cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lung growth induced by tracheal occlusion in the sheep is augmented by airway pressurization.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Prenatal tracheal occlusion (TO) has been shown to accelerate lung growth, yet the mechanism for this effect is poorly understood. Increased intratracheal pressure (ITP) with accumulation of lung fluid and secondary airway distension (stretch) may provide a mechanical stimulus for growth. In this study, ITP after TO is measured continuously, and the effect of altering ITP on lung growth is examined. Methods: Fetal lambs of 115 to 120 days of gestation (term, 145 days) underwent placement of an intratracheal catheter and an amniotic fluid reference catheter. First, ITP was monitored continuously in normal controls (n = 4) and in fetuses undergoing TO (n = 6). In a subsequent study, 2 groups of fetuses were compared. In the TO group (n = 5) ITP was monitored after TO. In the pressurized group (n = 5) ITP was maintained at 7 to 8 mm Hg by a continuous servo regulated pump that maintains a preset pressure by lactated Ringers infusion. The animals were killed after 4 days, and lung growth was compared. Results: In the control animals, ITP remained constant at 0.4 to 1.5 mm Hg. In the TO animals, ITP increased gradually during the initial 24 hours and plateaued at 4 to 5 mm Hg. In the second set of animals, ITP in the pressurized group was maintained at approximately 8 mm Hg using the infusion system. Lung volume (135.7 ± 17.4 v 95.2 ± 14.8 mL/kg; P v 5.33 ± 0.77%; P ±.05), whole right lung dry weight (3.10 ± 0.22 v 2.63 ± 0.20 mg/kg; P v 74.6 ± 8.1 mg/kg, 2,310 ± 248 v 1,860 ± 196 mg/kg, respectively; P Conclusions: TO results in a gradual increase in ITP over 15 to 24 hours, which plateaus at 4 to 5 mm Hg. Further increasing ITP by infusion of crystalloid significantly augments lung growth beyond that observed with TO alone. These data support the hypothesis that airway pressure and secondary mechanical stretch are the primary stimuli of TO induced lung growth. J Pediatr Surg 35:216-222. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Global perspective on Wikipedia research

This panel will provide a global perspective on Wikipedia research. The literature on Wikipedia is mostly anecdotal, and most of the research has focused attention primarily on the English Wikipedia examining the accuracy of entries compared to established online encyclopedias (Emigh & Herring, 2005; Giles, 2005; Rosenzweig, 2006) and analyzing the evolution of articles over time (Viegas, Wattenberg, & Dave, 2004; Viegas, Wattenberg, Kriss, & van Ham, 2007). Others have examined the quality of contribution (Stvilia et al., 2005). However, only a few studies have conducted comparative analyses across languages or analyzed Wikipedia in languages other than English (e.g., Pfeil, Zaphiris, & Ang, 2006). There is a need for international, cross-cultural understanding of Wikipedia. In an effort to address this gap, this panel will present a range of international and cross-cultural research of Wikipedia. The presenters will contribute different perspectives of Wikipedia as an international sociocultural institution and will describe similarities and differences across various national/language versions of Wikipedia. Shachaf and Hara will present variation of norms and behaviors on talk pages in various languages of Wikipedia. Herring and Callahan will share results from a cross-language comparison of biographical entries that exhibit variations in content of entries in the English and Polish versions of Wikipedia and will explain how they are influenced by the culture and history of the US and Poland. Stvilia will discuss some of the commonalities and variability of quality models used by different Wikipedias, and the problems of cross-language quality measurement aggregation and reasoning. Matei will describe the social structuration and distribution of roles and efforts in wiki teaching environments. Solomon's comments, as a discussant, will focus on how these comparative insights provide evidence of the ways in which an evolving institution, such as Wikipedia, may be a force for supporting cultural identity (or not).
Relationships between brain morphology and behavioral measures of hemispheric asymmetry and interhemispheric interaction.

Thirty adult males identified consonant-vowel-consonant nonword trigrams projected briefly to the left visual field (right hemisphere), the right visual field (left hemisphere) or to both visual fields (and hemispheres) simultaneously. Magnetic resonance images of the brains of these same individuals provided measurements of the length of the Sylvian fissure and surface area of the planum temporale within each hemisphere as well as measurements of the midsagittal area of the corpus callosum. Both behavioral and morphological asymmetries were consistent with those found in previous studies. In addition, there were several relationships between brain morphology and trigram naming. For example, as the length of the right-hemisphere Sylvian fissure increased to become more like the typical length of the left-hemisphere Sylvian fissure, there were fewer errors of trigram identification and attention was distributed more quickly or evenly across the three letters contained in the display. In addition, as the midsagittal area of the corpus callosum increased, the percentage of errors increased on left visual field trials, but not on right visual field or bilateral trials, suggesting that an increase in corpus callosum size may be indicative of greater functional isolation of the two hemispheres.
The Genetic Basis of Male Reproductive Failure

