cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biodegradable injectable implants for long-term delivery of contraceptives and other therapeutics

Long-term contraceptive delivery devices have been shown to be beneficial to delay or stop childbearing. This work presents a novel biodegradable polymeric implant to deliver a contraceptive agent up to one year. The implant is an injectable device, designed and fabricated using biodegradable polymers with varying molecular weights, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, and degradation rates specifically formulated to ensure proper daily therapeutic dosage. Implantable via intra-muscular injection, the use of a novel polymer composition allows for customization of the drug delivery system and provides a flexible, yet sturdy implant that degrades as a unit, avoiding troublesome fragmenting and implant retrieval surgery post-treatment. The implant is designed to remain intact throughout the therapeutic release phase, and thereby allow for easier, intact retrieval of the implant should the patient wish to terminate contraception and get pregnant. The hybrid polymer architecture creates an economically-efficient implant system, overcoming the shortcomings of daily use methods and eliminating the need for surgical procedure removal, granting the patient contraceptive effectiveness up to a year.
Theory of Photoemission

These lectures are intended to be an introduction to the theory of photoemission. They are not intended to be a comprehensive review. Whatever inclinations we had to write a review soon dissolved when we examined the literature. There are many recent reviews—a partial list is given with the references. The abundance of good reviews relieved us from the desire to write one. Instead, we have picked some aspects of the subject which are interesting, and discuss them in detail. These divide into two catagories. The first is the one electron theory of photoemission, as applied to solids. The second is the many body theory as applied to photoemission in metals. There are other large areas which have been omitted for lack of space. One is photoemission from surfaces. This includes ideal surfaces, and also adsorbates. These are interesting and active areas.
FOOD CONSUMPTION, FEED EFFICIENCY, METABOLIC RATE AND UTILIZATION OF GLUCOSE IN LINES OF TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM SELECTED FOR 21-DAY PUPA WEIGHT

Food consumption, feed efficiency, metabolic rate and glucose utilization were studied throughout development in one control (1C) and three selected lines (3, 9, 10) of Tribolium castaneum that had been subjected to long term selection for 21-day pupae weight. Growth rate, body composition, cellular growth and the activity of four dehydrogenase enzymes in the same lines have been reported (Medrano and Gall 1976).—Larva of selected lines consumed 1.2 times as much food as the control and gained an average of 2.9 times as much weight. The rapid growth of the selected lines was associated with a gross feed efficiency 20 to 30% above that for the control line. There was also a small but consistent improvement in the conversion of digested food. Average digestibility was higher for selected lines.—There was little apparent differentiation between the control and selected lines in metabolic rate/individual, but the rate measured on a per-unit weight basis was two- to three-fold greater for the control during the active growth stages. Respiratory quotients (R.Q.) of 1.0, indicative of carbohydrate oxidation, were observed through larval growth in all lines. Pupae at 21 days showed R.Q. values greater than 1.0, which were interpreted as resulting from a phenomenon in insects in which CO2 is released by pupae, in large bursts at irregular intervals. The rate constant of glucose oxidation, measured as the rate of C14 labelled CO2 respired during 2- to 6-hour incubation periods, was two- to three-fold higher in the control. In addition, the control line larvae expired 5% to 17% more of the ingested C14 as CO2. It was apparent that control line individuals maintained a much more active turnover of metabolites but without an effective retention of carbon as body substances. The results are discussed in support of the hypothesis that selection for large body size resulted in improved control mechanisms that influence the biological efficiency of growth in Tribolium.
Comparison of analysis of variance and maximum likelihood based path analysis of twin data: partitioning genetic and environmental sources of covariance.

In order to investigate currently used model fitting strategies for twin data, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and path-maximum-likelihood (PATH-ML) methods of analyzing twin data were compared using simulation studies of 50 monozygotic (MZ) and 50 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. Phenotypic covariance was partitioned into additive genetic effects (A), environmental effects common to cotwins (C), and environmental variance unique to individuals (E). ANOVA and PATH-ML had identical power to detect total covariance. The PATH-ML AE model was much more powerful than ANOVA comparisons of rMZ and rDZ to detect A. However, to be unbiased, the AE model requires the assumption that C = 0.0. To allow use of the AE model to estimate A, the null hypothesis C = 0.0 is tested by comparing the goodness of fit of the ACE and AE models. Simulation of 50 MZ and 50 DZ pairs revealed that C must be greater than 55% of total variance before the null hypothesis would be rejected (P < 0.05) 80% of the time. Several recent publications were reviewed in which the null hypothesis C = 0.0 was accepted and apparently upwardly biased estimates of A, containing C, were presented with unrealistic P values. It was concluded that use of the AE model to estimate A gives an inflated view of the power of relatively small twin studies. It was recommended that ANOVA or comparison of the ACE and CE PATH-ML models be used to estimate and test the significance of A as neither requires that C = 0.0. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Risk indicators of edentulism, partial tooth loss and prosthetic status among black and white middle-aged and older adults.

