cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological actions of luteinizing hormone‐realeasing hormone: Intracellular studies in the rat hippocampal slice preparation

The electrophysilogical effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on CA1 pyramidal cells were investigated utilizing intracellular recodings from the in vitro rat hippocampal slce preparation. Bath application of LHRH (10-7-10-12M) resulted in several changes in the electrophysiological properties of CA1 neurons. LHRH induced a long-lasting depolarization associated with increased input resitance, and decrease in the afterhyperpolarization associated with increased input resistance, ad decrease in the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) following a train of action potentials, and a reduction in accommodation of repetitive cell discharge. These effects were blocked by the synthetic LHRH antagonist [Ac-δ-Pro1, pCl-D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]-LHRH. These findings provide electrophysiological evidence for the role of LHRH as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the hippocampus.
International experience with trisomy 21 infants placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Objective. To characterize the international experience concerning neonates with trisomy 21 (T21) managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and to compare and contrast this group of patients to the neonatal ECMO population as a whole. Methods. Data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization for newborn infants placed on ECMO between January 1984 and June 1999 were analyzed. Infants with T21 were compared with the group of infants without T21. Results. Fifteen thousand nine hundred forty-six infants, including 91 (n = 91) with the diagnosis of T21, were placed on ECMO for neonatal respiratory failure during the 14.5-year period. T21 infants were overrepresented in the ECMO population by several-fold when compared with the incidence of T21 in the general population. Eighty-seven of the 91 T21 infants were placed on ECMO after 1989. The distribution of primary diagnoses leading to ECMO differed between the groups (T21 vs non-T21): primary persistent pulmonary hypertension, 47.3% versus 13%; meconium aspiration syndrome, 23.1% versus 32.9%; sepsis, 7.7% versus 13.2%; congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 7.7% versus 19.9%; and respiratory distress syndrome, 3.3% versus 7.9%. Although survival to discontinuation of ECMO was similar in the 2 groups, likelihood of survival to discharge was decreased for T21 infants (65.9% vs 75.6%) because of increased post-ECMO mortality. Conclusions. Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry data suggests that T21 infants are at a significantly higher risk of being placed on ECMO for neonatal respiratory failure than the general population, perhaps as a result of delayed extrauterine pulmonary vascular adaptation, as manifested in the high rate of primary persistent pulmonary hypertension as the primary diagnosis. There may have been a shift in attitude regarding the use of ECMO in the T21 patient after 1989. Although most T21 patients placed on ECMO will survive, the prognosis is more guarded in this population when compared with all infants so managed. The long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of this group of T21 ECMO survivors is currently unknown.
Understanding Filipino Families

Roseberry-McKibbin Amajor current goal of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is to increase its members’ sensitivity to and competence in serving individuals from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds (Quinn, Goldstein, & Pena, 1996; Roseberry-McKibbin, 1995). A multicultural group that has become increasingly large in the United States is the Filipino population. In 1990, there were 1.4 million Filipinos living in the United States, with 50% of them living in California and 61% of them living in the Pacific West. Filipinos are the second largest Asian group in this country and the largest Asian immigrant group to the United States (Chan, 1992). The Filipino population in the United States will reach 2 million by the year 2000, yet very little information about this population is available in the field of communication disorders (Garza & Scott, 1996). Because speech-language pathologists will be serving increasing numbers of Filipino clients, this article was written to (a) share information about the Philippines, (b) discuss cultural practices that have an impact on our service delivery to Filipinos, and (c) discuss linguistic considerations that speech-language pathologists need to be familiar with in order to best serve Filipino clients. The information contained in this article was synthesized from my experience living in the Philippines from age 6 to age 17, from clinical experience, from interviews with Filipinos, and from sources cited in the reference list.
Quantum mechanical scattering calculations for charge exchange: O + H+ ↔ O+ + H

Thermal energy collisions of oxygen atoms with protons ( O+H + ) may lead to fine-structure excitation of the oxygen or to charge exchange (O + +H ). The reverse process, collisions of oxygen ions with hydrogen, may also lead to charge exchange. Detailed quantum mechanical calculations of these processes are presented here. The potential curves and coupling terms of 3 � − symmetry used are those recently calculated by Spirko et al (2000 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 33 2395–407). The other necessary potentials, the A 3 � and 5 � curves, were taken from the literature. Cross sections for charge exchange and fine-structure excitation are reported. For several transitions, mechanisms based on curve crossings are proposed. The analysis indicates that the scattering cross sections are sensitive to the form of the molecular potentials for internuclear distances of 10–15 a0 .T he only point of comparison with experiment is for rate constants for charge exchange, averaged over fine-structure levels. The present results, as well as other recent calculations, lie within the large error bars of the limited experimental data.
Oral Antiplatelet Therapy in the Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Events

