cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term contractile activity and thyroid hormone supplementation produce engineered rat myocardium with adult-like structure and function

Abstract The field of cardiac tissue engineering has developed rapidly, but structural and functional immaturity of engineered heart tissues hinder their widespread use. Here, we show that a combination of low-rate (0.2 Hz) contractile activity and thyroid hormone (T3) supplementation significantly promote structural and functional maturation of engineered rat cardiac tissues (“cardiobundles”). The progressive maturation of cardiobundles during first 2 weeks of culture resulted in cell cycle exit and loss of spontaneous activity, which in longer culture yielded decreased contractile function. Maintaining a low level of contractile activity by 0.2 Hz pacing between culture weeks 3 and 5, combined with T3 treatment, yielded significant growth of cardiobundle and myocyte cross-sectional areas (by 68% and 32%, respectively), increased nuclei numbers (by 22%), improved twitch force (by 39%), shortened action potential duration (by 32%), polarized N-cadherin distribution, and switch from immature (slow skeletal) to mature (fast) cardiac troponin I isoform expression. Along with advanced functional output (conduction velocity 53.7 ± 0.8 cm/s, specific force 70.1 ± 5.8 mN/mm2), quantitative ultrastructural analyses revealed similar metrics and abundance of sarcomeres, T-tubules, M-bands, and intercalated disks compared to native age-matched (5-week) and adult (3-month) ventricular myocytes. Unlike 0.2 Hz regime, chronic 1 Hz pacing resulted in significant cardiomyocyte loss and formation of necrotic core despite the use of dynamic culture. Overall, our results demonstrate remarkable ultrastructural and functional maturation of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in 3D culture and reveal importance of combined biophysical and hormonal inputs for in vitro engineering of adult-like myocardium. Statement of Significance Compared to human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, neonatal rat ventricular myocytes show advanced maturation state which makes them suitable for in vitro studies of postnatal cardiac development. Still, maturation process from a neonatal to an adult cardiomyocyte has not been recapitulated in rodent cell cultures. Here, we show that low-frequency pacing and thyroid hormone supplementation of 3D engineered neonatal rat cardiac tissues synergistically yield significant increase in cell and tissue volume, robust formation of T-tubules and M-lines, improved sarcomere organization, and faster and more forceful contractions. To the best of our knowledge, 5-week old engineered cardiac tissues described in this study are the first that exhibit both ultrastructural and functional characteristics approaching or matching those of adult ventricular myocardium.
Report of the Committee on Climatology, 1947–1948

President Byers reconstituted the Committee on Climatology in the autumn of 1947 with the ahore membership. No formal meetings could be held because the members were so widely scattered, but suggestions were obtained by correspondence on the proper function of the Committee. Certain concrete research projects were proposed, as well as suggestions of a more general nature. It was agreed that the Committee should undertake to summarize, insofar as its limited facilities permitted, the progress of climatology in the United States during the year. This first report is admittedly incomplete. Comments of the members of the Committee follow.
Tracking and Reporting Outcomes in Medical Marijuana: Establishing Condition Specific State Level Registries.

In a previous commentary in INNOVATIONS in pharmacy, the question was raised as to the questions legislators should ask for the licensing of medical marijuana dispensaries. The case was made that if dispensaries accept they have a duty of care then they should be required to monitor patients over the course of their treatment with botanical cannabis, including hemp based product, to evaluate the response of patients to therapy. One option would be for individual dispensaries (or owners of multiple licenses and dispensary locations) to adopt a registry format and implement an on-line reporting system by registry staff and patients for the conditions being treated. Unfortunately, under present legislative rules for dispensaries there is no incentive for dispensaries to make the necessary investment. It is also unlikely that legislators would be prepared to mandate a registry requirement. The purpose of this commentary is to offer an alternative solution. Rather than dispensary specific registries, a state-wide low cost registry is proposed where dispensaries are required to log in and track patients with specific conditions. In the case of severe pain, a dispensary would log in patients presenting with this condition and the patient tracked over their course of treatment. A further advantage with a statewide registry is that if a patient visits a different dispensary they can still be tracked as they would be identified by their marijuana card number. The ability to track patients by condition, while still resident in a state, would not only minimize the issue of incomplete records, but would provide a comprehensive, research quality framework for evaluating claims for botanical cannabis. This could then provide feedback to legislators and establish a robust basis for rule making. Article Type: Commentary
Visual Display of Computer Output Aids Geological Interpretation

Methods of automatic illustration of solutions of geologic problems by means of electronic computers are discussed. Line printers have been used in order to obtain the illustrations. Examples of computational illustrations of trend surfaces and time-trend sequences are given.
Efficacy and safety of single versus multiple intralesional immunotherapy with purified protein derivative (PPD) in the treatment of multiple verruca vulgaris

