cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative contributions of pituitary-adrenal hormones to the ontogeny of behavioral inhibition in the rat.

Abstract Recent investigations revealed that adrenalectomized (ADX) rat pups exhibit deficits in behavioral inhibition. Furthermore, administration of exogenous corticosterone (CORT) restores behavioral inhibition in ADX pups. Although these studies suggest that CORT has an important role in the development of behavioral inhibition, the relative behavioral effects of elevated pituitary hormone secretion induced by ADX are not known. Therefore, experiments were conducted to assess the potential behavioral effects of elevated adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion induced by ADX and to further evaluate the contribution of endogenous CORT to the development of behavioral inhibition. In Experiment 1., we verified that 10-day-old ADX rats exhibit high levels of plasma ACTH throughout the preweaning period associated with the development of behavioral inhibition. In Experiment 2, 10-day-old pups were hypophysectomized (HYPOX) and ADX and were compared behaviorally to sham-operated controls on day 14. When tested in the presence of an anesthetized unfamiliar adult male rat, HYPOX + ADX pups exhibited low levels of freezing accompanied by ultrasonic vocalizations. These pups also had reduced concentrations of plasma ACTH and CORT. In Experiment 3, 10-day-old pups were HYPOX and tested for behavioral inhibition on day 14. In comparison to sham-operated controls, HYPOX rats exhibited significantly lower levels of freezing and had reduced plasma concentrations of ACTH and CORT. Results demonstrate clearly that deficits in freezing occur even in the presence of low plasma ACTH concentrations. Therefore, elevated secretion of pituitary hormones is not a major factor that contributes to the ADX-induced deficits in behavioral inhibition. In addition, results considerably strengthen the contention that endogenous adrenal steroids have a prominent role in the development of neural pathways regulating the expression of behavioral inhibition.
Fetal exposure to prescription drugs and adult sexual orientation

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine if prenatal exposure to therapeutic drugs contributes to variations in sexual orientation. Especially suspect were drugs that could affect the delicate balance of sex hormone levels that appear to guide the sexual differentiation of the fetal brain. The recollections of 5102 mothers concerning their use of therapeutic drugs during pregnancy were linked to reports of the sexual orientation of their offspring (as provided by either the offspring themselves or by their mothers). About 14% of the mothers recalled having taken at least one of 19 prescription drugs (or classes of drugs) during their pregnancy. Regarding male offspring, little evidence was found that prenatal exposure to any of these medications was associated with variations in sexual orientation. However, even after controlling for age, education, and self-rated recall ability of the mothers, exposure to two types of drugs was significantly related to sexual orientation among female offspring. One type consisted of amphetamine-based diet pills and the other was comprised of synthetic thyroid medications. A month-by-month analysis revealed that during the first trimester consumption of all prescription drugs was unusually high for mothers of female homosexual offspring. Prescription medications that affect the mother’s and/or the female fetuses’ developing immune system may alter the feminization/demasculinization of the brain in ways that cause variations in the offspring’s adult sexual orientation.
Radiation crosslinked shape-memory polymers

Abstract Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are active smart materials with tunable stiffness changes at specific, tailored temperatures. The use of thermoset SMPs has been limited in commodity applications because a variety of common low-cost plastics processing techniques are not possible with network polymers. In this study of thermoset SMPs, beyond adjusting the glass transition temperature ( T g ) between 25 and 75 °C and tuning the recoverable force between 0.5 and 13 MPa, a novel manufacturing process, Mnemosynation , is described. The customizable mechanical properties of traditional SMPs are coupled with traditional plastic processing techniques to enable a new generation of mass producible plastic products with thermosetting shape-memory properties: low residual strains, tunable recoverable force and adjustable T g . The results of this study are intended to enable future advanced applications where mass manufacturing, the ability to accurately and independently position T g and the ability to tune recoverable force in SMPs are required.
Selected List of Periodicals on Hawaii, the American Virgin Islands, and Their Culture

An annotated list is presented describing eight periodicals that cover significant aspects of Hawaii and U.S. Caribbean Islands and their culture in whole or in part. The titles included are a selective and representative sampling. The entry for each periodical includes the following information: periodical title, publisher/editor and address, basic information, publication data, content, Internet information, and an abstract/annotation.
Defining the wettability state of mixed wet reservoirs: Measurement of critical capillary pressure for crude oils

The wetting properties of crude oils are measured using a new technique that measures the capillary pressure required to rupture thin films of brine on mineral substrates. An Atomic Force Microscope is used to record the force required to rupture thin brine films on quartz surfaces. Low values of critical capillary pressure imply that large sections of the reservoir may be rendered mixed-wet because the brine films are unstable. High critical capillary pressures imply water-wet reservoir. The technique also provides a direct indication of the height above the water table, i.e., the capillary pressure at which mixed-wet conditions may be expected in the reservoir. Data presented for a pure hydrocarbon (octadecane) and a Prudhoe Bay crude oil indicate that the critical capillary pressure varies with pH, salinity oil composition and mineralogy. The pH and salinity dependence is explored in some detail in this paper.
Performance of the Xenon Feed System on Deep Space One

