiBr. This material did not liberate glucose when treated with amyloglucosidase, indicating that it was not glycogen. Acid hydrolysis released a hexose which was identified as mannose by several criteria. Considerably more of this mannan-like carbohydrate is present in cells from 3-day stationary phase than from late log phase cultures, consistent with the ability of 3-day stationary phase cells to survive in non-nutrient buffer and maintain oxygen consumption for longer than log phase cells. The amount of this mannan-like compound decreased by over 50% during a 3-h incubation in buffer of cells from 3-day stationary phase cultures. The presence of glucose during the incubation prevented the utilization of this carbohydrate, consistent with the possibility that it serves as an energy reserve.
Uptake of mercury by the hair of methylmercury-treated newborn mice

Human hair has unique advantages in monitoring environmental exposures to methylmercury. Using newborn Balb/c mice as a model system, the incorporation of methylmercury into the hair was studied and compared with methylmercury distributions in other tissues. Newborn mice were given intraperitoneal injections of 203Hg-labeled methylmercury at designated times according to hair growth stages of the mouse. Animals were sacrificed 2 days after dosing. Distribution of mercury in pelt and other tissues was measured. The level of mercury in pelt was found to correlate with hair growth. The amount of mercury in pelt peaked when hair growth was most rapid and the total amount of mercury in pelt was significantly higher than that in other tissues, constituting 40% of the whole body burden. However, when the hair ceased growing, the amount of mercury in pelt dramatically dropped to 4% of whole body burden and mercury concentrations in other tissues except brain were elevated. Autoradiographic studies with tritium-labeled methylmercury demonstrated that methylmercury concentrated in hair follicles in the skin. Within hair follicles and hairs, methylmercury accumulated in regions that are rich in high-sulfur proteins. The uptake of inorganic mercury (administered as HgCl2) by pelt was also compared with that of methylmercury. The amount of inorganic mercury found in pelt was less than one-half that of methylmercury in animals with growing hair. Cessation of hair growth did not decrease the inorganic mercury level in pelt to the same extent as in the case of methylmercury.
Invasive aspergillus infection: possible non-ward common source within the hospital environment

Six immunocompromised patients housed in widely separated portions of a hospital campus developed invasive aspergillosis during a single month. This represented a significant increase (P less than .001) in the number of cases observed over the 3 years which included this event (19 cases in 36 months). Epidemiological investigation suggested that this cluster of cases was due to a common source outbreak related to construction activity in a central radiology suite serving the hospital. Such non-ward exposures to nosocomial hazards are becoming increasingly important for immunosuppressed hosts.
Presence of a circulating depressor substance by rat cross perfusion after chronic CCl4 treatment

Summary Blood pressure has been reduced in rat hypertension following liver change produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injections. The possibility of a depressor substance appearing in the blood has not been studied. We tested the possibility of a depressor substance by cross transfusion between one-kidney-one-clip hypertensive rats and normotensive rats which had received by-weekly 0.15 ml subcutaneous injections of CCl4. The blood pressure of 15 hypertensive rats averaged 19.5mm Hg. After cross transfusion for 30 minutes with the CCl4-treated donors the average blood pressure was reduced to 170.1 mm Hg. In contrast, the blood pressure of 10 hypertensive recipients averaged 191.9mm Hg. initially and 190.9mm Hg after 30 minutes of cross perfusion with untreated donor rats. It is concluded that after a series of CCl4 subcutaneous injections a vasodepressor substance or an antagonist appears in the circulating blood.
Normal Variants and Pitfalls in MR Imaging of the Ankle and Foot

MR OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL STRUCTURE Great advances have been made in musculoskeletal radiology since the dawn of cross-sectional imaging more than three decades ago. Innovation in imaging technology has provided an unprecedented window into intra-articular pathology. MR imaging, in particular, has revolutionized the ability to study the anatomic details of all the components of the musculoskeletal system, including tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones as well as the pathologic processes that affect them. Crucial to the accurate analysis of these structures is a solid knowledge of the anatomic variants that can be misinterpreted for pathology on MR imaging. This article focuses on the variants and imaging pitfalls in the ankle and foot.
Did the Universe have a beginning