Background Despite the numerous studies on the use of purified protein derivative (PPD), a protein extracted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in verruca vulgaris, there is no standardized regimen, and efficacy of single versus multiple injections has not been compared. Methods This is a randomized, open-label, superiority trial. Sixty-six patients with at least three warts in two different anatomic sites were randomized into two groups: a single injection (n = 29) and multiple injection (n = 29) groups. Patients were treated every 2 weeks until a maximum of six sessions. Results Multiple injections (79.3%) showed superior clearance rates compared to a single injection of PPD (58.6%) (P-value = 0.0236). Multiple injections also exhibited faster clearance at each time point (P = 0.048). Pain was statistically more significant in the multiple injection group (P = 0.0005). There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of adverse events (P = 0.1795). Amongst all cleared patients in both groups, there were no recurrences after 6 months. Conclusion Multiple injections of warts with PPD cleared more patients with multiple common warts than the use of single injections at the end of 12 weeks and were faster in clearing patients at every time point. Single injection was better tolerated than multiple injections. Both treatments exhibited similar safety profiles and recurrence rates.
Perturbation Theory for Almost Periodic Solutions for Undamped Nonlinear Differential Equations

Publisher Summary This chapter presents perturbation theory for almost periodic solutions for undamped nonlinear differential equations. A new approach has been developed for almost periodic solutions for undamped nonlinear differential equations. This approach furnishes the construction of solutions for nonlinear problems. This method has many other applications in analysis such as partial differential equations and differential geometry. The stability problems of periodic solutions are reduced to study mapping near a fixed point. If mapping is two dimensional, then one can take as annulus a circular neighborhood of the fixed point from which the fixed point itself is deleted. This result proves the stability of the periodic solutions of the first kind of the restricted three-body problem.
High strength welding of Ti to stainless steel by spot impact: microstructure and weld performance

Vaporizing foil actuator (VFA) spot welding, a type of spot impact welding, was used to weld a titanium alloy (Ti-1.2ASN) to a stainless steel (436 SS). The interfacial microstructures and fracture surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Lap shear tests that strained the samples to failure with digital imaging correlation (DIC) were conducted to study the mechanical performance of these welds. A mesh-insensitive structural stress method was used to understand the stress distribution and model the failure modes of VFA welds in ABAQUS. Despite experimental scatter in this developing joining method, most samples failed through the base metal, but multiple failure modes coexisted, including interface failure. These failure modes were used to classify the results. The failure process can be best understood through the lens of the spatial variation that is natural in this type of weld. The center is naturally unwelded, and there is an annulus of high strength material surrounding this unwelded zone that has a wavy morphology. The mesh-insensitive structural stress method could naturally provide a link between the joint structure and the mechanical properties of the spot impact welds. This could show that despite varied failure modes and nugget strength, strength itself is not usually affected adversely by the size of the central unbonded zone.
Multi-resolution modeling of a discrete stochastic process identifies causes of cancer

Detection of cancer-causing mutations within the vast and mostly unexplored human genome is a major challenge. Doing so requires modeling the background mutation rate, a highly non-stationary stochastic process, across regions of interest varying in size from one to millions of positions. Here, we present the split-Poisson-Gamma (SPG) distribution, an extension of the classical Poisson-Gamma formulation, to model a discrete stochastic process at multiple resolutions. We demonstrate that the probability model has a closed-form posterior, enabling efficient and accurate linear-time prediction over any length scale after the parameters of the model have been inferred a single time. We apply our framework to model mutation rates in tumors and show that model parameters can be accurately inferred from high-dimensional epigenetic data using a convolutional neural network, Gaussian process, and maximum-likelihood estimation. Our method is both more accurate and more efficient than existing models over a large range of length scales. We demonstrate the usefulness of multi-resolution modeling by detecting genomic elements that drive tumor emergence and are of vastly differing sizes.
Rapid Determination of Antibody-Antigen Affinity by Mass Photometry

Measurements of the specificity and affinity of antigen-antibody interactions are critically important for medical and research applications. In this protocol, we describe the implementation of a new single-molecule technique, mass photometry (MP), for this purpose. MP is a label- and immobilization-free technique that detects and quantifies molecular masses and populations of antibodies and antigen-antibody complexes on a single-molecule level. MP analyzes the antigen-antibody sample within minutes, allowing for the precise determination of the binding affinity and simultaneously providing information on the stoichiometry and the oligomeric state of the proteins. This is a simple and straightforward technique that requires only picomole quantities of protein and no expensive consumables. The same procedure can be used to study protein-protein binding for proteins with a molecular mass larger than 50 kDa. For multivalent protein interactions, the affinities of multiple binding sites can be obtained in a single measurement. However, the single-molecule mode of measurement and the lack of labeling imposes some experimental limitations. This method gives the best results when applied to measurements of sub-micromolar interaction affinities, antigens with a molecular mass of 20 kDa or larger, and relatively pure protein samples. We also describe the procedure for performing the required fitting and calculation steps using basic data analysis software.
Prospective comparison of the accuracy of the New England Spinal Metastasis Score (NESMS) to legacy scoring systems in prognosticating outcomes following treatment of spinal metastases