Evolving therapies have allowed the use of sperm from men with spermatogenic compromise, obstructive azoospermia, and sperm functional deficiency, enabling these men to procreate when unable to do so naturally. The genetic basis of only a portion of these conditions is known and research must be pursued into the genetic underpinnings of those that have not yet been delineated. Education and provision of information to patients is the responsibility of all involved in the care of men with reproductive failure. The author concentrates on some of the known causes of nonobstructive azoospermia and obstructive azoospermia with a well-established genetic cause such as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens.
Coastal ecosystem studies and their application to oil spill response

ABSTRACT Because of increased energy demands, the coastal areas of the United States have been subject to rather severe land-use and water-use conflicts. One of the results has been the alteration of coastal habitats that support valuable fish and wildlife resources. Because of threats of further alteration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has conducted several studies about coastal environments and environmental problems. Since 1975, nine coastal ecological studies have been completed; others are being negotiated. Study areas have included the coast of Maine, and central and northern California. Each of these studies provides an information base, a data analysis, and habitat maps. An ecological inventory of the Atlantic Coast has been completed and other inventories are contemplated for the Gulf of Mexico, the West coast of the United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. The ecological inventories mainly are maps showing types of land use and coastal fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Other ...
Dislocation substructures of three die-cast Mg-Al-Ca-based alloys

Dislocation substructures of three crept Mg–Al–Ca-based alloys have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy. At low temperature, most dislocations are basal 〈a〉 type, while at higher temperatures, basal and non-basal 〈a〉 dislocations are observed with isolated 〈c〉 or 〈c + a〉 dislocations. Although creep resistance varies substantially, no major differences in crept dislocation substructures are observed. Differences in creep behavior are not attributable to different creep mechanisms and may be due to strengthening of primary alpha phase instead.
Effects of ‘Crack’ Cocaine on Pulmonary Alveolar Permeability

Background Lung clearance of 99m Tc-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) is a sensitive test of altered alveolar epithelial permeability that has been found to be increased in smokers of tobacco, as well as a small number of healthy smokers of crack cocaine, suggesting the possibility of subclinical crack-related lung injury. Study objective To evaluate further whether habitual smoking of cocaine alone alters alveolar permeability, whether crack smoking adds to or potentiates the effects of tobacco and/or marijuana, and whether experimental cocaine smoking acutely alters DTPA lung clearance. Design Observational cohort study (habitual cocaine smoking) and single-blind crossover study (experimental cocaine administration). Subjects Fourteen habitual smokers of cocaine alone (CS), 19 smokers of cocaine and tobacco (CTS), 3 smokers of cocaine and marijuana, 12 smokers of cocaine, tobacco, and marijuana (CMTS), and 5 smokers of marijuana plus tobacco (MTS). Results obtained in the crack-smoking subjects were compared with data previously obtained in 10 nonsmokers (NS), 9 smokers of tobacco alone (TS), 10 smokers of marijuana alone (MS), and 4 additional MTS. Methods Subjects underwent measurements of DTPA radioaerosol lung clearance after refraining from marijuana and/or cocaine for > 12 h and from tobacco for >2 h. Ten of the 48 crack users were tested on two days 1 to 2 weeks apart within 2 h of experimental smoking of three physiologically active or inactive doses (total 98.8±15.5 or 8.5±2.5 mg, respectively) of cocaine base. Lung clearance half-times (T½) were computed from time-activity curves for each lung. Results T½ values for each lung in CS and MS were comparable to those of NS, while TS, MTS, CTS, and CMTS had significantly shorter clearance rates than NS (p Conclusions Whereas regular smoking of tobacco alone or with other substances increases alveolar epithelial permeability, habitual smoking of cocaine and/or marijuana has no measurable effect on alveolar permeability in the absence of tobacco nor any additive effect to that of tobacco alone.
Receding horizon revisited: An easy way to robustly stabilize an LTV system

Stabilization schemes are often based on infinite horizon optimization of a non-singular cost functional. For such schemes to make sense in a time varying context, a fairly good knowledge of the system parameters at all times is a prerequisite. That is a major disadvantage in adaptive implementations. When applicable, the receding horizon approach overcomes this difficulty as, though it relies on general qualitative long-term properties (such as controllability), it requires quantitative knowledge only of (temporally) local parameter values. Work done on receding horizon stabilization during the 1970's focused on LQ (=‘H2’) optimization criteria. Looking for a stabilization method which carries also the robustness properties of infinite horizon H∞ design, we consider here local minimization of the L2-induced I/O norm (=‘H∞ optimization’) as the design objective. Both state and observation based feedback scheme are derived, and relations to finite and infinite horizon optimization are discussed.
Euclidean orthogonal data transmission

A technique for data transmission using basis waveforms in a Euclidean space is presented. An example is used to demonstrate that this technique can give performance superior to that of the duobinary technique.
Severe Polyneuropathy: Initial Manifestation of Castleman's Disease Associated With POEMS Syndrome

