cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability evaluation: a field experience from Motorola's cellular base transceiver systems

The initial predicted MTBF with four hours MTTR, for a base transceiver system (BTS) is 4.0/5.65 years (MIL217/Bellcore standards). With the first 12 months of commercial operation, with actual field data, the MTBF is calculated to be 8.26 years (Bellcore), which is almost double the initial predicted reliability level. The improved manufacturing techniques with (six sigma quality), advanced system test methods, removal of all defective units in early stages of deployment resulted in tremendous reliability growth which exceeded the initial expected reliability. The downtime per year has decreased from 42 min/yr. to 29 min/yr. and the BTS availability has increased from 99.993% to 99.995%, or 5.39 sigma. Further refinement in the reliability is possible by introducing the following steps: (1) establish a minimum qualifying MTBF level for each component of each board; (2) validate the MTBF calculation methodology of vendor of each component; (3) improve MTBF of all weak FRUs by introducing redundancy schemes within each board; (4) introduce individual execution paths for each sector within a BTS; (5) continuous quality improvement techniques to eliminate escaping defects; (6) and establish BTS (HW and SW) stability level with an established release criteria.
La Tecnología y Las Monjitas

In this article, I contrast conceptualizations of authoritative knowledge in pregnancy and birth between U.S. midwives and their Mexican immigrant clients at a religious birthing center in south Texas. Although the two groups share certain orientations to pregnancy management, essential differences in prenatal care and birth epistemologies underscore distinct social and economic positions. I use narrative data to document and explain these differences, which throw into relief the hierarchies of identity and need that structure immigrant women's reproductive experiences. Unveiling the different epistemologies can also help to explain sometimes radically divergent ideas that have impacted the very survivability of the birthing center. By focusing on Mexican immigrant women's reproductive decision making in an alternative birthing center, this analysis responds to feminists' call to look to the margins to understand the diversity of women's responses to what Rapp and Ginsburg have called "stratified reproduction".
Police and social democracy

Good patrol officers develop their beats by teaching their publics about living in a free society. The patrol sergeant is in the best position to demonstrate to his officers how to be an effective civic educator.
Bite injuries at a day care center

Over a 42-month period, 66 of 133 children at a university day care center received 224 bites, three of them by insects. Most bites were inflicted by other children, but nearly 20% were secondary to falls. Toddlers 13 to 24 months of age were bitten most frequently. Most bites occurred mid-morning, randomly throughout the week, and most commonly in September. Suggestions are made for decreasing children's aggressive biting in group care.
Money laundering, Terrorism, Regulation, Laws and legislation

Describes a new form of money laundering which does not involve proceeds of past crimes but clean money intended to be used to commit future crimes. Adduces the financing of terrorism as the obvious example: the cash for the attacks of September 11 may have been clean, but the purpose was deadly. Points out that, because anti‐money laundering legislation is mostly backward looking, it tends not to address the financing of future crimes. Looks at the initial attempts in US legislation to correct this: the PATRIOT Act made smuggling more than $10,000 currency in or out of the country illegal, while moving money in or out of the country in order to commit a crime was already a crime in itself. Argues that a domestic version of this statute is necessary, and suggests how such a law could be crafted, mentioning Section 1960(b)(1)(c) of the PATRIOT Act.
Identification of high frequency transformer model parameters

Abstract A two stage model is used to model the high frequency transient behavior of two winding transformers. The assumed transformer model's parameters are estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation technique and the Kaiman filter based on the time response data. Simulations are carried out using the frequency response data generated based on an assumed transformer model. The transfer function time constants for the obtained frequency response data are estimated using the nonlinear least squares technique. The resulting values are then used to generate the time response data for the same transformer. The parameters of the chosen two stage transformer model are estimated in two steps. First the single stage model is identified and subsequently the remaining parameters of the two stage model are estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The estimation results for a two-stage two winding transformer model are presented.
BEAVER: a computational-geometry-based tool for switchbox routing

BEAVER combines a delayed layering scheme with computational geometry techniques to heuristically produce a switchbox solution that minimizes both via and usage and wire length, and maximizes the use of a preferred routing layer. Other important features are its use of priority queues to determine the order in which nets are routed, and its prioritized control of individual track and column usage to prevent routing conflicts. BEAVER consists of four tools that are run successively: a corner router, a line sweep router, a thread router, and a layerer. The corner router makes single-bend terminal-to-terminal connections. The line sweep router makes straight-line connections, single-bend connections, and two-bend connections. The thread router makes connections of arbitrary form. The layerer completes the switchbox by layering wires that have been assigned a location but not yet a layer. BEAVER has successfully routed all of the classic switchboxes. Its solution quality with respect to wire length was better than, or comparable to, the best previous solutions and its via usage was consistently the minimum. >
Linear or nonlinear? A metacognitive analysis of educational assumptions and reform efforts

Addresses the lack of success in educational reform efforts by utilizing a metacognitive analysis of the base assumption of most, if not all, current reform efforts. Suggests a different theoretical orientation and perspective for understanding education and attempts to improve it. By contrasting the common orientation of today and the one proposed, the paper applies this new perspective to two examples. Examines educational reform in light of the orientation proposed.
Nickel-63 microirradiators.

