cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Responses to enteric motor neurons in the gastric fundus of mice with reduced intramuscular interstitial cells of cajal.

Background/Aims Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play important functions in motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The role of ICC as pacemakers is well established, however their participation in neurotransmission is controversial. Studies using mutant animals that lack ICC have yielded variable conclusions on their importance in enteric motor responses. The purpose of this study was to: (1) clarify the role of intramuscular ICC (ICC-IM) in gastric motor-neurotransmission and (2) evaluate remodeling of enteric motor responses in W/WV mice. Methods Kit immunohistochemistry and post-junctional contractile responses were performed on fundus muscles from wild type and W/WV mice and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to evaluate differences in muscarinic and neurokinin receptor expression. Results Although ICC-IM were greatly reduced in comparison with wild-type mice, we found that ICC-IM persisted in the fundus of many W/WV animals. ICC-IM were not observed in W/WV group 1 (46%) but were observed in W/WV group 2 (40%). Evoked neural responses consisted of excitatory and inhibitory components. The inhibitory component (nitrergic) was absent in W/WV group 1 and reduced in W/WV group 2. Enhanced excitatory responses (cholinergic) were observed in both W/WV groups and qPCR revealed that muscarinic-M3 receptor expression was significantly augmented in the W/WV fundus compared to wild type controls. Conclusions This study demonstrates that ICC-IM mediate nitrergic inhibitory neurotransmission in the fundus and provides evidence of plasticity changes in neuronal responses that may explain discrepancies in previous functional studies which utilized mutant animals to examine the role of ICC-IM in gastric enteric motor responses. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2014;20:171-184)
Examination of scale-dependent physical and radiative properties of clouds using satellite observations

The satellite data for June-July 1997 at the Southern Great Plains site of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program are analyzed. The observed clouds are classified into high, midlevel and low clouds according to their top heights. For each cloud type, the contribution to the total fractional cloud cover from clouds of different sizes is determined using a Lagrangian cloud classification scheme. It is found that in the midlatitude continental, convectively active environment, more than half of the total cloud cover is from high clouds, of which 80% comes from clouds with area > 4 × 104 km2. For midlevel clouds, more than 50% of the contribution to cloud cover is from small clouds (e.g. cloud area < 4 x 104km2).. Almost all of the low clouds with significant contribution to cloud cover have spatial scales <4 × 104km2. This suggests that most of the midlevel and low clouds are of subgrid scale to a typical GCM resolution. We further found that cloud radiative properties, such as cloud albedo, outgoing longwave radiation and cloud radiative forcing, have strong scale dependence. Bigger clouds are brighter and have lower OLR. These results indicate that contributions to the observed cloud radiative forcing are dominated by large cloud systems.
Large Scale Deprotection of a tert-Butoxycarbonyl (Boc) Group Using Aqueous HCl and Acetone

A procedure for tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group removal using concentrated HCl and acetone was developed and utilized on multi-kilogram scale in the synthesis of LY544344·HCl (1). The details surrounding this procedure and the advantages offered by it are described herein.
Effects of Sex on Peer Ratings of U.S. Army Rotc Cadets

The effects of sex of rater and sex of ratee on peer ratings were investigated. Subjects were U.S. Army ROTC cadets at a 6-wk. advanced training camp in 1985; 935 subjects were men and 373 were women. Male ratees received significantly (α = .01) higher peer ratings than the female ratees received. Male ratees received significantly (α = .01) higher peer ratings from male raters than from female raters. Female ratees received significantly (α = .01) higher peer ratings from female raters than from male raters. It is possible that men received higher ratings than women because there were more men doing the rating.
Logic-based regulation compliance-assistance

This paper focuses on the creation of a first order predicate calculus based regulation compliance-assistance system built upon an XML framework. Two areas of research that support the development of the compliance assistance system are discussed. The first is a document repository containing federal and state regulations and supplemental documents. The second is an XML framework for representing regulations and associated metadata. The prototype effort for the regulation assistance system has been focused on environmental regulations and related documents. The compliance assistance system is illustrated in the domain of used oil management. The objective of this research is to develop a formal infrastructure for regulatory information management and compliance assistance.
Serological detection of Edwardsiella ictaluri Hawke lipopolysaccharide antibody in serum of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque

. Bacterial agglutination, passive haemagglutination, complement-dependent passive haemolysis, indirect immunofluorescence, agar gel immunodiffusion and agglutination with fractions of immunized fish serum were compared for detecting humoral antibody to the lipopolysacchande (LPS) of Edwardsiella icialuri Hawke in channel catfish. Bacterial agglutination titres averaged 1: 672; passive haemagglutination titres averaged 1: 1152; and complement-dependent haemolysis titres averaged 1: 2360. Serum from non-vaccinated fish ranged from 0 to 1:32. Indirect fluorescence and immunodiffusion demonstrated positive reactions to the LPS antibody. Fractionation of immune sera produced three fractions, one of which strongly haemagglutinated E. ictaluri but the other two did not. All six serological techniques were sensitive to E. ictaluri LPS antibody.
THE ETHICS OF MODELLING