Objectives To describe the prevalence and risk indicators of edentulism; to describe the frequencies of wearing removable dentures; to describe the prevalence and risk indicators of fixed prosthetic restorations; to test the hypothesis that fixed prosthetic restorations are most likely to have been placed in persons at lower risk for dental and periodontal diseases, and to test the hypothesis that, with dental disease, dental behaviors, dental attitudes and ability to afford crowns taken into account, blacks are less likely than whites to have received crowns. Methods The Florida Dental Care Study is a cohort study of subjects 45 years old or older. A telephone screening interview was done as a first stage to identify 5254 subjects who met eligibility requirements and who self-reported whether they were edentulous. In a second stage, a subsample of dentate subjects was contacted after they completed their telephone screening interview. Of these, 873 subjects completed a baseline in-person interview and dental examination. Results A total of 19% of first-stage subjects were edentulous. In a single multiple logistic regression, having a poorer self-rated level of general health was significantly associated with edentulism, as were being poor, older and white. Among the second-stage participants (all of whom were dentate), several prosthetic patterns were observed. For example, a total of 64% of maxillary full denture wearers reported wearing their denture all the time. Participants had also received numerous fixed prosthodontic services. The proportion of subjects with at least one crown varied widely by subject characteristics. Conclusions A substantial percentage of non-ideal frequencies of wearing removable prostheses was reported, as were prosthesis-related soreness and broken prostheses. Although we expected and observed an association between having a fixed prosthetic crown and periodontal status, dental fillings, dental attitudes and financial resources, a residual association with race suggests that blacks are much less likely to receive prosthetic crowns. The several possible reasons for this circumstance warrant further investigation.
Violent Stories Personal Narratives, Street Socialization, and the Negotiation of Street Culture Among Street-Oriented Youth

Although numerous studies have relied on the notion of street culture to explain why offenders commit an array of street crimes, researchers have generally overlooked the social processes that tran...
Cytokine inducible matrix metalloproteinase expression in immortalized rat chondrocytes is independent of nitric oxide stimulation.

The objective of this study was to determine if an immortalized mammalian chondrocyte cell line had a profile of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression that was consistent with what has been reported for primary chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo. A combination of zymography, Western, and Northern analysis was used to examine the expression of MMPs that are relevant to cartilage degradation. Both interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α induced a 4- to 9-fold increase in the level of MMP-9 expression in conditioned media, and a 17- to 24-fold increase in MMP-3 mRNA. Other compounds such as basic fibroblast growth factor and staurosporine each increased MMP-9 expression individually and potentiated the effects of the two cytokines. Transforming growth factor β had no positive or inhibitory effects. N-methyl arginine blocked the increase in nitric oxide observed following treatment with the cytokines but did not prevent the increased expression of MMPs. The pattern of metalloproteinase expression observed in IRC cells and the response to cytokines is very similar to what has been reported during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. The IRC cells should be useful as a model system to study basic mechanisms controlling chondrocyte MMP expression and to identify pharmacological modulators of this process.
Thermodynamics of the catalytic polymerization of alkenes in the gas phase

Abstract The polymerization of alkenes is catalyzed by zeolite catalysts in the temperature range 450–800 K. As expected from thermodynamics the degree of polymerization is higher at lower temperatures and higher pressures. Equilibrium distributions of alkene isomer groups in the ideal gas phase have been calculated over a range of temperatures and pressures. The use of isomer groups greatly reduces the number of species that have to be considered in an equilibrium calculation and provides a means for extrapolating to higher carbon numbers. Since ZSM-5 is selective, equilibrium distributions have also been calculated for three restricted isomer groups from which certain bulky isomers have been excluded. Comparison of theory and experiment provides a means for learning about the nature of isomers excluded by the catalyst.
Pertinency of an extraneous variable.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM FIELD studies in epidemiology and other environmental sciences tend to involve a large number of variables and only a limited number of these variables can be directly controlled by the design or the analysis of the study. It is almost always possible to suggest the names of variables which were not controlled and which might conceivably be pertinent to the findings of the study. For example, dozens of variables have been suggested as possibly pertinent in the studies of smoking and health. Some of these variables, such as age or residence, have been included in the question schedules and for such variables standard statistical methods can be used to assess the pertinence of the variable. However for most of the variables that have been named there is little or no direct factual evidence of any relationship to the response variable under study (i.e. risk of death). In what follows, a variable for which direct factual evidence of pertinence is lacking will be called an “extraneous variable”. This will serve to distinguish such variables from “covariables” or “demographic variables” whose pertinence can be assessed by standard statistical analyses. In the past, the vagueness and lack of data that are characteristic of extraneous variables has often resulted in highly subjective assessments of their pertinence and in protracted and futile controversies. When there is some relevant data available it may be possible for investigators to avoid such controversies by assessing the pertinence of an extraneous variable in a more formal and objective fashion. The purpose of this note is to present a simple and objective working rule for assessing the pertinence of extraneous variables in certain fairly common experimental situations. The rule employs the basic principle that as the size of an effect increases, the chance that is is spurious diminishes. The chance that a given extraneous variable is pertinent-that it can explain away an observed relationship between a stimulus and a response variable -is reduced to the vanishing point when the observed relationship is a very strong one. The basic principle here is intuitively evident. The problem is simply to formulate the principle in a mathematical language and to express the result in a form which is convenient for a formal test of pertinence.
Preparation and characterization of a chemically modified plastocyanin.

