cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Crystal Structure of Polytetrafluoroethylene, Forms I and IV

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is unusual among polymers in that it has four crystal phases, designated I–IV, with two of the phases (I, IV) incorporating substantial angular motion (librations) of linear segments within a precisely defined lateral lattice array. Data not included in the authors' earlier publications are presented to interpret two unsolved aspects of the crystal structure: 1) the narrow (11K) range of Form IV (1 atm) and 2) the possibility of another transition in Form I. The existence of Form IV is attributed to an “energy well” from space group P31. The molecular behavior in Form I is attributed to (L–R) molecular defects (changes in chirality) that increase rapidly in number and speed of translation along the axis with increasing temperature.
The chemistry of cerumen; a preliminary report.

There is some chemical and pathologic evidence to suggest that a prevalent and widely distributed form of external otitis may be caused by a malfunction of the epidermal glands of the skin of the ear canal (1, 2). The ultimate purpose of this investigation is the development of microchemical technics for the determination of the normal constituents of ear secretions so that it may be possible to detect changes from the normal. With such information available, a means of prophylaxis and therapy may be evolved.
Effects of gas composition and r.f. power on properties of a–C:H/SiC:H composite films grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The effects of precursor gas composition and radio frequency (r.f.) power on the optical and structural properties of a–C:H/SiC:H composite thin films are investigated. The composite films are deposited at 25°C in a 13.56 MHz, r.f. driven asymmetric plasma reactor from a mixture of benzene, tetramethylsilane (TMS) and hydrogen. The structure and properties of the films are evaluated by an ellipsometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a stress gauge, and an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer. The FTIR spectra of the composite films show characteristic peaks of a–C:H and a-SiC:H components. The precursor gas composition and r.f. power input are shown to affect the optical and structural properties of the composite and r.f. power input are shown to affect the optical and structural properties of the composite films significantly. As the fraction of TMS in the feed gas is increased, the deposition rate, transparency, and optical band gap of the film are increased, while the refractive index, intrinsic stress, and graphitization of the film are decreased. As the r.f. power is increased at a constant reactor pressure, the negative self-bias voltage at the substrate holder is increased and this results in decreases in the optical band gap, and increases in the intrinsic compressive stress and graphitization of the film.
Mineralization in the chick embryo

The chemical and physical maturation of the bone salt was studied by serial observations on its stoichiometric and infrared characteristics in avian bone from early embryonic mineral deposition to full maturity after hatching. The sequence of chemical transformations in the developing bone showed most predominantly an inverse relationship between acid phosphate and carbonate, coincident with the formation of CO3-apatite. The data are consistent with the view that CO32− is substituted for HPO42− in the synthesis of CO3-apatite in bone.
The effect of temperature on the respiration of cultured neural cells as studied by a novel electron paramagnetic resonance technique

Abstract A new technique to study cellular respiration under steady-state conditions id described. For detection of oxygen concentration the technique utilizes lithium phthalocyanine crystals whose, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra are highly sensitive to oxygen. A gas permeable poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (TFE) capillary (i.d. = 0.81 mm; o.d. = 0.86 mm) is used to control the oxygen flux to the sample of cultured neural cells (N1E-115) of 50 μl volume. The measured oxygen permeability of the TFE capillary exhibits Arrhenius law behavior (Ep = 21.2 kJ/mole) in the temperature range 15–43°C. The observed increase in the respiratory rate of the N1E-115 cells with temperature can be described with an apparent activation energy of Ea = 110 ± 20 kJ/mol. Cellular depolarization with 35 mM KCl increases the respiratory rate of the cells but gives the same activation energy. The results confirm a hypothesis that respiratory depolarizers affect only the total enzyme concentration and do not change the apparent Ea of the substrate-enzyme decomposition reaction. The theoretical treatment of oxygen diffusion in the system provides guidelines for designing steady-state cellular respiration experiments.
The initialization of nonlinear waves using an adjustment scheme

Abstract A procedure for initializing nonlinear free-surface simulations is developed and validated. Numerical simulations of nonlinear progressive waves are prone to developing spurious high-frequency standing waves unless the flow field is given sufficient time to adjust. An adjustment procedure is developed that allows nonlinear free-surface simulations to be initialized with linear solutions. The adjustment scheme allows the natural development of nonlinear self-wave (locked modes) and wave–wave (free modes) interactions. The implementation of the adjustment procedure is illustrated using a high-order spectral method. Comparisons are made to fully-nonlinear Stokes waves and Schrodinger theory.
Electrical Impedance of Ionic Polymeric Metal Composites

In recent years the use of ionic polymer metal composites such as Nafion-based platinum ionomers have emerged as electroactive polymer materials with great potential for robotics and other applications. An effective activation of these materials requires understanding of their mechanism of operation. Generally, the material needs to be maintained hydrated to assure its electromechanical activity. To allow the control of the response of the material, a study is underway to investigate the electrical response. Particular emphasis is placed on possible electrochemical reactions and deviations from linear dielectric behavior. Currently, efforts are made to determine the necessary drive characteristics of the source to allow low power operation (≤ 1.0 W) of the material as an actuator.
WHAT EXPERTS THINK TEACHERS OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT1

