cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of hypothalamic and mesencephalic lesions on food and water intakes, adiposity and some endocrine criteria, in the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Abstract Bilateral electrolytic lesions were placed either in the basomedial hypothalamus (BMH) or in the mesencephalic interpeduncular nucleus of male red-winged blackbirds. The BMH lesions induced hyperphagia, obesity and functional castration. The mesencephalic lesions induced primary hyperdipsia and hypersensitivity to angiotensin II. Some of the mesencephalic lesioned birds were hyperphagic and obese. These birds had involuted testes but still had normal levels of serum testosterone. A discussion of these results pertaining to the literature concerning avian and mammalian species is presented.
An examination of methods for analysis of liquid metal corrosion

Methods of analyzing liquid metal penetration data are discussed and compared. Data on the corrosion of 2.25Cr-1Mo steel by liquid lithium at 480 ‡C are reanalyzed as an example, and a previously reported activation energy for a secondary penetration mechanism is corrected.
Suppression and Mitigation of Edge Localized Modes in the DIII-D Tokamak with 3D Magnetic Perturbations ∗)

Uncontrolled Type-I Edge Localize Modes (ELMs) are expected to cause melting of the tungsten divertors in ITER. Methods for controlling ELMs in ITER include pellet pacing and Resonant Magnetic Perturbation (RMP) fields produced by in-vessel, non-axisymmetric, coils. Type-I ELMs have been reproducibly suppressed and mitigated in DIII-D H-mode plasmas with a variety of shapes and pedestal collisionalities using RMP fields of order 10−3 BT. In these experiments the response of Type-I ELMs to applied RMP fields, with a principal toroidal mode number n = 3, varies dramatically. In some cases there is an evolution in the ELM dynamics involving combinations of small high frequency Dα spikes mixed with mitigated Type-I ELMs prior to reaching an ELM suppressed state. In other cases, there is continuous change in the frequency and amplitude of the Type-I ELMs. A reduced set of plasma parameters, that significantly affect the dynamics of the ELMs immediately following the application of the RMP field, have been identified. The dynamics of mitigated ELMs are generally consistent with those seen during Type-I through Type-V ELMs although several new types of ELM dynamics have also been observed in plasmas with relatively low toroidal fields as well as during q95 ramps.
Using panel data to estimate the determinants of medical malpractice insurance premiums

The purpose of the present study is to incorporate state-level heterogeneity into an examination of the effects of tort reforms and other factors on medical malpractice insurance premiums; a random effects model is used to account for this heterogeneity. The results of the present study show that individual, state-level effects are important determinants of medical malpractice insurance premiums and that tort reforms had no effects on malpractice insurance premium levels. The results of previous studies that used ordinary least squares had indicated that some tort reforms were significant.
Head and Heart: Neuropsychological Reaction and Arterial Line Filtration during Cardiopulmonary Bypass:

As part of a prospective study of neuropsychologic reactions after cardiopulmonary bypass and their relation to arterial line filters, 44 patients who underwent elective cardiac operations were ran...
Fire effects on gross inorganic N transformation in riparian soils in coniferous forests of central Idaho, USA: wildfires v. prescribed fires

We investigated differences between wildfires and prescribed fires in their effects on nitrogen (N) dynamics in mineral soils collected from riparian coniferous forests of central Idaho, USA. Specifically, we investigated how the two types of fires affected inorganic N concentrations, microbial biomass N and gross transformation rates of inorganic N in mineral soils relative to their corresponding unburnt controls. There was no significant difference in soil NH4+ concentrations between burnt and control soils in either type of fires. However, wildfires significantly reduced gross ammonification and microbial NH4+ uptake rates relative to their controls (P = 0.05 and 0.08). No such effect was found in soils burnt by the prescribed fires relative to their controls. Burnt soils had significantly higher NO3– concentrations than control soils when all the data were pooled (P = 0.08). The elevated NO3– concentrations in the soils burnt by either type of fire were not caused by increased gross nitrification, but likely by significantly reduced microbial NO3– uptake (P ≤ 0.02). We concluded that controlled prescribed fires conducted in early spring had less of an effect on soil N dynamics than wildfires in the region.
Adrenergic sympathectomy ablates unmyelinated fibers in the rat 'preganglionic' cervical sympathetic trunk.