Abstract This paper considers the professional responsibilities and ethical issues associated with engineering modelling. The ethical issues are first delineated. Several engineering cases of faulty modelling (and their disastrous consequences) are next presented, with suggestions as to how greater sensitivity to ethical considerations might have prevented the problems. The issues are then extended to large-scale economic system modellling with an example taken from the recent past of engineering-economic system modelling. Conclusions are made regarding the essential importance of the connections between modelling and ethics.
The crystal structure of ethyl 2,3-dideoxy-α-d-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside

The crystal structure of ethyl 2,3-dideoxy-alpha-D-erythro-hex-2-enopyranoside, C8H14O4, is orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), with cell dimensions at 123 K [293 K] a = 11.220(2) [11.319(1)], b = 18.387(3) [18.458(2)], c = 8.509(2) [8.635(1)] A, Z = 8. There are two symmetry-independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. In both molecules, the conformation is oH5. The alkenic bond is almost exactly planar in one molecule, with C-1--C-2--C-3--C-4 = +0.8 degrees. In the other molecule, this torsion angle is +3.7 degrees. The glycosidic torsion angle, O-5--C-1--O-1--C-7, has normal exoanomeric values of +71 and +64 degrees. The conformation of the ethoxyl group is extended, with C-1--O-1--C-7--C-8 = +162 and +170 degrees. The primary alcohol group has different orientations, g/t on one molecule, g/g on the other. The characteristic glycosidic bond-shortening observed in the pyranosides is modified in this enopyranoside. Both the ring bond, O-5--C-1, and the glycosidic bond, C-1--O-1, are short, with distances ranging from 1.409 to 1.425 A. Solution and solid-state c.p.-m.a.s., 13C-n.m.r. spectra are reported.
Office 365: tips to avoid turbulence while moving faculty and staff to the cloud

Moving more than 23,500 locally hosted Exchange email and calendar accounts to Microsoft's cloud-based Office 365, with almost no disruption to the work of Cornell University's faculty and staff, was a carefully choreographed, well-practiced yet dynamic dance. Ten key factors: 1. Close coordination, partnership, and collaboration with Microsoft to plan and implement the migration and to escalate and resolve issues 2. Early campus awareness 3. CIO periodic updates to the University leadership and campus community on plans and progress 4. Early and continuous involvement of IT leaders and IT staff both within the central IT organization and throughout the campus 5. Early awareness and management of business-affecting changes 6. Local expertise with Exchange 7. Extensive Cornell-provided web pages on preparing for Office 365 8. Targeted email guiding individuals to complete specific to-do's at three weeks before their move date, two weeks, one week, the day of, and the day after 9. End-user support at the unit level and through the central IT Service Desk 10. Daily web conference call with the project team for IT leaders to discuss status and issues
An Extremely Facile Aza-Bergman Rearrangement of Sterically Unencumbered Acyclic 3-Aza-3-ene-1,5-diynes

The factors that affect the kinetics of the aza-Bergman cyclization of aza-enediynes (C,N-dialkynyl imines) have not previously been elucidated. Here we report our kinetic studies of the aza-Bergman reactions of a series of 6-triisopropylsilyl and 6-unsubstituted 1-phenyl-4-aryl-3-aza-3-ene-1,4-diynes in which the aryl group is phenyl, o-(methoxy)phenyl, or p-(methoxy)phenyl. These aza-enediynes are prepared as single isomers in modest yield from the corresponding 1-aryl-3-(triisopropylsilyl)propynone oximes. These aza-enediynes undergo aza-Bergman reaction followed by a rapid retro-aza-Bergman cyclization to afford beta-alkynyl acrylonitrile products. In no case are products corresponding to trapping the intermediate 2,5-didehydropyridine diradical isolated. While the rate of aza-Bergman cyclization is not greatly affected by the nature of the 4-aryl substituent, the rate is very dependent on the nature of the 6-substituent. 1-Phenyl-4-aryl-3-aza-3-ene-1,5-diynes that lack a 6-substituent undergo aza-Bergman cyclization spontaneously at 20 degrees C with first-order half-lives of 36-78 min. The effect of solvent on the kinetics of aza-Bergman cyclization of 1,4-diphenyl-3-aza-3-ene-1,5-diyne was investigated. The rate of this cyclization is solvent dependent, proceeding more rapidly in less polar solvents.
Photoionization cross sections of the Ar atom for production of singly and doubly charged ions near the 2p threshold.

Many-body perturbation theory has been used to calculate the photoionization cross sections of the argon atom for the production of singly and doubly charged ions by photons of energy from 100 to 290 eV. Effects of correlations involving 2p excitations on both single- and double-ionization cross sections are included. Effects of relaxation and polarization on the total cross section above the 2p threshold are also calculated. The results of our calculations are compared with experiment and other calculations.
Assessment of stress gene mRNAs (HSP-27, 60 and 70) in obstructed rabbit urinary bladder using a semi-quantitative RT-PCR method.