The first phase of the work has been to develop "an ideal list" of competencies in measurement for the beginning teacher with a bachelor's degree. The Outline of Needed Competencies from the NCME Committee on Pre-Service Preparation of Teachers in Educational Measurement was the starting point. This was published verbatim in the last issue of the NCME Newsletter. With the help of the NCME Committee as an Advisory Committee for the research project and through the project staff, the original Outline was translated into a Checklist in behavioral terms. An attempt was made to state behaviors as functional competencies rather than as mere semantic understandings. Reference to Table 1 shows the 70 Checklist statements worded exactly as they were submitted to the experts, but arranged in rank order of judged importance. Table 2 presents a distribution of ratings in terms of the four main content categories derived from the NCME Committee's original Outline.
Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) in Sjögren’s syndrome: a case report and a review of the literature

Sjogren's disease is one of the most common rheumatological diseases and can present with a variety of extra-glandular manifestations. Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonitis (LIP) is the most common lung pathology in these patients. It is important to know and recognize this condition because it is potentially treatable. It is also frequently misdiagnosed and treated as infectious pneumonia multiple times before the correct diagnosis is made. It is a benign lymphoproliferative disorder characterized histologically by interstitial infiltration with polyclonal lymphocytes and plasma cells. High-resolution CT scan of the lungs shows extensive areas of ground-glass attenuation and interlobular septal thickening with scattered thin-walled cysts. An open-lung biopsy is the best method of diagnosing this condition, as less invasive techniques do not provide an adequate tissue specimen. LIP occurs in a wide variety of settings such as autoimmune disease, HIV disease, and as an adverse reaction to some medications; it is, therefore, considered to be a nonspecific response to many stimuli. The treatment usually consists of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants, though there have been no controlled trials to date. Establishment of a registry may help better evaluate and treat this disease. We present the case of a patient who was diagnosed with LIP secondary to Sjogren's syndrome and also review the literature available.
Modelling of freeway merging and diverging flow dynamics

In this paper, a new high-order continuum model for a freeway with merging and diverging geometries is presented. Three formulations describing traffic friction at freeway merging or diverging areas are reviewed. A new formulation for traffic friction is proposed and compared with the existing formulations based on tests against field data. In addition, a numerical modification for avoiding unjustified upstream flow propagation that has been observed in high-order models is developed. For this purpose, a Riemann problem-based method, namely the Harten-Lax-van Leer (HLLE) flux-difference splitting method, is employed. Intuitive tests demonstrate that such an approach can be very successful in preventing the flow from moving at negative speed. Field data tests for merging and diverging freeway geometries show that implementation of the proposed high-order model with the HLLE method yields low error levels and is more accurate than the simple continuum model at congested flows. Furthermore the proposed formulation for traffic friction seems to yield a smaller error in volume than the existing formulations. In addition the proposed high-order model is less sensitive to the choice of the speed-density relationship.
Genetic analysis of ultraviolet radiation-induced skin hyperplasia and neoplasia in a laboratory marsupial model (Monodelphis domestica)

Monodelphis domestica, the laboratory opossum, develops hyperplasia and neoplasia of shaved skin after repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We exposed Monodelphis from genetically diverse families within our colony to determine whether there are any heritable components to the risk of two distinct skin lesion phenotypes-melanocytic nevus (MN) and advanced hyperkeratosis (HK). From about 5 months of age, animals were shaved and exposed three times a week to a dose of about 125 J/m2 of UVR (spectral peak, 302 nm; range, 280–400 nm). Of 33 sibships (151 individuals) that completed at least 30 weeks of the protocol, 137 completed 45 weeks. For genetic analyses, each animal was classified at 30 and 45 weeks as affected with MN and HK or not affected. Heritabilities were estimated using a variance decomposition approach. Susceptibility to MN showed no significant evidence for a genetic component at 30 or 45 weeks. In sharp contrast, susceptibility to HK was under virtually complete genetic control (heritability, 0.999; P<0.001) at 30 weeks, and had a moderately high heritability (0.702; P<0.001) at 45 weeks. We conclude that this model has great potential for identifying genes that confer susceptibility to UVR-induced skin lesions and for investigating environmental factors that may contribute to the increasing incidence of skin cancer in human populations.
Additional Sex Combs-Like 2 Is Required for Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 Binding at Select Targets

Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins are epigenetic repressors of gene expression. The Drosophila Additional sex combs (Asx) gene and its mammalian homologs exhibit PcG function in genetic assays; however, the mechanism by which Asx family proteins mediate gene repression is not well understood. ASXL2, one of three mammalian homologs for Asx, is highly expressed in the mammalian heart and is required for the maintenance of cardiac function. We have previously shown that Asxl2 deficiency results in a reduction in the bulk level of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), a repressive mark generated by the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2). Here we identify several ASXL2 target genes in the heart and investigate the mechanism by which ASXL2 facilitates their repression. We show that the Asxl2-deficient heart is defective in converting H3K27me2 to H3K27me3 and in removing ubiquitin from mono-ubiquitinated histone H2A. ASXL2 and PRC2 interact in the adult heart and co-localize to target promoters. ASXL2 is required for the binding of PRC2 and for the enrichment of H3K27me3 at target promoters. These results add a new perspective to our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate PcG activity and gene repression.
Amazon deforestation: Rates and patterns of land cover change and fragmentation in Pando, northern Bolivia, 1986 to 2005

Much research has focused on deforestation in the Amazon, particularly with proximity to roads and population centers as proximate causes. This research presents the analysis of rates and patterns ...
Teaching Autistic and Severely Handicapped Children to Recruit Praise: Acquisition and Generalization.

Autistic and severely handicapped children were taught to ask questions (e.g., "How did I do?") and make requests (e.g., "Check it out") to recruit or set the occasion for praise from an adult. Teaching occurred during structured sessions in a community-based group home. Generalization of the children's use of these behaviors was evaluated during other activities in the teaching area, with other staff members in different areas of the home, and at each child's academic classroom. The children learned the behaviors to cue or set the occasion for praise independently and used these behaviors in all of the generalization settings. In the generalizations settings, the children were frequently successful in recruiting praise.
Analysis of Porous Wick Heat Pipes, Including Capillary Dry-Out Limitations

A complete numerical analysis of heat pipes is performed with no empirical correlations while including the flow in a wick. The numerical model is validated from experimental and numerical work. Single and multiple heat sources were used as well as constant, convective and radiative heat sinks. The numerical model does not fix the internal pressure references by a point, but allows is to rise and fall based on the physics of the problem. Also, the capillary pressure needed in the wick to drive the flow is obtained for various heating configurations and powers. These capillary pressures, in conjunction with an analysis that predicts the maximum capillary pressure for a given heating load is used to determine the dry-out limitations of a heat pipe.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The extension and completion of the universal measure and the dual of the space of measures

Abstract Every vector measure μ factors uniquely by μ = \ gm ° χ where χ is a universal measure and \ gm is a linear map continuous on simple functions in the strict topology. The completion of χ describes the dual of the space of measures by uniform closure based on χ-measurable sets and also as the completion of the simple functions in the strict topology.
“Mesonephroma” of the ovary. A report of five cases

The clinical and pathologic findings of five cases of “mesonephroma” of the ovary are reported. A discussion of the histogenesis of these lesions is presented. Four of the five cases showed evidence of metastasis. Two of the four cases with metastases died 4 and 8 months after the diagnosis was made. Three patients are alive, well and show no evidence of recurrence at the present time after periods of 7, 9 and 12 years. Two of these patients had metastases at the time the diagnosis was first made.
Economics and the social reality of prisons

Abstract On both sides of the Atlantic penal history is the object of a resurgent and revisionist interest. American historical scholarship conceptualized the prison as a natural result of humanitarian reforms in a society characterized by social and political consensus. European scholars and the radical or new criminologists in America, however, challenged this traditional view by linking the prison to the clash between social and economic classes in a society characterized by conflict. In spite of the existence of some theoretical literature that emphasizes a general economic relationship to law creation and criminality, American penal historians have ignored the possible importance of this theoretical perspective to an explanation of the origin and development of prisons. This study is an attempt to evaluate the importance of economic forces to the creation and development of the prison in America.
Noradrenergic innervation of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe: demonstration by electron microscopic autoradiography.

Summary In this study, noradrenergic (NE) terminals in the dorsal raphe were identified by [ 3 H]NE electron microscopic (EM) autoradiography. Lesioning of NE terminals by treatment with the selective catecholamine neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine produced a marked decrease in NE-labelled terminals. [ 3 H]5-HT EM autoradiography of the dorsal raphe produced labelling of cell bodies, dendrites and axons but labelled terminals with synaptic junctions were not observed. Serotonergic (5-HT) neurons were identified at an early state of degeneration following treatment with the selective 5-HT neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). When both [ 3 H]NE autoradiography and 5,7-DHT lesioning were combined, a majority of NE-labelled terminals, which formed synaptic specializations, innervated degenerating dendrites. These findings suggest that NE terminals directly innervate 5-HT cells in the dorsal raphe.
Characterizing the oxygen-oxygen interaction in the dinitramide anion.

