cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Personality in Adulthood: A Behavioral Genetic Perspective

Developmental researchers study the psychological changes that occur across the life span, how these changes influence behavior, and the processes that drive these changes. The research interests of developmentalists vary across many domains, but at the heart of developmental research is the study of maturity; in no domain is this clearer than in personality research. In this chapter, we will focus first on describing the changes in personality that occur across the life span and then we will discuss possible causal mechanisms of change. Behavior genetic methodology is particularly suited for investigation of such causal mechanisms (Caspi et al. Personality development: stability and change. In: Annual review of psychology. Annual Reviews, Palo Alto, vol 56, pp 453–484, 2005), and researchers have recently begun to incorporate biometric modeling and large-scale genomics into their longitudinal studies. Consequently, this chapter is devoted to describing behavior genetic research on the development of personality.
What You See Is What You Fear: Visual Imagery of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases as a Tool to Counteract Vaccine Rejection

Visual imagery can powerfully shape perceptions of risks as is clearly demonstrated by research on the use of graphic warnings on cigarette packs. Government efforts to counteract public fears of vaccines could harness this phenomenon by using public information campaigns that present visually the effects of vaccine-preventable diseases. Visual representations can also be used to communicate the relative risks of vaccines, which are generally negligible, and of the diseases they prevent. Such initiatives have the policy advantage of minimizing the sense of government intrusion that measures such as vaccine mandates and social restrictions could engender and the legal advantage of avoiding claims of infringement on civil liberties. Government policy should take advantage of this important and accessible tool.
Energy systems and planning

The process of planning has been defined (Ozbekhan [13]) as a ‘rationally organized, future-directed action system.’ In recent years, the general theory of planning has undergone fundamental changes in the problems that it addresses. Many traditional planning problems such as optimal resource allocation, transportation network planning, or corporate planning, are stated with clear boundaries and can be shown to have explicit solutions. Many modern planning problems, on the other hand, such as regional planning or multi-model transportation planning are much broader in scope.
Specification of Parametric Monitors

Specification-based runtime verification is a technique for monitoring program executions against specifications formalized in formal logic. Such logics are usually temporal in nature, capturing the relation between events occurring at different time points. A particular challenge in runtime verification is the elegant specification and efficient monitoring of streams of events that carry data, also referred to as parametric monitoring. This paper presents two parametric runtime verification systems representing two quite different approaches to the problem. qea (Quantified Event Automata) is a state machine approach based on trace-slicing, while LogFire is a rule-based approach based on the Rete algorithm, known from AI as being the basis for many rule systems. The presentation focuses on how easy it is to specify properties in the two approaches by specifying a collection of properties gathered during the 1st International Competition of Software for Runtime Verification (CSRV 2014), affiliated with RV 2014 in Toronto, Canada.
Management Folklore and Management Science - On Portfolio Planning, Escalation Bias, and Such

Management folklore sometimes leads to unprofitable decision making. Thus, studies of the value of such folklore should be of interest to managers, especially when they identify unprofitable procedures. I reviewed empirical research on scientific publishing and concluded that studies supporting management folklore are likely to be favorably reviewed for publication and to be cited. However, researchers who obtain findings that refute folklore are likely to encounter resistance in publication and are less likely to be cited. My experience with papers on portfolio planning methods and escalation bias illustrates the problem. To encourage the publication of papers that challenge management folklore, editors should use results-blind reviews and, in some cases, constrain, reduce, or eliminate peer review.
The Role of Deformation-Induced Phase Transformations in the Plasticity of Some Iron-Base Alloys

Microstructural changes in alloys can be induced by phase transformations. While many phase transformations are thermally activated, some are not. An important example of the nonthermally activated type is the deformation-induced phase transformation. Deformation-induced phase transformations are known to cause unusual changes in the mechanical properties of ferrous and nonferrous alloys. In the past several years it has been shown that this type of transformation can considerably enhance the mechanical properties of high-strength austenitic alloys— these alloys are now known as “TRIP” steels. Useful combinations of toughness, strength, and ductility can be obtained in these steels by control of the composition and the processing. TRIP steels are thermomechanically processed in the austenitic state. During this thermomechanical processing, changes occur in both chemistry and substructure, and these alter the stability of austenite with respect to deformation during subsequent mechanical testing. The present chapter discusses the several compositional, processing, and testing variables that influence this austenite stability. It is shown that the strength, ductility, stress-strain behavior, fracture toughness, fatigue properties, and corrosion resistance of TRIP steels are strongly affected by austenite stability. The considerations involved in designing TRIP Steels, their limitations, and some of the steps that have been taken to overcome these limitations, are reviewed. Recent studies are described in which attempts were made to incorporate the TRIP phenomenon in other classes of steels. These include nonnickel cryogenic steels and low and medium alloy quenched and tempered ultrahigh-strength steels.
Emotividade versus razão no processo do conhecimento

