cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The transdiagnostic nature of disgust propensity: An examination of its associations with anxiety and obsessive compulsive-related disorder symptoms

Abstract Significant research highlights the role of disgust propensity in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-based diagnoses and suggests that heightened disgust propensity may be a transdiagnostic risk factor for these disorders. However, OCD was reclassified from an anxiety to an obsessive-compulsive and related disorder (OCRD), due in part to OCD being associated with a range of non-anxiety affective experiences, including disgust. A fair amount of work has examined the relationship between disgust, OCD, and anxiety disorders; less information is available on its relation to the OCRDs. The present study examined associations between specific domains of disgust propensity and self-reported symptoms of several anxiety disorders, OCD, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and hoarding in two non-clinical samples. Results showed that specific phobia, OCD, and BDD symptoms were consistently and strongly correlated with disgust domains. Results of multivariate regression analyses indicated replicable relationships between animal-reminder disgust and specific phobia symptoms, core disgust and animal phobia symptoms, and contamination disgust and cleaning symptoms, controlling for negative affect, anxiety sensitivity, and experiential avoidance. Results were inconsistent for panic, BDD, and hoarding symptoms. These results partially support the argument that the OCRDs are more distinct than similar and that OCD and some anxiety disorders are defined by common psychological processes.
Beyond numbers. Promoting women's meaningful political participation in Ethiopia

Women’s low position in Ethiopia, as anywhere else, is expressed in decision-making areas at different forums. In Ethiopia, there is a traditional belief that women are created to raise children and engage at household level instead of being part of a public life. What is so challenging is women will have more work to do and will not have an extra time to participate in different components of civic life other than those, which have significance to issues at household level. In addition to the prevailing role division between men and women, women in Ethiopia also face stereotypes that position them in a subordinate place and only as being led by men rather than being a leader on their own. Such stereotypical values are found for example in myths as "women cannot be speaking before their husband; Women cannot go ahead of their husband but can only follow their husband."
Design of Solar Blind Photodetectors for Communication with Red Signal (λ=650nm) in Space. Part I

Made of, Al x Ga 1-x As, the device realizes window discrimination of input wavelengths enabled by a double barrier tunneling photodetector determining the upper limit of acceptable band. A solar cell grown on top determines lower limit of the band and provides required voltage supply to the photodetector.
Petty in Pink: Clothing Color Moderates Audience Perceptions of a Female Politician’s Verbal Aggression:

This research assessed whether the color of a female politician’s clothing affected perceptions of her verbal aggression. In the context of Kamala Harris attacking Donald Trump, a 2 (color: pink vs...
Development of Microfluidic Shear Assays for Quantitative Analysis of Cell Adhesion

We report a series of microfluidic shear devices for studying cell adhesion on biological substrates. The method provides a tool for performing high throughput experiments with small amounts of sample and number of cells. Furthermore, it allows access to regimes of large adhesion strength that are difficult for conventional cell adhesion assays. We also demonstrate long-term cell culturing and experiments with medium perfusion in such microfluidic devices. These microfluidic devices could provide useful insight for tissue engineering and cell mechanotransduction studies.
Purposes and Limitations of Data Analysis

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on purposes and limitations of data analysis. Data analysis consists of the middle sequence of steps between design and decision making, wherein knowledge obtained from data is described and quantified. One of the tensions in the field of data analysis is captured by the alternative terms exploratory data analysis (EDA) and statistical modeling (SM). The essence of EDA or SM is data reduction and manipulation so as to extract and exhibit comprehensible structure. Both EDA and SM cycle back and forth between model fitting procedures and diagnostic model-checking procedures. EDA generally starts the process with summaries and displays, which means starting on the diagnostic side of the cycle rather than the fitting side. While the nonprobabilistic tools and skills of EDA are necessary for statistical practice, they are only sometimes sufficient. Computing solutions require hardware and software, of course, but theoreticians are greatly needed for mathematical, numerical, and statistical analyses associated with algorithm development. Computing problems appear in nonprobabilistic EDA, in retrospective CDA, in prospective CDA, and in IRDA. Instruction in statistics badly needs to convey not only technical content but also a real sense of the functional contributions of data analysis technology to resolving borderline issues in many sciences and professions.
Quick process troubleshooting by using advanced SEM ADC system

With shrinking design rules, the latest bare wafer surface inspection tools are driving sensitivity to less than 20nm. Fabs have also improved particle control—sometimes the biggest particle size is only ∼30–50nm. KLA-Tencor's SEM Review tool uses an improved alignment system and high sensitivity optical microscope (OM) to identify ∼30nm particle. The review system also provides a real-time automatic defect classification system (RT-ADC) that is designed for in-line applications, offering real-time classification of defect types. Using RT-ADC, we can do fully automated bare wafer review and EDX, improving troubleshooting cycle time by 3.4X.
Transport and reaction kinetics at the glass:solution interface region: Results of repository-oriented leaching experiments