Abstract Classical anatomical depictions of the cervical sympathetic trunk label it is cholinergic preganglionic structure. We studied the cervical sympathetic trunk of the rat following daily injection for 5 weeks of guanethidine monosulphate, a regimen known to selectively destroy adrenergic neurons outside of the blood-brain barrier leaving cholinergic systems and preganglionic structures intact. The drug-treated animals were compared with a group of physiologic saline-injected animals. In the drug-treated animals, there was an approximately 40% reduction in the numbers of unmyelinated fibers per unit area compared to controls. The finding of swollen and degenerative appearing unmyelinated fibers at 7 days of drug treatment confirmed that the fiber loss resulted from active axonal degeneration. The pattern of unmyelinated fiber loss was expressed as a reduction of fibers per Schwann cell-basement membrane profile with an appearance of ‘empty profiles’, and a conversion of large profiles (with large numbers of fibers per profile) to smaller size categories. There were no differences in axon diameters, fascicular areas, and numbers of microvessels between the groups. Microvessels were dilated in the drug-treated animals. These findings suggest that a large component of the cervical sympathetic chain in the rat consists of postganglionic adrenergic fibers which appear to intermingle with preganglionic cholinergic axons coursing through the chain.
A 6000-year soil pollen record of subalpine meadow vegetation in the Olympic Mountains, Washington, USA

1 Subalpine meadow communities are influenced by edaphic and microclimatic gradients, and should be affected by climate change that affects these local controls. We used pollen preserved in meadow soils to investigate the long-term interaction of these factors in a 1-ha subalpine meadow in the Olympic Mountains, Washington, USA. 2 To describe the spatial scale at which soil pollen is related to neighbouring vegetation, pollen in 46 soil surface samples was compared with plant cover within concentric circular plots (0.5–1 m radii). Regression analysis of percentage pollen with plant cover at different distances from the surface sample had the highest correlation with radii < 1 m, confirming that entomophilous meadow species have very small relevant pollen source areas. 3 We analysed pollen records in soil columns at three sites representing a range of growing season lengths and community types within the meadow. Soils had aggraded by the deposition of eolian silt. Radiocarbon dates of pollen concentrates were similar to or older than radiocarbon dates on charcoal pieces at the same depth, suggesting negligible downwards movement of pollen in the soil profile. 4 The oldest soil pollen profile was from the wettest microsite, currently dominated by a snowbed Carex nigricans community. This site was occupied by a dry Juniperus community prior to c. 6000 bp (before present), when it shifted to more mesic communities dominated by Poaceae and Polemonium. The first appearance of a snowbed Carex nigricans community at this site, c. 2500–1500 bp, suggests a change to cooler and/or wetter regional climate. 5 High levels of Polygonum bistortoides at all sites indicated a shift to long snow-free periods and mesic summer conditions during an interval corresponding to the Medieval Warm Period (c. 1200–700 bp). After 500 bp (during the Little Ice Age) Carex nigricans re-established in the wet microsite, while relatively little change occurred at the other two sites. Overall, the greater magnitude of change at this microsite than at the longer growing-season sites indicates that, in these subalpine meadows, short growing season sites are most sensitive to regional climate change.
Shear testing of neat thermoplastic resins and their unidirectional graphite composites

Abstract The shear modulus and shear strength of a wide range of neat thermoplastic resins and their unidirectional graphite (AS-4) fibre-reinforced composites have been measured using the losipescu test method, chosen since it applies a uniform shear stress state to the specimens, is relatively simple and reproducible, and is not restricted to specific materials. The stress/strain curves for all the composites were non-linear over the entire range examined. The ratio of the composite modulus to the corresponding neat resin modulus was a strong function of the predicted resin/fibre wetting. On the other hand, the composite strengths were directly related to the neat resin strengths. The modulus of the nylon 6.6 composite was significantly affected by differences in specimen crystallization caused by cooling rate changes. The modified rule-of-mixtures underpredicted composite properties from those of the neat resin.
On the Carathéodory–Fejér Interpolation Problem for Generalized Schur Functions

The solutions of the Caratheodory–Fejer interpolation problem for generalized Schur functions can be parametrized via a linear fractional transformation over the class of classical Schur functions. The linear fractional transformation of some of these functions may have a pole (simple or multiple) in one or more of the interpolation points or not satisfy one or more interpolation conditions, hence not all Schur functions can serve as a parameter. The set of excluded parameters is characterized in terms of the related Pick matrix.
Soybean cultivar responses to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in field and controlled environment studies

ABSTRACT The responses of 12 soybean cultivars to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were evaluated under field and controlled environment conditions. The 12 cultivars were planted in fields naturally or artificially infested with S. sclerotiorum and evaluated for disease incidence. In controlled environment studies, the cultivars were compared with respect to lesion size on detached leaves and stems inoculated with mycelial disks, incidence of stem rot following mycelial inoculation of foliage, lesion lengths on stems discolored by oxalic acid, and levels of soluble pigment(s) in stems. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in disease incidence, lesion sizes, and levels of soluble pigment(s) were detected among the 12 cultivars in all evaluations, but ranking of cultivars varied among methods and experiments within methods. Corsoy 79 and S19-90 were consistently most resistant in all methods; whereas Kenwood, A2242, Bell, and Williams 82 were least resistant. Pearson correlation coefficients (R) for disease incidence...
Implementation of an evidence-based safe patient handling and movement mobility curriculum in an associate degree nursing program