O Iluminismo, como movimento de ideias, representou grandes avancos, nao apenas nos campos filosofico e cientifico, mas tambem na educacao, na cultura, na politica, na economia e no processo historico de emancipacao humana. Todavia, com a absolutizacao da razao e do individuo, desprezando outras dimensoes da existencia humana, o Iluminismo promoveu o racionalismo, o individualismo, a competicao, a especulacao capitalista, o colonialismo, a depredacao da natureza, guerras sempre mais violentas, aumento das desigualdades, da pobreza, da fome e da violencia, a tal ponto que numerosos pensadores caracterizam o mundo atual como a anti-civilizacao da barbarie, e nos desafiam a promocao de outras dimensoes do humano, expressas pelas “razoes do coracao”. Na elaboracao deste artigo baseio-me sobretudo nas contribuicoes do filosofo existencialista russo Nicolas Berdiaeff, em sua obra “Cinco Meditacoes sobre a Existencia”, numa interlocucao, porem, com outros pensadores, que dedicaram sua luta historica a construcao de outro mundo possivel, mais humano e solidario.
Discovery, Telescopes, and Progress

In this paper I attempt a number of things. Together they constitute some first steps toward the development of a new research program. It is a proposal for a new way of conceptualizing the relation between science and technology. It is also an attempt to find a way to escape some old philosophical dichotomies; dichotomies which have kept philosophers of science and philosophers of technology apart. The underlying theme is this: following Derek Price, it seems clear that progress in science is a direct function of increasing sophistication not merely in instrumentation, but in the technological infrastructure which underlies and makes mature science possible.
A note on the relative efficiency of property-liability insurance distribution systems

Property-liability insurance is distributed through two major marketing channels—the independent and the exclusive agency systems. Independent agents place business with several companies, while exclusive agents write insurance for only one company. We find that the independent agency system is less efficient than the exclusive agency system. The efficiency differential did not change significantly during the period 1968 through 1976. When we used the total rather than the underwriting costs to measure expenses, we found that the relative but not the absolute expense differential was reduced. This suggests that the inefficiencies of the independent agency companies stem from marketing and administrative rather than loss adjustment procedures. The findings imply that regulators should play a more active role in the dissemination of information on property-liability insurance prices.
Use of high dynamic range imaging for quantitative combustion diagnostics.

High dynamic range (HDR) imaging is applied to quantitative combustion diagnostics in coflow laminar diffusion flames as a way to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and measurement sensitivity. The technique relies on the combination of partially saturated frames into a single unsaturated image; in this work, the effectiveness of the HDR approach is demonstrated when applied to two-color ratio pyrometry. Specifically, it is shown than an increase in SNR results in more precise temperature measurements for both soot and thin filament pyrometry. Linearity and reciprocity analysis under partially saturated conditions were performed on three selected detectors, and the camera response functions, which are required for HDR image reconstruction, were determined. The linearity/reciprocity of the detectors allowed the use of a simplified algorithm that was implemented to compute the HDR images; soot and flame temperature were calculated from those images by employing color-ratio pyrometry. The reciprocity analysis revealed that pixel cross talk can be a limiting factor in a detector’s HDR capabilities. The comparison with low dynamic range results showed the advantage of the HDR approach. Due to the higher SNR, the measured temperature exhibits a smoother distribution, and the range is extended to lower temperature regions, where the pyrometry technique starts to lose sensitivity due to detector limitations.
Оценка эффективности внедрения гидромуфт для регулирования производительности центробежных насосов

В статье рассмотрены вопросы эффективности применения регулируемых гидродинамических приводов для управления производительностью центробежных насосных агрегатов. Приведены примеры расчетов экономии электроэнергии для насосов различной мощности. Проанализированы факторы, оказывающие наиболее существенное влияние на сроки окупаемости при внедрении данной технологии.
Glass fiber laser at 1.36 μm from SiO 2 :Nd

By adding 14 mol % P2O5 to the core of a SiO2:Nd fiber, laser emission was obtained at 1.36 μm. From the fluorescent spectra and laser thresholds for the 4F3/2 to 4I11/2 and 4F3/2 to 4I13/2 transitions, the net gain at 1.36 μm is 0.024 dB/mW, and the ratio of excited-state absorption (the 4F3/2 to 4G7/2 transition) to stimulated emission is estimated to be 0.78.
A natural language interface for expert system help desks

The author addresses how a natural language interface might be written entirely within IBM's Expert System Environment Shell (ESE). The interface is designed around the help desk application, a diagnostic knowledge base. The implementation uses techniques called FASTPATH, INHERIT, and CHGPATH. >
Postmortem Length Changes in Six Florida Fish Species Stored on Ice