Repository-oriented leaching experiments involving Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) 165 type glass under a {gamma}-radiation field (1 = 0.2 x 10{sup 4} R/h) have been performed by the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations (NNWSI) project. In this communication, we discuss glass surface analyses obtained by SEM, nuclear resonance profiling, and SIMS together with leachate solution data in relation to a mechanism that couples diffusion, hydrolysis (etching and gelation), and precipitation to qualitatively describe the release of different glass components to the leachant solutions. The release of mobile (e.g., Li) and partly mobile (e.g., B) species is controlled primarily by interdiffusion with water species across the interdiffusion zone. Glass components that are immobile in the interdiffusion zone are released to the solution by etching. For prediction of long-term steady-state concentrations of glass components with low solubility, the relative rates of release from the glass and secondary mineral precipitation must be taken into account.
Experimental search for high Curie temperature piezoelectric ceramics with combinatorial approaches

Abstract iv 1. Introduction 1 References 4 2. Literature review 5 2.1 Piezoelectric materials 5 2.2 Ferroelectric materials and the Curie temperature 6 2.3 Ferroelectric crystals and the perovskite structure 8 2.4 Perovskite solid solution and the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) 10 2.5 Curie temperature in solid solution of perovskites 13 2.6 Combinatorial processing 17 References 20 3. Experimental procedure 23 3.1 Sample preparations 23 3.2 Structure characterization 24 3.3 Electrical property measurements 25 4. Combinatorial processing libraries for bulk BiFeO
Learning together : teachers and families as learning communities

This summative research study examined the findings from four studies previously conducted by the authors, which explored a teacher preparation collaborative model focusing on parent/professional partnerships. Parents of children with disabilities were taught together with pre-service teachers during four academic years (2006-2010). The study was designed to determine if attitudes, beliefs, and dispositions of the participants changed as a result of their participation in the course. Data was initially collected through focus groups conducted before the course began and at the course completion. Pre-service teacher responses and parent responses were reported in separate previous articles. This summative study compared all response themes from the previous pre-service teacher studies with parents' themes to explore differences and similarities across these groups. Findings indicated striking similarities among the responses of both groups with the salient feature in the data being the notion of change. Specifically, both groups were particularly vocal about the change in their perceptions of each other, their preconceived negative notions, and change in knowledge of collaborative partnerships. As a result of these changes, we learned that this model of teacher preparation is effective for changing parent and teacher attitudes, beliefs, and dispositions about working together as a team.
Cellular energetics and the oxygen dependence of respiration in cardiac myocytes isolated from adult rat.

The oxygen dependence of mitochondrial respiration was investigated using suspensions of mitochondria and quiescent ventricular myocytes isolated from adult rat hearts. A new optical method was used to determine oxygen concentration in the suspending media. The P50 for respiration for coupled mitochondria at a high [ATP]/[ADP].[Pi] ratio and oxidizing glutamate/malate was 0.45 +/- 0.03 microM but was increased to 0.57 +/- 0.02 microM by the addition of succinate to the substrate mixture. This value was decreased to less than 0.06 +/- 0.01 microM when the ATP/ADP.Pi ratio was decreased with the uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. The P50 value in resting myocytes was 2.23 +/- 0.13 microM at a Vmax of 13.22 +/- 1.38 nmol of O2/g, dry weight/min. During resting conditions, the creatine phosphate/creatine and ATPfree/ADPfree ratios were high in these cells, 6.81 +/- 1.11 and 1131 +/- 185, respectively. Addition of 1 mM Ca2+ to the suspending media increased the P50 by 50% whereas respiration rose by only 10%. Respiratory rate was increased up to about 10-fold by uncoupling the cells, but the P50 increased by less than 3-fold. When these uncoupled cells were inhibited with Amytal to lower the rate of oxygen consumption to that of resting cells, the P50 fell to 1.25 +/- 0.14 microM. Diffusion models indicate that in resting myocytes, the oxygen concentration difference from sarcolemma to cell core was approximately 1.84 microM with an additional difference of about 0.27 microM attributed to the unstirred layer of media surrounding each cell. The intracellular oxygen diffusivity coefficient in myocytes was calculated to be 0.30 x 10(-5) cm2/s. The results show that the oxygen dependence of respiration is modulated by the cellular metabolic state. At near maximal levels of respiration or on recovery from hypoxic episodes, oxygen diffusion may become an important determinant of the oxygen dependence of myocardial respiration.
Oxygen Diffusion and Reaction Kinetics in Continuous Fiber Ceramic Matrix Composites

Previous stressed oxidation tests of C/SiC composites at elevated temperatures (350 C to 1500 C) and sustained stresses (69 MPa and 172 MPa) have led to the development of a finite difference cracked matrix model. The times to failure in the samples suggest oxidation occurred in two kinetic regimes defined by the rate controlling mechanisms (i.e. diffusion controlled and reaction controlled kinetics). Microstructural analysis revealed preferential oxidation along as-fabricated, matrix microcracks and also suggested two regimes of oxidation kinetics dependent on the oxidation temperature. Based on experimental results, observation, and theory, a finite difference model was developed. The model simulates the diffusion of oxygen into a matrix crack bridged by carbon fibers. The model facilitates the study of the relative importance of temperature, the reaction rate constant, and the diffusion coefficient on the overall oxidation kinetics.
Buoyant density, growth rate, and the cell cycle in Streptococcus faecium.