Abstract The reaction of plastocyanin with tetranitromethane results in the nitration of only one of the three tyrosyl residues present in the protein. The modification does not affect the blue copper chromophore as both the characteristic visible spectrum of the chromophore and the redox potential of the protein are unchanged. Photochemical assays show that the modified plastocyanin is fully active in the reduction of photooxidized P700 and in the photooxidation of cytochrome f . The p K of the nitro-tyrosyl residue is about 7.3 indicating that the modified residue may be located in a negatively charged environment. Examination of the recently published X-ray structure of poplar plastocyanin suggests that Tyr-80 would be a likely candidate for the site of modification.
Terminal sliding modes: a new approach to nonlinear control synthesis

Many robotic systems would, in the future, be required to operate in environments that are highly unstructured (with varying dynamical properties) and active (possessing means of self-actuation). Many issues pertinent to the stabilization of contact interactions with unpredictable environments remain unresolved, especially in dealing with large magnitude and high frequency parametric uncertainties. The authors propose a new approach to nonlinear control synthesis, based upon a new class of sliding modes, denoted terminal sliders. Terminal controllers that enforce finite convergence to equilibrium are synthesized for an example nonlinear system (with and without parametric uncertainties). Improved performance is demonstrated through the elimination of high frequency control switching employed previously for robustness to parametric uncertainties. The dependence of terminal slider stability upon the rate of change of uncertainties over the sliding surface (rather than the magnitude of the uncertainty itself) results in improved control robustness. Improved reliability is demonstrated through the elimination of interpolation region. Improved (guaranteed) precision is argued for through an analysis of steady state behavior. >
To tell the truth : Ethical and practical issues in disclosing medical mistakes to patients

While moonlighting in an emergency room, a resident physician evaluated a 35-year-old woman who was 6 months pregnant and complaining of a headache. The physician diagnosed a “mixed tension/sinus headache.” The patient returned to the ER 3 days later with an intracerebral bleed, presumably related to eclampsia, and died.
Vortex structure in underdoped cuprates

In underdoped cuprates the normal state is highly anomalous and is characterized as a pseudogap phase. The question of how to describe the ``normal'' core of a superconducting vortex is an outstanding open problem. We show that the SU(2) formulation of the $t\ensuremath{-}J$ model provides a description of the normal state as well as the vortex core. Interestingly, the pseudogap persists inside the core. We also found that it is likely that the core consists of a state that breaks translational symmetry due to the existence of a staggered current that generates a staggered magnetic field with very slow dynamics. This staggered-flux state is likely to be the ground state for magnetic fields higher than ${H}_{c2}.$ Experiments to test this picture are proposed.
Studies on the mechanism of amine‐catalyzed cyclic oligomeric carbonate formation

A mechanism for the selective formation of cyclic oligomeric carbonates via triethylamine-catalyzed, pseudo-high dilution hydrolysis/-condensation of bisphenol A-bischloroformate is proposed. The mechanism is based on results of model and cyclization reactions using amines of various structure. Intermediacy of an acyl ammonium salt is invoked for both hydrolysis and condensation reactions. An oligomeric carbonate with a phenoxide on one end and an acyl ammonium salt on the other end is proposed as the immediate precursor to a cyclic oligomer.
Artists' Balls and Conceptual Costumes at the Russian Academy of Arts, 1885–1909

AbstractDespite the notorious conservatism of the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts, its annual philanthropic costume balls inspired exuberant experimentation in costume design among its students in the years 1885–1909. This article explicates two emergent genres of costume that I term “conceptual” and “synecdochic,” which reveal the fresh polemical and creative potential invested in self-presentation. “Conceptual costumes” embodied ideas or polemical positions. “Synecdochic costumes” represented the instantiation of non-anthropomorphic objects and abstractions, chiefly represented by iconic symbols or parts standing for the whole. Both genres of costume represented a departure from the traditional character costume's heavy reliance on textile signification in the form of national dress or professional uniform.The spirit of sartorial innovation at the Artists’ Balls inspired such designers as Lev Bakst to embrace dress as an expressive medium, thereby aiding the acceptance of fashion as an artistic endeavo...
A Problematical Review: Reply to Halperin