Abstract Representatives of six species of fishes belonging to the families Lutjanidae, Centropomidae, Pomatomidae, Scombridae, Carangidae, and Sciaenidae were stored on ice for 6 h after being euthanatized, in order to assess postmortem length changes. Standard length, fork length (where applicable), total length using the relaxed caudal fin method, and rigor mortis were measured immediately after deaths and at 30 min intervals thereafter. Two species, lane snapper Lutjanus synagris and common snook Centropomus undecimalis, showed an increase in mean total lengths during the first hour after death. Common snook continued to increase in mean total length for the duration of the study, while lane snapper subsequently decreased. Declines in mean standard, fork, and total lengths also were observed in bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix, Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus, and Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus. Minimal changes in mean standard and total length were observed for spotted seatrout Cynoscion ...
Stoichiometry of anodic nickel dissolution in NaCl and NaClO3 under active and transpassive conditions

Abstract The anodic dissolution of nickel 200 at very high current densities has been investigated in 1N NaClO2, 1N NaCl and in mixtures of the two electrolytes by measuring potentiostatic current potential curves and by determining the current efficiency for metal dissolution from weight loss measurements. In 1N NaCl Tafel behavior was found up to 0·5 A/cm2. In 1N NaClO3 no active dissolution region was observed, but substantial transpassive dissolution occurred at current densities above 2 A/cm2. The presence of chloride ions led to pitting and to an increase in anodic dissolution rate. Apparent current efficiencies based on divalent nickel formation even exceeded 100 per cent, indicating that the chlorate ion was decomposed at the anode.
Sulfidation-oxidation of advanced metallic materials in simulated low-Btu coal-gasifier environments

The corrosion behavior of structural alloys in complex multicomponent gas environments is of considerable interest for their effective utilization in coal conversion schemes. Little understanding of the degradation mechanisms of advanced high-temperature alloys in conditions typical of low-Btu coal gasifiers presently exists. Analysis of scale and subscale characteristics of several alloy types after exposure to the aggressive simulated low-Btu gasifier environments yielded a reaction model for these sulfidation-oxidation conditions. Initial competition between reactive metal oxide and base metal sulfide nuclei is followed by base metal sulfide overgrowth, chromium sulfide formation at the scale-metal interface, dissociation near voids in the subscale, and internal chromium sulfide precipitation. Additions of aluminum, titanium, and an oxide dispersion improve the sulfidation resistance by increasing the number of oxide nucleation sites and their growth kinetics on the surface in the crucial competition stage. Thermogravimetric tests carried out in three mechanistic regimes agreed with these hypotheses.
Distinguishing verbal, quantitative, and figural facets of fluid intelligence in young students

Abstract Measures of broad fluid abilities including verbal, quantitative, and figural reasoning are commonly used in the K-12 school context for a variety of purposes. However, differentiation of these domains is difficult for young children (grades K-2) who lack basic linguistic and mathematical literacy. This study examined the latent factor structure of a picture-based measure of broad fluid reasoning abilities using a bifactor MIRT model to separate general and broad domain factors in a large representative sample of U.S. school children. Substantial evidence showed that picture-based item formats can distinguish between general and domain-specific fluid reasoning abilities in the early school grades. The verbal tasks showed the strongest domain factor and discriminant validity, although the quantitative tasks also showed considerable evidence of a domain factor. Furthermore, comparisons of ELL vs. non-ELL, FRL-eligible vs. non-FRL, Black-White, Hispanic-White, and Asian-White students all yielded small to negligible group differences (below 0.4 SD) on these measures. These results compare favorably to differences observed on tests using traditional item formats, and are smaller than the .50–1.0 SD group differences often observed in older students.
Combining stochastics and analytics for a fast Monte Carlo decay chain generator

Abstract Various Monte Carlo programs, developed either by small groups or widely available, have been used simulate decays of radioactive chains, from the original parent nucleus to the final stable isotopes. These chains include uranium, thorium, radon, and others, and generally have long-lived parent nuclei. Generating decays within these chains requires a certain amount of computing overhead related to simulating unnecessary decays, time-ordering the final results in post-processing, or both. We present a combination analytic/stochastic algorithm for creating a time-ordered set of decays with position and time correlations, and starting with an arbitrary source age. Thus the simulation costs are greatly reduced, while at the same time avoiding chronological post-processing. We discuss optimization methods within the approach to minimize calculation time, and extension of the algorithm to include various source types.
Carbon markets 15 years after Kyoto: Lessons learned, new challenges

Abstract Carbon markets are substantial and they are expanding. There are many lessons from market experiences over the past eight years: there should be fewer free allowances, better management of market-sensitive information, and a recognition that trading systems require adjustments that have consequences for market participants and market confidence. Moreover, the emerging market architecture features separate emissions trading systems serving distinct jurisdictions and a variety of other types of policies exist alongside the carbon markets. This situation is in sharp contrast to the top-down, integrated global trading architecture envisioned 15 years ago by the designers of the Kyoto Protocol and raises a suite of new questions. In this new architecture, jurisdictions with emissions trading have to decide how, whether, and when to link with one another. Stakeholders and policymakers must confront how to measure the comparability of efforts among markets as well as relative to a variety of other polic...
The induction and antagonism of central nervous system stimulant-induced stereotyped behavior in the cat