Stress proteins (HSPs) participate in the cellular response to various stresses including hyperthermia, hypoxia and injury. A previous work using northern blot analysis demonstrated increased expression of stress protein 70 (HSP-70) in rabbit bladder tissue subjected to partial outlet obstruction. In order to determine if the increased expression was specific for HSP-70 or, alternatively, indicated a generalized stress protein response, a modified quantitative RT-PCR technique was used to quantitate HSP mRNAs (HSP-27, 60, and 70) in normal and obstructed rabbit urinary bladder tissues. The results show the following: 1) The modified semi-quantitative RT-PCR is a sensitive and reproducible technique for detecting mRNA in bladder tissue. 2) Constitutive levels of HSP-27, HSP-60, and HSP-70 mRNAs were detected in control bladder tissues; the relative signal intensity was highest for HSP-70 and lowest for HSP-27.3) A transient increase in HSP mRNAs was observed after obstruction; the mRNAs of HSP-27, 60 and 70 increased 4.3-, 5.6-, and 2.4-fold, respectively, at 24 h following obstruction, then gradually returned to control levels by the end of one week post-obstruction and remained stable up to 14 days post-obstruction. These data indicate that the modified quantitative RT-PCR is a useful technique for detecting mRNA in bladder tissue; the stress response which occurs in rabbit urinary bladder tissue following partial outlet obstruction is a general phenomenon.
Early outcomes after endovascular management of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection.

Objectives Surgical management of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study examined the feasibility and safety of endovascular treatment of this pathology. Methods We reviewed a prospectively maintained thoracic endovascular database and medical records at a single institution from 2005 to 2007. The study group comprised of acute, complicated type B dissections, defined as duration of symptoms ≤14 days and involving either false lumen rupture, malperfusion, intractable pain, or uncontrolled hypertension. All repairs were performed using the TAG device (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz). Select 30-day or in-hospital outcomes were reported. Results Of the 216 thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs performed during the study period, 33 (15%) were for acute, complicated type B dissections. There were eight women (24%). The mean age was 61 ± 15 years. The average duration of symptoms was 2.9 ± 4.1 (median, 1) days. The indications for repair included rupture in 15 patients (46%) and mesenteric/renal/lower extremity malperfusion in 11 (33%). Mean fluoroscopy time and contrast volume were 30 ± 16 minutes and 176 ± 55 mL, respectively. Eight (73%) of 11 patients with malperfusion required branch vessel stenting. The 30-day in-hospital mortality was 21% (7 of 33). Causes of death included cardiac arrest in 3, progressive multisystem organ failure in 2, rupture in 1 and unknown in 1. At least one major complication occurred in 76% of the patients, including respiratory failure in 11 (33%), permanent spinal cord ischemia in 5 (15%), renal failure requiring dialysis in 4 (12%), and stroke in 4 (12%). The mean postoperative length of stay was 17.2 ± 16.5 days, and only 14 (42%) were discharged to home. Conclusions Emergency endovascular repair of acute, complicated type B dissection is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The overall role of this therapy in the treatment of this lethal problem should be better defined and compared with other surgical or interventional options before being generally adopted.
Hydrogen generation by OTEC electrolysis, and economical energy transfer to world markets via ammonia and methanol

Abstract OTEC plantships sited in tropical oceans would generate 150–400 MWe (net) of low-cost electric power per plantship. These plantships would tap a virtually unlimited source of energy for economical production of hydrogen by water electrolysis. Hydrogen could be delivered to U.S. users from such plantships via hydrogen liquefaction, transport and storage, or by incorporation in a chemical carrier and shipment by conventional transport methods. Costs of OTEC energy in the form of liquid fuels delivered to U.S. users are estimated to be favorable compared with equivalents derived from land-based sources after 1990. The paper briefly reviews the status of OTEC technology and projected costs for plantship construction and deployment. This provides a basis for a more detailed description of the onboard processes and costs for production of hydrogen, ammonia and methanol on OTEC plantships. Estimated costs for the three fuels delivered to U.S. ports are: liquid hydrogen $41–66 MBtu, ammonia $10–16 MBtu−1, methanol $9–14 MBtu−1 (1983$). Production of OTEC methanol involves transport of coal to the plantship where it is oxidized to carbon monoxide with oxygen and steam followed by reaction of the gas mixture with added electrolytic hydrogen. The process efficiently uses both the hydrogen and the oxygen produced by onboard electrolysis of water.
Numerical methods for analytic continuation and mesh generation

The problem of computing the analytic continuation of a holomorphic function known on a circle is considered. Several fast numerical schemes based on solving an initial-value problem for the Cauchy-Riemann equations are analyzed. To avoid instability problems, some of the schemes consist of two parts: one for integrating the Cauchy-Riemann equations, and one for smoothing the function values so obtained. We show that with appropriate integration and smoothing methods, the stability and accuracy of such schemes is sufficient for many applications. The schemes are well-suited for generating level curves and stream lines of conformal mappings. Computed examples are presented. We also indicate how the schemes can be used to generate near-orthogonal boundary-fitted grids with given mesh sizes along the boundary.
Unusual radiologic features of pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytomas may present not only with confusing clinical symptomatology but with unusual radiologic features. The pertinent clinical data regarding calcifications in pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas of the organs of Zuckerkandl, and malignant pheochromocytomas are outlined and their radiologic aspects discussed and illustrated.
Teaching interested clinicians how to develop research projects.