Propulsion for the Deep Space One (DS1) spacecraft is provided by a xenon ion engine. Xenon is stored in a supercritical state and is delivered as a low-pressure gas to the thruster and two cathodes (called the main cathode and neutralizer) by a xenon feed system (XFS). This mission requires tight constraints on thruster performance, which in turn requires separate and very accurate throttling of the thruster and cathode  ows; the DS1 spacecraft is the  rst of its type to utilize a xenon ion engine that can be throttled. Flow is regulated separately to the thruster and cathodes to an accuracy of § 3% using three calibrated  ow control devices that are each fed by a dedicated plenum tank. Bang–bang regulators are used to control the set pressures in the plena. The resulting XFS control algorithms are quite complex. The XFS is controlled by a digital control interface unit and the control algorithm for achieving steady-state xenon  ow is presented. The worst-case error in  ow is shown to be less than § 3%, accounting for random and systematic errors. At the time of writing, the individual components are in excellent health and the performance of the XFS is as expected.
A novel inflammatory eye disease induced by lymphocytes from knockout mice sensitized against the deleted ocular antigen.

Lens-associated uveitis (LAU), a severe inflammatory eye disease, is thought to be mediated by autoimmunity against lens crystallins. Previously described animal models for this disease are antibody-mediated, since no cellular response to self crystallins could be induced in experimental animals. Here, we describe a new model for LAU, in which lymphocytes from knockout mice deficient in αB-crystallin are sensitized against the deleted protein and induce severe ocular inflammation when adoptively transferred into wild type recipients. Similar to LAU, the experimental disease developed only following rupture of the lens capsule, produced in this study by capsulotomy; no disease was detected in recipient eyes with no capsulotomy, or in those treated with cautery, or in eyes affected by systemic treatment with sodium iodate, lipopolysaccharide or X-irradiation. The ocular changes in affected eyes included heavy cellular infiltration and proteinaceous exudate in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, that reached their peak on day 4 following cell transfer and subsided quite rapidly thereafter.
The role of surface chemistry in the biology of pinocytosis

Abstract In the process of pinocytosis, cells form surface invaginations which eventually become free vacuoles in the cytoplasm surrounded by a segment of the plasma membrane. To the early observers of the phenomena, the contents of the vacuole appeared to be fluid, not particulate, and on this basis the process was distinguished from its near relative, phagocytosis. Since certain solutes which induce pinocytosis become attached to and concentrated on the cell surface prior to the formation of invaginations, we proposed earlier that pinocytosis is induced by the physical changes which take place in the cell membrane as a consequence of solute adsorption (5). The uptake of droplets, therefore, is only the visible indication of a complex response. In recent experiments we have found that pinocytosis inducers in amoeba cause as much as a fiftyfold decrease in the resistance of the plasma membrane prior to the formation of the typical tunnels and vacuoles. In the low-resistance state the electron transparent core or lipid-rich lamella of the unit membrane is doubled or more in thickness over the control. Both the resistance and structural changes are dependent in magnitude on the external calcium concentration and are rapidly reversed by increasing the calcium.
Alkaline phosphatase levels in osteosarcoma tissue are related to prognosis.

Levels of alkaline phosphatase were measured in the primary tumor of 26 patients with osteosarcoma. One of seven patients with a tissue alkaline phosphatase level less than 0.6 microM/min/mg developed pulmonary metastases. In contrast, 16 or 17 patients with a tissue alkaline phosphatase level greater than 0.6 microM/min/mg developed pulmonary metastases. It thus appears that tissue alkaline phosphatase levels of primary osteosarcomas are strongly correlated with prognosis (p less than .01).
Status of the NCSX construction

Abstract The National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) has been under construction at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The stellarator core is designed to produce a compact 3D plasma that combines stellarator and tokamak physics advantages. The complex geometry and tight fabrication tolerances of NCSX create some unique engineering and assembly challenges. The NCSX project was cancelled in May 2008; construction activities are presently being phased out in an orderly fashion. This paper will describe the progress of the fabrication and assembly activities of NCSX. Completion of the coil fabrication is on track for the summer of 2008. All three of the vacuum vessel 120° sections have been delivered. Assembly of vacuum vessel services began in May 2006 and is now complete. Assembly of the modular coils into 3-packs for safe storage is presently underway.
Effects of telencephalic and olfactory lesions on appetitive learning in goldfish

