cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Yield and Breakeven Price of ‘Alamo’ Switchgrass for Biofuels in Tennessee

Research on how land suitability affects yields and breakeven prices for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) grown as a bioenergy crop is lacking for the U.S. Southeast. Data from a 3-yr multilocation experiment at Milan, TN, were analyzed to determine the influence of soil drainage and landscape position on switchgrass yield and farm-gate breakeven price. Plots were seeded in 2004 with 'Alamo' at 2.8, 5.6, 8.4, 11.2, and 14.0 kg ha -1 pure live seed (PLS). Plots were split in 2005 and N was applied at 0, 67, 134, and 201 kg N ha -1 Farm-gate breakeven prices for 5- and 10-yr production contracts were determined by calculating unit production costs from enterprise budgets that varied by input level and yield. Maximum yields occurred at 67 kg N ha -1 on well-drained soils and at higher N levels on less-well-drained soils. Yield response to seeding rate (SR) was insignificant or small relative to other factors. Averaged across treatments, the well-drained upland location suitable for row crops had the largest yield (17.7 Mg ha -1 ) and lowest breakeven price ($46 Mg -1 ) for a 10-yr period. In contrast, the poorly drained flood plain location considered marginal yielded lowest (8.5 Mg ha -1 ) and had the highest breakeven price ($69 Mg -1 ). Breakeven prices were sensitive to yield, N price, and fuel price. Results suggest a lower breakeven price for switchgrass in the U.S. Southeast as compared with other U.S. regions, mainly due to high yields for the Alamo variety.
The common idiotypic specificity of anti-a2 allotype antibodies: contribution of H and L chains to idiotype expression.

Abstract Previously an idiotypic specificity common to anti-a2 allotype Ab from 15 rabbits was detected and characterized. The contribution of H and L chains to the expression of this common idiotypic specificity was determined. Two types of recombinant IgG were prepared: (1) H chains from anti-a2 Ab with L chains from normal a3b4 IgG. and (2) L chains from anti-a2 Ab with H chains from normal a3b4 IgG. By inhibition of binding radioimmunoassay, recombinant IgG having either H or L chains from anti-a2 did not inhibit the binding between anti-a2 Ab and anti-idiotype Ab. By direct binding radioimmunoassay, recombinant IgG of H chains from anti-a2 Ab with L chains from a3b4 IgG reacted with anti-idiotype Ab whereas recombinant IgG with H chains from normal a3b4 IgG and L chains from anti-a2 Ab did not react. These results indicate that the common idiotypic specificity of anti-a2 Ab is determined primarily by the H chain; however, the full expression of the common idiotypic specificity requires the interaction of both H and L chains from anti-a2 Ab.
Adhesives Technology Handbook

Comprehensive technical treatment of the field of structural adhesive bonding. The data categories include: Definition of Terms; Joint Design and Design Criteria; Surface Preparation of Adherends; Adhesive Types and Their Properties and Applications; Adhesives for Specific Adherends; The Adhesive Bonding Process; Solvent Cementing of Plastics; Effects of Environment on Durability of Adhesive Joints; Quality Control; Test Methods; Standard Specifications and Test Methods (235); Applications of Adhesive Bonding; Appendix -- Sources of Information. -- AATA
Identify Regions of Interest(ROI) for video watermark embedment with principle component analysis

The temporal redundancy of video provides a greater space than images for information hiding at the expense of invitation towards many forms of spatial and temporal attacks, such as frame dropping, frame averaging that are not common in images. With video, the active change of watermark placement location serves as an effective counterattack measure. In this paper, we utilize principal components of joint feature observation of video frames to robustly determine the location of watermark embedment. The approach eliminates the need of storing original sequence and is robust against common attacks.
The shear gage: For reliable shear modulus measurements of composite materials

A special strain gage called the ‘shear gage’ was developed for composite materials testing with notched shear specimens. The shear-gage records the average shear strain across the entire test section between the notches of the losipescu and compact shear specimens rather than just sampling the shear strain over a small region in the center of the test section. Hence, the shear stress/strain response is obtained by dividing the average shear stress (load divided by the cross-sectional area between the notches) by the average shear strain. By placing gages on both faces of the specimen, accurate and repeatable shear-modulus measurements can be made without prior knowledge of the shear strain or stress distributions. This scheme essentially integrates the shear strain through the entire test section. Knowledge of other material properties is not required to accurately determine shear modulus values. The shear gage was tested on a variety of composite and isotropic materials resulting in more reliable shear modulus determination and less scatter than previously possible.
Green tea intake is associated with urinary estrogen profiles in Japanese-American women

