cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Testosterone secretion during early pregnancy in mares.

Abstract We have characterized the testosterone secretion pattern during the first 80 d of pregnancy in mares and determined the sources that contribute to circulating testosterone levels during this period. Ten untreated, pregnant mares (Group 1), 10 altrenogest-treated, pregnant mares (Group 2), and 10 altrenogest-treated, pregnant mares in which the CL was eliminated by administration of PGF-2α on Day 16 (Group 3) were used in this study. Complete luteolysis occurred following PGF-2α administration in all mares in Group 3. Six of the 10 mares in Group 3 did not have an active CL until after Day 60 of pregnancy (Group 3a) and were included in the analysis. The remaining four mares developed a new CL on Days 32, 40, 43 and 49 of pregnancy and were excluded from analysis. Mares without a functional CL (Group 3a) had significantly lower testosterone concentrations than mares with a functional CL (Groups 1 and 2), during the period before equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) secretion. At the onset of eCG secretion, testosterone concentrations increased rapidly but the rate of increase decreased with time in mares with a functional CL (Groups 1 and 2). In mares without a functional CL (Group 3a), testosterone concentrations did not increase at the onset of eCG secretion but increased at a gradually increasing rate after Day 50. The lower testosterone concentration in mares without a functional CL before eCG secretion suggests that the CL contributes significantly to the circulating testosterone concentration during the period before eCG secretion. The close time relationship between the onset of eCG secretion and the increase in testosterone secretion in mares with a functional CL and the lack of a testosterone increase in pregnant mares without a functional CL suggest that the increase in testosterone secretion after Day 35 of pregnancy is the result of eCG-stimulated, luteal testosterone synthesis.
Purposive diversification as a motive for merger

Abstract Conglomerate mergers can increase the symmetry of diversified competitors' operations. Theory and evidence about such symmetry show that the classic horizontal merger issue — efficiency loss because of increased monopoly power versus efficiency gain because of reduced costs — is the antitrust economics issue in conglomerate mergers, even when there is no concern about the loss of potential competition.
A fluorimetric method for the quantitative microanalysis of adenine and pyridine nucleotides.

Abstract The present study describes the application of a commercial fluorimeter to the enzymic assay of pyridine and adenine nucleotides in neutralized extracts of cellular material. The method retains the advantage of recording the reaction kinetics during the assay with the increased sensitivity associated with the fluorimetric method. The routine application of the method to the detection of 0.1 to 1.0 μmolar concentrations of nucleotides in extracts of yeast cells, liver mitochondria, and submitochondrial particles has been illustrated. In addition, various facets of the assay procedure have been discussed as well as problems associated with the determination of optimal conditions for the application of protein precipitants to terminate the reaction.
A program to calculate bootstrap confidence intervals for the process capability index Cpk

Franklin and Wasserman (1991) introduced the use of Bootstrap sampling procedures for deriving nonparametric confidence intervals for the process capability index, Cpk, which are applicable for instances when at least twenty data points are available. This represents a significant reduction in the usually recommended sample requirement of 100 observations (see Gunther 1989). To facilitate and encourage the use of these procedures. a FORTRAN program is provided for computation of confidence intervals for Cpk. Three methods are provided for this calculation including the standard method, the percentile confidence interval, and the biased - corrected percentile confidence interval.
A Sensor Array System with Inhibition Processing

The phenomenon of human eye inhibition is modeled in a solid-state sensor array system for the purpose of image edge enhancement. Three inhibition algorithms are simulated on a computer and evaluated using a uniform cross pattern as a test image. The algorithm giving the most enhancement is used in an on-line sensor array-minicomputer system. Comparison of the computer pictorial printouts using aerial positive transparencies as input images clearly shows that edges with inhibition are more pronounced than those without inhibition. Also more topographic features are recognizable in the outputs with inhibition.
Techniques for measuring 1-μm diam Gaussian beams

This paper reviews various techniques for measuring the diameter of Gaussian beams and, in particular, those of ~1-μm diam. A description of measurement techniques for nonideal conditions is also included. A novel ruling used for beam-size measurement is discussed.
Adsorption and Decomposition of Methyl-Iodide on Low-Index Planes of NiAl

Surface chemistry of CD3I (CH3I) on the (111), (100), and (110) planes of NiAl has been investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). On the ...
Environmental Reforms in the United States: Policy and Political Implications, and Economic and Scientific Arguments

As we approach the twenty-first century, the measured rise on average global temperature, coupled with the loss of biological diversity indicate that growth of human social and economic activity is reaching the limits imposed by the laws of nature. Scientific understanding calls for precaution and a reduction in growth. However, the political and economic processes of U.S. capitalism are predicated upon continued growth. An understanding of reform needs to be grounded in the contradictions between the laws of motion of the capitalist system and the laws of science, even though such reforms are not high on the current political agenda. The article ends with a series of structural reforms that enunciate and seek to heighten these contradictions.
Energy balance analysis of ignition over a melting polymer subjected to a high radiation heat flux in a channel cross flow