Abstract Stereotyped behavior can be induced in the cat by d- and l-amphetamine, cocaine, l-dopa, methylphenidate and pemoline magnesium hydroxide. Pretreatment with α-methyl-p-tyrosine inhibits stereotyped behavior due to amphetamine, pemoline, and to some extent cocaine. Reserpine pretreatment disrupts stereotyped behavior due to all the agents except l-dopa. High doses of Ro 4–4602, a centrally active dopa decarboxylase inhibitor, antagonizes the l-dopa-induced behavior. It would appear that stereotyped behavior is a catecholaminergic phenomenon.
Sequestration of ascorbic acid by the larval labial gland and haemolymph of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta L. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)☆

Abstract Tissues from Manduca sexta were examined for the presence of l -ascorbic acid and l -gulonolactone oxidase. l -Ascorbic acid was found in eggs, larval labial gland, haemolymph, gut, muscle, cuticle, adult nervous tissue and gonads at concentrations ranging from 150 mg per 100 g wet tissue. No ascorbate was detected in larval fat body and Malphigian tubule or adult salivary gland. Concentrations in labial gland and haemolymph increased 80- and 10-fold, respectively, during the fifth larval instar such that the labial gland surpassed all other tissues in ascorbate concentration. Since tissues from insects reared on an l -ascorbate-deficient diet contained no detectable vitamin C and l -gulonolactone oxidase was absent from tissue extracts, the hornworm apparently acquired l -ascorbate solely from the diet.
Cholangiocarcinoma cells secrete soluble factors that activate Jak/STAT signal transduction and promote MDSC expansion

Meeting abstracts Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a universally lethal disease that responds poorly to chemo- and immunotherapy. Patients with CC typically display elevated systemic interleukin-6 (IL-6) and systemic expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Interestingly, both of these
Process optimization and properties of magnetically hard cobalt carbide nanoparticles via modified polyol method

Abstract Cobalt carbide magnetic nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a modified polyol process without using a rare-earth catalyst during the synthesis process. The present results show admixtures of Co2C and Co3C phases possessing magnetization values exceeding 47 emu/g and coercivity values exceeding 2.3 kOe at room temperature. Moreover, these experiments have illuminated the important role of the reaction temperature, hydroxyl ion concentrations and the reaction duration on the crystallographic structure and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. The crystallographic structure and particle size of the CoxC nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. Vibrating sample magnetometry was used to determine magnetic properties. Scale-up of synthesis to more than 5 g per batch was demonstrated with no significant degradation of magnetic properties.
Mechanistic studies of the cycloisomerization of dimethyl diallylmalonate catalyzed by a cationic palladium phenanthroline complex.

The mechanism of the cycloisomerization of dimethyl diallylmalonate (1) catalyzed by the cationic palladium phenanthroline complex [(phen)Pd(Me)CNCH3]+[BAr4]- [Ar = 3,5-C6H3(CF3)2] (2) has been investigated. Heating a solution of 1 and 2 (5 mol %) in DCE at 40 °C led to zero-order decay of 1 to ∼80% conversion (kobs = (7.1 ± 0.3) × 10-7 M s-1) with formation of a 27:2.2:1.0 mixture of 3,3-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,5-dimethylcyclopentene (3), 4,4-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,2-dimethylcyclopentene (4), and 1,1-bis(carbomethoxy)-4-methyl-3-methylenecyclopentane (5) and traces (∼3.5%) of ethyl-substituted carbocycles 6 of the chemical formula C12H18O4. Cyclopentenes 3 and 4 were formed both kinetically (3:4 = 30:1 at 40 °C) and via secondary isomerization of 5 (3:4 = 1:2.5 at 40 °C); the kinetic pathway accounted for the 93% of cyclopentene formation at 40 °C. Carbocycles 6 were formed predominantly (≥90%) within the first two catalyst turnovers as byproducts of catalyst activation. Stoichiometric reaction of 1 and 2 at ro...
How reinforcement context affects temporal production and categorization

The behavioral theory of timing assumes that timing is governed by a pacemaker whose pulses move organisms from one state to the next, and that the speed of the pacemaker covaries with the rate of reinforcement in the experimental context. The goal of the present experiments was to clarify just what constitutes that context. In Experiment 1, pigeons responded on signaled fixed-interval 20-sec and 40-sec schedules of food reinforcement that were presented randomly within sessions (alternating condition) or between sessions (isolated condition). In Experiment 2, pigeons categorized the duration of a short or a long set of intervals in the alternating or the isolated condition. Performance in both experiments was under strong control by the signals, with scalar timing between long and short sets, but no significant differences between the alternating and isolated conditions. The context of reinforcement that determines pacemaker period can thus be specific to a particular timing task and signal.
Churchill as orator: Wish and fulfilment