Castleman's disease is a rare clinicopathological entity characterized by multicentric angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia. Peripheral neuropathy has infrequently been described in patients with Castleman's disease. A patient is described who presented initially with severe painful sensorimotor polyneuropathy of his lower limbs diagnosed as a plasma cell variant of Castleman's disease associated with features of POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin change). The patient was treated with plasmapheresis, immunosuppressive agents, and intensive rehabilitation. His functional status improved from being wheelchair bound to ambulating independently with crutches. Clinicians should be alert to the relationship of Castleman's disease and mixed polyneuropathy because physical improvement is possible with treatment. Also, the evaluation of patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology and lymphadenopathy should include lymph node biopsy to rule out Castleman's disease.
NITINOL-reinforced plates: Part III. Dynamic characteristics

Abstract The dynamic characteristics of NITINOL-reinforced composite plates are controlled by heating sets of NITINOL fibers embedded inside these plates. The activation of the shape memory effect of these NITINOL fibers increases the elastic energy, enchances the stiffness of the composite plates and modifies their modal characteristics. One of the objectives of the resulting modal modification is to shift the modes of vibration of the plates away from the excitation frequencies in order to avoid undesirable resonances. In this way, the modal characteristics can be tailored in response to the external disturbances acting on the plates. The classical finite element approach is used to form the equations of motion of the assembly of NITINOL-reinforced plate elements and the appropriate boundary conditions are then applied. The solution of the eigenvalues of the resulting homogeneous equations gives the natural frequencies of the NITINOLreinforced plate as influenced by the properties of the composite matrix and the NITINOL fibers. It is important to note that these properties are influenced by the temperature distribution inside the composite plate which is developed by virtue of activating and de-activating the NITINOL fibers. Emphasis is placed on the effect of intentional electrical heating of a selected subset of the NITINOL fibers on the overall dynamics of the plates. The effect of the associated thermal energy propagating through the composite on the unintentional thermal activation of additional subsets of the NITINOL fibers is accounted for. Such an effect is not only significant, but also essential to the thorough understanding of the operation of the NITINOL-reinforced plates.
Multidimensional greatest common divisor and Lehmer algorithms

A class of multidimensional greatest common divisor algorithms is studied. Their connection with the Jacobi algorithm is established and used to obtain theoretical properties such as the existence of digit frequencies. A technique of D. H. Lehmer's for Euclid's algorithm is generalized for efficient computation of the multidimensional algorithms. For triples of integers, two algorithms of interest are studied empirically.
Visual evoked responses (VERs) in normal and disabled readers.

The present study investigated the possibility that reading disabled children exhibit abnormal visual evoked responses (VERs). Comparisons were made between a group of disabled children and two control groups of normals, one group matched on age and IQ, and the other on reading level and IQ. VERs were obtained for flashes of light and word stimuli. Results indicated that the reading disabled children showed a significantly smaller amplitude in the negative wave at 180 msec following stimulus onset, for an electrode placed in the region of the left angular gyrus, compared to the two controls. All three groups showed significantly greater negative amplitudes at this latency for the word stimulus compared to the light flash. The results confirm some earlier findings and suggest that a neurological origin of reading disability is likely.
Metabolic consequences of growth hormone treatment in paediatric practice.

No metabolic side-effects of clinical significance have been reported during a 5-year study of growth hormone (GH) therapy in children with GH deficiency, Turner syndrome, idiopathic short stature or
Aryl substituted diastereomeric alkenes: gas chromatographic behavior on a non-polar versus a liquid crystal phase

Abstract The preparations and resolutions of a series of aryl substituted diastereomeric alkenes is described using bonded non-polar and cholesteric liquid crystal columns, the latter operated in its mesophase. Separations of diastereomers were notably greater using the more more aligned cholesteric phase. Elution orders of the diastereomers are determined by asymmetric synthesis, and is discussed in terms of molecular size and shape. The greatest diastereomer resolutions are achieved in this study when one of the asymmetric centers bears a 1- or 2-naphthyl group. Hence, it is suggested that a resolved 2-(1′- or 2′-naphthyl)propyl phosphonium salt could be useful as a derivatizing agent via Wittig condensations with chiral aldehydes. That is to say, the resulting diastereomeric alkenes would likely be separable allowing both the assignment of aldehyde absolute configuration by means of elution order and configurational purity by means of diastereomer ratio.
An Evaluation of a Court-Mandated Batterer Intervention Program: Investigating Differential Program Effect for African American and White Women

Objective: The purpose of this study is to (a) evaluate a 16-week batterer intervention program by investigating changes in psychological variables related to abuse between pretreatment and posttreatment assessments in a sample of women involuntarily placed in treatment and (b) to investigate the differential effectiveness of this same batterer intervention program for African American and White batterers. Method: The study employed a secondary analysis of 59 treatment completers. Results: The findings of this study suggest that the court-ordered batterers constituting this sample demonstrate significant changes, in the desired direction, on psychological variables related to domestic violence, as a result of participation in a court-mandated treatment program, and there was no significant difference in terms of magnitude of change on these same psychological variables between African American and White batterers, indicating that the treatment program was reaching both groups equally well. Conclusion: Imp...
Synthesis of an artificial cell surface receptor that enables oligohistidine affinity tags to function as metal-dependent cell-penetrating peptides.