Abstract The relationship between the fish forebrain and learning was studied in groups of normal, olfactory-tract ablated, and forebrain-ablated goldfish which received either 30 (massed) or 10 (spaced) trials every 48 hr in a runway. Reinforcement was food. Ablation did not affect speed of leaving the start chamber, suggesting that the forebrain is not essential to arousal. Ablation of the forebrain also did not affect asymptotic performance, evidence that the forebrain is not essential to association. However, forebrain ablation retarded acquisition under spaced trials condition but not under massed trials suggesting that the forebrain may be involved in short-term memory. Extinction was impaired by both ablation of the forebrain and of the olfactory tracts.
Nonradical tetrabutylammonium monopersulfate oxidation of hydrocarbons catalyzed by [Mn3O4bipy4(H2O)2](ClO4)4

Tetrabutylammonium monopersulfate (2NBu4HSO5·NBu4HSO4·(NBu4)2SO4) is an effective primary oxidant with a high tendency to promote oxo transfer rather than radical pathways in catalysis. Nonradical hydrocarbon oxidation is seen with the complex [Mn3O4bipy4(H2O)2](ClO4)4 as catalyst as indicated by mechanistic studies; this contrasts with the radical pathways found for the same catalyst with t-BuOOH as the primary oxidant. The catalyst is robust, giving up to 15000 catalytic turnovers, and very efficient, the rate of 1-alkene epoxidation being 4000 turnovers/h.
Distribution of histaminergic, muscarinic and serotonergic binding sites in cat spinal cord with emphasis on the region surrounding the central canal.

Abstract [3H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and [3H]pyrilamine were used with radiohistochemistry to determine the distribution of muscarinic, serotonergic and histaminergic binding sites, respectively, in cat spinal cord. Each ligand displayed a unique pattern of binding sites in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn [3H]Pyrilamine binding sites were localized most superficially, while [3H]LSD binding sites were densest in the region of the laminae II/III border. The distribution of [3H]QNB binding sites partially overlapped those of LSD and pyrilamine. In the region surrounding the central canal, pyrilamine binding sites were concentrated within a zone 100 μm lateral to the canal while [3H]QNB and [3H]LSD binding sites were localized outside of this zone. The distribution of binding sites in the region surrounding the central canal may provide an important neurochemical correlate for lamina X in the cat as defined by Rexed.
Optimal continuous-monitoring design of single-arm phase ii trial based on the simulated annealing method

Simon’s two-stage design is commonly used in phase II single-arm clinical trials because of its simplicity and smaller sample size under the null hypothesis compared to the one-stage design. Some studies extend this design to accommodate more interim analyses (i.e., three-stage or four-stage designs). However, most of these studies, together with the original Simon’s two-stage design, are based on the exhaustive search method, which is difficult to extend to high-dimensional, general multi-stage designs. In this study, we propose a simulated annealing (SA)-based design to optimize the early stopping boundaries and minimize the expected sample size for multi-stage or continuous monitoring single-arm trials. We compare the results of the SA method, the decision-theoretic method, the predictive probability method, and the posterior probability method. The SA method can reach the smallest expected sample sizes in all scenarios under the constraints of the same type I and type II errors. The expected sample sizes from the SA method are generally 10–20% smaller than those from the posterior probability method or the predictive probability method, and are slightly smaller than those from the decision-theoretic method in almost all scenarios. The SA method offers an excellent alternative in designing phase II trials with continuous monitoring.
The Research of Equipment’s Security in Electric Power Communication Access Network

In the "12th Five-Year Plan" period, government will continue to promote the construction of Intelligent Electric Grid , and the construction of more efficient electric power communication access network will also go into the extensive stage from partial stage. But as so far, a large number of public network devices are applied in power communication system, so the equipment’s security is one important issue. This paper analyze the situation of electric power communication access network firstly, and then introduce our specific work in some one device’s security, such as user authentication protocol, the hand-in-hand protection of EPON, and devices’ EMC.
A Parallelized Meshfree Method with Boundary Enrichment for Large-Scale CFD

A parallel computational implementation of a meshfree method?the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM)?is used for 3-D implicit CFD analysis. A novel procedure for implementing the essential boundary condition using the hierarchical enrichment method is presented. Using this enrichment along the essential boundaries produces results that more closely match experimental and analytical results for a flow past a cylinder problem than does either the finite-element method or other meshfree methods that require matrix inversion for the application of essential boundary conditions. This technique also allows the efficient parallelization of the algorithm and leads to higher parallel speedups than do other boundary condition implementations, many of which involve inherently serial steps; this is important, because the expense of meshfree computations makes parallelization crucial for large-size problems. The performance of the parallelization technique and the accuracy of the implicit CFD algorithm are demonstrated in two example problems.
Causation of AIDS revealed.