A two-dimensional ignition model is examined for two different flow patterns, one with a Navier-Stokes calculation and one with an Oseen approximation. The physical phenomena include channel flow and combustion reaction in the gas phase, pyrolysis and melting in the condensed phase, and radiation heat loss and fuel injection flow at the interface. Ignition is studied by means of an integral energy balance analysis, where various heat transfer mechanisms are evaluated. It is found that the flow pattern has an influence on the ignition process though the qualitative dependence is unchanged except for some isolated (though important) features of the problem. Generally, the Oseen approximation results in a shorter ignition delay. The influence of condensed phase material properties such as latent heat, conductivity, and heat capacity are investigated based on the energy barrier concept. Based on the numerical observations, a simple theory is derived to determine the ignition delay time by employing the energy balance principle. The predicted ignition delay agrees well with the direct numerical results. The external radiation is studied by changing its magnitude over a wide range. It influences the ignition behavior by mainly changing the ignition delay, whose results indicate that the polymer under investigation belongs to in the category of thermally thick polymers. In addition, the surface temperature is observed to increase with increasing external radiation heat flux.
Perceived direction of rotation of simulated three-dimensional patterns

Direction of rotation judgments were obtained from 72 subjects for computer-generated dot patterns simulating points randomly distributed in a sphere rotating about a vertical axis. The displays were produced either with normal polar projections or with perspective effects limited to the horizontal or to the vertical dimension of the projection. The simulated viewing distance used in the projections and the visual angle subtended by the projected displays were also varied. Accuracy of direction judgments was about the same with perspective effects limited to the vertical dimension as with normal polar projections but did not exceed chance expectations with perspective effects limited to the horizontal dimension. Accuracy was lower at the greater simulated viewing distance and at the greater visual angle.
If the Ruler is Warped, How Dependable are the Measurements?: Presenting a Reliable and Valid Logo-Based Computer Adaptive Assessment Tool

Four LOGO-based, computer adaptive angle and distance estimation assessment tools are described and verified for internal consistency, test/retest reliability, and construct, face and content validity in this article. The methods delineated serve as the foundation for a call for similar instrument verification in other educational research. Issues concerning the appropriateness of traditional notions of instrument reliability and assumed distinctions between measurement instruments and learning tools are also discussed.
Tectonic Aspects of the Guatemala Earthquake of 4 February 1976

The locations of surface ruptures and the main shock epicenter indicate that the disastrous Guatemala earthquake of 4 February 1976 was tectonic in origin and generated mainly by slip on the Motagua fault, which has an arcuate roughly east-west trend across central Guatemala. Fault breakage was observed for 230 km. Displacement is predominantly horizontal and sinistral with a maximum measured offset of 340 cm and an average of about 100 cm. Secondary fault breaks trending roughly north-northeast to south-southwest have been found in a zone about 20 km long and 8 km wide extending from the western suburbs of Guatemala City to near Mixco, and similar faults with more subtle surface expression probably occur elsewhere in the Guatemalan Highlands. Displacements on the secondary faults are predominantly extensional and dip-slip, with as much as 15 cm vertical offset on a single fracture. The primary fault that broke during the earthquake involved roughly 10 percent of the length of the great transform fault system that defines the boundary between the Caribbean and North American plates. The observed sinistral displacement is striking confirmation of deductions regarding the late Cenozoic relative motion between these two crustal plates that were based largely on indirect geologic and geophysical evidence. The earthquake-related secondary faulting, together with the complex pattern of geologically young normal faults that occur in the Guatemalan Highlands and elsewhere in western Central America, suggest that the eastern wedge-shaped part of the Caribbean plate, roughly between the Motagua fault system and the volcanic arc, is being pulled apart in tension and left behind as the main mass of the plate moves relatively eastward. Because of their proximity to areas of high population density, shallow-focus earthquakes that originate on the Motagua fault system, on the system of predominantly extensional faults within the western part of the Caribbean plate, and in association with volcanism may pose a more serious seismic hazard than the more numerous (but generally more distant) earthquakes that are generated in the eastward-dipping subduction zone beneath Middle America.
Dosimetry for lasers and light in dermatology: Monte Carlo simulations of 577 nm-pulsed laser penetration into cutaneous vessels

The role of skin optics in planning proper dosimetry for radiant energy delivered by lasers and conventional light sources is presented. The optical properties of the epidermis, dermis, and cutaneous blood are summarized. The ability of laser pulses at 577-nm wavelength to penetrate into and around a large blood vessel is studied using Monte Carlo simulations. The variation in laser penetration for variable beam diameters and variable vessel depths in presented. The distinction between TOTAL PULSE ENERGY versus PULSE ENERGY DENSITY is illustrated. The topic of this paper is especially pertinent to laser therapy for portwine stain lesions.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Do object refixations during scene viewing indicate rehearsal in visual working memory

