cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case studies of constructivist comprehension in software engineering

Program comprehension is an essential part of software engineering. The paper describes the constructivist theory of comprehension, a process based on assimilation and accommodation of knowledge. Assimilation means that the new facts are either added to the existing knowledge or rejected. Accommodation means that the existing knowledge is reorganized in order to absorb new facts. These processes are illustrated by case studies of knowledge-level reengineering of a legacy program and of incremental change. In both cases, we constructed preliminary knowledge from the program documentation, and then adjusted it by comprehending the actual code. The case studies supported constructivism as a suitable theory of program comprehension.
The Effectiveness of Gamification Tools in Enhancing Academic Performance and Motivation of Students in Fully vs. Partially Gamified Grading System of Online Classes

Gamification tools (GTs), added game design elements into non-game context which attracted attention of educators as a potentially useful method to increase engagement, motivation and performance of students. However, the efficacy of these tools has not been well-established due to conflicting results of relevant studies. In our study, the effectiveness of two most common GTs, badges (i.e., digital credentials for achievements) and leaderboards (performance based digital rankings), on the academic performance and self-reported motivation levels of students were investigated. Two experiments were conducted in two 100% online undergraduate physics courses taught via Learning Management System (LMS). In Experiment 1 (N=102), GTs were implemented in only the quiz scores (40% of the course grade) through LMS, e.g. badges were awarded and leaderboards created based on quiz scores. In Experiment 2 (N=88), both quiz and assignment scores (100% of the course grade) were gamified, e.g. badges and leaderboards were based on both quiz and assignment scores. Participants were randomly assigned into one of four groups: badges-only, leaderboards-only, badges-with-leaderboards and control (i.e., no badges, no leaderboards). Self-report questionnaire about students' attitudes and motivation toward GTs were collected at the end of study. The results from both experiments demonstrated that although most students showed positive attitudes towards badges and leaderboards on the motivation questionnaire, neither badges nor leaderboards significantly affected academic performance of students. This study suggests GTs may be useful in influencing student motivation however, they are not effective in increasing student academic performance.
Influence of Short Chain Phospholipid Spacers on the Properties of Diacetylenic Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers

Diacetylenes in phospholipid bilayers have been the subject of extensive studies in our laboratory, not only because of the highly conjugated polymers they form, but also because of their ability to transform bilayers into interesting microstructures. Consequent to our synthesis and characterization of several isomeric diacetylenic phospholipids, we have found that the polymerization in diacetylenic bilayers is not complete. In order to achieve participation of all diacetylenic lipid monomer in the polymerization process, diacetylenic phospholipid was mixed with a spacer’ lipid, which contained similar number of methylenes as were between the ester linkage and the diacetylene of the polymerizable lipid. Depending upon the composition of the mixtures different morphologies, ranging from tubules to liposomes, have been observed. Polymerization efficiency has been found to be dependent on the composition of the two lipids and in all cases the polymerization was more rapid and efficient than the pure diacetylenic system.
Molecular model of J-aggregated pseudoisocyanine fibers.

Aggregated cyanines form ordered supramolecular structures with the potential to transport energy efficiently over long distances, a hallmark of photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes. In concentrated aqueous solution, pseudoisocyanine (PIC) spontaneously forms fibers with a chiral J-band red-shifted 1600 cm−1 from the monomeric 0–0 transition. A cryogenic transmission electron microscopy analysis of these fibers show an average fiber width of 2.89 nm, although the molecular-level structure of the aggregate is currently unknown. To determine a molecular model for these PIC fibers, the calculated spectra and dynamics using a Frenkel exciton model are compared to experiment. A chiral aggregate model in which the PIC monomers are neither parallel nor orthogonal to the long axis of the fiber is shown to replicate the experimental spectra most closely. This model can be physically realized by the sequential binding of PIC dimers and monomers to the ends of the fiber. These insights into the molecular aggregation model for aqueous PIC can also be applied to other similar cyanine-based supramolecular complexes with the potential for long-range energy transport, a key building block for the rational design of novel excitonic systems.
Compromised Antibacterial Function of Multipotent Stromal Cells in Diabetes.

In diabetes, multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are functionally deficient. It is unknown, however, whether their antibacterial function is compromised. In this study, MSCs were isolated from the bon...
Pre-diagnostic sex hormone levels and survival among breast cancer patients.

