cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation and Radioactivity

131I therapy may result in the patient becoming a hazard to other people. When a patient treated with 131I is hospitalized, caregivers must take special precautions to protect themselves against the radiation from the 131I in the patient. When patients are released immediately or shortly after treatment, they must take precautions to protect members of the public. Special governmental regulations affect the management of patients who are treated with 131I, and the physician administering the 131I must comply with these regulations. The treating physician must communicate to the patient the risk of radiation from the 131I treatment and any special precautions the patient should take to protect others. The patient should relay the information to the patient’s family, friends, and caretakers. Communication of precautions is challenging, and patients may forget what they have been told (Ong et al., Soc Sci Med 40:903–918, 1995). A balance must be achieved in convincing the patient to agree with these specific instructions and, at the same time, dispel unnecessary fear. For this balance, the physician may need to adopt different strategies with different patients, requiring a good working knowledge of radiation and radioactivity, ionizing and nonionizing radiation, and units of radioactivity and radiation dosage. The physician must also know the regulations for hospitalization, conditions for earlier release, radiation safety precautions during hospital stay and upon release, and the myths and fears about radioactivity. This chapter presents an overview of these topics.
Conserved residue His-257 of Vibrio cholerae flavin transferase ApbE plays a critical role in substrate binding and catalysis

The flavin transferase ApbE plays essential roles in bacterial physiology, covalently incorporating FMN cofactors into numerous respiratory enzymes that use the integrated cofactors as electron carriers. In this work we performed a detailed kinetic and structural characterization of Vibrio cholerae WT ApbE and mutants of the conserved residue His-257, to understand its role in substrate binding and in the catalytic mechanism of this family. Bi-substrate kinetic experiments revealed that ApbE follows a random Bi Bi sequential kinetic mechanism, in which a ternary complex is formed, indicating that both substrates must be bound to the enzyme for the reaction to proceed. Steady-state kinetic analyses show that the turnover rates of His-257 mutants are significantly smaller than those of WT ApbE, and have increased Km values for both substrates, indicating that the His-257 residue plays important roles in catalysis and in enzyme-substrate complex formation. Analyses of the pH dependence of ApbE activity indicate that the pKa of the catalytic residue (pKES1) increases by 2 pH units in the His-257 mutants, suggesting that this residue plays a role in substrate deprotonation. The crystal structures of WT ApbE and an H257G mutant were determined at 1.61 and 1.92 A resolutions, revealing that His-257 is located in the catalytic site and that the substitution does not produce major conformational changes. We propose a reaction mechanism in which His-257 acts as a general base that deprotonates the acceptor residue, which subsequently performs a nucleophilic attack on FAD for flavin transfer.
Higher smoking prevalence among United States adults with co-occurring affective and drug use diagnoses.

Abstract Introduction Individuals with drug use disorders or affective disorders have higher cigarette smoking prevalence and smoking intensity and are less likely to quit than the general population. We sought to estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking by drug use and psychiatric diagnoses and to explore to what extent a co-occurring diagnosis was associated with current smoking. Methods Data were derived from the most recent National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III, 2012–2013; n = 36,309). Cigarette smoking status was examined among those with any past-year or lifetime drug use disorders (i.e., alcohol, cannabis, opioid, cocaine) or affective disorders (i.e., mood, anxiety). Diagnoses were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria (DSM-5). Results Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, those with drug use disorders (past-year AOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 3.0, 3.6; lifetime AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 3.0, 3.5) and those with affective disorders (past-year AOR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.5, 1.8, lifetime AOR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2; 1.4), had higher odds of current cigarette smoking compared to individuals with no diagnosis. The odds of current cigarette smoking was significantly higher in individuals with both drug use disorders and affective disorders compared to those with either a drug use or affective disorder or no disorder (past-year AOR = 5.1; 95% CI: 4.3, 5.9, lifetime AOR = 4.3; 95% CI: 3.8, 4.7). Conclusions Approximately 30% of the population had a past-year drug use or affective disorder, 17% of whom report both. The combination of both diagnoses produced a 1.5 to 3-fold higher correlation with smoking than either alone.
Sidelobe Control of Two-Way Patterns for Circular Planar Arrays

Radar designs frequently specify a two-way array pattern sidelobe level. The two-way pattern is the product of the transmit and receive array patterns. Usually, the transmit and receive array patterns are independently synthesized. This paper explains the potential benefits of jointly synthesizing the low sidelobe tapers of the transmit and receive patterns to improve the two-way pattern sidelobes. In particular, results for a circular ring array with a Taylor taper on receive and a uniform/Taylor taper on transmit are presented. Results presented show up to a 3 dB lower sidelobe level than is obtained using the traditional approach.
Improving circulating fluidized bed dehydrogenation technology through optimization of fluidization

