cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utility of early postoperative high-resolution volumetric magnetic resonance imaging after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor surgery.

Objective Controversy exists over the utility of early postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery for macroadenomas. We investigate whether valuable information can be derived from current greater resolution scans. Methods Volumetric MRI scans were obtained in the early ( 30 days) postoperative periods in a series of patients undergoing transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. The volume of the residual tumor, resection cavity, and corresponding visual field tests were recorded at each time point. Statistical analyses of changes in tumor volume and cavity size were calculated using the late MRI as the gold standard. Results A total of 40 patients met the inclusion criteria. Preoperative tumor volume averaged 8.8 cm 3 . Early postoperative assessment of average residual tumor volume (1.18 cm 3 ) was quite accurate and did not differ statistically from late postoperative volume (1.23 cm 3 , P = 0.64), indicating the utility of early scans to measure residual tumor. Early scans were 100% sensitive and 91% specific for predicting ≥98% resection ( P Conclusions Early, high-resolution volumetric MRI is valuable in determining the presence or absence of residual tumor. Cavity volume almost always decreases after surgery, and a lack of decrease should alert the surgeon to possible persistent compression of the optic apparatus that may warrant reoperation.
MIGRATION OF THE INTERSTITIAL-IMPURITY MIXED DUMBBELL CONFIGURATION IN Al-Zn

A partir de mesures de l'attenuation de la vitesse des ultrasons dans des alliages Al-0,01% Zn; Al-0,1% Zn et Al-0,5% Zn, on arrive a l'evidence que l'haltere Al-Zn se deplace comme une entite
Design and Implementation of a Custom OAI Search and Discovery Service

ABSTRACT The Open Archive Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) is fundamentally a lightweight, Web-based service for transporting XML-formatted metadata. Data providers with metadata that they wish to expose will typically implement the OAI-PMH service on one of their Web servers. In order to harvest the metadata, service providers will make requests to these services. Service providers typically aggregate harvested metadata from multiple data providers in order to develop services for their end-users, such as a topical search portal. This paper includes a brief history of the OAI-PMH, and describes a topical search portal that was developed at the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Grainger OAI Reports Service focuses on the topics of engineering, computer science, and physics.
Transition of Calcium Sulphate Hemihydrate to Insoluble Anhydrite

RECENTLY Powell1 directed attention to the fact that for calcium sulphate hemihydrate the rate of transition of soluble anhydrite to insoluble anhydrite was greater in the α- than in the β-form. Similar phenomena were observed in our experiments2.
The relationship between parental communication deviance and relapse in schizophrenie patients in the 1-year period after hospital discharge: A pilot study

The present pilot study examined the ability of parental communication deviance (CD) to predict relapse in schizophrenic patients in the 1-year period after hospital discharge. Measures of CD were obtained from verbatim transcripts of family problem-solving discussions for 20 schizophrenic patients and their parents at an initial assessment and before the patients' hospital discharge. Relapse was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale at 3-month intervals after discharge. Findings indicated that parental CD measured at an assessment immediately before the patient's release from the hospital was moderately correlated (r = .49, p < .05) with relapse in the 1-year follow-up period. Results are discussed with respect to the possible role of parental CD as an environmental stressor in the period after discharge. Potential contributors to parental CD, including genetically transmitted cognitive deficits and stress resulting from resuming the care-giver role, are also discussed.
The two-incision minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty: technique and results

Currently, most of the 300,000 total hip arthroplasties performed annually in the United States are performed through the standard posterolateral or anterolateral approaches [1–3]. These approaches give complete and continuous visualization; however, the cost of this continuous visualization is a larger incision and sacrificing some muscle and tendon. Minimally invasive surgery has the potential for minimizing surgical trauma, pain, and recovery in many surgical procedures. Some surgeons have been using a minimally invasive approach for total hip surgery [4–6]. These approaches include single incision and two-incision techniques. These approaches minimize sacrificing muscles and tendons, yet still allow complete, although intermittent, visualization. Searching for an approach to avoid transecting any muscle or tendon, thereby minimizing morbidity and recovery, a new approach was developed; the minimally invasive two-incision procedure for total hip arthroplasty. This novel, minimally invasive, fluoroscopy-assisted, two-incision total hip arthroplasty uses numerous new instruments that have been developed to facilitate exposure and component placement. Standard implants with well established designs are used to maintain the present expectation for implant durability. The following text describes the technique of the minimally invasive two-incision procedure and reports on the early results of this technique. Surgical technique Positioning
Investigating the Relationship between Cellular Mechanics and Beta Amyloid in Alzheimer's Disease