The buoyant density in rapidly growing Streptococcus faecium 9790 cells varies over the cell cycle, in contrast to the density in Escherichia coli. Buoyant density in S. faecium was measured by using Percoll (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Piscataway, N.J.) density gradients. We found that the mean and coefficient of variation of the population density increased with growth rate; and within a population, the mean cell volume, which was measured electronically, increased with density. These results were compared with electron microscopic measurements of the size distributions of cell wall growth sites within each fraction of the density gradient. As the density increased within a population, the frequency of large cells increased and the frequency of newly initiated cell wall growth sites increased. These effects were more marked as the growth rate increased. Next, these data were regrouped by cell size by using the size of the central growth site as an index of cell cycle stage. Each frequency value was weighted by the proportion of the population represented by that density fraction. Then, the average buoyant density was calculated for each value of cell size. In all cell populations, the density decreased and then increased as the central site enlarged. Peripheral growth sites were initiated as density reached a maximum. At faster growth rates, density increased more steeply, and new peripheral growth sites opened up at a higher frequency. We suggest that the rate at which density increases during the cell cycle correlates with the initiation of new cell wall growth sites.
An Alternative Explanation for Stock Price Increases among the S&P 500 following a Stock Buyback Announcement

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate an alternative, more basic explanation for stock price increases among the Standard & Poor's 500 Index following a stock buyback announcement than the signaling theory offered in current literature. Methodology: Three related sets of data were collected and analyzed for 1,858 individual SP second, the SP and third, the mathematical price of the stock resulting from the reduction in buyback shares. Results: The results demonstrate that the greatest contributor to the post-buyback-announcement share price increase is due to the combination of general market moves (S&P 500 Index) and the mathematical reduction in shares occurring from the buyback. No support is found for the signaling theory. Implication: This research presents a conceptually yet empirically supported framework to describe the significance of the mathematical reduction in shares as a contributing factor in the post-buyback-announcement share price increase as compared to alternatives offered in the current literature. This paper is particularly useful for those who study stock market behavior and the causes of the share price increase that follow a stock buyback announcement.
El reto metanarrativo en Conspiración de Gloria Elena Espinoza de Tercero

Conspiracion, la novela mas reciente de Gloria Elena Espinoza de Tercero, es un ejemplo tipico de la metaficcion. En este estudio, analizamos la relacion del narrador con (1) America, la protagonista que proclama su autonomia en el texto (2) los personajes reales que se comunican con el narrador mediante correos electronicos y (3) la escritora, que implicitamente reclama su autoria e ignora el reto de la voz narrativa.
3D brown adipogenesis to create “Brown-Fat-in-Microstrands”

The ability of brown adipocytes (fat cells) to dissipate energy as heat shows great promise for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders. Employing pluripotent stem cells, with an emphasis on directed differentiation, may overcome many issues currently associated with primary fat cell cultures. In addition, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems are needed to better understand the role of brown adipocytes in energy balance and treating obesity. To address this need, we created 3D "Brown-Fat-in-Microstrands" by microfluidic synthesis of alginate hydrogel microstrands that encapsulated cells and directly induced cell differentiation into brown adipocytes, using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) as a model of pluripotent stem cells, and brown preadipocytes as a positive control. Brown adipocyte differentiation within microstrands was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and qPCR analysis of the expression of the brown adipocyte-defining marker uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), as well as other general adipocyte markers. Cells within microstrands were responsive to a β-adrenergic agonist with an increase in gene expression of thermogenic UCP1, indicating that these "Brown-Fat-in-Microstrands" are functional. The ability to create "Brown-Fat-in-Microstrands" from pluripotent stem cells opens up a new arena to understanding brown adipogenesis and its implications in obesity and metabolic disorders.
Statin-associated autoimmune myopathy and anti-HMGCR autoantibodies

Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications that significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in selected individuals. However, these drugs can also be associated with muscle symptoms ranging from mild myalgias to severe rhabdomyolysis. Although statin myotoxicity is usually self-limited, in some instances statin-exposed subjects can develop an autoimmune myopathy typically characterized by progressive weakness, muscle enzyme elevations, a necrotizing myopathy on muscle biopsy, and autoantibodies that recognize 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), the pharmacologic target of statins. These antibodies are also found in some autoimmune myopathy patients without statin exposure. Importantly, anti-HMGCR antibodies are not found in the vast majority of statin-exposed subjects without autoimmune myopathy, including those with self-limited statin intolerance. Thus, testing for these antibodies may help differentiate those with self-limited statin myopathy who recover after statin discontinuation from those with a progressive statin-associated autoimmune myopathy who typically require immunosuppressive therapy.
Threshold conditions for amplified spontaneous emission of x radiation