Cell-penetrating peptides and proteins (CPPs) are important tools for the delivery of impermeable molecules into living mammalian cells. To enable these cells to internalize proteins fused to common oligohistidine affinity tags, we synthesized an artificial cell surface receptor comprising an N-alkyl derivative of 3β-cholesterylamine linked to the metal chelator nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). This synthetic receptor inserts into cellular plasma membranes, projects NTA headgroups from the cell surface, and rapidly cycles between the plasma membrane and intracellular endosomes. Jurkat lymphocytes treated with the synthetic receptor (10 μM) for 1 h displayed ∼45,000,000 NTA groups on the cell surface. Subsequent addition of the green fluorescent protein AcGFP fused to hexahistidine or decahistidine peptides (3 μM) and Ni(OAc)2 (100 μM) enhanced the endocytosis of AcGFP by 150-fold (hexahistidine fusion protein) or 600-fold (decahistidine fusion protein) within 4 h at 37 °C. No adverse effects on cellular proli...
The key role of nutritional factors in the prevention of coronary heart disease

Abstract: Nutritional factors and the significant role they play in the causation of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease are examined. Topics of discussion include: the epidemiological relationship between certain nutrients and coronary heart disease; the prevention of coronary heart disease; dietary sterols and the cholesterol balance; dietary fat; amount and saturation; dietary carbohydrate; alcohol; calories; the dietary prescription for the prevention of coronary heart disease; and how to correct hyperlipidemia with a low cholesterol, moderately low fat diet. Numerous recipes and sample menus are included.
Two-step processes and finite-range effects in the 60, 62Ni(p, t) reaction☆

Abstract Measurements have been made on the 60, 62 Ni(p, t) reaction at an incident energy of 27 MeV. Angular distributions were obtained on transitions to all levels up to 2.63 MeV in 60 Ni and essentially all the levels up to 4.11 MeV in 58 Ni. Calculations were carried out using a one-step DWBA as well as two-step processes that included both sequential transfer and inelastic plus simultaneous transfer processes. The effects of exact finite range on both one- and two-step calculations were investigated. Comparison of the theoretical calculations with data of others at 40 and 47 MeV, as well as the 27 MeV data, indicate the importance of the two-step processes and that the empirically normalized one-step theory is inadequte for testing models of nuclear structure. We find a consistent fit in magnitude for the ground-state transitions when one- and two-step processes are included.
THE PHOTODISSOCIATION OF V+.CH4

Abstract The isolated VCH4+ ion has been interrogated via resonant one-photon photodissociation spectroscopy. An electronic transition corresponding to a 3d34s ← 3d4 excitation of the metal center characteristic of electrostatic complexes of V+ is observed. The vibronic structure of the spectrum yields the stretching frequency of the excited state of the complex, 90.0 cm−1, with a diagonal anharmonicity of 0.70 cm−1 as well as a rocking frequency of 44.8 cm−1. The electrostatic binding energy of the excited metal ion (3d34s) to methane is determined to be 2900 ± 300 cm−1, whereas the ground state metal ion (3d4) is bound by 5250 ± 300 cm−1.
Different level of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in dairy products from Italy

A survey was carried out to determine the content of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in various dairy products. The only detected CLA isomer was cis-9trans-11 linoleic acid. Commercial samples of yoghurt, fermented milk and cheese were analyzed: 16 standard yoghurts, 6 organic yoghurts, 8 mountain pasture yoghurts, 5 sheep yoghurts, 8 probiotic yoghurts, 8 fermented milk samples, 6 fermented milk samples from mountain pastures, 30 cow cheeses (9 Alpine cheeses, 8 Swiss Emmental, 8 Fontina Valdostana, 5 Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano), 12 ewe cheeses (Pecorino) and 8 goat cheeses. The fatty acid composition and fat content were also assessed. Fontina Valdostana had the highest amount of CLA (8.11 mg/g fat), followed by Pecorino cheese (7.77 mg/g fat), Swiss Emmental (7.66 mg/g fat) and sheep yoghurt (6.92 mg/g fat). High levels of CLA were also found in fermented milk and yoghurt of mountain pasture and organic yoghurt (6.15, 6.06 and 6.05 mg/g fat, respectively). The animal diet, specific characteristics of the milk used in manufacturing, with special reference to the species and CLA content of the milk, processing and production methods play an important role in setting the CLA levels in dairy products.
Continuous Enteral Feedings: An Important Adjunct to the Management of Complex Congenital Heart Disease