Intake of green tea may reduce the risk of breast cancer; polyphenols in this drink can influence enzymes that metabolize estrogens, known causal factors in breast cancer etiology. We examined the associations of green tea intake (<1 time/week, 1-6 times weekly, or 7+ times weekly) with urinary estrogens and estrogen metabolites (jointly EM) in a cross-sectional sample of healthy Japanese American women, including 119 premenopausal women in luteal phase and 72 postmenopausal women. We fit robust regression models to each log-transformed EM concentration (picomoles per mg creatinine), adjusting for age and study center. In premenopausal women, intake of green tea was associated with lower luteal total EM (P trend = 0.01) and lower urinary 16-pathway EM (P trend = 0.01). In postmenopausal women, urinary estrone and estradiol were approximately 20% and 40% lower (P trend = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) in women drinking green tea daily compared to those drinking <1 time/week. Adjustment for potential confounders (age at menarche, parity/age at first birth, body mass index, Asian birthplace, soy) did not change these associations. Findings suggest that intake of green tea may modify estrogen metabolism or conjugation and in this way may influence breast cancer risk.
Study of Breast Tissue Composition Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy

We combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy (DOS) to study breast tissue composition in 20 healthy volunteers. A combination of MRI and DOS measures was found to be associated with breast density.
Investigation of ethyl peroxy radical conformers via cavity ringdown spectroscopy of the A-X electronic transition.

Author Institution: Laser Spectroscopy Facility, Department of Chemistry, The Ohio; State University, 120 W. 18th Avenue, Columbus OH 43210; Laboratory of Molecular Spectroscopy, Institute of; Chemistry, Eotvos University, P.O. Box 32, H-1518,; Budapest 112, Hungary
The intron of Arabidopsis thaliana polyubiquitin genes is conserved in location and is a quantitative determinant of chimeric gene expression

We have isolated and determined DNA sequence for the 5′-flanking regions of three Arabidopsis thaliana polyubiquitin genes, UBQ3, UBQ10, and UBQ11. Comparison to cDNA sequences revealed the presence of an intron in the 5′-untranslated region at the same position immediately upstream of the initiator methionine codon in each of the three genes. An intron at this position is also present in two sunflower and two maize polyubiquitin genes. An intron is also found in the 5′-untranslated regions of several animal polyubiquitin genes, although the exact intron position is not conserved among them, and none are in the same position as those in the higher plant polyubiquitin genes. Chimeric genes containing the 5′-flanking regions of UBQ3, UBQ10, and UBQ11 in front of the coding regions for the reporter enzyme Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase (GUS) were constructed. When introduced transiently into Arabidopsis leaves via microprojectile bombardment, all resulted in readily detectable levels of GUS activity that were quantitatively similar. The introns of UBQ3 and UBQ10 in the corresponding promoter fragments were removed by replacement with flanking cDNA sequences and chimeric genes constructed. These constructs resulted in 2.5- to 3-fold lower levels of marker enzyme activity after transient introduction into Arabidopsis leaves. The UBQ10 promoter without the 5′ intron placed upstream of firefly luciferase (LUX) resulted in an average of 3-fold lower LUX activity than from an equivalent construct with the UBQ10 intron. A UBQ3 promoter cassette was constructed for the constitutive expression of open reading frames in dicot plants and it produced readily detectable levels of GUS activity in transient assays.
Evolutionary dynamics of HIV-induced subversion of the immune response.

Summary: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression is characterised by a slow but steady decline in the number of CD4+ T cells. It results in the development of AIDS when the immune response collapses and the virus grows uncontrolled. Pathogenicity of HIV may be due to viral escape from cellular immune responses as well as virus-induced immune impairment. Here we discuss how the dynamic interactions between the virus population and the immune response may lead to the development of AIDS. In particular we argue that in vivo evolution of HIV may be the driving force successively weakening the immune system. This may lead to increased levels of viraemia as well as to the evolution of more virulent phenotypes which indicate progression to AIDS. These insights are important for understanding the disease process itself and for designing effective treatment regimes.
Equality of Educational Opportunity in an Expanding Educational System

In this paper educational careers are conceptualized as a function of the educational structure and a set of individual characteristics that comprise an individual's educational potential. Social inequality of education is defined in terms of the relationship between social origin and educational potential. Using this definition, it is shown that despite a marked increase in the number of students attaining higher education in Denmark, no change occurred in the social inequality of education. The relationship between social origin and educational potential is inferred by applying a stochastic process model in which the educational potential is assumed to govern the outcome.
Zones of approach for craniofacial resection: minimizing facial incisions for resection of anterior cranial base and paranasal sinus tumors.