Do refixations serve a rehearsal function in visual working memory (VWM)? We analyzed refixations from observers freely viewing multiobject scenes. An eyetracker was used to limit the viewing of a scene to a specified number of objects fixated after the target (intervening objects), followed by a four-alternative forced choice recognition test. Results showed that the probability of target refixation increased with the number of fixated intervening objects, and these refixations produced a 16% accuracy benefit over the first five intervening-object conditions. Additionally, refixations most frequently occurred after fixations on only one to two other objects, regardless of the intervening-object condition. These behaviors could not be explained by random or minimally constrained computational models; a VWM component was required to completely describe these data. We explain these findings in terms of a monitor–refixate rehearsal system: The activations of object representations in VWM are monitored, with refixations occurring when these activations decrease suddenly.
Coordination of ATF6-mediated transcription and ATF6 degradation by a domain that is shared with the viral transcription factor, VP16.

ATF6 is a 670-amino acid endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein that is cleaved in response to ER stress. The resulting N-terminal fragment of ∼400 amino acids translocates to the nucleus and activates selected ER stress-inducible genes, such as GRP-78 and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase, which are required for cell survival. In studying the mechanism of ATF6-activated transcription, we found that when HeLa cells were transfected with a plasmid encoding ATF6-(1–373), ER stress-inducible reporter gene activation was high, but ATF6-(1–373) expression was low, unless a proteasome inhibitor was added. In contrast, transfection with a plasmid encoding ATF6-(94–373) resulted in low reporter activation and high expression of ATF6-(94–373), which was independent of the proteasome inhibitor. Thus, the information responsible for transcriptional activation and proteasomal degradation must lie within the N-terminal 93 amino acids of ATF6. This portion of ATF6 was found to be homologous to the herpes simplex viral protein, VP16. One 8-amino acid domain of particular interest in this region of ATF6 is 75% identical to the VN8 region in VP16. VN8 is required for VP16-mediated transcription, as well as rapid degradation of VP16 by proteasomes. Point mutations in the VN8-like region of ATF6 caused a loss of transcription, increased expression levels, and an increase in half-life. Thus, the potent transcriptional activities and rapid degradation of ATF6 and VP16 require the VN8 domains in each protein. Homology searches indicate that ATF6 is the only eukaryotic protein known that possesses an active VN8 domain, raising questions about how this domain evolved and the functional importance underlying its appearance in only these two transcription factors.
Smoking, food, and alcohol cues on subsequent behavior: A qualitative systematic review

Although craving is a frequent phenomenon in addictive behaviors, and laboratory paradigms have robustly established that presentation of cues can elicit self-reported craving responses, extant work has not established whether cue exposure influences subsequent behavior. We systematically review extant literature assessing the effects of cue exposure to smoking, food, and alcohol cues on behavioral outcomes framed by three questions: (1) Is there value in distinguishing between the effects of cue exposure on behavior from the responses to cues (e.g., self-reported craving) predicting behavior?; (2) What are the effect of cues on behavior beyond lapse, such as broadly considering both target-syntonic (e.g., do cigarette cues predict smoking-related behaviors) and target-dystonic behaviors (e.g., do cigarette cues predict other outcomes besides smoking)?; (3) What are the lessons to be learned from examining cue exposure studies across smoking, food and alcohol domains? Evidence generally indicates an effect of cue exposure on both target-syntonic and target-dystonic behavior, and that self-report cue-reactivity predicts immediate target-syntonic outcomes. Effects of smoking, food and alcohol cues on behavior are compared to elucidate generalizations about the effects of cue exposure as well as methodological differences that may serve the study of craving in the future.
Use of pollution monitors with a neural network to predict insulator flashover

Abstract Insulators on power distribution lines in industrial zones become contaminated from particulates in the air, causing flashovers. Insulators may be cleaned occasionally, but this is a costly process. In this paper, a neural network is trained to interpret data from two pollution-related monitoring devices to estimate the imminence of flashover on substation insulators. The monitoring devices are the UE-386 Ultrasound monitor and the CAT-ILD leakage current monitor. Data is taken from flashover tests conducted at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) High Voltage Testing Research Center (HVTRC). The neural network predictions are validated with a test set of flashover experiments.
RAPD-based genetic linkage map of blueberry derived from a cross between diploid species (Vaccinium darrowi and V. elliottii)