The authors discuss teaching clinicians about research by generating projects from clinical practice, expertise, and interest. Classes were co-taught by the hospital biostatistician and clinical nurse specialist in consultation with one of the authors. Hospital clinicians were taught how to initiate and design their study as a follow-up to a Basic Research Skills course previously co-taught by one of the authors. After an early attrition of four, 14 remaining clinicians attended 10 weekly one-hour classes with an average overall attendance rate of 79.5%. Eight of 14 (57%) completed pre- and posttests, with significant improvement in scores from 51% pretest to 75% posttest. Six research projects were generated from the 14 clinicians. The authors demonstrated that even busy clinicians can be engaged in the process of developing research projects. An unexpected benefit was the demonstration of mutual respect when sources of expertise taught and learned together.
Embedding directed and undirected partial cycle systems of index λ > 1

Recent results have found small embeddings for partial m-cycle systems of order n with λ= 1. However, if λ> 1 then the best known techniques produce embeddings that are often quadratic functions of both m and n and linear functions of λ. In this article we obtain embeddings for partial m-cycle systems of order n, and of partial directed m-cycle systems, for all values of m. These embeddings are independent of λ and linear in both n and m. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Parent effectiveness training.

Parent-child conflicts are as old as humankind. Today, harsh disciplinary measures to resolve these conflicts are still very common. In a recent online poll (ABC News, 2005), 65% of parents approved of spanking as a means of dealing with unacceptable behavior, and in a just-released study that followed nearly 2,500 parents for seven years, more than 50% reported that they engage in spanking regularly (28% one to two times a month and 26% more than two times a month) (Taylor, Manganello, Lee & Rice, 2010). Children who were spanked when they were three years old were more likely to have screaming tantrums, get into fights, hurt animals, and refuse to share by the time they were five (Taylor et al., 2010). Many approaches have been developed to resolve conflicts between parents and children, but most parents do not attend such programs because they take time, money, and commitment (Young, Davis, & Schoen, 1996). Nevertheless the effort is well worth it, and one of the earliest programs, Dr. Thomas Gordon’s Parent Effectiveness Training (PET), stands out in a unique and critical way (Gordon, 2000). This program has been described as effective because it focuses on resolving conflict without resorting to exercising any form of parental power and recognizes that the needs of both parents and children must be attended to. With this program, parents learn how to resolve conflicts and problems in their family so that no one loses and problems stay solved. Every time a parent effectively resolves a conflict with his or her child, it builds the parent-child relationship. Every time parents resolve a conflict ineffectively, it may take away from the parent-child relationship and chip away at the self-esteem of children.
Corneal Endothelial Degeneration and Fibrous Proliferation After Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Summary A 45-year-old woman with juvenileonset diabetes had persistent corneal edema after a pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy procedure. Phase contrast and electron microscopic observation of the patient's cornea revealed extreme attenuation of the endothelial cell layer and abnormal collagenous and basement membrane material interposed between Descemet's membrane and the endothelium. Endothelial fibrous proliferations in this case were consistent with the development of ultrastructurally identical fibrous proliferations in many other situations involving dysfunction of the corneal endothelium.
Fiscal reform and governmental efficiency: Hanging tough

Many surveys of taxpayers in the wake of the fiscal reforms of the 1970's have indicated that frustration with the inefficiency and wastefulness of government is a major motive behind their votes for tax and expenditure limitations. There is a strongly held belief that government can do as much as it is currently doing with much less money. There is also a widespread belief that by reducing the dollar resources available to governments, they will be forced to become less wasteful and more efficient. This paper argues that increased efficiency in local government is an unlikely consequence of the fiscal reform movement. Indeed, lessened efficiency is a more probable outcome.
PEDIATRIC RETROPERITONEOSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY USING 2 MM. INSTRUMENTATION

Purpose: We describe several modifications of the retroperitoneoscopic approach to nephrectomy for benign renal disease, including the use of 2 mm. instrumentation and prone patient positioning. Materials and Methods: A total of 14 children underwent retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in the prone position. An inflatable dissecting device was inserted into the retroperitoneum after a small muscle splitting incision was made at the lateral border of the sacrospinalis muscle approximately 1 cm. below the costovertebral angle. After inflation the dissecting device was replaced with a 5 mm. cannula and pneumoretroperitoneum was maintained with carbon dioxide insufflation. Two 2 mm. trocars were then placed under endoscopic guidance. Dissection was performed using 2 mm. instrumentation and the specimen was retrieved through the largest port site. Results: Nephrectomy was performed in 9 girls and 5 boys 3 months to 9.8 years old. The preoperative diagnosis included chronic pyelonephritis with minimal renal function, reflux with a nonfunctioning kidney, multicystic dysplastic kidney, an upper pole dysplastic moiety with an associated ureterocele and a dysplastic kidney with a vaginal ectopic ureter. Mean operative time for retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy was 142 minutes with an estimated blood loss of less than 15 ml. Contralateral ureteral reimplantation was performed after retroperitoneoscopic dissection in 5 patients. Overall average hospital stay was 2 days and there were no complications. Conclusions: Several modifications of the retroperitoneal approach, including the use of prone patient positioning and 2 mm. instrumentation for visualization and dissection, may improve the safety and efficacy of this technique in children.
Decay of a dyon

