cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of veterinary student rectal palpation on early pregnancy loss in dairy cattle

Rectal palpation is the most commonly used method for pregnancy determination in cattle. Surveys of bovine practitioners seeking to hire new graduates rank it as a skill they expect students to perform proficiently. Teaching this important technique to veterinary students is a challenge in an academic setting because of the perceived detrimental effect student palpation may have on a client’s animals. Additionally an inability by the instructor to guide a student's hand while rectally palpating makes verification of learning difficult. The goal of this study was to determine if student palpation led to an increase in pregnancy loss. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in pregnancy loss between cows that were palpated using transrectal ultrasonography by a clinician to cows that were ultrasounded by a clinician and then palpated by a fourth year veterinary student. Further, we hypothesized that students that had taken the elective formal palpation training class through The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (VETPREV 796.17: Bovine Palpation) would be more likely to cause early pregnancy loss in dairy cattle. The concern was that the advanced trained students may be more aggressive in their palpation technique.
The Polypharma Study: Association Between Diet and Amount of Prescription Drugs Among Seniors:

Polypharmacy, commonly described as the use of five or more prescribed medications, is a prevalent health issue among seniors because of the potential adverse side effects due to medication interac...
Exploring Temporal Vagueness with Mechanical Turk

This paper proposes schematic changes to the TempEval framework that target the temporal vagueness problem. Specifically, two elements of vagueness are singled out for special treatment: vague time expressions, and explicit/implicit temporal modification of events. As proof of concept, an annotation experiment on explicit/implicit modification is conducted on Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Results show that the quality of a considerable segment of the annotation is comparable to annotation obtained in the traditional double-blind setting, only with higher coverage. This approach offers additional flexibility in how the temporal annotation data can be used.
From Legal Standard to Psychological Measurement

The purpose of this chapter is to describe our translation of the legal standards and concepts for competence to waive rights into methods for assessing that competence. It was our goal to develop measures which would be conceptually related as closely as possible to the requirements and concerns of the law when a court weighs the validity of suspects’ waiver of Miranda rights. The experimental measures which we planned to develop were intended to provide the necessary tools for obtaining empirical information about which types of juveniles were more or less competent to waive their rights to silence and counsel. This information could then be used by legislators in forming law controlling the procedures of police and juvenile courts when dealing with interrogation issues. In addition, the results would provide attorneys and judges with an empirical basis with which to weigh the difficult question of the validity of waiver in individual juvenile cases. It was not our intention to develop tools or results which would replace judicial discretion in such matters. As we will explain later in this chapter, the question of the validity of a juvenile’s waiver requires a consideration of more factors than the competence of the juvenile alone. In addition, experimental research can rarely take into account all of the individual characteristics of juveniles which might be relevant in certain cases. The measures, then, were designed to provide results which could stand as guidelines for judicial decisions, thereby improving the consistency and rationality of decision making.
INFLUENCE OF OXYGEN-CONTAINING LEAD MELTS ON THE FATIGUE STRENGTH OF AISI 409L STEEL AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

We study the regularities of the influence of lead and lead-bismuth eutectic melts on the fatigue strength of AISI 409L (Fe-11Cr) steel of the ferritic class within the temperature range 500–600°С. It is shown that they reduce the resistance to long-term static loading of steel as compared with its resistance in a vacuum. As temperature increases, the negative influence of the eutectic becomes more pronounced as a result of the corrosive action of lead melts, namely, as a result of the selective dissolution of chromium along grain boundaries and the formation of iron oxides, which rapidly embrittle under loading and, thus, facilitates the fracture processes in the material.
Ideology as Constraint

The debate between the Critical Legal Studies movement and its critics has often seemed little more than a collection of arbitrary dismissals from both sides. For this reason, few books can be more welcome than the philosopher Andrew Altman's recent study of the Critical Legal Studies movement. Altman discusses and critiques CLS writings from the standpoint of a scholar deeply committed to liberal political theory. But there is nothing dismissive about Altman's work; if Altman's is a criticism of CLS, it is a very sympathetic criticism. Altman is a liberal who nevertheless recognizes the potential failings of liberal legal theory. He agrees with Morton Horwitz that the Rule of Law is not an "unqualified human good," despite its obvious importance in preserving human liberty.' He accepts the claim that social rules and practices affect the justice of the legal system as much as do legal rules, and argues that without a culture of tolerance and respect for freedom, legal guarantees of human rights will not be sufficient to prevent oppression.2 Thus, Altman has much in common with the CLS thinkers he purports to criticize. Nevertheless, he has an abiding faith in liberalism as a political theory that can adapt to changes in human affairs and reform itself in order better to protect human rights and human values.3 In his view, the soundest versions of liberalism have nothing to fear from CLS critiques, and much to gain. His book is not an apology for liberalism but rather a call for an invigorated version of it.
Ascorbic acid induces alkaline phosphatase, type X collagen, and calcium deposition in cultured chick chondrocytes.