Objective Anterior cranial base tumors are surgically resected with combined craniofacial approaches that frequently involve disfiguring facial incisions and facial osteotomies. The authors outline three operative zones of the anterior cranial base and paranasal sinuses in which tumors can be resected with three standard surgical approaches that minimize transfacial incisions and extensive facial osteotomies. Methods The zones were defined by performing dissections on 10 cadaveric heads and by evaluating radiographic images of patients with anterior cranial base tumors. The three approaches performed on each cadaver were transbasal, transmaxillary, and extended transsphenoidal. Results Three zones of approach were defined for accessing tumors of the anterior cranial base, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses. Zone 1 is exposed by the transbasal approach, which is limited anteriorly by the supraorbital rim, posteriorly by the optic chiasm and clivus, inferiorly by the palate, and laterally by the medial orbital walls. This approach allows access to the entire anterior cranial base, nasal cavity, and the majority of maxillary sinuses. The limitation imposed by the orbits results in a blind spot in the superolateral extent of the maxillary sinus. Zone 2 is exposed by a sublabial maxillotomy approach and accesses the entire maxillary sinus, including the superolateral blind spot and the ipsilateral anterior cavernous sinus. However, access to the anterior cranial base is limited. Zone 3 is exposed by the transsphenoidal approach. This approach accesses the midline structures but is limited by the lateral nasal walls and intracavernous carotid arteries. An extended transsphenoidal approach allows further exposure to the anterior cranial base, clivus, or cavernous sinuses. The use of the endoscope facilitates tumor resection in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Conclusion The operative zones outlined offer minimally invasive craniofacial approaches to accessing lesions of the anterior cranial base and paranasal sinuses, obviating facial incisions and facial osteotomies. Case illustrations demonstrating the approach selection paradigm are presented.
Performance monitoring of three ecoroofs in Portland, Oregon

Ecoroofs, also known as green roofs, are becoming widely installed with relatively little data collected on their in situ performance. For this study, three large ecoroof portions (280–500 m2) located on two different buildings in Portland, OR, USA were instrumented and monitored continuously for more almost 3 years. For the Broadway Building, a student dormitory on the campus of Portland State University, measurement of ecoroof energy conservation and rainwater discharge abatement helped qualify the building for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver award. Using an electromagnetic flowmeter, stormwater discharge was monitored and compared to rainfall. Over a 3-year period, rainwater discharge was reduced by about 25%. Rooftop heat flux was simultaneously measured using an array of temperature sensors. When compared to a rock ballast roof exposed to the same weather conditions, the ecoroof heat flux was reduced by 13% in winter and 72% in summer. Retrofit ecoroof installations on the Multnomah County Building, an office building, were also monitored for almost 3 years for two separate ecoroof sections with different plantings, using similar electromagnetic flow meters and a rain gauge. Overall reductions of rainwater discharge were 12% and 17% for those two ecoroofs. For all three ecoroofs, discharge reductions varied widely by month due to seasonal differences in the amount of rainfall. Based on the measurements taken in this study, ecoroofs in Portland, OR, USA appear to offer some performance advantages.
A comparison of the mechanisms of fatigue-crack propagation behavior in a Zr-based bulk amorphous metal in air and an aqueous chloride solution

Bulk amorphous alloys, such as the Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 (at.%) alloy, have received much interest lately, particularly for their commercial application in golf club heads. This study seeks to investigate the fatigue behavior of this Zr-based amorphous metal in the presence of air and sodium chloride solution, with the specific goal of identifying mechanisms of environmentally assisted fatigue-crack growth in these environments. Results from experiments, including fatigue testing in air and sodium chloride, fatigue under potential control, and static load testing in sodium chloride, suggest that quite distinct mechanisms of fatigue-crack propagation are active in air and sodium chloride solution. Specifically, the fatigue-crack growth rates observed under static and cyclic loading in sodium chloride likely depend on an anodic process, which results in a brittle mode of failure. Conversely in air, fatigue-crack propagation is associated with alternating blunting and re-sharpening of the crack tip, as evidenced by the presence of classic fatigue striations. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Meditative Dialogue: Cultivating Compassion and Empathy with Survivors of Complex Childhood Trauma

Complex childhood trauma often affects the capacities of survivors to experience empathy and compassion toward themselves and others. Recent mindfulness literature recognizes meditation as an evidence-based practice that is able to change the brain, increasing one's capacities for empathy and compassion. This article offers an exploration of selected literature on complex childhood trauma and on mindfulness practices related to the development of compassion and empathy. A case study illustrates the use of a meditative dialogue practice in psychotherapy with a survivor of complex childhood trauma that serves to increase her ability to have empathy and compassion for herself and others.
The effects of task-specific self-schemata on attributions for success and failure

Abstract The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether task-specific self-schemata, i.e., cognitions that individuals hold about their ability at a particular task, determine the attributions made for success and failure. Sixty-nine subjects were categorized into three self-schema groups with a scale measuring their self-schemata about their ability in physical activities: strong-positive, aschematic, strong-negative. They engaged in a test of leg strength and were given false feedback indicating either success or failure at the task. The subjects then completed a questionnaire measuring their attributions for the task outcome. Results indicated that, as predicted, schematic subjects made attributions that were consistent with their self-schemata. In addition, sex differences emerged that coincided with previous research. The findings are discussed in terms of a self-schemata explanation for the attributional differences obtained.
Signaling and host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi.