Abstract Various electromagnetic properties of a non-abelian dyon are discussed in detail. Unlike in the previous works, a dyon of a finite size is considered. We show the dyon is unstable when it interacts with massless fermions. The lifetime is calculated numerically by solving the equations of motion and it is found to be 4 π 2 r M / e 2 ( r M is a radius of the dyon).
Correlation of Turbofan Engine Thrust Performance with Comnound Nozzle Flow Theorv

from a very short data sample, the average value should be computed, giving /**. Then the standard deviation <rk should be computed. The worst case distortion parameter can then be calculated for this inlet under these flow conditions from the following relations: subcritical: Kmax = 30* + ju^; critical: Kmax = 3.50-fc + /zfc; supercritical: Krnax = 5.5(7* + /A*; where K represents this distortion parameter.
Comparison of Reported and Observed Use of Child Restraint Devices and Seat Belts † 684

Objective: To determine the difference in reported and observed behavior regarding parents' and childrens' use of Child Restraint Devices(CRD's) and safety belts in a children's hospital outpatient population.
Comparison of the Thermotropic and Solution Behavior of Six-Arm Star and Comb Poly [11-(4'-cyanophenyl-4''-phenoxy) undecyl acrylate] s

“Six-arm star” poly[11-(4‘-cyanophenyl-4‘ ‘-phenoxy)undecyl acrylate]s with 13−112 (gel permeation chromatography, GPC, relative to linear polystyrene) or 23−756 (GPC using a light scattering detector) repeat units were synthesized from the hexafunctional initiator, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexa((4‘-methyl(2‘ ‘-bromopropionate)phenoxymethyl)benzene, by atom transfer radical polymerization of 11-(4‘-cyanophenyl-4‘ ‘-phenoxy)undecyl acrylate, followed by fractionation to narrow the polydispersity to 1.06−1.57. The absolute molecular weight, size, and shape of these polymers were characterized by light scattering in CH2Cl2, and their thermotropic behavior was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry; both types of properties were compared to those of the other architectures, especially the corresponding comb poly[11-(4‘-cyanophenyl-4‘ ‘-phenoxy)undecyl acrylate]s with six branches. The solution and thermotropic behavior of the six-arm star and comb polymers are similar.
“Love, love, and more love for children”: exploring preservice teachers’ understandings of caring

Abstract The development of an ethic of care is seen as a central concern of teacher education, however little attention has been paid to the preconceived conceptions of caring held by preservice teachers. In this article we share the results of a recent study of a group of preservice elementary teachers in which we examined the understandings of the relationship of caring and teaching brought by these novices to their first field placement experiences. Rather than seeing our students’ partial and limited understandings as problematic, we argue that the student teachers’ preconceptions can be an ideal starting point for productive, educative dialogue about caring and elementary school teaching practice.
Photoexcitation and photoionization of atoms at arbitrary temperature and matter density

Abstract Bound-bound and bound-free oscillator strengths are calculated based on a self-consistent Hartree-Fock-Slater model of the atom. The effect of variable matter density is analyzed in detail for cold helium. Data are also presented for the Al13 and Cs55 atoms at different temperatures and matter densities.
Hydraulic actuator control with open-centre electrohydraulic valve using a cerebellar model articulation controller neural network algorithm

AbstractReal-time learning control of a hydraulic actuator is studied using a cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) neural network architecture. Experiments are conducted on a one-degree-of-freedom hydraulic cylinder. The main applications considered are the earth-moving equipment applications. The electrohydraulic valve used to control the flow in the hydraulic circuit is an open-centre non-pressure-compensated type of valve, the type used in most earth-moving vehicles. Large hysteresis and dead band are observed in the hydraulic system which result in a large delay and poor dynamic tracking performance. A comparison of the experimental results on the control of the hydraulic actuator for the CMAC controller and a conventional proportional-integral controller with a model-based feedforward valve transform is made.
Collective efficacy as a measure of community

As human-computer interaction increasingly focuses on mediated interactions among groups of individuals, there is a need to develop techniques for measurement and analysis of groups that have been scoped at the level of the group. Bandura's construct of perceived self-efficacy has been used to understand individual behavior as a function of domain-specific beliefs about personal capacities. The construct of collective efficacy extends self-efficacy to organizations and groups, referring to beliefs about collective capacities in specific domains. We describe the development and refinement of a collective efficacy scale, the factor analysis of the construct, and its external validation in path models of community-oriented attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
The Need for an Integrated Biopsychosocial Approach to Research on Successful Aging

