cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting Presidential Performance in the United States: Equation Replication on Recent Survey Results

For more than 2 decades, researchers have tried to identify the variables that predict the overall performance of U.S. presidents. In 1986, there emerged a 6-variable prediction equation (D. K. Simonton, 1986c, 1987b) that has been replicated repeatedly. The predictors are years in office, war years, scandal, assassination, heroism in war, and intellectual brilliance. The author again replicated the equation on recent rankings of all presidents from George Washington through William Jefferson Clinton according to a survey of 719 experts (W. R. Ridings, Jr., & S. B. Mclver, 1997). The original 6-variable equation successfully predicted both the overall rankings as well as the 5 core components of the rankings (leadership qualities, accomplishment, political skill, appointments, character and integrity). The predictive value of the equation was illustrated for the presidencies of Ronald W. Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Clinton.
Cryopreservation of cord blood after liquid storage.

Background The processing of cord blood may result in delays prior to RBC depletion and cryopreservation. The overall objective of this investigation is to determine the influence of liquid storage prior to cryopreservation on the post-thaw viability. Methods UC blood supplemented with CPD anticoagulant (CB) was obtained from normal donors with informed consent. CB was stored undiluted, or diluted with 1:1 ratio of storage solution STM-sav for up to 72 h. The undiluted control samples were stored at room temperature. CB samples supplemented with STM-sav were stored at 4°C. After completion of the storage protocol, the sample was RBC depleted, frozen, stored, thawed, and assayed for viability. Nucleated cell counts, percentage of CD34 + cells, and frequency of colony formation were determined during liquid storage and after cryopreservation. Results The post-thaw mononuclear cell recovery and viability of cord blood stored for 72 h was significantly lower than that of cord blood stored for 24 h prior to cryopreservation. This difference was true for cord bloods stored in STM-sav and controls. Dilution of the cord blood with STM-sav improved the frequency of CFU-GM observed. Discussion Liquid storage of cord blood for 24 h prior to cryopreservation does not adversely influence the post-thaw cell recovery. The use of a storage solution (STM-Sav) enhances the retention of colony-forming capabilities post-thaw. These and other studies provide an important foundation for the development of integrated protocols for cord blood banking.
Monitoring of Black Widow Spider Venom (BWSV) induced exo- and endocytosis in living frog motor nerve terminals with FM1-43

The neurotoxin Black Widow Spider Venom (BWSV) triggers massive release of neurotransmitter at synapses. Here we demonstrate that the action of BWSV on the frog neuromuscular junction can be visualized in vivo by the use of the fluorescent styryl dye FM1-43. This vital dye stains recycled synaptic vesicles upon nerve stimulation. Motor nerve terminals were stained with FM1-43 via electrical stimulation, washed and then exposed to BWSV or α-Latrotoxin. All terminals destained completely, independent of external calcium. Exposure of frog nerve terminals to BWSV in the presence of FM1-43 and calcium led to staining of terminals. The staining pattern appeared to be exactly the same as in control preparations, stimulated electrically via the nerve. When the same experiment was performed in the absence of calcium, only a minute quantity of dye was taken up into the nerve terminals and the synapses looked swollen and puffed. Addition of external calcium to these preparations elicited an immediate shrinking of the nerve terminals, indicating endocytosis. These observations support electron-microscopic data that suggest an important role for extracellular calcium in endocytosis of BWSV poisoned nerve terminals.
Advanced‐stage renal cell carcinoma treated by radical nephrectomy and adjacent organ or structure resection

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of radical nephrectomy (RN) with adjacent organ and structure resection on survival, as invasion of adjacent organs in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rare. PATIENTS AND METHODS After institutional review board approval, we reviewed our database and statistically analysed of patients with pathological stage T3 or T4 RCC who had RN and resection of a contiguous organ or structure. RESULTS We identified 38 patients of 2464 (1.5%) who had RN with adjacent organ or structure resection. The median (interquartile range) size of the mass was 11 (8–14) cm, and the follow-up 13 (5–33) months. Most patients (68%) were pT4 stage and had conventional clear cell carcinoma (95%). Fourteen patients (37%) had positive surgical margins. The liver (10) was the most commonly resected adjacent organ or structure. Only one patient remains alive with no evidence of disease at 5 years, while three are currently alive with disease. Overall, 34 of 38 patients (90%) ultimately died from disease at a median (range) of 11.7 (5.4–29.2) months after surgical resection. The surgical margin status was the only statistically significant factor for recurrence and death (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS The prognosis for patients with advanced RCC and adjacent organ or structure involvement is extremely poor and similar to that of patients with metastatic disease. These patients should be thoroughly counselled about the impact of surgical management and considered for entry into neoadjuvant or adjuvant clinical trials with new targeted systemic agents.
Identification of weight-bearing-responsive elements in the skeletal muscle sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA1) gene.