Higher levels of circulating sex steroid hormones are associated with increased breast cancer risk, though their association with prognosis remains unclear. We evaluated the association between circulating sex hormone levels and breast cancer survival in two large cohorts. We evaluated this association among 2073 breast cancer cases from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII) cohorts. Women in this analysis provided a blood sample in 1989–1990 (NHS) or in 1996–1999 (NHSII) and were subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. Levels of estradiol (postmenopausal women only), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in plasma. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for survival, adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics. A total of 639 deaths and 160 breast cancer deaths occurred over follow-up through 2015. Compared to women in the lowest quartile, postmenopausal women in the highest quartile of estradiol experienced a 1.43-fold overall mortality rate (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03–1.97, P-trend = 0.04) and a nonsignificantly higher breast cancer mortality rate (HR 1.50, 95% CI 0.75–2.98, P-trend = 0.12). Higher DHEAS levels were nonsignificantly associated with better overall survival (HRQ4vsQ1=0.79, 95% CI 0.57–1.10, P-trend = 0.05), though not with breast cancer survival. No associations were observed between testosterone or SHBG and survival. Pre-diagnostic postmenopausal circulating estradiol levels were modestly associated with worse survival among breast cancer patients. Further studies should evaluate whether circulating hormone levels at diagnosis predict cancer prognosis or treatment response.
Late Holocene shellfish exploitation in the Upper Mississippi River valley

Abstract Analysis of ∼47,500 freshwater mussel shells, representing 34 taxa, recovered from late Holocene archaeological sites located along the Upper Mississippi River in southwestern Wisconsin affords the opportunity to address variation in exploitation of shellfish by Woodland Tradition foragers (ca. 2,000–900 B.P.) and Oneota Tradition agriculturalists (ca. 800–500 B.P.). Woodland foragers targeted dense beds from which large numbers of mussels could be harvested relatively quickly. It is hypothesized that meat from mussels was dried, packaged, and transported to interior, upland locations to help alleviate anticipated food-resource deficits in the winter. Oneota agriculturalists harvested mussels in modest numbers from variety of riverine contexts for food and preferentially collected thick to medium-thick shelled taxa to serve as a source of temper in pottery manufacture.
Effect of calcination temperature on steam reforming activity of Ni-based pyrochlore catalysts

Abstract This work served as the second part of a study evaluating the effect of calcination temperature (700–1000 °C) on Ni-based lanthanum zirconate pyrochlore catalysts for methane steam reforming. A previous study (Haynes et al. Ceram. Int. 2017 (43) 16744) provided a thorough characterization of the material properties for the catalysts used here, and this study focuses on the evaluation of catalytic activity. The activity was assessed by two different experimental studies: the effect of reaction temperature using a temperature programmed surface reaction (TPSR), and the effect of reaction pressure. The results demonstrate a complex interaction between the Ni particles and surface LaOx species under the methane steam reforming conditions. Specifically, the material calcined at the lowest temperature (700 °C) possesses the highest activity and selectivity, which is attributed to smaller and more well-dispersed Ni particles on the surface, and, more importantly, a lesser degree La enrichment at the surface. All catalysts were deactivated by steam to NiO under all conditions tested, but at certain low reaction pressure (p = 0.23 MPa) conditions the materials calcined at 700–900 °C are able to completely recover equilibrium activity in-situ that is then robust and stable under both low and high reaction pressures (p = 1.8 MPa) suggesting the formation of a synergistic relationship between Ni and La for syngas production. However, exposure of a fresh material to high reaction pressures leads to a rapid and irreversible loss in both CH4 conversion and syngas selectivity whether in the fresh (no pretreatment), or pretreated (steam, H2 or Ar only at 800 °C) form for any catalyst. The mechanism for deactivation appears to be due to the presence of LaOx species that become mobile, possibly by the formation of La–OH, and covers the active Ni particles and inhibits sites responsible for the CH4 decomposition.
Intervention Effects of the MINDBODYSTRONG Cognitive Behavioral Skills Building Program on Newly Licensed Registered Nurses' Mental Health, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, and Job Satisfaction.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the MINDBODYSTRONG for Healthcare Professionals Program on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and job satisfaction on newly licensed RNs (NLRNs) participating in a nurse residency program. Background The constellation of burnout, depression, and suicide in clinicians is a public health epidemic that affects the quality and safety of healthcare. The National Academy of Medicine's Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-being and Resilience has called for an increase in evidence-based interventions to combat this alarming problem. The MINDBODYSTRONG Program is a novel adaptation of an evidence-based cognitive behavioral skills-building intervention that provides a theory-based approach to improve the mental health, healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors, and job satisfaction of NLRNs. Methods A 2-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was used with 89 new nurses participating in a new-graduate nurse residency program. The experimental intervention, MINDBODYSTRONG, consisted of 8 manualized weekly 45-minute sessions. Data were collected at baseline, immediately following, and 3 months after intervention that measured stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors, and job satisfaction. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Results The intervention group scored significantly better with moderate to large positive effects on the mental health variables as well as healthy lifestyle beliefs and healthy lifestyle behaviors at both follow-up time points compared with the attention control group. Moderate to large positive effects also were found for job satisfaction. Conclusions The MINDBODYSTRONG Program has excellent potential as an evidence-based intervention for improving the mental health, healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors, and job satisfaction, in NLRNs.
Effects of campus food insecurity on obesogenic behaviors in college students.