Abstract The dehydrogenation of light alkanes to corresponding light olefins is an important industrial process. The present work involved the assessment of a commercial alkane dehydrogenation circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor unit that had been underperforming and exhibiting higher than expected catalyst losses over a long period of time. Several aspects of this unit related to fluidization, catalysis, and process engineering were investigated to understand and resolve these issues. The primary focus was on the fluidization aspects of the process, along with a comparison of equipment design and operating conditions to accepted best practices in the industry. The designs of key equipment in the reactor and regenerator, including feed distributors, fuel gas distributors, cyclones, baffles, strippers, transfer lines, risers, riser terminations, and refractories, were studied in detail. The attrition rates of different types of catalysts used in the unit were also examined. Several recommendations and improvement opportunities were proposed to significantly increase light olefins production and reduce catalyst losses, and were accepted and implemented. This study provides insights into means of improving fluidization behavior and highlights the viability of employing a systematic approach to determine the underlying root causes of issues in a commercial CFB reactor unit.
Wide-Field Calcium Imaging of Dynamic Cortical Networks During Locomotion

ABSTRACT Behavior results in widespread activation of the cerebral cortex. To fully understanding the cerebral cortex’s role in behavior therefore requires a mesoscopic level description of the cortical regions engaged and their functional interactions. Mesoscopic imaging of Ca2+ fluorescence through transparent polymer skulls implanted on transgenic Thy1-GCaMP6f mice reveals widespread activation of the cerebral cortex during locomotion, including not just primary motor and somatosensory regions but also premotor, auditory, retrosplenial, and visual cortices. To understand these patterns of activation, we used spatial Independent Component Analysis (sICA) that segmented the dorsal cortex of individual mice into 20-22 Independent Components (ICs). The resulting ICs are highly consistent across imaging sessions and animals. Using the time series of Ca2+ fluorescence in each IC, we examined the changes in functional connectivity from rest to locomotion. Compared to rest, functional connectivity increases prior to and at the onset of locomotion. During continued walking, a global decrease in functional connectivity develops compared to rest that uncovers a distinct, sparser network in which ICs in secondary motor areas increase their correlations with more posterior ICs in somatosensory, motor, visual, and retrosplenial cortices. Eigenvector centrality analysis demonstrates that ICs located in premotor areas increase their influence on the network during locomotion while ICs in other regions, including somatosensory and primary motor, decrease in importance. We observed sequential changes in functional connectivity across transitions between rest and locomotion, with premotor areas playing an important role in coordination of computations across cortical brain regions. SIGNIFICANCE Behavior such as locomotion requires the coordination of multiple cerebral cortical regions to accurately navigate the external environment. However, it is unclear how computations from various regions are integrated to produce a single, coherent behavioral output. Here, wide-field, epifluorescence Ca2+ imaging across the dorsal cerebral cortex reveals the changing functional interactions among cortical regions during the transition from rest to locomotion. While functional connectivity among most cortical nodes primarily decreases from rest to locomotion, a well-defined network of increased correlations emerges between premotor and other cortical regions with an increase in the importance of the premotor cortex to the network. The results suggest that the role of the premotor areas in locomotion involves coordinating interactions among different cortical regions.
Simulation in Addiction Education

Addiction and substance use disorders are complex medical conditions with a number of effective treatment options. Providing health care professionals with high-quality training to treat addiction and substance use disorders is an essential component of health care education. High-fidelity simulation has been a successful teaching method in training providers across various health care disciplines and specialties. Some such disciplines include dentistry, nursing, and numerous medical specialties. In recent years, high-fidelity simulation has proven to be a significantly effective teaching tool in psychiatry and specifically in the treatment of addiction and substance abuse. High-fidelity simulation recreates real-life medical scenarios in a safe learning environment and results in improved medical care and better patient outcomes. This commentary introduces basic concepts of simulation-based education followed by a focus on high-fidelity manikin-based simulation and its use across various disciplines including addiction. It concludes with a discussion of the benefits and potential of manikin simulation in addiction treatment.
An experimental study on the effect of annular and radial fins on thermal performance of a latent heat thermal energy storage unit

Abstract Latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) has been used to deal with the cyclical nature of energy production through solar means. One problem with LHTES systems is the PCM having a low thermal conductivity. This results in low heat transfer rate prolonging the charging and discharging cycles. In the current study, the thermal characteristics of a latent heat thermal energy storage system enhanced with annular and radial fins are investigated experimentally. Rubitherm RT-55 is used as the phase change material (PCM) and is enclosed within a vertical cylindrical container. Water is used as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) which is circulated in a copper pipe that passes through the center of the container. Different numbers of annular and radial fins attached to the central pipe, all containing the same volume of copper are studied. The effects of these configurations on the thermal performance of the latent heat thermal energy storage system during the charging and discharging processes is monitored. The no-fin benchmark case took 47.87 h to charge the LHTES unit and 42.5 h to discharge. The ten-annular fins charged the system 84.1% faster and discharged the system 68.21% faster. The twenty-annular fin case reduced the charging time by 85.8% and the discharging by 68.58%. The four-fin radial case was found to decrease the charging time by 81.9% and 70.0%; whereas the eight-fin radial case was found to have the greatest decrease the charging and discharging times, being 86.6% and 80.1%, respectively.
Do body image and gender role attitudes mediate the relationship between media exposure and sexual risk behavior in college students