The skeletal muscle sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA1) gene is transactivated as early as 2 days after the removal of weight-bearing (Peters, D. G., Mitchell-Felton, H., and Kandarian, S. C. (1999) Am. J. Physiol. 276, C1218-C1225), but the transcriptional mechanisms are elusive. Here, the rat SERCA1 5′ flank and promoter region (−3636 to +172 base pairs) was comprehensively examined using in vivo somatic gene transfer into rat soleus muscles (n = 804) to identify region(s) that are both necessary and sufficient for sensitivity to weight-bearing. In all, 40 different SERCA1 reporter plasmids were constructed and tested. Several different regions of the SERCA1 5′ flank were sufficient to confer a transcriptional response to 7 days of muscle unloading when placed upstream of a heterologous promoter. Two of these regions were analyzed further because they were necessary for the unloading response of −3636 to +172, as demonstrated using internal deletion constructs. Deletion analysis of these regions (−1373 to −1158 and −330 to +172) suggested that unloading responsiveness corresponded to CACC sites and E-boxes. Mutagenesis of cis-elements in the first region showed that a specific CACC box (−1262) was involved in SERCA1 transactivation and a nearby E-box (−1248) was also implicated. Constructs containing trimerized CACC sites and E-boxes showed that the presence of both elements is required to activate transcription. This is the first identification of specific cis-elements required for the regulation of a Ca2+ handling gene by changes in muscle loading condition.
Quantitatively measuring object-oriented couplings

One key to several quality factors of software is the way components are connected. Software coupling can be used to estimate a number of quality factors, including maintainability, complexity, and reliability. Object-oriented languages are designed to reduce the number of dependencies among classes, which encourages separation of concerns and should reduce the amount of coupling. At the same time, the object-oriented language features change the way the connections are made, how they must be analyzed, and how they are measured. This paper discusses software couplings based on object-oriented relationships between classes, specifically focusing on types of couplings that are not available until after the implementation is completed, and presents a static analysis tool that measures couplings among classes in Java packages. Data from evaluating the tool on several open-source projects are provided. The coupling measurement is based on source code, which has the advantage of being quantitative and more precise than previous measures, but the disadvantage of not being available before implementation, and thus not useful for some predictive efforts.
A note on the 2 k-th mean value of the Hurwitz zeta function

Consider the error term in the asymptotic formula In this note we obtain δ( k ) ≍ 1/( k 6 log 2 k ) which, for large values of k , presents a substantial improvement over the previously known result .
Two Remarkable Women Geologists of the 1920s: Emily Hahn (1905-1997) and Katharine Fowler (1902-1997)

Emily Hahn and Katharine Fowler challenged gender barriers decades ahead of modern feminism, and, together with other pioneering women geologists, they provide inspiration for all. They met at the University of Wisconsin in 1925. Hahn had chosen engineering because a professor said women can not be engineers. Rejecting an office-only mining career, she then found her ultimate calling as writer and world traveler, spending two years in the Belgian Congo (1931-33) and eight in China (1935-43). During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, she had a daughter by a British officer, whom she married in 1945. Fowler came from Bryn Mawr College to Wisconsin to compete in a men's world. They forced acceptance as the first women to take a mining geology field trip and a topographic mapping field course. Later, in disguise, Fowler gained admission to a Black Hills mine and then did Ph.D. field work alone in Wyoming. After an African Geological Congress, she worked in the Sierra Leone bush (1931-33) and then began tea...
Petrology and Geochemistry of Al-Augite and Cr-Diopside Group Mantle Xenoliths from Tahiti, Society Islands

Al-augite group xenoliths and subordinate Cr-diopside group mantle xenoliths occur as inclusions in Tahitian basalts. Al-augite group xenoliths are orthopyroxene free and consist of dunite, wehrlite, and clinopyroxenite. Dunites have metamorphic textures, but wehrlites and clinopyroxenites have igneous textures. Mineral compositions vary systematically with modal olivine content, with Fe and Ti contents in spinel and clinopyroxene increasing with decreasing modal olivine. Cr-diopside group xenoliths have porphyroclastic to equigranular-mosaic textures and consist of nearly equal proportions of lherzolite and harzburgite. The mineral compositions and textures of the different Cr-diopside group lithologies are similar, but are clearly distinguished from Al-augite group xenoliths by their higher Mg#s and lower Ti and Fe contents. Equilibrium temperatures, determined by coexisting orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in Cr-diopside group xenoliths, range from 880° to 1100°C. These temperatures, at pressures suitab...
Halving ischemia time during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Purpose: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has demonstrated renal functional and 5-year oncological outcomes equivalent to those of open partial nephrectomy. A remaining critique of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is its 10-minute longer ischemia time compared to open surgery. We present an early unclamping laparoscopic partial nephrectomy technique that decreases ischemia time by more than 50%.Materials and Methods: During standard laparoscopic partial nephrectomy renal reconstruction is completely performed under ischemic conditions. In our early unclamping technique only the initial parenchymal suturing is performed under ischemia with the remainder of bolstered renorrhaphy performed in the revascularized kidney. Of 100 consecutive nonrandomized patients the initial 50 underwent standard laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (group 1) and the subsequent 50 underwent early unclamping laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (group 2).Results: Baseline demographics (body mass index, mean tumor size and central/hilar ...
Viscosity Behavior of Liquid Crystals