Here we report the fabrication of two types of microirradiators, consisting of a recessed disk and protruding wire with low-β-energy radionuclide Ni-63 electrodeposited onto a 25 μm diameter Pt wire. Ni-63 is constricted to a small surface area of the microelectrode; hence, this tool provides a means of delivery of localized, large dose density of β radiation to the object but a minimal dose exposure to the user. The activity levels of Ni-63 emitted from the recessed disk and protruding wire are 0.25 and 1 Bq, respectively. The corresponding β particles flux levels emitted from the recessed disk and protruding wire are 51 and 11 kBq/cm2, respectively. These values, measured experimentally using liquid scintillation counting, fit very well the expected values of activity for each microirradiator, calculated considering the self-absorption effect, typical for low-energy β particles. In order to determine the optimal configuration the dose rates for varying distances from the object were calculated.
Patients undergoing total laryngectomy: an at-risk population for 30-day unplanned readmission.

Importance Patients undergoing total laryngectomy are at high risk for hospital readmission. Hospital readmissions are increasingly scrutinized because they are used as a metric of quality care and are subject to financial penalties. Objective To determine the rate of, reasons for, and risk factors that predict 30-day unplanned readmission for patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Design, Setting, and Patients Retrospective cohort study at a single academic tertiary referral medical center. The study population comprised 155 patients who underwent total laryngectomy with or without flap closure between January 2007 and December 2012 as either a primary treatment or salvage treatment for prior nonsurgical management. Interventions Total laryngectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures Rate of 30-day unplanned readmission, readmission diagnoses, and risk factors for unplanned readmission. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors for unplanned readmission within 30 days of discharge. Results The 30-day unplanned readmission rate for patients following discharge after total laryngectomy was 26.5% (41 of 155). The most common readmission diagnoses were pharyngocutaneous fistula (27% of readmissions; n = 11) and stomal cellulitis (16% of readmissions; n = 7). The median time to unplanned readmission was 7 days. Thirty-four percent of readmissions (14 of 41) occurred within 3 days of discharge. Significant predictors of 30-day unplanned readmission on multivariable analysis were postoperative complication after discharge (odds ratio [OR], 11.50; 95% CI, 4.10-32.28), visit to the emergency department within 30 days after discharge (OR, 5.25; 95% CI, 1.84-14.99), salvage total laryngectomy (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.56-13.12), and chyle fistula during the index hospitalization (OR, 5.25; 95% CI, 0.86-29.92). The discriminative ability of the model to predict unplanned readmission, as measured by the C statistic, was 0.88. Conclusions and Relevance Patients undergoing total laryngectomy are an at-risk patient population with a high rate of unplanned readmission within 30 days of discharge. By identifying the risk factors that predict 30-day unplanned readmission, these data can be used to design and implement quality-improvement interventions to decrease readmissions.
Monetary values: double trouble or dollars and sense?

It is curious but there is widespread misuse of floating-point types to represent monetary amounts in introductory programming classes. This is evident from a survey of popular CS1 textbooks. It is instructive to examine how dollars and cents and other currency values are represented in actual practice and how we can utilize those techniques in computer science education, for both the sake of correctness and to illustrate important general principles. Furthermore, it is particularly interesting to review the history of CS education and determine how this situation came to pass. The interplay between technology, academic cultures and institutional development turns out to be quite significant.
Monte Carlo Simulation of AlGaAs/GaAs QCLs Including Both ? and X Valley Transport

Comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation of AlGaAs/GaAs QCLs reveals two carrier-loss mechanisms: Gamma states coupling to the same-stage X states and to the next-stage X states. Excellent agreement with experiment is achieved
Pd- and Mo-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation

The ability to control the alkylation of organic substrates becomes ever more powerful by using metal catalysts. Among the major benefits of metal catalysis is the possibility to perform such processes asymmetrically using only catalytic amounts of the chiral inducing agent which is a ligand to the metal of the catalyst. A unique aspect of asymmetric metal-catalyzed processes is the fact that many mechanisms exist for stereoinduction. Furthermore, with the use of the same catalyst system, many types of bonds including but not limited to C–C, C–N, C–O, C–S, C–P, and C–H can be formed asymmetrically. An overview of this process using palladium- and molybdenum-based metals being developed in my laboratories and how it influences strategy in synthesizing bioactive molecular targets is presented.
Is There Adventure In Oceanography, A Cure for the Cousteau Syndrome