Abstract Nurses are at an increased risk for work-related musculoskeletal injuries as a result of the cumulative effects of manual patient-handling tasks. An evidence-based mobility curriculum was implemented in an associate degree nursing program designed to teach student nurses safe patient handling and movement using the principles of ergonomics and usage of mechanical assistive devices to decrease future incidence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
Structural, Magnetic and Catalytic Properties of a Self-Recognized μ-Oxo-Bridged Diiron(III) Bis(benzimidazole) Complex

The inherent nonplanarity and C2 symmetry of the dimethyl-substituted bis(benzimidazole) ligand (Me2BBZ) results in two distinct atropisomers that, when separated, have been suggested to have potential for chiral recognition and catalysis. Here is reported the synthesis and characterization of a diiron μ-oxo-bridged bis(benzimidazole) complex, 1, that provides indirect support for this hypothesis. Dimerization of a racemic solution of iron−Me2BBZ monomers via the μ-oxo bridge yields (+,+) and (−,−) diastereomers whose complementary association can be attributed to the inherent sidedness of the metal−Me2BBZ interaction surface, and to the differences in the torsional angles of the phenyl(benzimidazole) units (34°) and the Schiff base linkages (54°). These results highlight the steric differences between the phenyl(benzimidazole) and Schiff-base portions of the ligand, features that could be important in the chiral recognition of ligands and in differentiating substrate trajectories as required for asymmetr...
Resonance Raman spectra of naphthalene and naphthalene-d8 anions in THF

Raman spectra have been obtained for naphthalene and naphthalene-d8 anions in tetrahydrofuran. Seven of the nine totally symmetric normal modes were observed, and a normal modes analysis was performed for the planar modes to obtain stretching force constants for the CC bonds. The changes in the force constants resulting from sodium reduction of naphthalene were found to be proportional to changes in τ bond orders obtained from ab initio Hartree-Fock SCF calculations at the STO-3G level. Raman shifts resulting from ion pair formation were within experimental errors.
Insulin Induces Tyrosine Phosphorylation of a 90-kDa Protein during Postischemic Brain Reperfusion

Rat brain nuclear proteins were examined for tyrosine phosphorylation after resuscitation from a 10-min cardiac arrest. Insulin (1 unit/kg intravenously), given immediately after resuscitation, caused a marked increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of a 90-kDa brain protein. This effect occurred without hypoglycemia and was not observed after insulin administration in previously insulinopenic, diabetic, nonischemic animals. Insulin-responsive tyrosine phosphorylation of a specific 90-kDa protein during reperfusion may represent insulin stimulation of a neuroprotective brain response to an ischemic insult, consistent with recent observations that insulin administration during reperfusion protects selectively vulnerable neurons from postischemic death.
Apollo L. Njonjo

8 February 1947 – 6 March 2008 Apollo Njonjo, a former contributor to ROAPE's issue, ‘Kenya: The Agrarian Question’ (No. 20, March 1981) died in Nairobi on 6 March 2008 after twenty five years of d...
Do bank mergers have hidden or foregone value? Realized and unrealized operating synergies in one bank merger

Abstract Recent mergers in the banking industry have often generated disappointing shareholder returns. Delays in implementing potential operating savings and realizing benefits of scale economies may be one reason these mergers have disappointing returns. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), we analyze a 200-branch network formed in a merger of four banks. The operating efficiency of each branch is benchmarked against “best-practice” branches in the combined merged bank as well as “best practice” branches within each pre-merger bank. This analysis identified opportunities to reduce branch operating costs by 22 percent for the entire merged bank. In contrast, the cost savings opportunity is under seven percent when analyzed within each pre-merger bank. These findings suggest benchmarking across the entire merged bank to identify the best practices bank-wide can generate added savings. However, in this bank merger, these merger benefits were not realized until four years after the merger. Interviews with key players in the merged bank indicate that the bank deferred realizing these benefits because of political pressures, personnel integration issues, system integration issues, and financial components of the merger such as restructuring reserves and the purchase price. These causes suggest areas where shareholders can and should demand more rapid improvement in performance of bank mergers and areas for future corporate merger research.
Characterization of vapor diffused Zn:LiTaO/sub 3/ optical waveguides

Diffusion and optical properties of planar waveguides produced in LiTaO/sub 3/ by a recently developed technique that utilizes Zn diffusion from vapor phase are presented. The waveguides are obtained by 6-h diffusion at temperatures as low as 800 degrees C. The results indicate that Zn is a fast diffusant in LiTaO/sub 3/ and has activation energies that are slightly less than those for Ti diffusion into LiTaO/sub 3/. The diffusion temperatures for Zn are much lower than the 1150-1200 degrees C require for Ti metal indiffusion. The diffusion coefficient of Zn at 800 degrees C, is comparable to that of Ti at 1200 degrees C. The resulting waveguides support both ordinary and extraordinary modes of polarization. The low temperature diffusion slows out diffusion and has been shown to be advantageous for making low-loss optical waveguides in LiTaO/sub 3/. >
X-Ray Tomography Applied to NDE of Ceramics