Atherothrombosis is the leading cause of death worldwide and has a large economic impact. It is a pathologic process related to atherosclerosis, which leads to adverse clinical manifestations, including acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Patients with atherothrombosis are at heightened risk for recurrent ischemic events or death, and therefore, secondary prevention is an important goal in the treatment of these patients. Antiplatelet therapies available for long-term secondary prevention include aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), extended-release dipyridamole plus aspirin, and clopidogrel. A number of clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of combined antiplatelet therapy in secondary prevention, supporting the recommendations made in current published guidelines. Although the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet agents is well established and supported by clinical trials, their utilization rate in patients with atherothrombosis remains suboptimal. Quality improvement initiatives have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting the awareness and implementation of treatment guidelines. This article reviews the benefits and risks of antiplatelet therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease with the aim of spurring greater adherence to treatment recommendations and, thereby, better patient outcomes.
Even modest prediction accuracy of genomic models can have large clinical utility

Whole Genome Prediction (WGP) jointly fits thousands of SNPs into a regression model to yield estimates for the contribution of markers to the overall variance of a particular trait, and for their associations with that trait. To date, WGP has offered only modest prediction accuracy, but in some cases even modest prediction accuracy may be useful. We provide an illustration of this using a theoretical simulation that used WGP to predict weight loss after bariatric surgery with moderate accuracy (R (2) = 0.07) to assess the clinical utility of WGP despite these limitations. Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) post-surgery was considered the major outcome. Treating only patients above predefined threshold of predicted weight loss in our simulation, in the realistic context of finite resources for the surgery, significantly reduced lifetime risk of T2DM in the treatable population by selecting those most likely to succeed. Thus, our example illustrates how WGP may be clinically useful in some situations, and even with moderate accuracy, may provide a clear path for turning personalized medicine from theory to reality.
The influence of diabetes mellitus on postoperative infections

Clinicians and researchers are linking elevated glucose levels with potential infectious outcomes. Physiologic processes to fight foreign agents are potentially impaired during periods of hyperglycemia. Some of these responses, such as immune function and the inflammatory response, are impaired when they are needed most, such as during the recovery from surgical procedures. Investigators have demonstrated the importance of control of serum glucose postoperatively. Outcomes are improved when tighter glycemic control is practiced. The current literature challenges practitioners to become more cognizant of serum glucose in surgical patients and patients who are critically ill, implementing protocols to gain tighter control of serum glucose in any patient may be appropriate. Further investigation of glycemic control in surgical and other populations will reinforce research findings in this area. Studies should be performed on surgical patients who are particularly vulnerable to DM, glycemic alterations, and postoperative infections, such as patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery. Further investigations are also needed on the role of hyperglycemia and outcomes in nondiabetic individuals, and on the similarities or differences in glycemic control in types 1 and 2 DM. To increase the generalizability of the study findings, definitions used across studies, such as the type of diabetes, should be standardized. When these studies determine optimal glycemic control practices in a variety of patient populations, clinicians will be able to determine the best practice guidelines to optimize patient care and limit adverse infectious outcomes.
Hybrid damping through intelligent constrained layer treatments

This paper is to propose a viable hybrid damping design that integrates active and passive dampings through intelligent constrained layer (ICL) treatments. This design consists of a viscoelastic shear layer sandwiched between a piezoelectric constraining cover sheet and the structure to be damped. According to measured vibration response of the structure, a feedback controller regulates axial deformation of the piezoelectric layer to perform active vibration control. In the meantime, the viscoelastic shear layer provides additional passive damping. The active damping component of this design will produce adjustable and significant damping. The passive damping component of this design will increase gain and phase margins, eliminate spillover, reduce power consumption, improve robustness and reliability of the system, and reduce vibration response at high frequency ranges where active damping is difficult to implement. To model the dynamics of ICL, an eighth-order matrix differential equation governing bending and axial vibrations of an elastic beam with the ICL treatment is derived. The observability, controllability, and stability of ICL are discussed qualitatively for several beam structures. ICL may render the system uncontrollable or unobservable or both depending on the boundary conditions of the system. Finally, two examples are illustrated in this paper. The first example illustrates how an ICL damping treatment, which consists of an idealized, distributed sensor and a proportional-plus-derivative feedback controller, can reduce bending vibration of a semi-infinite elastic beam subjected to harmonic excitations. The second example is to apply an ICL damping treatment to a cantilever beam subjected to combined axial and bending vibrations. Numerical results show that ICL will produce significant damping.
Enhanced immunodetection of bovine central nervous tissue using an improved extraction method