Secretary of Health Margaret Heckler announced in Washington this week that the retrovirus responsible for AIDS has been identified by Gallo's group at NIH; Montagnier's group in Paris has helped.
Quantum mechanical rate constants for bimolecular reactions

Several formally exact expressions for quantum mechanical rate constants (i.e., bimolecular reactive cross sections suitably averaged and summed over initial and final states) are derived and their relation to one another analyzed. It is suggested that they may provide a useful means for calculating quantum mechanical rate constants accurately without having to solve the complete state‐to‐state quantum mechanical reactive scattering problem. Several ways are discussed for evaluating the quantum mechanical traces involved in these expressions, including a path integral evaluation of the Boltzmann operator/time propagator and a discrete basis set approximation. Both these methods are applied to a one‐dimensional test problem (the Eckart barrier).
Improved dual-energy material discrimination for dual-source CT by means of additional spectral filtration

The use of additional spectral filtration for dual-energy (DE) imaging using a dual-source CT (DSCT) system was investigated and its effect on the material-specific DEratio was evaluated for several clinically relevant materials. The x-ray spectra, data acquisition, and reconstruction processes for a DSCT system (Siemens Definition) were simulated using information provided by the system manufacturer, resulting in virtual DE images. The factory-installed filtration for the 80 kV spectrum was left unchanged to avoid any further reductions in tube output, and only the filtration for the high-energy spectrum was modified. Only practical single-element filter materials within the atomic number range of 40≤Z≤83 were evaluated, with the aim of maximizing the separation between the two spectra, while maintaining similar noise levels for high- and low-energy images acquired at the same tube current. The differences between mean energies and the ratio of the 140 and 80 kV detector signals, each integrated below 80 keV, were evaluated. The simulations were performed for three attenuation scenarios: Head, body, and large body. The large body scenario was evaluated for the DE acquisition mode using the 100 and 140 kV spectra. The DEratio for calcium hydroxyapatite (simulating bone or calcifications), iodine, and iron were determined for CT images simulated using the modified and factory-installed filtration. Several filter materials were found to perform well at proper thicknesses, with tin being a good practical choice. When image noise was matched between the low- and high-energy images, the spectral difference in mean absorbed energy using tin was increased from 25.7 to 42.7 keV (head), from 28.6 to 44.1 keV (body), and from 20.2 to 30.2 keV (large body). The overlap of the signal spectra for energies below 80 keV was reduced from 78% to 31% (head), from 93% to 27% (body), and from 106% to 79% (large body). The DEratio for the body attenuation scenario increased from 1.45 to 1.91 (calcium), from 1.84 to 3.39 (iodine), and from 1.73 to 2.93 (iron) with the additional tin filtration compared to the factory filtration. This use of additional filtration for one of the x-ray tubes used in dual-source DECT dramatically increased the difference between material-specific DE ratios, e.g., from 0.39 to 1.48 for calcium and iodine or from 0.28 to 1.02 for calcium and iron. Because the ability to discriminate between different materials in DE imaging depends primarily on the differences in DE ratios, this increase is expected to improve the performance of any material-specific DECT imaging task. Furthermore, for the large patient size and in conjunction with a 100/140 kV acquisition, the use of additional filtration decreased noise in the low-energy images and increased contrast in the DE image relative to that obtained with 80/140 kV and no additional filtration.
Aging in rhesus macaques is associated with changes in novelty preference and altered saccade dynamics.

Studies demonstrating recognition deficits with aging often use tasks in which subjects have an incentive to correctly encode or retrieve the experimental stimuli. In contrast to these tasks, which may engage strategic encoding and retrieval processes, the visual paired comparison (VPC) task measures spontaneous eye movements made toward a novel as compared with familiar stimulus. In the present study, seven rhesus macaques aged six to thirty years exhibited a dramatic age-dependent decline in preference for a novel image compared with one presented seconds earlier. The age effect could not be accounted for by memory deficits alone, since it was present even when familiarization preceded test by one second. It also could not be explained by an encoding deficit, since the effect persisted with increased familiarity of the sample stimulus. Reduced novelty preference did correlate with eye movement variables, including reaction time distributions and saccade frequency. At long delay intervals (24 or 48 hours) aging was paradoxically associated with increased novelty preference. Several explanations for the age effect are considered, including the possible role of dopamine.
A vibrationally resolved negative ion photoelectron spectrum of Nb8

Abstract The 488 nm negative ion photoelectron spectrum of Nb 8 , obtained at an instrumental resolution of ∼5 meV, displays a clear vibrational progression in a mode with a frequency of 180 ± 15 cm −1 in neutral Nb 8 and 165 ± 20 cm −1 in Nb 8 − . The normal mode displacement of 0.4 ± 0.1 u 1/2 A indicates a very small geometry change upon electron detachment. The electron affinity of Nb 8 is 1.513 ± 0.008 eV. These results are discussed in light of previous negative ion photoelectron spectroscopic and density functional studies of Nb 8 and Nb 8 − .
Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor

The keratocystic odontogenic tumor is a benign developmental tumor with many distinguishing clinical and histologic features. These characteristics are reviewed in the setting of a typical presentation. The newly acknowledged neoplastic potential and its implications for treatment strategies are also discussed.
Dye Film Dosimetry for Radiation Processing