Signal transduction events triggered in mammalian host cells by the obligate intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi are required for invasion. Infective T. cruzi trypomastigotes elicit Ca2+ signaling in mammalian host cells and activate transforming growth factor-β receptor signaling pathways. The elevation of Ca2+ in T. cruzi, induced by host-cell contact, is also required for invasion, extending the concept of host—pathogen ‘cross-talk’ to invasive protozoan pathogens.
Remote sensing, paleoecology, and the archaeology of human migration during the Pleistocene in central Asia and western China

Remote sensing used in the context of global information systems has enormous applications within archaeology. This technology enables the discovery of new archaeological features and promotes an understanding of the relationship between ecosystem and cultural dynamics. Archaeologists are able to add a time dimension to 'creeping environmental changes' that other areas of scientific inquiry concerned with climate change often lack. Remote sensing and other aerial prospecting has been used successfully to model land use and population expansions during relatively recent archaeological eras, such as the Bronze and Iron Ages. Although satellite image databases exist for numerous areas of the New and Old World, very little research has been conducted in Central Asia or western China. This region is historically significant because of its position along the important trading route called the Silk Road. The purpose of the present research is to investigate another poorly understood period of human history that would benefit from the application of remote sensing and associated ground truthing techniques. The migration of hominids out of Africa during the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene and their subsequent colonization of north-central, east, and south-east Asia is relatively well documented in the archaeological record and marks the beginning of the long-term process of human impacts on the region. However, the trajectory of dispersal of Homo erectus , Neandertals, and early modern humans and the ways by which ecosystem vagaries affected this dispersal across Eurasia is unknown. Our purpose is to summarize what is currently known about the geological indicators of ecosystem changes that remote sensing techniques provide and how ecosystem variables may allow us to model human migration as that of an invasive species through this important geographic crossroads of the Old World.
Empowering Palestinian Community Water Management Capacity: Understanding the Intersection of Community Cultural, Political, Social, and Natural Capitals

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) call for a reduction by half of the estimated more than 1.5 billion people still lacking access to potable water by 2015. As this date approaches, there is i...
A rapid blood sample collector for use in the determination of cardiac output.

Abstract A plastic disk with appropriately spaced holes in the circumference is described for convenient collection of arterial blood samples at one- or two-second intervals for the determination of cardiac output by the dye-dilution method. A complete determination and cleaning of the apparatus may be easily completed in less than an hour.
The statistical power of election studies to detect media exposure effects in political campaigns

Abstract This paper analyzes the power of national election studies to detect the effects of exposure to political communication on vote choice in US presidential elections. In particular, it examines the power of surveys (with Ns from 500 to 5000) to detect exposure effects of different sizes (3, 5, 10 percentage points in aggregate) and shapes (linear, exponential, non-monotonic). The results indicate that most surveys—and many other political science data sets—have less power than most scholars appear to think. For example, the paper finds a case in which a plausible ‘wrong’ model that involves no exposure effect is more likely to be supported by standard data sets than a ‘correct’ model that involves an exposure term, despite the fact that a large exposure effect is present in the population from which the data have been sampled. The paper, which includes a tour of issues in power analysis, concludes by advocating increased sensitivity to this problem by those who create and those who consume survey data.
Rupture of the flexor hallucis longus after hallux valgus surgery: case report and comments on technique for adductor release.

A case of flexor hallucis longus (FHL) rupture following hallux valgus surgery is reported here. The authors conjecture that the FHL rupture was caused by a partial laceration of the FHL at the time of the surgical hallux valgus correction. The authors treated the painful problem by surgically debriding the distal stump of the FHL from under the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MP) and ten-odesing the the proximal stump to the flexor digitorum longus (FDL). The authors describe a technique that minimizes the complications of an adductor tenotomy associated with a distal chevron type of hallux valgus correction.
Tuning λ6- 85 towards downhill folding at its melting temperature

The five-helix bundle lambda6-85* is a fast two-state folder. Several stabilized mutants have been reported to fold kinetically near-downhill or downhill. These mutants undergo a transition to two-state folding kinetics when heated. It has been suggested that this transition is caused by increased hydrophobicity at higher temperature. Here we investigate two histidine-containing mutants of lambda6-85* to see if a weaker hydrophobic core can extend the temperature range of downhill folding. The very stable lambdaHA is the fastest-folding lambda repressor to date (k(f)(-1) approximately k(obs)(-1)=2.3 micros at 44 degrees C). It folds downhill at low temperature, but transits back to two-state folding at its unfolding midpoint. lambdaHG has a weakened hydrophobic core. It is less stable than some slower folding mutants of lambda6-85*, and it has more exposed hydrophobic surface area in the folded state. This mutant nonetheless folds very rapidly, and has the non-exponential folding kinetics of an incipient downhill folder even at the unfolding midpoint (k(m)(-1) approximately 2 micros, k(a)(-1)=15 micros at 56 degrees C). We also compare the thermodynamic melting transition of lambdaHG with the nominal two-state folding mutant lambdaQG, which has a similar melting temperature. Unlike lambdaQG, lambdaHG yields fluorescence wavelength-dependent cooperativities and probe-dependent melting temperatures. This result combined with previous work shows that the energy landscapes of lambda repressor mutants support all standard folding mechanisms.
Importance of dietary cholesterol for the maturation of mouse brain myelin.