with complex aspects of Greek culture where linguistic sensitivity is essential. He fails to introduce Greek terms where they would prove useful, such as in the discussion of the association between "revolution," epanastasi, and "resurrection," anastasi (p. 29). Perhaps more important is the complete absence of references to the vast scholarly literature, written in Greek, in the fields of history and folklore. A familiarity with this literature, the bulk of which is untranslated, would have contributed immensely to the depth and sensitivity of McNeill's insights into modern Greek culture. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that McNeill, a distinguished historian, is to be congratulated for undertaking such an ambitious interdisciplinary study and for giving so much attention to anthropology. However, there is simply no excuse for doing such poor anthropology. If he is going to adopt an anthropological approach in his study of the modernization of Greece, McNeill must become more familiar with anthropological methods and with the relevant ethnographic and theoretical literature. Only then will he be able to do truly interdisciplinary work of highest quality.
Extracellular collagenase produced by Streptomyces madurae.

Abstract 1. 1. A collagenase from Streptomyces madurae , specific for native collagen and its gelatin, is described. The enzyme is similar to that elaborated by Clostridium histolyticum . 2. 2. The pH optimum is around 7.5 and activity is irreversibly inhibited by cysteine and urea. Although EDTA inhibits activity it is reversed by added calcium. Sulfhydryl-inhibiting agents have no detectable effect on activity. 3. 3. The molecular weight of the enzyme (approx. 35 000) is smaller than the values reported for other bacterial collagenases.
William Wordsworth’s Definition of Poverty

A close examination of Dorothy Wordsworth and William Wordsworth’s writing indicates that they considered themselves as living in poverty for some years before their case was settled with Lord Lowther. Both their material circumstances and contemporary definitions of poverty led them to identify themselves as “poor.” This article examines that self-identification and its evidence in their writings. Finally, William Wordsworth’s poem, “Last of the Flock,” indicates that he rejected a narrow parish view of poverty for a wider view that included the right to own some property.
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas

Background Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas most probably represents squamous metaplasia of an adenocarcinoma. Metastases are typically an admixture of both elements, but more frequently, adnocarcinoma.
The Ground-Based Electro-Optical Detection Of Deep-Space Satellites

M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory is engaged in supporting the Electronic Systems Division (ESD) of the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) in developing the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system. As a part of this program, low-light-level, large-format, silicon-diode-array vidicon sensors capable of photon-noise-limited operation under typical dark-sky conditions have been developed and tested both in the Laboratory and at the Experimental Test Site (ETS), White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. This paper begins with descriptions of the GEODSS system, and ETS's role within that system. This is followed by a brief history of the design and development of the sensors, a general discussion of the theory of operation, a description of point-source experiments, and the presentation of an empirical model which describes the detection capability achieved in the field with the ETS electro-optical sensors. In the final sections of the paper, the problem of the detection of satellites by reflected sunlight is described and the highlights of data collected at the ETS are presented.
Cardiac dyskinesis in acute allograft rejection: evaluation by in situ sonomicrometry and the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Background: Current methods of evaluating experimental cardiac allograft rejection include subjective indices such as external palpation, which lacks gradation, or non-physiological measurements ex vivo, which occurs in the absence of potentially important in vivo factors. Purpose: We quantified cardiac contractility by in situ sonomicrometry and examined histological rejection scores to identify the relationship of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to acute cardiac dyskinesis. Methods: Allogeneic (Wistar-Furth to Lewis) or isogeneic (Lewis to Lewis) transplants of donor rat hearts were performed. Graft function was monitored by daily palpation and by measuring % segment shortening (%SS) by in situ sonomicrometry. ISHLT rejection scoring and double immunostaining for iNOS and ED1+-macrophage were performed. iNOS mRNA and protein were analyzed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Results: %SS was not decreased in allografts until POD5 (isografts: 3.76 ± 0.50; allografts: 2.28 ± 0.30, P < 0.025) and POD6 (isografts: 3.68 ± 0.47; allografts: 0.77 ± 0.17, P < 0.001). Histological rejection scores rose on POD2 (2.6 ± 0.5) to a maximum on POD6 (4.9 ± 0.2). iNOS-containing ED1+-macrophages peaked on POD2 (68 ± 32% of ED1+-cells) and returned to baseline after POD3. iNOS staining in myocytes first appeared on POD3. iNOS mRNA and protein were detected by POD2 and POD3 in allografts, reaching a plateau by POD4. Conclusions: These results demonstrate a time-dependent increase in both histological evidence of rejection and nitric oxide (NO) production derived from iNOS that is not mirrored by concurrent cardiac dysfunction, as measured by sonomicrometry, at early stages. Our findings suggest that NO produced via iNOS from ED1+-macrophages does not contribute significantly to dyskinesis in early rejection since levels soon returned to baseline. Rather, non-macrophage-linked NO in cardiomyocytes may act as a more likely source, leading to impaired cardiac contractility in advanced stages of acute rejection.
A modified leverage technique to simplify the Le Fort I downfracture.