Atomic interactions between oxygen atoms have been analyzed in terms of the Theory of Atoms in Molecules for the biguanidium dinitramide and biguanidium bis-dinitramide crystals. The electron density has been derived from X-ray diffraction data obtained at 90 K, and the potential energy density has been calculated using the density functional approach. Bond critical points have been found on the O(1)···O(4) interatomic line in both the electron density and potential energy density gradient fields. The bond path and its associated virial path have been obtained. The interaction has been identified as a bonding closed-shell type interaction.
Raman spectrum of vitreous As2S3

Abstract The spontaneous Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman spectrum of vitreous As2S3 is reported. The spectrum was recorded with both HeNe and Ar ion laser excitation lines in the transmission and reflection modes respectively. Spectra were recorded at various temperatures between 20°K and 465°K, the softening temperature of As2S3 glass. It is shown conclusively that the quasicontinous scattering observed at low wave number shifts (
Universe creation from the third-quantized vacuum

Third quantization leads to a Hilbert space containing a third-quantized vacuum in which no universes are present as well as multiuniverse states. We consider the possibility of universe creation for the special case where the universe emerges in a no-particle state. The probability of such a creation is computed from both the path-integral and operator formalisms.
Human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid in cervical carcinoma from primary and metastatic sites

Tissue from 13 cervical cancers and pelvic or para-aortic lymph nodes from the same patient were evaluated by deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization with a human papillomavirus type 16 deoxyribonucleic acid probe for the presence of human papillomavirus-related deoxyribonucleic acid sequences. Twelve of the primary malignancies were squamous cancers and one was an adenocarcinoma. Eight of the primary tumors contained human papillomavirus type 16 deoxyribonucleic acid sequences, and five contained viral sequences closely related to human papillomavirus type 16. Histopathologic diagnosis confirmed malignant cells in six of 13 lymph nodes; three of these specimens contained human papillomavirus type 16 sequences while three had human papillomavirus type 16-related sequences. One lymph node that failed to show malignant cells also contained human papillomavirus type 16 deoxyribonucleic acid. The remaining lymph nodes did not contain malignant cells by either histologic examination or deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization. The human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid sequences in the lymph nodes were similar to those in the matched primary cancer in all cases. These data provide further evidence implicating human papillomavirus in the etiology of cervical cancer.
Structures of DMF solvated potassium and sodium salts of [Fe(CO)4]2− and [M2(CO)8]2− (M = Fe, Ru)

Abstract An electrostatic interaction was detected between an alkali metal cation and the [Fe(CO)4]2− anion in the extended two-dimensional structure of [{K(DMF)}2Fe(CO)4]∞, 1, and extended three-dimensional structure of [{Na(DMF)1.25}2Fe(CO)4]∞, 2. The existence of such an interaction is supported by observed short K–Fe and Na–Fe distances of 3.594(1) A and 2.899(1) A and short K–C and Na–C distances of 3.080(3) A and 2.792(4) A. In addition to the electrostatic interactions, typical isocarbonyl linkages were also existed between the alkali metal cation and the [Fe(CO)4]2− anion. These two interactions lead to the extended multi-dimensional structures of 1 and 2. The [Fe(CO)4]2− anion basically retains tetrahedral geometry in 1 and 2, different from that in the complexes Na2[Fe(CO)4]·1.5(C4H8O2) and K2[Fe(CO)4] in which the [Fe(CO)4]2− anion is significantly distorted from a tetrahedral arrangement. The structures of [Na(DMF)3]2[M2(CO)8] (M = Fe, 3; Ru, 4) are isomorphous. They are ion pair complexes in which the [M2(CO)8]2− anions consist of two trigonal bipyramidal M(CO)4 fragments joined at axial sites. The cations have trigonal antiprismatic coordination geometry. The structure of the [Fe2(CO)8]2− anion is similar to that in the [PPN]+ and [PPh4]+ salts. The structure of the [Ru2(CO)8]2− anion differs from that previously reported for [PPh4][Ru2(CO)8]. In that case the dianion consists of a trigonal–bipyramidal Ru(CO)4 fragment joined to a basal site of a four-sided pyramidal Ru(CO)4 fragment.
Ramsey-minimal saturation numbers for matchings

Given a family of graphs F, a graph G is F-saturated if no element of F is a subgraph of G, but for any edge e in G@?, some element of F is a subgraph of G+e. Let sat(n,F) denote the minimum number of edges in an F-saturated graph of order n, which we refer to as the saturation number or saturation function of F. If F={F}, then we instead say that G is F-saturated and write sat(n,F). For graphs G,H"1,...,H"k, we write that G->(H"1,...,H"k) if every k-coloring of E(G) contains a monochromatic copy of H"i in color i for some i. A graph G is (H"1,...,H"k)-Ramsey-minimal if G->(H"1,...,H"k) but for any e@?G, (G-e)@?->(H"1,...,H"k). Let R"m"i"n(H"1,...,H"k) denote the family of (H"1,...,H"k)-Ramsey-minimal graphs. In this paper, motivated in part by a conjecture of Hanson and Toft (1987), we prove that sat(n,R"m"i"n(m"1K"2,...,m"kK"2))=3(m"1+...+m"k-k) for m"1,...,m"k>=1 and n>3(m"1+...+m"k-k), and we also characterize the saturated graphs of minimum size. The proof of this result uses a new technique, iterated recoloring, which takes advantage of the structure of H"i-saturated graphs to determine the saturation number of R"m"i"n(H"1,...,H"k).
Effect of Fumaropimaric Acid on Mouse Complement and Immunological Tolerance