Abstract The infectivity of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was mainly associated with bovine central nervous tissue (CNT), which have been banned from food and feed chain in many countries. Detection of bovine CNT is important for the surveillance of BSE occurrence. Myelin basic protein (MBP) has been identified as a thermal-stable maker protein in CNT for the detection of CNT in processed meat and feedstuffs. This study reports an improved extraction method of MBP that substantially enhanced the detectability of bovine CNT. Two different buffers (10 mM phosphate buffered saline and 20 mM Tris) at neutral pH containing different salt concentrations (150 mM–1 M) were used to extract proteins from unheated and heated (100 °C for 30 min) bovine brain. The mixtures were extracted with different time periods (30–180 min) at room temperature. Results from indirect non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot show that several factors (buffer type, salt valence and concentration, incubation time, and heat treatment) affected the MBP concentration in the extracts. The concentration of MBP increased with the increase of salt concentration in all extracts, but decreased with the increase of the incubation time in unheated samples. MBP was more effectively extracted with the buffers containing divalent salt (Ca2+ or Mg2+) than that of monovalent salt (Na+). The MBP concentration was higher in heated than unheated samples. The optimal method for MBP extraction was using 20 mM Tris–HCl containing 600 mM MgCl2 (pH 7.4) to extract heated (100 °C for 30 min) CNT samples for 1 h at room temperature. With this sample extraction method, the detection limit of an indirect competitive ELISA can be significantly improved from reported 10%–0.05% (g/g) of bovine brain tissue.
Epidermal Growth Factor Augments Adaptation Following Small Bowel Resection: Optimal Dosage, Route, and Timing of Administration

Background. In assorted animal models of small bowel resection (SBR), exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to augment intestinal adaptation. This study was designed to elucidate the optimal dose, route, and timing of exogenous EGF to boost adaptation in our murine model of SBR. Methods. Male ICR mice underwent either 50% proximal SBR or sham surgery (bowel transection with reanastomosis) and then randomized to receive either saline or human recombinant EGF (5, 50, 150, or 300 μg/kg/day) by twice daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection or orogastric gavage (o.g.). At 7 days, protein and DNA content, crypt depth, and villus height were determined in the ileum. The premium dose and route was then given for 1 week either during (1 week after SBR) or after the adaptive phase (1 month after SBR). Differences between group means were analyzed using ANOVA. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. EGF enhanced DNA and protein content, crypt depth, and villus height to the greatest extent at a dosage of 50 μg/kg/day by the o.g. route. EGF had no significant effect on enhancing adaptation when given after the adaptive response had already occurred. Conclusions. Intestinal adaptation is optimally enhanced by a specific dose and route of EGF. Exogenous EGF enhances adaptation only during the adaptive response to SBR and not after it has already taken place. Determination of the best circumstances for EGF administration will permit a systematic approach toward understanding a mechanism for the beneficial effect of EGF during intestinal adaptation.
13C-n.m.r.-spectral study of galactosyltransferase specificity with regard to the carbohydrate side-chain of native ovalbumin☆

Abstract As a prelude to studies using bovine N -acetylglucosaminide-β-(1→4)-galactosyltransferase to label membrane-surface glycoproteins with isotopically enriched d -galactose, the structural specificity of the enzymic reaction with water-soluble, hen ovalbumin has been examined. The enzyme-catalyzed transfer of d -galactose from UDP- d -galactose requires a (nonreducing) terminal 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- d -glucosyl group and exhibits selectivity towards saccharide chains containing d -mannose. This study considers the structural specificity of the enzyme with regard to the anomeric linkage between 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- d -glucose and d -mannose in the carbohydrate chains of hen ovalbumin. Uniformly 13 C-enriched d -galactose was enzymically attached to the ovalbumin carbohydrate chain (which exhibits microheterogeneity in its structure), the protein was hydrolyzed, and separate glycopeptide fractions were chromatographically isolated. The 13 C-n.m.r. spectra (60.5 MHz) of the fractions revealed two peaks for the anomeric carbon atom of d -galactose. The two peaks, at 104.20 and 104.39 p.p.m., were ascribed to d -galactosyl groups attached to 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- d -glucose respectively linked β-(1→4) and β-(1→2), to d -mannose in the glycopeptide chains. Quantifying of the spectral data revealed no specificity of d -galactosyltransferase towards the linkage from the terminal 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- d -glucosyl group to the penultimate d -mannosyl residue.
The Effects of the State Of Differentiation of Labeling of Epidermal Cell Surface Glycoproteins

Epidermal cells were grown in a medium in which the Ca ++ concentration controlled the stage of differentiation. Cell surface molecules of differentiated and undifferentiated cells were compared by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination, by the interaction with 251 I -lectins, and by the metabolic incorporation of L-( 3 H)-fucose. Molecular weights of the labeled components were determined by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. After lactoperoxidase iodination, most of the radioactivity was found in polypeptide bands of 79,000, 65,000 and 56,000 daltons. The 79,000 band is the most intense for undifferentiated cells (and also for neoplastic cells) but disappears as differentiation proceeds. The 56,000 band is present in normal cells at all stages of differentiation but is absent from neoplastic cells. Glycoproteins reacted with 125 I- lectins were found at 180,000, 130,000 and 85,000 daltons. The 130,000 band was the most prominent for differentiated cells labeled with wheat germ agglutinin but was essentially absent from the undifferentiated cells. With Ricinus communis agglutinin, this band was weaker for undifferentiated than for differentiated cells but was the most intense for both. After metabolic incorporation of tritiated fucose, radioactive glycoproteins were found at 130,000 and 85,000 daltons, with comparable intensities for differentiated and undifferentiated cells.
Genetic transformation in higher plants