a b i g s he Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy is used to mobilize nd reposition the maxilla in one or more segments to orrect dentofacial deformities. After completion of he osteotomies, it is sometimes difficult to initially obilize the maxilla. Several techniques have been escribed to help with the initial mobilization of the axilla by “downfracturing,” including 1) digital presure to the anterior dentoalveolus,1,2 2) Rowe maxilary disimpaction forceps,1,3 and 3) Tessier spreadrs,4 Smith 3-prong spreader, or Turvey maxillary xpander, positioned in the piriform rim region. The authors present a modified technique that reuires no special instruments for downfracturing of he maxilla but uses instruments that are used in the ormal course of surgery. This technique provides the dvantage of a long leverage arm and distribution of orces for downfracturing the maxilla with relatively ittle effort and minimal risk.
Subgroups of the elementary and Steinberg groups of congruence level I2

Abstract There are several subgroups of the Elementary group E ( B , I ) and of the Steinberg group St( B , I ) which lie at the congruence level I 2 . We describe their interrelationships and give examples to show that they can be distinct. Our main result is that, although the group E ( B , I ) depends on the choice of the ambient ring B , its commutator subgroup does not. In fact, the commutator subgroup is the intersection of Gl( I 2 ) with E ( Z ⊕ I , I ).
Influence of Sphingolipid Bases, Fatty Acids and Tween 80 on the Folate Requirement of Tetrahymena pyriformis*

SYNOPSIS The fatty acids lauric, myristic, and oleic, as well as long-chain bases (LCBs) obtained from sphingolipids, and Tween 80 “spare” the requirement for folate by Tetrahymena pyriformis W. Since LCBs are metabolized by the ciliate to ethanolamine phosphate and fatty aldehydes which can be converted to either fatty acids or fatty alcohols, the latter compounds are used as precursors of phospho- and phosphonolipids and ether phospholipids. It is suggested that lipid biosynthesis is a rate-limiting step in growth of the ciliate as is the folate concentration. Removal of one restraint on growth rate mimics the effect of increased folate concentration. Alternatively, if the enzymes responsible for lipid synthesis are repressible, the presence of exogenous fatty acids would make available more formylmethionyl-tRNA for the initiation of synthesis of other proteins.
"Freeloading" in a runway as a function of amount of training and type of reinforcement schedule.

2 groups of 60 rats received either 75 or 285 runs in a runway before being given a choice between freeloading from a dish of pellets in the start box or running the maze for a single pellet. The 285-trial Ss showed less willingness to perform the operant than the 75-trial Ss. This is opposite to what Jensen (1963) had found in the Skinner box. Schedule of reinforcement (100 vs 50%) during training did not significantly affect freeloading scores.
Receiver performance characterization for modulating retro-reflector atmospheric optical links with pulsed lasers and optical pre-amplifiers

Receiver performance is calculated for two types of free-space atmospheric optical communications systems − a direct detection system using a p-i-n photodiode preceded by an optical amplifier, and an ideal coherent receiver operated in its shot-noise limited regime without an optical pre-amplifier. The signal format for both is amplitude shift keying (on-off modulation) with an assumed rectangular light pulse of duration T seconds. The more accurate Beckman probability density function (pdf) is used to describe the intensity fading rather than the more commonly used log-normal pdf which overestimates receiver performance. A coherent receiver using asynchronous detection is shown to outperform the direct detection system with an optical pre-amplifier gain of 30 dB by anywhere from 7 to about 10 dB depending on Rytov variance intensity fading levels. In addition, the effect of inner scale turbulence parameter, l0, on system bit error rate is demonstrated.
Benefit flexibility, cost shifting and mandated mental health coverage.

This paper presents a policy analysis of options for making a state’s mandated mental health benefit more flexible while maintaining insurance premiums at a constant level. The analysis illustrates the difficult choices facing legislatures that attempt to balance improved coverage for mental health care with concerns about rising health care costs. A sophisticated simulation model is used to assess the costs of four alternative insurance benefit design options.
Catarrhine phalanges from the Late Miocene (Vallesian) of Rudabánya, Hungary

Abstract Late Miocene catarrhine postcrania from Rudabanya (northeastern Hungary) have been described or noted by a number of authors. Uncertainties remain, however regarding the exact composition of these primate postcrania. Among the 33 specimens tentatively identified as primates, 17 definitely are primate, but 16 are either not primate or are too fragmentary to identify. Twelve phalangeal fragments provide evidence of suspensory positional behavior in a relatively large bodied Miocene catarrhine.
SATISFACTION OF FOODSERVICE DIRECTORS AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF A CONVENTIONAL OR COOK‐CHILL FOODSERVICE SYSTEM1