Threshold conditions for obtaining amplified spontaneous emission of x radiation, inclusive of strong line broadening and loss processes, are presented and evaluated for the case of pumping by ion-atom-ion-ion collisions. Quasistatic as well as pulsed operation of such x-ray lasers is seen to be realizable in terms of currently operative plasma systems.
Synthesis and characterization of some imide end‐capped amide‐imides

Monomers (C 4 HNO 2 R)-PhCONH-R'-NHCOPh-(C 4 HNO 2 R) (R=H,Me; R'=Ph, PhCH 2 Ph, PhSO 2 Ph) were prepared and studied. Polymers obtained after curing were stable up to 350°c in nitrogen.
Validation of a novel robotic telepathology platform for neuropathology intraoperative touch preparations.

Background: Robotic telepathology (RT) allows a remote pathologist to control and view a glass slide over the internet. This technology has been demonstrated to be effective on several platforms, but we present the first report on the validation of RT using the iScan Coreo Au whole slide imaging scanner. Methods: One intraoperative touch preparation slide from each of 100 cases were examined twice (200 total cases) using glass slides and RT, with a 3 week washout period between viewings, on two different scanners at two remote sites. This included 75 consecutive neuropathology cases and 25 consecutive general surgical pathology cases. Interpretations were compared using intraobserver variability. Results: Of the 200 total cases, one failed on RT. There were 47 total interpretive variances. Most of these were the result of less specific interpretations or an inability to identify scant diagnostic material on RT. Nine interpretive variances had potentially significant clinical implications (4.5%). Using the final diagnosis as a basis for comparison to evaluate these nine cases, three RT interpretations and three glass slide interpretations were considered to be discrepant. In the other three cases, both modalities were discrepant. This distribution of discrepancies indicates that underlying case difficulty, not the RT technology, probably accounts for these major variances. For the subset of 68 neoplastic neuropathology cases, the unweighted kappa of agreement between glass slides and RT was 0.68 (good agreement). RT took 225 s on average versus only 71 s per glass slide. Conclusions: This validation demonstrates that RT using the iScan Coreo Au system is a reasonable method for supplying remote neuropathology expertise for the intraoperative interpretation of touch preparations, but is limited by the slowness of the robotics, crude focusing, and the challenge of determining where to examine the slide using small thumbnail images.
Table Hopping in the Cafeteria: An Exploration of “Racial” Integration in Early Adolescent Social Groups

This study, based on qualitative and quantitative methods, concludes that loose-knit peer groups encourage interracial interaction, whereas cliques do not. The conceptual significance of loose-knit groups is that they are midway in intimacy between the classroom and cliques, and thus an important intermediate stage in the progression of “race” relations. A practical implication is that knitness is a useful indicator of the effects of the formal organization on voluntary race relations.
'Nudging' your patients toward improved oral health

ABSTRACT Background Behavioral economics combines research from the fields of psychology, neurology and economics to help people understand how people make choices in complex social and economic environments. The principles of behavioral economics increasingly are being applied in health care. The author describes how dental team members can use behavioral economics principles to improve patients’ oral health. Conclusions Dental patients must make complex choices about care, and dental team members must provide information to patients to help them make choices. Patients are subject to predictable biases and are prone to making errors. Dental team members can use this information to “nudge” patients in healthy directions by providing an appropriate mix of incentives, default options and feedback. Practice Implications The suggestions the author presents may help dental team members choose strategies that maximize both patient welfare and the success of their practices, while preserving patient autonomy.
Comparison of growth functions within and between lines of mice selected for large and small body weight.