Successful transformation of plant cells has been obtained utilizing vectors and DNA delivery methods derived from the plant pathogen, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This soil bacterium is capable of transferring a DNA segment (T‐DNA), located between specific nucleotide border sequences, from its large tumor inducing (Ti) plasmid into the nuclear DNA of infected plant cells. The exploitation of the Agrobacterium/Ti plasmid system for plant cell transformation has been facilitated by (1) the construction of modified Agrobacterium strains in which the genes responsible for pathogenicity have been deleted; (2) the design of intermediate vectors containing selectable drug markers for introducing foreign genes into the Ti plasmid and subsequently into plant cells; and (3) the development of efficient in vitro methods for transforming plant cells and tissues with engineered Agrobacterium strains. These modifications have led to the development of a simple, efficient, and reproducible transformation system from whi...
Surface decontamination of plant tissue explants with chlorine dioxide gas

The surfaces of plant tissues readily harbor bacteria, fungi, and spores making their preparation and growth by aseptic micropropagation difficult. Recent innovations in chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas production now allow for the generation of small amounts of the gas to meet specific needs. This report demonstrates the efficacy of ClO2 gas in the preparation of plant tissues for micropropagation. Cauliflower curd was surface decontaminated with 1500, 600, 300, and 150 ppm of gas for 30, 60, 180, and 360 min, and the presence of tissue surfaces for microbiota were assayed. The use of ClO2 gas in this system decontaminated cauliflower curd surfaces at rates equal to bleach treatment, but the ClO2-treated tissues grew more quickly and were healthier than the bleach-treated cauliflower curd samples. Chlorine dioxide gas potentially represents an easy means to surface decontaminate plant tissues intended for micropropagation that, when properly used, does not pose a risk to human health.
Indentation plasticity of barium titanate single crystals: Dislocation influence on ferroelectric domain walls

Abstract The plastic behaviors of barium titanate (0 0 1) and (1 1 0) single crystals are studied with atomic force microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) following nanoindendation damage. Plastic deformation mechanisms of ferroelectric barium titanate single crystals are discussed with a focus on the interaction between PFM response and dislocation activities. Nanoindentation tests indicate that the theoretical strength is approached prior to the first pop-in event, consistent with the creation of dislocation nucleation sites required for the onset of plasticity. Surface topographic and piezoelectric analyses indicate that pile-ups around indents result from dislocation activities on the primary slip system, { 1 1 0 } pc 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 pc . The more complex indentation-induced domain patterns observed on (1 1 0) barium titanate are also discussed.
Hydroxyl free radical reactivity toward aqueous chlorinated phenols

Abstract Second-order kinetic constants ( k OH,S ) for the hydroxyl free radical attack on a series of nine chlorophenols (2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol, 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol) in aqueous solution were determined by means of the competitive kinetics method. Experimental values ranged from 3.5×10 09 M −1 s −1 for pentachlorophenol to 8.2×10 09 M −1 s −1 for 2-chlorophenol. A general trend of lower kinetic constant values with higher degree of chlorination was observed and tested with four different correlations using Hammett's σ values, the number of chlorine substituents on the aromatic ring, and estimated diffusion coefficients. These correlations were statistically significant ( α =0.01), although the regression coefficients were moderate ( R 2
Effect of thermal history on the initiation of slow crack growth in linear polyethylene

Abstract Increasing the cooling rate from the melt has been found to increase the rate of slow crack growth at 42°C. For various histories of cooling rate, annealing and specimen geometries, the initiation rate increased when the density decreased. The effect of residual stresses on slow crack growth was separated from the effect of morphology as reflected by density. It is concluded that the variation in yield point is a factor that affects the rate of slow crack growth. The disentanglement rate of fibrils is also important, but it is primarily controlled by molecular weight and branching.
Adinazolam-SR in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder☆

Abstract A sustained-release form of the triazolobenzodiazepine, adinazolam, was given in an open-label, six-week trial to eight patients with generalized anxiety disorder and nine patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. There was significant improvement in each patient group on the primary efficacy measures, with relatively mild side effects. Patients were tapered to zero medication over two to six weeks and followed for two weeks after discontinuation. In all but two patients, the taper phase was successful, again with the occurrence of only a few mild side effects. Although symptoms increased as the medication was tapered, by two weeks after the taper, when patients were medication-free, symptom intensity had markedly decreased again. This study suggests that the sustained release form of adinazolam may offer both therapeutic efficacy and minimal difficulty during discontinuation.
Minocycline in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy in vitro and in vivo.