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT We developed the New England Spinal Metastasis Score (NESMS) as a simple, informative, scoring scheme that could be applied to both operative and non-operative patients. The performance of the NESMS to other legacy scoring systems has not previously been compared using appropriately powered, prospectively collected, longitudinal data. PURPOSE To compare the predictive capacity of the NESMS to the Tokuhashi, Tomita and Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) in a prospective cohort, where all scores were assigned at the time of baseline enrollment. PATIENT SAMPLE We enrolled 202 patients with spinal metastases who met inclusion criteria between 2017-2019. OUTCOME MEASURES One-year survival (primary); 3-month mortality and ambulatory function at 3- and 6-months were considered secondarily. METHODS All prognostic scores were assigned based on enrollment data, which was also assigned as time-zero. Patients were followed until death or survival at 365 days after enrollment. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and score performance was determined via logistic regression testing and observed to expected plots. The discriminative capacity (c-statistic) of the scoring measures were compared via the z-score. RESULTS When comparing the discriminative capacity of the predictive scores, the NESMS had the highest c-statistic (0.79), followed by the Tomita (0.69), the Tokuhashi (0.67) and the SINS (0.54). The discriminative capacity of the NESMS was significantly greater (p-value range: 0.02 to CONCLUSIONS The results of this prospective validation study indicate that the NESMS was able to differentiate survival to a significantly higher degree than the Tokuhashi, Tomita and SINS. We believe that these findings endorse the utilization of the NESMS as a prognostic tool capable of informing care for patients with spinal metastases.
Collective Responsibility for Sound Marine Resource Management: Erga Omnes Obligations and Deep Sea Mining

International law recognizes that there is a collective interest in protecting the marine environment. The Law of the Sea Tribunal (ITLOS) contributed an important application of this principle in its Advisory Opinion on sponsoring state responsibility and liability for deep sea mining activities in the ‘Area’ (the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction). ITLOS affirmed that where sponsoring states are in breach of their obligations, liability is to the international community, that is, it is erga omnes. The common heritage nature of marine resources implies that all states share these rights. However, states’ rights and duties with respect to governance of high seas resources need to be clarified. Enforcement of conservation obligations is a particular challenge for global commons, where an obligation erga omnes that is owed to all might be enforced by none. This paper traces the emergence of the erga omnes principle at the International Court of Justice, ITLOS and in commentaries. It then considers how it can be applied to protect ocean resources preventively through environmental assessment. The International Seabed Authority’s recent work on regulations for exploitation of deep seabed mineral resources is discussed as an example of an international organization coordinating with states sponsoring mining in high seas regions, as deep sea mining moves from experimental to full-scale industrial status.
Turbulent chemical-species mixing in the Venus lower atmosphere at different altitudes: a direct numerical simulation study relevant to understanding species spatial distribution

Abstract To evaluate a recent hypothesis of species stratification in the Venus lower atmosphere, a time-dependent, three-dimensional model is proposed for studying turbulent mixing of many species in the Venus lower atmosphere. This model is based on fundamental physics embedding non-equilibrium thermodynamics, the Onsager classical relationship between fluxes and forces, high-pressure transport property calculation and a real-gas equation of state. The conservation equations are self-contained, with no need for coefficients based on parametrizations to match Venus observations. The rationale for solving these equations in relatively small spatial domains at different altitudes in the Venus lower atmosphere is presented. The equations are solved in a temporal mixing layer configuration that is eminently suited to investigate turbulent mixing between two streams of different composition. The adopted simulation method is Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS). A substantial database of DNS realizations is generated for mixtures of two and seven species, with different levels of initial stratification, and at the realistic conditions of pressures and temperatures in the Venus lower atmosphere at three altitudes. High density-gradient magnitude regions (HDGM) are shown to form under initial high stratification conditions, with larger gradient values obtained at low altitudes where supercritical conditions occur. Independent of the altitude lower than 50 km, under low stratification conditions, mixing produces a more uniform spatial distribution of the density than at higher initial stratification. Under low initial stratification conditions, the influence of the minor species on the global behavior of the flow seems to be negligible. At high initial stratification conditions, differences in diffusion of various species play an important role in determining the mixture characteristics. The hypothesis of chemical species separation is discussed in the light of the present results which do not support the existence of stable species separation in the lower Venus atmosphere, independent of the number of species or the altitude.
The culture of free plant cells and its significance for embryology and morphogenesis.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the newer knowledge of the culture of free plant cells and the factors that evoke organization, and special reference is made to the examples, in which the growth of the cultured cells recapitulates normal embryogeny to a surprising degree. The chapter concerns solely with the cells of angiosperms. While cells and explants derived from lower organisms may be more responsive in culture, the knowledge that is gained from the behavior of cells and tissues of higher plants has greater significance, because it bears upon the organization of the most advanced plants, in which the problems of the growth and development are most acute. An ultimate aim of the culture of free plant cells is to achieve a complete understanding of all the factors that control the development of sexually reproduced organisms from a single cell; the zygote. This objective lies at the very core of the experimental morphogenesis or embryology, whereas in many lower organisms the zygote becomes a free living spore, The development of a zygote into an embryo in higher plants requires progressively greater degrees of protection and more specialized nutritional dependence upon the parental generation.
Analyzing Bacterial Communities in Pediculus humanus capitis