An x-ray radiographic NDE system specifically suited to three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction is described. The results of two applications of the system are discussed. The first is the reconstruction of a section of a ceramic gas turbine rotor blade. This demonstrates the system’s ability to reconstruct parts with complex external shape. In the second, an assembly of ceramic components containing a 50 μm gap is examined. The 50 μm gap is detected. This work was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research under contract N00014-78-C-0714.Copyright © 1983 by ASME
Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer on the Mars Exploration Rovers

An overview of the Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) experiments on the Mars Exploration Rovers. The Mini-TES is a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) with a spectral range of 5-29 microns at 10 cm-1spectral resolution.
The Kekulé Covalent Bond Arrangements of C 60

We present an algorithm that enumerates all 12,500 arrangements of double bonds on C"6"0 in which each carbon atom forms a single bond with two of its neighbors and a double bond with the third. We then present statistics concerning the symmetry groups of the arrangements and the number of double bonds along pentagonal faces. We exhibit a generating function for the allowed arrangements whose factorization suggests there should be a direct combinatorial solution to the enumeration. We conclude by exhibiting a complete list of double bond arrangements, up to symmetry.
Increasing Incidence of Gram-Negative Rod Bacteremia in a Newborn Special Care Unit † 1477

Objective: Several studies of neonatal bacteremia have identified an increase in bacteremia due to commensal species with a concomitant decrease in bacteremia due to gram-negative rods (GNR). We observed a recent increase in the incidence of GNR bacteremia in the Newborn Special Care Unit (NBSCU) at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital (YNHCH). This study was aimed at defining the changing incidence and epidemiology of GNR bacteremia in NBSCU patients.
An Active Learning Approach for Teaching Undergraduate Heat Transfer

A novel method for teaching undergraduate heat transfer by using an active learning approach is presented. The method focuses on minimizing lecture time and maximizing student engagement. Learning is achieved by forming small groups of two to three students who then work on in-class graded assignments.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
MOMCON: A spectral code for obtaining three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibria

Abstract A new code, MOMCON (spectral moments code with constraints), is described that computes three-dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibria in a fixed toroidal domain using a Fourier expansion for the inverse coordinates ( R, Z ) representing nested magnetic surfaces. A set of nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations for the spectral coefficients of ( R, Z ) is solved using an accelerated steepest descent method. A stream function, λ, is introduced to improve the mode convergence properties of the Fourier series for R and Z . The convergence rate of the R - Z spectra is optimized on each flux surface by solving nonlinear constraint equations relating the m ≥ 2 spectral coefficients of R and Z .
Ten- and ninety-day toxicity studies of 1,2-dichlorobenzene administered by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats.

ABSTRACTTen- and ninety-day toxicity studies of 1,2–dichlorobenzene (DCB) were conducted in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats to meet the needs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for toxicity data on this chemical for use in their determination of possible health risks related to human exposure. 1,2–Dichlorobenzene was administered at doses of 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day (10–day), and 25, 100, and 400 mg/kg/day (90–day) in corn of by oral gavage; control animals received corn oil. At time of sacrifice, gross necropsies were performed and selected tissues were weighed and prepared for histological evaluation. Blood was taken for hematology and clinical chemistries.In the 10–day study, exposure of 300 mg DCB/kg body weight to male rats resulted in a statistically significant decrease in final body weight, organ weights (heart, kidneys, spleen, testes, and thymus), and relative organ weights (spleen and thymus). A significant increase in absolute and relative liver weights was also noted in t...
Mean stresses and velocities in the neutral, barotropic planetary boundary layer

The purpose of the paper is to find the mean velocities and stresses in the turbulent, neutral, barotropic planetary boundary layer (PBL). ‘Correction functions’ are introduced similar to those used by Millikan and Hinze in discussions of flows in a pipe and in a turbulent boundary layer. The functions for the PBL are determined semi-empirically and, with a choice of constants, the resulting velocity distributions are in reasonable agreement with the ‘Leipzig’ profile. The paper also discusses the correction functions for pipe and boundary-layer flows and for plane Couette flow. The results are in excellent agreement with observations.
Ricin-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, and DNA single-strand breaks in mice.