The effect of nil (control), 1% (CH-l) and 5% (CH-5) dietary cholesterol on the myelination of mouse brain, and its deposition in the heart and liver were investigated during infancy. Swiss Webstar female mice were given formulated diets from early gestation, and their pups were weaned on the same diet as that of the individual mothers up to 60 days after birth. The test diets increased the liver weight and cholesterol content compared to the control even in suckling pups (20 days), but did not significantly influence the heart weight until 60 days. The cholesterol content of the heart was not increased by the CH-l diet throughout the feeding period, but it did increase the mole ratio of major myelin lipids and hastened its maturation. Myelin cholesterol was 10% higher in 20-day-old suckling pups in the CH-5 group compared to the control. Data indicate that dietary cholesterol altered the brain myelination rate of weaning mice, and that the mother’s dietary cholesterol influenced myelination of the suckli...
Unravelling string theory.

String theory may provide the best clues yet about how to obtain a unified theory that describes all the laws of nature, but do we even understand what string theory is?
The status of training in school psychology and trends toward the future

Abstract A nation-wide survey was conducted in 1979 to collect information on graduate training in school psychology, including areas of program emphasis and the structure of field training and supervision. Results indicated that the vast majority of programs remain committed to emphasizing the direct service triad of psychoeducational assessment, school consultation, and behavioral intervention, but that two indirect service areas—research and program planning and evaluation—are gaining in training emphasis. It was also found that a very high percentage of programs employ a comprehensive practicum and internship experence, that most placements are in the public schools, and that considerable time is allotted for supervision.
Manganese(III)-salens induce tumor selective apoptosis in human cells.

Abstract In order to explore the apoptotic and anti-tumor activities of metallo-salens, we synthesized several Mn(III)-salen derivatives (compds. 1–9 ) and analyzed their effects on cultured human cancer and non-cancer cells. Our results demonstrated that Mn(III)-salen derivatives affect cell viability, induce nuclear condensation and fragmentation in breast cancer cells (MCF7). Mn(III)-salen derivatives also induced caspase-3/7 activation and release of cytochrome- c from the mitochondria to cytosol suggesting that Mn(III)-salen derivatives induce apoptosis in human cells via mitochondrial pathway. Importantly, the nature of the substituent and the bridging spacer between diimino groups on the salen ligand play critical roles in determining the apoptotic activities of Mn(III)-salen derivatives. The IC 50 values for the active Mn(III)-salen derivatives lie within the range of 11–40 μM in MCF7 cells. Most importantly, several Mn(III)-salen derivatives showed preferential cytotoxicity (2- to 5-fold) toward malignant breast cells (MCF7) over a non-malignant breast epithelial cell line (MCF10). Notably, the level of cytotoxicity and selectivity of the Mn(III)-salen derivatives towards MCF7 and MCF10 cells are very similar to cisplatin which indicate that Mn(III)-salens are potential novel anti-tumor agent.
Electrophoretic studies of light-induced charge in spinach chloroplasts.

Abstract Stable-flow free-boundary electrophoresis of isolated spinach chloroplasts was performed in various buffered saline solutions, in the light and dark. The chloroplasts were negatively charged, and the absolute value of their electrophoretic mobility was about 15% larger in the light than in the dark. This light-induced mobility increase could be abolished by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, a finding confirmed by conventional microelectrophoresis. The increase appeared to be unaffected by uncouplers of photophosphorylation or by a cyclic electron carrier, in distinction to light-induced shrinkage or ion translocation. Contrary to light-induced swelling, the mobility increase was observed under low light intensity and was lost upon mechanical disruption of the chloroplasts. A physical rather than metabolic mechanism appears most consistent with all the observations.
Atomic burrowing and hole formation for Au growth on Ag(110)

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy observations of the initial growth of Au on Ag(110) at room temperature reveal unusual features not reported in previous studies of this system; both islands (positive growth) and holes (negative growth) are observed simultaneously. These results are compared with the growth of Ag on Ag(110) for which no holes are observed. This hole formation is associated with Au adatoms penetrating the surface and moving into atomic sites in the layer below the surface.
Novelty-induced locomotor activity in Long-Evans rats pre-and post-chronic 'binge'-pattern cocaine treatment

Incremental locomotor activity observed in behaviorally sensitized rats is associated with the activation of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To determine whether individual locomotor differences are altered in the behaviorally sensitized state, Long–Evans rats were placed in a novel environment and locomotor activity was recorded for 2 h. Animals, thereby, were evenly divided into two activity groups: lower- (LR) and higher- (HR) responders (LR, 367±38 cumulative beam breaks; HR, 797±43; P<0.01). Subsequently, rats were randomly assigned to saline or chronic `binge'-pattern (CBP) cocaine (15 mg/kg i.p., three injections/day for 14 days) treatment groups. One hour after the last injection, rats were sacrificed and trunk blood was collected for plasma corticosterone (CORT) determination. CORT levels were higher in cocaine versus saline treated animals (P<0.01). CBP cocaine treated rats had higher locomotor activity compared to saline treated animals (P<0.05). Moreover, rats less vulnerable to psychostimulant self-administration (LRs) appeared to have locomotor behavior resembling that of the more vulnerable phenotype (HRs) after CBP cocaine. These findings suggest that behavioral sensitization, as a result of CBP cocaine treatment, changes novelty-stress induced behavior which may reflect altered individual vulnerability to drugs of abuse.
Finite lattices as relative congruence lattices of finite algebras