Understanding the composition of the microbiome of human associated insects can shed light on the sources of potential human pathogens. The human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, is an obliga...
Nucleotides released from Aβ₁₋₄₂ -treated microglial cells increase cell migration and Aβ₁₋₄₂ uptake through P2Y₂ receptor activation

Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposits in brains of Alzheimer's disease patients generate proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruit microglial cells to phagocytose Aβ. Nucleotides released from apoptotic cells activate P2Y(2) receptors (P2Y(2) Rs) in macrophages to promote clearance of dead cells. In this study, we investigated the role of P2Y(2) Rs in the phagocytosis and clearance of Aβ. Treatment of mouse primary microglial cells with fibrillar (fAβ(1-42) ) and oligomeric (oAβ(1-42) ) Aβ(1-42) aggregation solutions caused a rapid release of ATP (maximum after 10 min). Furthermore, fAβ(1-42) and oAβ(1-42) treatment for 24 h caused an increase in P2Y(2) R gene expression. Treatment with fAβ(1-42) and oAβ(1-42) aggregation solutions increased the motility of neighboring microglial cells, a response inhibited by pre-treatment with apyrase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes nucleotides. The P2Y(2) R agonists ATP and UTP caused significant uptake of Aβ(1-42) by microglial cells within 30 min, which reached a maximum within 1 h, but did not increase Aβ(1-42) uptake by primary microglial cells isolated from P2Y(2) R(-/-) mice. Inhibitors of α(v) integrins, Src and Rac decreased UTP-induced Aβ(1-42) uptake, suggesting that these previously identified components of the P2Y(2) R signaling pathway play a role in Aβ phagocytosis by microglial cells. Finally, we found that UTP treatment enhances Aβ(1-42) degradation by microglial cells, but not in cells isolated from P2Y(2) R(-/-) mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that P2Y(2) Rs can activate microglial cells to enhance Aβ clearance and highlight the P2Y(2) R as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease.
Substrate specificity of an RNase III-like activity from Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SP82 codes for several early RNAs that were shown previously to be cleaved by an RNase III-like enzyme called "Bs-RNase III." Cloning of DNA fragments that encode these RNA sequences downstream of a T7 RNA polymerase promoter allowed the synthesis of substrates that were used to test the cleavage specificity of Bs-RNase III, which was purified from a protease-deficient strain of B. subtilis. Single nucleotide changes at or near the cleavage site and deletions upstream and downstream of the cleavage site were constructed. The effects of these changes on the rate of Bs-RNase III cleavage were measured. The activity of Bs-RNase III and Escherichia coli RNase III on heterologous substrates was also tested. Although the local environment of the site of Bs-RNase III cleavage appears very similar to that of E. coli RNase III, there are important differences in their substrate specificity.
Cloning and sequence analysis of the human brain β-adrenergic receptor: Evolutionary relationship to rodent and avian β-receptors and porcine muscarinic receptors

Abstract Two cDNA clones, λ-CLFV-108 and λ-CLFV-119, encoding for the β-adrenergic receptor, have been isolated from a human brain stem cDNA library. One human genomic clone, LCV-517 (20 kb), was characterized by restriction mapping and partial sequencing. The human brain β-receptor consists of 413 amino acids with a calculated M r of 46 480. The gene contains three potential glucocorticoid receptor-binding sites. The β-receptor expressed in human brain was homology with rodent (88%) and avian (52%) β-receptors and with porcine muscarinic cholinergic receptors (31%), supporting our proposal [(1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 81, 272-276] that adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors are structurally related. This represents the first cloning of a neurotransmitter receptor gene from human brain.
DNA sensing by innate immune receptors (INM6P.408)

Nucleic acids are amongst the most potent stimuli of host cells. Interferons and proinflammatory cytokines induced by nucleic acids have pleiotropic effects on the function of both innate and adaptive immune systems. Several families of innate immune receptors at different subcellular locations have evolved to recognize DNA and RNA molecules from both invading microbes and damaged host tissues. Recent findings on DNA sensing by cytosolic receptors AIM2, IFI16 and DHX36 helicase will be discussed. Structure-function studies of these receptors reveal a common mechanism of sequence-independent recognition through electrostatic attractions. As such, highly charged small molecules or peptides are potential candidates for therapeutic intervention of inflammatory conditions involving nucleic acid sensing. This work is supported by the Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, USA.
THE FAMILY RELATIONS INDICATOR