Eleven infants with complex congenital heart lesions were given continuous enteral infusions after failure to gain weight adequately despite use of hypercaloric formulas and nutritional supplementation. Formulas used before institution of enteral feedings were continued. Dietary and caloric intake and weight measurements were obtained at weekly or monthly intervals. Both mean daily caloric intake and mean daily weight gain were greater after initiation of continuous enteral feedings. Rate of weight gain improved in all 11 children after institution of enteral feedings. Continuous enteral feeding increases weight gain in babies with complex congenital heart disease, allowing earlier and safer surgical intervention.
Transcultural Risk Communication and Viral Discourses: Grassroots Movements to Manage Global Risks of H1N1 Flu Pandemic

This article proposes a theoretical framework of transcultural risk communication to examine how global connectivities influence communication about H1N1 flu. A case study was conducted to investigate risk management policies at global, regional, and translocal levels to cope with health threats posed by the emerging H1N1 flu epidemic. We explored how risk management approaches by Chinese Internet users facilitated the employment of a unique risk measure of exit and entry screening for returnees to China.
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: survival and prognostic indicators.

To further define the prognosis and identify clinical findings predictive for survival in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we performed Kaplan Meier survival analysis of 37 dogs with idiopathic DCM. Survival analysis showed that the 50% probability of survival occurred at 2.3 months. Probability of survival at 1 year was 37.5% and at 2 years was 28%. Bivariate Cox proportional hazard ratios identified pleural effusion and pulmonary edema, both signs of congestive heart failure, as independent prognostic indicators for dogs with DCM (P < .01). Hazard ratios for these prognostic indicators were 2.354 and 3.291, respectively. Multivariate Cox stepwise regression identified pleural effusion, left ventricular free-wall thickening fraction, ventricular ectopy, and weight loss as significant prognostic indicators for dogs with DCM. Because of the retrospective nature of this study, the effects of different drug treatments were not evaluated. The type of cardiac-related death, progressive failure versus sudden death, was not addressed in this study and requires further evaluation.
Overcome ethnocentrism and increase intercultural collaboration by developing social intelligence

The study, based on a survey of 419 young adults, found that social intelligence can help reduce individuals' level of ethnocentrism. This finding suggests that increasing individuals' social intelligence could help promote mutual respect, active listening and might lead to intercultural collaboration success. Intercultural collaboration is expected to bring great benefits to people, groups and countries around the world while more challenges are expected to come along. This study takes a step to seek predicting variables to promote mutual respect and participation in intercultural collaboration. Limitations and suggestions for future research are provided.
Exposure to vapors gas dust or fumes: Assessment by a single survey item compared to a detailed exposure battery and a job exposure matrix

Background Occupational exposure assessment often relies upon subject report. We examined the characteristics of self-reported exposure in respondents' longest held job to vapors, gas, dust, or fumes (VGDF) compared to other measures of exposure risk. Methods We analyzed data from 1,876 respondents from a national US population-based telephone survey designed to estimate the association between occupational factors and chronic disease of the airways. We tested a single VGDF item against responses to a 16-item battery assessing specific inhalation exposures and against a job exposure matrix (JEM). We analyzed all of these measures for their association with adult-onset asthma after excluding subjects with COPD or asthma with onset before age 18. Results VDGF (single item) was reported by 744 (40%) subjects; any of the 16 exposures by 899 (48%); and an intermediate or high exposure likelihood job by JEM was assigned to 682 (36%). The sensitivity of the VGDF item measured against the 16-item battery was 69%; the specificity was 88%; (classification agreement kappa = 0.58); against the JEM classification the sensitivity was 64% and specificity 74% (kappa = 0.37). The relative odds (OR) for adult-onset asthma associated with various measures of exposure were: VGDF, 1.7 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.0–2.8; P = 0.04); any of the 16 exposures, 1.6 (95% CI 1.0–2.7; P = 0.06), and intermediate or high by JEM, 1.2 (0.7–2.1; P > 0.50). Conclusions A single VGDF survey item appears to delineate exposure risk at least as well as a multiple-item battery assessing such exposures; it has modest agreement with a JEM-based exposure categorization. Am. J. Ind. Med. 48:110–117, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Categorization of food types enhances foraging performance of bumblebees

Abstract Abstract. The classification of food items into a selected set of categories can significantly enhance information processing by a foraging animal. The ability of bumblebees, Bombus flavifrons, to form simple categories of floral colours was tested. Bees recognized categories in a way that enhanced their ability to discriminate between rewarding and non-rewarding flowers. Bees also recognized novel members of learned categories. Both memorization and generalization based on similarity between floral types could be ruled out as the mechanisms underlying bees' behaviour. It is most likely that bees learned to attend to the stimulus that reliably identified members of a certain category; a similar mechanism may be commonly used by many other species including humans.
Perimenstrual chocolate craving. What happens after menopause