The beta amyloid (Aβ) peptide was first implicated in the formation of amyloid plaques, a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD), nearly 30 years ago. Misfolding of the Aβ peptide into nonnative conformations promotes the formation of aggregates such as oligomers, annular aggregates and fibrils that can impair cellular function. Although these aggregates are known to be toxic, the exact mechanism of their cytotoxicity remains unclear. As aging is associated with AD, we explored how cytoskeletal degradation, associated with the aging process, modulates a cell's ability to cope with exposure to exogenous Aβ. In this study, hypothalamic neurons, of the GT1-7 cell line, were treated using a variety of cytoskeletal altering drugs. The mechanics of the altered neurons were examined by atomic force microscopy-based techniques (force-distance curve and force volume analysis) and the altered neurons were then exposed to the Aβ peptide to determine how the cytoskeletal network affects peptide binding and toxicity. Binding studies were performed using fluorescence activated cell sorting and toxicity was examined using a variety of biochemical assays. Finally, the topography and mechanics of the the aged neurons exposed to Aβ were examined to determine the impact of Aβ binding. This research gives a mechanistic understanding of AD pathology in relation to the cytoskeleton and examines the potential for cytoskeletal stabilization as a therapeutic intervention for combating AD.
Pennsylvania Farm-to-School Programs and the Articulation of Local Context

The proliferation of farm to school (FTS) programming in US schools emerges out of a convergence of recent trends facing agricultural producers and food consumers and as such represents part of a broader effort to relocalize food systems and build new connections between schools, producers, and communities. This mixed method study examines the current forms, organization, and policy needs of FTS programming in the state of Pennsylvania. We find that rather than representing a more or less uniform set of practices, in both scale and content FTS programming varies widely across school districts depending on district needs, resources, and the salient local issues that act as catalysts for FTS (e.g., nutrition, obesity prevention, strong community identification with local agriculture, and/or local economic development). Our findings suggest that FTS might therefore best be understood and promoted as a flexible range of locally embedded strategies that schools might use to address specific community and schoo...
Disconfirmed expectancies and imagined distress in a role-play of a visit to the dentist

A modified role-playing technique was employed to examine the effects of no information, misinformation, and correct information on discomfort during imagined dental treatment. After listening to relaxation instructions, subjects read a scenario in which they were given no expectancy, led to expect a filling replacement (mild threat), or led to expect an extraction (severe threat). Subsequently they were told to imagine the occurrence of either the filling or the extraction treatment. For the mild stressor, different expectancies had no effects. When the actual treatment was an extraction, subjects given an inaccurate expectancy reported more pain and shock than those given accurate information. Compared to no information, inaccurate information resulted in more fear and helplessness. Males rated themselves as less distressed than females. The data compare favorably with findings from studies of actual patients and suggest that misinformation minimizing the severity of treatment increases distress upon receipt of treatment.
Determining nucleon forces and meson exchange current effects from elastic ed scattering

The impulse approximation is employed to determine information on the nucleon-nucleon potential. Deuteron wave functions and nucleon form factors are also determined. (AIP)
Myxobolus cerebralis: identification of a cathepsin Z-like protease gene (MyxCP-1) expressed during parasite development in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Abstract Cysteine proteases are essential to the biological function of parasitic organisms and are gaining interest as the target of chemotherapeutics aimed at their control. We report a cysteine protease gene from the myxozoan Myxobolus cerebralis, the cause of whirling disease in salmonid fish. The mature gene (MyxCP-1) encodes a 248-amino acid polypeptide that includes catalytic residues similar to the papain family of cysteine proteases. MyxCP-1 features a propeptide region and sequence insertions that are characteristics of cathepsin Z proteases. Phylogenetic comparisons of M. cerebralis to other eukaryotes based on full-length cathepsin-like genes show that MyxCP-1 is the earliest lineage in the cathepsin Z group and separated from cathepsin L, B, and C-like proteases. Using TaqMan PCR differential levels of transcription of the cathepsin Z-like protease were found in earlier and later developmental stages of the parasite in experimentally infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Index Descriptors and Abbreviations: Myxozoa; Myxobolus spp.; Salmonidae; rainbow trout; Oncorhynchus spp.; whirling disease; cysteine protease; cathepsin Z; cDNA, complementary deoxyribonucleic acid; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; dpe, days postexposure; gDNA, genomic deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA, ribonucleic acid; BSA, bovine serum albumin; ORF, open reading frame; mpe, minutes postexposure; hpe, hours postexposure; rRNA, ribosomal ribonucleic acid; ITS-2, internal transcribed spacer-2; FAM, 6-carboxyfluorescein; TAMRA, 6-carboxytetra methylrhodamine; dNTPs, deoxynucleoside triphosphates; uTRs, untranslated regions
Aging of endothelium in culture: decrease in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity.