Summary. Most of the few tests designed specifically to investigate intra-family relationships are based on psycho-analytic concepts. A picture projective technique is described, which is based upon the simple theory that a child in a friendly environment, will draw upon his own experience to describe the activities of figures in ambiguous pictures. The pictures have been drawn to the authors' specifications. They show six basic family scenes which are replicated three times. This replication provides an internal check on the consistency of the replies. The accuracy of this technique was investigated by comparing the replies given to the pictures, with the information gained through psychiatric and other interviews with the families concerned.
An Integrative Review of Skin Breakdown in the Preterm Infant Associated with Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

ABSTRACT Objective To identify factors associated with skin injury during nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and describe differences in frequency, severity, and type of skin injuries when comparing nasal interfaces used during NCPAP in the preterm infant. Data Sources Scientific databases were searched using provided key terms and yielded 113 articles. Study Selection Forty‐six articles were included in this integrative review: six case studies, 22 with identified aim of examining skin and nasal injury during NCPAP; 18 included skin care considerations during NCPAP. Data Extraction Studies were categorized into four themes: types of nasal injuries; associated risk factors that increase incidence of injury; differences between NCPAP devices and/or nasal interface and corresponding rate and severity of nasal injury; and recommended prevention strategies to reduce iatrogenic cutaneous injury. Data Synthesis Skin injury was a common theme during neonatal NCPAP with skin breakdown rates of 20% to 60%. Increased skin injury risk was associated with smaller infant size, gestational age, and duration of therapy. Nursing care strategies to improve skin integrity during NCPAP had little supportive evidence. Nursing practice is varied with reportedly little standardized care during NCPAP therapy. Recommendations for specific care strategies to reduce skin injury during NCPAP were supported by limited experimental studies. Conclusions Risk factors during NCPAP include nasal injury and trauma secondary to tight‐fitting nasal interfaces necessary to provide continuous distending pressure for respiratory stability. Identifying strategies to reduce skin breakdown will support noninvasive treatment success, reduce reintubation rates, reduce sepsis, reduce patient discomfort, and improve developmental outcomes during NCPAP use.
Analysis of the utilization of mine galleries as geothermal heat exchangers by means a semi-empirical prediction method

The use of renewable energies in Spain is growing; nevertheless, up to now, a very low use of geothermal energy is found. In this paper, the use of low enthalpy geothermal energy that consists of converting mine galleries in underground heat exchangers is described and analysed. The system would be used in those areas with mining works that with a near future closure, such as Asturias but also other regions of Spain or Europe. The described system, unlike other proposed ones, implies to act before the closure of the mines, when it is possible to access underground galleries. A prediction method for evaluating the system capabilities has been developed which has been calibrated with measurements taken in underground mines and which can be used and calibrated in any mine in operation. Finally, using the method, the capabilities of a typical system are analysed and its viavility from a technical, economic and environmental point of view is proved.
Schedule control of concurrent fixed-ratio responding and discrimination acquisition in chickens

Starting at 1 week of age, domestic chicks were shaped to work on a concurrent FR-FR (houselight-food) schedule of reinforcement. When a discrimination was superimposed upon the concurrent schedule, patterns of responding indicated a chaining effect. The houselight appeared to be necessary for eating behavior and did not have much social reinforcing properties of its own. This was supported by a severe decrease in responding on the houselight key when the food key was unavailable. Activating a low-intensity lamp near the feeder also resulted in much diminished responding on the houselight key.
Comparing American and Finnish oral information behavior

This poster presents preliminary results a field study conducted to compare oral information behaviour in and large and one small, developed country. Recognizing the interdependence between context and orality, the study asks whether a model developed to identify oral documents may be extended to study oral information in general and in different context. The poster present results from a field study with interview and observation data from a large and a small developed nation.
Superloading of tin ligands into rhodium and iridium carbonyl cluster complexes.

The reactions of Rh4(CO)12 and Ir4(CO)12 with Ph3SnH have yielded the new Rh−Sn and Ir−Sn cluster complexes M3(CO)6(μ-SnPh2)3(SnPh3)3, 1 (M = Rh) and 2 (M = Ir). Both compounds contain triangular M...
Whole page optimization: how page elements interact with the position auction

We study the trade-off between layout elements of the search results page and revenue in the real-time sponsored search auction. Using data from a randomized experiment on a major search engine, we find that having images present among the search results tends to simultaneously raise the ad click-through rate and flatten the ad click curve, reducing the premium for occupying the top slot and thus impacting bidding incentives. Theoretical analysis shows that this type of change creates an ambiguous impact on revenue in equilibrium: a steeper curve with lower total click-through rate is preferable only if the expected revenue distribution is skewed enough towards the top bidder. Empirically, we show that this is a relatively rare phenomenon, and we also find that whole page satisfaction causally raises the click-through rate of the ad block. This means search engines have a short-run incentive to boost search result quality, not just a long-run incentive based on competition between providers.
The psychological burden of idiopathic adolescent gynecomastia.