About half of American women crave chocolate, and approximately half of the cravers crave it specifically around the onset of menstruation. This study examines whether the primary cause of this "perimenstrual" craving is a direct effect of hormonal changes around the perimenstrum, or rather if the craving is a general response in some individuals to stress or other notable events. Insofar as there is a direct hormonal effect, one would predict a substantial decrease of 38% in total chocolate craving in women post-menopause, corresponding to the proportion of women pre-menopause who report craving chocolate exclusively perimenstrually. Based on a survey of pre- and post-menopausal alumnae of the same University, we report a significant but small decrease in prevalence of chocolate cravings post-menopause. The decrease is only 13.4% and thereby much smaller than a 38% drop predicted by a purely hormonal explanation, suggesting that female reproductive hormones are not the principal cause of perimenstrual chocolate craving.
Dynamic studies of aldosterone in anephric man

Dynamic studies of aldosterone in anephric man. Aldosterone metabolism in the absence of a functioning renin-angiotensin system was evaluated in twelve anephric subjects. Plasma aldosterone concentrations determined while subjects were in a supine position were usually low, correlated with the plasma potassium concentration (r = 0.38; P Etudes dynamiques de l'aldosterone chez l'homme anephrique. Le metabolisme de l'aldosterone en l'absence d'un systeme renine angiotensine fonctionnel a ete evalue chez douze sujets anephriques. Les concentrations d'aldosterone en position debout etaient habituellement basses, correlees avec la kaliemie (r = 0,38; P
Discrepancies between experiment and theory in the superconducting proximity effect

The superconducting proximity effect is investigated for SN double layers in a regime where the resulting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ does not depend on the mean free paths of the films and, within limits, not on the transparency of the interface. The experimental results for ${T}_{c}$ are compared with a numerical evaluation which was recently developed in our group. The results for the SN double layers can be divided into three groups. (i) When $N=\mathrm{Cu},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Ag},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Au},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Mg}$ a disagreement between experiment and theory by a factor of the order of 2.5 is observed. (ii) When $N=\mathrm{Cd},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Zn},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Al}$ the disagreement between experiment and theory is reduced to a factor of about 1.5. (iii) When $N=\mathrm{In},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Sn}$ a reasonably good agreement between experiment and theory is observed.
Tower gravity experiment: No evidence for non-Newtonian gravity.

A test of Newton's inverse-square law of gravitation by Eckhardt, Jekeli, Lazarewicz, Romaides, and Sands using gravity measurements on a tall tower yielded evidence for non-Newtonian gravity. We have refined the analysis of that experiment by including detailed topographic information and conclude that, in fact, no such evidence exists. The accuracy of the experiment constrains the Yukawa-potential coupling constant \ensuremath{\alpha} to be less than 0.001.
Classification of house characteristics based on indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations

House characteristics determining indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were extracted from a large scale field study in the Boston area. In this field study, indoor and outdoor NO2 levels and house characteristics were measured in three seasons: winter, summer, and fall. Data were analyzed by cross-table analysis to avoid problems of missing data. An attributable variable was selected when more than 90% of dwelling units with the particular variable had indoor to outdoor NO2 ratio (I/O) greater or less than unity. The dwelling units with electric stove had I/O less than unity. The dwelling units having a gas stove with a pilot light had kitchen NO2 levels higher than concurrently measured outdoor NO2 levels. The dwelling units with a gas stove having no pilot light had the I/O of around 1. Therefore, NO2 exposure groups in epidemiological studies should be determined by stove type and the presence of a pilot light, in order to reduce underestimation from exposure misclassification.
Surface and depth electrography of the frontal lobes in conscious patients

Abstract In a group of 5 psychotic and 4 non-psychotic patients the electrical activity of the depth of the frontal lobes was recorded for 1 to 4 days, using multilead needle electrodes. Electrical activity of the motor and premotor areas was also recorded in 4 of these patients by plate electrodes. Results were as follows: 1.1. Typical patterns of electrical activity repeatedly observed included: (a) low voltage; (b) alpha-like; (c) high voltage fast; (d) high voltage slow irregular; (e) paroxysmal rhythmic slow; (f) spikes and sharp waves; (g) other types. Some rhythms seemed to be located in determined regions of the frontal lobes. 2.2. Very similar spatial distribution of rhythms within the frontal lobes was found in patients with different types of illness. 3.3. In general the electrical activity was symmetrical in both sides of the frontal lobes. In one patient the activity was asymmetrical. 4.4. No correlation could be established between electrical activity of the depth of the frontal lobes, and motor movements, sensory stimulations, or changes in the mood of the patient. 5.5. Voluntary motor movements inhibited the electrical activity of specific cortical motor areas. Sound stimulation of the patient with music or noises increased the electrical activity of motor and premotor areas.
Determinants of attitudes toward multinational firms: Host arab society elites