Abstract An examination of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in cultured endothelium revealed a decrease in the specific activity of the enzyme as the population doubling level of the cultures increased. This observation does not extend to all plasma membrane enzymes. When 5′-nucleotidase activity in endothelial cells was examined, late passage cells showed a marked increase in activity when compared to early passage cells. The decrease in ACE activity may represent an important functional change in the aging endothelial cell population.
The adenosinetriphosphatase activity of particulate enzyme systems.

The “activation” of the adenosinetriphosphatase activity of a particulate enzyme derived from digitonin extracts of rat-liver mitochondria has been examined. It has been demonstrated that the “activation” by Mn++ and Co++ in addition to Mg++ is enhanced by dinitrophenol. Dinitrophenol plus the divalent cation evokes the same maximal hydrolytic activity as the ion alone but at a lower concentration of divalent cation. Other uncoupling agents such as nitrophenols, pentachlorophenol, dicumarol, and gramicidin can all “activate” this enzyme in the absence of added Mg++ but only dinitrophenol and the nitrophenols can enhance the activity produced by Mg++. This “stimulation” was shown to be dependent on the concentration of dinitrophenol and Mg++ employed. The activity in the presence of DNP and absence of Mg++ is inhibited in a competitive fashion by ADP. Other particulate enzyme systems have been examined for their ability to demonstrate a “stimulation” of Mg-ATPase by uncoupling agents. One preparation derived from R. rubrum has been found to have no activity with uncoupling agents unless MgCl2 is added. In the presence of Mg++ all uncoupling agents tested produce a significant increase in activity. This increased activity is not abolished by 0.3 M sucrose, 5 · 10−5M PCMB, or by aging the enzyme for 100 min at 38°. It is suggested that all uncoupling agents may increase ATPase activity by stimulating Mg-ATPase and that it is unnecessary to postulate a second ATPase activated by uncoupling agents.
Particle—fluid interactions with application to solid-stabilized emulsions part II. The effect of adsorbed water

Abstract The adsorption of asphaltic material from crude oil and other synthetic oils onto fine solid particles enables them to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions. In Part I of this series of papers we presented results of our study on the modification of solid wettability through the variation of surfactant and pH in the aqueous phase. In this paper we study the change in asphaltene adsorption behavior and wettability with modification of the solid surface through the use of preadsorbed and coadsorbed water. The adsorption of asphaltenes was reduced significantly when preadsorbed water of a suitable pH or surfactant concentration was used. The coadsorption of water along with the asphaltenes was not very effective in decreasing asphaltene adsorption. The wettability of the solid improved with a decrease in the surface concentration of asphaltenes.
Hard-Soft-Collinear Factorization to All Orders

We provide a precise statement of hard-soft-collinear factorization of scattering amplitudes and prove it to all orders in perturbation theory. Factorization is formulated as the equality at leading power of scattering amplitudes in QCD with other amplitudes in QCD computed from a product of operator matrix elements. The equivalence is regulator independent and gauge independent. As the formulation relates amplitudes to the same amplitudes with additional soft or collinear particles, it includes as special cases the factorization of soft currents and collinear splitting functions from generic matrix elements, both of which are shown to be process independent to all orders. We show that the overlapping soft-collinear region is naturally accounted for by vacuum matrix elements of kinked Wilson lines. Although the proof is self-contained, it combines techniques developed for the study of pinch surfaces, scattering amplitudes, and effective field theory.
Periarticular lesions detected on magnetic resonance imaging: Prevalence in knees with and without symptoms

Objective To evaluate, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the prevalence of periarticular lesions in older persons with or without knee pain, and to assess the association of these lesions with knee pain. Methods Subjects ages 45 years and older, with or without knee pain, were recruited from Veterans Affairs medical centers and from the community. Weight-bearing posteroanterior, skyline, and lateral radiographs were obtained in all subjects. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: those with radiographic OA (ROA) and knee pain (n = 376), those with ROA and no knee pain (n = 51), and those with neither ROA nor knee pain (n = 24). A single knee (the more symptomatic one in subjects with knee pain) was imaged with a 1.5T scanner using T1- and T2-weighted and proton-density spin-echo imaging sequences. MRIs were read for the presence of periarticular lesions, which were categorized (according to their general location) as being either peripatellar (prepatellar, superficial infrapatellar, deep infrapatellar) or “other periarticular lesions” (semimembranosus–tibial collateral ligament bursitis, anserine bursitis, iliotibial band syndrome, tibiofibular cyst). Results Patients with knee pain had more severe radiographic disease than did subjects who were asymptomatic. Peripatellar lesions (prepatellar or superficial infrapatellar) were present in 12.1% of the patients with knee pain and ROA, in 20.5% of the patients with ROA and no knee pain, and in 0% of subjects with neither ROA nor knee pain (P = 0.116). However, other periarticular lesions were present in 14.9% of patients with both ROA and knee pain, in only 3.9% of patients with ROA but no knee pain, and in 0% of the group with no knee pain and no ROA (P = 0.004). Conclusion Although peripatellar lesions are equally common among subjects with knee pain and those without knee pain, other periarticular lesions (including bursitis and iliotibial band syndrome) are significantly more common among subjects with knee pain and may contribute to pain in these individuals.
Electron spin resonance spectroscopy studies of 99Tc(IV) in aqueous solutions