It is argued that ``eternal inflation'' must have a beginning in time. Conditions are formulated for a spacetime to describe an eternally inflating universe without a beginning, and it is shown that these conditions cannot be satisfied. A rigorous proof is given for a two-dimensional spacetime, and a plausibility argument for four dimensions.
Effects of Methyl Benzimidazolecarbamate during Early Pregnancy in the Rat

Abstract Methyl 2-benzimidizolecarbamate (MBC), an agricultural fungicide, and its parent compound benomyl have adverse reproductive effects on male rats and exhibit embryotoxicity, including teratogenicity, when administered to rats during mid to late pregnancy. This study was designed to assess potential maternal effects of MBC during early pregnancy, to distinguish maternal from embryotoxic effects of the chemical, and to differentiate between early pregnancy failure and late embryonic loss. MBC was administered to rats by gavage at 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg/day during Days 1 through 8 of pregnancy (Day 0 = sperm positive). A range of maternal and embryonic parameters was assessed following euthanasia on Day 9, including the number of implantation sites, body weight gain, uterine weight, implantation site size, and serum ovarian and pituitary hormones. In a separate experiment, pseudopregnant rats were administered 0 or 400 mg/kg/day MBC during Days 1–8, received bilateral uterine decidual induction on Day 4, and were killed on Day 9 at which time the decidual cell response was evaluated as a measure of uterine competency. When dosages of up to 400 mg/kg/day of MBC were administered during early pregnancy, the chemical had no significant effect on any measured parameter but a trend toward increased resorptions was evident. The 1000 mg/kg/day dosage of MBC produced reductions in body weight gain, implantation site weight, and serum LH and an increase in serum estradiol. When administered during pseudopregnancy, 400 mg/kg/day MBC partially reduced uterine decidual growth but affected no other parameter. The data show that dosages of MBC (up to and including 400 mg/kg/day) which are embryotoxic and teratogenic when administered to rats during late pregnancy do not produce pregnancy failure, adverse maternal effects other than a partial decidual growth inhibition, or evidence of embryotoxicity other than a trend toward increased resorptions when administered during very early pregnancy.
Manifestation and post hoc correction of gradient cross-term artifacts in DTI

Cross-terms between imaging and diffusion gradients, unaccounted for during tensor calculations, can lead to erroneous estimation of diffusivity and fractional anisotropy (FA) in regions of isotropic and anisotropic diffusion. Cross-term of magnitude 136.8±1.6 s/mm(2), artificially introduced in the slice-encode direction, caused an increase in FA in isotropic phantom from 0.0546±0.0001 to 0.0996±0.0001, while the change in chimpanzee brain depended on the orientation of the white matter (WM). Mean diffusivity (MD) remained unchanged in isotropic phantom, but increased by ∼20% in the WM due to cross-terms. A bias was observed in the principal eigenvectors in both phantom and chimpanzee brain, resulting in significant increase in midline crossing fibers along the bias than perpendicular to it in tractography in chimpanzee brain. Post hoc correction of these artifacts was achieved by estimating the cross-term factors using calibration scans on an isotropic phantom and modifying the b-matrix before tensor calculation. Upon correction, the FA and MD values closely resembled the values obtained from sequence without cross-terms, and the bias in principal eigenvectors was eliminated. Customized sequences involving large b-values, high-resolution imaging, or long diffusion or echo times should therefore be evaluated and any residual cross-terms corrected before implementation.
DNA cytometry and chromosome 9 aberrations by fluorescence in situ hybridization of irrigation specimens from bladder cancer patients.