The objectives of this study were to compare foodservice directors’ratings of satisfaction with conventional or cook-chill systems and to determine whether these ratings differed based on the type of system. A total of 126 foodservice directors (51 % response) rated 42 issues related to the foodservice system they had chosen. Results indicated that foodservice directors were at least somewhat satisfied with all issues. Highest ratings were given for foodservice staff acceptance, total food cost, and hospital administrator's support, whereas they were least satisfied with issues such as foodservice consultant advice, amount of space for floor pantries, and total utility costs. The degree of satisfaction with certain issues differed based on type of foodservice system the director had selected.
Neural correlates of frog calling: production by two semi-independent generators

The anterior preoptic nuclei of the isolated brainstem of male, Northern leopard frogs (Rana p. pipiens) were stimulated electrically and neural correlates of mating calling recorded from the rhombencephalic mating calling pattern generator. Lesions of discrete areas of the brainstem showed that the mating calling generator is separable into two generators, the pretrigeminal nucleus and the classical pulmonary respiration generator (which is approximately co-extensive with the motor nuclei IX–X). Each of these still can produce pulses when isolated from the other. Their interaction changes the expiratory phase of breathing into the vocal phase of calling. All stages of intermediates between these phases could be seen. An updated and simplified model of call production and evolution is presented.
Vanadate enhances the stimulatory action of insulin on DNA synthesis in cultured mouse mammary gland

Abstract In order to assess the importance of ions in the regulation of mammary epithelial cell proliferation, the effect of various polyvalent ions was examined on insulin- and lithium-ion-dependent DNA synthesis in mouse mammary gland from virgin mice cultured in a serum-free, chemically defined medium. Addition of 2 to 10 μM orthovanadate enhanced the stimulatory effect of insulin on DNA synthesis in cultured tissue. Similar results were obtained with metavanadate. In contrast, vandate did not augment Li + -stimulated DNA synthesis but rather inhibited this process. Vanadate by itself caused only a slight stimulation of DNA synthesis. These results indicate that vanadate acts as a co-mitogen in insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured mammary cells and suggest that the mitogenic action of insulin involves an ion-dependent path which may be common to the actions of vanadate and lithium ion.
Role of contaminants in electron cyclotron resonance plasmas

In this article, we examine the influence of contaminants on an electron cyclotron resonance discharge. For our discharge, the measured level of contaminant was highest just after startup, decreasing to a stable level after approximately 20 min.This is consistent with a limited source of gas trapped in the chamber walls. It is shown that the presence of these contaminants cause both the plasma and floating potentials vary by several volts. These potential variations are largest when the contamination is largest. Such variations were found in N2, CF4, and CHF3 discharges. The observed variation in the plasma potential should be of great concern in plasma‐aided manufacturing environments. The larger variations represent approximately 10% of the potential that one would typically apply between a device and the plasma. Such large changes in the potential might result in substantial changes in both etch rate and anisotropy. This can have particularly adverse effects on those devices having fine structures. Thus, one should monitor these contaminants and not process devices while the contaminant level varies.
Requirement for protein synthesis in transduction.

Abstract Transduction frequency is tenfold higher when infection of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 is carried out in a minimal medium plus amino acids than when infection takes place in minimal medium alone. In the absence of amino acids transductions are lost rapidly. This loss, called transduction decay, is blocked by low temperature but is not affected by KCN, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 5-methyltryptophan, or chloramphenicol. In the presence of amino acids two reactions occur. The first of these is blocked by 5-methyltryptophan, KCN or 2,4-dinitrophenol, but not by chloramphenicol. This reaction is called stabilization since it prevents transduction decay but does not prevent the loss of transductions upon removal of amino acids. The second reaction, transduction fixation, is dependent on the presence of amino acids and is inhibited by chloramphenicol. Fixation eliminates the requirement for further nutritional supplementation. Since the establishment of abortive transductions parallels that of complete transductions, it is probable that both amino acid-dependent processes occur prior to the integration of the transducing material into the bacterial genome.
Online Algorithms for Optimal Resource Management in Dynamic D2D Communications

Device-to-device (D2D) communications has recently emerged as a promising technology for boosting the capacity of cellular systems. D2D enables direct communication between mobile devices over the cellular band without utilizing infrastructure nodes such as base stations, thereby reducing the load on cellular base stations and increasing network throughput through spatial reuse of radio resources. Hence it is important to optimally allocate these radio resources. Furthermore, since the composition of a cellular macro cell is highly dynamic, it is critical to adaptively update the resource allocation for D2D communications rather than recomputing it from scratch. In this work, we develop the first online algorithm, namely ODSRA, for dynamic resource allocation while maximizing spatial reuse. At the core of the resource allocation problem is the online set multicover problem, for which we present the first deterministic O (log n log m)-competitive online algorithm, where n is the number of elements, and m the number of sets. By simulation, we show the efficacy of ODSRA by analyzing network throughput and other metrics, obtaining a large improvement in running time over offline methods.
RHEOLOGY OF DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF MILK CHOCOLATE AND THE EFFECT ON COATING THICKNESS