SummaryInhibition of C hemolytic activity by administration of fumaropimaric acid resulted in development of immune response to tolerogenic deaggregated HGG. Mice equally treated but without FPA regularly developed immunological tolerance. From these and prior studies the conclusion can be drawn that C activity of blood is involved in some way in development of immunologic tolerance.
Repetitive Mechanical Responses of the Amphibian Skin to Adrenergic Stimulation

Mechanical responses of the amphibian nerve-skin preparation to adrenergic stimulation were investigated by recording pressure changes at the skin surface with a piezo-electric sensor. When a dilute epinephrine (or norepinephrine) solution was applied to the inner skin surface, repetitive mechanical responses, representing quick swelling of the skin repeating at more or less regular intervals of about 1 min, were frequently observed. In about 10% of the preparations, the skin was found to undergo repetitive quick shrinkage (instead of swelling) under practically indistinguishable experimental conditions. Rapid volume changes occurring in the cytoplasmic gel of the gland cells are considered to be at the base of these repetitive mechanical responses.
Pathophysiology of normal perfusion pressure breakthrough: more than just abnormal arteries …

We read with great interest the article ‘Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough phenomenon: what still remains unknown’ by Gutierrez-Gonzalez et al., published in British Journal of Neurosurgery.1N...
Partial Breast Reconstruction: Current Perspectives

The popularity of breast conservation therapy for the management of women with breast cancer continues to rise. To preserve cosmesis or broaden the indications for breast conservation therapy in some situations, plastic surgeons are now being challenged with the reconstruction of partial mastectomy defects. Numerous techniques exist, either at the time of resection or following radiation, and the decision of which to use depends on breast size, tumor size, and tumor location. Women with unfavorable defects in smaller breasts will often benefit from volume replacement techniques, such as local fasciocutaneous or myocutaneous flaps, without the need for a symmetry procedure. Women with moderate or larger breasts (with or without ptosis) and the potential for an unfavorable result also have the option for volume displacement procedures using local tissue rearrangement techniques to reshape the breast mound. As these are volume reduction procedures, they often require a contralateral procedure for symmetry. The extent of resection (lumpectomy versus quandantectomy) will also influence the type of reconstruction. Patient selection, surgical technique, margin status, and appropriate follow-up are crucial to maximize both oncological safety and cosmesis. The reconstruction of partial mastectomy defects will likely gain popularity as we continue to demonstrate safe and effective treatment algorithms with larger series and longer follow-up in an attempt to minimize locoregional disease and maximize cosmetic outcome.
The Benefits of Mutualism: A Conceptual Framework

Summary There are three general mechanisms by which phenotypic benefits are transferred between unrelated organisms. First, one organism may purloin benefits from another by preying on or parasitizing the other organism. Second, one organism may enjoy benefits that are incidental to or a by-product of the self-serving traits of another organism. Third, an organism may invest in another organism if that investment produces return benefits which outweigh the cost of the investment. Interactions in which both parties gain a net benefit are mutualistic. The three mechanisms by which benefits are transferred between organisms can be combined in pairs to produce six possible kinds of original or ‘basal’ mutualisms that can arise from an amutualistic state. A review of the literature suggests that most or all interspecific mutualism have origins in three of the six possible kinds of basal mutualism. Each of these three basal mutualisms have byproduct benefits flowing in at least one direction. The transfer of by-product benefits and investment are common to both intra- and interspecific mutualisms, so that some interspecific mutualisms have intraspecific analogs. A basal mutualism may evolve to the point where each party invests in the other, sometimes obscuring the nature of the original interaction along the way. Two prominent models for the evolution of mutualism do not include by-product benefits: Roughgarden's model for the evolution of the damsel-fish anemone mutualism and the ‘Tit-for-Tat’ model of reciprocity. Using the conceptual framework presented here, including in particular by-product benefits, I have shown how it is possible to construct more parsimonious alternatives to both models.
Dense wavelength division multiplexing of fibre Bragg grating sensors using CDMA

The dense wavelength division multiplexing of fibre Bragg grating sensors is demonstrated by combining code division and wavelength division multiplexing schemes. This approach allows close spectral spacing among Bragg grating sensors without sensor spectral dynamic range limitation.
An extended divide-and-conquer algorithm for a generalized class of multibody constraints

An extension to the divide-and-conquer algorithm (DCA) is presented in this paper to model constrained multibody systems. The constraints of interest are those applied to the system due to the inverse dynamics or control laws rather than the kinematically closed loops which have been studied in the literature. These imposed constraints are often expressed in terms of the generalized coordinates and speeds. A set of unknown generalized constraint forces must be considered in the equations of motion to enforce these algebraic constraints. In this paper dynamics of this class of multibody constrained systems is formulated using a Generalized-DCA. In this scheme, introducing dynamically equivalent forcing systems, each generalized constraint force is replaced by its dynamically equivalent spatial constraint force applied from the appropriate parent body to the associated child body at the connecting joint without violating the dynamics of the original system. The handle equations of motion are then formulated considering these dynamically equivalent spatial constraint forces. These equations in the GDCA scheme are used in the assembly and disassembly processes to solve for the states of the system, as well as the generalized constraint forces and/or Lagrange multipliers.
Benchmarks in Clinical Productivity: A National Comprehensive Cancer Network Survey