Successful aging is defined not by longevity alone but also by sufficient well-being (in multiple domains) to sustain a capacity for functioning adequately in changing circumstances. The determinants of such well-being and functional status are manifold and include the genetic endowment, physical environment, social environment, population and individual responses to challenges, the occurrence of disease, availability and effectiveness of health care, and personal prosperity. In the face of such complexity, scientific approaches to the phenomena associated with successful aging should be appreciative and wholistic as well as reductionistic. Such a "natural science" of aging will be required to uncover and use information about linear, cause-and-effect phenomena, as well as about higher-order emergent patterns that are of relevance to the health of elderly persons, such as "resilience" and "generativity." Taken as a whole, this multimethod research agenda will truly express an integrated biopsychosocial approach to research on successful aging.
CHANGES IN THE LOW-ENERGY PARTICLE CUTOFF AND PRIMARY SPECTRUM OF COSMIC RAYS

The low rigidity cutoff for primary particles in the cosmic-ray spectrum reappeared in 1956. From these new results and the earlier measurements in 1948, 1951, and 1954, it is clear that the shift of the low-rigidity cutoff to a very small value is restricted in time to an interval within which solar activity reached a minimum in the 11-year solar cycle. This effect was accompanied by other changes in the primary spectrum; namely (a) the total cosmic-ray intensity and (b) the exponent for the power law spectrum, both passed through maxima near the solar minimum in 1954.The 1956 results further support the view that these changes in the primary spectrum have their origin in a mechanism controlled by solar activity---most likely the diffusion of cosmic-ray particles through inter-planetary disordered magnetic fields transported by plasma clouds of solar origin. If this is so, then only for a brief period near solar minimum is there the possibility of access to the true galactic spectrum for particles below approximately 30 Bv.
Thermal performance of radiative cooling panels

Abstract The performance of panels which cool by.means of thermal infrared heat transfer to the sky is calculated from basic principles. The efficiency of a radiative cooling panel is defined. Computer calculations with the full heat transfer equations are performed for horizontal surfaces with infrared-transparent covers. Plots of efficiency versus a dimensionless temperature difference are shown to be insensitive to variations in air temperature, wind speed, and sky radiance, resulting in plots analogous to standard efficiency curves for solar panels. Experimental measurements show that, for most applications, white paint is a better radiator than aluminized polyvinyl fluoride film.
A semiquantitative analysis of the effects of cisplatin on the rat stria vascularis

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a very effective chemotherapeutic agent but is highly ototoxic. Most studies have focused on the effects of CDDP on the outer hair cells. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the stria vascularis in cisplatin treated male Wistar rats and to provide semiquantitative analysis of the results. We removed a section of the stria vascularis from the basal turn of five control and five CDDP (16 mg/kg) treated rats. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we analyzed: (1) changes to the strial tissue as a whole; and (2) intracellular changes in the marginal cells. We also subjected the samples to semiquantitative analysis using the MCID, focusing on three aspects of strial profile abnormalities; the number of abnormal marginal cells in CDDP treated tissue, intracellular strial edema and densitometry. Controls appeared normal, but many pathologic changes were apparent in the experimental group. Results from the semiquantitative analysis indicate cisplatin has a deleterious effect on the stria vascularis including strial edema; bulging, rupture and/or compression of the marginal cells and depletion of the cytoplasmic organelles.
DAMSELFISH WITH NEUROFIBROMATOSIS EXHIBIT CYTOTOXICITY TOWARDS RETROVIRUS INFECTED CELLS

Abstract Lymphocytes from tumor-bearing damselfish are cytotoxic towards target cell lines derived from damselfish neurofibromatosis. These cell lines contain at least one retrovirus which appears to be related to the etiology of the disease. The current studies were designed to characterize the effectors of this cytotoxic reaction. Data presented here show that cells separated using an antibody (5C6.10.4) directed towards non-specific cytotoxic cells of catfish sequesters all antitumor activity in the 5C6.10.4 negative population. Thus, damselfish 5C6.10.4 positive cells bind to tumor targets, but do not contribute to target cell death. In contrast, SC6.10.4 positive cells are cytotoxic towards xenogeneic erythrocytes. Cytotoxicity of splenocytes from animals inoculated with virus purified from the 88–503 cell line suggested that prior exposure to the retrovirus enhanced reactivity, especially towards 88–503. In addition, cytotoxicity was significantly greater in tumor homogenate injected animals that resisted tumor development for more than 5 months as compared to those that developed tumors quickly. Lastly, cytotoxic responsiveness towards primary cultures of mock and virus infected autologous and allogeneic cells implies that the cytotoxic effector is directed towards retrovirus infected cells.
LapG, Required for Modulating Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1, is a Calcium-Dependent Protease