Yes, there is a chance for adventure within the many disciplines of oceanography. I have been associated with the field for 15 years and have certainly had my share! Why is it, then, that a great majority of ocean science graduates, especially those in the biological concentrations, do not seriously pursue a science career after graduation? I believe that the lack of employment opportunities coupled with the discovery that marine biology is not all submersibles and scuba diving have a great deal to do with this problem. I also believe that the a partial solution involves pre-college hands-on experience in field and laboratory situations and in exposure to the nation's science-oriented service, the NOAA Commissioned Corps.
A Continuum for Responding to the Extreme Right: A Comparison between the United States and Germany

This article compares and contrasts the responses to right-wing extremism in the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. Essentially, the approaches of these respective countries represent two polarities on a continuum. Whereas in theory, the United States allows extremist groups much more freedom to espouse unpopular ideas, the Federal Republic of Germany has the legal authority to disband extremist groups and parties that it deigns a threat to the country's constitutional democracy. Despite these seeming differences, both countries have responded resolutely to manifestations of right-wing extremism and have actually cooperated on numerous occasions to stymie American extremist activists that have propagandized in Germany. There are advantages and disadvantages to the approaches these two countries employ in countering extremism.
The Recidivism Patterns of Previously Deported Aliens Released From a Local Jail: Are They High-Risk Offenders?

Previously deported aliens are a group about which numerous claims are made but very few facts are known. Using data on male deportable aliens released from a local jail, the study sought to test the ubiquitous claim that they pose a high risk of recidivism. Using multiple measures of recidivism and propensity score weighting to account for preexisting group differences, the authors find consistent support for the assertion that previously deported aliens are a high recidivism risk. Relative to similarly situated deportable aliens with no record of deportation, previously deported aliens are more likely to be rearrested, to be rearrested more quickly, and to be rearrested more frequently in a 1-year follow-up period.
Institutional Constraints and Annexation Activity in the US in the 1970s

This study provides new evidence that annexation laws do matter significantly in determining the rates at which municipalities annex territory. Equally important, the type of municipal governing structure was found significant in determining the rate at which municipalities annex. Where annexations are possible, one could conclude that municipalities that operate under municipal determination annexation laws and a commission type of municipal government are most likely to succeed in expanding corporate limits to protect municipal government revenues. On the other extreme, municipalities that operate under quasi-legislative annexation laws and have mayor-council forms of local government are least able to expand corporate boundaries to protect the revenue base. The results are based on a sample of 370 municipalities from all but seven states in the US. A potential weakness of the findings stems from the nature of the reporting of annexation activity and other pertinent data by municipalities. A second weak...
Optimization of Electrode Structure for Effective Particle Separation in a Micro-Fluidic Chip

This paper presents the optimization of electrode structure for effective particle separation in a micro fluidic chip. The purpose of electrodes in the micro fluidic chip is to generate the DEP (dielectrophoresis) force that is perpendicular to the micro channel direction to separate both nDEP and pDEP particles of the same sizes. The particles will experience DEP force when passing through the electric field which is created by electrode arrays located in different positions in the channel. In this study, we optimize the electrode structure by investigating different shapes and dimensions using numerical simulation and modeling. The optimized electrode structure can provide better separation effect due to larger effective area of DEP force and relative small variation of electric field gradient as demonstrated in this study.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Head motion during positron emission tomography : is it significant?

High sensitivity for detecting local brain function differences from subsequent PET images acquired at different cerebral stimulation states requires interscan head motion to be minimized. This motion was measured by an optical lever system during scanning (130 min) of 15 subjects in a dual-dose injection study. Despite motion restriction by a face-mask restraint system, rotations in the sagittal and coronal planes (up to 4.1° and 2.4°, respectively) significantly influenced the measured means and variances of local metabolic differences between states. Hence, adjustments for head movement by retrospective, digital slice realignment or, better, real-time corrections are important.
On solving fuzzy mathematical relationships

The question of solving mathematical relationships involving fuzzy relations and numbers is investigated. First we look at ordinary mathematical relationship. Then we investigate fuzzy relations. We then look at fuzzy quadratic equations. Finally, we study the situation where we have fuzzy numbers.
Synthesis and isolation of epoxy secondary amidesvia direct amidation ofVernonia galamensis seed oil

Vernonia galamensis oil, containing naturally epoxidized triglycerides, was reacted withn-butylamine,n-pentylamine andn-hexylamine to afford high yields of epoxidized secondary amides. Three reaction conditions were investigated: (i) reflux with amines as solvents, (ii) reflux with hexane as the solvent and (iii) room temperature with the amines as solvents. Reactions with amines as refluxing solvents were completed in 1–5 h, while those with hexane went to completion within 2 to 5 d. Room temperature reactions were onlyca. 80% complete after several days. Reactivity was increased with higher amine homologs at both reflux and room temperature reaction conditions. Isolated yields of epoxy-containing amides were about 80% with purity exceeding 96% in all cases. Spectroscopic characterization of the previously unreported alkyl-vernolamides is provided.
Coupling of action potential activity between unmyelinated fibers in the peripheral nerve of monkey