An initial genetic linkage map for blueberry has been constructed from over 70 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers that segregated 1∶1 in a testcross population of 38 plants. The mapping population was derived from a cross between two diploid blueberry plants: the F1 interspecific hybrid (Vaccinium darrowi Camp x V. elliottii Chapm.) and another V. darrowi plant. The map currently comprises 12 linkage groups (in agreement with the basic blueberry chromosome number) and covers a total genetic distance of over 950cM, with a range of 3–30cM between adjacent markers. The use of such a map for identifying molecular markers linked to genes controlling chilling requirement and cold hardiness is discussed.
Time-accurate unsteady aerodynamic and aeroelastic calculations for wings using Euler equations

A time-accurate approach to simultaneously solve the Euler flow equations and modal structural equations of motion is presented for computing aeroelastic responses of wings. The Euler flow eauations are solved by a time-accurate finite difference scheme with dynamic grids. The coupled aeroelastic equations of motion are solved using the linear acceleration method. The aeroelastic configuration adaptive dynamic grids are time accurately generated using the aeroelastically deformed shape of the wing. The unsteady flow calculations are validated wih experiment, both for a semi-infinite wing and a wall-mounted cantilever rectangular wings. Aeroelastic responses are computed for a rectangular wing using the modal data generated by the finite-element method. The robustness of the present approach in computing unsteady flows and aeroelastic responses that are beyond the capability of earlier approaches using the potential equations are demonstrated.
The Albano Passive UHF Tag Antenna: Design and Performance Evaluation

This paper presents the novel three-dimensional Albano tag antenna which not only radiates omnidirectionally, but performs extremely well in the presence of conductive materials both in static and dynamic environments. Off the three tested tags, only the Albano tag radiated with 100% efficiency in every direction in the dynamic environment, satisfying Gillette's conveyor-belt requirement for tagged cases. The three-dimensional Albano design is feasibly applied in practice because it attaches to a package when it is flat. When the flat package is folded into a carton, the Albano tag assumes its three-dimensional shape
The bi-modal effects of estradiol on gonadotropin synthesis and secretion in female mice are dependent on estrogen receptor-α

Depending on the estrous/menstrual cycle stage in females, ovarian-derived estradiol (E2) exerts either a negative or a positive effect on the hypothalamic–pituitary axis to regulate the synthesis and secretion of pituitary gonadotropins, LH, and FSH. To study the role of estrogen receptor-a (ERa) mediating these effects, we assessed the relevant parameters in adult wild-type (WT) and ERa-null (aERKO) female mice invivo and in primary pituitary cell cultures. TheaERKO mice exhibited significantly higher plasma and pituitary LH levels relative to WT females despite possessing markedly high levels of circulating E2. In contrast, hypothalamic GnRH content and circulating FSH levels were comparable between genotypes. Ovariectomy led to increased plasma LH in WT females but no further increase in aERKO females, while plasma FSH levels increased in both genotypes. E2 treatment suppressed the high plasma LH and pituitary Lhb mRNA expression in ovariectomized WT females but had no effect in aERKO. In contrast, E2 treatments only partially suppressed plasma FSH in ovariectomized WT females, but this too was lacking in aERKO females. Therefore, negative feedback on FSH is partially E2/ERa mediated but more dependent on ovarian-derived inhibin, which was increased threefold above normal in aERKO females. Together, these data indicate that E2-mediated negative feedback is dependent on functional ERa and acts to primarily regulate LH synthesis and secretion. Studies in primary cultures of pituitary cells from WT females revealed that E2 did not suppress basal or GnRH-induced LH secretion but instead enhanced the latter response, indicating that the positive influence of E2 on gonadotropin secretion may occur at the level of the pituitary. Once again this effect was lacking in aERKO gonadotropes in culture. These data indicate that the aspects of negative and positive effects of E2 on gonadotropin secretion are ERa dependent and occur at the level of the hypothalamus and pituitary respectively.
Factors associated with recommitment of NGRI acquittees to a forensic hospital.

The current archival study assesses risk factors associated with recommitment of 142 individuals adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) from civil settings to a forensic hospital in New York State. Within 10 years of transfer from a forensic hospital, 40 (28.2%) were recommitted. Using survival analyses to account for the wide range in opportunity for recommitment, period of transfer (i.e., pre versus post the 1995 case of George L, which clarified factors related to assessments of dangerousness) and the Historical scale and specific items of the HCR-20 emerged as important risk factors for recommitment. Specifically, hazard of recommitment was 2.9 times higher for those with high Historical scores as compared to those with low scores. However, few individual risk factors were associated with recommitment. Prior supervision failure, negative attitude, problems with substance use, and absent or less serious major mental illness and relationship problems were informative in predicting recommitment over 10 and 3 year follow-up periods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Built-In Self-Test Techniques

A system that includes self-test features must have facilities for generating test patterns and analyzing the resultant circuit response. This article surveys the structures that are used to implement these self-test functions. The various techniques used to convert the system bistables into test scan paths are discussed. The addition of bistables associated with the I/O bonding pads so that the pads can be accessed via a scan path (external or boundary scan path) is described. Most designs use linear-feedback shift registers for both test pattern generation and response analysis. The various linear-feedback shift register designs for pseudorandom or pseudoexhaustive input test pattern generation and for output response signature analysis are presented.
Dual Camera Zoom Control: A Study of Zoom Tracking Stability