Commercially available plastic films containing dyes or dye precursors are convenient dosimeters and imaging media for electron beams or photons used for industrial radiation processing. As "grainless" imaging systems having thicknesses down to a few micrometers, they provide high spatial resolution for determining detailed absorbed dose distributions through microdensitometric analysis. The radiation absorption properties of these systems are adjusted by changing film composition so that the dosimeter materials can be made to simulate the material of interest undergoing irradiation (e.g., tissue, bone, various insulating materials, semiconductor devices, and a wide assortment of polymers). Other advantages include long-term stability, dose-rate independence, and ease of use and calibration. Radiochromic dye films with thicknesses varying from 0.005 to 1 mm are presently used to monitor electron-beam or gamma-ray doses from 10 to 105, Gy (103 to 107 rad), typical of those encountered in medical applications, radiation curing of polymeric composites, wire and cable insulation, shrinkable plastic tubing and film, as well as sterilization of medical supplies and treatment of municipal and industrial wastes. An NBS calibration service to industry involves the traceability of standard 60Co gamma ray absorbed dose measurements by means of these films employed as transfer standards.
Total Syntheses of Heimiol A, Hopeahainol D, and Constrained Analogues

IDSI to the Rescue Use of a carefully designed cascade process empowered by the unique iodonium-reagent IDSI [(Et2SI)2Cl•SbCl6] provided the means to construct the entire [3.2.2]-bicyclic core of both targets in a single, stereocontrolled operation. Use of strain energies assisted in the completion of the natural products, with the overall strategy proving applicable as well to the preparation of a number of unique [3.2.1]-dimeric and highly strained resveratrol-based compounds.
210Pb-derived sediment accumulation and mixing rates for the greater Puget Sound region

Abstract Recent sediment accumulation rates of 46–1200 mg/cm2/yr are calculated from excess 210Pb activity profiles in 44 sediment cores from 27 sites in the greater Puget Sound region. Rates calculated for nine stations in the deeper waters of central Puget Sound average 480 mg/cm2/yr and are greatest between Seattle and Tacoma near the southern end of this region. The standard error of this mean is ±113 mg / cm 2 / yr . Magnitudes and geographic trends of 210Pb-derived accumulation rates agree with limited data on sediment inputs and transport paths. Their accuracy is further supported by several independent approaches, including comparison with particle fluxes collected in year-long series of sediment trap deployments at two sites. Accumulation rates are calculated assuming no mixing beneath surface mixed layers of 2–22 cm. Sediment mixing coefficients in these surface layers average at least 43 cm2/yr, four times greater than those reported in open Washington coast sediments. The difference is attributed to the greater benthic biomass in Puget Sound sediments. Particle residence times in surface mixed layers vary from 1.5 to 68 years and introduce corresponding uncertainties in ages of horizons beneath the mixed layers. For most of this region, these residence times will cause a 20–30 year time lag in achieving an equivalent response of surface sediment chemical concentrations to changes in concentrations in freshly depositing particles, for constituents whose stability and phase associations resemble those of 210Pb. These time lags limit the ability of sediment chemistry monitoring programs to recognize recent changes in composition and fluxes of chemicals to sediments. Recent fluxes calculated from the product of surface sediment chemical concentration and accumulation rates will be inaccurate for chemicals if their input concentrations have changed in the last 20–30 years.
Recent research on vaccines and prevention of Typhoid fever

The spread of multi-resistant strains o/S. typhi in the 1990s has invigorated interest itt typhoitlvaccines as tools to ttssist inthe cotrtroL of typhoid fever Target populations for typhoid vaccines for typhoid vaccines include children in devel.oping countries, travel.ers and clinical microbiologists, During the 1980s, two new typhoid vaccines were licensed in many counties, inclu4ing Salmonella typhi Ty2la as a live oral vaccine and purified V capsular poLysaccharide as a paretxteralvaccine. In controlledfiepl triaLs, these vaccines conferred a moderate Level of protection for 3-7 years. Whereas the well-tolerated Ty2ta an/ V t,accines repl.aced the ol.cl reactogenic killed whoLe-cell parenteral vaccines in travelers, they were not readily adopted by developing countries for controt of endemic typhoicl. Health authorities in developing countries contend that they lack the resources to administer Ty2la and V. to school. chiplren, the ttge group in which these vaccines are known to be protectitte. Rather , they express interest itt typhoid vaccines that coulcl be culministered to infants 0- I 2 months of age through the Expanded P rogram on Immwuzatiort. Since neither Vr nor Ty2l a is satisfoctorily immunogenic in utfants, more immunogenic vaccines are being sought. One highLy promising approach consist of V conjugates in which Vi, after being covalently bound to a carrier protein such as tetanus toxoid, elicits significantly higher titers of V antibody and stimulates immunologic memory' In another approach, three new genetically-engineered strains of S. fyphi, CVD 908-htrA, Ty800 and x 4073, offer promise as sitrgle'dose live oral vaccurcs. It is anticipated that these new vaccines wiII be markedLy more immunogenic in utfants. If tlrcy confer long-term protection enduring through school age, they may serve as public health tools to control typhoid in endemic areas.
A contingency approach to the Sino-U.S. conflict resolution

Abstract Taking the dispute between the United States and China over the collision of a U.S. Navy plane with a Chinese jet in April 2001, the research confirmed at certain the Contingency Theory variables that affect the U.S. government's stance in resolving the conflict. It supported the postulates of the theory: Symmetry through a dialogue may not be inherently ethical; in a morally intractable conflict, accommodation may be impossible.
A gene therapy approach to treatment of autoimmune disease.