As a young man, Sir Winston Churchill composed an essay on the art of rhetoric and dramatized his ideas by portraying a political rally in a novel. These passages, dreams of oratorical proficiency by a soldier who had not yet approached a rostrum, say nothing about the place of body language. As Churchill came to achieve political and oratorical maturity in the subsequent decades, his delivery was shaped by a halting manner of articulation and an incapacity for spontaneous utterance. The result, a heavy reliance on body language, is clearly depicted in Harold Nicolson's graphic description of Churchill's great wartime orations in Parliament.
MACHIAVELLIANISM, ADJUSTMENT, AND ETHICS '

We examined self-reported relations between Machiavellianism (Christie & Geis, 1970) and measures related to adjustment, well-being, and ethical orientation. We predicted that Machiavellianism would be inversely associated with adjustment, and positively associated with a nihilistic, relativistic, and nonidealistic ethical orientation. With respect to adjustment and well-being our results indicate that Machiavellianism is inversely associated with scores on measures of self-esteem, subjective well-being, and hope but positively associated with powerlessness and nihilism. The results bearing on ethical orientation are consistent with outlined predictions.
Snack Buddy: Supporting Healthy Snacking in Low Socioeconomic Status Families

We conducted a 12-week comparative field trial with 20 low socioeconomic status (SES) caregivers from 10 families to explore their use of a sociotechnical mobile application designed to promote healthy snacking, Snack Buddy. Our analysis of the semi-structured interviews, pre/post-intervention instruments, and photo-elicitation interviews suggests that participants gained a greater awareness of their own snacking practices and those of their family members. Users were empowered to adjust their own practices and beliefs around healthy eating because they were more aware of their family's snacking behaviors. We describe the unique social dynamics of how families engaged with each other and the application, which includes positive social support for healthy eating. By providing insights into family interactions and experiences with the application, we identify benefits, challenges, and strategies when designing family-level sociotechnical interventions for healthy behavior.
CT imaging during microwave ablation: Analysis of spatial and temporal tissue contraction

Purpose: To analyze the spatial distribution and temporal development of liver tissue contraction during high-temperature ablation by using intraprocedural computed tomography (CT) imaging. Methods: A total of 46 aluminum fiducial markers were positioned in a 60 × 45 mm grid, in a single plane, around a microwave ablation antenna in each of six ex vivo bovine liver samples. Ablations were performed for 10 min at 100 W. CT data of the liver sample were acquired every 30 s during ablation. Fiducial motion between acquisitions was tracked in postprocessing and used to calculate measures of tissue contraction and contraction rates. The spatial distribution and temporal evolution of contraction were analyzed. Results: Fiducial displacement indicated that the zone measured postablation was 8.2 ± 1.8 mm (∼20%) smaller in the radial direction and 7.1 ± 1.0 mm (∼10%) shorter in the longitudinal direction than the preablation tissue dimension. Therefore, the total ablation volume was reduced from its preablation value by approximately 45%. Very little longitudinal contraction was noted in the distal portion of the ablation zone. Central tissues contracted more than 60%, which was near an estimated limit of ∼70% based on initial water content. More peripheral tissues contracted only 15% in any direction. Contraction rates peaked during the first 60 s of heating with a roughly exponential decay over time. Conclusions: Ablation zones measured posttreatment are significantly smaller than the pretreatment tissue dimensions. Tissue contraction is spatially dependent, with the greatest effect occurring in the central ablation zone. Contraction rate peaks early and decays over time.
Keeping your system `up'

When guaranteed real-time access and reaction are required of a critical system, an uninterruptible power system is a must. Most large-scale computer and control systems used in such critical applications as airline ticket reservations, air traffic controllers, and chemical processing plants are provided with redundant elements, automatic reconfiguration, or other safeguards to assure that data processing is not interrupted by computer element failures. But despite such precautions, these systems are still subject to commercial power system problems. Regulating transformers and similar devices can help a data system coast over short power transients but, for full protection, an uninterruptible power system (UPS) is needed.
Factors affecting the termination of cardiovascular actions of 10,10-difluoro,13-dehydroprostacyclin.

Experiments were conducted to determine why 10,10-difluoro, 13-dehydroprostacyclin (DF2-PGI2) has a long vascular relexant activity invitro but like PGI2 hads a short duration of effect invivo. DF2-PGI2 produced depressor responses in anesthetized dogs which were not affected by nephrectomy suggesting that the kidney was not responsible for the termination of action. DF2-PGI2 given intravenously or into the ascending oarta produced depressor responses of a similar magnitude but injection of the same doses into the hepatic portal circulation resulted in a large attenuation of responses. The data suggest hepatitic, but not pulmonary, metabolism of DF2-PGI2. Injection or infusion of PGI2 and DF2-PGI2 into the hindlimb circulation caused vasodilation of a similar duration suggesting diffusion from tissue sites as another mechanims of termination of action.
Characterization of food colloids by phase analysis light scattering.