Objectives: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of combining fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) measurement of chromosome 9 and DNA cytometry of bladder irrigation specimens in the detection of bladder cancer. Methods: Bladder irrigation specimens were obtained from 37 normal control patients and 317 bladder cancer patients during cystoscopic examinations. Bladder cancer patients were sampled in the absence of observable tumor (256 specimens) and concurrently with tumor (204 specimens). Chromosome 9 copy number was determined on a cellular basis by FISH, and cellular DNA content was determined by Feulgen DNA staining and image cytometry. Results: Sensitivity of chromosome 9 FISH was 42% for all tumors and was not correlated to transitional cell carcinoma tumor grade, while the sensitivity of DNA cytometry was 55% and improved with increasing grade from 38% for grade 1 to 90% for grade 3 tumors. The results of FISH and DNA cytometry were combined, resulting in specificity of 92% and sensitivity of 69% for grade 1, 76% for grade 2, and 97% for grade 3 tumors. Conclusions: The lack of increase with grade in the percentage of positive specimens by FISH supports the hypothesis that chromosome 9 aberrations are critical events in bladder tumorigenesis for many patients. These data demonstrate the presence of cells in irrigation specimens with specific genomic lesions of chromosome 9 and DNA content. Combining FISH on chromosome 9 and DNA cytometry provides an increase in sensitivity to transitional cell carcinoma over either test alone.
Transcription-dependent release of a mammalian RNA polymerase from its endogenous template.

Abstract RNA polymerase activity is released from the insoluble fraction of mouse kidney nuclei during synthesis of RNA in vitro . Conditions that inhibit transcription also inhibit the release of RNA polymerase.
The economic benefits and costs of trademarks: Lessons for the developing countries

Abstract Trademarks may be credited with social benefits to the extent they identify quality for consumers. In particular, trademarks may reduce purchase errors and the costs people bear when attempting to avoid errors. However, several forms of social costs are associated with trademarks when trademarks (and the persuasive advertising promoting them) provide the sole or major source of quality identification for the product, and when grants of exclusive use to particular product sources protect the goodwill (or monopoly) rents that attach to trademarks. To maximize benefits and minimize costs, it is suggested that identification of quality and source be separated wherever possible.
Relative log P and solution structure for small organic solutes in the chloroform/water system using Monte Carlo methods

Relative log P values of dimethylether to methanol and dimethylamine to methylamine were calculated in the chloroform/water system using Monte Carlo simulations and statistical perturbation theory. Correct ordering of the calculated relative log Ps was obtained for the two pairs although the method leads to an overestimation of these values. In aqueous solution, both dimethyl ether and dimethylamine solutes are proton acceptors forming a single hydrogen bond to water. Dimethylamine forms a stable N-H-Ow hydrogen bond while the water hydrogen is poorly localized in the O-H-Ow bond to the ether
Use of scatterometric latent-image detector in closed-loop feedback control of linewidth

The use of a diffraction-based latent image detector during the post-exposure bake (PEB) step for a chemically amplified resist system was investigated and its use in a feedback control strategy was examined. A calibration between intensity of light diffracted from the wafers during PEB and the final post-develop linewidth was determined. Using this relationship, two feedback control strategies were tested. One method altered the PEB time to compensate for unmeasured process disturbances and drive the linewidth to its target. The other method involved altering of the develop time. We found that using the post-exposure bake monitor in a feedback control system can improve wafer-to-wafer and lot-to-lot variability to below that which has been possible through conventional SEM measurements.
INHIBITION OF THE EXPRESSION OF CONDITIONED CARDIAC RESPONSES IN THE DEVELOPING RAT

It is generally recognized that during development the capacity to express learning in terms of changes in somatomotor activity is evident earlier than the capacity for learned changes in autonomic responding (e.g., heart rate). In this series of experiments, findings indicate that changes in heart rate to a visual conditioned stimulus (CS) paired with a footshock unconditioned stimulus (US) can be observed as early in development in the rat as freezing responses. However, cardiac responses are inhibited from being expressed by preweanlings (but not adults) during CS–US pairings, the time when heart rate responses are often measured. This inhibition appears to arise from US exposure, and dissipates completely within 2 hr of training. These findings are discussed with respect to developmental changes in US-evoked autonomic arousal and response system dissociations. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 33: 221–233, 1998
Experimental and theoretical investigation of the scaled structure function in AlLi alloys