In the present study the potential of minocycline, a semisynthetic tetracycline that inhibits collagenase activity in vivo, as an adjuvant to standard anticancer therapies was explored in vitro and in vivo. In EMT-6 cells, minocycline proved to be only minimally cytotoxic, producing a 50% cell kill at concentrations of 132 and 220 μm in normally oxygenated and hypoxic cells, respectively, after 24 h exposure to the drug. In vitro, there appeared to be no interaction between minocycline and cisplatin (CDDP), melphalan, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, or radiation. In tumor-cell survival studies using the FSaIIC murine fibrosarcoma, short-term treatment with minocycline (5×5 mg/kg given over 24 h) was only minimally cytotoxic and did not alter the tumor response to a range of radiation doses. However, when minocycline (5×5 mg/kg given over 24 h) was added to treatment with cyclophosphamide, there was a 4-fold increase in FSaIIC tumor-cell killing across the dose range of cyclophosphamide doses tested, whereas the killing of bone marrow granulocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) remained unchanged. The Lewis lung carcinoma was used to assess the response of both the primary tumor and metastatic lung disease to treatment with minocycline (14×5 mg/kg) given alone or in combination with several cytotoxic anticancer drugs or with radiation delivered locally to the primary tumor. Of the various therapies tested, minocycline proved to be especially effective as an addition to treatment with cyclophosphamide both in increasing the response of the primary tumor and in reducing the number of lung metastases. The tumor growth delay produced by melphalan, radiation, Adriamycin, and bleomycin was also increased by the addition of minocycline to these therapies. These results indicate that minocycline given in clinically achievable doses may be an effective addition to some standard therapeutic regimens and that the mechanism of modulation by minocycline is likely to involve an effect of the drug on the host and not its direct interaction with other therapeutic modalities at the level of the tumor cell.
Health and Lifestyle Benefits from Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

As consumers, we are constantly inundated with dietary advice on what and what not to eat. From news outlets, health care professionals, food organizations, family and friends, the issue of diet is front and center. Who can forget the catchy saying, “You are what you eat, so you better eat right”? With the battle for health care reform a hot topic from Wall Street to Main Street, nutrition and diet have become important components, and adopting the Mediterranean diet can be a viable option. Information sources freely available on the Internet will be provided for an introductory exploration into this dietary option.
Charged lepton mixing and oscillations from neutrino mixing in the early universe

Abstract Charged lepton mixing as a consequence of neutrino mixing is studied for two generations e , μ in the temperature regime m μ ≪ T ≪ M W in the early Universe. We state the general criteria for charged lepton mixing, critically reexamine aspects of neutrino equilibration and provide arguments to suggest that neutrinos may equilibrate as mass eigenstates in the temperature regime prior to flavor equalization. We assume this to be the case, and that neutrino mass eigenstates are in equilibrium with different chemical potentials. Charged lepton self-energies are obtained to leading order in the electromagnetic and weak interactions. The upper bounds on the neutrino asymmetry parameters from CMB and BBN without oscillations, combined with the fit to the solar and KamLAND data for the neutrino mixing angle, suggest that for the two generation case there is resonant charged lepton mixing in the temperature range T ∼ 5 GeV. In this range the charged lepton oscillation frequency is of the same order as the electromagnetic damping rate.
Proton-conducting yttrium-doped barium cerate ceramics synthesized by a cost-effective solid-state reactive sintering method

Abstract Ceramic pellets of the prototypical proton conductor BaCe0.8Y0.2O3 − δ (BCY20) were synthesized using the recently developed solid-state reactive sintering (SSRS) method [J. Tong et al., Solid State Ionics, 2010, 181, 496–503] from inexpensive raw materials of BaCO3, CeO2, and Y2O3 with less than 2 wt.% NiO as a sintering aid. The sintering aid amount, sintering temperature, and sintering time were optimized by analyzing the crystal structure, relative density, and morphology for a series of as-sintered BCY20 ceramic pellets. High-quality, fully-densified BCY20 ceramic pellets were successfully prepared using 1.0 wt.% NiO loading at a sintering temperature of 1400 °C for 12 h. In order to examine the fate of the NiO addition in the as-fabricated (oxidized) pellets and under reducing conditions, the microstructure of several as-sintered and reduced BCY20 ceramic pellets were investigated in detail by EDS mapping and compared with as-sintered and reduced control BCY20 ceramic pellets obtained from polymeric sol–gel powder. Upon reduction, nanosized nickel particles were accumulated in grain boundary regions of the NiO-modified BCY20 pellets, while Y2O3 second-phase impurities were identified in the sol–gel BCY20 control pellets. The conductivities of both the NiO-modified SSRS and sol–gel control BCY20 ceramic pellets were investigated from 150 to 650 °C under H2O saturated (PH2O~ 0.025 atm) atmospheres of UHP Ar and 5 vol.% H2 + 95 vol.% Ar. The NiO-modified SSRS-fabricated BCY20 pellets demonstrated significantly higher conductivities than the sol–gel fabricated control BCY20 pellets.
Characteristics of troubled youths in a shelter