AbstractObjective: This study sampled college students at a medium-sized university to explore the prevalence of food insecurity, as well as frequency of multiple coping behaviors. Participants: Th...
Acidic pH reducesVibrio choleraemotility in mucus by weakening flagellar motor torque

Abstract Intestinal mucus is the first line of defense against intestinal pathogens. It acts as a physical barrier between the epithelial tissues and luminal microbes. Enteropathogens, such as Vibrio cholerae, must compromise or circumvent the mucus barrier to establish a successful infection. We investigated how motile V. cholerae is able to penetrate mucus using single cell tracking in unprocessed porcine intestinal mucus. We found that changes in pH within the range of what has been measured in the human small intestine indirectly affect V. cholerae flagellar motor torque, and consequently, mucus penetration. Microrheological measurements indicate that the viscoelasticity of mucus does not change substantially within the physiological pH range and that commercially available mucins do not form gels when rehydrated. Finally, we found that besides the reduction in motor torque, El Tor and Classical biotypes have different responses to acidic pH. For El Tor, acidic pH promotes surface attachment that is mediated by activation of the mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin (MshA) pilus without a measurable change in the total cellular concentration of the secondary messenger cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Overall, our results support that the high torque of V. cholerae flagellar motor is critical for mucus penetration and that the pH gradient in the small intestine is likely an important factor in determining the preferred site of infection. Author summary The diarrheal disease cholera is still a burden for populations in developing countries with poor sanitation. To develop effective vaccines and prevention strategies against Vibrio cholerae, we must understand the initial steps of infection leading to the colonization of the small intestine. To infect the host and deliver the cholera toxin, V. cholerae has to penetrate the mucus layer protecting the intestinal tissues. However, V. cholerae’s interactions with intestinal mucus has not been extensively investigated. In this report, we demonstrate using single cell tracking that V. cholerae is able to penetrate native intestinal mucus using flagellar motility. In addition, we found that a strong motor torque is required for mucus penetration and, that torque is weakened in acidic environments even though the motor is powered by a sodium potential. This finding has important implications for understanding the dynamics of infection because pH varies significantly along the small intestine, between individuals, and between species. Blocking mucus penetration by interfering with V. cholerae’s flagellar motility, reinforcing the mucosa, controlling intestinal pH, or manipulating the intestinal microbiome, will offer new strategies to fight cholera.
Getting Good Results in Cosmetic Blepharoplasty.

Learning objectives After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Accurately diagnose the cosmetic deformity and thoroughly understand the periorbital surface topography. 2. Develop a preoperative plan and pick the right operation. 3. Master technical tips. 4. Rejuvenate the lateral orbital area. 5. Manage complications. Summary Getting good results in blepharoplasty requires understanding ideal surface topography, accurate diagnosis of the cosmetic deformity, thorough knowledge of anatomy, and careful technique to change the anatomy. Several approaches have been described; however, the procedure continues to have its shortcomings and share of complications that have both functional and cosmetic consequences. This continuing medical education article focuses on getting good results and maximizing success in upper and lower blepharoplasty through the discussion of five major components: diagnosis and understanding of the cosmetic deformity; preoperative planning; technical tips; rejuvenation of the lateral orbital area; and management of complications.
American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee essay contest: voices of the future

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (AAST DEI) committee was established in 2019 by President David Spain. The work of the committee furthers the mission of the AAST: the AAST is dedicated to discovery, dissemination, implementation, and evaluation of knowledge related to acute care surgery (trauma, surgical critical care and emergency general surgery) by fostering research, education and professional development in an environment of fellowship, collegiality, inclusion, diversity and equity. One of the objectives of the committee is to provide career development opportunities for surgeon scholars and leaders from diverse backgrounds. The path to scholarship and leadership begins early, and one of the committee’s first activities was to sponsor an essay contest for medical students, residents and fellows that we hoped would go along with attendance …
Stress Markers for Mental States and Biotypes of Depression and Anxiety: A Scoping Review and Preliminary Illustrative Analysis:

Depression and anxiety disrupt daily function and their effects can be long-lasting and devastating, yet there are no established physiological indicators that can be used to predict onset, diagnose, or target treatments. In this review, we conceptualize depression and anxiety as maladaptive responses to repetitive stress. We provide an overview of the role of chronic stress in depression and anxiety and a review of current knowledge on objective stress indicators of depression and anxiety. We focused on cortisol, heart rate variability and skin conductance that have been well studied in depression and anxiety and implicated in clinical emotional states. A targeted PubMed search was undertaken prioritizing meta-analyses that have linked depression and anxiety to cortisol, heart rate variability and skin conductance. Consistent findings include reduced heart rate variability across depression and anxiety, reduced tonic and phasic skin conductance in depression, and elevated cortisol at different times of day and across the day in depression. We then provide a brief overview of neural circuit disruptions that characterize particular types of depression and anxiety. We also include an illustrative analysis using predictive models to determine how stress markers contribute to specific subgroups of symptoms and how neural circuits add meaningfully to this prediction. For this, we implemented a tree-based multi-class classification model with physiological markers of heart rate variability as predictors and four symptom subtypes, including normative mood, as target variables. We achieved 40% accuracy on the validation set. We then added the neural circuit measures into our predictor set to identify the combination of neural circuit dysfunctions and physiological markers that accurately predict each symptom subtype. Achieving 54% accuracy suggested a strong relationship between those neural-physiological predictors and the mental states that characterize each subtype. Further work to elucidate the complex relationships between physiological markers, neural circuit dysfunction and resulting symptoms would advance our understanding of the pathophysiological pathways underlying depression and anxiety.
Optimal Input Design for Aircraft Stability and Control Flight Testing

Flight testing to characterize aircraft stability and control is a complex and expensive task that involves restrictive practical constraints. Methods are examined for optimizing the inputs applied to aircraft controls during flight test maneuvers to produce informative flight data. Theory underpinning optimal input design for stability and control flight testing is explained. The merits and limitations of optimal inputs are discussed, along with optimization approaches and practical considerations involved in applying optimal inputs in a real flight test environment. Simulated and flight test case studies of optimal multiple-input design for aircraft stability and control flight testing are presented and discussed.
Acute Proximal Hamstring Tendon Avulsions

Strains of the hamstring muscles occur commonly among athletes, but proximal hamstring tendon avulsions occur relatively infrequently. The most often reported mechanism for this injury involves a sudden eccentric contraction of the hamstrings with the hip in flexion and the knee in extension, as may occur during sprinting, hurdling, or water skiing. Injury to the myotendinous junction occurs more commonly than tendinous avulsions.
Is Your Flight Really on Time?: Analysis of the Timing of Flight Delay Announcements by U.S. Airlines

The majority of studies on airline delays have been based on databases that contain information only about the final delay outcome associated with a flight; that is, did a flight arrive early or late at the gate and, if so, by how many minutes? This paper uses a database from FlightStats that contains information on the timing of airline notifications of delays to customers. Specifically, the delay notification strategies of six U.S. airlines are compared, and the timing and accuracy of their delay forecasts are analyzed with data from 2010. Results show that airlines use different delay notification strategies. AirTran and Southwest announce delays more frequently throughout the flight departure process, whereas American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta, and JetBlue announce the majority of their delays in two distinct periods before departure. Results also indicate that “no news is bad news” in the sense that the closer to departure that a delay is first announced, the more likely it is to be a long dela...
Correlation of ER stress and retinal degeneration in tubby mice

Mutation of the Tub gene results in the mislocalization of photoreceptor-specific proteins and eventually retinal degeneration. However, the exact mechanism underlying the retinal degeneration remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers, IRE1, ATF6, eIF2α, GRP78/BiP, and XBP-1, is up regulated during tubby retinal development. The dynamics of the expression of these genes are time-dependent and coincided with the time-course of photoreceptor death. Our data also demonstrated that ER stress triggers apoptosis via down-regulation of Bcl2, up-regulation of CHOP and the activation of NF-кB signaling.
Workshop on moving to visual basic.net

This workshop and accompanying paper will discuss and demonstrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of the new VB.Net object-oriented programming language. It is appropriate for anyone who is contemplating a course in the new language or anyone who just wants to know more about VB.Net architecture. Database connectivity and web applications will be demonstrated in addition to some fundamental navigational and Interactive Development Environment (IDE) issues. Finally, the authors will share their experiences in developing and teaching VB.Net as a second or third language to junior and senior CS/IS majors and minors at Northwest Missouri State University.
Cosmology and LIGO