Several criteria have been suggested for comparing different nonlinear growth functions to determine which function gives the best quantitative description of a given set of observed sigmoid growth curves. These criteria were then used to compare the logistic, Gompertz and Bertalanffy functions within and among lines of mice: a control line (C 1) and lines selected for large (H 6) and small (L 6) body weight at six weeks of age.A general comparison of the three growth functions was based on the differences in residual variances of the respective functions fitted to the growth data of individual mice. Since the three functions differ primarily in the fixed proportion of the asymptotic weight at which the inflexion point occurs, the growth function which will provide the minimum residual variance among the three considered is the one which most closely approximates the observed proportion. The results of this comparison indicated that the logistic function gave the best fit for both sexes of the H 6 and C 1 lines. While no significant differences in residual variances were evident in L 6 males, the Bertalanffy function had the smallest residual variance in L 6 females.The four derived traits of each growth function analyzed individually were the asymptote (A), age at inflexion (t (*)), rate at which a logarithmic function of body weight changes with time (k) and mean absolute growth rate with respect to body weight increase (v). The coefficient of variation among individuals within full-sib families was used to compare the relative variability of the analogous traits estimated from the three growth functions. The coefficients of variation of A, t (*) and k calculated from the logistic function were significantly (P < .01) smaller than those from both the Gompertz and Bertalanffy functions in all three lines, while there were no significant differences in the relative variability of v among the three lines. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between the analogous traits estimated from two different growth functions were sufficiently high in most cases to conclude that the same trait was being measured by the three growth functions. Each derived trait was analyzed for variation in lines, sexes, seasons and respective interactions. The sources of variation generally exhibited similar levels of significance for the analogous traits estimated by the three functions, although a few exceptions were found. These results suggest that although the logistic function provided the best description of the growth data, the same general conclusions about differences within and among the three lines would have been reached with any of the three functions. The four derived traits of the logistic curve were used to describe quantitatively the differences in growth among the H 6, L 6 and C 1 lines.
Clinical experience with brimonidine 0.2% and timolol 0.5% in glaucoma and ocular hypertension

The ocular hypotensive efficacy and safety of brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, a highly selective alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, was compared with that of timolol 0.5%, a nonselective beta-blocker in two multicenter, randomized, double-masked studies. Combined data from a 12-month completed study and 6-month interim data from an ongoing study are reported. Efficacy and safety were evaluated at baseline, weeks 1 and 2, and months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at peak (2 hours after the morning dose) and trough (12 hours after the evening dose). Patients (n = 926) instilled either brimonidine tartrate 0.2% or timolol maleate 0.5% twice daily. At peak, the mean decreases from baseline IOP ranged from 5.9 +/- 3.2 mm Hg to 7.6 +/- 3.6 mm Hg for brimonidine and 6.0 +/- 3.4 mm Hg to 6.6 +/- 3.6 mm Hg for timolol (p < 0.001 within groups compared with baseline). No significant between-group differences were seen at peak except for weeks 1 and 2 and month 3 (p < or = 0.04), when brimonidine had lower mean IOP. At trough the mean decreases from baseline ranged from 3.7 +/- 4.0 mm Hg to 5.0 +/- 3.0 mm Hg for brimonidine and 5.9 +/- 3.4 to 6.6 +/- 3.0 for timolol. A significant between-group difference was seen at trough at all visits (< 0.001), when timolol had a lower mean IOP. Brimonidine and timolol showed sustained efficacy. Both drugs were well-tolerated. The brimonidine group had more ocular allergy, oral dryness and conjunctival follicles. The timolol group had more burning and stinging. In the brimonidine group, 38/513 (7.4%) discontinued treatment due to ocular allergy. The timolol group had significantly lower mean heart rate compared to baseline. The effect on blood pressure was minimal for both drugs. Brimonidine showed efficacy similar to timolol and a relatively low rate of ocular allergy. Brimonidine 0.2% administered twice daily is an effective and safe ocular hypotensive agent that maintains IOP-lowering in chronic use.
Low threshold current density GaAsSb quantum well (QW) lasers grown by metal organic chemical vapour deposition on GaAs substrates

Low threshold current density GaAsSb/GaAs quantum well (QW) lasers were realised by metal organic chemical vapour deposition. A record low threshold current density of 190 A/cm/sup 2/ was obtained from a 2.2 mm long broad area laser with the emission wavelength of 1.19 /spl mu/m.
An Interpretation for the Tutte Polynomial

For any matroidMrealizable over Q, we give a combinatorial interpretation of the Tutte polynomialTM(x,y) which generalizes many of its known interpretations and specializations, including Tutte's coloring and flow interpretations ofTM(1?t,0),TM(0,?t); Crapo and Rota's finite field interpretation ofTM(1?qk,0); the interpretation in terms of the Whitneycorank-nullitypolynomial; Greene's interpretation as the weight enumerator of a linear code and its recent generalization to higher weight enumerators by Barg; Jaeger's interpretation in terms of linear code words and dual code words with disjoint support; and Brylawksi and Oxley's two-variable coloring formula.
Chellas on conditional obligation

In his Modal Logic (pp. 200-202), Brian Chellas raises two objections to standard deontic logic. I shall be concerned here with the first objection: that standard deontic logic is inadequate because it lacks the resources to express conditional obligation sentences. I shall argue, first, that Chellas' objections tell against conditional obligation sentences because those sentences are conditional, not because they pertain to obligation. The problems he raises, therefore, afflict standard accounts of 'if ... then ...' whether or not deontic notions are involved. Second, I shall contend that there are other significant differences between Chellas' and standard systems which reflect a fundamental difference in interpreting statements of obligation in general. Only by recognizing these differences can one make intelligent choices among competing deontic principles.
Alcohol-induced thymocyte apoptosis is accompanied by impaired mitochondrial function