DO BODY IMAGE AND GENDER ROLE ATTITUDES MEDIATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEDIA EXPOSURE AND SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR IN COLLEGE STUDENTS? By Vivian M. Rodriguez, M.A. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements required for the degree of Masters of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: Rosalie Corona, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Psychology Despite growing awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and educational efforts to provide accurate information about sexually transmitted diseases (STD), young adults continue to engage in risky sexual practices that increase their vulnerability of acquiring an STD, including inconsistent condom use. Research has gathered ample evidence to suggest that the media, in particular television consumption, is directly linked with sexual risk, yet less is known about the potential mechanisms that may be driving this link. The present study examines body image and gender role attitudes as two potential mediators of this relationship. Three-hundred and four undergraduate students (73% female; 64% White) at a large, urban University completed questionnaires to assess television influence, body image, gender role attitudes, and sexual behavior, through an online-survey tool. Results yielded significant correlations among several predictors and condom use, although mediation was not achieved. Limitations, implications of the findings, and directions for future research are discussed.
Effectiveness of a language implementation project in building appreciation for formal specification

An intellectual "power tool" is a practice that dramatically simplifies certain problems, but that requires skill and preparation to use effectively. Teaching "power tools" in conjunction with substantial "real-world" projects is a popular way to awaken students to the importance of "power tools." This paper describes an effort to measure the extent, if any, to which such a project really increased students' appreciation for a particular "power tool." The project in question comes from a theory of programming languages course, and uses formal specifications as a "power tool" for language implementation. Surveys conducted before and after the project suggest that it did indeed increase students' appreciation for mathematical specifications.
Transmission of a cyclical translocation in two cranberry cultivars.

The occurrence of cyclical translocation involving three non-homologous chromosomes and affecting pollen stainability has been observed in two cranberry cultivars: Howes, and Wilcox, a progeny of Howes. These cultivars were crossed with six normal cranberry cultivars to study the transmission of the cyclical translocation to their progeny. The translocational progeny were determined by pollen tetrad analysis. A total of 102 individuals (6 crosses) were analyzed in the progeny of Wilcox and 116 individuals (5 crosses) in the progeny of Howes. The ratios observed in the progeny of Wilcox and Howes were 71 translocated: 31 normal, and 79 translocated: 37 normal, respectively. The segregations deviated from the expected 1 translocated: 1 normal progeny ratio, but fit either a 3:1 or 2:1 ratio. The altered segregations may indicate the presence of a balanced lethal system located in the translocated segments of both Howes and Wilcox. Sterile individuals were found in the progeny of Wilcox×Howes, which could indicate that the two parents have non-identical translocations. The translocated progeny of both cultivars had a normal distribution for pollen stainability, which indicated that both the occurrence of crossing over in the interstitial region and the segregation of chromosomes are under polygenic control.
Everyone's Doing It: Common Practice and Moral Judgment

Soulevant la question de la justification d'une action et du jugement du bien et du mal par reference a la pratique commune, l'A. examine le probleme de l'applicabilite des concepts moraux a l'evaluation de l'action, l'importance des obligations liees au role social dans le comportement de l'individu, ainsi que l'exigence de conformite necessaire au fonctionnement de la regle particuliere d'un systeme moral defini par un ensemble de regles abstraites
Biosynthesis of glucosidase II in suspension-cultured soybean cells

Since antibody against homogeneous mung bean glucosidase II cross-reacted with a 110-kDa protein from cultured soybean cells and also precipitated this activity from extracts of soybean cells, we used this antibody to examine the biosynthesis, turnover, and cellular localization of glucosidase II in soybean cells. Time course studies of [35S]methionine incorporation into glucosidase II (as well as pulse-chase studies) showed that this enzyme is synthesized as a 110-kDa protein that does not change in size from very early labeling times to those as late as 60 h, indicating the absence of a cleavable signal sequence or extensive modification of the carbohydrate. Furthermore, glucosidase II remained susceptible to digestion by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H throughout this time period, and the major oligosaccharide structure was a Man9(GlcNAc)2 with small amounts of Glc1Man9(GlcNAc)2. The half-life of the biosynthesized glucosidase II was about 36 h, and no secretion of this protein occurred. Membranes of gently disrupted cells were separated by sucrose-density gradient centrifugation, and fractions were tested for glucosidase II activity as well as for marker enzymes. The bulk of the glucosidase II activity fractionated with endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Detergent solubility studies with Triton X-114 suggested that glucosidase II did not have a hydrophobic domain and is probably a luminal endoplasmic reticulum protein.
Towards a practical indoor location matching system using 4G LTE PHY layer information