Let A be a finite algebra and $${\mathcal{Q}}$$ a quasivariety. By $${\rm Con}_{{\mathcal{Q}}}$$ A is meant the lattice of congruences θ on A with $$A/\theta \in {\mathcal{Q}}$$ . For any positive integer n, we give conditions on a finite algebra A under which for any n-element lattice L there is a quasivariety $${\mathcal{R}}$$ such that $${\rm Con}_{R} A \cong L$$ .
Correlation between the 8-repetition maximum test and isokinetic dynamometry in the measurement of muscle strength of the knee extensors: A concurrent validity study.

The 8-repetition maximum test has the potential to be a feasible, cost-effective method of measuring muscle strength for clinicians. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of the 8-repetition maximum test in the measurement of muscle strength by comparing the 8-repetition maximum test to the gold standard of isokinetic dynamometry. Thirty participants (15 males and 15 females, mean age = 23.2 years [standard deviation = 1.0]) underwent 8-repetition maximum testing and isokinetic dynamometry testing of the knee extensors (at 60, 120, and 240 degrees per second) on two separate sessions with 2–3 days between each mode of testing. Linear regression was used to assess the validity by comparing the findings between 8-repetition maximum testing and isokinetic dynamometry testing. Significant correlations were found between the 8-repetition maximum and isokinetic dynamometry peak torque at each testing velocity (r = 0.71–0.85). The highest correlations were between the 8-repetitio...
Effect of Temperature and Crystal Orientation on the Plasticity (SLIP) Evolution in Single Crystal Nickel Base Superalloy Notched Specimens

A comprehensive numerical investigation of plasticity (slip) evolution near notches was conducted at 28°C and 927°C, for two crystallographic orientations of double-notched single crystal nickel base superalloys (SCNBS) specimens. The two specimens have a common loading orientation of and have notches parallel to the (specimen I) and (specimen II) orientation, respectively. A three dimensional anisotropic linear elastic finite element model was employed to calculate the stress field near the notch of these samples. Resolved shear stress values were obtained near the notch for the primary octahedral slip systems ({111} ) and cube slip systems ({100} ). The effect of temperature was incorporated in the model as changes in the elastic modulus values and the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS). The results suggest that the number of dominant slip systems (slip systems with the highest resolved shear stress) and the size and the shape of the plastic zones around the notch are both functions of the orientation as well as the test temperature. A comparison between the absolute values of resolved shear stresses near the notch at 28°C and 927°C on the {111} slip planes revealed that the plastic zone size and the number of activated dominant slip systems are not significantly affected by the temperature dependency of the elastic properties of the SCNBS, but rather by the change in critical resolved shear stress of this material with temperature. The load required to initiate slip was found to be lower in specimen II than in specimen I at both temperatures. Furthermore, at 927°C the maximum resolved shear stress (RSS) on the notch surface was found to be greater on the {100} slip planes as compared with the {111} slip planes in both specimens. The results from this study will be helpful in understanding the slip evolution in SCNBS at high temperatures.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Slavery, Emancipation, and Freedom: Comparative Perspectives

Slavery, Emancipation, and Freedom: Comparative Perspectives , by Stanley L. Engerman, Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 2007, x + 128 pp. $25.00 cloth, ISBN 0-8071-3236-5 When Adam Sm...
INCREMENTAL DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR MULTIMILLION-GATE FPGAs

This paper presents an FPGA design methodology that can be used to shorten the FPGA design-and-debug cycle, especially as the gate counts increase to multimillions. Core-based incremental placement algorithms, in conjunction with fast interactive routing, are investigated to reduce the design processing time by distinguishing the changes between design iterations and reprocessing only the changed blocks without affecting the remaining part of the design. When combined with a background refinement thread, the incremental approach offers the instant gratification that designers expect, while preserving the fidelity attained through batch-oriented programs. An integrated FPGA design environment is then developed based on the incremental placer and its background refiner. The results show that the incremental design methodology is in orders of magnitude faster than the competing approaches such as the Xilinx M3 tools without sacrificing too much quality.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 48

Abstract Level schemes and decay characteristics are presented for all nuclei with mass number 48. Experimental data, adopted values, comparisons with theory, and arguments for spin and parity assignments are given. The adopted level and decay properties are based on data received before February 1970. Data received between February and April 1970 have been “Added in Proof.”
Single-Dose Compared With Fractionated-Dose Radiation of the OM431 Choroidal Melanoma Cell Line