Recently a novel technique, phase analysis light scattering (PALS), has been developed to measure the electrophoretic mobility of charged particles that offers enhanced sensitivity at the low mobilities, typical of many food colloids. The principles of this technique are discussed in comparison to conventional laser Doppler electrophoresis (LDE). A sample of whey protein isolate solution (10 wt%) was titrated with HCl (0.1 M) and the electrophoretic mobility measured by PALS and LDE. Both methods showed an increase in electrophoretic mobility with pH, but PALS yielded better reproducibility. In addition, PALS could be used to measure the isoelectric point of the protein mixture as the pH where the mobility was zero.
Urea modifies the permeability of the mammalian urothelium.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of mucosal (urine side) and serosal (blood side) urea on the permeability properties of the in vitro mammalian urinary bladder epithelium.Materials and Methods: The permeability properties of the rabbit urinary bladder epithelium were studied in modified Ussing chambers using electrophysiological techniques.Results: Addition of two molar urea to the mucosal solution did not cause a significant change in the short circuit current (Isc, a measure of the ion transport capacity of the epithelium), or the transepithelial conductance (Gt, a measure of the ability of ions to diffuse across the epithelium). In contrast, addition of 0.5 M urea to the serosal solution caused an increase in Gt of ∼35 μS/cm.2 as well as an increase in Isc over a 5 minute period. The site of the conductance increase by short-term serosal urea was at the apical membrane and not at the tight junctions. The urea-induced conductance completely reversed upon removal of urea, was non-selective, a...
Dexamethasone prevents virus-induced hyperresponsiveness via multiple mechanisms

In the lungs, neuronal M2 muscarinic receptors inhibit acetylcholine release from the parasympathetic nerves. Parainfluenza virus infection causes loss of M2 receptor function, which increases acet...
Petrological and geochronological constraints on regional metamorphism along the northern border of the Bitterroot batholith

Quantitative thermobarometry in pelites and garnet amphibolites from the Bitterroot metamorphic core complex, combined with U–Pb dating of metamorphic monazite and zircon from footwall rocks, provide new constraints on the P–T –t evolution of footwall rocks. The thermobarometric and geochronological results, when correlated with observations from other regions bordering the Bitterroot batholith, define a regional metamorphic history for the northern margin of the Bitterroot batholith consisting of three distinct events beginning with early prograde metamorphism (M1) coincident with arc-related magmatism and crustal shortening at c. 100–80 Ma. Magmatism and crustal thickening led to regional upper-amphibolite facies metamorphism (M2) and anatectic melting between 64 and 56 Ma. Mineral textures related to high-temperature isothermal decompression (M3), coincident with late stages of magmatism in the Bitterroot complex footwall (56–48 Ma), are only preserved in areas adjacent to extensional structures. The close temporal relationship between peak metamorphism and the onset of footwall decompression indicates that thermal weakening was an important factor in the initiation of Early Eocene regional extension and tectonic denudation of the Bitterroot complex and possibly the Boehls Butte metamorphic terrane. The morphology of the decompressional P–T –t path derived for Bitterroot footwall rocks is similar to other trajectories reported for Cordilleran core complexes and may represent a transition in the deformational style of core-bunding detachments responsible for exhumation.
The pursuit of happiness: A study of Alice Munro’s fiction

The theme of happiness in the short fiction of Alice Munro evokes four contexts of signification. Contemporary North American popular culture holds happiness as a realizable but elusive ideal. In t...
Impact of extended-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis on incidence of postcesarean surgical wound infection.

Objective We assessed the impact of an extended-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis regimen (azithromycin in addition to recommended narrow-spectrum cephalosporin) on postcesarean incisional wound infection. Study Design Data from prospective surveillance of surgical site infections at our institution were used to compare incidence in postcesarean incisional wound infection for 3 consecutive time periods of antibiotic prophylaxis: (1) standard (ie, cephalosporin only, 1992-1996); (2) clinical trial of extended spectrum (ie, extended vs cephalosporin only, 1997-1999); and (3) routine use of extended spectrum (2001-2006). Results The incidence of postcesarean incisional wound infections decreased progressively from 3.1% to 2.4% and then to 1.3% over the 3 consecutive periods (P value for trend Conclusion Increasing the use of extended-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis at our institution over 3 time periods was associated with a decreasing trend in postcesarean incisional wound infection.
Arousal from sleep: The effects of the cognitive value of auditory stimuli

The present research describes the effects that different histories of positive reinforcement may have relative to the arousal produced during sleep by otherwise quite similar auditory stimuli. In general, the cognitive loading established by different reinforcement histories appears to be an effective parameter determining arousal but only within certain limitations. First, the differential effects were noted only during sleep characterized by slow-wave EEG activity and not during sleep characterized by fast-wave EEG activity. Secondly, it would appear that the amount of reinforcement is not necessarily the controlling variable. Rather, it would appear that the consistency of the occurrence of reinforcements relative to the individual’s behavior is critically related to how effective the auditory stimulus is in producing arousal during sleep. These results are interpreted as supporting the contention that sleep, or at least certain types of sleep, represent a need state.
Informal Credit Markets and the Transmission of Monetary Policy: Evidence from South Korea