Purpose Oncologists in academic cancer centers usually generate professional fees that are insufficient to cover salaries and other expenses, despite significant clinical activity; therefore, supplemental funding is frequently required in order to support competitive levels of physician compensation. Relative value units (RVUs) allow comparisons of productivity across institutions and practice locations and provide a reasonable point of reference on which funding decisions can be based. Methods We reviewed the clinical productivity and other characteristics of oncology physicians practicing in 13 major academic cancer institutions with membership or shared membership in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). The objectives of this study were to develop tools that would lead to better-informed decision making regarding practice management and physician deployment in comprehensive cancer centers and to determine benchmarks of productivity using RVUs accrued by physicians at each institution. Thre...
Water chemistry and dissolution kinetics of waste-form glasses

A simplified water chemistry program was developed for determining the chemical speciation of a solution. This was combined with a linear, first-order kinetic equation to produce a model of the kinetics of dissolution of a nuclear waste glass which includes effects of groundwater flow. Calculations are presented for four waste glasses, giving the rate of glass dissolution in both pure water and a solution intended to simulate basalt groundwater. The calculations are performed for the case of dissolution in a static volume of groundwater and for the case of steady-state dissolution in flowing groundwater. Inclusion of the effects of water chemistry on the solubility of silicon is found to increase the rate of glass dissolution in the case of pure water but to either increase or decrease it in the case of the simulated groundwater, depending upon the glass composition. Implications of the results for prediction of the long-term behavior of a nuclear waste glass are discussed.
Transitioning streaming to trapping in DC insulator-based dielectrophoresis for biomolecules

Exploiting dielectrophoresis (DEP) to concentrate and separate biomolecules has recently shown large potential as a microscale bioanalytical tool. Such efforts however require tailored devices and knowledge of all interplaying transport mechanisms competing with dielectrophoresis (DEP). Specifically, a strong DEP contribution to the overall transport mechanism is necessary to exploit DEP of biomolecules for analytical applications such as separation and fractionation. Here, we present improved microfluidic devices combining optical lithography and focused ion beam milling (FIBM) for the manipulation of DNA and proteins using insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) and direct current (DC) electric fields. Experiments were performed on an elastomer platform forming the iDEP microfluidic device with integrated nanoposts and nanopost arrays. Microscale and nanoscale iDEP was studied for λ-DNA (48.5 kbp) and the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). Numerical simulations were adapted to the various tested geometries revealing excellent qualitative agreement with experimental observations for streaming and trapping DEP. Both the experimental and simulation results indicate that DC iDEP trapping for λ-DNA occurs with tailored nanoposts fabricated via FIBM. Moreover, streaming iDEP concentration of BSA is improved with integrated nanopost arrays by a factor of 45 compared to microfabricated arrays.
Petrology and geochemistry of mafic rocks from the Cayman Trench: Evidence for spreading

Rocks dredged from 16 localities withing the Cayman Trench suggest a crustal sequence identical to that reported from the mid-oceanic ridge. Serpentinites, serpentinized peridotites, cumulate mafic rocks, and gabbros crop out deep along the precipitous north-trending ridges. Numerous basalts and dolerites crop out somewhat higher, along with minor amounts of limestone and sediment. Major-element variations and trace-element abundances substantiate the abyssal tholeiitic nature of the basalts and indicate possible shallow fractionation from a primary melt in the upper mantle. A combination of dynamic, hydrothermal, and contact metamorphism near the axial valley is proposed to explain the observed metamorphic features. The geochemical data, along with pubulished geophysical evidence, support the hypothesis of a mid-Cayman spreading center in this tectonically complex region.
A 2H and 14N NMR study of molecular motion in polycrystalline choline salts

Abstract 2 H and 14 N solid-state NMR spectra of polycrystalline choline chloride, bromide, and iodide indicate that 180° cation flipping motion occurs in all three salts. From the temperature dependence of these spectra, the activation energy for this motion is determined to be 5.8 ± I kcal/mol in the iodide salt and 11 ± 1.5 kcal/mol in the chloride salt. In the bromide salt the reorientation rate is too rapid to be determined from the NMR lineshape, but the temperature dependence of the 2 H quadrupole coupling parameters is indicative of a second-order phase transition at approximately 273 K. The spectral distortions in the 14 N NMR spectra of the chloride and iodide salts are adequately explained using the motional model derived from the 2 H NMR results, while the 14 N spectra of the bromide salt show no motional effects. The axis of reorientation which is inferred from these data appears to be consistent with that indicated in a previous X-ray crystallographic study.
Social relationships and groups: New insights on embodied and distributed cognition