Indigenous elites provide the crucial linkages between their domestic societies and the international economic order. The study attempts a measurement of the weight or salience of five personal variables to the process of attitude formation toward multinational firms among host Arab society elites. These variables are: (1) nationalism, (2) internationalism, (3) economic ideology, (4) confidence, and (5) satisfaction in direct personal contact. It is hypothesized that these variables will have influence upon an elite's attitude toward multinational firms. The result of the empirical study points out that an elite internationalism orientation, economic ideology preference, and satisfaction in direct personal contact with multinational firms will positively influence attitudes towards multinational firms (MNFs).
Association meeting planners' perceptions and intentions for five major US convention cities: the structured and unstructured images

Abstract Association meeting planners get actively involved in site selection process and influence association decision-makers in terms of determining the consideration set of convention sites as well as the selection of final site(s). This study assesses and compares association meeting planners' structured (cognitive, affective, and global impression) and unstructured (open-response elicitation) perceptions as well as behavioral intentions for five major US convention cities: Las Vegas, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Orlando. The study found that association meeting planners have differentiated images and intentions for the convention cities. The identified strengths and weaknesses, coupled with qualitative evaluations and importance of perceptual dimensions, provide important implications for the convention cities in terms target marketing, positioning, and communication strategy.
YI.5 Sexual Risk Factors Amongst Women Who Have Sex with Men and Women: The Women in Indiana Sexual Health and Experience Study (WISHES)

Background Previous research suggests that women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) may be at a higher risk for STI than women with exclusively male (WSM) or female (WSW) partners. In contrast to previous research which has compared WSWM to WSW/WSM, the present study explored risk factors which may be unique to WSWM. Methods Local women aged 18 or older who reported genital contact with a male and female partner within the past year were invited to participate in the study. Upon completion of an internet-based baseline survey about their sexual and STI history, participants were invited to participate in an in-person interview. During the meeting, participants engaged in a semi-structured interview followed by completion of a sexual event history calendar (SEHC). Participants were then asked to self-collect oral, vaginal and anal samples to screen for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis. Results Eighty participants with a mean age of 26.74 (SD = 7.97) completed the survey. The majority of the participants reported genital contact at an earlier age with a male partner (M = 16.02, SD = 3.31) than with a female partner (M = 18.93, N = 5.13).The most common type of genital contact was external genital rubbing with a male (97.5%, N = 78) and/or female (93.5%, N = 74) partner. Most participants reported a wide variety of sexual behaviours. Over half of the participants (57.5%, N = 44) reported engaging in a threesome/orgy within the past year. Data on the sequence of sexual acts was captured using the SEHC. Most participants self-collected a sample for STI screening. Approximately 30% (N = 25) of the participants reported an STI diagnosis within their lifetime and close to 10% of the participants tested positive for Chlamydia. Discussion The study was successful in recruiting a sizable number of participants with a range of sexual experiences. The majority of participants opted to participate in all phases of the study.
Evaluating the dynamic properties of recommendation algorithms

Collaborative recommendation algorithms are typically evaluated on a static matrix of user rating data. However, when users experience a recommender system, it is dynamic, constantly evolving as new items and new users arrive. The dynamic properties of collaborative recommendation have become important as prediction algorithms based on the interactions of rating histories have been proposed, and as researchers seek to understand problems of robustness and maintenance in rating databases.This paper proposes a new evaluation method for the dynamic aspects of collaborative algorithms, the "temporal leave-one-out" approach, which can provide insight into both user-specific and system-level evolution of recommendation behavior. As a case study, the methodology is applied to the Influence Limiter algorithm [12], showing that its robustness to attack comes at a high accuracy cost.
A Little Exercise

All parts of the body which have a function if used in moderation and exercised inlabors in which each is accustomed, become thereby healthy, well developed and agemore slowly; but if unused and left idle they become liable to disease, defective ingrowth and age quickly.—Hippocrates, c. 450 B.C.Talk about wisdom! Nearly 2500 years later, the debate about exercise and aging continueswith little understanding of the topic beyond Hippocrates’ words.The report by the LIFE Study investigators on the Lifestyle Interventions and Independencefor Elders Pilot (LIFE-P) study that appears in this issue of the Journal adds to the growingnumber of reports demonstrating that well-designed and supervised training programsencompassing strength, balance, and/or endurance-promoting activities in the very old and/ordebilitated can improve performance on low-level functional tasks. Somewhat imbedded inthe findings is another increasingly well-documented principle—performance-based tests canidentify individuals on the brink of severe loss or decline in health and functional independence,some of whom will benefit from performance training and attention to the underlying functionaldeficits.The LIFE-P study adds pivotal information to the substantial and multifaceted literature on thebenefits of physical activity in older persons (1–13), and provides important evidence thatincreased physical exercise in older persons with functional limitations improves lowerextremity performance, one of the most important risk factors for late-life disability (14).Although large observational studies supported the role of exercise in late life as a means toimprove or slow down age-related decline in physical performance, it remained uncertainwhether this association was causal or whether physical activity just served as a proxy measurefor “life engagement or health behaviors” associated with better health. Further, althoughconsiderable data in the literature suggests that tests of lower extremity performance, such asthe Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), are quick and effective tools for identifyingolder persons at high risk of disability (15,16), evidence that SPPB score can be successfullymodified was limited to small studies.We compliment the authors for the scientific rigor of the LIFE-P study. No doubt they havebroken new ground and provided further justification and preliminary data critical to animproved design and conduct of a clinical trial to determine whether increasing physicalactivity prevents or delays disability in older persons.In the spirit of full disclosure, we should state that both authors of this editorial were involvedin early discussions about the design of the LIFE study. Below we offer the perspectives and
Experimental investigation and modeling of the performance of pure and mixed surfactant inhibitors: Micellization and corrosion inhibition