The esr spectra of Tc(IV) in acidic, aqueous solutions were observed at ambient temperatures when various reducing agents were added to pertechnetate solutions. The interaction between the 4d3 electrons of Tc(IV) and its nucleus (I = 9/2) gave 10 hyperfine lines with an average splitting of about 140 gauss. Relative to the rapid reduction rate of TcO4−(VII) to Tc(V) using ascorbic acid, the reduction rate of Tc(V) to Tc(IV) as monitored by esr is slow.
Numerical methods of high-order accuracy for singular nonlinear boundary value problems

is a 2n-th order self-adjoint linear differential operator, and it was shown that the Rayleigh-Ritz-Galerkin method is an efficient scheme, both theoretically and numerically, for solving such problems. Our aim here is to extend the results of [2] and [3] to the case of nonsel[adjoint linear differential operators whose coefficients have a singularity at one or both end points of the interval [0, t ]. For ease of exposition, we shall restrict ourselves here to second order operators, as in the particular case of
Urban form and a child's trip to school: the current literature and a framework for future research

Recently created policies and programs target urban form as a primary factor in changes in children's travel behavior to school. Unfortunately, little research exists that supports a direct relationship between urban form and a child's trip to school. This article first discusses the transportation and health problems these policies attempt to address. It then reviews the current planning and public health literature on the relationship between urban form and children's travel behavior. Finally, a conceptual framework is outlined that addresses the complexity of the relationship between urban form and a child's trip to school to guide future policy and research. KW: SR2S
The sexually transmitted insect virus, Hz-2V

Hz-2V is one of only a very few sexually transmitted viruses currently known in insects. Replication of this insect pathogenic virus results in sterility of infected moths rather than mortality. The sterility of the infected host is a consequence of virus directed malformation of adult reproductive tissues, which in females results in cellular proliferation and hypertrophy of these tissues. Virus replication has additional ramifications in infected females. Infected females produce more mating pheromones and attract more mates than healthy females, ultimately facilitating virus transmission and enhancing viral fitness. The molecular mechanisms used by the virus to manipulate the host to enhance its fitness are yet to be determined. Unraveling the underlying principles of these mechanisms promises to enhance our understanding of insect reproductive physiology, as well as provide molecular tools for use in novel approaches in sterile insect control programs.
The uncertain future needs of Milsatcom

Presents a collection of slides covering the following topics: MILSATCOM; military SatCom; CCT CommuniCase Technology; flexibility through open architecture; IP-network; Rockwell Collins satellite communications system; tactical SATCOM; MESH network; operating frequency; operating bandwidth; IP encryption and serial encryption.
The naming of the transistor

The author devised the name "transistor" in may 1948 when W. Brattain asked him for a suitable name. The early transistor was the dual of a vacuum tube and as such would have transresistance; this suggested the name. Some historical aspects concerning the development of the transistor are discussed.
Bond Insurance Utilization and Yield Spreads in the Municipal Bond Market

In recent years, commercial insurance companies insured nearly half of the annual issue of government bonds against bond default. This article illustrates that one impetus for the increasing popularity of municipal bond insurance is the segmentation of the municipal bond market into two markets: one characterized by an excess demand for low-risk credits and the other characterized by an excess supply of higher risk credits. The empirical findings indicate that the volume of insured bonds issued each quarter is influenced by the average yield spread between high- and low-risk municipal bonds and by the holdings of municipal bonds at financial institutions. On the other hand, the volume of insured municipal bonds issued in a quarter influences the average spread among high- and low-risk bonds. These findings underscore market segmentation and investors’ risk aversion as forces motivating the utilization of municipal bond insurance.
Multiple Linear Regression Accounting for Multiple Simultaneous Determinants of a Continuous Dependent Variable