The field of social psychology - defined by its focus on the social aspects of human cognition and behavior - has in recent years begun to make contact with emerging perspectives in the cognitive sciences generally, especially the themes of embodiment and distributed cognition. This chapter reviews contributions of social psychology in these areas, with a particular focus on the intersection of embodied and distributed cognition. Research regarding embodiment in psychology and cognitive science has generally focused on implications of embodiment for individual-level functioning - for example, on the role of sensori-motor systems in mental representations. But embodied cues also contribute to relational functioning - linking the perceiver to other people - and thereby influence a broad array of social/relational processes, such as liking, interpersonal coordination, and prosocial behavior. In the area of distributed cognition, research in social psychology on group interaction and problem-solving, and in cognitive science on collective search tasks, is now converging on powerful and insightful descriptions of the processes that allow a group to discover good potential solutions without closing off consideration of diverse alternatives. Research in this area has only begun to incorporate the insights of the embodiment principle, which offers interesting and novel hypotheses for potential exploration.
Holocene coral reef accretion in Hawaii : a function of wave exposure and sea level history

In the high Hawaiian Islands, significant accretion due to coral reef growth is limited by wave exposure and sea level. Holocene coral growth and reef accretion was measured at four stations off Oahu, Hawaii, chosen along a gradient in wave energy from minimum to maximum exposures. The results show that coral growth of living colonies (linear extension) at optimal depths is comparable at all stations (7.7–10.1 mm/y), but significant reef accretion occurs only at wave sheltered stations. At wave sheltered stations in Hanauma Bay and Kaneohe Bay, rates of long term reef accretion are about 2.0 mm/y. At wave exposed stations, off Mamala Bay and Sunset Beach, reef accretion rates are virtually zero in both shallow (1 m) and deeper (optimal) depths (12 m). At wave sheltered stations, such as Kaneohe Bay and Hanauma Bay, Holocene reef accretion is on the order of 10–15 m thick. At wave exposed stations, Holocene accretion is represented by only a thin veneer of living corals resting on antecedent Pleistocene limestone foundations. Modern coral communities in wave exposed environments undergo constant turnover associated with mortality and recruitment or re-growth of fragmented colonies and are rarely thicker than a single living colony. Breakage, scour, and abrasion of living corals during high wave events appears to be the major source of mortality and ultimately limits accretion to wave sheltered environments. Depth is particularly important as a modulator of wave energy. The lack of coral reef accretion along shallow open ocean coastlines may explain the absence of mature barrier reefs in the high Hawaiian Islands.
Comparative effects of early weaning or once-daily suckling on occurrence of postpartum estrus in primiparous beef cows

Abstract We concurrently evaluated early weaning and once-daily suckling as options for shortening postpartum interval to estrus in primiparous cows calving in good body condition. Over 2 consecutive years, a total of 77 primiparous cows were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: control (ad libitum suckling); once-daily suckling (for 30 d prior to start of breeding); or early weaning (calves weaned 30 d prior to start of breeding). All cows had a body condition score (BCS) of ≥ 5 at parturition and were maintained in good condition throughout the breeding season. Cows were observed for estrus twice daily and blood samples for subsequent measurement of progesterone were collected at 48-h intervals. For data analysis, cows were divided into early- (≥85 d post partum) and late-calving ( 0.10).
Couples' patterns of adjustment to colon cancer

The objectives for this longitudinal study were to: (a) compare colon cancer patients' and their spouses' appraisal of illness, resources, concurrent stress, and adjustment during the first year following surgery; (b) examine the influence of gender (male vs female) and role (patient vs spouse caregiver) on study variables; (c) assess the degree of correlation between patients' and spouses' adjustments; and (d) identify factors that affect adjustment to the illness. Fifty-six couples were interviewed at one week post diagnosis, and at 60 days and one year post surgery. Based on a cognitive-appraisal model of stress, the Smilkstein Stress Scale was used to measure concurrent stress; the Family APGAR, Social Support Questionnaire, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale were used to measure social resources; the Beck Hopelessness Scale and Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scales were used to measure appraisal of illness; and the Brief Symptom Inventory and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale were used to measure psychosocial adjustment. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance indicated that spouses reported significantly more emotional distress and less social support than patients. Gender differences were found, with women reporting more distress, more role problems, and less marital satisfaction, regardless of whether they were patient or spouse. Both patients and spouses reported decreases in their family functioning and social support, but also decreases in emotional distress over time. Moderately high autocorrelations and modest intercorrelations were found among and between patients' and spouses' adjustment scores over time. The strongest predictors of patients' role adjustment problems were hopelessness and spouses' role problems. The strongest predictors of spouses' role problems were spouses' own baseline role problems and level of marital satisfaction. Interventions need to start early in the course of illness, be family-focused, and identify the couples at risk of poorer adjustment to colon cancer.
A prospective 8 week trial of nasal interfaces vs. a novel oral interface (Oracle) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.