Background:For a population of adolescents, gynecomastia is a persistent problem. Occurring during a critical period in the formation of self-image and gender identity, this gender-incongruent process may disrupt normal psychological development. This study was designed to identify the prevalence of
Exact cuts in networks

An exact cut in a source-sink network is a set of arcs which interesects each source-sink path in exactly one arc. This paper investigates the problem of finding a maximum weight exact cut in a network. The problem is shown to be polynomially equivalent to that of determining the relevant arcs (arcs on at least one source-sink path) in the network and is NP-hard for general directed networks. There are, however, several important classes of network—including undirected networks—for which polynominal time algorithms do exist to solve the maximum weight exact cut problem.
Effects of 13, 14-dehydroprostacyclin methyl ester on the feline intestinal vascular bed

Abstract The effects of a stable PGI 2 analog, 13, 14-dehydro-PGI 2 methyl ester and several vasoactive hormones were compared in the feline intestinal vascular bed under conditions of controlled blood flow so that changes in perfusion pressure directly reflect changes in vascular resistance. The PGI 2 analog decreased perfusion pressure in a dose-dependent fashion when injected in the range of dose of 0.03–3 μg and was quite similar to PGE 2 whereas isoproterenol was somewhat more potent as a vasodilator in the feline intestinal vascular bed. The present data show that 13, 14-dehydro-PGI 2 methyl ester has potent vasodilator activity in the intestinal vascular bed.
Synthesis and characterization of four-membered gallium-arsenic ring compounds containing a bridging As(SiMe3)2 group: crystal structures of Ph2GaAs(SiMe3)2Ga(Ph)2Cl and Ph2GaAs(SiMe3)2Ga(Ph)2Br

Abstract The first organogallium four-membered ring compounds with arsenic, halogen mixed bridging to be characterized completely, Ph 2 GaAs(SiMe 3 ) 2 Ga(Ph) 2 X (X = Cl ( 1 ) and X = Br ( 2 )) were prepared by the reaction of (Me 3 Si) 3 As ( 3 ) with Ph 2 GaCl and Ph 2 GaBr, respectively. X-ray crystallographic analyses show the compounds to be isostructural with each containing a non-planar Ga-As-Ga-X four membered ring. Isomorphous crystals of 1 and 2 belong to the monoclinic system, space group P 2 1 / c ( C 5 2 h ), with four molecules in unit cells of dimensions: a 10.560(3), b 15.797(3), c 20.591(4) A, β 92.17(2)°, V 3433(2) A 3 for 1 , and a 10.653(1), b 15.777(2), c 20.517(2) A, β 91.97(1)°, V 3446(1) A 3 for 2 . The non-planarity of the rings is manifested in the halogen atom displacements of 0.256 A in 1 and 0.293 A in 2 from the respective Ga-As-Ga′ planes. Deviations from overall C 2 v symmetry serve to relieve unfavorable intramolecular bulky ring substituent interactions present in such a symmetric form. The dimer [Ph 2 GaAs(SiMe 3 ) 2 ] 2 ( 4 ), obtained from the reaction of Ph 2 GaCl and LiAs(SiMe 3 ) 2 , has been characterized by partial elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy and cryoscopic molecular weight determination. An alternative route to the synthesis of 1 by reaction of 4 and Ph 2 GaCl was investigated via NMR spectroscopy.
Fracture Toughness of Wood—Wood and Wood—FRP Bonded Interfaces Under Mode-II Loading

In this paper, the shear-mode (Mode-II) fracture toughness of wood-wood and wood-fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bonded interfaces using unique linear tapered end-notched flexure (TENF) specimens is evaluated. A tapered beam on elastic foundation (TBEF) model developed for design and analysis of the TENF specimens is briefly introduced. Based on the TBEF model, the TENF specimens are designed to achieve an approximate constant compliance rate change for fracture tests, and design procedures for Mode-II fracture of bonded interface are accordingly developed. The linear compliance rate changes of the designed TENF specimens are verified experimentally by the compliance calibration tests and numerically by finite element modeling. Two types of TENF specimens, namely for wood-wood and wood-FRP bonded interfaces, are designed and tested to determine the fracture toughness values of adhesively bonded interfaces under Mode-II loading. The critical loads for crack initiation and arrest are measured during the test...
Muscle membrane potentials in episodic adynamia