Abstract The ability of ricin, the glycoprotein toxin from the castor bean (Ricinus communis), to stimulate oxidative stress was investigated. Following the i.p. administration of 25 μg ricin/kg or the vehicle to female CF-1 mice, the effects of ricin on hepatic lipid peroxidation, nonprotein sulfhydryl (reduced glutathoine) content and DNA single-strand breaks were determined at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hr post-treatment. Hepatic lipid peroxidation significantly increased 3.4-, 3.8-, and 3.0-fold relative to control values at 24, 36, and 48 hr post-treatment, respectively. Hepatic nonprotein sulfhydryl concentrations decreased significantly to approximately 51%, 61% and 65% of control values, at 24, 36, and 48 hr, respectively. The incidence of hepatic DNA single-strand breaks increased by 2.9-, 2.8-, and 2.4- fold relative to the zero time values at 24, 36, and 48 hr after treatment with ricin, respectively. No significant differences were observed in either lipid peroxidation or nonprotein sulfhydryl concentrations at 12 or 27 hr post-treatment. Decreases in liver and intestinal weight to body weight ratios were observed in ricin-treated animals, while no changes were observed in spleen and kidney weight to body weight ratios. These results indicate that in the liver of mice, ricin induces an oxidative stress which is maximal at approximately 36 hr post-treatment.
The nature of illness and diagnosis

La maladie resulte de l'interaction complexe de nombreux antecedents pouvant etre separes les uns des autres dans le temps. Ceux qui peuvent varier d'un malade a l'autre. Plutot que de parler de maladie il serait peut-etre preferable de parler de reactions tissulaires exprimees cliniquement
Students Reported for Cheating Explain What They Think Would Have Stopped Them

I analyzed 298 open-ended responses of undergraduate students who have been reported for cheating to the question, “What, if anything, would have stopped you from committing your act of academic dishonesty?” These responses included a few major themes: students pled ignorance of what constitutes academic dishonesty and the consequences/seriousness associated with violations; students tended to deflect blame, usually by saying that their professor could have done something differently (neutralization); students did not feel they had enough time, resources, and/or skills to get the desired result without taking responsibility for this lack of time, resources, and/or skills (strain); students felt they did not manage their time well with accepting the blame for the poor time management; and that a bad grade was not an option. These data and results are discussed in relation to the extant literature on the topic.
SUSTAINING THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGG: A CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFER

This paper proposes a simple model of the trade-offs perceived by innovating firms when investing in countries with limited intellectual property rights (IPR). The model allows for a continuous treatment of technology transfer and production cost gains occurring through FDI. While it does not consider possible changes in rates of innovation caused by changes in IPR in developing countries, it allows one to uncover a potentially non-monotonic relationship between welfare and IPR in the recipient country.
Recent Advances in Developing Ophthalmic Formulations: A Patent Review

In an effort to improve the drug solubility, stability and/or ocular bioavailability of ophthalmic formulations,various approaches have been explored in the recent past. Additionally, different formulations have been investigated in order to seek those preservative systems that are more tolerable to the ocular tissue. Over the past ten years, inventions in ophthalmic formulations directed toward front-of-eye instillations have concentrated in the areas of new excipients' applications, novel and combined use of conventional excipients, and developments of novel dosage forms. Among these areas, applications of polymeric excipients, cyclodextrins and stabilized chloride dioxide (SCD) have been the most actively studied fields. In addition, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions have been becoming more popular as an ophthalmic dosage form due to the potentials in increasing drug solubility, stabilizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), improving ocular tolerance, and providing palliative effects. Some of these innovations from the past decade have the capability of leading to new commercial products. This patent review has a useful knowledge in the advancement for treating various ophthalmic diseases.
Generation Of A Line Description File For Graphics Recognition

A typical office document or an engineering drawing consists of regions of text, graphics, and halftone images. Developing algorithms for automating the input of such documents is the goal of this research. The scope of this paper is the design of algorithms to process raster-oriented binary images of paper-based graphics to obtain vector-oriented description files. The image is preprocessed to suppress noise and other digitization artifacts. The graphical components are then represented as a union of maximal squares using the maximal square moving algorithm. The pointers describing the connectivity of the maximal squares are analyzed to generate a linked list of squares. Straight line segments, curves, junctions, and large areas are then identified after extensive processing of this linked list. The output of the algorithm is a graphics description file which is then used as input to a graphics recognition system.
An improved model system for the study of bone repair.

A model system for the study of bone repair has been developed which allows the recovery of repairing osseous tissue for qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Nylon tubes were implanted in the alveoli of extracted incisors in guinea pigs. A histological study of longitudinal sections showed that the nylon implants did not delay the reparative processes of the bony defect, could be dissected out and contained sufficient tissue to be used in biochemical studies.
Quenching of luminescence by non-radiative tunnelling

Abstract It is demonstrated that the ensemble averaged radiative efficiency is given by the Laplace transform of averaged decay laws, which have been extensively studied in the field of energy transfer. This procedure leads to exact expressions, which include all neighbours, and which supersede Monte Carlo calculations for the efficiency.
Single-Molecule Study of Protein−Protein Interaction Dynamics in a Cell Signaling System

We report a study on protein−protein noncovalent interactions in an intracellular signaling protein complex, using single-molecule spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A Wiskott−Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) fragment that binds only the activated intracellular signaling protein Cdc42 was labeled with a novel solvatochromic dye and used to probe hydrophobic interactions significant to Cdc42/WASP recognition. The study shows static and dynamic inhomogeneous conformational fluctuations of the protein complex that involve bound and loosely bound states. A two-coupled, two-state Markovian kinetic model is proposed for the conformational dynamics. The MD simulations explore the origin of these conformational states and associated conformational fluctuations in this protein−protein interaction system.
A different approach of teaching introductory visual basic course