During the process of endochondral bone formation, proliferating chondrocytes give rise to hypertrophic chondrocytes, which then deposit a mineralized matrix to form calcified cartilage. Chondrocyte hypertrophy and matrix mineralization are associated with expression of type X collagen and the induction of high levels of the bone/liver/kidney isozyme of alkaline phosphatase. To determine what role vitamin C plays in these processes, chondrocytes derived from the cephalic portion of 14-day chick embryo sternae were grown in the absence or presence of exogenous ascorbic acid. Control untreated cells displayed low levels of type X collagen and alkaline phosphatase activity throughout the culture period. However, cells grown in the presence of ascorbic acid produced increasing levels of alkaline phosphatase activity and type X collagen mRNA and protein. Both alkaline phosphatase activity and type X collagen mRNA levels began to increase within 24 h of ascorbate treatment; by 9 days, the levels of both alkaline phosphatase activity and type X collagen mRNA were 15–20-fold higher than in nonascorbate-treated cells. Ascorbate treatment also increased calcium deposition in the cell layer and decreased the levels of types II and IX collagen mRNAs; these effects lagged significantly behind the elevation of alkaline phosphatase and type X collagen. Addition of β-glycerophosphate to the medium increased calcium deposition in the presence of ascorbate but had no effect on levels of collagen mRNAs or alkaline phosphatase. The results suggest that vitamin C may play an important role in endochondral bone formation by modulating gene expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes.
A 0.8 /spl mu/m CMOS 2.5 Gb/s oversampled receiver for serial links

The demand for higher bit rates by the communications industry has led to the development of high bit rate and low cost serial link interface chips. Recently, interest has grown in using modest CMOS technology to achieve similar bit rates. This work achieves SONET OC-48 (2.488 Gbps) rates with 0.8 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Because the data rate is near the process unity-gain frequency, a parallel architecture is used to demultiplex the data stream at the input. N precisely-spaced clocks that run at 1/N of the data rate are used. Instead of a conventional analog PLL that would require low noise sensitivity, this work explores oversampling each data bit and using digital logic to select the proper bit values. Although data is not sampled at the center of the eye, the digital loop can choose the best sample with bandwidth roughly the data transition rate.
Long-term regulation of neuronal calcium currents by prolonged changes of membrane potential.

Although rapid-onset, short-term regulation of neuronal Ca currents by neurotransmitters and second messengers is well documented, little is known about conditions that can cause longer-lasting changes in Ca channel function. We report here that persistent depolarization is accompanied by slowly developing long-term reduction of neuronal Ca currents. Rat myenteric neurons grown in cell culture for 1–7 d were studied with the tight-seal whole-cell recording technique. Macroscopic Ca-channel currents had decaying and sustained components at all days studied. When the neurons were grown in medium containing 25 mM KCl, which depolarized them to -40 mV and caused significant elevation of intracellular Ca, the densities of both components of Ca-channel current decreased by 40–80%. Several results suggest that different mechanisms underlie the downregulation of the two components. (1) The density of the decaying component decreased approximately four times faster than did that of the sustained component. (2) When neurons were returned to control medium, which contained 5 mM KCl, the density of the sustained component returned to control levels within 24 hr, while that of the decaying component did not recover significantly. (3) Inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis reduced or prevented downregulation of the sustained but not of the decaying component. (4) The dihydropyridine antagonist nitrendipine, which prevented the sustained elevation of intracellular Ca in neurons grown in 25 mM KCl, prevented downregulation of the sustained component but had no effect on downregulation of the decaying component. We suggest that these forms of regulation of Ca current density could help neurons adapt to altered levels of electrical activity and may contribute to changes in synaptic strength that occur during periods of increased or decreased electrical activity.
Non-Euclidean Geometry

Mathematics is not usually considered a source of surprises, but non-Euclidean geometry contains a number of easily obtainable theorems that seem almost “heretical” to anyone grounded in Euclidean geometry. Abrief encounter with these “strange” geometries frequently results in initial confusion. Eventually, however, this encounter should not only produce a deeper understanding of Euclidean geometry, but it should also offer convincing support for the necessity of carefully reasoned proofs for results that may have once seemed obvious. These individual experiences mirror the difficulties mathematicians encountered historically in the development of non-Euclidean geometry. An acquaintance with this history and an appreciation for the mathematical and intellectual importance of Euclidean geometry is essential for an understanding of the profound impact of this development on mathematical and philosophical thought. Thus, the study of Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry as mathematical systems can be greatly enhanced by parallel readings in the history of geometry. Since the mathematics of the ancient Greeks was primarily geometry, such readings provide an introduction to the history of mathematics in general.
To Peter Cicchino, From the Heart