Abstract Surfactants have been widely used as inhibitors for metal corrosion inhibition by their adsorption on metal surface to act as a protective film. The adsorption, however, is highly affected by surfactant micellization which needs a systemic study. An improved critical micelle concentration (cmc) prediction model is developed and validated to study micellization of various pure and mixed surfactants in aqueous solution containing salts (0–3 M). The effects of counterion and coion specificity on aggregation properties are successfully evaluated. The predicted aggregation properties, including critical micelle concentration (cmc), micelle shape, micelle aggregation number, and sphere-to-rod transition, agree well with experimental data. The cmc model, in combination with improved adsorption evaluation approach, the modified Langmuir adsorption and the modified quantitative structure activity relation, provides a method to evaluate the effects of micellization on surfactant adsorption and associated corrosion inhibition performance.
OPAL: a multi-layer hybrid photonic NoC for 3D ICs

Three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs) offer a significant opportunity to enhance the performance of emerging chip multiprocessors (CMPs) using high density stacked device integration and shorter through silicon via (TSV) interconnects that can alleviate some of the problems associated with interconnect scaling. In this paper we propose and explore a novel multi-layer hybrid photonic NoC fabric (OPAL) for 3D ICs. Our proposed hybrid photonic 3D NoC combines low cost photonic rings on multiple photonic layers with a 3D mesh NoC in active layers to significantly reduce on-chip communication power dissipation and packet latency. OPAL also supports dynamic reconfiguration to adapt to changing runtime traffic requirements, and uncover further opportunities for reduction in power dissipation. Our experimental results and comparisons with traditional 2D NoCs, 3D NoCs, and previously proposed hybrid photonic NoCs (photonic Torus, Corona, Firefly) indicate a strong motivation for considering OPAL for future 3D ICs as it can provide orders of magnitude reduction in power dissipation and packet latencies.
Aging and Directed Forgetting: Pre-Cue Encoding and Post-Cue Rehearsal Effects

The effects of pre-cue encoding and post-cue rehearsal on item-method-directed forgetting in young and older adults were examined. In Experiment 1, level-of-processing manipulations were used to examine pre-cue representations of items in directed forgetting. In Experiment 2, pre-cue levels of processing was manipulated as well as post-cue rehearsal time. In general, young adults showed greater directed forgetting than older adults, and levels of processing did not affect directed forgetting. However, increased post-cue rehearsal time eliminated directed forgetting. These findings are discussed in terms of constraints that influence item-method-directed forgetting. It is suggested that young adults, but not older adults, may use compensatory strategies to overcome these constraints.
Examining an Outlier: Molecular Diversity in the Cirripedia

Despite the typical assumption in studies of mitochondrial diversity that such data are useful for approximating population size and demography, studies of sequence diversity in mitochondrial DNA across the Metazoa have shown a surprising excess of rare alleles, a pattern associated either with strong selection or population growth. Previous work has shown that this bias toward an excess of rare alleles is typical across the Crustacea, and in particular, in the Cirripedia (barnacles). Here, we directly evaluate sequence data from studies of barnacle populations to ensure that inclusion of cryptic species is not the cause of this pattern. The results shown here reinforce previous studies that suggest caution in interpreting such patterns of allele frequencies, as they are likely to be influenced both by demographic changes and selection.
New Cosmic Microwave Background Power Spectrum Constraints from MSAM1

We present new cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy results from the combined analysis of the three flights of the first Medium Scale Anisotropy Measurement (MSAM1). This balloon-borne bolometric instrument measured about 10 deg2 of sky at half-degree resolution in four frequency bands from 5.2 to 20 cm-1 with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Here we present an overview of our analysis methods, compare the results from the three flights, derive new constraints on the CMB power spectrum from the combined data, and reduce the data to total power Wiener-filtered maps of the CMB. A key feature of this new analysis is a determination of the amplitude of CMB fluctuations at l ~ 400. The analysis technique is described in a companion paper (L. Knox).