Microsoft Visual Basic has been widely used in developing business applications. Traditionally, the language has been taught using the Graphical User Interface (GUI) first approach due to the limitation of the language itself. The full support of object orientation in the release of .NET versions of the language and the wide proliferation of component-based application development demand a different approach of teaching Visual Basic. Based upon the new editions of the language, we devised a different approach of teaching Visual Basic by introducing basic procedural programming and object-oriented programming concepts using console applications, and complementarily blending GUI and object-oriented programming techniques together to enhance students' understanding of different programming techniques. During the course, we also introduce the Unified Modeling Language (UML) class diagram to our students to help them visualize and formulate Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts. At the end of the course, each student is assigned to a project of creating a GUI program that consumes some Web service by applying programming techniques they learned in the course. Responses from a student survey on the course demonstrate the plausibility and the encouraging outcome of the approach.
Divisibility of an eigenform by an eigenform

It has been shown in several settings that the product of two eigenforms is rarely an eigenform. In this paper we consider the more general question of when the product of an eigenform with any modular form is again an eigenform. We prove that this can occur only in very special situations. We then relate the divisibility of eigenforms to linear independence of vectors of Rankin-Selberg L-values.
A tree‐ring based reconstruction of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation since 1567 A.D.

[1] We present a tree-ring based reconstruction of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) which demonstrates that strong, low-frequency (60–100 yr) variability in basin-wide (0–70°N) sea surface temperatures (SSTs) has been a consistent feature of North Atlantic climate for the past five centuries. Intervention analysis of reconstructed AMO indicates that 20th century modes were similar to those in the preceding ∼350 yr, and wavelet spectra show robust multidecadal oscillations throughout the reconstruction. Though the exact relationships between low-frequency SST modes, higher frequency (∼7–25 yr) atmospheric modes (e.g., North Atlantic Oscillation/Arctic Oscillation), and terrestrial climates must still be resolved, our results confirm that the AMO should be considered in assessments of past and future Northern Hemisphere climates.
Major urological oncological surgeries can be performed using minimally invasive robotic or laparoscopic methods with similar early perioperative outcomes compared to conventional open methods

Robotic and laparoscopic surgical methods (RLM) are increasingly being used for urological oncological procedures. We compared the outcomes in a cohort of patients undergoing procedures by either RLM or open methods (OM) at a single institution. The data on 279 consecutive patients undergoing major urological oncological procedures from September 2000 to June 2005 was entered into a Microsoft Access™ database and queried. Continuous variables were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and categorical variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test. P values were compared to a significance level of 0.05. Of the 279 patients who underwent urological oncological surgeries, OM and RLM were used in 139 (49.8%) and 140 (50.2%) of patients, respectively. Numbers of perioperative mortalities and morbidities were not statistically different in the OM group versus the RLM group. Primary urological oncological surgeries can be performed without significantly increased perioperative complications by RLM compared to OM.
Nondegenerate four-wave mixing in a double-Lambda system under the influence of coherent population trapping.

Nondegenerate four-wave mixing (NDFWM) in a double-? system of Rb atomic vapor was achieved for collinear pump fields. By comparison of different pump–probe configurations, direct experimental evidence of influence of coherent population trapping on the output power of the NDFWM signal was established. A maximal efficiency for generating the NDFWM signal exists for a moderate pump power in this double-? system.
Stakes and beliefs

The idea that beliefs may be stake-sensitive is explored. This is the idea that the strength with which a single, persistent belief is held may vary and depend upon what the believer takes to be at stake. The stakes in question are tied to the truth of the belief—not, as in Pascal’s wager and other cases, to the belief’s presence. Categorical beliefs and degrees of belief are considered; both kinds of account typically exclude the idea and treat belief as stake-invariant, though an exception is briefly described. The role of the assumption of stake-invariance in familiar accounts of degrees of belief is also discussed, and morals are drawn concerning finite and countable Dutch book arguments.
Reproductive Capacity of Dairy Bulls. VII. Morphology of Epididymal Sperm

Summary Fourteen normal, mature bulls were sexually rested (SR), five ejaculated six or seven times weekly, and 15 depleted (SR-D) before slaughter. Significant, but small, treatment effects were noted in the percentages of abnormal heads, abnormal midpieces, and tailless sperm in the epididymis. The most pronounced effects were lower (P
Diagnosis and therapy of myasthenia gravis with antibodies to muscle-specific kinase