Abstract The literature on the viscosity behavior of liquid crystals is reviewed with emphasis on the experimental results. These results are discussed in terms of the mesophase structure. Discussion of polymeric liquid crystals has been excluded since they have recently been reviewed.
Wax esters in the liver and serum of steelhead trout Salmo gairdneri (Richardson)

1. Wax esters were identified in the serum and liver of steelhead trout. 2. Confirmation of the identity was made by thin-layer chromatography of the wax ester hydrolysis products: long chain alcohols and fatty acids. 3. Tissue concentrations of the wax are 0.34 mg/ml and 0.12 mg/g in the serum and liver respectively. 4. The presence of the wax esters in these two particular tissues suggests that the wax is synthesized in the liver, incorporated into lipoproteins, and functions as a lipid transport molecule.
Intergranular embrittlement of iron-carbon alloys by impurities

It is shown that plain Fe-C alloys can be embrittled by certain heat treatments if they are doped with Sb, Sn, As or P. Embrittlement occurs when these elements are rejected from precipitating carbides during cooling, and it results from a piling-up of the elements ahead of the carbide and the concomitant lowering of cohesion along the carbide-ferrite interface. It is a transient (non-equilibrium) condition and disappears upon continued holding at elevated temperatures. Embrittlement by equilibrium segregation of these impurities in unalloyed ferrite apparently does not occur. A model for this transient embrittlement is proposed and tested. This model is relevant to the phenomenon of “500°F” embrittlement in alloy steels, and it is also consistent with most aspects of temper embrittlement.
Comparisons of different viscous pumps based on physical flow behavior

New scaling relations are given for flow behavior in viscous pumps which are characterized by two types of flow: (i) Couette-type or shear-driven flow and (ii) Poiseuille-type or pressure-driven flow. The equations describing these two types of flows are used to derive non-dimensional parameters to evaluate the pressure rise, flow rate, and important design characteristics of different viscous pump configurations. These provide means to make comparisons of relative performance for pumps of different size and configuration, and with different rotating speeds and different fluid viscosities. The non-dimensional parameters are also useful for comparing effectiveness of different viscous pump configurations, and for evaluating the effects of design changes to different configurations to maximize flow rate or pressure rise.
Programmed instruction of organization of ideas in the basic speech communication course

This article compares traditional methods of instruction on the organization of ideas with both linear and branching programmed methods. In view of the increasing demands on the basic college speech communication course, branching programmed instruction may provide a viable alternative to traditional methods for teaching the cognitive aspects of speech communication in the basic course.
Neuronal circuitry in the nucleus lateralis of the cerebellum.

This study summarizes the nervous circuitry of the lateral nucleus from evidence presented in the previous papers in this investigation. The large and small neurons receive three types of extracerebellar afferent fibers—collaterals of climbing fibers and mossy fibers on their way to the cerebellar cortex, and fluorescent CAT fibers of two varieties. The large projection neurons receive a large inhibitory corticonuclear input via synapses of Purkinje cell axons upon their somatic and dendritic surfaces, as well as upon initial axonal segments. On their way into the superior cerebellar peduncle, the axons of these neurons send recurrent collateral branches, which provide a positive feedback circuit within the nucleus. The small inhibitory interneurons depend to a large extent on the activating input upon their dendrites; their corticonuclear input from Purkinje cells is less numerous than that of large neurons. Their myelinated axons provide a rapid system of internal inhibitory control. In cases in which the axons are long and leave the nucleus, like those emitted by the small neurons in the medial hilus zone, they may provide a route of internuclear communication. The arrangements of neurons in the columnar zone are reviewed. The large neurons are oriented at an angle to incoming extracerebellar fibers and present a profile to the Purkinje cell axon. The interneuronsare tilted at ninety degrees to the dendritic trees of the large neurons, and they receive a larger extracerebellar afferent input. Whereas the corticonuclear input to the large columnar neurons probably expresses a ratio of one Purkinje cell to one large neuron, the tilt assumed by the small neurons may increase this ratio. Electron microscopy has shown that small neurons receive a smaller corticonuclear input than large neurons. Elsewhere in the swirled zones of the nucleus, these influences are less precisely oriented, and therefore less restrictive interplay exists between corticonuclear influences and the large multipolar neurons.
Maximal REM sleep time defines a narrower thermoneutral zone than does minimal metabolic rate