In many cardiovascular experiments and observational studies, multiple variables are measured and then analyzed and interpreted to provide biomedical insights. When these data lend themselves to analyzing the association of a continuous dependent (or response) variable to 2 or more independent (or predictor) variables, multiple regression methods are appropriate. Multiple regression differs from ANOVA, in which the predictors are represented as “factors” with multiple discrete “levels.” In this report, we focus on multiple regression to analyze data sets in which the response variable is continuous; other methods, such as logistic regression and proportional hazards regression, are useful in cases in which the response variable is discrete.1 Although many studies are designed to explore the simultaneous contributions of multiple predictors to an observed response, the data are often analyzed by relating each of the predictor variables, 1 at a time, to a single response variable with the use of a series of simple linear regressions. However, although 2-dimensional data plots and separate simple regressions are easy to visualize and interpret, multiple regression analysis is the preferred statistical method.1–5 We want to reach correct conclusions not only about which predictors are important and the size of their effects but also about the structure by which multiple predictors simultaneously relate to the response. Often, we also want to know whether the multiple predictors that influence a response or outcome do so independently or whether they interact.6 Finally, although only 1 or 2 predictors may interest us, our analysis often must adjust for other influences (ie, confounding effects). A series of simple regressions cannot accomplish these tasks; if we want to examine the simultaneous effects of multiple predictors on a response, we must use a method that treats them accordingly. Conducting a series of simple regression analyses when multiple regression analysis …
Set by set generation of robust stable matrices

Given an asymptotically stable matrix, a method for generating a set of points in parameter variations space whose corresponding perturbed matrices are stable is presented. This result is used iteratively to construct the most extended set of such points. The main thrust of this analysis is on the computational aspects of these constructions. >
The Catalytic Reduction of Certain Inorganic Anions by Vitamin B12S (Cob(I)alamin)

Abstract The waves for the reduction of Cob(II)alamin to Cob(I)-alamin are catalytic in nature in the presence of the inorganic anions: azide, nitrate and chlorate. The cob(II)alamin is regenerated. However, hydroxylamine and the perchlorate anion which have been previously shown to exhibit catalytic activity in the reduction of several metal complexes are inactive in the cobalamin system.
Forms of Evidence and Grammatical Development in the Acquisition of Adjective Position in L2 French.

The present study examines classroom learners' course of grammatical development in acquiring the interpretive correlates of variable adjective position in French. Eventual attainment of the target language system requires not only knowledge of linear word-order possibilities within the determiner phrase that differ from their native language (English) but knowledge of the interpretive differences between the two orders as well. Results from a contextualized acceptability judgment task administered to monolingual English-speaker controls, four groups of university-level learners of French, and native-French-speaker controls ( N = 157) show that adjective position-interpretation pairings are eventually acquired, although with a high degree of between-learner variability in rate. Based on an analysis of both individual and group acceptance rates, I argue that eventual attainment of the second language system requires a priori knowledge of a specific representational format—supporting the notion of the domain-specificity of language as pursued in generative accounts of SLA—but that the course of grammatical development is affected by a number of group- and learner-specific variables that mediate depth of processing (following Gass, 1997 ). I am indebted to a number of individuals who helped me bring this manuscript to publication, including Laurent Dekydtspotter, the director of my 2002 dissertation at Indiana University, where the research presented in this manuscript was begun; several anonymous SSLA reviewers, who provided insightful and constructively critical comments; and the editorial staff of SSLA , who provided much encouragement and showed great patience.
A spurious evolution of turbulence originated from round-off error in pseudo-spectral simulation

We report a slowly-developing, spurious numerical solution in pseudo-spectral direct numerical simulation (DNS) of incompressible fluid turbulence. When the effect of machine round-off on the divergence-free condition is not carefully controlled, a problem can develop slowly (over about 50 large-eddy turnover times) and eventually leads to an unphysical flow field. The problem was found with a previously published, highly-compact algorithm for pseudo-spectral DNS and therefore it is important to document the contamination of this numerical artifact on simulated turbulence structure and statistics. This is a striking example since the problem is not easily noticeable due to its very long development time, and it does not lead to numerical instability but rather a different flow state. A theory is developed to explain the unphysical evolution and predicts the exponential growth of round-off error induced velocity divergence. The theory shows that any correlation of the large-scale forcing with the velocity field at the beginning of the time step could lead to amplification of the velocity divergence. For this reason, the problem is quite reproducible. Several simple remedies are tested and shown to correct the problem. It is shown that all revised algorithms are identical theoretically to the original algorithm, with the only difference in the level of control for the divergence-free condition of the simulated flow field. A general recommendation is that the pressure projection operation should be performed at the end of each time step to ensure that the divergence-free condition is not contaminated by machine round-off.
Coding Sequence Divergence Between Two Closely Related Plant Species: Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis

To characterize the coding-sequence divergence of closely related genomes, we compared DNA sequence divergence between sequences from a Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis EST library isolated from flower buds and genomic sequences from Arabidopsis thaliana. The specific objectives were (i) to determine the distribution of and relationship between Ka and Ks, (ii) to identify genes with the lowest and highest Ka:Ks values, and (iii) to evaluate how codon usage has diverged between two closely related species. We found that the distribution of Ka:Ks was unimodal, and that substitution rates were more variable at nonsynonymous than synonymous sites, and detected no evidence that Ka and Ks were positively correlated. Several genes had Ka:Ks values equal to or near zero, as expected for genes that have evolved under strong selective constraint. In contrast, there were no genes with Ka:Ks >1 and thus we found no strong evidence that any of the 218 sequences we analyzed have evolved in response to positive selection. We detected a stronger codon bias but a lower frequency of GC at synonymous sites in A. thaliana than B. rapa. Moreover, there has been a shift in the profile of most commonly used synonymous codons since these two species diverged from one another. This shift in codon usage may have been caused by stronger selection acting on codon usage or by a shift in the direction of mutational bias in the B. rapa phylogenetic lineage.
Predicting the posttreatment depressive state of an alcoholic patient.

Seventy-eight patients admitted to an alcohol treatment program were studied to identify variables capable of forecasting a patient's posttreatment depressive state. Factor analysis reduced a large number of items to 12 factors. Pearson correlations showed that Factor VII--Physical and Neurological Complaints and the pretreatment depressive state were both significantly (p = .002) correlated to the posttreatment depressive state. Multiple regression yielded a significant equation (p = .001) confirming that an alcoholic patient who has a high level of pretreatment depression and physical/neurological complaints, and who exhibits little or no irritability or agitation will tend to sustain a high level of posttreatment depression.
Shear band formation and ductility in bulk metallic glass

The variations in the chemical compositions of the metallic glasses reported in the literature, as well as the overall lack of experimental data concerning the inhomogeneous deformation behaviour of metallic glass, make the evaluation of the effects of shear band/fracture behaviour on the mechanical properties of metallic glasses difficult. Isolating the effect of local shear band formation on bulk inhomogeneous flow would appear to be a first step in approaching this problem. The mechanical behaviour of Vitreloy metallic glass at room temperature and at various strain rates in tension and compression was investigated. The formation of multiple shear bands was observed at high strain rates. An increase in strain rate leads to enhanced ductility in tension and compression. Some aspects of the deformation processes in tension and compression are discussed.
On the complexity of optimal deadlock avoidance in flexible manufacturing systems

The problem of the manufacturing system deadlock has received considerable attention recently, since its effective solution is a prerequisite to the implementation of large-scale flexibly automated discrete-part manufacturing systems (FMS). Its difficulty arises from the fact that in the FMS context, the computation of the optimal deadlock avoidance policy (DAP) is NP-hard. This paper proves that for a large subclass of FMS, with significant practical relevance, the optimal DAP is polynomially tractable in real-time. The implications of this result to broader FMS classes are also considered.
Experimental Validation of a Performance Model for Simple Layered Task Systems

Performance modeling for the class of parallel computa tions structured as simple layered task systems is consid ered. Specifically studied are the effects of using different forms of inter-layer sequencing mechanisms. The paper refines and generalizes an earlier analytical performance model and presents the results of experimental validation of the model on two different multiprocessor systems. The experimental validation results show that the model is quite accurate, with average prediction errors in the range of only a few percent. Finally, the paper uses the model to investigate performance tradeoff issues for lay ered task systems using barrier versus explicit intertask sequencing mechanisms and implemented on computing systems with differing architectural features. This study shows that the relationship between the type of sequenc ing mechanism, the nature of the computation, and the features of the underlying architecture, interact in com plex ways to impact overall performance. Several inter esting and non-intuitive results are shown.
Continuous-wave amplification and light storage in optically and electrically pumped random laser media

Gain competition is analyzed theoretically on coupled stimulated emission transitions in Λ-type configurations of excited atoms and compared with experimental observations in electrically and optically pumped random media. Under steady-state conditions, we predict and observe dramatic spectral quenching among 2F5/2 transitions in electron-beam-irradiated Nd3+:δ-Al2O3 nanopowders, identifying a simple mechanism that promotes laser action at the longest wavelength (405 nm). In optically pumped Nd3+:Y2O3 nanopowder, simultaneous laser action is observed at two previously unreported wavelengths of Nd3+ (763 and 821 nm), but spectral quenching is not observed, owing to the absence of Λ coupling among the inverted transitions. Quantitative analysis of quenching and threshold behavior in the case of Nd3+:δ-Al2O3 indicates that in wavelength-sized volumes of these light-confining media the average storage time of light may be as long as 30 ps.
Urinary incontinence among mothers of multiples: The protective effect of cesarean delivery