Myasthenia gravis (MG) with antibodies to the muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK-MG) is a rare disease which covers 5-8% of all MG patients. Symptoms are nearly always generalized, though more focal than in MG with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies, with predominant involvement of cranial, bulbar and axial muscles; early respiratory crises are frequent. Focal atrophy, mostly of facial, masseter and tongue muscles, occurs in a proportion of patients. Diagnosis is often challenging on account of atypical presentation with little or no symptom fluctuations, lack of response to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in a high proportion of patients and negative results of electrodiagnostic studies when performed on limb muscles. Immunosuppression is the mainstay of treatment, since the response to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is generally unsatisfactory and thymectomy does not appear to improve the course of the disease. Although corticosteroids result in marked improvement, disease flares are frequent during prednisone dosage tapering and most patients remain dependent on treatment. Since treatment with rituximab, in uncontrolled studies, induced sustained benefit in patients with refractory disease, B cell depletion is an attractive option for MuSK-MG patients unresponsive to conventional immunosuppressants.
Measurement of local bending moment using embedded optical fiber Bragg grating sensors

Fiber Bragg gratings have demonstrated great potential as sensing elements for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of composites. However, the complexity of stress and strain fields due to one or multiple damages makes the health-monitoring problem extremely difficult and sensitive to errors. Current approaches consider only the Bragg grating averaged axial strain as input to the health-monitoring algorithm. This paper presents a strategy to improve SHM information. In previous experiments, Bragg grating sensors embedded to measure the strain field near a crack demonstrated significant loss in their reflected spectrum at high strain. This loss was not a constant but a function of wavelength and is shown to be due to bending. The effect of shear loading is shown to be negligible. In order to demonstrate the technique an axially loaded unidirectional composite with a transverse crack is considered. The axial stress distribution is calculated using a modified shear lag theory suitable for multiple fibers and cracks. The bending stress at the crack tip is calculated using linear elastic fracture mechanics and a FEM model. From the calculated stress field a grating response simulation is performed taking into account the local bending of the fiber.
Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional x-ray tomographic images

The leading X-ray computed microtomographic imaging facilities can now provide 10243 voxel images of rock and other porous media samples at a voxel resolution of under 5 microns. Such data sets are extremely rich in information, and overwhelming in size; a 10243 data set corresponds to a gigabyte of character data. Automated computer analysis is necessary in order to extract quantitative information from such images. In this paper we discuss automated extraction of geometrical features using computerized image analysis. Typical algorithms required include segmentation to identify the material type of each voxel in the image; medial axis reduction of objects in the image to provide a skeleton enabling efficient searching and geometrical characterization as well as a network for the application of graph theoretic tools; feature extraction; measurement of length, cross sectional area and volume; and stochastic characterization of measured properties. With current memory limitations in desktop workstations, data sets beyond 5123 voxels in size require parallelization of the algorithms.
Organización y trabajo multidisciplinario en un centro olímpico de alto rendimiento en los estados unidos

Resumen La organizacion y metodologia para proporcionar servicios a atletas a traves de centros olimpicos de alto rendimiento varia entre los Comites Olimpicos Nacionales (NOC, por su sigla en ingles). Entre los NOCs hay diferencias en la composicion y metodologia de la entrega de servicios. Entre los servicios que se entregan habitualmente, estan la medicina del deporte y el rendimiento en los deportes. Los NOCs pueden proporcionar servicios a traves de un sistema centralizado en las universidades o en los centros de alto rendimiento. El Comite Olimpico de los Estados Unidos (USOC, por su sigla en ingles) proporciona servicios valiendose de multiples metodos a traves de un modelo hibrido que incluye tres Centros de Entrenamiento Olimpico, Entidades de Gobernacion Nacional (NGB, por su sigla en ingles), centros de alto rendimiento y centros de cuidado independientes de diversas especialidades. Algunas Entidades de Gobernacion Nacional muy desarrolladas han hecho que ciertos centros de alto rendimiento se dediquen solo al deporte elegido por ellos. En este manuscrito se describe la programacion del modelo de medicina del deporte y de rendimientos del deporte utilizada por los Centros de Entrenamiento Olimpico del USOC.
Justification logics, logics of knowledge, and conservativity

Several justification logics have been created, starting with the logic LP, (Artemov, Bull Symbolic Logic 7(1):1---36, 2001). These can be thought of as explicit versions of modal logics, or of logics of knowledge or belief, in which the unanalyzed necessity (knowledge, belief) operator has been replaced with a family of explicit justification terms. We begin by sketching the basics of justification logics and their relations with modal logics. Then we move to new material. Modal logics come in various strengths. For their corresponding justification logics, differing strength is reflected in different vocabularies. What we show here is that for justification logics corresponding to modal logics extending T, various familiar extensions are actually conservative with respect to each other. Our method of proof is very simple, and general enough to handle several justification logics not directly corresponding to distinct modal logics. Our methods do not, however, allow us to prove comparable results for justification logics corresponding to modal logics that do not extend T. That is, we are able to handle explicit logics of knowledge, but not explicit logics of belief. This remains open.
(N-Methyl-[11C])pyrilamine, a radiotracer for histamine H-1 receptors: Radiochemical synthesis and biodistribution study in mice