The purposes of this descriptive study were to: (a) describe the identifiable characteristics of a population of runaway youths; (b) describe certain aspects of the youths' current and past situations, such as alcohol and drug use/abuse and a history of physical or sexual abuse; (c) identify significant life events by means of the Coddington Life Events Scale (LES); and (d) examine possible ways in which health and mental health practitioners can best assist these youths and their families through times of crisis. A convenience sample of 78 runaway youths was drawn from an available population of 780 youths who were admitted to a runaway shelter, during the 7-month period of the study. The shelter is located in a semiurban community in north central Florida. Data collection instruments included the Structured Clinical Interview Instrument and the LES. These were administered to volunteer youth participants during the face-to-face interviews. Data from the current study support the assertion that many runaway youths live in abusive situations and are exposed to drugs and alcohol from a variety of sources. Furthermore, the high scores on the LES show insurmountable levels of stressful life events that occur at any given time. Researchers recommend that prevention programs focusing on the antecedents of runaway behavior be developed to prevent future runaway episodes.
Dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol on carbon-supported Pt and Cu-Pt catalysts

Abstract The kinetics of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) dehydrogenation over carbon-supported Pt and three bimetallic Cu Pt catalysts were examined and compared with previous results for carbon-supported Cu. Adsorption of H 2 and CO, dissociative chemisorption of N 2 O, and the titration of adsorbed O atoms by H 2 and CO were used to determine surface compositions and metal dispersion. Monometallic platinum catalysts had a higher specific activity than monometallic Cu catalysts and the bimetallic catalysts; for example, at 448 K and 14 Torr IPA, for an activated carbon heat treated at 1223 K as the support, the turnover frequency (TOF) on the Pt catalyst was 0.11 s −1 , the TOF on the Cu catalyst was 0.020 s −1 , and the TOFs on the three bimetallic catalysts were between 0.006 and 0.043 s −1 . Reaction orders were typically between 0 and 1 2 for IPA and slightly negative for acetone and H 2 . Increasing the Cu loading reduced the number of surface Pt atoms, and the kinetic behavior became similar to that of monometallic copper catalysts. The apparent activation energy for acetone production from IPA on Pt/C was 6.8 kcal mol −1 , compared with 21 kcal mol −1 for the monometallic Cu/C catalysts. Apparent activation energies for the Cu Pt/C catalysts (7–9 kcal mol −1 ) were comparable to those of Pt/C at lower temperatures and decreased further to ∼ 3 kcal mol −1 above 443 K. This decrease is not due to diffusional limitations and can be explained by a decrease in the surface coverage of IPA. A Langmuir–Hinshelwood model invoking cleavage of the alcohol O H bond to form a surface isopropoxide species as the rate-determining step fit the data well and accounted for the shift in the apparent activation energy. Physically meaningful values of enthalpies and entropies of adsorption were obtained from the fitting parameters contained in the L-H rate expression. Additional evidence for adsorbed IPA and acetone was provided by infrared spectra of the catalysts obtained under reaction conditions.
Unbecoming Claims: Pedagogies of Refusal in Qualitative Research

This article discusses the role of refusal in the analysis and communication of qualitative data, that is, the role of refusal in the work of making claims. Refusal is not just a no, but a generati...
Characterization of phases in ‘crud’ from boiling-water reactors by transmission electron microscopy

Abstract This paper reports phases identified in samples of crud (activated corrosion products) from two commercial boiling-water reactors using transmission and analytical electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction. Franklinite (ZnFe2O4) was observed in both samples. Hematite (α-Fe2O3), crystalline silica (SiO2), a fine-grained mixture of iron oxides probably including magnetite (Fe3O4), hematite (α-Fe2O3), and goethite (α-FeOOH), and an unidentified high-Ba, high-S phase were observed in one of the samples. Willemite (Zn2SiO4), amorphous silica, and an unidentified iron–chromium phase were observed in the other. Chloride-bearing phases were found in both samples, and are assumed to represent sample contaminants. Because of the small sample volumes and numbers of particles studied and the possibility of contamination, it is not clear whether the differences between the phases observed in the two crud samples represent actual differences in the assemblages formed in the reactors.
DIMENSIONS OF RACIAL INEQUALITY AND RATES OF VIOLENT CRIME