Purpose To compare single-dose and fractionated-dose radiotherapeutic effects on choroidal melanoma cells. Methods We determined the effects of gamma radiation on OM431 cell survival by exposing cells to either a single 9-Gy dose or two 4.5-Gy fractionated doses at intervals of 20 minutes to eight hours. The effects of single dosing and fractionated dosing at six hours were compared at doses of 2 to 12 Gy. Results Tumor cell repair was most rapid during the first two hours. Maximum repair had occurred by six hours after radiation. Cell survival curves showed doses greater than 3 Gy of single-dose gamma radiation resulted in a greater number of cells killed than did equivalent fractionated doses. Conclusions Ocular melanoma in vitro is relatively radioresistant to low-dose fractionated radiotherapy. High single-dose radiotherapy would be more effective but would also result in more damage to normal tissue unless more focused modalities of radiotherapy are used.
Downstream Exploration of DNA-Bound Searching Proteins: A Diffusion-Reaction Model

Proteins search along DNA for targets (e.g. transcription initiation sequences) through a combination of sliding, jumping, and intersegment transfers, wherein the sliding process proceeds until the protein-DNA complex dissociates. As such, we propose a diffusion-reaction model of the sliding phase of a total search process, and study the effect of varying reaction rate on the detailed search kinetics. With increasing dissociation rate, only the "fastest" proteins survive to explore downstream sequences, but at the price of increasing rarity, allowing for fluctuations to dominate the behavior at late times and long distances. Predictions of this model for the total search time agree with experimental estimates across an order of magnitude, providing bounds on dissociation rates that suggest a balance is established between maximizing downstream exploration of the DNA while minimizing the number of rare trajectories to guarantee the greatest chance of a successful search.
Hemispheric asymmetry in Alzheimer's disease is apparent in motor functioning.

Abstract We examined the prevalence and correlates of anomalous motor speed asymmetry in 104 right-handed patients with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). On the Halstead-Reitan Finger Tapping Test, over 60% of the AD patients exhibited notable departures from expected finger tapping asymmetry; 26% displayed an exaggerated right hand tapping advantage (ASYM RIGHT patients) and 37% showed a reversal of expected asymmetry (left hand speed equal to or greater than right hand speed, ASYM LEFT patients). ASYM-RIGHT patients had significantly more years of education than the ASYM-LEFT patients, suggesting that these patients had higher premorbid verbal abilities and possibly had a left hemisphere that was relatively resilient to the effects of AD. Motor speed asymmetry was correlated significantly with cognitive asymmetries (e. g., Verbal IQ vs. Performance IQ, naming vs. figure copying). Finally, ASYM-RIGHT patients exhibited a lower incidence of hallucinations and apathy than ASYM-LEFT patients...
Stabilization of Chromatin Structure by PRC1, a Polycomb Complex

The Polycomb group (PcG) genes are required for maintenance of homeotic gene repression during development. Mutations in these genes can be suppressed by mutations in genes of the SWI/SNF family. We have purified a complex, termed PRC1 (Polycomb repressive complex 1), that contains the products of the PcG genes Polycomb, Posterior sex combs, polyhomeotic, Sex combs on midleg, and several other proteins. Preincubation of PRC1 with nucleosomal arrays blocked the ability of these arrays to be remodeled by SWI/SNF. Addition of PRC1 to arrays at the same time as SWI/SNF did not block remodeling. Thus, PRC1 and SWI/SNF might compete with each other for the nucleosomal template. Several different types of repressive complexes, including deacetylases, interact with histone tails. In contrast, PRC1 was active on nucleosomal arrays formed with tailless histones.
Inclusion of short-term care patients affects the perceived performance of specialists: a retrospective cohort study

Current publicly reported quality performance measures directly compare primary care to specialty care. Specialists see short-term patients referred due to poor control of their disease who then return to their local provider. Our study looked to determine if outcomes measured in short-term care patients differed from those in long-term care patients and what impact those differences may have on quality performance profiles for specialists. Retrospective cohort from a large academic medical Center. Performance was measured as “Optimal Care” - all or none attainment of goals. Patients with short-term care ( 90 days contact) were evaluated for both specialty and primary care practices during the year 2008. Patients with short-term care had significantly lower “Optimal Care”: 7.2% vs. 19.7% for optimal diabetes care in endocrinology and 41.3% vs. 53.1% for optimal ischemic vascular disease care in cardiology (p < 0.001). Combining short and long term care patients lowered overall perceived performance for the specialty practice. Factors other than quality affect the perceived performance of the specialty practice. Extending current primary care quality measurement to short-term specialty care patients without adjustment produces misleading results.
BIST using pseudorandom test vectors and signature analysis

A tutorial is provided on a popular built-in self-test (BIST) scheme that uses pseudorandomly generated vectors as test stimuli and the signature-analysis technique to verify test results. The guidelines presented permit IC designers to implement the BIST method in their circuits using various design considerations and tradeoffs to achieve hardware efficiency and improved levels of controllability, observability, and testability. >
An evaluation of differences in risk factors for individual types of surgical site infections after colon surgery