Although it may disappoint some here, I do not intend to disagree much. In fact, seven short years ago this month, I met Peter Cicchino at the 1993 Lesbian and Gay March on Washington, and we have not really disagreed much since. Most of those who know either of our personalities would find that astonishing, but I think we both knew when we met that we were soul mates. And all of Peter’s speeches and comments since then have only confirmed that for me. When I reread Peter’s speech in preparation for this event, one of the first things that struck me is that it was prepared a couple of years ago because it did not begin with a parable from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” That is another point of agreement between Peter and me. I do not know if I am outing him or not, but I will out both of us: we are both devoted Buffy fans. We are also fans of Dr. Seuss, as you can see when Peter begins his wonderful essay. When I reread his speech, it really did hit a nerve, and I decided to circulate it to a few friends at work. I work for the Legal Aid Society; I’m a specialist in welfare rights, and I have been doing this for ten years. As one can imagine, the last several years have been very “happy” ones, by Peter’s measuring rod. I also work with a homeless rights project on a lot of homeless issues. We have had quite a lot to do recently, so I decided to circulate the speech, since it did really resonate with me, to my friends at work. These hardened litigators, some of whom have worked with homeless people in New York City for over a decade, were all deeply touched
Evaluation of fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect encapsulated Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 spores released from poly(methylmethacrylate).

Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 spores originally isolated from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory spacecraft assembly facility clean room are extremely resistant to UV radiation, H2O2, desiccation, chemical disinfection and starvation compared to spores of other Bacillus species. The resistance of B. pumilus SAFR-032 spores to standard industrial clean room sterilization practices is not only a major concern for medical, pharmaceutical and food industries, but also a threat to the extraterrestrial environment during search for life via spacecraft. The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential of Alexa-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization with Alexa Fluor® 488 labeled oligonucleotide) method as a molecular diagnostic tool for enumeration of multiple sterilant-resistant B. pumilus SAFR-032 spores artificially encapsulated in, and released via organic solvent from, a model polymeric material: poly(methylmethacrylate) (Lucite, Plexiglas). Plexiglas is used extensively in various aerospace applications and in medical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Alexa-FISH signals were not detected from spores via standard methods for vegetative bacterial cells. Optimization of a spore permeabilization protocol capitalizing on the synergistic action of proteinase-K, lysozyme, mutanolysin and Triton X-100 facilitated efficient spore detection by Alexa-FISH microscopy. Neither of the Alexa-probes tested gave rise to considerable levels of Lucite- or solvent-associated background autofluorescence, demonstrating the immense potential of Alexa-FISH for rapid quantification of encapsulated B. pumilus SAFR-032 spores released from poly(methylmethacrylate).
Vagus nerve stimulation elevates seizure threshold in the kindling model.

Summary Purpose: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) provides partial relief of medically refractory partial seizures in a subset of patients. The optimal pattern of stimulation and the mechanism of the antiseizure effects are uncertain. Establishing the efficacy of VNS in an animal model of epilepsy would provide an experimental preparation with which to address these questions. We sought to determine whether VNS exerted antiseizure effects in the kindling model of epilepsy. Methods: We implanted adult rats with bipolar stimulating electrodes in the right amygdala and VNS devices around the left vagus nerve. Following induction of kindling, electrographic seizure threshold (EST) was determined by quantifying the amygdala electrode current required to evoke a seizure. Once stable ESTs were established, VNS devices were programmed to deliver U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved, clinically used (standard) or an experimental (microburst) pattern of stimulation of variable intensity. VNS devices were programmed identically in control animals except that no current was delivered. EST was examined at 60 min and 1 week in the control and vagus nerve stimulated groups. Key Findings: Significant reductions of EST values were detected in control animals when tested both 60 min and 1 week following device programming. Both clinically used and experimental patterns of VNS prevented the reduction of EST evident in control animals when tested either 60 min or 1 week after device programming. Significance: These findings establish an experimental preparation with which to elucidate the antiseizure mechanisms of VNS and to determine patterns of VNS most effective at elevating seizure threshold.
Detection of UDP-flood attack with hidden Markov models

A scheme that uses the hidden Markov model (HMM) is proposed in this work to detect unauthorized nuisance packets in IP networks, which waste network resources and may result in the denial of service (DoS) attack. The proposed HMM is designed to differentiate the attack traffic from the normal traffic systematically. The design of the basic HMM model is first introduced, and the operations of the detector are then described in detail. Finally, we show that the detector using HMM is not sensitive to various attack types and able to detect the attack at an earlier stage.
Effect of insulin in vitro on the isolated, perfused alloxan-diabetic rat liver.