The most promising anticipated source for the United States Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) [1], or its French/Italian counterpart VIRGO [4], is the radiation emitted during the final moments of inspirai before the coalescence of a neutron star — neutron star (ns-ns) binary system [24]. The instruments operating in both the LIGO and VIRGO facilities will evolve over time, eventually becoming sensitive to neutron star binary inspirais at distances approaching 2 Gpc [10].
Antimicrobial dressing efficacy against mature Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on porcine skin explants

An ex vivo porcine skin explant biofilm model that preserves key properties of biofilm attached to skin at different levels of maturity (0-3 days) was used to assess the efficacy of commercially available antimicrobial dressings and topical treatments. Assays were also performed on the subpopulation of antibiotic tolerant biofilm generated by 24 hours of pre-treatment with gentamicin (120× minimal inhibitory concentration) prior to agent exposure. Five types of antimicrobial agents (iodine, silver, polyhexamethylene biguanide, honey and ethanol) and four types of moisture dressings (cotton gauze, sodium carboxymethylcellulose fibre, calcium alginate fibre and cadexomer beads) were assessed. Time-release silver gel and cadexomer iodine dressings were the most effective in reducing mature biofilm [between 5 and 7 logarithmic (log) of 7-log total], whereas all other dressing formulations reduced biofilm between 0·3 and 2 log in 24 or 72 hours with a single exposure. Similar results were found after 24-hour exposure to silver release dressings using an in vivo pig burn wound model, demonstrating correlation between the ex vivo and in vivo models. Results of this study indicate that commonly used microbicidal wound dressings vary widely in their ability to kill mature biofilm and the efficacy is influenced by time of exposure, number of applications, moisture level and agent formulation (sustained release).
Thermonuclear runaways in thick hydrogen-rich envelopes of neutron stars

A Lagrangian, fully implicit, one dimensional hydrodynamic computer code was used to evolve thermonuclear runaways in the accreted hydrogen rich envelopes of 1.0 Msub solar neutron stars with radii of 10 km and 20 km. Simulations produce outbursts which last from about 750 seconds to about one week. Peak effective temeratures and luninosities were 26 million K and 80 thousand Lsub solar for the 10 km study and 5.3 millison and 600 Lsub solar for the 20 km study. Hydrodynamic expansion on the 10 km neutron star produced a precursor lasting about one ten thousandth seconds.
User-Defined Types

Rosetta provides three basic mechanisms for forming sets and types—namely, listing the elements explicitly, filtering or composing existing sets, or defining functions for constructing the elements of the set. Listing the elements of a set, referred to as extension, is the simplest mechanism for defining new types. The new type is formed by simply using the set former to list the elements of the type. Filtering existing sets, referred to as comprehension involves using the sel operation or one of its derivatives to extract a set of items from an existing set. Finally, defining functions to construct type elements, referred to as constructive specification involves defining functions that generate all elements of a type. It is noted that Rosetta types are essentially set values; they are first class in the language. Types can be passed as actual parameters to facets and functions, and type items can be variable or constant. They can be created, compared, observed, and transformed like any other Rosetta value using the same expression language.
Fully resolved observations of auroral medium frequency burst radio emissions

[1] Auroral MF burst is a naturally occurring spontaneous emission characterizing substorm onsets. Between March 21 and April 19, 2008, a full-waveform receiver at Toolik Lake, Alaska, detected 23 examples of MF burst. The high-resolution continuous waveform data show that MF burst consists of a superposition of structured emissions, defined as those with sharp boundaries on frequency-time diagrams, and unstructured emissions which are more diffuse. Structured emissions account for 30–40% of the wave power, although this should be considered a lower bound since unstructured emission could represent weak or overlapping structured emissions. Structured emissions have a repeatable frequency-time pattern in which their leading edge decreases from a well-defined upper bound, at first slowly and then more rapidly over about 100 ms. This timescale is too long to be explained by wave propagation delay alone. Assuming emission at the local electron plasma frequency in the bottomside ionosphere, the source must move downward at 400–1000 km/s in order to explain the observed time delay.
Interactions between bipolar disorder and antisocial personality disorder in trait impulsivity and severity of illness.