Bidirectional coupling of action potential activity occurs between unmyelinated fibers in the normal peripheral nerve of monkey. The site of coupling is near the cutaneous nociceptive receptor associated with one of the fibers. This coupling could be due to an electrical synapse and could provide the basis for the flare associated with the axon reflex.
Cushing's syndrome with hypertensive crisis and mixed adrenal cortical adenoma-pheochromocytoma (Corticomedullary adenoma)

Abstract Hypertensive crisis developed unexpectedly during removal of an adrenal tumor in a patient with Cushing's syndrome. Preoperative plasma cortisol levels and urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticoids, epinephrine and norepinephrine were elevated. Postoperatively, the patient required only adrenal cortical replacement therapy. Histopathologic examination of the tumor disclosed mixed adrenal cortical and medullary cells. States of combined adrenal cortical and medullary dysfunction and their pathophysiologic mechanisms are discussed.
Distribution, spherical structure and predicted Mie scattering of multilamellar bodies in human age-related nuclear cataracts

Purpose: To characterize multilamellar bodies (MLBs), determine their distribution along the optic axis and predict their potential Mie scattering within human age-related nuclear cataracts. Previous studies restricted to the equatorial plane have shown that MLBs are rare spherical objects that are 1–4 mm in diameter and covered by multiple layers of thin lipid-rich membranes. Methods: Eight human aged transparent lenses were obtained from eye bank donors and eight human age-related nuclear cataracts were obtained immediately after extracapsular extraction. Each sample was Vibratome sectioned fresh into 200 mm thick sections that were fixed and embedded for light or electron microscopy. Light micrograph montages of the optic axis containing the juvenile, fetal and embryonic nuclei were examined. Mie scattering for random coated spherical particles was calculated based on assumed and measured particle parameters. Results: Cells along the optic axis of the cataract contained approximately 7$5 times more MLBs as similar regions of the aged transparent lens, although these MLBs occurred with extremely low frequency. Cells of the aged transparent lens contained 1$3 MLBs mm K2 , while those of the cataract contained 9$6 MLBs mm K2 , which are equivalent to calculated densities of 5$6!10 2 and 4$1!10 3 mm K3 , respectively. While some MLBs were located within the cytoplasm near cell membranes, others were found away from membranes. The MLBs are distinct from circular profiles resulting from finger-like projections between adjacent cells. MLBs displayed varying geometries and cytoplasmic textures, although predominately spherical with interiors similar to adjacent fiber cell cytoplasm. These results are in agreement with previous theoretical analysis of light scattering from human lenses and with previous morphological studies examining the equatorial plane of the lens. Potential Mie scattering of spherical particles with the average properties of the observed MLBs and assumed refractive index properties was calculated to be forward scattering of as much as 20% of the incident light. Conclusions: The observed low frequency and absence of clustering of MLBs in the equatorial plane and along the optic axis suggests that MLBs are most likely uniformly distributed throughout the embryonic, fetal and juvenile nuclei of age-related cataracts. Because of their size, distribution, textured cytoplasm and calculated Mie scattering, MLBs probably cause local fluctuations in refractive index in human lens nuclei and, therefore, are potential sources of low-angle, forward light scattering that could impair image formation. q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Influence of membrane lipid packing on T2‐weighted magnetic resonance images: Study of relaxation parameters in model membrane systems

The detailed mechanisms leading to soft tissue contrast in MRI are not known. To explore the physical basis for this phenomena, the effect of acyl chain packing of phospholipid model membranes on water proton relaxation were investigated at 20 MHz at 40 degrees C. Three variables affecting lipid packing were examined: chain composition, toluene concentration, and pH/ionic strength. It is demonstrated that the T2 of water protons is strongly influenced by changes in lipid packing, while T1 is generally insensitive to these variables. It is also shown that small changes in water content (7 wt%) altered both T1 and T2 in all systems studied. The results suggest that the physical properties of biological membranes in tissues are an important factor in determining T2.
Influence of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) on odd nitrogen in the troposphere and lower stratosphere

Nonmethane hydrocarbon breakdown in the atmosphere produces aldehydes of which a fraction are transferred into peroxyacetyl nitrates (PAN) in the presence of NO and NO2. Since ethane is destroyed photochemically primarily above 1 km, PAN can be introduced into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere without the need to be transported from the boundary layer where most hydrocarbons are destroyed and where PAN may be lost due to thermal decomposition and heterogeneous loss. Mixing ratios of ethane in the lower troposphere increase by a factor of 4-8 from equatorial to northern mid-latitudes. This difference is directly translatable into a PAN latitude gradient. At mid-latitudes the concentration of PAN below 20 km is 0.1 ppb comparable to and in some instances larger than predicted HO2NO2 mixing ratios. Like HO2NO2 and HNO3, PAN serves as a reservoir for odd nitrogen.
Foodgrain disposals as early warning famine signals: A case from Burkina Faso*