Biofilm formation by Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1 requires the cell surface adhesin LapA. We previously reported that LapG, a periplasmic cysteine protease of P. fluorescens, cleaves the N terminus of LapA, thus releasing this adhesin from the cell surface and resulting in loss of the ability to make a biofilm. The activity of LapG is regulated by the inner membrane-localized cyclic-di-GMP receptor LapD via direct protein-protein interactions. Here we present chelation and metal add-back studies demonstrating that calcium availability regulates biofilm formation by P. fluorescens Pf0-1. The determination that LapG is a calcium-dependent protease, based on in vivo and in vitro studies, explains the basis of this calcium-dependent regulation. Based on the crystal structure of LapG of Legionella pneumophila in the accompanying report by Chatterjee and colleagues (D. Chatterjee et al., J. Bacteriol. 194:4415–4425, 2012), we show that the calcium-binding residues of LapG, D134 and E136, which are near the critical C135 active-site residue, are required for LapG activity of P. fluorescens in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we show that mutations in D134 and E136 result in LapG proteins no longer able to interact with LapD, indicating that calcium binding results in LapG adopting a conformation competent for interaction with the protein that regulates its activity. Finally, we show that citrate, an environmentally relevant calcium chelator, can impact LapG activity and thus biofilm formation, suggesting that a physiologically relevant chelator of calcium can impact biofilm formation by this organism.
901-96 Long Term Evolution of Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Syndrome X

The long-term follow up and the evolution of left ventricular function of syndrome X (SX) have not been investigated in large and homogeneous patient populations. We followed the clinical course and the evolution of left ventricular (LV) function in 99 pts (78 women, 21 men; mean age 54.9 ± 7 years) during a mean follow-up of 6.7 ± 4 years. Patients underwent exercise testing and echocardiographic assessment of LV function at study entry and at follow up. All pts had positive exercise tests and 64 had transient ST depression on Holter monitoring. Transient myocardial ischemia was documented in 32% of pts by means other than the ECG. During follow up, no deaths or major cardiac events occurred. Exercise tests were positive at follow-up and no differences in exercise test variables were observed compared with tests at study entry. No changes in global or regional wall motion were observed. LV shortening fraction and diastolic and systolic LV diameters remained unchanged during follow-up (35.4 ± 4% vs 35.6 ± 3%, 49.6 ± 3 vs 49.4 ± 3 mm, and 32 ± 2 vs 31.7 ± 2 respectively), Only 1 pt developed congestive heart failure (LVEF dropped from 57% to 30%). Two patients developed conduction abnormalities and 8 systemic hypertension. During follow up 29 pts were hospitalized for a suspected MI (5 pts) or unstable angina (24 pts), Owing to chest pain 25 pts were severely limited and 7 abandoned work. Although chest pain in syndrome X seems to be cardiac in origin and the exercise test is positive, an ischemic origin can be demonstrated in only a small proportion of pts. Cardiac mortality was not observed and a decline of LVEF is not a frequent event.
Field enhancement and saturation of millimeter waves inside a metallic nanogap

This paper investigates the millimeter electromagnetic waves passing through a metal nanogap. Based upon the study of a perfect electrical conductor model, we show that the electric field enhancement inside the gap saturates as the gap size approaches zero, and the ultimate enhancement strength is inversely proportional to the thickness of the metal film. In addition, no significant enhancement can be gained by decreasing the gap size further if the aspect ratio between the dimensions of the underlying geometric structure exceeds approximately 100.
Clocked storage elements robust to process variations

In this work, different types of clocked storage elements are compared in terms of the impact of process variations on their performances. Transistor sizes are obtained from energy-efficient characteristics and used in the simulation to measure the delay variations caused by process variations. The structure of a clocked storage element affects its robustness to process variations.
Other Dune Worlds

The last decade has seen a transformation in our understanding of the abundance of planets in our galaxy. From a handful of known exoplanets in the 1990s, the number of confirmed candidates (albeit mostly gas giants) is approaching 1000. Some of these planets have rocky surfaces, and it seems certain that our galaxy, and indeed the universe, is teeming with worlds on which dunes may exist.
Daytime declines in rumen-reticulum fill of male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from south Texas

Understanding rumen-reticulum fill dynamics gives us insight into how environmental conditions influence animal behaviors that affect when animals access forage. We examined whether there were daytime declines in rumen-reticulum fill in response to high ambient temperatures in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus(Zimmermann, 1780)) on a diurnal scale. We hypothesized that to reduce heat-producing digestive processes in the heat of the day, rumen-reticulum fill and digestion in the rumen-reticulum would decline throughout the day. We collected the rumina and reticula of adult males and females across 30 h in two autumns in south Texas, USA. We also measured dry digesta mass, organ mass, and crude protein and acid detergent fiber concentrations of rumen-reticulum contents. In males, dry digesta mass declined throughout the day and crude protein concentrations were greatest when wet digesta and organ mass were the largest. Additionally, declines in dry digesta and wet digesta mass coincided with declines in crude protein concentrations and organ mass. Females did not display declines in rumen-reticulum fill (wet mass). Females were probably less vulnerable to heat than males because of their smaller body size. Male white-tailed deer foraged primarily during the cooler nights to reduce foraging and digestion during the heat of the day.
The Association Between Geriatric Syndromes and Survival