Withdrawal of exogenous insulin and a subsequent fast (24 h) of alloxan diabetic rats stimulated rates of gluconeogenesis, ureogenesis, ketogenesis, and amino acid release by in situ perfused livers when compared to those from normal, fasted rats. The contribution of liver glycogen to the high rates of gluconeogenesis observed with the diabetic liver could be excluded. Perfusate lactate concentrations remained constant during the period when the elevated rate of gluconeogenesis was observed with diabetic liver. Addition of insulin as a bolus (750 mU) and continuous infusion (12.5 mU/min) to the perfusion medium of diabetic livers resulted in constant perfusate levels of glucose, urea and α-amino nitrogen indicating a suppression of the catabolic processes present in the fasted, diabetic liver. The rate of ketogenesis was also slowed by insulin to about half the rate prior to addition of the hormone. These data indicate that insulin has an immediate anti-catabolic effect in the perfused, diabetic liver.
Cold stress and acute organophosphorus exposure: interaction effects on juvenile northern bobwhite.

The interaction of cold stress and acute chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethylO-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)-phosphorothioate) exposure was examined in juvenile northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus L.) as it relates to brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity and mortality. Temperatures spanned a 35.0°C optimum to a 27.5°C minimum; oral doses of chlorpyrifos ranged from 0.25 to 3.0 mg (8.3 to 100.0 mg/kg). Dose, temperature and body weight were significant factors in the ChE response. In addition, low temperatures potentiated dose-related ChE depression. Cholinesterase activity in non-surviving quail was inhibited at low temperatures but was not affected significantly by dose; dose, however, was the single factor which significantly influenced mortality. The LD504hrs was approximately 91.3 mg/kg. These data demonstrate that cold stress augments certain toxic effects in juvenile northern bobwhite and should be considered when appraising pesticide hazards to wildlife.
Global analysis of non-specific protein–nucleic interactions by sedimentation equilibrium

Protein-nucleic acid interactions govern a variety of processes, including replication, transcription, recombination and repair. These interactions take place in both sequence-specific and non-specific modes, and the latter occur in many biologically significant contexts. Analytical ultracentrifugation is a useful method for the detailed characterization of the stoichiometry and affinity of macromolecular interactions in free solution. There has been a resurgence of interest in the application of sedimentation equilibrium methods to protein-nucleic acid interactions. However, these studies have been generally focused on sequence-specific interactions. Here we describe an approach to analyze non-specific interactions using sedimentation equilibrium. We have adapted an existing model for non-specific interaction of proteins with finite, one-dimensional nucleic acid lattices for global fitting of multiwavelength sedimentation equilibrium data. The model is extended to accommodate protein binding to multiple faces of the nucleic acid, resulting in overlap of consecutive ligands along the sequence of the RNA or DNA. The approach is illustrated in a sedimentation equilibrium analysis of the interaction of the double-stranded RNA binding motif of protein kinase R with a 20-basepair RNA construct.
Performance and Variability Studies of InGaAs Gate-all-Around Nanowire MOSFETs

Furthering Si CMOS scaling requires development of high-mobility channel materials and advanced device structures to improve the electrostatic control. We demonstrate the fabrication of gate-all-around (GAA) indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) MOSFETs with highly scaled atomic-layer-deposited gate dielectrics. InGaAs, with its high electron mobility, allows higher drive currents and other on-state performance compared to silicon. The GAA structure provides superior electrostatic control of the MOSFET channel with outstanding off-state performance. A subthreshold slope of 72 mV/dec, electron mobility of 764 cm2/V·s, and an on-current of 1.59 mA/μm are demonstrated, for example. Variability studies on on-state and off-state performances caused by the number of nanowire channels are also presented.
Moments of Randomly Stopped Sums

1. Introduction. Let (Ω, F, P) be a probability space, let x 1 x 2, … be a sequence of random variables on Ω, and let F n be the σ-algebra generated by x 1, …, x n with F 0 = (φ,Ω). A stopping variable (of the sequence x 1, x2, …) is a random variable t on Ω with positive integer values such that the event [t = n] e F n for every n ≧ l.Let \( {S_n} = \Sigma _i^n{x_i};{\text{ then }}{S_t} = {S_{t(\omega )}}(\omega ) = \Sigma _1^t{x_i} \) is a randomly stopped sum. We shall always assume that $$E|{x_n}| < \infty , E({x_{n + 1}}|{\Im _n}) = 0, (n \geqslant 1).$$ (1)
The systems developer skill set: exploring nature, gaps, and gender differences research in progress

IT workers need an appropriate skill set to effectively exploit technology. The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of actual and desired systems developer, job skills. In viewing job skills from a social constructivist viewpoint, this study also investigates the perspectives of male and female systems developers recognizing that societal influences related to gender may affect IT job choices. Survey methodology was used to obtain self-reports of actual skill level and desire to use common dimensions of the systems developer skill set. Anticipated results will add to the existing body of IT job skills knowledge and may provide practice with job development and career planning guidance.
Materials by design: Effect of deposition temperature on the magnetic properties of FeZrN