The histamine H-1 receptor antagonist, pyrilamine (N-((4-methoxyphenyl)methyl)-N',N'-dimethyl-N-2-pyridinyl-1,2-ethaned i ami ne) was labeled with carbon-11 by N-alkylation of desmethylpyrilamine with [11C]iodomethane, and purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography. The chemically and radiochemically pure labeled pyrilamine was obtained with specific activity of approximately 2500 mCi/mumol (EOS). In vivo distribution studies in mice suggest that the distribution of this compound parallels the known histamine H-1 receptor density in the brain.
Determining the Consistency of Student Grading in a Hybrid Business Course using a LMS and Statistical Software

Extant literature asserted that peer assessments improved learning but only a few studies had addressed the student rating consistency issue and not had evaluated this within a Learning Management System LMS. The researcher explored how to conduct peer assessments in Moodle LMS for a hybrid-mode business course N=90 students which required 270 25-page reports. Rater agreement statistical theory was applied to test the consistency of student peer assessments. The resulting coefficient was 0.79 and statistically significant. A pair-wise t-test and a nonparametric Mann Whitley u-test confirmed there was no significant difference between the student ratings and the scores given by the professor on the same assignments. Nonparametric Spearman correlation was very high between each student rating coefficient as compared to the score given in Moodle, which indicated the LMS was reliable in providing a grade for the quality of student peer assessment. A protocol was developed using SPSS to calculate a peer assessment inter-rater agreement consistency indicator since this was not available in Moodle.
Non-Boltzmann Modeling for Air Shock-Layer Radiation at Lunar-Return Conditions

This paper investigates the non-Boltzmann modeling of the radiating atomic and molecular electronic states present in lunar-return shock-layers. The Master Equation is derived for a general atom or molecule while accounting for a variety of excitation and de-excitation mechanisms. A new set of electronic-impact excitation rates is compiled for N, O, and N2+, which are the main radiating species for most lunar-return shock-layers. Based on these new rates, a novel approach of curve-fitting the non-Boltzmann populations of the radiating atomic and molecular states is developed. This new approach provides a simple and accurate method for calculating the atomic and molecular non-Boltzmann populations while avoiding the matrix inversion procedure required for the detailed solution of the Master Equation. The radiative flux values predicted by the present detailed non-Boltzmann model and the approximate curve-fitting approach are shown to agree within 5% for the Fire 1634 s case.
Rabbit muscle creatine kinase: genomic cloning, sequencing, and analysis of upstream sequences important for expression in myocytes.

Abstract Muscle creatine kinase (MCK) is a major enzyme of cellular energy metabolism that is expressed upon differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes. Previously we cloned and sequenced the entire rabbit enzyme cDNA which was used as a probe in these studies to obtain a genomic clone from a rabbit library. The transcription start site was identified by primer extension analysis and over 800 bp of 5' flanking DNA was sequenced. Comparison of this sequence with the published sequences from the upstream regions of the mouse MCK gene and the human MCK gene showed two conserved regions and a large intervening block of non-conserved sequence. The conserved regions are separated by about 800 bp in the mouse and by about 400 bp in the human, but are much closer (200 bp) in the rabbit. The upstream conserved region of the mouse gene encompasses a region possessing the properties of an enhancer and containing two MyoD binding sites; the downstream element is adjacent to the start of transcription. A set of of overlapping deletions of the 5' upstream DNA was fused to the CAT gene and transfected into mouse C2 myocytes, chick primary myocytes, and chick primary liver cells. Constructs which contained both conserved 5' regions were strongly expressed in C2 and chick myocytes, but were not expressed (above background) in primary liver cells. Surprisingly, while the upstream enhancer element was required for strong expression in C2 myocytes, it was less important for expression in chick myocytes. This suggests that there are important muscle-specific transcriptional signals in the proximal promoter region of mammalian MCK genes.
The Bunkie Test: Descriptive Data for a Novel Test of Core Muscular Endurance

The Bunkie test, a functional performance test consisting of 5 test positions (performed bilaterally), has been used to assess aspects of muscular function. Current performance measures are based on clinical recommendations. The purpose of this study was to report normative data for a healthy population. One hundred and twelve subjects (mean age 25.9 ± 4.5 years) were recruited from a university setting. Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire prior to testing. Hold times for each position was measured in seconds. Subjects were able to hold many of the positions for a mean score of approximately 40 seconds. There were no side-to-side differences in test position hold times per gender. Males were able to hold some positions significantly longer than their female counterparts. Males with a lower BMI were able to hold 8 of the 10 positions significantly longer than those with a higher BMI. Bunkie test scores in subjects with a prior history of musculoskeletal injury were similar to those with no history of injury. The normative data presented in this study may be used by rehabilitation professionals when assessing and rehabilitating their patients.