Recent research suggests that monitoring key events in social, economic, cultural and political systems may provide more timely, frequent, and reliable warnings of impending famine than monitoring physical processes alone. But empirical data on early warning distress signals in these arenas are slim. Based on anthropological investigations in a southern Volta Noire community of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) during the drought of 1983–1984, this paper outlines a variety of possible early warning signals in disposal systems for staple foodgrains - the nutritional “bottom line” for farmers and herders in the West African savannah. Pre-famine distress signals in five broad categories are discussed: changes in marketing patterns, non-market exchanges, dietary practices, utilization of agricultural and pastoral labour, and ideological and sociopolitical behaviours. Data consist of both quantitative and qualitative comparisons of cereal disposals in these categories between 1983 and preceding years.
Comparison of balloon valvuloplasty with operative treatment for mitral stenosis.

Abstract To determine the optimal role for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty or open mitral commissurotomy, the outcome of 164 consecutive patients undergoing either percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty, open mitral commissurtomy, or mitral valve replacement for mitral stenosis was reviewed. No preoperative differences existed between percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty and open mitral commissurotomy in age, symptoms, or mitral valve characteristics. Symptoms improved similarly in all groups, and median hospital stays after procedures were 2, 9, and 10 days for percutaneous balloon mitral vaivuloplasty, open mitral commissurotomy, and mitrai valve replacement ( p p p
Educating the public about research funded by the National Institutes of Health using a partnership between an academic medical center and community-based science museum.

The NIH roadmap has among its goals, to promote studies designed to improve public understanding of biomedical and behavioral science, and to develop strategies for promoting collaborations between scientists and communities toward improving the public’s health. Here, we report findings on the impact of a partnership between the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) designed to inform the public about health research being conducted in Oregon, which was linked to a 17-week traveling exhibition of BodyWorlds3. Measures included the public’s understanding of health knowledge, attitudes, intended health behaviors, and visitor experience in their interactions with OHSU experts/volunteers, which were collected using exit surveys administered verbally. Nine hundred fifty-three surveys were included in analyses. Among those who felt that health behavior change was relevant to them, 67.4% of smokers (n = 133) intended to change their smoking behavior, 58.6% (of 677) intended to change their eating habits, 60.3% (of 667) intended to change their exercise routine, and 47% (of 448) intended to change their dental care habits. Forty-six percent of these visited the OHSU research exhibits (n = 437), and responded to how the exhibit changed their understanding about and openness to participate in health research. Greater than 85% had a much improved understanding of NIH research at OHSU and >58% reported they would be willing to participate in future research studies at OHSU. In conclusion, research partnerships between academic institutions and community-based museums appear to be viable ways to inform the public about research, stimulate their interest as future participants, and possibly influence their intention to improve health behaviors.
The postingestive consequences of fat condition preferences for flavors associated with high dietary fat

To investigate whether children acquire conditioned preferences for flavors associated with high dietary fat content, 27 3- and 4-year-old children participated in a series of 12 conditioning or mere exposure sessions. Following an overnight fast, children who participated in conditioning trials consumed fixed quantities of a flavored yogurt drink that on half the days was high in fat and energy (954 kJ, 18 g fat/150 g serving) or contained no fat (277 kJ, 0 g fat/150 g serving). Children in the conditioning group consumed 150 g servings, children in the mere exposure group tasted 16 g or less of these same stimuli. Preferences were assessed before and after conditioning when the children were hungry and also postconditioning when the children were satiated. Results provided evidence for conditioned preferences based on the postingestive consequences of dietary fat. Children in the conditioning group learned to prefer the high-density paired flavor over the low-density paired flavor, and increased their preference for the high-density paired flavor from pre- to postconditioning. Children in the mere exposure group showed positive shifts in preference for both the fat-free and the high-fat paired flavors. In the conditioning group, preferences for the high-fat flavor was depressed by satiety, whereas the preference of the mere exposure group did not vary with hunger state. Conditioned flavor preferences, based on the postingestive consequences of fat intake, may contribute to children's preferences for foods high in dietary fat.
Neuronal Ganglionic Acetylcholine Receptor Autoimmunity

We have developed and validated an assay to detect serum antibodies specific for the ganglionic AChR. The assay uses ganglionic AChR solubilized from membranes of the human neuroblastoma cell line (IMR-32) as antigen. The ganglionic AChR is radiolabeled by complexing with 125I-epibatidine. Among patients with acquired dysautonomia, seropositivity is highly associated with the diagnosis of idiopathic or paraneoplastic autonomic neuropathy and can distinguish these disorders from other forms of autonomic dysfunction. Ganglionic AChR binding antibodies are detectable in 50% of patients with subacute autoimmune autonomic neuropathy (AAN). These patients often have a high antibody value (>0.2 nmol/L). Lower values (0.05-0.20 nmol/L) are found in approximately 10% of patients with limited AAN.
Biosynthesis of p‐Hydroxylated Aromatics