Predicting the location of a user in indoor settings in a practical and energy-efficient manner is (still) a very non-trivial task. The latest challenge in indoor localization is not to design specialized sensors but to design and implement practical data fusion methods using the already available technologies. Current state-of-the-art indoor localization techniques utilize Wi-Fi and a variety of sensors inside smart phones to predict user location. Some also require site-specific input such as indoor floor plans or the location of Wi-Fi access points. In this paper, we propose to use physical (PHY) layer information from 4G cellular network signals such as Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) to logically predict user location. Since the cellular signals are received by the smart phones at no additional cost, our methodology is very energy-efficient. We implement a prototype system in Android and evaluated it over 60 indoor locations. The prediction accuracy ranged up to 91% with an average localization error of less than 2.3m for any combination of 4G PHY layer information. The results show promise for improvements in current indoor localization systems using cellular signals.
States’ Standards for Training and Certifying Evaluators of Competency to Stand Trial

The standards used to select, train, certify, and retain forensic evaluators of Competency to Stand Trial (CST) vary widely across states. Despite the very important ramifications that CST evaluations have for the defendants who undergo them, little is currently known about how states ensure that evaluators provide the highest-quality work possible. A survey was sent to all 50 states and Washington, DC, to solicit information regarding evaluator selection and certification processes, payment of CST evaluators, and other related topics. Results were compared to previous studies completed in 1997 and 2006 to allow for a longitudinal analysis. Results indicate that although some progress has occurred since the publication of those studies, most states still do not have a formal process for selecting or certifying their CST evaluators. Also, professional qualifications for CST evaluations are loosening, and payment remains relatively low. These findings, as well as the importance of retaining high standards f...
All-optical packet-header-recognition techniques

As transmission speeds in the network core approach 40 Gb/s and beyond, the need to make faster routing decisions becomes increasingly evident. It may, therefore, be important to determine where it may be feasible to employ optical techniques to aid the electronics in making rapid routing decisions In conventional Internet routers, packets are switched to their destinations by interrogating their 24-bit destination IP addresses and matching them to entries in a large routing table using complicated longest prefix matching algorithms. Given that most core routers have only four to eight outgoing ports, it may be possible to determine a packet's outgoing port by looking at only a small subset of the 24 bits in the destination address. It may be feasible to build an optical bypass to vastly accelerate a conventional router.
Caring for the Patient

The title of this chapter has been shamelessly, yet respectfully, adapted from the title of a lecture given at Harvard Medical School in 1925, one of a series of late-afternoon sessions for medical students, and subsequently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 1927. The title of the lecture and the paper was simply “The Care of the Patient.”2 Peabody’s lectures and writings were later collected and published in 1931, a project underwritten by his classmates from Harvard Medical School. In the preface to this volume, bacteriologist Hans Zinsser wrote of Peabody’s collected works: “Their publication will serve to continue the influence of a voice that American medicine could ill afford to lose - one of clear-headedness, unsentimental idealism and the great wisdom of affectionate optimism.”3 I mentioned Dr. Peabody’s work to one of our residents, who happens to be a graduate of Harvard Medical School; she replied that while in medical school, she was a member of the Francis Weld Peabody Society.
Hypothalamic Nuclei Are Malformed in Weanling Offspring of Low Protein Malnourished Rat Dams

Maternal low protein malnutrition during gestation and lactation (LP) is an animal model frequently used for the investigation of long-term deleterious consequences of perinatal growth retardation. Both perinatal malnutrition and growth retardation at birth are risk factors for diabetic and cardiovascular disturbances in later life. The pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible are unknown. Hypothalamic nuclei are decisively involved in the central nervous regulation of food intake, body weight and metabolism. We investigated effects of a low protein diet (8% protein; control diet, 17% protein) during gestation and lactation in rat dams on the organization of hypothalamic regulators of body weight and metabolism in the offspring at weaning (d 20 of life). LP offspring had significantly lower body weight than control offspring (CO; P: < 0.001), associated with hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia (P: < 0. 005) on d 20 of life. This was accompanied by a greater relative volume of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (P: < 0.01) and a greater numerical density of Nissl-stained neurons in this nucleus (P: < 0.01) as well as in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN; P: < 0.001). In contrast, no significant differences in neuronal densities were observed generally in the lateral hypothalamic area, arcuate hypothalamic nucleus (ARC), and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus between LP offspring and CO offspring. On the other hand, LP offspring displayed fewer neurons immunopositive for neuropeptide Y in the ARC (P: < 0.05), whereas in the PVN, lower neuronal densities of neurons immunopositive for galanin were found in LP offspring compared with CO offspring (P: < 0.001). On the contrary, in the PVN, no significant group difference in the numerical density of cholecystokinin-8S-positive neurons was present. A long-term effect of these specific hypothalamic alterations on body weight and metabolism in LP offspring during later life is suggested.
Investigation on physical properties of solution-processed inorganic metal-oxides based charge extraction layers for 3G hybrid solar cells