New insights into the underlying mechanisms for the development of autoimmune diseases in humans and various animal models continue to increase with our understanding of factors that drive polarization of T helper (Th) responses and tolerance. This information has led to the development of new treatment strategies, including oral tolerance clinical trials and the use of altered peptide ligands in animal models. These approaches have shown some promise and provided additional insight into the disease processes. The use of gene therapy in many disease states continues to increase. We are starting to see the application of gene therapy in chronic diseases in humans. Gene therapy has been used in several animal models of autoimmune disease with promising preliminary results. In this article, an overview will be provided for the use of gene therapy in autoimmune disease.
Mating in the Kakamega Forest Blue Monkeys (Cercopithecus Mitis): Does Female Sexual Behavior Function to Manipulate Paternity Assessment?

Although forest guenons and patas monkeys typically live in one-male, multi-female groups, during some breeding seasons several males enter heterosexual groups and compete for mating opportunities. The occurrence of these multi-male influxes makes it possible to compare female sexual behavior in the presence of one familiar versus multiple unfamiliar males, thus creating an ideal system for evaluating the paternity confusion hypothesis. In this study, I monitored female sexual behavior and collected fecal samples for the extraction of ovarian steroids from females in two habituated blue monkey groups (Cercopithecus mitis) over three breeding seasons. During this period, a multi-male influx occurred twice in each of the monkey groups, and a resident-male turnover took place in one group between breeding seasons. In support of the paternity confusion hypothesis, females were sexually active for periods well beyond the time surrounding ovulation, and they also mated during pregnancy and prior to the onset of ovarian cycling. Moreover, following the resident-male turnover, several females rapidly became sexually active even though they showed no sign of ovarian function. However, while females did have longer sexually active periods when multiple males were in their group, they were no more likely to mate during pregnancy or prior to the onset of ovarian cycling in influx as compared to non-influx seasons. Endocrine profiles compiled from fecal samples collected near the end of amenorrheic periods revealed that females consistently had high estrogen levels at this time, and estrogen levels are also known to rise at certain points during pregnancy. Potentially, the rise in estrogen levels at these times when females are not otherwise ready to conceive is part of an adaptive mechanism through which the likelihood of mating is increased, irrespective of the number or familiarity of males who are present. Alternatively, the increase in estrogen levels may be a side-effect of endocrine changes needed to maintain pregnancy and reactivate the reproductive system following amenorrheic periods.
Environmental justice content in mainstream US, 6–12 environmental education guides

Over the past three decades, the environmental justice movement has developed out of growing concern about unequal distribution of environmental harm and unequal access to environmental resources. The mainstream environmental movement has been criticized for failing to address adequately environmental justice issues. Several scholars have claimed that environmental education has also failed to incorporate environmental justice concepts regarding the unequal distribution of environmental harm, but no studies thus far have tried to measure this claim empirically. This content analysis examines the level of inclusion of environmental justice concepts, as well as their context of representation, within mainstream, US national, 6–12 environmental education curricula. National curricula from Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, Project WET and the World Wildlife Fund were examined in this study. All guides were developed between the late 1990s and early 2000s, but were revised more recently. A total of 224 less...
On Factorizations of Baer-Local Formations

Abstract It is proved that if the product ℜ of formations &#x1d510; and ℌ ≠ ℜ is either a Baer-local formation or an ω-local formation and if ℜ ⊆ &#x1d509; for some one-generated ω-local formation &#x1d509;, then &#x1d510; is also an ω-local formation.
Anxiety sensitivity and marijuana use: an analysis from ecological momentary assessment.

Background: The cognitive factor of Anxiety Sensitivity (AS; the fear of anxiety and related bodily sensations) is theorized to play a role in cannabis use and its disorders. Lower-order facets of AS (physical concerns, mental incapacitation concerns, and social concerns) may be differentially related to cannabis use behavior. However, little is known about the impact of AS facets on the immediate antecedents of cannabis use. Methods: This study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to prospectively examine the relations between specific facets of AS, cannabis craving, state anxiety, and cannabis use in the natural environment using real-world data about ad lib cannabis use episodes. Participants were 49 current cannabis users (38.8% female). Results: AS-mental incapacitation fears were related to significantly greater severity of cannabis-related problems at baseline. During the EMA period, AS-mental incapacitation and AS-social concerns significantly interacted with cannabis craving to prospectively predict subsequent cannabis use. Specifically, individuals with higher craving and either higher AS-mental incapacitation or AS-social concerns were the most likely to subsequently use cannabis. In contrast to prediction, no AS facet significantly moderated the relationship between state anxiety and cannabis use. Conclusions: These findings suggest facets of AS (mental incapacitation and social fears) interact with cannabis craving to predict cannabis use. Findings also suggest differential relations between facets of AS and cannabis-related behaviors. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Non-Newtonian viscous flow in soda-lime-silica glass at forming and annealing temperatures