Abstract FeN materials exhibiting high moment, low coercivity and small magnetostriction have previously been reported. Zr has been known to reduce the magnetostriction in other Fe alloys. The criteria for an ideal recording head pole material as well as shields for magnetoresistive sensors include high moment, low coercivity, high permeability and zero magnetostriction. Prior work indicated that FeZrN has potential for the above application. The effect of deposition temperature on the magnetic properties of the films is explored in this work. The properties of 0.4 μm thick FeZrN films as a function of the deposition temperature is reported in this work. The films were deposited at a pressure of 3 mTorr using a sputtering system. The target was composed of Fe with Zr chips covering approximately 2% of the surface area. The temperature was measured using a Chromel–Alumel type K thermometer mounted on a removable substrate table and RF shielded via a braided stainless steel sheath. The temperature was varied between 120 and 350 °C using a tungsten heater built into the sputtering table.
The third sector in the second world

Abstract The revolutions of 1989 toppled communist regimes throughout Central Europe and brought democratic forces to the brink of power in the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, and Rumania. Economic decay and reform in the Soviet Union fostered the actual upheavals. The main force for change, however, came from the mass public itself. One result has been the formation of a voluntary third sector of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The extraordinary effervescence of NGOs of all types is the single most distinctive aspect of the revolutions of 1989. NGOs already affect public decision making, channel energies and resources, and bring local, national, and even international expertise and resources to bear on heretofore neglected needs. Their further flowering will depend on the creation of solid legal protections, the establishment of a viable private sector in the economy, and on the further development of habits of independence and initiative throughout the societies.
Antinociceptive and hypothermic crosstolerance between continuous and intermittent cold-water swims in rats.

Abstract Antinociceptive responses induced by continuous (CCWS: 2°C, 3 min) and intermittent (ICWS: 2°C, 18 10-s swims, 18 10-s recoveries) cold-water swims differ in their sensitivity to opioid antagonists and crosstolerance with morphine. The present study examined whether CCWS and ICWS antinociception and hypothermia displayed crosstolerance in rats. Jump thresholds were significantly increased following acute exposure to CCWS (30 min) and ICWS (30–60 min). CCWS antinociception displayed tolerance (90% reduction) to CCWS after 14 days and crosstolerance (100% reduction) to ICWS on the fifteenth day. ICWS antinociception displayed tolerance (74% reduction) to ICWS and crosstolerance (81% reduction) to CCWS. Core body temperatures were significantly decreased following acute exposure to CCWS (30 min) and ICWS (30–90 min). Although CCWS and ICWS hypothermia displayed tolerance to the same stressor and crosstolerance to the other stressor, the changes in the antinociceptive and hypothermic effects failed to correlated significantly with each other.
The demand for housing in developing countries : the case of Korea

This paper presents the results of an analysis of urban housing demand for Korea taking into account the most recent findings of housing demand analysis concerning specification and aggregation biases. In order to obtain correctly specified demand functions, a procedure based on a model of the housing market originally proposed by Muth is used. This procedure permits the calculation of an individual price per unit of housing services for each household. The results show conclusively that both the income and price elasticity of the demand for housing services in Korea are comparable to those found in the United States.
Subarcsecond x-ray telescope for imaging the solar corona in the 0.25- to 1.2-keV band

We have developed an X-ray telescope that uses a new technique for focusing X-rays with grazing incidence optics. The telescope was built with spherical optics for all of its components, utilizing the high quality surfaces obtainable when polishing spherical (as opposed to aspherical) optics. We tested the prototype X-ray telescope in the 300 meter vacuum pipe at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The telescope features 2 degee graze angles with tungsten coatings, yielding a bandpass of 0.25-1.5 keV with a peak effective area of 0.8 sq cm at 0.83 keV. Results from X-ray testing at energies of 0.25 keV and 0.93 keV (C-K and Cu-L) verify 0.5 arcsecond performance at 0.93 keV. Results from modeling the X-ray telescope's response to the Sun show that the current design would be capable of recording 10 half arcsecond images of a solar active region during a 300 second NASA sounding rocket flight.
Composition and heat generation of the Precambrian crust in New Mexico

Compared to average Precambrian shield, the average Precambrian terrane in New Mexico contains more Si, K, Rb, U and REE and less Fe, Ti, Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Ni, Co, Sr, Zr, and Ba. It also is characterized by a less fractionated light REE pattern, a larger negative Eu anomaly, larger Ba/Sr and Rb/Sr ratios, a smaller K/Rb ratio, and larger heat productivity. The lower crust in New Mexico is more depleted in K, Th, U, and related LIL elements than the crust beneath average Precambrian shield. Such depletion may be explained by transfer of LIL elements from deep to shallow crustal levels by rising granites that are produced by partial melting of the lower crust.
Physical training in boots and running shoes: a historical comparison of injury incidence in basic combat training.