Charge extraction layers, which include the hole extraction layer (HEL) and the electron extraction layer (EEL), are an essential component of a hybrid solar cell. In this work, charge extraction layers for hybrid solar cells have been fabricated from low-temperature solution-phase synthesis techniques by utilizing inexpensive and non-toxic inorganic metal-oxide semiconductors. Subsequently, the films have been optimized in terms of their various physical properties via microscopy based characterization techniques. Nanoparticles of zinc oxide and molybdenum trioxide have been synthesized by wet chemistry precipitation route at temperatures below 100C. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms high purity and hexagonal structure of the as-synthesized nanoparticles. Charge extraction layers were deposited by spincoating the colloidal suspension and initial study of film quality via optical microscopy indicated positive results for zinc oxide film. Nanoparticles of molybdenum trioxide, as opposed to zinc oxide, form larger aggregates during film deposition, hence resulting in poorer film quality in terms of coverage, adhesion and stability. Therefore, an alternate fabrication route is proposed for molybdenum trioxide film as the HEL to replace the conventionally used acidic and hygroscopic PEDOT:PSS polymer. For the EEL, the result of varying concentrations of colloidal dispersion on the surface morphology of the zinc oxide film on a nanoscale regime is analyzed through SEM studies. Finally, these optimized charge extraction layers are suitable for use in hybrid solar cells based on photoactive layer comprising of organic semiconductor P3HT.
Review on apoptosis vs. necrosis of substantia nigrapars compacta in parkinson’s disease

The discovery that melanized neurons of thepars compacta of substantia nigra (pcSN) degenerate in the midbrain of human Parkinsonians is nearly a century old, but only in this decade have we gained insights into mechanisms underlying this neuronal loss. Although it had long been assumed that pcSN neurons underwent necrosis, recent (1)in vitro studies on isolated neurons, (2)in vivo studies in animals treated with neurotoxins, and (3) postmortem study of human Parkinsonian brain provide strong evidence that pcSN cells may be lost more from apoptosis (i.e., cell suicide) than from necrosis. This paper gives some historical perspective, but focuses primarily on mechanisms involved in both necrosis and apoptosis of neurons, primarily dopaminergic, and reviews the recent literature relating to apoptosis and apoptotic factors now identified in neurons undergoing neuro-toxin-induced death and in postmortem human Parkinsonian brain. The weight of evidence in favor of apoptosis and apoptotic factors in these neurons, provides us with tools needed to develop anti-apoptotic factors that can be targeted to proteins or genes, so that it may be possible to decelerate or prevent the progressive neuronal cell loss in human Parkinsonians or in humans with other neurodegen-erative disorders.
Rational-emotive treatment for the sexual problems of couples

A rational-emotive approach to the treatment of sexual dysfunction is presented. It is asserted that the attitudes with which RET therapists approach sexual problems are as important in determining therapeutic outcome as are the techniques utilized in treating those problems. Regardless of whether one is treating disorders of desire, arousal, or orgasm, the rational-emotive sex therapist remains committed to the stoic position that is is not the unfortunate events in life but rather one's perceptions and evaluations of those events that cause distress. In this regard, the distinction between sexual dysfunction (unfortunate life events) and sexual disturbance (exaggeratedly negative perceptions and evaluations of those events) is emphasized. It is further asserted that only therapy regimens utilizing behavioral strategies within the context of what we have labeled elegant or preferential RET will adequately and comprehensively treat all sexual disorders.
Fast-converging complex adaptive algorithm for diversity wireless receivers in linearly fading channels

In wireless communications, fixed-point complex independent component analysis (ICA) algorithms have been applied to perform separation of complex signals. Presented is a novel complex adaptive ICA algorithm which employs individual convergence factors for the real and imaginary components of the weight vector. For wireless receivers operating on quadrature amplitude modulation, the adaptive algorithm performs better than the existing complex fast-ICA algorithm in terms of accuracy. Computer simulations confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Effects of feeding condition on orally delivered ethanol as a reinforcer for rhesus monkeys.