The purpose of this paper is to identify systematic sources of discrepancies in the macro-level research on racial inequality and rates of violent crime. A review of the literature suggests three likely sources of discrepant results across previous studies: differing operationalizations of racial inequality, differing samples, and differing specifications. The analyses reveal that while sample composition appears to be relatively unimportant, operationalization of racial inequality in terms of socioeconomic status (SES) rather than income can lead to very different conclusions. For certain models, SES-based measures are clearly superior to income-based measures. However, slight modifications of the regression models can render the effects of racial inequality in SES nonsignificant. These results call for a skeptical assessment of previous evidence indicating a positive relationship between racial inequality and rates of violent crime.
On the general solution for a class of early/tardy problems

Abstract We consider a class of early/tardy problems where the objective is to schedule a set of jobs on a single machine in order to minimize a function of the deviations of job completion times from a common due-date. While some individual members of this class of problems have been studied extensively in the research literature, little has been reported to date on the general solution of the class as a whole. In this paper, we describe the properties and concepts necessary for deriving such a solution, and propose a solution methodology, based on dynamic programming, that is pseudo-polynomial in its complexity. We also highlight the computational limitations of the proposed methodology (or, for that matter, any methodology) in solving certain members of the class under consideration, and discuss its extensibility to a broader class of early/tardy problems.
Variability of ICU use in adult patients with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Study objective Patients with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage are frequently admitted to the ICU, although many never require critical care interventions. To describe ICU resource use in minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, we assess (1) the variability of ICU use in a cohort of patients with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage across multiple trauma centers, and (2) the proportion of adult patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage who are admitted to the ICU and never receive a critical care intervention during hospitalization. In addition, we evaluate the association between ICU admission and key independent variables. Methods A structured, historical cohort study of adult patients (aged 18 years and older) with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage was conducted within a consortium of 8 Level I trauma centers in the western United States from January 2005 to June 2010. The study population included patients with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, defined as an emergency department (ED) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 (normal mental status) and an Injury Severity Score less than 16 (no other major organ injury). The primary outcome measure was initial ICU admission. The secondary outcome measure was a critical care intervention during hospitalization. Critical care interventions included mechanical ventilation, neurosurgical intervention, transfusion of blood products, vasopressor or inotrope administration, and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. ED disposition and the proportion of ICU patients not receiving a critical care intervention were compared across sites with descriptive statistics. The association between ICU admission and predetermined independent variables was analyzed with multivariable regression. Results Among 11,240 adult patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, 1,412 (13%) had minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and complete ED disposition data (mean age 48 years; SD 20 years). ICU use within this cohort across sites ranged from 50% to 97%. Overall, 847 of 888 patients (95%) with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage who were admitted to the ICU did not receive a critical care intervention during hospitalization (range between sites 80% to 100%). Three of 524 (0.6%) patients discharged home or admitted to the observation unit or ward received a critical care intervention. After controlling for severity of injury (age, blood pressure, and Injury Severity Score), study site was independently associated with ICU admission (odds ratios ranged from 1.5 to 30; overall effect P Conclusion Across a consortium of trauma centers in the western United States, there was wide variability in ICU use within a cohort of patients with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Moreover, a large proportion of patients admitted to the ICU never required a critical care intervention, indicating the potential to improve use of critical care resources in patients with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage.
Coupled Flexural/Torsional Vibrations of a Piezoelectrically-Actuated Vibrating Beam Gyroscope

In this paper, the coupled flexural-torsional vibrations of a cantilever beam with rigid mass attached to its end are studied. The beam base is subjected to a rotational motion, forming a vibrating beam gyroscope undergoing bending-twisting vibrations. The primary (flexural) vibrations are produced in the beam using a piezoelectric patch actuator. Due to the gyroscopic effect, secondary (torsional) vibrations are induced in the beam. First, a detailed mathematical modeling of the system is developed using extended Hamilton's Principle. Partial differential equations of the motion for both bending and torsion vibrations are derived, which are coupled through the gyroscopic terms. Expression for the frequency equation is presented, and the effect of the base rotation on the system natural frequencies is studied. Finally, the system governing equations are solved and simulated using assumed mode model to analyze the relationship between the base rotation and gyroscopic coupling. It is shown that the system natural frequencies are nearly independent of the magnitude of the base rotation for small rotation velocities. Furthermore, the natural frequencies depend on the magnitude as well as dimensions of the end mass. Also, it is shown that the gyroscopic effect increases with increase in base rotation rate and primary excitation amplitude.© 2006 ASME
Development and remodeling of engineered cartilage-explant composites in vitro and in vivo