A bioconversion process with Aspergillus parasiticus has been developed to enhance p-hydroxylation activities with respect to aromatic substrates such as m-terphenyl. Through modified growth conditions, we are improving product concentration, while streamlining fermentation and downstream processing requirements. We routinely carry out biosynthetic conversions with m-terphenyl at the 300-L scale and produce over 200 g of 4,4″-dihydroxy-m-terphenyl at a concentration of 0.7 g/L in the fermentation vessel.
The Rough Play of Adolescent Boys of Differing Sociometric Status

Two forms of rough-and-tumble play (RT it was related to dominance status for all boys. Additionally, rejected and average boys chose to engage in R&T/Rough with children who were less dominant than they. R&T/Chase was not reliably correlated with other measures. These findings are interpreted as supporting the claim that some children exploit play bouts for their own dominance-exhibition ends.
Changes in levels of D1, D2, or NMDA receptors during withdrawal from brief or extended daily access to IV cocaine

We previously reported that brief (1 h), but not extended (6 h), daily access to cocaine results in a sensitized locomotor response to cocaine and in elevated c-Fos immunoreactivity and DAT binding in the nucleus accumbens (N.Acc) core. In order to better our understanding of the neural adaptations mediating the transition from controlled drug use to addiction, the current experiments were set to further explore the neural adaptations resulting from these two access conditions. Rats received either brief daily access to saline or cocaine, or brief daily access followed by extended daily access to cocaine. Subjects were then sacrificed either 20 min, or 14 or 60 days, after the last self-administration session. Samples of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), N.Acc core and shell, dorsal striatum, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were taken for analysis of D1 ([3H]SCH-23390), D2 ([3H]Spiperone), and NMDA ([3H]MK-801) receptor binding (using the method of receptor autoradiography). At 20 min into withdrawal, D2 receptors were elevated and NMDA receptors were reduced in the mPFC of the brief access animals while D1 receptors were elevated in the N.Acc shell of the extended access animals, compared to saline controls. D2 receptors were reduced in the N.Acc shell of the brief access animals compared to saline controls after 14 days, and compared to extended access animals after 60 days of withdrawal. In summary, extended access to cocaine resulted in only transient changes in D1 receptors binding. These results suggest that the development of compulsive drug use is largely unrelated to changes in total binding of D2 or NMDA receptors.
Laser Technology Development at NASA Langley Research Center for Space based Applications

In this paper, salient features of various laser based developmental efforts carried out at NASA Langley Research Center for coherent and direct detection LIDAR systems for land, airborne and space based platforms will be discussed.
Epidural hematoma following epidural catheter placement in a patient with chronic renal failure.

We report a case of epidural hematoma in a surgical patient with chronic renal failure who received an epidural catheter for postoperative analgesia. Symptoms of epidural hematoma occurred about 60 hr after epidural catheter placement. A 58-yr-old woman with a history of chronic renal failure was admitted for elective abdominal cancer surgery. Preoperative laboratory values revealed anemia, hematocrit 26%, and normal platelet, PT and PTT values. General anesthesia was administered for surgery, along with epidural catheter placement for postoperative analgesia. Following uneventful surgery, the patient completed an uneventful postoperative course for 48 hr. Then, the onset of severe low back pain, accompanied by motor and sensory deficits in the lower extremities, alerted the anesthesia team to the development of an epidural hematoma extending from T12 to L2 with spinal cord compression. Emergency decompressive laminectomy resulted in recovery of moderate neurologic function. We report the first case of epidural hematoma formation in a surgical patient with chronic renal failure (CRF) and epidural postoperative analgesia. The only risk factor for the development of epidural hematoma was a history of CRF. High-risk patients should be monitored closely for early signs of cord compression such as severe back pain, motor or sensory deficits. An opioid or opioid/local anesthetic epidural solution, rather than local anesthetic infusion alone, may allow continuous monitoring of neurological function and be a prudent choice in high-risk patients. If spinal hematoma is suspected, immediate MRI or CT scan should be done and decompressive laminectomy performed without delay.
Seasonal variation in the active transporting ability and in the membrane ATPase activity of the frog intestinal epithelium.