Twenty adult male rhesus monkeys could drink either or both an 8%-ethanol (w/v) solution or water during daily 3-h experimental sessions. Subjects were initially tested under ad lib feeding conditions, having received daily access to large amounts of food for approximately 8 months (Phase 1). The ethanol solution was concurrently available with its water vehicle under fixed-ratio schedules of mouth contacts with a drinking spout in which emission of 8 responses produced a liquid delivery (FR 8). Under these conditions ethanol served as a reinforcer for some subjects—it maintained higher response rates than water—but not for others. In the next experimental condition (Phase 2), subjects were again tested for ethanol self-administration under FR 8 schedules with water concurrently available, but while receiving daily food rations that maintained their body weights at less than what they had been under ad lib feeding conditions. Under these conditions all subjects self-administered ethanol at appreciable levels, but water-maintained responding also was at appreciable levels for some subjects. Increases in ethanol self-administration following institution of the reduced-feeding conditions in Phase 2 generally were inversely related to self-administration levels under the free-feeding conditions of Phase 1 (the greatest proportional increases in ethanol intake occurred with those monkeys that self-administered the least amount of ethanol in Phase 1). In Phase 3, the requirements of the concurrently operating fixed-ratio schedules delivering ethanol and water were increased to 16 responses (FR 16). This operation did not markedly alter the rank order of subjects in the amount of ethanol consumed, but did decrease levels of water-maintained responding in those subjects whose water-maintained responding had been high during Phase 2. The importance of feeding condition as a variable affecting the reinforcing effects of ethanol and of other drugs is discussed.
β-Estradiol Inhibits Na+-PiCotransport across Renal Brush Border Membranes from Ovarectomized Rats☆

Abstract Estrogens play a major role in mineral homeostasis, however it remains unclear whether they exert regulatory action upon reabsorption of phosphate (P i ) in proximal tubules of the kidney. We investigated the effect of β-estradiol (E 2 ) injected to thyroparathyrodectomized and ovarectomized rats upon Na + -cotransport of P i and other solutes across renal brush border membrane (BBM). In BBM from kidneys of E 2 -treated rats the capacity for Na + -P i cotransport was considerably suppressed (Δ% − 42; P + -cotransports of L-proline D-glucose and SO 4 across the same BBM did not differ from controls. We surmise that E 2 inhibits selectively Na + -P i cotransport by direct interaction with E 2 receptors in proximal tubular cells. These results indicate the existence of the inhibitory effect of estrogens upon renal proximal tubular Na + -P i cotransport and, by extention, proximal Pi reabsorption. We suggest that this modulatory action of E 2 plays a role in pathophysiology of mineral metabolism due to estrogen deficiency and should be considered when estrogens are used for pharmacotherapy of postmenopausal osteoporosis and some types of cancer.
Statistical Error in Interpretation of Aneurysm Coil Results

To the Editor: We read with interest the recent report by Bendszus et al1 regarding the efficacy of new “bioactive” coils for cerebral aneurysm therapy. The authors note a “statistically significant” difference between outcomes in aneurysms treated with the Cerecyte coil and a matched pair cohort treated with bare platinum coils, with superior long-term occlusion rate for the Cerecyte group. We wish to call attention to a basic statistical error in their report, an error that lowered the calculated probability values to half of their true value, which might lead the reader to make an incorrect conclusion regarding the statistical superiority of Cerecyte coils. In the methods section, the authors state that 2-sided Fisher exact tests were performed “for comparison of the initial treatment …
Neutron Activation Procedures for Silver Analysis in Precipitation

Abstract Laboratory techniques have been developed for concentrating and isolating silver from aqueous samples. When these concentrated samples are activated in a thermal neutron flux of 4 × 1012n cm−2 sec−1, quantitative measurements down to 10−9 gm masses of silver can be made. When 1-liter samples of water are used, the lower limit of detection of silver in the sample is about 3 × 10−12 gm cm−3 concentration. Typical Ag concentrations being observed in snow collected in the western United States range from this lower limit to 10−8 gm cm−3, the majority being between 10−9 and 10−11. The lower limit does not therefore appear to be a serious factor in silver determinations in snow collected at ground stations. The system described is a non-destructive one, the accuracy of measurement using γ-ray spectrometry being 1, 2, 10 and 80% for masses of silver 10−6, 10−7, 10−8 and 10−9 gm, respectively. By using a 24-sec half-life radioisotope for the Ag determination, the cost of activation and turn-around time o...
The Effect of Temperature on the Tangent Modulus of Granular Composite Sport Surfaces

A series of tests were conducted to determine the tangent modulus (vertical stiffness) values for a wax-coated granular composite material. This material is commonly used as the surface for Thoroughbred horse racetracks. The tangent modulus is important in the vertical loading of the surface by the hoof for a highly nonlinear material. Test temperatures span a range from 0 to 64°C and include the thermal transition regions of the wax coating obtained from differential scanning calorimetry tests. These temperatures also include the range of temperatures that are encountered during use. Creep tests were conducted to obtain steady-state strain conditions at loads ranging from 0.89 to 4.45 kN, the latter load approximating the weight of a Thoroughbred racehorse. Through-transmission ultrasonic waves were utilized to determine the tangent modulus values. The tangent moduli ranged from 74 to 573 MPa for the conditions tested. For all loads tested, a large decrease in modulus and decrease in material nonlinearity occurred as temperatures increased from 20 to 32°C. This temperature range matches the first thermal transition temperature for the wax coating of the track material. The results of this work provide a basis for racetrack maintenance decisions that can eliminate potentially adverse temperature effects and may reduce equine injuries.
Water in mantle minerals