This paper is an empirical investigation of the transmission of monetary policy in South Korea. It combines modern mainstream macroeconomics with aspects of a developing economy with financial dualism through a simple IS-LM type model that explicitly incorporates an informal credit market. Vector autoregression analysis, with both semistructural and structural identifications, confirms the importance of a credit variable as a policy tool. The results show direct credit allocation by the central bank had a significant impact on output, prices, and the interest rate in the informal sector. Previous theoretical and empirical findings of “stagflationary” effects of monetary policy are refuted.
Distinct Signal Codes Generate Dendritic Cell Functional Plasticity

Our adaptive immune system induces distinct responses to different pathogens because of the functional plasticity of dendritic cells (DCs); however, how DCs program unique responses remains unclear. Here, we found that the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) potently transduced a unique T helper type 2 (T(H)2)-inducing compound signal in DCs. Whereas activation of nuclear factor kappaB (predominantly p50) drove DCs to produce OX40L to induce T(H)2 differentiation, the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) triggered DCs to secrete chemokines necessary for the recruitment of T(H)2 cells. In addition, TSLP signaling limited the activation of STAT4 and interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF-8), which are essential factors for the production of the T(H)1-polarizing cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12). By contrast, Toll-like receptor ligands and CD40 ligand did not activate STAT6 in myeloid DCs, but instead increased the abundance of STAT4 and IRF-8 to induce T(H)1 responses through the production of IL-12. Therefore, we propose that the functional plasticity of DCs relies on elaborate signal codes that are generated by different stimuli.
Comparison of the Characteristic Energy Losses of Electrons with the Fine Structure of the X-Ray Absorption Spectra

Comparison of the characteristic energy losses of electrons in several materials with the fine structure found on the short-wavelength side of the x-ray $K$-absorption edge indicates that there is a correlation between the two phenomena. This leads us to believe that many of the characteristic energy losses may be due to excitation of the valence electrons to higher allowed energy levels. It is also shown that, in general, the energy-loss spectra are similar for metals which are neighbors in the periodic table, and that there is some dependence on the crystal lattice constant.
Repetitive firing properties of developing rat brainstem motoneurones.

1. The repetitive firing properties of neonatal and adult rat hypoglossal motoneurones (HMs) were investigated in a brainstem slice preparation. Neonatal HMs could be classified into two main groups: (1) neurones with a decrementing or adapting firing pattern (type D); exhibiting an early and a late phase; and (2) neurones with an incrementing or accelerating firing pattern (type I). 2. The pattern of repetitive firing changed markedly during development. While most HMs recorded from young rats ( P21), nearly all HMs had a decrementing firing pattern, characterized by a brief period of adaptation and high steady-state firing rates. 3. The calcium-dependent after-hyperpolarization (AHP) was shortest in type I neonatal HMs, and decreased in amplitude during trains of action potentials (APs). In type D neurones, these same trains caused a slight enhancement of AHP amplitude. In adult HMs, with a decrementing firing pattern, trains of APs also caused summation of the AHP. 4. Type D neonatal HMs showed a progressive prolongation of the AP during repetitive firing. In contrast, type I neonatal HMs had almost no change in AP duration. In adult HMs the AP was short and experienced only a modest increase in duration during fast repetitive firing. 5. The function relating steady-state firing frequency to injected current (f-I curve) was linear. The mean steady-state f-I slope was significantly higher in neonates than in adults (approximately 30 vs. approximately 20 Hz nA-1), and was weakly correlated with input resistance. The f-I slope was negatively correlated with AHP duration in neonatal HMs only. In addition, for a given AHP duration the slope was higher in neonatal HMs. 6. Two threshold behaviours were observed among neonatal HMs: (a) a progressive rhythmic firing threshold, and (b) a sudden transition from subthreshold to regular repetitive firing. Current threshold for repetitive firing was strongly correlated with cell input conductance. Type I neonatal HMs had higher minimal steady firing rates (fmin) than type D HMs. In neonates, fmin was strongly correlated with AHP duration. Adult HMs showed a weaker correlation between these two parameters, and fmin was higher than predicted by AHP duration. 7. In summary, HMs responded to depolarizing current pulses with different firing patterns during postnatal development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Prostatic hypertrophy in the elderly cirrhotic patient: an estrogenic or androgenic response?

In elderly males hormonal changes occur that are believed to cause benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These are decreased testosterone production, an increased testosterone SHBG and a slightly increased estradiol production. Liver cirrhosis in males causes similar endocrine changes. We carried out a post mortem study evaluating the prostates of 51 men who died with liver cirrhosis compared with a similar group without any hepatic disease. The occurrence of BPH in cirrhotic subjects was diminished and delayed compared to total population. Furthermore in cirrhotic men BPH is more common as early nodular hyperplasia (early stage) or stromal hyperplasia (suggesting estrogenic prevalence), while in the general population stromal and epithelial hyperplasia (androgenic stimulation), were almost equally present.
Using hyperbolic Lagrangian coherent structures to investigate vortices in bioinspired fluid flows