Abstract The active sugar and amino acid transport in the small intestine of the American leopard from (Rana pipiens) and a species of European frog (Rana esculenta) decreases during the winter months. Parallel with this the (Na+, K+)-stimulated (“pump”) ATPase activity is markedly depressed. No seasonal changes are observed in the intestine of the tropical bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). It is assumed that the low pump-ATPase activity is caused by the hibernation of the frogs living in moderate or subtropical areas and is connected to a biological clock. The decreased active transport of non-electrolytes appears to be a consequence of the change of the ATPase activity.
Incorporation of conjugated linoleic acid into brain lipids is not necessary for conjugated linoleic acid-induced reductions in feed intake or body fat in mice.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) causes reduced feed intake (FI) and body fat (BF). It is unknown, though, if CLA incorporation into tissues, alterations in serum hormones, and/or appetite-regulating neuropeptides are involved. We hypothesized that CLA incorporation into brain lipids would be correlated with changes in appetite-regulating neuropeptide expression and reductions in FI and BF. Male mice (n = 150; 9 weeks old, ICR) received the control diet ad libitum (CON), 2% CLA diet ad libitum (CLA), or control diet pair-fed to the intake of CLA-fed mice for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days. Both FI and body weight were measured daily, and a BF index was calculated. Liver, adipose, and brain fatty acids; serum insulin, leptin, and peptide YY; and arcuate nucleus neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, and α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone protein were determined. Mice fed CLA ate less (P < .05) than did the CON on days 1, 2, 3, and 7 but were leaner (P < .05) only on day 7. Mice that received the control diet pair-fed to the intake of CLA-fed mice did not differ in BF from the CON. By days 1 and 2, CLA isomers were incorporated into the liver and adipose but not in the brain. Insulin was increased in CLA-fed mice on days 5 and 7, and leptin was decreased on day 7. Peptide YY and the neuropeptides did not differ. Tissue CLA was not correlated with FI, body weight, or BF but was positively correlated with insulin and negatively correlated with leptin. The reduction in FI is not sufficient to cause the reduction in BF, and tissue CLA accumulation does not appear to be required.
Synthesis and characterization of polymer encapsulated Cu–Ni magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermia applications

Abstract Copper nickel alloy nanoparticles were synthesized by polyol reduction method and by physical melting process. The particles were further coated with a biodegradable polymer, polyethylene glycol. The particles have a curie temperature in the range of 43–46 °C and are designed to be used for hyperthermia applications. Morphology of these encapsulated particles was determined by electron microscopy. The curie temperature for alloy particles and encapsulated particles was also measured.
Reversible depletion of synaptic vesicles induced by application of high external potassium to the frog neuromuscular junction.

1. Reversible depletion of synaptic vesicles from frog cutaneous pectoris neuromuscular junctions was studied by application of a Ringer solution containing 115 m M-K propionate. 2. During the release of transmitter, the synaptic vesicle membrane is added to the axolemmal membrane. Under the conditions of high K+-induced release, the synaptic vesicle membrane accumulates as folds formed in the region of the axolemmal membrane between the active zones. In depleted terminals, large vesicular structures appear and the evidence shows that some of them (possibly all) are formed as axolemmal infoldings. During formation of such infoldings the active zones remain fixed in position with respect to the post-junctional membrane. 3. During recovery in normal Ringer solution, which followed 30 min depolarization in high K+ Ringer solution, spontaneous m.e.p.p.s were detected as early as 9 min after the start of the recovery period and the average time for their reappearance was 17 min. 4. At the end of a 20 min recovery period which followed K+ depolarization, small accumulations of synaptic vesicles were again found within the terminal close to the active zones. At this time coated vesicles and coated pits were seen associated with the prejunctional axolemma and its infoldings. It appears that synaptic vesicles are re-formed directly from these coated vesicles. 5. After 60 min recovery from K+ depolarization, at which time stimulation of the motor nerve induced a muscle twitch, the structure of the terminals closely resembled that of control preparations. 6. The entire synaptic vesicle recycling process can take place in the absence of the neurone soma.
Cross-linked small polyethylenimines: while still nontoxic, deliver DNA efficiently to mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo.

Purpose. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is among the most efficient nonviral gene delivery vectors. Its efficiency and cytotoxicity depend on molecular weight, with the 25-kDa PEI being most efficient but cytotoxic. Smaller PEIs are noncytotoxic but less efficient. Enhancement in gene delivery efficiency with minimal cytotoxicity by cross-linking of small PEIs via potentially biodegradable linkages was explored herein. The hypothesis was that cross-linking would raise the polycation’s effective molecular weight and hence the transfection efficiency, while biodegradable linkages would undergo the intracellular breakdown after DNA delivery and hence not lead to cytotoxicity. Toward this goal, we carried out cross-linking of branched 2-kDa PEI and its 1:1 (w/w) mixture with a linear 423-Da PEI via ester- and/or amide-bearing linkages; the in vitro and in vivo gene delivery efficiency, as well as toxicity to mammalian cells, of the resultant cross-linked polycations were investigated.
The influence of silicate melt composition on distribution of siderophile elements among metal and silicate liquids