Abstract Sleep states and oxygen consumption were simultaneously measured in rats at environmental temperatures of 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, and 33°C. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was more sensitive to environmental temperature than was metabolic rate. Oxygen consumption was minimal and constant between 25 and 31°C, whereas REM sleep time varied significantly over this range, with a peak at 29°C. Thus, maximal REM sleep time defines a more precise thermoneutral zone than does minimal metabolic rate. Furthermore, REM sleep time at 29°C was more than double the amount seen at 23°C, which is a standard laboratory temperature. Thus, varying the thermal environment is a simple noninvasive way to manipulate REM sleep time, and could be used to assess the effects of differing amounts of REM sleep on waking behaviors.
Estimating tree crown size with spatial information of high resolution optical remotely sensed imagery

Tree crown size is a critical biophysical parameter that influences carbon, water and energy exchanges between forest ecosystems and the atmosphere. This study explores the potential of using spatial information of high resolution optical imagery in estimating mean tree crown diameter on a stand basis with an Ikonos image in the Blackwood Division of Duke Forest and its surrounding areas. The theory is based on the disc scene model that the ratio of image variances at two spatial resolutions is determined by the scene structure only. The mean tree crown diameter of a stand on the ground was estimated with a circular sampling plot made in the middle of the stand. The stands were then delineated in the panchromatic band of the Ikonos image. The relationship between mean tree crown diameter with image variance at a single spatial resolution, the ratio of image variances at two spatial resolutions, and the difference of image variances at two spatial resolutions were studied for conifer and hardwood stands, respectively. It was found that the ratio of image variances at 2 m and 3 m spatial resolutions best estimate conifer tree crown diameter (R 2 = 0.7282). Though the image variance at a single resolution and the difference of image variances at two spatial resolutions are also significantly correlated to conifer tree crown diameter, the R 2 is lower. Due to the continuity in canopy structure, the approach does not work well for hardwood stands.
La recerca en humans als inicis del laboratori de conducta

El Laboratori de Conducta de la nueva Universitat Aut6noma de Barcelona comenzo siendo tanto un laboratorio humano como animal. Los intereses de la mayoria de sus miembros fundadores eran sobre psicologia humana. A pesar de ello, el Laboratori se ha convertido en un modelo de investigacion animal. Se propone un proceso de “auto-shaping” para explicar esta historia paradojica.
SEMMO: a scalable engine for massively multiplayer online games

We propose to demonstrate SEMMO, a consistency server for MMOs. The key features of SEMMO are its novel distributed consistency protocol and system architecture. The distributed nature of the engine allows the clients to perform all computations locally; the only computation that the central server performs is to determine the serialization order of game actions.We will demo SEMMO through a game called Manhattan Pals, and show how we can exploit game semantics in order to support large-scale MMOs. In the demo, avatars of the audience will be able to play Manhattan Pals and thus experience various scalability and consistency effects of an MMO.
1+N Protection in Polynomial Time: A Heuristic Approach

The generalized 1+N protection [7], protects N link disjointly provisioned unicast connections by a single Steiner tree connecting all end points of the connections. By sending network coded packets on the protection Steiner tree in parallel with the working traffic, 1+N is able to recover from any single link failure without enduring the delay from switching to the backup path. This makes 1+N a better protection mechanism in terms of recovery time compared to traditional 1:N and in terms of protection capacity compared to 1+1 protection. Optimal cost provisioning and 1+N protection of a given set of connections is an NP-hard problem comprising of three NP-hard subproblems: partitioning of the connections, finding edge disjoint primary paths and Steiner tree protection circuit for the subset of connections in each partition. In this paper a polynomial time heuristic algorithm for 1+N protection is proposed which combines heuristic steps to address the three NP-hard components of the problem. Our simulations show that the heuristic algorithm provides average cost reduction of 29.2% and 18.5% compared to 1+1 protection in COST239 and NSFNET networks. An asymptotic bound is also derived for the case of complete graph networks which shows that 1+N can achieve maximum of 66.6% cost improvement compared to 1+1. When compared to the optimal 1+N solution from ILP formulation, the heuristic algorithm increases the cost no more than 13%.
Theology Without Idolatry or Violence

Since the 1960s, metaphysics has flourished in Anglo-American philosophy. Far from wanting to avoid metaphysics, philosophers have embraced it in droves. There have been critics, to be sure; but the criticisms have received answers and the enterprise has carried on.
T-parity violation by anomalies