In a surveillance system, a camera operator follows an object of interest by moving the camera, then gains additional information about the object by zooming. As the active vision field advances, the ability to automate such a system is nearing fruition. One hurdle limiting the use of object recognition algorithms in real-time systems is the quality of captured imagery; recognition algorithms often have strict scale and position requirements where if those parameters are not met, the performance rapidly degrades to failure. The goal of this work is to create a system that provides scale-invariant tracking using inexpensive off-the-shelf components.
Correlates of hospital leadership team effectiveness: results of a national survey of board chairmen.

To examine hospital leadership team effectiveness, analyses the responses of 540 randomly sampled board chairmen of US hospitals. Reports findings regarding board chairmen′s evaluation of their hospitals′ productive outputs and of the adequacy of their communications with the CEO and medical staff president (MSP) in their hospitals. Notes that over one‐quarter of board chairmen found communications with the MSP to be only sometimes productive and notes means whereby positive communications are promoted. Offers suggestions for board chairman recruitment.
Explaining Crime in Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Communities

Traditional urban theories of community crime development increasingly are being adapted and evaluated for their relevance to the crime problems of smaller and less urban settings. Most notable of these have been social disorganization theory and civic community theory. This paper compares these two major theoretical frameworks for explaining community-level variations in crime, using county-level data on crime rates merged with data on the economic, geographic, population, and ecological features of counties in the U.S. The study finds that both traditional social disorganization and civic community theories are good predictors of some, but not all, types of crime, in the largest metropolitan areas. However, their predictive power declines substantially when applied to the most rural communities.
Preplant tillage effects on irrigated corn grown on a sandy soil

(...) A 4-yr study on a sandy soil compared moldboard plowing (MP) with two residue conserving tillage systems, no preplant tillage (NPT) and Paraplow (PP), on field corn (Zea mays L.) production. Corn silage yields were similar (about 34 ton/acre) with all three tillage systems. Averaged over the 4 yr, grain yields were significantly affected by tillage in the order PP>MP>NPT with yields of 5.9, 5.6, and 5.2 ton/acre, respectively. Where herbicides had not been applied, large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] populations in MP were 11.1 plants/sq ft compared with 1.6 with PP and 2.6 with NPT. (...)
A Penalized Spline Approach to Functional Mixed Effects Model Analysis

In this article, we propose penalized spline (P-spline)-based methods for functional mixed effects models with varying coefficients. We decompose longitudinal outcomes as a sum of several terms: a population mean function, covariates with time-varying coefficients, functional subject-specific random effects, and residual measurement error processes. Using P-splines, we propose nonparametric estimation of the population mean function, varying coefficient, random subject-specific curves, and the associated covariance function that represents between-subject variation and the variance function of the residual measurement errors which represents within-subject variation. Proposed methods offer flexible estimation of both the population- and subject-level curves. In addition, decomposing variability of the outcomes as a between- and within-subject source is useful in identifying the dominant variance component therefore optimally model a covariance function. We use a likelihood-based method to select multiple smoothing parameters. Furthermore, we study the asymptotics of the baseline P-spline estimator with longitudinal data. We conduct simulation studies to investigate performance of the proposed methods. The benefit of the between- and within-subject covariance decomposition is illustrated through an analysis of Berkeley growth data, where we identified clearly distinct patterns of the between- and within-subject covariance functions of children's heights. We also apply the proposed methods to estimate the effect of antihypertensive treatment from the Framingham Heart Study data.
Ultrasonic Attenuation in the Normal State of High-Purity Thallium

The normal-state electronic attenuation of longitudinal ultrasonic waves (10 to 130 MHz) has been studied in high-purity thallium. The attenuation is in general agreement with the Pippard real-metal theory, but does not agree with the free-electron theory. The attenuation is highly anisotropic, in part because of anisotropies in the electron mean free path, the total curvature of the Fermi surface, and the product of the curvature and the Pippard deformation parameter. The electron mean free path was determined from the acoustic measurements for q \ensuremath{\parallel}[0001], $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\parallel}[10\overline{1}0]$ and $\mathbf{q}\ensuremath{\parallel}[\overline{1}2\overline{1}0]$, $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\parallel}[10\overline{1}0]$. The results indicate that the anisotropy in the electron mean free path is due to impurity scattering. The phonon scattering contribution was proportional to ${T}^{\ensuremath{-}b}$, where $b=3.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$ for both directions, whereas $b=5$ has been reported from electrical resistivity measurements. A frequency-dependent component of the electronic attenuation was observed for q \ensuremath{\parallel}[0001] which could not be explained on the basis of the Pippard theories.
The Spectroscopist’s Lament