New experiments suggest that olivine, probably the most abundant mineral in the Earth to a depth of 400 km, can incorporate substantial amounts of hydrogen under water-rich, high-pressure conditions. This work, reported by Bai and Kohlstedt on page 672 of this issue, addresses two basic questions facing those looking at the role of water in the evolution of the Earth: how much is there and where is it stored?
The S‐Distribution A Tool for Approximation and Classification of Univariate, Unimodal Probability Distributions

In many statistical applications a data set needs to be evaluated but there is no solid information about which probability distribution might be most appropriate. Typical solutions to this problems are: to make assumptions that facilitate mathematical treatment; to use a family of distribution functions that contains all relevant distributions as special cases; or, to employ nonparametric methods. All three solutions have disadvantages since assumptions are usually difficult to justify, families of distributions contain too many parameters to be of practical use, and nonparametric methods make it difficult to characterize data in a succinct quantitative form. The S-distribution introduced here is a compromise between the conflicting goals of simplicity in analysis and generality in scope. It is characterized by four parameters, one of which reflects its location, the second one its spread, and the remaining two its shape; transformation to a standard form reduces the number of free parameters to two. Cumulatives and densities are computed numerically in fractions of seconds, key features like quantiles and moments are easily obtained, and results can be presented in terms of parameter values. The S-distribution rather accurately models different distribution functions, including central and noncentral distributions, and thus competes in flexibility with some distribution families. As an approximation, the S-distribution provides a graphical method for demonstrating relationships between distributions, such as the relationships between central F, χ2 and χ−2 or central and noncentral t, χ-1, and normal.
Architecture and Data Management Challenges in GEOSS and IEOS

The international Group on Earth Observations (GEO) was initiated in 2003 to engage all the nations of the Earth in building a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth observation capability, known as the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). The GEO website describes GEOSS this way: "GEOSS will build on and add value to existing Earth-observation systems by coordinating their efforts, addressing critical gaps, supporting their interoperability, sharing information, reaching a common understanding of user requirements, and improving delivery of information to users." Each member nation has responded to GEO by establishing some sort of coordinating body; within the United States, that is the United States Group on Earth Observations (USGEO). This paper will describe the establishment of GEO and USGEO, will provide an overview of the activities and challenges in the area of architecture and data management, and will highlight some of the major efforts underway within USGEO today.
Contamination in Smooth Gel Breast Implant Placement: Testing a Funnel Versus Digital Insertion Technique in a Cadaver Model

Background: Overt infection and biofilm formation resulting from breast augmentation are rare but serious problems that can lead to contracture and a need for revision surgery. The Keller Funnel is a medical device composed of a rip-stop nylon sleeve with a hydrophilic inner coating. One claim of the funnel is that it facilitates a “no touch” technique, thereby limiting contamination. To date, there are no data to support this claim. Objectives: The authors evaluate skin and breast parenchyma contamination with standard implantation techniques and the Keller funnel. Methods: Insertion techniques were tested in two fresh cadavers. Smooth, round, moderate-plus silicone gel implants were placed for each experiment. To quantify the amount of skin contamination, a 2% w/v fluorescein paste was painted onto the cadaver thorax. After implantation, the implants were soaked in 250 mL of sterile water, and the fluorescence emission of the resulting solution was measured with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. To qualify the potential contamination from breast parenchyma, the cadaver breast tissue was swabbed with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus , and the implant surfaces were cultured postimplantation. Results: The funnel resulted in a 27-fold decrease in skin contact for all smooth gel implants ( P = .00059). The amount of skin contact and potential contamination increased incrementally with increasing implant volume when either the funnel or digital implantation techniques were used. Bacterial contamination from breast parenchyma was two times more likely with the standard digital insertion technique ( P = .06). Conclusions: The Keller funnel appears to significantly reduce the amount of skin contact and potential parenchyma contamination.
Effects of imagery value and an imagery mnemonic on memory for sayings

A vast amount of research shows that memory for single words is affected by the visual imagery values of the words and by the use of imagery mnemonics. The purpose of this study was to extend this research from single words to more complex verbal material. Ten sayings (e.g., “One bad apple spoils the barrel”) that had been previously scaled for visual imagery were presented to two groups of college students. One group used a visual imagery mnemonic, and the other did not. Five of the sayings were high in imagery value, and the other five were low. The results were consistent with findings for single words: High-imagery sayings were remembered better than low-imagery sayings, and the imagery mnemonic improved memory for the sayings.
Force–velocity relationships for rigid bodies translating through unbounded shear-thinning power-law fluids