Little Higgs theories often rely on an internal parity ('T-parity') to suppress nonstandard electroweak effects or to provide a dark matter candidate. We show that such a symmetry is generally broken by anomalies, as described by the Wess-Zumino-Witten term. We study a simple SU(3)xSU(3)/SU(3) Little Higgs scheme where we obtain a minimal form for the topological interactions of a single Higgs field. The results apply to more general models, including [SU(3)xSU(3)/SU(3)]{sup 4}, SU(5)/SO(5), and SU(6)/Sp(6)
Thrombocytopenia in Cardiovascular Patients: Diagnosis and Management

Thrombocytopenia is a common problem in cardiovascular patients, but the etiology and management of this condition may be different than those in other populations. Around the time that percutaneous coronary interventions are performed, the drugs most commonly associated with thrombocytopenia are the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors and heparin. Thienopyridines only rarely cause thrombocytopenia. Patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes may be exposed to prolonged heparin infusions, GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors, and thienopyridines. After open-heart surgery, as opposed to other surgical procedures, the platelet count falls, primarily due to platelet damage and destruction in the bypass circuit and hemodilution. Heparin is the most common drug to be implicated in thrombocytopenia in ICU patients. Determining the etiology for the low platelet count is important for the implementation of appropriate management. The use of a direct thrombin inhibitor in treatment should be considered early if a diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is possible.
Dropping out of School among ELL Students: Implications to Schools and Teacher Education

Abstract English language learners (ELLs) are the most rapidly growing student population in U.S. elementary and secondary schools, and this growth rate will continue throughout the next few decades. Indirect evidence has suggested that the youth population that grows the fastest has the highest risk of dropping out of school. This article reviews the literature on ELL students with a focus on the risk factors that characterize this expanding population. Limited English proficiency, disadvantageous socioeconomic status, and different cultural background are identified as the leading factors that influence ELL students’ school outcomes. The authors discuss implications of these risk factors to teacher education and professional development in teaching ELL students.
Register and prosodic variation, a cross language comparison

Abstract It is widely recognized that prosody serves as a cue for information content and for mutual agreement (or lack thereof) among dialogue participants. It is also true that different social situations require dissimilar prosodic strategies. The present paper will address the problem of prosodic prominence and contours on negatives in various interactive and noninteractive registers of Continental French, and will compare the results with those from American English negatives in similar situational contexts. Negatives were studied because they provide vital information—which should be emphasized prosodically to maximize comprehension—yet their presentation can be critical to amicable interaction, and under certain social conditions should be de-emphasized to minimize possible sources of discord. Consequently, analysis of prosody on negatives permits us to juxtapose theories of how language is produced and how it is interpreted. The study will provide evidence of three different loci of prosodic variation: language, culture, and social situation, concluding that each of the three variables influences prosodic realization.
A Brief Intervention to Aid Struggling Students: A Case of Too Much Motivation?

This study examines two interventions for altering achievement goals in an effort to enhance academic success in struggling Introductory Psychology students. The procedures involved an in-class lecture and an interactive computerized tutorial. Both procedures were successful in altering motivation. This led to changes in study activities and increased examination and course grades. In fact, the rate of failure was cut in half in the students who completed the interventions. However, the procedures were not as successful at attracting students who were at risk for academic failure. Only 12% of the target students completed the first intervention while 55% of the target students completed the computerized tutorial. Participation in the computerized intervention was enough to markedly reduce the number of failing grades earned by the class as a whole. Additions and alterations to the interventions are proposed to extend their efficacy. Keywords: achievement goals, goal orientation, academic success, mastery, performance I. Introduction Many teachers firmly believe that motivation is important to the learning process. Most teachers believe that a minimal amount of motivation is necessary and that higher amounts of motivation are better. Teachers often attribute problems in the learning process to a lack of motivation. In this paper, we explore some of the links between motivation and academic success. Our work is informed by a theory, alternatively known as Achievement Motivation Theory or Goal Orientation Theory, which posits that multiple varieties of motivation exist and that moderate levels of some varieties are preferable to high levels of other varieties. In fact, some of the problems in the learning process may result from high levels of particular kinds of motivation. Goal orientation theory suggests that when students engage in a class, they strive to reach one or more goals (Ames & Archer, 1988; Dweck & Leggett, 1988; Harackiewicz, Barron, & Elliot, 1998; Hidi & Harackiewicz, 2000). Two goals are of primary importance: mastery goals and performance goals. Students who adopt mastery goals are interested in learning the material in the class and strive to master that material (Ames, 1992; Blumenfeld, 1992; Dweck & Leggett,
Polyquinoxaline Matrix Resins And Composites