Abstract Viscous flow was measured at high shear rates by fiber elongation and cone-plate rheometry. Non-Newtonian viscosity data were taken from 106 to 1014 P between 533 and 810°C on 2 soda-line-silica glasses of similar composition. The results show that the viscosity shear thinning effect can be scaled to a universally applicable behavior by assuming that the glass has a temperature-dependent limiting strength which decreases with the viscosity. This weakening of the structure with increasing temperature results in the appearance of shear thinning effects at lower strain rates than predictedby relaxation time scaling alone.
Fractionation and late rectal toxicity.

E ate rectal bleeding is well established as a key doseimiting end point in prostate radiotherapy (1–6) and is an mportant consideration in cervical cancer radiotherapy (7– ). Consequently, much effort has been devoted to estabishing dose–response relations for rectal bleeding (1–8). linically, however, little has been directly established bout the response of this end point to changes in fractiontion (as quantified, for example, by the / ratio [8]), hough there have been increasing suggestions in the literture that at least part of the late rectal response is a consequential” late effect, directly correlated with early ectal damage (10–12). If this is the case, one might expect hat the response of this end point to changes in fractiontion might be intermediate between a classic late effect typical / value: 1 to 3 Gy) and a classic early response typical / value: 8 to 10 Gy); indeed, the / ratios stimated for late rectal damage in rodents do seem to be in his intermediate range (13–19). So new clinical data on the response of late rectal damage o changes in fractionation are of interest, both from a echanistic standpoint and also because there has been uch recent interest in hypofractionated prostate radiotherpy (20, 21). Akimoto et al. (22) report in this issue on late ectal bleeding after hypofractionated radiotherapy of the rostate, in which they delivered 69 Gy in 3 Gy fractions, sing three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) ithout rectal blocking or explicit dose–volume histogram DVH) based criteria. Akimoto et al. (22) report a late adiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Grade 2 comlication rate of 25% (mean follow-up, 31 months), virtully identical to that reported by the M.D. Anderson Cancer enter (5) using a 3D-CRT dose of 78 Gy delivered in onventional 2 Gy fractions. Akimoto et al. (22) report also, s have others (2, 23, 24), that diabetes is a highly signifiant predictor of late rectal sequelae. As well as being of interest in their own right, these new ypofractionation data allow, for the first time, a quantitaive estimate of the / ratio for late rectal bleeding, quanifying how rectal bleeding risks would be expected to hange with changes in fractionation. This is possible be-
Using a metamodel to represent object-oriented data models

A metamodel for describing the semantics of object-oriented data models is presented. This metamodel supports the automatic generation of conceptual database design tool software for a variety of data models. Data modeling is viewed as having three levels of abstraction. The physical database, at the lowest level, stores objects and relationships. Specific data models reside at the middle level. A data model consists of object types and relationship types. The metamodel resides at the highest level and is composed of metaobject types and metarelationship types. To illustrate the utility of the metamodel, the representation of the ORION data model is presented. >
Toughness Anisotropy in Textured Ceramic Composites

In this investigation, a model predicting toughness anisotropy in textured ceramics containing elongated grains and in composites reinforced with rod-shaped particles is presented. The model predictions are based on the assumption that crack deflection is the only toughening mechanism. In the model, toughness anisotropy is calculated as a function of texture degree. For composite materials, the volume fraction of the reinforcement phase is also an input parameter. Correspondence between model and experiment was established by comparing measured toughness anisotropies in [beta]-Si[sub 3]N[sub 4] and Al[sub 2]O[sub 3]/SiC whisker composites to model predictions. In these model predictions, measured orientation distributions from hot-pressed and hot-forged specimens were employed. The potential for relating other toughening mechanisms in a similar format is also addressed, since the model and experimental measurements give different results. The crack deflection model simultaneously overpredicts the toughening enhancement and underpredicts the toughening anisotropy observed in the experiments.
Blood-Brain Barrier Taurine Transport and Brain Volume Regulation

We have investigated mechanisms that may be involved in brain taurine loss during hypo-osmotic stress using a mixture of in vivo and in vitro measurements of blood-brain and blood-CSF barrier taurine transport. Choroid plexus taurine uptake has a Km of 230 µM, indicating that it is not saturated at normal CSF concentrations and that uptake will increase as extracellular taurine concentration increases. Choroid plexus uptake was reduced in the presence of calmodulin inhibitors suggesting that calmodulin may be involved in brain volume regulation. Choroid plexus 3H-taurine efflux via a niflumic acid-sensitive pathway was stimulated directly by reductions in osmolality and also by increases in extracellular taurine. Unlike other tissues, efflux was not stimulated by hypo-osmotic stress in isolated cerebral microvessels. This may indicate that such an efflux mechanism is, if present at all, on the luminal membrane and not accessible in these experiments. Although plasma taurine was increased by hypo-osmotic stress in vivo, this was not reflected by an increase in taurine influx across the blood-brain barrier. Thus this barrier tissue also prevents taurine from being recycled back into brain.
Fine temporal structure of cardiorespiratory synchronization