Abstract This study examines the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on thymic apoptosis with or without pretreatment with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Apoptotic cell death of thymocytes was monitored by DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis and the appearance of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), as indicated by 3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide [DiOC 6 (3)] uptake, and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production as indicated by oxidation of 2′,7′-dichlorofluresin diacetate (DCFH-DA), were used to assess altered mitochondrial function. Glutathione levels were also determined to obtain information concerning alterations in the antioxidant potential in the cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed a nutritionally adequate liquid diet for 8–9 weeks, were divided in four groups: 1) saline-injected, diet controls; 2) LPS-injected, diet controls; 3) saline-injected, alcohol-consuming; and 4) LPS-injected, alcohol-consuming animals. LPS (0.5 mg/kg in 4 ml saline) or saline (4 ml) was continuously infused IV for 12 h before the experiments. The results showed that the weight and cell numbers of thymus from the chronic alcoholic rats were significantly less than values found in diet controls. Administration of LPS aggravated thymic apoptosis, as indicated by the presence of significant DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis and increased rate of apoptotic cells in flow cytometry. The alcohol-induced apoptotic changes were also accompanied by decreased MMP, indicating impaired mitochondrial function. Although H 2 O 2 production by the total thymocyte population did not show marked changes among the experimental groups, the subpopulation of thymocytes exhibiting low H 2 O 2 production was increased markedly in the LPS-treated groups. Ethanol consumption or LPS treatment decreased total glutathione concentration in the thymocytes. In summary, 1) chronic administration of alcohol induces atrophy of the thymus gland; 2) apoptosis is a major factor in thymic atrophy under these conditions; 3) chronic alcohol consumption is accompanied by alterations in mitochondrial function of the thymocytes, as indicated by decreased MMP and an increase in the low H 2 O 2 -producing cell subpopulation; 4) chronic alcohol abuse may impair intracellular defense mechanisms as reflected by the depletion of the intracellular antioxidant, glutathione; and 5) administration of LPS further enhances thymic apoptosis in chronic alcohol-consuming rats, suggesting that the dual insults of infection and chronic alcoholism exaggerate in vivo immunosuppression.
Emergence of Scaling in Random Networks

Systems as diverse as genetic networks or the World Wide Web are best described as networks with complex topology. A common property of many large networks is that the vertex connectivities follow a scale-free power-law distribution. This feature was found to be a consequence of two generic mechanisms: (i) networks expand continuously by the addition of new vertices, and (ii) new vertices attach preferentially to sites that are already well connected. A model based on these two ingredients reproduces the observed stationary scale-free distributions, which indicates that the development of large networks is governed by robust self-organizing phenomena that go beyond the particulars of the individual systems.
Structure and Regulation of the Murine Clara Cell Secretory Protein Gene

Abstract Clara cell secretory protein (CC10 or CCSP) is an abundant component of airway secretions and has the ability to bind small hydrophobic molecules. Genomic clones were isolated for the murine gene coding for Clara cell secretory protein. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the gene was composed of three exons that span 4316 bp. Organization of the murine CCSP gene was very similar to that of the rabbit gene that codes for the biochemically related uteroglobin protein. Messenger RNAs for both genes were coded for by three exons, counterparts of which encode similar structural and functional protein domains. Transcriptional regulatory elements in the 5′ flanking DNA were conserved between species, as were the functional properties of these elements when characterized in assays of promoter function. These data support the notion that Clara cell secretory protein genes from the rat and mouse, and the uteroglobin gene in rabbit, represent interspecies homologues.
The Field Study Program.

The Field Studies Program is an undergraduate, interdisciplinary experience in field-related education on the Berkeley campus of the University of California. Begun in 1971, the program has survived repeated examination and shows every sign of becoming a fixture on the campus. Located at a major center of graduate education, the program has had to take itself very seriously as an intellectual endeavor. Self-study has generated a model of field-related education based on doing, thinking, and communicating that leads toward increased competency and consciousness. Within the program competence is seen as the ability to act intelligently and effectively—to act and to employ knowledge. Consciousness is seen as self-awareness and the ability to generate knowledge from action—to learn from experience. The article elaborates on this model and reports students' responses to participation in the program.
Characterization of a contemporaneous hybrid zone between two darter species (Etheostoma bison and E. caeruleum) in the Buffalo River System