Abstract 1. 1. In vivo measurements of membrane potentials of human muscles (M. vastus med,; nerve block anaesthesia) have been performed in a healthy young man, a patient with periodic paralysis and a patient with episodic Adynamia (e.A.) Control measurements were performed in rats. 2. 2. The resting potentials of striated muscles of rats under general anaesthesia were − 79.9 ± 73.3 mV. In the healthy man (without general anaesthesia) the mean value was −87.4 ± 8.9 mV and in the patient with periodic paralysis it was −85.6 ± 6.1 mV in a free interval. During the attempt to provoke a paralytic attack in this patient the average dropped to −77.1 ± 8.2 mV, whereas the serum K + fell from 4.25 to 3.17 mequiv./1. The questionable significance of this slight drop of membrane potential is discussed. 3. 3. In the patient with e.A. the resting potential, even in the free interval, (serum K + 3.75 mequiv./l) was only −68.5 ± 5.9 mV. During an induced attack, with a rise in serum potassium to 6.9 mequiv./l, the average value dropped to −46.3 ± 6.6 mV and during a spontaneous attack, with a serum potassium of 5.24 mequiv./l, the mean value was −51.5 ± 6.3 mV. 4. 4. The significance of the results is discussed. The pathogenetic mechanism of e.A. can be explained by a disturbance of sodium permeability of muscle membranes.
Enhancing brief intervention with motivational interviewing in primary care settings

Training in screening brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for substance abuse is being widely disseminated and implemented in a variety of health-care settings. Use of motivational interviewing (MI) techniques is thought to enhance BI effectiveness. The science of BI-MI training has not yet established optimal training doses for interventionist trainees to reach beginning competence. This study evaluated two training packages for teaching BI-MI, an eight-week comprehensive and a four-week accelerated training in primary care medical settings. Interventionist trainees were medical social workers (n = 22) in primary care clinics serving safety-net patients with drug abuse. Trained coders evaluated post-training BI and MI performance during standardized patient role-play interviews using a checklist of BI clinical tasks and the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) 3.0 coding system. Both training models yielded similar end-point MI skill levels. The proportion of learners who reached beginning proficiency on MI skills by the end of training was comparable to that reported in similar MI training studies (between 25% and 65%). Results suggest that some practitioners working in busy medical settings can learn BI and reach beginning proficiency in MI in as little as one month. Adherence to BI content and MITI outcomes with patients in primary care settings will also be presented.
Temporal Experience as a Function of Sensory Stimulation and Motor Activity

Summary.-This study was concerned with establishing quantifiable continua of phenomenal temporal judgments. Using G levels of sensory input and 3 levels of motor behavior, a linear relationship was found between sensory input and temporal estimations for a 90-sec. interval. Both sensory input and motor behavior had significant effects, but not the interaction. It was postulated that the so-called unfilled interval could be better understood if it could be related to various levels of information input. A review of the literature (Bergson, 1911; Weber, 1933; Wallace & Rabin, 1960) indicated a need for quantifiable continua of the phenomenal aspects of the temporal experience, including the question of unfilled as opposed to the filled interval. Method.-The apparatus was a PS-2 Grass photic stimulator, and a telegraph key modified for 1/2-lb. and 1-lb. pressure variation. Ss were 90 male students randomly selected from a group of 600 students enrolled in the elementary course in psychology. Ss were randomly divided into 18 groups, 5 in each of the following conditions. The visual condition consisced of no photic stimulation, photic stimulation at 30 cpm flicker, 60 cpm, 90 cpm, 120 cpm, and 150 cpm. In the motor condition there was no motor activity, motor activity with Vz-lb. pressure, and motor activity with 1-lb. pressure. The visual-motor conditions yielded a 3 X 6 matrix which was treated by a 2-way analysis of variance. For the visual only group Ss were seated 8 ft. from the photic stimulator in a dimly lit room. E asked S on a given "go" signal to observe the light. At the end of a 90-sec. interval S was asked. "From when I said go until the light stopped how much time passed?" Ss in the motor only group were seated and asked to tap at their preferred rate for the standard interval of 90 sec. and then asked to estimate the elapsed time. Ss in the visual-motor group were asked to synchronize their key tapping to the flashes of light. After the 90-sec. test interval they were then asked the standard question. Those Ss in the no visual/no motor group were asked to be seated. E then left the room and re-entered, terminating the 90-sec. interval upon re-entry. Ss were then asked, "From when I left the room co when I re-entered how much time passed?" All Ss were tested individually and were asked not to count the flashes from the stimulator or the taps they made on the key. No S was informed that the 'The initial part of this study was presented at the Western Psychological Association, May, 1967, San Francisco, California.
Surface Deformation Nanostructures and Stress Corrosion Crack Precursors Originating from Surface Grinding