Cardiac and respiratory rhythms are known to exhibit a modest degree of phase synchronization, which is affected by age, diseases, and other factors. We study the fine temporal structure of this sy...
RECREATIONAL LANGUAGE THERAPY FOR THE DEAF

Camping in the U.S.A. has long been a popular pastime for outdoor enthusiasts. Relaxation is just one reason for camping. Today the state of our ecology and its future are of paramount importance. Through camping one can learn a great deal about ecology and also a healthy respect for preserving it. Visiting some remote spot, pitching a tent, cooking one's food out in the open, hiking to nearby spots to enjoy the wild flowers and fruits are all basic to the idea of camping in the outdoors.
Mercury contamination from metal scrap processing facilities: A study by ohio EPA

Mercury is a pollutant that causes great concern to regulators in the United States, especially to states that are located in the Great Lakes Region. Mercury is considered a significant environmental problem due to its ability to bioaccumulate in the aquatic food chain, where it may eventually affect human health. It is released into the atmosphere by natural, as well as anthropogenic, sources. Some of the anthropogenic sources include coal-fired utility plants and industrial processes. In Ohio, we have taken a proactive approach to identify some of the sources that emit mercury into the atmosphere. Routine emission testing in mid-1999 showed that metal scrap melting facilities could be fairly large sources of mercury emissions. Following this finding, Ohio EPA sent out a survey to all facilities that melt, or otherwise process, scrap metal to determine the possible extent of mercury emissions from these facilities. After analyzing the results of the survey, Ohio EPA has required certain facilities to conduct tests for mercury emissions. This paper outlines the methodology implemented to identify these possible sources of mercury emissions in Ohio.
Retinoic acid coordinately proximalizes regenerate pattern and blastema differential affinity in axolotl limbs

An assay that detects position-related differences in affinity of axolotl regeneration blastema cells in vivo was used to test whether retinoic acid, which proximalizes regenerate pattern, simultaneously proximalizes blastema cell affinity. The assay involved autografting or homografting late bud forelimb blastomas derived from the wrist, elbow or midupper arm levels to the dorsal surface of the blastema-stump junction of an ipsilateral, medium-bud-stage hindlimb regenerating from the midthigh level. The grafted blastemas consistently displaced to their corresponding levels on the proximodistal axis of the host regenerate, indicating the existence of level-specific differences in blastema cell affinity. Retinoic acid proximalized the pattern of donor forelimb regenerates to the level of the girdle and abolished their displacement behaviour on untreated host hindlimbs. Conversely, untreated forelimb donor blastemas displaced distally to their corresponding levels on host ankle regenerates, that had been proximalized to the level of the girdle by retinoic acid. These results indicate that positional memory in regenerating limbs is directly related to blastema cell affinity, and that very similar or identical sets of level-specific affinity properties are shared by forelimb and hindlimb cells.
Addressing verification bottlenecks of fully synthesized processor cores using equivalence checkers

Formal verification plays an important role in the verification of complex processors. In this paper, we discuss the usage and impact of equivalence checking in the verification of TI's TMS320C27X DSP core. During various phases of the design, we need to ensure the correctness of the design, a significant part of which could be best done with an equivalence checker. (For example, verifying the functionality of the netlist after CTS insertion with the one before CTS insertion). The capabilities and limitations of the commercial equivalence checkers are studied and a set of guidelines for their effective usage during different phases of the design is proposed. Also, a set of RTL coding guidelines to make the design equivalence checker friendly is detailed. Further, we discuss constrained mode equivalence checking which could be used if the implementation design is a super set of a reference design. The verification cycle time reduction and the salient features of an automated methodology that was developed specifically for our DSP core are described.
An Integrated Architecture of Adaptive Neural Network Control for Dynamic Systems

In this study, an integrated neural network control architecture for nonlinear dynamic systems is presented. Most of the recent emphasis in the neural network control field has no error feedback as the control input, which rises the lack of adaptation problem. The integrated architecture in this paper combines feed forward control and error feedback adaptive control using neural networks. The paper reveals the different internal functionality of these two kinds of neural network controllers for certain input styles, e.g., state feedback and error feedback. With error feedback, neural network controllers learn the slopes or the gains with respect to the error feedback, producing an error driven adaptive control systems. The results demonstrate that the two kinds of control scheme can be combined to realize their individual advantages. Testing with disturbances added to the plant shows good tracking and adaptation with the integrated neural control architecture.