Hybrid zones have long intrigued evolutionary biologists and provide a natural laboratory to explore the evolution of reproductive isolation (speciation). Molecular characterization of hybrid zone dynamics can provide insight into the strength of reproductive isolation as well as the underlying evolutionary processes shaping gene flow. Approximately one-third of darter species naturally hybridize making this species-rich North American freshwater teleost fish clade an ideal system to investigate the extent and direction of hybridization. The objective of this study was to use diagnostic microsatellite markers to calculate genetic hybrid index scores of two syntopic, but distantly related darter species, Etheostoma bison and Etheostoma caeruleum. A combination of hybrid index scores, assignment tests, and mitochondrial haplotype profiles uncovered mixed ancestry in approximately 6 % of sampled adult individuals, supporting contemporaneous hybridization that was previously undocumented in E. bison. Moreover, hybrids were not limited to the F1 generation, but encompassed the entire suite of hybrid categories (F1, F2 and backcross hybrids). The low number of hybrids assigned to each hybrid category represents a bimodal hybrid zone, suggesting reproductive isolation is strong (but incomplete) and also advocates for the ability of hybrids to produce second-generation hybrids and backcross into both parental species, mediating introgression across species boundaries. To this end, cytonuclear profiles of the sampled parental species and hybrids were consistent with bidirectional gene flow, although there was an overall trend of asymmetric hybridization between E. caeruleum females and E. bison males. The spatiotemporal variation in hybridization rates and resulting cytonuclear patterns expanded on in this study provide a comparative genetic framework on which future studies can begin to elucidate the underlying processes that not only generate a mosaic hybrid zone, but maintain the distinctness of species in the face of gene flow.
Multicultural Family Approaches to Career Counseling

Career and work comprise a major portion of most people’s lives, yet little attention is given to this topic in the family literature. Furthermore, less attention is provided for exploration of how...
A temperature-controlled, anaerobic cell for direct electrochemical studies.

Abstract The construction and operation of a cell for temperature-controlled, direct electrochemical studies of oxygen-sensitive materials are described. The borosilcate cell contains a pyrolytic graphite working electrode, a Ag AgCl reference electrode, and a platinum counter electrode, all of which can be readily interchanged with other types of electrodes. It is surrounded by a water jacket constructed of steel and Lexan, which can easily maintain temperatures between 4°C and at least 90°C. The entire cell was designed to minimize the number, complexity, and expense of components, as well as minimize required sample volume (250 μl) and sources of oxygen leakage. As examples of the cell's utility, the redox properties of two common organic redox dyes, methyl viologen and thionin, were determined by differential pulse voltammetry at temperatures from 30 to 90°C.
Beam-transport system for the Berkeley 88-inch cyclotron†

The facilities for focusing and bending the external beam are described, mainly from an ion optical point of view. Particular attention is paid to a bending system that has been designed to deflect the beam through an angle of 104 deg in order to guide it into the cave provided for high-intensity bombardments. Some numerical results of ion optical calculations are presented.
Abstracting deficits and childhood conduct disorder as a function of familial alcoholism.

Using a large sample (n = 515), family history-positive male alcoholics (FH+) performed poorer than family history-negative (FH-) alcoholics on a test of abstracting ability. They also reported an earlier age of onset of alcoholism, more symptoms of childhood conduct disorder, and tended to report more depressive symptoms than FH- alcoholics, however, these variables were not significantly related to abstracting score. FH+ and FH- samples did not differ on average amount of ethanol consumed per day, vocabulary, state anxiety, childhood attentional deficit disorder, and childhood learning disability. The significant differences found in this study between FH+ and FH- alcoholics were minimal. With such weak effects, the inconsistent findings in studies that have investigated differences between FH+ and FH- alcoholics are understandable.
Orientation- and edge-map-based fingerprint core-point detection

A new core-point detection method using orientation and edge maps, where a color loop-up table is defined and used to obtain the orientation map, is presented. To achieve high speed detection, all processes are performed with the reduced image. The edge map is obtained by detecting the edges on the orientation map. Then an upper-part maximum edge region is defined as the edge region with maximum area in the edge map. Finally, the core point can be detected simply by finding a point located in the lowest part of the upper-part maximum edge region. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively detect the core point for all types of fingerprints including the arch type.
Gender stereotypes are not accurate: A replication of Martin (1987) using diagnostic vs. self-report and behavioral criteria

Women and men (58 females and 42 males) reported whether they possess each of several stereotypic and neutral traits (self-report criterion) and recorded the percentage of each gender they believed display each trait (diagnostic). Observations of subjects (57 males and 49 females) discussing controversial topics yielded the behavioral criterion. (Approximately 81% of the total sample was European-American, 8% African-American, 2% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and the remainder of “other” ethnicity.) Gender differences were larger and more inaccurate in stereotypes (diagnostic) than in “reality” (self-report criterion), but behavioral criterion results were mixed. Difficulties in specifying criteria for “actual differences,” including behavioral criteria, and recent work related to C. L. Martin's [(1987) “A Ratio Measure of Gender Stereotyping,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 52, pp. 489–499] paradigm (and results) are considered. Implications of results for the importance of replication and for research on accuracy of stereotypes are also discussed.
Perioperative morbidity and mortality of cardiothoracic surgery in patients with a do-not-resuscitate order