Objectives To ascertain the effect on survival of eight common geriatric syndromes (multiple comorbidities, cognitive impairment, frailty, disability, sarcopenia, malnutrition, homeostenosis, and chronic inflammation), identified by an expert panel of academic geriatricians. Design A systematic literature review sought studies from a variety of sources to compare survival and life expectancy of individuals with geriatric syndromes with those of the general population. Setting Studies used reflected the general population. Participants Community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older. Measurements Eight geriatric syndromes (multiple definitions) and survival. Results Two thousand three hundred seventy-four publications were retrieved, and 509 publications of 123 studies were included. Seven geriatric syndromes (multiple comorbidities, cognitive impairment, frailty, disability, malnutrition, impaired homeostasis, and chronic inflammation) were associated with poor survival. In each case, the prevalence of a syndrome was negatively associated with mortality. Malnutrition and impaired homeostasis exerted twice the influence of factors such as multiple comorbidities and frailty. From age 65 to 74, only those who are very ill or frail (e.g., impaired homeostasis, low body mass index, or advanced dementia) have a higher risk of mortality than average older adults. In the old-old, particularly aged 90 and older, the added value of predicting survival beyond 1 year is minimal. Conclusion Geriatric syndrome information is helpful to understanding survival for younger old persons but provides little information about survival for the very old. Complex survival models add comparatively little benefit to more simply measured and calculated models.
Systematic review of interventions to increase physical activity and physical fitness in African-Americans

Abstract Objective To identify characteristics of effective interventions designed to increase physical activity (PA) or fitness among African-Americans. Data Sources Articles published between 1985 and 2006. Study Inclusion Criteria Studies reporting PA or fitness change data in African-American participants were included. Data Extraction Information on study design, intervention, data collection methods, and outcomes was extracted using a standardized form. Data Synthesis Studies were ranked on quality and were summarized separately for adults and children. Results We identified 29 studies in adults and 14 studies in children. Most were randomized controlled trials. All but six specifically targeted African-Americans; comparisons of effectiveness in African-Americans vs. others were not possible. Methodological heterogeneity limited comparisons of findings across studies. In adults, most studies showed significant within-group pre-post improvements in PA, but only 10 studies found differences between in...
Cerebral Vasodilator Therapy in Stroke

Cerebral vasodilating agents have been questioned as an effective form of therapy for the stroke patient and even have been considered by some to be harmful. Animal studies show that often vasodilating agents will cause an intracerebral steal, but such a reaction has rarely been demonstrated in stroke patients. Several studies measuring cerebral blood flow in man have shown that vasodilating agents will increase cerebral blood flow even in ischemic regions in some patients. Significant clinical studies have not been carried out to determine whether these agents will alter the natural history of the disease. On the basis of reported studies of the effect of vasodilating agents on the cerebral circulation, it is suggested that further laboratory and clinical studies be performed. These agents could potentially be an effective form of therapy in some patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease.
SPEAKING OF ILLNESS: NERVES, NARRATIVES, AND NINETEENTH-CENTURY PSYCHOLOGY

In 1862 parliament deliberated the Lunacy Regulation Bill, which stipulated that medical testimony keep to the broad road of “fact” and not stray into the crooked alleyways of speculative “opinion.” During its debates, the House of Lords sometimes sounded like a parliamentary annex of Punch, or of Swift's Academy of Projectors. Decrying how “the very idea of a mad doctor's examination has become a by-word,” the Lord Chancellor (Lord Westbury) and the Earl of Shaftesbury furnished anecdotes pointing to which way forensic madness lies: in the neighborhood of the lunacy expert who pronounced a fashionable lady deranged for sporting a dagger (“Dear me,” she protested, “if I am insane for that reason, nine-tenths of the ladies in Paris are insane too”); the eminent physician who detected incipient madness in a four-year-old whose cranium exceeded the sanity standard by ½″; the learned gentleman who diagnosed “fatuity and mania” in a female defendant because she could not tell “how much £100 a year was a week,” an impromptu sum which also flummoxed its proposer (“Don't be nervous,” coaxed the cross-examining counsel, “how much is it?”). While no one advocated barring the testimony of medical men entirely, many were reluctant to grant too much influence to paid witnesses interested in advertising expertise, and whose professional bonnets, it would appear, buzzed with their own pet-theoretical bees. The legal distinction between sanity and insanity was not to be drawn lightly for in many respects it was a property line, the critical boundary between free agency and economic wardship. The pertinent questions, argued the Economist, were simply two: “Is A B fit to manage his money? Did A B commit a particular act with … a knowledge that it was wrong, or did he not do it?” As Lord Westbury noted, medical opinion could confuse these issues because doctors and lawyers share deceptively similar terms of art — “lunacy,” “imbecility,” “unsoundness” — but apply them differently and according to incompatible evidentiary procedures. Medicine considers insanity as a matter of disease, he asserted; the law, as a matter of “fact.” In its efforts to serve justice by excluding quackery, the House of Lords burnished its own legislative authority by portraying medicine as self-interested and compromised by multiple interpretive perspectives, and by characterizing the law, by contrast, as reliably linked to empirical fact. What from afar might look like a seamless medico-juridical institution is in truth scored with hairline fractures, if not sizable rifts.