Summary Objective Development and remodeling of engineered cartilage-explant composites were studied in vitro and in vivo . Design Individual and interactive effects of cell chondrogenic potential (primary or fifth passage bovine calf chondrocytes), scaffold degradation rate (hyaluronan benzyl ester or polyglycolic acid), and adjacent tissue cell activity and architecture (vital trabecular bone (VB), articular cartilage (AC), devitalized bone (DB) or digested cartilage (DC)) were evaluated over 8 weeks in vitro (bioreactor cultures) and in vivo (ectopic implants). Results In vitro , significant effects of cell type on construct adhesive strength ( P P P =0.014), glycosaminoglycans (GAG) ( P P =0.039) were observed. Chondrogenesis was best when the scaffold degradation rate matched the extracellular matrix deposition rate. In vivo , adjacent tissue type affected adhesive strength ( P P P in vitro . Conclusions Development and remodeling of composites based on engineered cartilage were mediated in vitro by cell chondrogenic potential and scaffold degradation rate, and in vivo by type of adjacent tissue and time.
Simultaneous infection with the nucleopolyhedrosis and granulosis viruses of Trichoplusia ni

Abstract Simultaneous infection with nucleopolyhedrosis and granulosis viruses produced an increased percentage mortality of the test insects as compared to that caused by either virus individually. Thermal inactivation of quantified doses of the virus provided various combinations of active and inactive inocula. It was determined that no synergism or interference occurred and that the increased mortality was due to an additive effect of the two infectious agents.
Effect of Subjects' Sex, Experience, and Training on Their Red Wine Color-Preference Patterns:

11 experienced adult Ss and 98 inexperienced student Ss have essentially the same preference patterns for red table wine color, showing a tendency to prefer the middle brightness and the red hue (compared to orange or purple). Male and female student Ss have very similar preference patterns. There is a slight tendency for the male Ss to prefer the wines with lower brightness. The 9 highly trained Ss tended to prefer the wine colors with decreasing brightness. The over-dark, purple wine was distinctly disliked by the adult and student Ss and the preference was split for the experts. The danger of using a highly trained panel to predict preference of an inexperienced group is evident.
Amplitude-modulated pulse shapes for the elimination of cross relaxation during multiple-pulse NMR experiments

Abstract New amplitude-modulated windowless multiple-pulse sequences for the elimination of cross-relaxation effects in 2D NMR spectroscopy of macromolecules are described. The sequences remove cross-relaxation responses near resonance by continuous rapid averaging of the transverse and longitudinal cross-relaxation rates, which have opposite signs for large molecules. Experimental results for an application to chemical-exchange spectroscopy, in which both cross-relaxation and J-coupling responses are removed, are presented. Within the working bandwidth, the spins are effectively spin locked along the y axis of the rotating frame, resulting in 2D spectra that are easily phased. For strictly positive wave forms, variational methods are used to obtain analytical solutions for minimum energy deposition per pulse under the additional constraints of minimum dynamic range, specified minimum field, or specified 90° pulse length.
Dental hard tissue characterization using laser-based ultrasonics

Dental health care and research workers require a means of imaging the structures within teeth in vivo. One critical need is the detection of tooth decay in its early stages. If decay can be detected early enough, the process can be monitored and interventional procedures, such as fluoride washes and controlled diet, can be initiated to help re-mineralize the tooth. Currently employed x-ray imaging is limited in its ability to visualize interfaces and incapable of detecting decay at a stage early enough to avoid invasive cavity preparation followed by a restoration. To this end, non-destructive and non-contact in vitro measurements on extracted human molars using laser-based ultrasonics are presented. Broadband ultrasonic waves are excited in the extracted sections by using a pulsed carbon-dioxide (CO 2 ) laser operating in a region of high optical absorption in the dental hard tissues. Optical interferometric detection of the ultrasonic wave surface displacements in accomplished with a path-stabilized Michelson-type interferometer. Results for bulk and surface in-vitro characterization of caries are presented on extracted molars with pre-existing caries.
Surrogate Knee Contact Modeling Using Artificial Neural Networks

Contact models can be incorporated into multi-body simulations to compute the loads resulting from surface-surface interactions. In musculoskeletal biomechanics, the need to model contact arises when bone-bone, foot-ground, implant-implant, and human-orthotic interactions occur. However, contact models are computationally expensive and thus can be prohibitive for studies that require repeated function evaluations, such as optimizations and forward dynamic simulations.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
THE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

The temperature coefficient of photosynthesis in Ulva (between 17° and 27°C.) is 1.81. This may be explained by assuming that the process involves a light reaction with a low coefficient followed by an ordinary reaction with a high coefficient.
Picbreeder: evolving pictures collaboratively online

Picbreeder is an online service that allows users to collaboratively evolve images. Like in other Interactive Evolutionary Computation (IEC) programs, users evolve images on Picbreeder by selecting ones that appeal to them to produce a new generation. However, Picbreeder also offers an online community in which to share these images, and most importantly, the ability to continue evolving others' images. Through this process of branching from other images, and through continually increasing image complexity made possible by the NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (NEAT) algorithm, evolved images proliferate unlike in any other current IEC systems. Participation requires no explicit talent from the users, thereby opening Picbreeder to the entire Internet community. This paper details how Picbreeder encourages innovation, featuring images that were collaboratively evolved.