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in light water reactor components has long been studied from a post mortem perspective, yielding insights into water chemistries and effects on crack propagation. Analysis of a cracked component does not effectively provide information on the corrosion events or on SCC initiation. It is important that microstructures of these early stages be understood because the original surface of the component formed during fabrication is often not the final surface condition that is exposed to reactor water. Pre-service grinding of reactor components and welds is performed for a variety of reasons, from aesthetics to preparation for non-destructive testing. It is this final surface microstructure that often controls SCC initiation. Surface and near-surface characteristics have been investigated in 304SS metal coupons on which controlled grinding was performed. These examinations indicate the extent of subsurface microstructural damage before high-temperature water exposure. Analytical electron microscopy techniques have been used to gain insights into possible surface precursors to corrosion damage and SCC initiation. Nanocrystalline grains were commonly found at the surface in lightly ground to heavily abraded materials within the first ˜0.5-10 um along with high dislocation densities, twinning and lath structures.
Group Discussion and Defendant's Socio-Economic Status as Determinants of Judgments by Simulated Jurors1

Seventy-two male subjects judged a defendant on trial for armed robbery, after reading trial transcripts and other background information. The 2 × 2 factorial design varied the defendant's socioeconomic status (SES) and simulated juror's decision making condition (either group discussion or independent decision-making). Higher SES (middle class) defendants were seen as less blameworthy than low SES defendants, though not less guilty. Defendants were judged less guilty when simulated jurors had engaged in group discussion than when they had not. Subjects' potential similarity to the defendant, and their attitudes toward capital punishment, were also found related to these “legal” and “moral” decisions.
Multipartyism and Nostalgia for the Unified Past: Discourses of Democracy in a Dance Association in Cameroon

ABSTRACT Language and practices associated with democracy and multipartyism are used by practitioners of the gurna society among the Tupuri of northern Cameroon to comment on local changes in gurna dances and their attending social values. At the heart of this commentary is a widely-shared anxiety about moral standards for political action and the threat of factionalism, as well as nostalgia for unity among dancers and in society at large. This appropriation of a nationallevel lexicon enabled practitioners of an ostensibly “traditional” institution to revitalize their practice and comment on the broader political life of the nation.
Accuracy Test Procedure for Image Evaluation Techniques

A procedure has been developed to determine the accuracy of image evaluation techniques. In the procedure, a target having orthogonal test arrays is photographed with a high quality optical system. During the exposure, the target is subjected to horizontal linear image motion. The modulation transfer functions of the images in the horizontal and vertical directions are obtained using the evaluation technique. Since all other degradations are symmetrical, the quotient of the two modulation transfer functions represents the modulation transfer function of the experimentally induced linear image motion. In an accurate experiment, any discrepancy between the experimental determination and the true value is due to inaccuracy in the image evaluation technique. The procedure was used to test the Perkin-Elmer automated edge gradient analysis technique over the spatial frequency range of 0–200 c/m. This experiment demonstrated that the edge gradient technique is accurate over this region and that the testing procedure can be controlled with the desired accuracy. Similarly, the test procedure can be used to determine the accuracy of other image evaluation techniques.
Differences in potentiation of melanoma growth by absorbable and nonabsorbable suture.

This study demonstrates that various suture materials have different influences on tumor take and growth. When used in an area containing 105 or greater tumor cells, all suture types studied potentiated tumor growth. At subclinical tumor cell doses - that is, 1,000 or fewer cells that do not normally grow to a clinically detectable tumor --- silk and steel increased tumor occurrence. In comparison, monofilament nylon, polyglycolic acid, and chromic suture did not potentiate tumor growth. This phenomenon of increased tumor growth associated with certain suture types appears to be related to the physical characteristics of the suture involved, although the interaction of the chemical breakdown products of the suture material with the local tumor cells is under investigation. The type of suture material used may play a significant role in the subsequent development of local recurrence of cancer.
Failure of chronic antidepressant treatment to alter growth hormone response to clonidine

Abstract The effect of 4 to 6 weeks of treatment with the antidepressants, desmethylimipramine and amitriptyline, on the growth hormone response to clinidine was studied in 12 depressed patients. In contrast to the reported effects of clonidine in healthy subjects, clonidine did not significantly increase growth hormone secretion in the depressed patients before treatment. The antidepressant treatments did not alter the growth hormone response to clonidine in either treatment responders or nonresponders.
Effect of streptozotocin on carnitine and carnitine acyltransferases in rat heart, liver, and kidney.

Abstract Diabetes was induced in male rats by a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin. Fourteen days after injection, elevated plasma levels of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate were observed. Specific activities of carnitine acetyl-, octanyl-, isobutyryl-, isovaleryl-, and palmityltransferase were elevated in the 500g supernatants of liver of the streptozotocin-treated animals. In 500g supernatants of kidney, all except the isovaleryltransferase were elevated; in heart, no changes in enzyme levels were observed. Free carnitine, short-chain acylcarnitine, and long-chain acylcarnitine levels were elevated in liver; whereas free carnitine was depressed in heart, and short-chain and long-chain acylcarnitine were elevated in kidney.