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of delivery mode on the risk of urinary incontinence among women with previous multiple childbirth. Study Design: A 77-item questionnaire was administered to 733 mothers of multiples. Multivariate regression was used to control for potentially confounding variables. Results: The mean rate of stress urinary incontinence among women who were delivered by cesarean-only delivery was 39.6%, which was significantly lower than the 60.4% among women who reported previous vaginal births ( P =.005). Cesarean-only delivery was associated with a markedly reduced risk (odds ratio, 0.52; P =.002) after controlling for age, parity, and body mass index by multivariate regression. Weaker associations were found for age (odds ratio, 1.08), body mass index (odds ratio, 1.06), and parity (odds ratio, 1.46). Urge incontinence was associated with parity, body mass index, and age, but not delivery mode ( P =.76). Conclusion: Vaginal delivery represents a major risk factor for stress incontinence among mothers of multiples. Delivery by cesarean delivery only confers an independent protective effect. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:1447-53.)
Plakophilin-2 and the migration, differentiation and transformation of cells derived from the epicardium of neonatal rat hearts

During development, epicardial cells act as progenitors for a large fraction of non-myocyte cardiac cells. Expression and function of molecules of the desmosome in the postnatal epicardium has not been studied. The objective of this study was to assess the expression of desmosomal molecules, and the functional importance of the desmosomal protein plakophilin-2 (PKP2), in epicardial and epicardium-derived cells. Epicardial explants were obtained from neonatal rat hearts. Presence of mechanical junction proteins was assessed by immunocytochemistry. Explants after PKP2 knockdown showed increased abundance of alpha smooth muscle actin-positive cells, increased abundance of lipid markers, enhanced cell migration velocity and increased abundance of a marker of cell proliferation. We conclude that a population of non-excitable, cardiac-resident cells express desmosomal molecules and, in vitro, show functional properties (including lipid accumulation) that depend on PKP2 expression. The possible relevance of our data to the pathophysiology of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, is discussed.
Is it lateralization, processing strategies, or both that distinguishes good and poor readers?

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine whether poor readers eventually establish a dichotic right ear advantage as predicted by a maturational lag theory. The results of Experiment I revealed an ear asymmetry effect for normal subjects on all stimulus types. The asymmetry in the poor readers depended on age and stimulus type. The findings of Experiment II which required subjects to use a serial order of report showed that the use of recall strategies probably represents a significant factor in determining the size of the ear asymmetry. Results of both experiments were discussed in relation to existing theories.
Diet Quality and Use of a Personal Digital Assistant: Transitioning from the Standard Paper Diary to Electronic Diaries

Obesity is a chronic disorder caused by complex interactions among genetic, metabolic, cultural, environmental, and psychosocial factors. The recent 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicated no change in the prevalence rate of obesity among adults from the previous 6 years (2003–2008) with 35.5 % of men and 35.8 % of women being obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥30) [1]. The same survey showed that the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents was 16.9 % [2] indicating that obesity is still a significant public health problem. Research has demonstrated several health benefits by as little as 5–10 % reduction in excess body weight [3]. Efforts to improve weight loss have focused on standard behavioral treatment (SBT) programs that require lifestyle changes such as adopting healthy eating and exercise habits. A healthy and safe approach to weight loss includes creating a caloric deficit such as a reduction in total caloric intake by 500–1,000 kcal/day, which is expected to result in a weight loss of 1–2 lb per week [4]. Additionally, it is recommended that one engage in a moderate intensity aerobic physical activity program for a minimum of 30 min 5 days per week or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for at least 20 min 3 days per week [5]. The third component of SBT is use of behavior strategies such as goal setting, self-monitoring, and provision of feedback on progress made toward the goals [6]. Despite increasing emphasis on greater dietary intake of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, intake of these foods is well below the recommended levels [7], and new methods for supporting individuals in making long-term, healthful dietary changes are needed.
Canadian Defence Policy

The brief period since 1935 has produced in the attitude of the Canadian Government and people towards national armaments and defence policy a change so sudden and striking as to merit the name of revolution. Observers who in the quite recent past had remarked the obstinate refusal of Ministry, Parliament, and public to pay the slightest attention to the apparatus of defence, have been astonished during the past three years by the energy with which the present Government (headed by a statesman who in three previous terms in office had shown no special interest in this phase of the national life) has attacked the problems of military policy, and by the vigour with which the Canadian electorate has fallen to discussing them. Students of the past, of course, are aware that Canada is merely running true to form. Her history is marked by an alternation of long periods when the national defences are utterly neglected with short violent interludes, arising out of sudden foreign complications, when the country awakes to the inadequacy of those defences and tries to make up for earlier inactivity by measures taken in the teeth of the crisis. In the light of this record, it is not surprising that a desperately perilous international situation has now forced the Dominion into one more military stock-taking. Nevertheless, the episode is arresting; and its possible ultimate implications for all Canadians are of such necessary interest that it may be worth while to record here the things that have been done, and to assess, in however imperfect and conjectural a fashion, the ideas that lie behind the new departures and the policies which they are designed to serve.
Timing of Environmental Enrichment Affects Memory in the House Cricket, Acheta domesticus