We use direct Lyapunov exponents to identify Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) in a bioinspired fluid flow: the wakes of rigid pitching panels with a trapezoidal planform geometry chosen to model idealized fish caudal fins. When compared with commonly used Eulerian criteria, the Lagrangian method has previously exhibited the ability to define structure boundaries without relying on a preselected threshold. In addition, qualitative changes in the LCS have previously been shown to correspond to physical changes in the vortex structure. For this paper, digital particle image velocimetry experiments were performed to obtain the time-resolved velocity fields for Strouhal numbers of 0.17 and 0.27. A classic reverse von Karman vortex street pattern was observed along the midspan of the near wake at low Strouhal number, but at higher Strouhal number the complexity of the wake increased downstream of the trailing edge. The spanwise vortices spread transversely across the wake and lose coherence, and this event was shown to correspond to a qualitative change in the LCS at the same time and location.
HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF EPINEPHRINE DERIVED FROM A CENTRAL SOURCE AND OF 5-HYDROXYINDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID IN HYPOPHYSIAL PORTAL PLASMA

This study was designed to determine if active secretion of epinephrine (EPI) and/or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from the hypothalamus into the hypophysial portal vasculature takes place, in addition to the well-known secretion of dopamine (DA). Hypophysial portal plasma was collected from urethane-anesthetized male rats by stalk cannulation (Porter method) or by periodic aspiration of portal blood (Worthington and Fink method). Portal and peripheral plasma concentrations of EPI, 5-HT, DA and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were concurrently measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Significantly higher concentrations of EPI were found in hypophysial portal than in peripheral plasma. After adrenalectomy (ADX), peripheral plasma levels of EPI were undetectable, whereas portal plasma EPI levels were only slightly attenuated. Although 5-HT levels in portal and peripheral plasma were not different, 5-HIAA levels were 3-fold higher in portal plasma. DA was 10-15fo...
Rapid purification of enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis from rat adipose tissue.

Abstract Acetyl CoA carboxylase, ATP-citrate lyase and fatty acid synthetase were purified to homogeneity by a simple procedure. The purification method consists of polymerization of acetyl CoA carboxylase with citrate followed by avidin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. ATP-citrate lyase and fatty acid synthetase were isolated as by-products of acetyl CoA carboxylase purification and are separated from each other by chromatography on DE-52. ATP-citrate lyase was further purified by CoA-agarose affinity chromatography and fatty acid synthetase was purified on Bio-Gel A-1.5m. Purified ATP-citrate lyase, acetyl CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase had specific activities of 9.9, 2.8 and 1.8 U/mg respectively with an over all recovery of 30, 25 and 50% respectively. Using these purified enzymes, we found that ATP-citrate lyase and acetyl CoA carboxylase were phosphorylated in vitro by both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP-citrate lyase kinase whereas fatty acid synthetase was not phosphorylated by...
Aneurysms of the left main coronary artery: A report of three cases and review of the literature

Coronary artery aneurysms have been reported to occur in 1-2% of most large angiographic series. However, aneurysms of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) are extremely rare. Only eight previous cases of LMCA aneurysms have been reported, and only one of these cases was felt to be atherosclerotic in etiology. The clinical findings in three hypertensive females with LMCA aneurysm diagnosed at angiography are presented, along with a review of the literature.
Expert System for Automatically Correcting OCR Output

This paper describes a new expert system for automatically correcting errors made by optical character recognition (OCR) devices. The system, which we call the post-processing system, is designed to improve the quality of text produced by an OCR device in preparation for subsequent retrieval from an information system. The system is composed of numerous parts: an information retrieval system, an English dictionary, a domain-specific dictionary, and a collection of algorithms and heuristics designed to correct as many OCR errors as possible. For the remaining errors that cannot be corrected, the system passes them on to a user-level editing program. This post-processing system can be viewed as part of a larger system that would streamline the steps of taking a document from its hard copy form to its usable electronic form, or it can be considered a stand alone system for OCR error correction. An earlier version of this system has been used to process approximately 10,000 pages of OCR generated text. Among the OCR errors discovered by this version, about 87% were corrected. We implement numerous new parts of the system, test this new version, and present the results.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Self-Assembly of Lamellar and Expanded Lamellar Coordination Networks.

Structural similarity with clay-type minerals is apparent in the self-assembled layered coordination network [{Ag(1)(MeCN)2 }∞ ][BF4 ]∞ , which is stabilized by a lamellar chelate effect (section of structure shown on the right). The interlayer region is expandable through the use of larger ligands such as PhCN. The void space is occupied by one PhCN molecule per repeat unit.
On a mechanism for autocatalysis

Abstract The mechanism proposed by Walles and Platt for an autocatalytic reaction A → B + C is analysed by the method of singular perturbations. This has some features of interest in that the stable root of the degenerate problem changes during the course of the reaction and an intermediate solution with a different dependence on the small perturbation parameter must be introduced. Comparison between the calculated and asymptotic solution shows good agreement with only the first two terms of the perturbation expansion.