Objective: We investigated trait impulsivity in bipolar disorder and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) with respect to severity and course of illness. Method: Subjects included 78 controls, 34 ASPD, 61 bipolar disorder without Axis II disorder, and 24 bipolar disorder with ASPD, by Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) (SCID-I and -II). Data were analyzed using general linear model and probit analysis. Results: Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) scores were higher in ASPD (effect sizes 0.5-0.8) or bipolar disorder (effect size 1.45) than in controls. Subjects with both had more suicide attempts and previous episodes than bipolar disorder alone, and more substance-use disorders and suicide attempts than ASPD alone. BIS-11 scores were not related to severity of crimes. Conclusion: Impulsivity was higher in bipolar disorder with or without ASPD than in ASPD alone, and higher in ASPD than in controls. Adverse effects of bipolar disorder in ASPD, but not of ASPD in bipolar disorder, were accounted for by increased impulsivity. Language: en
Organizational principles for the coordination of lifting

Abstract Near-continuous measures of inter-joint coordination and the smoothness and variability of individual joint motions were studied to explore principles underlying the coordination of squat-lifting. Measures of relative phasing between joint movements changed continuously as the lifted load was increased, despite subjects' attempts to maintain the same pattern of coordination for all lifts. Differences were found between the lifting and lowering phases of the task. The stability of coordination among lower extremity joints was found to decrease continuously with changes in the relative phase of these joints when lifting heavier loads. However, knee-lumbar spine and knee-shoulder coordination showed minimal or no change in stability with load changes. Inter-trial variability and jerkiness of individual joint excursions were greater than similar measures of the hand/crate trajectory. The results support movement planning in terms of the end-effector spatial trajectory rather than individual joint trajectories.
Oxidations of cyclic {beta}-diketones catalyzed by methylrhenium trioxide

Methylrhenium trioxide (CH3ReO3 or MTO) catalyzes the oxidation of β-diketones by hydrogen peroxide. The kinetics of the initial oxidation step have been investigated in CH3CN/H2O (1:1 v/v) at 25 °C for a group of cyclic β-diketones. The initial oxidation step features the enol form, the majority species, as the reactant. Its rate responds to substituents in the “normal” manner: electron-donating groups accelerate the reaction. We suggest that the double bond of the enol attacks a peroxo oxygen of a peroxorhenium complex A = CH3Re(O)2(O2) or B = CH3Re(O)(O2)2(H2O). This reaction affords a 2-hydroxy-1,3-dicarbonyl intermediate, which in some instances was detected by 1H NMR. This hydroxy intermediate is susceptible to cleavage via a Baeyer−Villiger oxidation to yield carboxylic acids as final products. In contrast to the first reaction, this step may feature the peroxorhenium complexes A and B as nucleophiles rather than their customary electrophilic behavior; perhaps the trend is reversed by substrate bi...
Mechanical stimuli regulate rapamycin-sensitive signalling by a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-, protein kinase B- and growth factor-independent mechanism.

In response to growth factors, mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) has been identified as a central component of the signalling pathways that control the translational machinery and cell growth. Signalling through mTOR has also been shown to be necessary for the mechanical load-induced growth of cardiac and skeletal muscles. Although the mechanisms involved for mechanically induced activation of mTOR are not known, it has been suggested that activation of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) and protein kinase B (Akt), via the release of locally acting growth factors, underlies this process. In the present study, we show that mechanically stimulating (passive stretch) the skeletal muscle ex vivo results in the activation of mTOR-dependent signalling events. The activation of mTOR-dependent signalling events was necessary for an increase in translational efficiency, demonstrating the physiological significance of this pathway. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we show that activation of mTOR-dependent signalling occurs through a PI3K-independent pathway. Consistent with these results, mechanically induced signalling through mTOR was not disrupted in muscles from Akt1−/− mice. In addition, ex vivo co-incubation experiments, along with in vitro conditioned-media experiments, demonstrate that a mechanically induced release of locally acting autocrine/paracrine growth factors was not sufficient for the activation of the mTOR pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrate that mechanical stimuli can activate the mTOR pathway independent of PI3K/Akt1 and locally acting growth factors. Thus mechanical stimuli and growth factors provide distinct inputs through which mTOR co-ordinates an increase in the translational efficiency.
Effects of Premilking Stimulation on Complete Lactation Milk Yield and Milking Performance

Abstract Effects of premilking preparation on complete lactation performance were measured with two groups of multiparous Holstein cows; 1) 17 cows received full stimulation, a 60-s routine, and 2) 16 cows received minimum stimulation, a 15-s routine, before machine attachment. Actual unadjusted average lactation milk yield for cows receiving full stimulation was 5.4% less than that for cows receiving minimum stimulation. When postpeak persistencies were compared by linear regression of either 1) daily milk weights or 2) 3.5% FCM from DHI records of milk yield and milk fat percent and fitted to lactation curves using an incomplete gamma function, cows receiving full stimulation produced 1) 2.8 or 2) 2.5% more milk per lactation than did cows receiving minimal stimulation. However, none of the treatment differences in mean milk yield was significant statistically. Milk flow rates, strip yields, and machine on-times were measured at 8-wk intervals throughout lactation. Cows receiving full stimulation had significantly higher average milk flow rates and shorter machine on-times starting at wk 32. There were no significant differences in strip yields or percent residual milk between cows receiving full and minimum stimulation.
A Wide-Field, Low-Frequency Radio Image of the Field of M31. II. Source Classification and Discussion