ABSTRACT For many years, U.S. Army soldiers performed physical training (PT) in a modified duty uniform and combat boots. The belief that PT in combat boots was associated with injuries lead to the introduction of running shoes for PT in 1982. A historical comparison was conducted examining injuries before and after the change to running shoes in Basic Combat Training (BCT). Searches in literature databases and other sources identified 16 studies with quantitative data on injury incidence during 8-week BCT cycles. Employing studies with similar injury definitions (n = 12), injury incidence was compared in the boot and running shoe periods using meta-analyses, χ2 statistics, and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The boot and shoe periods demonstrated little difference in overall injury incidence (men: RR[boot/shoes] = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.91–1.18, p = 0.50; women: RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.85–1.05, p = 0.27) or in lower extremity injury incidence (men: RR[boot/shoes] = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.64–...
Synchronized repolarization after defibrillation shocks. A possible component of the defibrillation process demonstrated by optical recordings in rabbit heart.

BACKGROUNDIt is currently believed that defibrillation shocks act primarily by stimulating excitable myocardium to abolish wave fronts. Recent studies have shown that shocks applied during pacing not only stimulate excitable myocardium but also prolong the depolarization and refractoriness of myocardium already in a depolarized state. This study investigates the effects of shocks on fibrillation action potentials.METHODS AND RESULTSRecordings of membrane action potentials free of shock artifact were obtained using the voltage-sensitive dye WW781 during defibrillation of isolated rabbit hearts. These records showed that the shocks caused an additional phase of depolarization beginning with an initial rapid depolarization of the optical signal followed by a slow phase of repolarization. This occurred throughout all phases of the fibrillation action potential from just after completion of the upstroke to a time of near maximal repolarization. Defibrillation shocks, however, had the additional effect of causi...
High coercivity of Alnico thin films: effect of Si substrate and the emergence of a novel magnetic phase

In our research work to study the spinodal decomposition of Alnico thin films prepared by sputtering on Si substrates, it has been discovered that Si diffuses into the films and gives rise to a new magnetically hard phase with T C = 305 °C. As-made thin films with the “α phase” of the Alnico were heat treated by annealing at different temperatures in the range of 600–900 °C. The heat treatment gave a room temperature coercivity of 6.5 kOe after annealing at 900 °C. The maximum coercivity observed is approximately ten times larger than the bulk Alnico V value. Planar electron diffraction patterns can be mostly indexed to an FCC spinel phase with a = 7.79 A. On the other hand, 80 nm deep inside the film a separate layer is observed with smaller grains having BCT structure with lattice constants a = 2.65 and c = 3.19 A. We strongly believe that this phase is related to the observed high coercivities in the samples. This discovery is very important in view of the recent “rare earth problem” and may lead to alternative to rare earth materials for the development of high performance magnets.
A General Model for Two-Point Contact Dry-Friction Whip and Whirl

Numerous papers have investigated the behavior of dry-friction whip and whirl; most of them consider contact between a rotor and stator at a single location. For rotors running on multiple magnetic bearings, air bearings, or bushings, equipment failure may result in rub at more than one location. For these cases, it is important to have an analytical model that characterizes possible regions of two-point contact dry-friction whip and whirl.Until a recent publication by Childs and Kumar in 2011, there were no attempts to analytically describe the behavior of dry-friction whip and whirl at more than one location. In their work, they assume that forces at the two rotor/stator contacts are either in-phase, or out-of phase. The current work presents a method that is more general, allowing for an arbitrary phase between contact locations. In theory this method can be applied to more than two contact locations; however, a two-point contact example case is developed and compared to numerical simulations in the current work.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Peritoneal metastases in children with cancer

BACKGROUND This study attempted to evaluate the childhood malignancies associated with computed tomography (CT) detected peritoneal metastases as well as the diagnostic imaging characteristics of these metastases as shown on CT. METHODS The authors reviewed all available pathology specimens and abdominopelvic CT scans of patients identified as having peritoneal metastases at three childhood cancer centers. Patient demographics, primary diagnosis, and CT characteristics of such metastases were evaluated. RESULTS Peritoneal metastases were identified by CT in 32 children with cancer either at diagnosis (n = 20) or up to 6.2 years from diagnosis (n = 12). On CT, peritoneal disease appeared as a mass in 26 cases, as studding in 11 cases, as peritoneal enhancement in 15 cases, and as diffuse caking in 4 cases (15 patients had > 1 category of peritoneal metastasis). Thirteen patients had concurrent metastases in other sites. Fourteen patients died of progressive disease at a median of 10 months from the time peritoneal metastases were identified on CT. At last follow-up, the remaining 18 patients were alive, with follow-up ranging from 1 month to 9.7 years. As expected, peritoneal metastases were identified in patients with germ cell tumors and colon carcinoma. However, they also were observed in patients with epithelioid carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, pineoblastoma, neuroblastoma, melanoma, and peripheral neuroectodermal tumor. CONCLUSIONS Peritoneal metastases have variable appearance on CT, but most commonly appear mass-like. They are associated with a wider range of primary diagnoses than reported previously. The outcome varies with the type of the primary tumor and its responsiveness to existing therapies. Cancer 1998;83:385-390. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Sex differences in the responses of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and catecholamine systems to ovarian hormones and naloxone: implications for sexual differentiation of luteinizing hormone secretion in rats