Polyquinoxalines (PQs) are heterocyclic polymers that contain the heteroaromatic benzo [α] pyrazine (quinoxaline) ring along the main chain. They represent an important class of polymers that offer high chemical and thermal stability coupled with high mechanical properties. They are potentially useful as functional resins (e.g., films and coatings) and structural resins (e.g., adhesives and composite matrices) in many applications. In this article, some neat resin properties such as thermal and mechanical properties are presented. The properties of the PQs can be altered by changing the chemical structure of the polymer backbone and also the chemical nature of the pendent group on the quinoxaline ring, and this unique feature provides versatility in designing PQs with an attractive combination of properties for use in specific applications, in particular, matrix resins in fiber-reinforced composites. Keywords: polyquinoxaline; polyphenylquinoxaline; oligomers; isomers; thermogravimetric analysis
HDAC3-selective inhibitor enhances extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior in a persistent manner

Nonspecific histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has been shown to facilitate the extinction of drug-seeking behavior in a manner resistant to reinstatement. A key open question is which specific HDAC is involved in the extinction of drug-seeking behavior. Using the selective HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966, we investigated the role of HDAC3 in extinction and found that systemic treatment with RGFP966 facilitates extinction in mice in a manner resistant to reinstatement. We also investigated whether the facilitated extinction is related to the enhancement of extinction consolidation during extinction learning or to negative effects on performance or reconsolidation. These are key distinctions with regard to any compound being used to modulate extinction, because a more rapid decrease in a defined behavior is interpreted as facilitated extinction. Using an innovative combination of behavioral paradigms, we found that a single treatment of RGFP966 enhances extinction of a previously established cocaine-conditioned place preference, while simultaneously enhancing long-term object-location memory within subjects. During extinction consolidation, HDAC3 inhibition promotes a distinct pattern of histone acetylation linked to gene expression within the infralimbic cortex, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens. Thus, the facilitated extinction of drug-seeking cannot be explained by adverse effects on performance. These results demonstrate that HDAC3 inhibition enhances the memory processes involved in extinction of drug-seeking behavior.
Inactivation of Voltage-Gated Cardiac K+ Channels

Abstract —Inactivation is the process by which an open channel enters a stable nonconducting conformation after a depolarizing change in membrane potential. Inactivation is a widespread property of many different types of voltage-gated ion channels. Recent advances in the molecular biology of K + channels have elucidated two mechanistically distinct types of inactivation, N-type and C-type. N-type inactivation involves occlusion of the intracellular mouth of the pore through binding of a short segment of residues at the extreme N-terminal. In contrast to this “tethered ball” mechanism of N-type inactivation, C-type inactivation involves movement of conserved core domain residues that result in closure of the external mouth of the pore. Although C-type inactivation can show rapid kinetics that approach those observed for N-type inactivation, it is often thought of as a slowly developing and slowly recovering process. Current models of C-type inactivation also suggest that this process involves a relatively localized change in conformation of residues near the external mouth of the permeation pathway. The rate of C-type inactivation and recovery can be strongly influenced by other factors, such as N-type inactivation, drug binding, and changes in [K + ] o . These interactions make C-type inactivation an important biophysical process in determining such physiologically important properties as refractoriness and drug binding. C-type inactivation is currently viewed as arising from small-scale rearrangements at the external mouth of the pore. This review will examine the multiplicity of interactions of C-type inactivation with N-terminal–mediated inactivation and drug binding that suggest that our current view of C-type inactivation is incomplete. This review will suggest that C-type inactivation must involve larger-scale movements of transmembrane-spanning domains and that such movements contribute to the diversity of kinetic properties observed for C-type inactivation.
Effects of Glue on the Bend Performance of Flip Chip Packages

To combat reliability margin loss in ball grid array (BGA) packages specifically in mechanical shock and vibration testing, companies are exploring the possibility of using glue and complete underfill to mitigate risk to second-level interconnects (SLI). Though glue has been demonstrated to have a positive influence on SLI reliability margin, it can have adverse affects on the rest of the package such as substrate or first-level interconnects (FLI). This paper explains details on how glue modulates the overall reliability of the package. Finite-element modeling (FEM) along with low strain rate bend tests was done to prove the effect of glue on solder joint reliability. Further, shock testing was done to demonstrate how the glue modulates the shock performance. The improvement in SLI reliability was highly dependent on the choice of glue.
Outermost Fringe Zone

Along Norway’s eastern border and north of the latitude of Namsos is the Outermost Fringe Zone of settlement (Fig. 1). Of the seven areas, four are very narrow extensions of the zone in Sweden. Two of the others are parts of the OMFZ in Finland and only that S and SW of Karasjok is primarily Norwegian (Fig. 15). It is two-pronged and has maximum dimensions of about 160 km. (100 mi.).
Parameters influencing ovum pickup by oviductal fimbria in the golden hamster