Background. Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are often active in patients with multiple comorbidities and a short natural life expectancy, but limited information exists as to how often these patients undergo high-risk operations and of the perioperative outcomes in this population. Methods. Using comprehensive inpatient administrative data from the Public Discharge Data file (years 2005 through 2010) of the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, which includes a dedicated variable recording DNR status, we identified cohorts of DNR patients who underwent major cardiac or thoracic operations and compared themto age- and procedure-matched comparison cohorts. The primary study outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results. DNR status was not uncommon in cardiac (n = 2,678, 1.1% of all admissions for cardiac surgery, age 71.6 ± 15.9 years) and thoracic (n = 3,129, 3.7% of all admissions for thoracic surgery, age 73.8 ± 13.6 years) surgical patient populations. Relative to controls, patients who were DNR experienced significantly greater inhospital mortality after cardiac (37.5% vs. 11.2%, p < 0.0001 and thoracic (25.4% vs. 6.4%) operations. DNR status remained an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality onmultivariate analysis after adjustment for baseline and comorbid conditions in both the cardiac (OR 4.78, 95% confidence interval 4.21–5.41, p < 0.0001) and thoracic (OR 6.11, 95% confidence interval 5.37–6.94, p < 0.0001) cohorts. Conclusions. DNR status is associated with worse outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery even when controlling for age, race, insurance status, and serious comorbid disease. DNR status appears to be a marker of substantial perioperative risk, and may warrant substantial consideration when framing discussions of surgical risk and benefit, resource utilization, and biomedical ethics surrounding end-of-life care.
Effects of notchplasty and femoral tunnel position on excursion patterns of an anterior cruciate ligament graft.

Abstract Purpose: Errors in femoral tunnel placement in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can cause excessive length changes in the graft during knee flexion and extension, resulting in graft elongation during the postoperative period. To improve the accuracy of tunnel placement and to avoid graft impingement, a notchplasty is commonly performed. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of varying the position of the femoral tunnel and of performing a 2-mm notchplasty of the lateral femoral condyle and roof of the intercondylar notch on excursion patterns of a bone–patellar tendon–bone graft. Type of Study: Biomechanical cadaveric study. Methods: A cylindrical cap of bone, containing the tibial insertion of the ACL, was mechanically isolated in 15 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens using a coring cutter. The bone cap was attached to an electronic isometer that recorded displacement of the bone cap relative to the tibia as the knee was taken through a 90° range of motion. After native ACL testing, the proximal end of a 10-mm bone–patella tendon–bone graft was fixed within femoral tunnels drilled at the 10-, 11-, and 12-o'clock (or 2-, 1-, and 12-o'clock) positions within the notch. The distal end of the graft was attached to the isometer. Testing was then completed at each tunnel position before and after notchplasty. Results: Before notchplasty, mean graft excursions at the 10- or 2-, 11- or 1-, and 12-o'clock tunnels were not significantly different from the excursions of the native ACL or each other. After a 2-mm notchplasty, mean graft excursions at the 3 tunnel locations were not sigificantly different from each other but were greater than mean graft excursions before notchplasty. After notchplasty, all grafts tightened during knee flexion. Conclusions: Although errors in placement along the arc of the intercondylar notch did not significantly affect graft excursion patterns, the apparent graft tightening with knee flexion that was observed for all 3 tunnel positions after notchplasty suggests that graft forces would increase with knee flexion over this range. This would indicate that as little amount of bone as possible should be removed from the posterior portion of the intercondylar notch in ACL reconstruction. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 4 (April), 2003: pp 340–345
A semiempirical study of the temperature dependence of the anode charge transfer coefficient of a 6 kW PEM electrolyzer

Abstract Temperature dependency of the charge transfer coefficient (CTC) of the oxygen electrode of a commercial proton exchange membrane electrolyzer stack is investigated in this paper. A good estimate of the CTC is important in predicting the current–voltage characteristics of electrolyzers. The estimated CTC also provides insight into the properties of the electrode. The results of this study show that at typical operating temperatures, there is a reasonable variation of the CTC from the symmetry factor. The results indicate that within a temperature range of 20–60 °C, the average CTC changes from 0.18 to 0.42 which is clearly lower than the standard symmetry factor of 0.5.
Excimer-Based Peptide Beacons: A Convenient Experimental Approach for Monitoring Polypeptide−Protein and Polypeptide−Oligonucleotide Interactions

While protein−polypeptide and nucleic acid−polypeptide interactions are of significant experimental interest, quantitative methods for the characterization of such interactions are often cumbersome. Here we described a relatively simple means of optically monitoring such interactions using excimer-based peptide beacons (PBs). The design of PBs is based on the observation that, whereas short peptides are almost invariably unfolded and highly dynamic, they become rigid when complexed with macromolecular targets. Using this binding-induced folding to segregate two pyrene moieties and therefore inhibit excimer formation, we have produced PBs directed against both anti-HIV antibodies and the retroviral transactive response (TAR) RNA hairpin. For both polypeptides, target recognition is accompanied by a roughly 2-fold decrease in excimer emission, thus allowing the detection of their respective targets at concentrations of a few nanomolar. Because excimer emission requires the formation of a tight, precisely or...