This work characterized the flow properties and investigated the effect of grind, emulsifier type and emulsifier level on the coating thickness of milk chocolate. Rheological properties were characterized using a concentric cylinder viscometer according to the method recommended by the International Confectionery Association. The thickness of the chocolate on dip-coated acrylic plates was obtained by a gravimetric method. A three-way analysis of variance was performed for the coating thickness. All three factors were significant; the thickness of the chocolate coating was greater for fine grind, soy lecithin for emulsifier and for low concentrations of emulsifier. The thicknesses were well predicted using the model with the Casson model parameters from the rheological characterization.
Development of the visual system and inferred performance capabilities of larval and early juvenile scombrids

Development of the visual system in larval and early juvenile Euthynnus lineatus, Auxis spp., and Scomberomorus sierra was examined histologically. First‐feeding larvae of all three taxa possess a pure cone retina, with theoretical acuities ranging from 50 min of arc in Scomberomorus sierra to about 60 min of arc in Euthynnus lineatus and Auxis spp. Accommodative structures (lens retractor muscle and suspensory ligament) first appear during the late preflexion stage. Rod precursors appear in the flexion and early postflexion stages. By the late postflexion stage, the appearance of retinomotor movements indicates functionality of rods. The optic tectum is prominent in the midbrain at the first‐feeding stage and exhibits rapid growth and differentiation. The torus longitudinalis, an important sensory integration center of the tectum, does not develop until the early postflexion stage. Development of the visual system in larval scombrids is advanced and is likely involved in rapid improvements in foraging ab...
Studies of Resonant Synchrotron Oscillation Effects Using Moser Transformations

Nonlinear synchrotron oscillations are present in virtually all accelerators (for economic reasons). For RF parameters likely to be used in 600-1000 GeV accelerators, or in high frequency (high harmonic) RF systems at lower energies, these nonlinearities give rise to numerous resonances, including basic noncoupled resonances which the present study investigates both by analytical and computational methods. A relatively simple theory1 has been sufficient to explain qualitatively many effects, such as "propellers" and "beads" in phase space, for both third- and half-integral resonances. Some extensions of the work of reference 1 are reported. However, understanding some details of the ? = ? resonance was not possible without the use of Moser transformations.2 In particular, a null occurs in the resonance driving term as the synchronous particle phase ?s is varied, an effect predicted by the Moser theory. Our results indicate that suitably designed particle accelerators may operate in the vicinity of some phase oscillation resonances but that the resonances in question influence the desirable choice of ?s.
Galaxy evolution with future wide-field space missions

Abstract Future studies of: (1) galaxy property relationships, (2) environmental dependencies, and (3) the merger rate and accretion histories will require: (a) large solid angle (with large area/boundary ratio), (b) multi-band imaging, (c) high signal-to-noise and high resolution imaging, and (d) spectroscopy. All of these things will be provided by the next generation of wide-field surveys.
Transition to turbulence, small disturbances, and sensitivity analysis II: The Navier–Stokes equations

Abstract Recent research has shown that small disturbances in the linearized Navier–Stokes equations cause large energy growth in solutions. Although many researchers believe that this interaction triggers transition to turbulence in flow systems, the role of the nonlinearity in this process has not been thoroughly investigated. This paper is the second of a two part work in which sensitivity analysis is used to study the effects of small disturbances on the transition process. In the first part, sensitivity analysis was used to predict the effects of a small disturbance on solutions of a motivating problem, a highly sensitive one-dimensional Burgers' equation. In this paper, we extend the analysis to study the effects of small disturbances on transition to turbulence in the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations. We show that the change in a laminar flow with respect to small variations in the initial flow or small forcing acting on the system is large when the linearized operator is stable yet nonnormal. In this case, the solution of the disturbed problem can be very large (and potentially turbulent) even if the disturbances are extremely small. We also give bounds on the disturbed flow in terms of certain constants associated with the linearized operator.
U.S. newborn screening policy dilemmas for the twenty-first century.