Abstract Normal male rats, or female rats exposed neonatally to androgens or estrogens, do not respond in adulthood to ovarian hormone treatments that stimulate preovulatory-like surges of luteinizing hormone (LH) or mating behavior in normal females. As an attempt to understand the neurochemical basis for this insensitivity, the present studies tested whether sex differences also exist with respect to several important neural events that are antecedent to and essential for the appearance of an LH surge induced by ovarian hormone treatment. Administration of estradiol via Silastic capsules to adult, gonadectomized rats resulted in a suppression of LH release that was equivalent in males and females, but only the estrogen-primed females responded to injections of progesterone with an LH surge. Similarly, in estrogen-primed females but not males, progesterone induced a presurge sequential accumulation and decline of LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) concentrations in the median eminence and increased the turnover rates of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) in the medial basal hypothalamus during the time of LH-RH accumulation. Ovarian hormones may activate NE and E release in females by removing a tonic inhibition over catecholamine release exerted by endogenous opioids. In order to test whether direct antagonism of opiate mechanisms would produce equivalent neuroendocrine or neurochemical responses in males and females, additional studies tested the effects of the opiate receptor blocker naloxone on LH release and on activity of catecholamines in the medial basal hypothalamus. In contrast to females, estrogen-primed male rats did not display either an increase in serum LH or an enhancement of the α-methyltyrosine-induced decline of NE or E after treatment with naloxone. These data suggest that central noradrenergic and adrenergic systems that control the neurosecretion of LH-RH are insensitive to ovarian hormones in adult male rats, and further, that this may be due in part to fundamental sex differences in the control of catecholamine neurotransmission by hypothalamic opioid systems.
Coauthorship Ties in the Colombian Congress, 2002-2006

En este articulo se examinan las conexiones politicas existentes entre los legisladores colombianos (representantes y senadores) durante la primera presidencia de alvaro Uribe (2002-2006). El analisis utiliza informacion acerca de la coautoria de propuestas legislativas. La iniciacion de las mismas por un par de legisladores indica la intencion de ambos de cambiar el statu quo en una direccion especifica. Esta cooperacion para promover propuestas legislativas revela las similitudes que existen entre los actores politicos. Examinar las conexiones entre los diferentes grupos y la densidad de las conexiones existentes dentro de estos grupos nos puede informar acerca de los partidos y de las preferencias politicas de sus miembros. En este articulo se investigan estos aspectos de la red de conexiones establecidas en las camaras del Congreso colombiano a traves de la coautoria de propuestas legislativas. Ademas de explicar la cohesion y el alineamiento de los partidos, este articulo encuentra que las conexiones basadas en la coautoria son tambien influenciadas por aspectos institucionales y regionales.
Spectral hole burning in dye solutions

Using picopulses generated by a mode-locked ruby laser, we have measured the 3-8-A bandwidth of a hole burned in the 0-0 transition of cryptocyanine in methanol and demonstrated the inhomogeneous chatacter of this transition. The population-rate equations are written for an inhomogeneous transition with two and four energy levels interacting with continuous or pulsed excitation. Using the numerical solutions of this model together with the experimental result we determine a transverse relaxation time T_{2} = 0.6-1 ps for cryptocyanine in methanol.
The nature of increased histochemical deposition of INT formazan in fields of degenerating synaptic terminals.

Abstract We report investigations on the nature of the accumulation of iodonitrotetrazolium violet (INT) at sites of terminal degeneration in histochemical procedures designed to measure oxidative enzyme activity. We show that the increased deposition of INT formazan at sites of terminal degeneration does not indicate an increase in the activity of any oxidizing (tetrazolium reducing) enzyme, first, because other tetrazolium salts which can serve as electron acceptors for oxidative enzymes yield no comparable increased deposition, second, because the increase occurs with all oxidative enzymes tested (succinate dehydrogenase, monoamine oxidase, and micotinamide dinucleotide diaphorase), and third, because increased INT deposition occurs at sites of terminal degeneration even when the tetrazole is reduced independently of oxidative enzyme activity with an exogenous reducing agent such as ammonium sulfide. We conclude that the degeneration specific accumulation of INT formazan reflects some unusual interaction of INT with regions of neural degeneration. Since INT deposition may be unrelated to enzyme activity, the use of INT in histochemical procedures may lead to artifactual results.
Studies in the hydrophilic properties of possible ointment base constituents. II. The n-alkyl alcohols with a carbon chain length of C20 to C30*

The n-alkyl alcohols from C20 to C30 were synthesized and the physical constants of the alcohols and their intermediates were determined. The water numbers of these alcohols were determined and the optimum concentration of the alcohol causing the maximum water potentiation was noted. The C20 alcohol caused the greatest water potentiation and the C24 alcohol had die lowest optimum concentration. The alcohols with the carbon chain length greater than 24 had the same optimum concentration, 3 per cent. The study indicates that molecular size and the orientation of the alkyl group (lipophilic) plays an important part in the emulsifying properties of the fatty alkyl alcohols.
Electric dipole moment of the W boson in the two-Higgs-doublet extension of the standard model.