Background Most studies and national programs aggregate the different types of surgical site infections (SSIs) potentially masking and misattributing risk. Determining that risk factors for superficial, deep, and organ space SSIs are unique is essential to improve SSI rates. Methods This cohort study utilized data of 59,365 patients who underwent colon resection at hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2007 to 2009. Four independent, multivariable, predictive models were developed to assess the unique associations between risk factors and each SSI group: Superficial, deep, organ space, and an aggregate of all 3 types of SSIs. Results Overall, 13% of colon cases developed SSIs: Superficial (8%), deep (1.4%), and organ space (3.8%). Each model was different. Morbidly obese patients were more likely to develop SSIs than normal weight patients across all models; however, risk factors common to all models (eg, body mass index [BMI], duration of operation, wound class, laparoscopic approach) had very different levels of risk. Unique risks for superficial SSIs include diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dyspnea. Deep SSIs had the greatest magnitude of association with BMI and the greatest incidence of wound disruption (19.8%). Organ space SSIs were often owing to anastomotic leaks and were uniquely associated with disseminated cancer, preoperative dialysis, preoperative radiation treatment, and a bleeding disorder, suggesting a physically frail or compromised patient may put the anastomosis at risk. Conclusion Risk factors for superficial, deep, and organ space SSI differ. More effective prevention strategies may be developed by reporting and examining each type of SSI separately.
Wireless wires: let the user build the ubiquitous computer

In this paper we describe the motivations, the rationale and a solution to build a web of things in which people have the important role to build new connections between real objects using a simple interaction based on pointing visual tags. Some scenarios are described and in particular the conference room scenario is analyzed in depth and a real prototype that implements this scenario is showed.
Substitution Mapping in Dahl Rats Identifies Two Distinct Blood Pressure Quantitative Trait Loci Within 1.12- and 1.25-Mb Intervals on Chromosome 3

Substitution mapping was used to refine the localization of blood pressure (BP) quantitative trait loci (QTL) within the congenic region of S.R-Edn3 rats located at the q terminus of rat chromosome 3 (RNO3). An F2(S × S.R-Edn3) population (n = 173) was screened to identify rats having crossovers within the congenic region of RNO3 and six congenic substrains were developed that carry shorter segments of R-rat-derived RNO3. Five of the six congenic substrains had significantly lower BP compared to the parental S rat. The lack of BP lowering effect demonstrated by the S.R(ET3 × 5) substrain and the BP lowering effect retained by the S.R(ET3 × 2) substrain together define the RNO3 BP QTL-containing region as ∼4.64 Mb. Two nonoverlapping substrains, S.R(ET3 × 1) and S.R(ET3 × 6), had significantly lower BP compared to the S strain, indicating the presence of two distinct BP QTL in the RNO3 q terminus. The RNO3 q terminus was fine mapped with newly developed polymorphic markers to characterize the extent of the congenic regions. The two RNO3 BP QTL regions were thus defined as within intervals of 0.05–1.12 and 0.72–1.25 Mb, respectively. Also important was our difficulty in fine mapping and marker placement in this portion of the rat genome (and thus candidate gene identification) using the available genomic data, including the rat genome sequence.
A theoretical model of hydraulic conductivity recovery from embolism with comparison to experimental data on Acer saccharum

A theoretical model of bubble dissolution in xylem conduits of stems was designed using the finite differential method and iterative calculations via computer. The model was based on Fick's, Henry's and Charles' laws and the capillary equation. The model predicted the tempo of recovery from embolism in small diameter branches of woody plants with various xylem structures under different xylem water pressures. The model predicted the time required to recover conductivity in any position in the stem. Repeated iterative solution of the model for different situations yielded an empirical formula to calculate the time for complete recovery of conductivity in stems from a fully embolised initial state. The time, tp, is given by: where α is a temperature coefficient; D is the coefficient of diffusion of air in wood at 25°C; rcs is the ratio of the area of total conduit cross section to the stem cross section; Ψxp is the stem xylem pressure potential (Pa, where 0 Pa equals atmospheric pressure); τ is solution surface tension (0.072 N m−1); and Dc and Ds are diameters of the conduits and the stem, respectively (m). The equation is valid only when Ψxp > –4τ/Dc. The model predicts no recovery of conductivity when Ψxp≤–4τ/Dc. The model agreed with experiments.
Cellular localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS‐1) in the human and rat retina

The neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (NOS-1) has been localized to several cell types in the retinas of experimental animals; however, localization in the human retina has not been definitive. By using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we have compared the cellular expression and localization of NOS-1 in the rat and human retinas. In both rat and human retinas, NOS-1 is expressed in the inner segments of photoreceptors, cells in the inner nuclear layer, particularly amacrine cells, and retinal ganglion cells. In human cones, NOS-1 is abundantly present in the outer segments. In the rat, optic nerve transection caused a loss of cells that were positive for NOS-1 in the ganglion cell layer. Although a retinal ganglion cell localization has not been reported consistently in the literature, our data clearly localize NOS-1 to the retinal ganglion cells of the rat and human retinas.