The process whereby hamster oviductal fimbria transport ova to the ampulla was investigated in vitro and in vivo with the intent of determining whether cumulus-free ova were transported and resolving some of the parameters involved in cumulus-isolated from ovaries could not be picked up until 16–17 h before it would be ovulated. This was apparently related to the time at which the cumulus matrix begins to expand. The fimbria were not species-specific, as they readily picked up rat, mouse, and rabbit ovulated cumul, but they were partially tissue-specific as they would only pick up tissues such as the vitreous humor and loose connective tissue, which contain considerable extracellular glycosaminoglycan. Interaction of cumulus and fimbria could be prevented b treating either structure with polycatinic macromolecules such as poly-l-lysine, cationic ferritin, and protamine. Treatment of fimbria with proteolytic enzymes or hyaluronidase did not prevent pickup, but neuraminidase did. The only “artificial cumulus” the fimbria would pick up was chicken egg-white. Cumulus-free ova were not picked up in vitro, but part of them placed into the ovarian bursa were transported to the ampulla in vivo. Coating the ova with chicken egg-white allowed their pickup in vitro, but had little effect on the success of transport of ova transplanted into the ovarian bursa in vivo. The transport of ova from the ovarian bursa to the oviductal ampulla is apparently a rather complex process involving interaction of some component of the cilia surfaces with the cumulus as well as other factors not necessarily related to this interaction.
Evidence for Differences in Immunologic and Pathogenesis Properties of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Strains From the United States and South Africa

Background. Genital infection with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is linked to an increased risk of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, an effective genital herpes vaccine would be an important weapon in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Methods. To test whether a current vaccine candidate can protect against HSV-2 from Sub-Saharan Africa, we examined the ability of an HSV-2 vaccine strain, dl5-29, and other HSV-2 replication-defective mutant strains to protect against genital challenge with US or South African strains in a murine model. Results. Immunization with dl5-29 reduces infection by both viruses but is significantly more efficacious against the US virus than against the African virus. Furthermore, another US vaccine strain was more efficacious against US than against African viruses, and the converse was observed for the parallel African vaccine strain. Nevertheless, protection against the African viruses was significantly less with all vaccines used in this study. Conclusions. We conclude that there may be differences in protective epitopes and pathogenesis between the US and African strains that raise the need for increased doses of the existing vaccine candidate or an HSV-2 vaccine strain based on viruses from that region.
Feasibility of triacylglycerol production for biodiesel, utilizing Rhodococcus opacus as a biocatalyst and fishery waste as feedstock

Abstract Triacylglycerols (TAGs) can be produced via bacterial fermentation by the oleaginous Gram-positive microorganism Rhodococcus opacus strain PD630 in regulated, nutrient-deprived conditions with sufficient carbon supply. Microbially produced TAGs may be further refined via transesterification into biodiesel and glycerol, with 3 mole of biodiesel and 1 mole of glycerol produced from every 1 mole of TAG by chemical conversion. Large-scale industrial production of biodiesel has been conducted for over a decade, yet microbially derived biodiesel has been, up to this point, absent from the biodiesel market. The use of a novel feedstock, chitin, from New England fishery waste may present a viable, cost-effective, unexplored carbon feedstock source for local biodiesel development. Availability and implementation of chitin as a feedstock, along with analysis of potential fuel characteristics, yield promising results for future industrial development of biodiesel production from R. opacus PD630 TAGs in regional locations with large lobster, shrimp, and crab harvesting operations around the world. With declining resources of fossil fuels and increased societal awareness of carbon emissions and climate change, an analytical review of this nature is critically relevant.
The Economics of Non-Convex Ecosystems

Book Review: The Economics of Non-Convex Ecosystems, Partha Dasgupta, Karl-Goran Maler (Eds.). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands (2004).
Temporal Dynamics in Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities of Three Perennial Grassland Species