See related article, p 2962. I can’t change the laws of physics!” Inflected with the appropriate Scottish brogue, this quote brings to mind a character from a well-known classic science fiction television series. However, Scotty’s lament might be that of the clinical MR spectroscopist as well, for there are few areas in medical diagnostic imaging in which the immutable laws of physics pose such direct constraints. In selecting an in vivo spectroscopy protocol, spectral quality (as measured by signal to-noise ratio), spatial resolution, spatial coverage, examination time, and the minimum time to obtain a spectroscopic imaging series are inextricably entwined. Optimization of one parameter necessitates a compromise elsewhere. For instance, improvement of the spatial resolution of a MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) series can be achieved, but at the expense of a longer acquisition time and/or reduced signal to-noise resolution of the spectra. The laws of physics will not have it otherwise. Although the first in vivo 1H spectrum from the brain of a patient poststroke was reported almost 25 years ago,1 followed a few years later by 1H spectroscopic imaging in one2 and 23 dimensions, the difficulty of obtaining good quality MRSI from patients after stroke, especially in the acute phase, has been one of the factors limiting the more widespread application of MRSI to stroke. Elderly, sick, often confused patients …
Average properties of the dielectric constant

The average dielectric constant of a cold collisionless plasma having small electron density variations was developed. It was found that the dielectric constant depends on the method used to find its value and the assumed statistical constants, e.g. correlation coefficients, In two of the three methods used in this work the dielectric constant was found to be complex ; hence, this indicates that loss of energy in a lossless medium is present due to scattering mechanisms alone.
Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in US Hispanic/Latino Adults: Results From the NHANES 2007–2010 and HCHS/SOL Studies

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody has been reported in Mexican Americans, but its prevalence in other US Hispanic/Latino groups is unknown. We studied 2 populations of US Hispanic/Latino adults; 3210 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2010 and 11 964 from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Age-standardized prevalence of HCV antibody was similar in NHANES 2007–2010 (1.5%) and HCHS/SOL (2.0%) but differed significantly by Hispanic/Latino background in HCHS/SOL (eg, 11.6% in Puerto Rican men vs 0.4% in South American men). These findings suggest that the HCV epidemic among US Hispanics/Latinos is heterogeneous.
Regression-Based Earnings Forecasts

We provide a comprehensive examination of regression-based earnings forecasts. Specifically, we evaluate forecasts of scaled and unscaled net income along a number of relevant dimensions including variable selection, estimation methods, estimation windows, and Winsorization. Overall, we find that forecasts generated using ordinary least squares and lagged net income are broadly more accurate for both earnings constructs. Moreover, at a one year horizon, the random walk model performs as well as modern sophisticated methods that use larger predictor sets. This finding echoes an old result that, given recent applications of forecasts in the literature, may have been forgotten.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide promotes cellular changes in trigeminal neurons and glia implicated in peripheral and central sensitization

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide released from trigeminal nerves, is implicated in the underlying pathology of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Elevated levels of CGRP in the joint capsule correlate with inflammation and pain. CGRP mediates neurogenic inflammation in peripheral tissues by increasing blood flow, recruiting immune cells, and activating sensory neurons. The goal of this study was to investigate the capability of CGRP to promote peripheral and central sensitization in a model of TMD. Temporal changes in protein expression in trigeminal ganglia and spinal trigeminal nucleus were determined by immunohistochemistry following injection of CGRP in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule of male Sprague-Dawley rats. CGRP stimulated expression of the active forms of the MAP kinases p38 and ERK, and PKA in trigeminal ganglia at 2 and 24 hours. CGRP also caused a sustained increase in the expression of c-Fos neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. In contrast, levels of P2X3 in spinal neurons were only significantly elevated at 2 hours in response to CGRP. In addition, CGRP stimulated expression of GFAP in astrocytes and OX-42 in microglia at 2 and 24 hours post injection. Our results demonstrate that an elevated level of CGRP in the joint, which is associated with TMD, stimulate neuronal and glial expression of proteins implicated in the development of peripheral and central sensitization. Based on our findings, we propose that inhibition of CGRP-mediated activation of trigeminal neurons and glial cells with selective non-peptide CGRP receptor antagonists would be beneficial in the treatment of TMD.
Methylation-specific PCR allows for fast diagnosis of X chromosome disomy and reveals skewed inactivation of the X chromosome in men with Klinefelter syndrome