Learning appears to be ubiquitous among animals, as it plays a key role in many behaviors including foraging and reproduction. Although there is some genetic basis for differences in learning ability and memory retention, environment also plays an important role, as it does for any other trait. For example, adult animals maintained in enriched housing conditions learn faster and remember tasks for longer than animals maintained in impoverished conditions. Such plasticity in adult learning ability has often been linked to plasticity in the brain, and studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms, stimuli, and consequences of adult behavioral and brain plasticity are numerous. However, the role of experiences during post-embryonic development in shaping plasticity in adult learning ability and memory retention remain relatively unexplored. Using the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) as a model organism, we developed a protocol to allow the odor preference of a large number of crickets to be tested in a short period of time. We then used this new protocol to examine how enrichment or impoverishment at two developmental stages (either the last nymphal instar or young adult) affected adult memory. Our results show that regardless of nymphal rearing conditions, crickets that experienced an enriched rearing condition as young adults performed better on a memory task than individuals that experienced an impoverished condition. Older adult crickets (more than 1 week post adult molt) did not demonstrate differences in memory of the odor task, regardless of rearing condition as a young adult. Our results suggest that environmentally-induced plasticity in memory may be restricted to the young adult stage.
Mmip-2/Rnf-17 enhances c-Myc function and regulates some target genes in common with glucocorticoid hormones.

Members of the Mad family of basic–helix–loop–helix–leucine zipper proteins inhibit the transcriptional activity of the c-Myc oncoprotein. Mmip-2/Rnf-17 is a RING-finger protein that interacts with all four known Mad proteins, redistributes them to the cytoplasm, and thus enhances c-Myc function. We generated cell lines in which Mmip-2/Rnf-17 was rendered glucocorticoid (GC)-inducible. Stable expression of Mmip-/Rnf-17 resulted in the expected transport of the most abundant endogenous mad protein, Mxi1, to the cytoplasm. Compensatory increases in Mxi1 and Mad3 transcripts, similar to those previously described in Mad1 null hematopoietic cells, were also seen. Mmip-2/Rnf-17 also sensitized cells to several different pro-apoptotic stimuli and regulated a subset of c-Myc target genes. Unexpectedly, some of these genes were also found to be modulated solely by GCs. Thus, the inhibition of Mad proteins by Mmip-2/Rnf-17 modulates c-Myc function by enhancing its ability to regulate a subset of its potential target genes. Our results also identify a previously unrecognized overlap between genes regulated by c-Myc- and GCs and provide a potential molecular basis for their regulation of common cellular functions.
Polarization Transfer in p-d Breakup Reactions

As part of a comprehensive study of the neutrons produced in the p-d breakup reaction at Ecm≃14 MeV and θn(lab) = 0° and 18°, we have previously reported measurements of the neutron differential cross sectionl) and the neutron polarization2) for the D(p,n)2p and H(d,n)2p reactions. To complement these results we have now used the polarized proton and deuteron beams from the cyclotron to obtain data on the polarization transfer in both reactions at Ecm≃14 MeV and θn(lab) = 0° and 18°. While the primary objective is to determine the transverse polarization transfer coefficient K y y′ (En), the data are analyzed in a way which also provides a simultaneous determination of the analyzing power Ay(En) and the polarization parameter P(En) for the reaction. The analysis of the multiple detector multi-parameter data has been completed for the D(\(\vec p\), \(\vec n\))2p measurement at θn(lab) = 18° and is in progress for the other three experiments.
Dust charging and transport on airless planetary bodies

We report on laboratory experiments to shed light on dust charging and transport that have been suggested to explain a variety of unusual phenomena on the surfaces of airless planetary bodies. We have recorded micron-sized insulating dust particles jumping to several centimeters high with an initial speed of ~0.6 m/s under ultraviolet illumination or exposure to plasmas, resulting in an equivalent height of ~0.11 m on the lunar surface that is comparable to the height of the so-called lunar horizon glow. Lofted large aggregates and surface mobilization are related to many space observations. We experimentally show that the emission and re-absorption of photoelectron and/or secondary electron at the walls of microcavities formed between neighboring dust particles below the surface are responsible for generating unexpectedly large negative charges and intense particle-particle repulsive forces to mobilize and lift off dust particles.
Drug pumps for treatment of neurologic diseases and pain.

Implanted drug pumps provide a new way to infuse medication chronically to the nervous system in a selective fashion. They have been of value in treating pain of cancer and spasticity through spinal subarachnoid catheters. Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is currently being investigated using intraventricular bethanechol.