Abstract Through the use of small angle X-ray scattering the late time, scaled structure function was measured in several Al Li alloy samples. The small misfit strain between the Al rich matrix and the metastable Al3Li precipitates renders this system ideal for an accurate test of coarsening theories which include the effect of spatial correlations between particles. The breadth of the scaled structure function, measured by the full width at half maximum, vs the equilibrium volume fraction agrees very well with the computer simulation of Akaiwa and Voorhees. In addition, the scaled structure function based on the Marder theory is derived and shown to be much broader than the experimental results.
Facilitation of the Removal of the Total Surface Growth of Bacteria from Solid Media

To make a suspension of bacterial colonies by removing them from the surface of culture media, using a wire loop, is often difficult. In using a wire loop for this purpose the growth generally slides over the wire of the loop, and the complete removal of all surface growth is thus rendered both difficult and time-consuming.
Synthesis of laterally attached side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polynorbornenes with high mesogen density by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization

(±)-exo,endo-5,6-Bis{[[11′-[2″,5″-bis[2-(3′-fluoro-4′-n-alkoxyphenyl)ethynyl]phenyl]undecyl]oxy]carbonyl}bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (n = 1–12) monomers were polymerized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature with Mo(CHCMe2Ph)(N-2,6-iPr2Ph)(OtBu)2 as the initiator to produce polymers with number-average degrees of polymerization of 8–37 and relatively narrow polydispersities (polydispersity index = 1.08–1.31). The thermotropic behavior of these materials was independent of the molecular weight and therefore representative of that of a polymer at approximately 15 repeat units. The polymers exhibited an enantiotropic nematic mesophase when n was 2 or greater. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4076–4087, 2006
Factitious disorders and the psychosomatic continuum in children.

A continuum may be described as spanning between the psychological reactions of children and families to a child's illness, the exaggeration or simulation of symptoms for psychological reasons, and the production of factitious symptoms in the child by the parent. However, there are critical clues that allow the alert clinician to recognize where his patient falls on the continuum. Because factitious disorders are uncommon and Munchausen syndrome by proxy is rare, awareness of psychiatric and clinical signs is important to prevent morbidity or mortality. Language: en
Extraction and reductive stripping of pertechnetate from spent nuclear fuel waste streams.

An approach directed at rapid sequestration and disposal of technetium-99 from UREX (uranium extraction) liquid waste streams is presented. This stream is generated during reprocessing of light-water-reactor spent fuel to recycle the actinides and separate fission products for waste disposal. U and Tc are co-extracted from a nitric acid solution using tri-n-butylphosphate in dodecane, so that Tc(VII) is present in the strip solution after the actinide separations. The goal is to separate uranyl from the pertechnetate in this U-Tc stream and then sequester Tc in the metallic form. Our approach is based on reductive stripping of pertechnetate either from aqueous solution (for column extractions) or organic solvents (for liquid-liquid extractions). In both of these methods, metallic zinc in the presence of formic acid serves as a reducing agent, and 99Tc is recovered as a co-precipitate of Zn(II) hydroxide and hydrous Tc(IV) oxide, with a Zn:Tc ratio between 1:1 and 2:1 mol/mol. This solid residue can be red...
Estrogen increases the sensitivity of ovariectomized rats to the disruptive effects produced by antagonism of D2 but not D1 dopamine receptors during performance of a response learning task.