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) remains the most common, yet often undiagnosed, chromosomal aberration in men. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the health of patients with KS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inactivation pattern of supernumerary X chromosomes. The secondary aim was to design a reliable and cost-effective molecular test for detection of X chromosome disomy. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR), with primers for familial mental retardation (FMR1) and X chromosome inactive-specific transcript (XIST) genes, was used to detect the presence of X chromosome disomy in men. Seventeen fertile males, 12 females, and 35 males with KS (28 with 47,XXY karyotype, and 7 with 47,XXY/46,XY mosaics) were included in the study. Results of the karyotype were compared with the results of semiquantitative M-PCR. Inactivation of X chromosomes was measured by XIST/FMR-1 methylation ratio. Differences in the methylation patterns of FMR1 and XIST genes between 46,XY men and men with X chromosome disomy allowed for rapid detection of the presence of an additional X chromosome, achieving 100% sensitivity and specificity using M-PCR. The methylated:unmethylated FMR1 amplicon ratio allowed the detection of 1 additional X chromosome per 100 normal XY cells (1% of XX/XY mosaicism). In our series, 50% of 47,XXY men showed skewed inactivation of the X chromosome. Men with KS can have incomplete inactivation of supernumerary X chromosomes. M-PCR is a sensitive, specific, fast, and relatively inexpensive test for the diagnosis of X chromosome disomy.
Thermoresponsive star triblock copolymers by combination of ROP and ATRP: From micelles to hydrogels

Novel biocompatible, biodegradable, four-arm star, triblock copolymers containing a hydrophobic poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) segment, a hydrophilic poly(oligo(ethylene oxide)475 methacrylate) (POEOMA475) segment and a thermoresponsive poly(di(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate) (PMEO2MA) segment were synthesized by a combination of controlled ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, a four-arm PCL macroinitiator [(PCL-Br)4] for ATRP was synthesized by the ROP of e-caprolactone (CL) catalyzed by stannous octoate in the presence of pentaerythritol as the tetrafunctional initiator followed by esterification with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide. Then, sequential ATRP of oligo(ethylene oxide) methacrylate (OEOMA475, Mn = 475) and di(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate) (MEO2MA) were carried out using the (PCL-Br)4 tetrafunctional macroinitiator, in different sequence, resulting in preparation of (PCL-b-POEOMA475-b-PMEO2MA)4 and (PCL-b-PMEO2MA-b-POEOMA475)4 star triblock copolymers. These amphiphilic copolymers can self-assemble into spherical micelles in aqueous solution at room temperature. The thermal responses of the polymeric micelles were investigated by dynamic light scattering and ultraviolet spectrometer. The properties of the two series of copolymers are quite different and depend on the sequence distribution of each block along the arms of the star. The (PCL-b-POEOMA475-b-PMEO2MA)4 star copolymer, with the thermoresponsive PMEO2MA segment on the periphery, can undergo reversible sol-gel transitions between room temperature (22 °C) and human body temperature (37 °C). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Tthe study of black matrix ashing of FPD industry by atmospheric pressure plasma technology

The black matrix (BM) rework using traditional wet process in the LCD industries is time consuming, costly and pollution. However, the plasma process provides a fast, less expensive and clean alternative. Especially, it is noticed that atmospheric pressure plasma attracts many attentions due to their lower equipment cost, operating without chambers and most suitable for large area substrate processing.
Influence of antibiotic impregnation on the fatigue life of simplex P and palacos R acrylic bone cements, with and without centrifugation

The fatigue properties of Simplex P and Palacos R bone cements were compared to their antibiotic impregnated counterparts AKZ1 and Palacos R with gentamycin2 The effect of porosity reduction by centrifugation of all four cement types was also assessed. Fifteen specimens of each cement type were prepared according to manufacturer's instructions and 15 additional specimens of each cement type were prepared by mixing the powder with chilled monomer (0°C) and then centrifuging the cement immediately after mixing. Fifteen fully reversed tension-compression fatigue tests were performed at 15 MPa in stress control for each cement preparation in vitro while simulating the in vivo state (37°C and 100% humidity). The number of cycles to failure were recorded. There was no significant difference in the fatigue life of Palacos R and Simplex P when both cements were prepared in the standard fashion. The addition of 1/2 g of gentamycin to Palacos R did not significantly alter its fatigue properties. The addition of 0.5 g of erythromycin and 0.24 g of colistin did not decrease the fatigue life of Simplex P. Centrifugation significantly improved the fatigue properties of Simplex P and AKZ. The fatigue lives of Palacos R and Palacos R with gentamycin were not improved by centrifugation. The fatigue life of centrifuged Simplex P was significantly greater than the fatigue life of Palacos R and of Palacos R with gentamycin, whether the Palacos R based cements were centrifuged or not.
Risk factors for self-reported hospitalizations among stable outpatients with COPD