We have previously presented the results of a 325 MHz radio survey of M31, conducted with the A configuration of the Very Large Array. In this survey, a total of 405 radio sources between 6'' and 170'' in extent were mapped with a resolution of 6'' and a sensitivity of ~0.6 mJy beam-1. Here we compare the resultant source list and image with other radio, IR, optical, and X-ray observations and catalogs of the region. Through this, we were able to identify five supernova remnant candidates and three pulsar wind nebula candidates in M31, as well as three Milky Way radio stars, a possible Milky Way planetary nebula, and a bevy of interesting extragalactic objects: a BL Lac, a giant radio galaxy, a galaxy merger, and several high-z radio galaxy candidates. In addition, a large number of compact (θ 6'') extremely steep-spectrum sources (α ≤ -1.6; Sν να) were detected whose nature is unknown.
Vector Fresnel equations and Airy formula for one-dimensional multilayer and surface-relief gratings

A simple and intuitive formalism is presented to describe diffraction in multilayered periodic structures. A modal theory of diffraction is used to show how well-known results from scalar analysis (wave propagation in homogeneous layered media) can readily be generalized to vector problems. Specifically, the following results are derived: (1) generalized Fresnel equations appropriate for reflection and transmission from an infinitely thick grating, (2) a generalized equation for power conservation for diffraction gratings, (3) a generalized Airy formula for thin film to describe reflection and transmission of light through a lamellar grating, and (4) a matrix propagation method akin to that used to calculate reflection and transmission of multilayer thin films. Some numerical results are also presented to illustrate the applications of this research and its relationship to previous modal theories.
The density of Caspian Sea waters

Abstract The densities of surface waters from the Caspian Sea have been determined at 5, 15, 25, and 35°C. The composition of the waters has been related to the chlorinity and relative conductivity. The densities have been used to determine an equation of state for Caspian seawaters at one atmosphere. The densities of Caspian seawaters are ∼560 × 10 −6 g cm −3 higher than standard seawater at the same salinity due to the higher concentrations of Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , and SO 4 2− . Calculations of the density of Caspian seawaters at 25°C from density data on the components of the waters agree with the measured values to ±28 × 10 −6 g cm −3 .
Metabolic activity of osteoarthritic knees correlates with BMI

Abstract Osteoarthritis of the knee has consistently been linked to obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) >30kg/m 2 . It has been hypothesized that obesity may lead to osteoarthritis through increased joint pressure, accumulated microtrauma, and disruption of normal chondrocyte metabolism. These changes in chondrocyte metabolism have not been thoroughly investigated, and it is the purpose of this study to identify a relationship between BMI and altered chondrocyte metabolism in osteoarthritic tissue. Articular cartilage was harvested from the femoral condyles of patients after total knee arthroplasty, and analyzed in explant and alginate models. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was measured using a dimethylmethylene blue assay and normalized to DNA content using a PicoGreen® assay. Studies have reported GAGs to be a reliable measurement of chondrocyte metabolism and osteoarthritis progression. Our results show a significant linear relationship of increasing BMI and increasing GAG content in both alginate and explant models ( p p =0.001). Obese (BMI≥30kg/m 2 ) and non-obese (BMI 2 ) comparisons also demonstrated significant differences with higher GAG/DNA content in obese individuals compared to non-obese ( p =0.001 and p =0.015). The study results reveal significant relationships between GAG content and BMI in this population of osteoarthritic patients. The significant difference in GAG content between the obese and non-obese patients supports the connection between osteoarthritis and obesity previously reported. Higher patient BMI (>30kg/m 2 ) may be similar to dynamic compression injuries which cause increased GAG synthesis in response to cartilage damage.
Characterization of Multiple-Optical-Axis Implementation of Pattern-Integrated Interference Lithography

The image quality and collimation in a multiple-optical-axis Pattern-Integrated Interference Lithography (PIIL) system are evaluated for a prototype system. Image quality and collimation are individually and jointly optimized for this configuration.
Stabilized input with a feedback pulse‐coupled neural network

This paper will combine biological findings in the visual cortex of some small mammals with the increasing evidence of feedback from the brain to the sensors to create a Feedback Pulse-Coupled Neural Network. The main advantage of this algorithm is that it extracts portions of the input information with each iteration. The input is eventually altered to a steady-state output. However, during transition the input at different iterations presents primitive information of the input.
Cognitive behavior therapy for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder.