Abstract Estrogen impairs performance on some striatum-sensitive tasks of learning and memory. Evidence indicates that it may have these impairing effects by creating a bias to use hippocampally based strategies to solve tasks whether or not it is advantageous to do so. Estrogen may also exert direct effects in the striatum to affect performance on striatum-mediated procedural memory tasks. In spite of the robust effects that estrogen exerts on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, the role of dopamine in the estrogen-induced effects on procedural memory tasks remains unexplored. The goal of the present study was to assess the independent and interactive effects of estrogen and dopamine antagonists on a striatum-mediated response learning task. Adult rats were ovariectomized and implanted with Silastic capsules containing 25% estradiol diluted in cholesterol or 100% cholesterol. Rats were trained to receive food rewards in an elevated plus maze by making a specified response (right or left turn). Following acquisition, dose–effect curves were determined for the D 1 dopamine receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, and the D 2 dopamine receptor antagonist, eticlopride. Estrogen did not significantly affect acquisition of the task and had no significant effect on the ability of SCH 23390 to disrupt performance on the task. However, estrogen significantly increased the sensitivity of the rats to the error-increasing effects of eticlopride. These results indicate that estrogen may differentially interact with D 1 and D 2 dopamine receptors to affect response learning. They also suggest that in addition to creating a bias to use hippocampally based strategies to solve tasks, estrogen may affect performance on procedural memory tasks through direct action on dopaminergic functioning.
Joint tail and vocal alarm signals of gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)

Threat-specific vocalizations have been observed in primates and ground squirrels, but their contemporaneous usage with visible signals has not been experimentally analyzed for association with threat type. Here we examine the eastern gray squirrel, an arboreal squirrel that uses both vocal and tail signals as alarms. Squirrels were presented with cat and hawk models simulating natural terrestrial or aerial predator attacks and also with control objects that do not resemble predators but approach in a similar manner. Individuals responded with tail signals (twitches and flags) and vocalizations (kuks, quaas and moans), but only flags and moans are associated with predator type. Moans were elicited primarily by aerial stimuli and flags by terrestrial stimuli. Eastern gray squirrels use an alarm-signaling system in which signals in each modality potentially are associated with particular attributes of a threat or may be general alarms. Terrestrially-approaching stimuli yielded vocal and tail alarm signals regardless of whether the stimulus resembled a predator. With aerially-approaching stimuli, however, quaas were used more often when the stimulus resembled an aerial predator than when it did not. An approaching object’s physical appearance may therefore affect squirrels’ responses to aerial, but not terrestrial, objects. When the stimuli resembled real predators approaching in the natural manner (terrestrially or aerially), both tail flags and vocal moans were associated with predator type, so we also considered moans and flags together. The presence and absence of moans and flags in an alarm signaling bout yields a higher statistical index of predictive association as to whether the threat is aerial or terrestrial than does either component alone.
Total sulfur and sulfate accumulation in onion is affected by sulfur fertility

Abstract Because sulfate (SO4 ‐2) accumulation patterns were unknown in onion, a study was conducted to determine how three onion varieties accumulated total bulb‐sulfur (S) and bulb‐SO4 ‐2 in response to increasing S‐fertility. Plants were greenhouse grown in pots containing washed river sand and fertilized with five different nutrient solutions possessing SO4 ‐2 concentrations of 5, 25, 50, 75, or 150 mg liter1 until the plants were mature. Bulbs were harvested and analyzed for total‐S, SO4 ‐2, and pungency, as measured by enzymatically developed pyruvic acid (EPY). Bulbs accumulated significant levels of SO4 ‐2 and S. The amount of bulb‐SO4 ‐2 and bulb‐S increased linearly as S‐fertility increased. The three varieties differed in total bulb‐S, bulb‐SO4 ‐2, the percent of total bulb‐S accumulated as SO4 ‐2, and EPY. Bulb‐SO4 ‐2 ranged from 0.047 to 0.318 % dry mass in response to S‐fertility level and variety, while total bulb‐S ranged from 0.154 to 0.535% dry mass. Diverse S and SO4 ‐2 accumulation and...
Models of longitudinal space-charge impedance for microbunching instability

A 1D model of space-charge impedance, assuming a transversely uniform beam with circular cross section, has been proposed and is being extensively used in the modeling of the microbunching instability of relevance for the beam delivery systems of x-ray free-electron lasers. In this paper we investigate the limitation of the model when applied to studying the effect of shot noise---one of the sources of the microbunching instability. We make comparison with a fully 3D calculation and identify the upper end of the frequency spectrum for applicability of the 1D model. Relaxation of the assumptions regarding axis symmetry and uniformity of the transverse density is also reviewed.