Abstract Objective : To compare efficacy, compliance rates, and side effects of a new strapless oral interface, the Oracle™, with available nasal masks over 8 weeks of use for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods : A total of 38 patients with OSAHS (respiratory disturbance index (RDI) ≥15/h) were enrolled after the diagnostic polysomnogram for subsequent continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. After randomization, therapeutic pressures during a titration study were determined for 21 patients in the oral group and 17 patients in the nasal group. Comparisons for nasal and oral interfaces were made for baseline patient characteristics, average hours of CPAP use, side effects from therapy, and among questionnaires evaluating patients' subjective responses to therapy at months 1 and 2. Results : No significant difference was observed in the average hours of CPAP use between the oral (4.5±2.1; 5.5±2.6) and nasal groups (4.0±2.6; 4.8±2.5) for either month 1 or 2 ( P >0.05). The dropout rates were similar for both groups after 8 weeks of therapy. However, patients in the nasal group had higher occurrences of side effects such as nasal congestion, dryness, and air leaks, whereas patients in the oral group experienced more oral dryness and gum pain. Conclusion : Oral delivery of CPAP with the Oracle™ is an effective and suitable alternative for patients with OSAHS.
Detection of a novel quiescence-dependent protein kinase.

Abstract We have identified a cell quiescence-specific 33-kDa cytoplasmic protein kinase (p33QIK,Quiescence-Induced Kinase) based on induction of p33QIK-specific kinase activity of cells growth-arrested in the quiescent phase and deactivation upon entry into the cell cycle. Blockage of macromolecular synthesis prevents p33QIK from deactivation, indicating a requirement of newly synthesized regulators for deactivation of p33QIK during G0/G1 transition. Stress shock induces additional increases of p33QIK activity in a quiescence-dependent manner that correlates with induction of apoptosis. Using a specific antibody to Krs1/Mst2 protein, we found that p33QIK is related to p63Krs1 and is distinguishable from a 36-kDa protein kinase, which is induced through proteolytic modification of activated p63Krs1 in proliferating cells undergoing apoptosis. p33QIK is constantly expressed in quiescent, proliferating, and apoptotic quiescent cells. Regulation of p33QIK activity involves protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation in a proteolysis-independent manner. Regulation of p33QIK and related p63Krs1 and p36 appears to involve distinct pathways in quiescent and proliferating cells, respectively. Our results illustrate the relevance of p33QIK activity for cell quiescence that may provide a new insight into signaling pathways regulated in cells during quiescence and quiescence-related apoptosis.
Developing a Lightweight Martian Soil Simulant for a High-Sinkage Mobility Test

AbstractThe geotechnical properties of Martian soils are critical parameters in predicting and simulating soil behavior with regard to vehicle performance on Mars. In preparation for manned or robotic missions to Mars, surface vehicles must be tested on terrains that represent the mechanical characteristics of the Martian ground. This paper presents the development of a lightweight simulant and its preparation method to emulate the mechanical properties of Martian soil for high sinkage mobility tests. A geotechnical testing program was developed to measure specific gravity, particle size distribution, bulk density, compression indices and shear strength. The simulant can achieve the typical Martian regolith density range, which is approximately 38% of that on earth. This is of particular importance because strength parameters of granular materials, which characterize the plastic behavior of soil samples in sinkage tests, are controlled by the effective confining pressure, which itself is induced by gravity.
An intermediate state of the gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter GAT1 revealed by simultaneous voltage clamp and fluorescence.

The rat {gamma}-aminobutyric acid transporter GAT1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes was labeled at Cys74, and at one or more other sites, by tetramethylrhodamine-5-maleimide, without significantly altering GAT1 function. Voltage-jump relaxation analysis showed that fluorescence increased slightly and monotonically with hyperpolarization; the fluorescence at -140 mV was ~0.8% greater than at +60 mV. The time course of the fluorescence relaxations was mostly described by a single exponential with voltage-dependent but history-independent time constants ranging from ~20 ms at +60 mV to ~150 ms at -140 mV. The fluorescence did not saturate at the most negative potentials tested, and the midpoint of the fluorescence–voltage relation was at least 50 mV more negative than the midpoint of the charge–voltage relation previously identified with Na+ binding to GAT1. The presence of {gamma}-aminobutyric acid did not noticeably affect the fluorescence waveforms. The fluorescence signal depended on Na+ concentration with a Hill coefficient approaching 2. Increasing Cl- concentration modestly increased and accelerated the fluorescence relaxations for hyperpolarizing jumps. The fluorescence change was blocked by the GAT1 inhibitor, NO-711. For the W68L mutant of GAT1, the fluorescence relaxations occurred only during jumps to high positive potentials, in agreement with previous suggestions that this mutant is trapped in one conformational state except at these potentials. These observations suggest that the fluorescence signals monitor a novel state of GAT1, intermediate between the E*out and Eout states of Hilgemann, D.W., and C.-C. Lu (1999. J. Gen. Physiol. 114:459–476). Therefore, the study provides verification that conformational changes occur during GAT1 function.