Rhizodeposition is considered a primary reason for the plant identity effect. However, the detection of distinct rhizosphere bacterial communities (RBC) with different plant species has been variable. The aim of this study was to examine the potential explanations for this variability using three perennial grassland species. In a Kansas field experiment, over two growing seasons, we sampled RBC during the active growth and flowering stages of Agrostis gigantea, Andropogon gerardii and Helianthus maximiliani to: (1) determine the extent of the plant identity effect among these species and if the effect was maintained over time; (2) assess if RBC showed seasonal patterns, corresponding to plant phenology; and (3) examine if soil properties were important for structuring these communities. We found that Helianthus RBC were distinct from those of Agrostis and Andropogon only when Helianthus was flowering. Further, Helianthus RBC exhibited seasonal shifts corresponding to plant phenology. In contrast, Agrostis and Andropogon RBC were similar over time and exhibited gradual non-seasonal changes in compositions. Similar results were observed when accounting for soil properties. Overall, the observance of a plant identity effect depended on the plant species and when RBC were sampled. The seasonality of RBC also depended on the plant species examined.
Tracking body fat distribution during growth: using measurements at two occasions vs one.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether within-individual variation is a factor in the generally reported poor tracking of central body fat distribution (CBFD) during development and whether two measurements of CBFD during each measurement occasion would improve the estimate of tracking over time. METHODS: A longitudinal study compared the results of two measurements of body fat (BF) and CBFD during each measurement occasion to the results of one measurement of BF and CBFD during each occasion every 4 months over 1–3 y. A total of 345 boys and 333 girls in three age cohorts of 8, 11 and 14 y at baseline were examined. BF variables were: body mass index (BMI); fat mass and percentage body fat from bioelectrical impedance; two skinfold sums; and abdominal circumference. CBFD variables were: waist/hip and waist/thigh ratios; conicity; and log upper-lower skinfold ratio. RESULTS: Three-year tracking of BF varied from 0.79 to 0.90 for one- and from 0.81 to 0.93 for two-occasion measurements showing no apparent sex- or cohort-effects. Three-year tracking of CBFD was lower than that of BF (0.68–0.75), but improved significantly with two-occasion measurements (0.75–0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Within-individual variation is a significant factor in reported low tracking of CBFD in childhood. Estimates of tracking currently in the literature may underestimate the predictive value of CBFD, possibly because this research has used one-occasion measurement. The increased use of two-occasion measurement should significantly improve the tracking of CBFD during development and provide a more realistic understanding of its predictive value.
Coagulation abnormalities in patients with hydrocephalus and ventricular-jugular

The presence of silastic prostheses and tubing in the circulation is now recognized to produce alterations in hemostasis. Stimulated by the observation of severe disseminated intravascular coagulation in a child with a clotted V.J. shunt and the recognition that obstruction to such catheters is one of the undesirable complications of its use in children with hydrocephalus, coagulation studies were performed in 25 asymptomatic children with V.J. shunts. Prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, Factor V and VIII levels and platelet counts were normal in all. In 2 of the patients the thrombin time was prolonged and in 1 of these patients significant increases in the level of fibrin split products were demonstrable. In 4 patients platelet survivals, using Cr51 labeled platelets, were performed. In 2 the survival was; significantly reduced. Patients in whom coagulation abnormalities or shortened platelet survival were present developed obstructive complications in their shunts. It would appear that catheter problems can be anticipated by performance of coagulation studies. The use of aspirin and dipyridamole, agents which inhibit platelet aggregation in vivo, may provide a means. of eliminating the complication of shunt obstruction.
Dynamic hysteresis in monolith reactors and hysteresis effects during co-oxidation of CO and C2H6

Abstract In many laboratory catalytic reactors light-off curves describing the exit conversion versus inlet gas temperature do not follow the same path during ramp up and ramp down and this leads to dynamic hysteresis. This dynamic hysteresis, which may occur even under ideal conditions (e.g. plug flow and negligible heat effects) is fundamentally different from the steady-state hysteresis which is due to heat effects and thermal feedback. We present expressions for the width of the dynamic hysteresis loop as a function of the ramp rate, solid to gas heat capacity ratio, space time and the heat Peclet number, for the limiting cases of pseudo-homogeneous and two phase plug flow models with negligible heat effects ( Δ T ad = 0 ). We review the conditions under which steady-state hysteresis can exist for a finite Δ T ad and demonstrate the combined impact of steady-state and dynamic hysteresis effects. We study the light-off behavior and dynamic hysteresis during the co-oxidation of CO + C 2 H 6 mixture on Pt / Al 2 O 3 . It is found that 1% of CO alone ignites at 473 K whereas 500 ppm of C 2 H 6 alone ignites at 723 K. The exotherm generated by the CO oxidation can reduce the ignition temperature of C 2 H 6 during the co-oxidation of CO and C 2 H 6 . Bifurcation diagrams of solid exit temperature versus fluid inlet temperature for different inlet compositions illustrate the simultaneous as well as separate ignitions for CO and C 2 H 6 . Each 1% increase in the CO feed mole percentage decreases C2H6 ignition temperature by about 80 °C. A feed of 3% CO is required for simultaneous ignition of a mixture of CO and 500 ppm of C 2 H 6 .
Efficacy of nicorandil on stable angina

Objective To investigate the efficacy of nicorandil on stable angina.Methods 132 patients,hospitalized in our hospital from April 2011 to October 2011,were divided into two groups.68 patients in control group received regular drugs according to guideline,and 64 patients in treatment group took 5 miligrams nicorandil daily except regular drugs.Symptoms and electrocardiogram changes were investigated before and one month after treatment.Results After one month treatment,the effective rates in treatment group(76.6%) is significantly higher than that in control group(51.5%).There were no significant differences in side effect of the two groups(P=0.52).Conclusion Nicorandil is an effective drug to treat stable angina.