We compute the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the {ital W} boson in the two-Higgs-doublet extension of the standard model. The calculation is performed at two loops with all the relevant Feynman diagrams included. We find that the {ital W}-boson EDM may be as large as 10{sup {minus}21}--10{sup {minus}20}{ital e} cm, for reasonable masses of the top quark and Higgs boson. Our results disagree with previous calculations done by He and McKellar and Vendramin.
Somatization in children and adolescents.

ABSTRACT Objective To review the empirical literature on somatization in the pediatric age group, emphasizing prevalence, influence on health care utilization, issues in the development of somatization, comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, assessment, and treatment. Method One hundred nineteen studies and reports addressing medically unexplained somatic symptoms in children and adolescents were compiled via MEDLINE search and extensive cross-referencing. All available controlled studies were included, as were selected case reports and collections of cases. Selected citations from the adult literature were chosen for relevance to pediatric somatization. Results Recurrent, medically unexplained physical symptoms are common in the pediatric age group, are often associated with other psychiatric symptoms, and may represent a common presentation of psychiatric disorder in the primary care setting. DSM-III-R -defined somatization disorder is rare, and pseudoneurological symptoms are unusual. Patients may be at risk for potentially dangerous, costly, and unnecessary medical investigations and treatments, and they may excessively utilize health care services. Conclusion Our current understanding of pediatric somatization and its consequences is limited. Collaboration between mental health professionals and primary health care providers is essential. Consistent terminology, developmentally appropriate classification, and systematic future research will be necessary for the development of successful prevention and treatment strategies.
The action of chymotrypsin on two new chromogenic substrates.

Two new chromogenic substrates of chymotrypsin have been synthesized: N -succinyl- L -phenylalanine p -nitroanilide (SPNA) and N -glutaryl- L -phenylalanine p -nitroanilide (GPNA). Both are stable in the absence of enzyme and release p -nitroaniline (yellow) upon hydrolysis. GPNA is the more sensitive substrate being capable of quantifying less than 10 μg per milliliter chymotrypsin. The presence of Ca ++ decreases K m of the enzyme-substrate reaction but has a negligible effect upon k 3 . Na ++ , on the other hand, increases k 3 as well, and provides a suitable means of increasing the sensitivity of GPNA down to microgram levels of enzyme. In combination with an “all or none” assay the rate of hydrolysis of GPNA can be related to the molar concentration of enzyme. The reaction of chymotrypsin with GPNA is not subject to substrate activation over a 200-fold range of substrate concentration, nor is it affected by the presence of ethyl ammonium chloride. In these respects it differs from the reaction of trypsin with susceptible substrates.
Small animal MRI at 0.35 Tesla: growth and morphology of intra-organ murine tumors.

Abstract A whole-body small animal radiofrequency coil was designed and built for use with a 0.35 Tesla clinical magnetic resonance imager. The primary motivation for this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of this system for small animal magnetic resonance imaging of tumor-bearing mice. This noninvasive technique is shown to provide high resolution whole-body images of mice, to be capable of detecting intra-organ tumors, and to be useful for evaluating tumor size and growth. Its potential for monitoring response to experimental therapeutic regimens is also noted. Two tumor models were examined-colon adenocarcinoma MCA-38 and human ASPC-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Wherewith They Weave a Paradise: Keats and the Luscious Poem

When Wordsworth and Coleridge occupy scanty plots and lime-tree bowers, they do so briefly and out of necessity, but Keats consistently describes islands, burrows, bedrooms, and pavilions dense with leafy and/or commercial luxury. More important, he posits such spaces as models for good verse, which, he contends, should feel “like a little copse.” To describe Keats’s regard for packed luxury (that is, circumscribed sensory excess), I choose the term luscious, a word whose etymological links to lush, plush, delicious, lascivious, and, of course, luxurious, render it uniquely suited to an aesthetic defined, paradoxically, by great (sensory) wealth in little space. The following essay argues that this un-Wordsworthian turn to crowded interiors represents not only a Keatsian thematic preoccupation but also, perhaps counterintuitively, Keats’s most significant formal legacy. Keats’s early connection to Leigh Hunt affiliates him with the luxury-loving bourgeoisie. However, less interested in domestic spaces than poetic ones, Keats rediscovered and redefined the catalogue, or poetic list, in an effort to translate gracious living into luscious verse.