Abstract Liquid metal-liquid silicate partitioning of Fe, Ni, Co, P, Ge, W and Mo among a carbon-saturated metal and a variety of silicate melts (magnesian-tholeiitic-siliceous-aluminous-aluminosiliceous basalts) depends modestly to strongly upon silicate melt structure and composition. Low valency siderophile elements, Fe, Ni and Co, show a modest influence of silicate melt composition on partitioning. Germanium shows a moderate but consistent preference for the depolymerized magnesian melt. High valency siderophile elements, P, Mo, and W, show more than an order of magnitude decrease in metal-silicate partition coefficients as the silicate melt becomes more depolymerized. Detailed inspection of our and other published W data shows that polymerization state, temperature and pressure are more important controls on W partitioning than oxidation state. For this to be true for a high and variable valence element implies a secondary role in general for oxidation state, even though some role must be present. Equilibrium core segregation through a magma ocean of ‘ultrabasic’ composition can provide a resolution to the ‘excess’ abundances of Ge, P, W and Mo in the mantle, but the mantle composition alone cannot explain the excess abundances of nickel and cobalt in chondritic proportions.
Optimal estimation of uncertainty intervals for accelerator and decay counting

Abstract Uncertainty concerning uncertainties reported by various investigators for counting experiments sometimes makes it difficult to assess the real meaning of experimental results, such as radiocarbon ages. Utilization of the maximum variance rule, which takes into account knowledge of counting error, has a major advantage in avoiding excessively small confidence intervals, but it leads to biased variance estimates and overly conservative confidence intervals. An assessment is given of the strengths and weaknesses of four alternatives, one of which “the variance weighted t” is asymptotically correct (negligible Poisson error) and is particularly attractive when Poisson error is dominant. Extension to the case where Poisson error is not the dominant, known random error component, shows that the methods presented can be generalized for non-counting experiments.
K + -p Scattering; the Phenomenology of a Repulsive Interaction

Recent experimental data on K/sup +/-proton elastic scattering in the energy range 20 to 450 Mev were analyzed to give the energy dependence of the s- wave phase shift delta , and the energy dependence was fitted to the effective range formula k cot delta = a/sup -1/ + 1/2 r/sub 0/k/sup 2/. It is pointed out that the k cot dd expansion is not appropriate for dominantiy repulsive irteractions, and that when it is used the parameters a and r/sub 0/ do not have their usual connotation. The expansion delta approx equal -kR + 1/3 k/sup 3/ (R - R')/sup 3/ is presented for obtaining a more detailed, but shape- independent, picture of the scattering. The behavior of delta at very low energies is described by the constant length R, and R' is a lengih dependent on k/ sup 2/. The sign of the k/sup 3/ term gives the sign of the potential in the outer fringe, and its magnitude measures the softness'' of the potential there. The new data on K/sup +/-p scattering predict that the k/sup 3/ term is negative, and thus that the tail is attractive. (H.D.R.)
Shape Actuation via Internal Stress-Induced Crystallization of Dual-Cure Networks

We demonstrate a single-phase, two-way shape actuator that, in the absence of an external load, elongates upon cooling and reversibly contracts upon heating. In a simple and straightforward process, a partially cross-linked, semicrystalline poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) network is melted, stretched to several hundred percent strain, and further cross-linked. Upon removal of the applied load, the elastic double network adopts a “state-of-ease” that retains part of its former strain. When cooled, internal stress-induced crystallization causes further elongation of configurationally biased chains. When heated, crystallites melt, and the sample returns to its equilibrium state-of-ease. Under optimized conditions, reversible actuation >15% strain can be reproducibly achieved, and samples can be cycled multiple times with highly uniform actuation with no observable creep. The mechanism behind such actuation was further confirmed via calorimetry and X-ray scattering.
Cordycepin and alpha-amanitin: inhibitors of transcription as probes of aldosterone action.

Evidence has been presented for the existence of distinct RNA polymerases (I and II) in the rat kidney similar to those described previously in rat liver and identified as nucleolar (I) and nucleoplasmic (II) in location. In adrenalectomized rats, administration of d-aldosterone (1 μg/100 g body wt) increased the ratio of polymerase I∶II activity as defined by sensitivity to α-amanitin. The time-course of this shift correlated with the previously reported changes in urinary Na and K concentrations, in that a significant change in the I∶II ratio was noted 1 to 2 hr before the usual peak change in urinary electrolyte concentrations. In the isolated urinary bladder of the toad, cordycepin inhibited incorporation of3H-uridine into epithelial RNA — with a half time of 4.3 min - and impaired the action of aldosterone on transepithelial Na transport. These findings as well as earlier studies in the literature imply that aldosterone augments ribosomal RNA synthesis, and that ribosomal or messenger RNA synthesis or both are required for the expression of mineralocorticoid activity.
Surface studies of conversion coated steel after corrosion induced paint deadhesion

Caracterisation, par spectrometrie SIMS et par microscopie electronique a balayage, de la composition et de la morphologie de la surface d'acier phosphate au zinc avant application de revetements organiques et apres delaminage de ces revetements par suite de corrosion