To the Editor: Dr Franklin and colleagues reported that the addition of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) treatment was efficacious among participants aged 7 through 17 years who had a primary diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and partial response to SRI medication. However, this study did not address the effect of comorbidity on CBT or SRI treatment. In this study, 59.7% of the participants had 1 or more comorbidities, 21.8% had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 15.3% had tic disorder. The authors reported no difference in comorbidities or SRI medications in the 3 treatment groups (SRI only, SRI plus instructions in CBT, and SRI plus CBT); however, the P value for Pearson 2 test for tic disorder was .06, which was not statistically significant but still worth consideration. The authors did not do pairwise comparisons to show whether there was a difference in having tic disorder between the SRI-only group (21.4%) and the SRI plus CBT group (4.8%). One pediatric OCD study has shown that several psychiatric comorbid disorders, including ADHD and tic disorder, were associated with a significantly poorer response to open-label SRI treatment. Another study found that, relative to those participants without a psychiatric comorbid disorder, response rates to CBT were significantly lower for patients with comorbid ADHD and those with 1 or more psychiatric comorbid disorders. However, the current study did not look at whether participants in the same treatment group with different comorbidities or SRI medications had similar response rates to the treatment. Because of this, the results cannot be generalized to all children and adolescents with OCD. Pediatric patients with OCD and ADHD may respond to SRI plus CBT treatment differently than patients with comorbid tic disorder or other comorbidities. I encourage the authors to report the treatment response by comorbidity and type of SRI medication to provide health care professions with important information needed to treat pediatric patients with OCD and psychiatric comorbid disorders.
188 Assessement of White Matter Abnormalities with Magnetic Resonance Imaging in case of Normal Cranial Ultrasound and Positive Rolandic Sharp Wawes on Electroencephalography in Preterm Infants

Background: White matter abnormalities in preterm infants are not always diagnosed on cranial ultrasound and are involved in abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can detect noncystic white matter abnormalities. The aim of this study was to determine the value of MRI at four months of age in preterm infants with normal cranial ultrasound but with persistent electroencephalographic (EEG) signs of brain injury with positive rolandic sharp wawes (PRSW).
AGE AND GROWTH IN WILD KEMP'S RIDLEY SEATURTLES Lepidochelys kempii FROM SKELETOCHRONOLOGICAL DATA

Skeletochronological analysis provides age estimates, not actual ages, for seaturtles. Unlike age and growth data from captive and headstart turtles, these estimates predict the actual patterns of age and growth in free-living turtles. A moderate-sized sample of 69 Lepidochelys kempii, salvaged from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA, had straight-line carapace lengths (SCL) of 188–720 mm and age-estimates of 2–15 years. The von Bertalanffy growth model provides the best fit for the age-estimate and size data and predicts maturity between 11 and 16 years, depending upon the body size selected to represent sexual maturity. The logistic growth model suggests later maturity of 13–19 years. Comparison of the Atlantic and Gulf components of the sample suggests a faster growth rate for ridleys in the Gulf of Mexico, although the sizes of the subsamples are too small for this interpretation to be reliable without additional data. Our age and growth estimates indicate that some members of the early cohorts of headstart ridleys are mature and may have nested already.
On the r-value of textured sheet metals

Abstract The r -value of a sheet metal is a measure of plastic anisotropy frequently used for prediction of performance in deep-drawing. It has also figured prominently in the literature for validation of theories where the predicted angular dependence of r is compared with the measured dependence. As plastic anisotropy in sheet metals is caused mainly by the preferred orientations of grains within the polycrystalline metal, it is natural to ask how r would depend on the orientation distribution function (ODF) w which defines the crystallographic texture of the polycrystal. In this paper a general formula relating r to w is derived for textured sheet metals whose plastic flow behavior is governed by a plastic potential f ( σ , w ), the anisotropic part of which depends linearly on the texture coefficients; here σ denotes the deviator of the Cauchy stress. Specific forms of this formula for orthorhombic sheets of cubic and of hexagonal metals are explicitly given.
New Position-Sensitive Detector For Pulsed Or CW Laser Beam Alignment

A new class of position-sensitive detectors has been developed at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL). These detectors utilize Seebeck effect and thermal diffusion in the detector material (Si). Large area (up to 125 cm2) detectors with only four electrodes yield accurate x-y position sensing for cw and pulsed laser beams. The detectors are sensitive to any laser wavelength and feature high optical damage thresholds (>109 W/cm2 at 10 μm). The detector responses are found to agree accurately with a thermal diffusion model that has no adjustable parameters. These detectors are currently in use on Helios and are planned for use on Antares, the LASL laser fusion systems.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.