Newborn screening has traditionally referred to biochemical testing for inherited disorders, generally metabolic in origin, that are usually correctable by dietary or drug interventions. As new tests have been developed, state public health newborn screening systems have slowly evolved without the benefit of national policies. Thus, newborn screening program changes, when viewed nationally, have been uncoordinated. The net result has been unequally applied mandated screening and, consequently, unequal availability of related public health disease prevention services. Technological advances in laboratory testing over the past 10 years have resulted in limited program changes in some state newborn screening systems, and even greater program disparities. A recent Newborn Screening Task Force identified numerous issues of concern and proposed elements for a plan of action involving public health programs, healthcare providers, and consumers. This minireview details past policy history in newborn screening and identifies some of the current issues confronting programs as they seek to move ahead with the technologies and medical treatments for the twenty-first century.
The X chromosome in population genetics

Genetic variation records a large amount of information about the history of a species and about the processes that create and shape that variation. Owing to the way in which it is inherited, the X chromosome is a rich resource of easily accessible genetic data, and therefore provides a unique tool for population-genetic studies. The potential of the human X chromosome, which rivals that of the more traditional mtDNA and Y chromosome, has only just begun to be tapped.
A complete experimental assessment of Franck-Condon structural effects for an irreversible outer-sphere electron-transfer reaction: Applications of time-dependent Raman scattering theory to the one-electron reduction of 4-cyano-N-methylpyridinium

A complete experimental description of the vibrational Franck-Condon barrier to the one-electron reduction of 4-cyanoN-methylpyridinium cation (NC-py-CH,+) has been obtained. Because of the chemical irreversibility of the electron transfer, the reaction is not readily amenable to study by conventional structural methods. The approach successfully employed here, however, was a time-dependent analysis of near-resonant Raman scattering where resonance was achieved by pairing the cation to iodide anion; the pairing gives rise to a weak (e = 565 M-I cm-’) outer-sphere charge-transfer band centered at 428 nm in acetonitrile as solvent. The time-dependent analysis of scattering yields vibrational frequencies, coordinate displacements, and single-mode barrier contributions for each of 13 modes involved in outer-sphere electron transfer. Depolarization measurements, excitation profiles, and scattering studies with the nonchromophoric [NC-py-CH3+,CI-] ion pair confirm that the vibrational structural data pertain directly to the outer-sphere charge-transfer reaction rather than to higher lying electronic transitions.
Understanding and implementing advances in ventilator capabilities.

Purpose of reviewTo review the changes in mechanical ventilation technology over the past year and identify areas that provide a benefit.Recent findingsThe literature demonstrates a continued effort to improve patient ventilator synchrony though the development of new triggering and cycling methods.
Spodick's Sign

PRESENTATION Unless routinely sought, much of the valuable information present in an electrocardiogram (ECG) might go unused. The frequently overlooked ECG sign described here can be quite useful in establishing the etiology of a particular clinical condition. The patient was a 56-year-old man with hypertension and diabetes mellitus who was admitted to a local community hospital for flu-like symptoms that had begun approximately 1 week prior to presentation. He was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia and transferred to our institution for management of his newly diagnosed condition. At our institution, the patient had a multiple-gated acquisition scan which showed no significant cardiac abnormalities, no wall motion abnormalities, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 81%. His baseline ECG demonstrated normal sinus rhythm at 87 bpm, normal axis, and no ST-T wave abnormalities. He was then started on chemotherapy with all-trans-retinoic acid (tretonin), but after 2 days of therapy, he complained of progressively worsening shortness of breath. In addition, his blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, which had been normal upon admission, increased significantly to 36 mg/dL and 3.5 mg/dL, respectively.
Neurolytic transversus abdominis plane block in the palliative treatment of intractable abdominal wall pain

A 45 year old man with metastatic colon cancer presented with uncontrollable abdominal wall pain. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with ropivacaine and methylprednisolone was performed with excellent pain relief, which allowed a significant weaning of the patient's opioid requirements. A second TAP block was performed with a 33% ethanol solution (ethanol and ropivacaine) with excellent pain relief. The neurolytic block appeared to offer better pain control for more than 5 days after placement until the patient finally succumbed to his illness.
A New Species of Chigger (Acari: Trombiculidae) from the Common Sheath-Tailed Bat in Western Australia

Cotrombicula mitchellensis , n. sp., is described from specimens taken from the Common Sheath-tailed Bat, Taphozous georgianus , collected on the Mitchell Plateau, Kimberley District, Western Australia.
Dependence of DNA helix flexibility on base composition

We have used triplet anisotropy decay techniques to study the flexibility of synthetic DNA fragments with different base pair compositions. We have found major differences in the torsional and bending stiffness of poly(dG)·poly(dC), poly(dA)·poly(dT) and poly(dA-dC)·poly(dT-dG). Poly(dG)·poly(dC) has a torsional modulus more than 40 times larger than poly(dA-dC)·poly (dT-dG), and approximately 20 times larger than poly(dA)·poly(dT). These differences imply that the torsional stiffness of DNA can vary greatly with base composition. The Young's modulus (bending stiffness) we have measured for poly(dG)·poly(dC) is at least twice that of poly(dA-dC)·poly(dT-dG) or random sequence DNA, and is at least threefold greater than that of poly(dA)·poly(dT). This implies that the bending stiffness of DNA is also strongly dependent on base composition. In light of this dramatic base composition dependence, we suggest here that such stiffness variation may lead to local variations in the stability of chromatin or other protein complexes that require bending or twisting of the DNA helix.