Abstract The force–velocity relationships for rigid bodies translating through unbounded shear-thinning power-law fluids are analyzed. Numerical solutions are presented for the sphere, finite, and infinite circular cylinders. General properties of the force–velocity relationships and flow and stress patterns in highly non-linear fluids are discussed.
Enhancement of phosphoprotein analysis using a fluorescent affinity tag and mass spectrometry

A fluorescent affinity tag (FAT) was synthesized and was utilized to selectively modify phosphorylated serine and threonine residues via beta-elimination and Michael addition chemistries in a 'one-step' reaction. This labeling technique was used for covalent modification of both phosphoproteins and phosphopeptides, allowing identification of these molecular species by fluorescence imaging after solution- or gel-based separation methods. In addition to the strong fluorescence of the rhodamine tag, a commercially available antibody can be used to enrich low-abundance post-labeled phosphopeptides present in complex mixtures. Application of this methodology to phosphorylation-site mapping has been evaluated for a phosphoprotein standard, bovine beta-casein. Initial results demonstrated low femtomole detection limits after fluorescence image analysis of FAT-labeled proteins or peptides.
The fate of economics and the role of economists

Abstract Academic economists have become more partisan and mathematical in their training and in their role as observers and predictors of economic events. The result of such an educational mind set and agenda has led economists to search for precise and politically correct answers to economic problems. Instead of looking for possible solutions to these problems from a broad social science multi-discipline approach, they have turned to mathematical models which point to definitive answers and which, based upon the assumptions of the model, support the political agenda of those involved. The result is a quantitative partisan perspective on economic events which does not bode well for economic policy recommendations.
Schizophrenia in women: implications for pregnancy and postpartum.

Pregnancy is a time of increased stress for many women, but for women with schizophrenia, pregnancy can be an extremely challenging experience, with many implications for nursing care. Readers may earn two CNE contact hours for this learning activity by completing a post-test and participant feedback form at http://journalscne.awhonn.org.
Inexpensive purification of P450 reductase and other proteins using 2',5'-adenosine diphosphate agarose affinity columns.

Two reductases, P450 oxidoreductase and P450Bm-3 reductase, were purified on a 2',5'-adenosine diphosphate solid support. Although the efficiency of these columns is well established, the cost of the resin and the eluting material 2'-adenosine can be prohibitive. Herein we show that the less costly 2',3'-adenosine monophosphate is an excellent eluting material.
Effect of thermal history on the deformation and failure of polyimides

Thermal-processing structure-property relationships for polyetherimide (PEI), poly(4,4'-oxydiphenylene pyromellitimide) (POPPI), and phenylethynyl-terminated imide (PETI-5) composite matrices are reported from a fundamental perspective. For thermoplastic PEI, deformation and failure depend primarily on free volume as evidenced by moisture-absorption, mechanical-property, and mass-density changes as a function of annealing. The deformation of POPPI can be divided into the following three regimes as a function of annealing temperature: (1) physical aging-induced glassy state free-volume decreases, (2) thermally activated microvoid collapse, and (3) chemical degradation. In the case of PETI-5, macroscopic defects, free volume, and polymer morphology control deformation. The effects of residual crystallinity on deformation are reported, and it is shown that mechanical toughness can be significantly decreased upon annealing below the glass-transition temperature.
Chloral hydrate and meperidine: Response and metabolism in squirrel and rhesus monkeys☆☆☆

Abstract Using eyelid ptosis and hypothermia as criteria, the pharmacological response of male rhesus and squirrel monkeys to chloral hydrate (CH) and meperidine (MP) was determined. Squirrel monkeys were found to be approximately three times more sensitive to CH than were rhesus monkeys. Studies on the metabolic disposition of pharmacologically effective doses of CH in the two species (150 and 500 mg/kg for squirrel and rhesus monkeys, respectively) indicated that squirrel monkeys were more sensitive to CH because of a greater capacity to form the active metabolite, trichloroethanol. Comparison of effective doses in these monkeys with those for man indicates that squirrel monkeys and man were about equally sensitive to CH, but that rhesus monkeys were relatively insensitive. Similar studies using MP showed that rhesus monkeys were about twice as sensitive to this drug than were squirrel monkeys. Studies on the metabolic disposition of pharmacologically effective doses of MP in the two species (3.5 and 8.0 mg/kg for rhesus and squirrel monkeys, respectively) indicate that squirrel monkeys were inherently less sensitive to MP and were more capable of forming the nondepressant metabolite, normeperidine, than were rhesus monkeys. Comparison of effective doses in these monkeys with those for man indicated that rhesus monkeys and man were about equally sensitive to MP, but that squirrel monkeys were less sensitive.