Background: Investigations of risk factors for hospitalizations among patients with COPD have focused on selected patients with COPD hospitalizations and readmissions (COPD-H). Objectives: To minimize potential selection bias, risk factors associated with COPD-H and non-COPD-H (NCOPD-H) were examined in a sample of 325 stable outpatients. Methods: Analysis of baseline data from patients enrolled in a clinical trial. Characteristics examined included demographics, smoking, symptoms, physiologic impairment, co-morbidities, and health-related quality of life. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine independent associations with COPD-H and NCOPD-H. Results: Of patients enrolled mean age (SD) was 69 (10) years, 51% female, 92% white. COPD-H and NCOPD-H were reported by 14.2% and 9.5%, respectively. Significant (p Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are consistently associated with all hospitalizations. Whereas, fatigue, emotional coping, severity of COPD impairment are also associated with COPD-H. These factors offer potential targets to prevent hospitalizations among patients with COPD. Funding: NIH R18 HL092955.
Novel determination of filtration coefficient of ovine placenta and intramembranous pathway

We recently reported that distilled water injected into the amniotic compartment is rapidly absorbed by the fetal blood, which perfuses the fetal membranes and the fetal surface of the placenta, i.e., by the “intramembranous pathway.” In the present study, we infused warmed distilled water at 2 ml.min-1.kg estimated fetal wt-1 into the amniotic compartment for 6-8 h in 12 chronically catheterized sheep. A steady state was achieved in amniotic fluid, fetal blood, and maternal blood osmolalities in 5.1 +/- 0.3 (SE) h. During the steady state, all of the infused water must pass to the ewe. Because the amount of water directly crossing the fetal membranes into the maternal circulation was not significantly different from zero (3.3 +/- 5.8% of total), we assumed all water crossed the placenta. The placental filtration coefficient was then calculated during the steady state as the infusion rate divided by the changes in the transplacental osmotic gradient and averaged 0.0260 +/- 0.0055 ml.min-1.mmHg-1.kg fetal wt-1. Attempts to correct this value for placental reflection coefficients less than 1 were unsatisfactory; thus the uncorrected value appears to provide the best estimate of the placental filtration coefficient. Similar calculations yielded a value of 0.00137 +/- 0.00025 ml.min-1.mmHg-1.kg-1 for the filtration coefficient of the intramembranous pathway. Thus this method provides a relatively simple new technique for estimating the filtration coefficient of the ovine placenta and intramembranous pathway under steady-state conditions.
Inherited Metabolic Disease

A number of inherited metabolic diseases with renal manifestations were previously the remit of paediatric nephrologists, but as medical and scientific advances have improved the quality of life of these children, survival well into adult life is a reality. Therefore, adult nephrologists and their multiprofessional teams will be required to familiarise themselves with these conditions and provide continuing therapy. In some situations, such as pregnancy, information is limited and outcomes may be unknown but forming close links with paediatricians and networks of adult nephrologists looking after patients with rare conditions is likely to improve care.
Design tips

Welcome to Design Tips! In past issues, we have discussed many aspects of EMC design, including inductance. In my opinion, inductance is the second most misunderstood thing within electrical engineering, and especially EMC. (The first most misunderstood thing is `ground'). In this issue, I'll explore the idea of inductance beyond the normal discussion of the need for a loop of current before the term `inductance' has any meaning. The loop area is still the most important determining factor for inductance, but there is a secondary factor that is often overlooked.
Abstract WMP31: Neamine, A Angiogenin Inhibitor, Induces Neuroprotection After Acute Ischemic Stroke In Type One Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Angiogenin is a member of the ribonuclease superfamily and promotes degradation of basement membrane and extracellular matrix. After stroke in Type one diabetes (T1DM) rats, Angiogeni...
Customized three-dimensional printed optical phantoms with user defined absorption and scattering

The use of reliable tissue-simulating phantoms spans multiple applications in spectroscopic imaging including device calibration and testing of new imaging procedures. Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows for the possibility of optical phantoms with arbitrary geometries and spatially varying optical properties. We recently demonstrated the ability to 3D print tissue-simulating phantoms with customized absorption (μ a ) and reduced scattering (μ s `) by incorporating nigrosin, an absorbing dye, and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), a scattering agent, to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) during filament extrusion. A physiologically relevant range of μ a and μ s ` was demonstrated with high repeatability. We expand our prior work here by evaluating the effect of two important 3D-printing parameters, percent infill and layer height, on both μ a and μ s `. 2 cm 3 cubes were printed with percent infill ranging from 10% to 100% and layer height ranging from 0.15 to 0.40 mm. The range in μ a and μ s ` was 27.3% and 19.5% respectively for different percent infills at 471 nm. For varying layer height, the range in μ a and μ s ` was 27.8% and 15.4% respectively at 471 nm. These results indicate that percent infill and layer height substantially alter optical properties and should be carefully controlled during phantom fabrication. Through the use of inexpensive hobby-level printers, the fabrication of optical phantoms may advance the complexity and availability of fully customizable phantoms over multiple spatial scales. This technique exhibits a wider range of adaptability than other common methods of fabricating optical phantoms and may lead to improved instrument characterization and calibration.