cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Periconceptional and prenatal exposure to metal mixtures in relation to behavioral development at 3 years of age.

Background Behavioral effects of prenatal exposure to mixtures of essential and toxic metals are incompletely understood. Methods We investigated neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal metal exposures in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, a prospective birth cohort. We measured metals (As, Cu, Mn, Pb, Se, Zn) in maternal prenatal and postnatal toenails and infant toenails, reflecting exposures during periconception and early pregnancy, mid pregnancy, and late pregnancy and early neonatal life, respectively. Mothers completed the Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd ed. (SRS-2) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd ed. (BASC-2) to assess their child's neurobehavior at 3 years. We used mean field variational Bayes for lagged kernel machine regression to investigate associations of toenail metal concentrations with SRS-2 Total Scores and BASC-2 composite scores (SRS-2: n = 371; BASC-2: n = 318). Results Infant toenail Mn was associated with poorer performance on multiple BASC-2 composite scores. Maternal postnatal toenail As was associated with worse scores on the BASC-2 Internalizing Problems and Behavioral Symptoms Index. Associations with Mn were generally stronger in males, and associations with As were generally stronger in females. Other metals, including Pb, were weakly or inconsistently associated with BASC-2 outcomes, and there were no strong associations of individual metals and SRS-2 Total Scores. We observed suggestive evidence of interaction between As and Se for SRS-2 Total Scores and BASC-2 Adaptive Skills, though overall evidence of interactions between metals was weak. Conclusion Our results support the hypothesis that exposure to Mn and As in mid to late pregnancy may be neurodevelopmentally harmful.
Addressing Patient Bias Against Health Care Workers: Time for Meaningful Change

In their article, Paul-Emile and colleagues offered recommendations to medical centers for addressing patient bias toward health care workers through the development of clear institutional policies...
In situ neutrophil efferocytosis shapes T cell immunity to influenza infection.

Early recruitment of neutrophils from the blood to sites of tissue infection is a hallmark of innate immune responses. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which apoptotic neutrophils are cleared in infected tissues during resolution and the immunological consequences of in situ efferocytosis. Using intravital multiphoton microscopy, we show previously unrecognized motility patterns of interactions between neutrophils and tissue-resident phagocytes within the influenza-infected mouse airway. Newly infiltrated inflammatory monocytes become a chief pool of phagocytes and play a key role in the clearance of highly motile apoptotic neutrophils during the resolution phase. Apoptotic neutrophils further release epidermal growth factor and promote the differentiation of monocytes into tissue-resident antigen-presenting cells for activation of antiviral T cell effector functions. Collectively, these results suggest that the presence of in situ neutrophil resolution at the infected tissue is critical for optimal CD8+ T cell–mediated immune protection. Kim and colleagues provide new insights into the function and fate of neutrophils during influenza infection and their roles in antiviral T cell responses.
The RESTRICTION checkpoint: a window of opportunity governing developmental transitions in Toxoplasma gondii

The life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii is characterized by active replication alternating with periods of rest. Encysted dormant sporozoites and bradyzoites initiate active replication as tachyzoites and merozoites. Here we explore the role of the cell cycle with a focus on the canonical G1 RESTRICTION checkpoint (R-point) as the integrator governing developmental decisions in T. gondii. This surveillance mechanism, which licenses replication, creates a window of opportunity in G1 for cellular reorganization in the execution of developmental transitions. We also explore the unique status of the bradyzoite, the only life cycle stage executing both a forward (entry into the sexual cycle) and reverse (recrudescence) developmental transitions as a multipotent cell. These opposing decisions are executed through the common machinery of the RESTRICTION checkpoint.
Chronic itch in African Americans: an unmet need

Chronic pruritus carries a significant burden of disease and is associated with a negative impact on quality of life. African Americans are disproportionately burdened by chronic pruritic disorders, including but not limited to atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, inflammatory scalp dermatoses, pathologic scarring, and HIV-related dermatoses. Racial differences in skin structure and function may contribute to the pathogenesis of itch in African Americans. Itch perception and response to treatment in African Americans remain understudied and not well understood. As such, there is a large unmet need with regard to the knowledge and management of pruritus in African Americans. This review highlights notable differences in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, genetic predisposition, clinical presentation, and response to treatment for select pruritic skin conditions. By addressing itch as an unmet need in African Americans, we hope to improve patient outcomes and lessen disparities in dermatologic care.
Research on the Individual Preference for Income Redistribution Caused by Income Inequality

As income inequality has increased dramatically all over the world from the late 20th century, it has been focused and studied in many different areas, like economics and politics. Because of the large income inequality, there exists one problem whether income should be redistributed. The most common solution to this is to enact taxes. For income redistribution, sometimes one government needs to take the opinions of the public. Therefore, this article will explore the causality between preference for income redistribution and income inequality.
The Big Screen: Mapping the Diffusion of Foreign Investment Screening Mechanisms

In the decade following the 2008 financial crisis, many advanced industrialized economies engaged in a competition to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), whose flows had plummeted following the global shock. At the same time, however, they also implemented or tightened Investment Screening Mechanisms (ISMs), which empower governments to restrict foreign takeovers, especially in strategic sectors. ISMs are an understudied phenomenon in the International Political Economy literature. This research note describes patterns in the evolution of foreign investment screening policies and suggests a research agenda for analyzing these patterns. After defining ISMs and establishing the puzzle of rising investment screening in conjunction with rising efforts to attract FDI, we present a newly coded dataset on ISMs in OECD countries from 2007-2021, examining the evolution of seven key features of investment screening over time. Next, we set an agenda for future research by suggesting three explanations for their recent evolution in the shadow of rising Chinese investment: the role of bottom-up backlashes to economic globalization; elite-driven foreign policy arguments about the increasingly blurred lines between national and economic security in the information economy; and geopolitical transformations that have challenged key features of the post-war liberal order.
Synergistic Effects of an Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet and Pulsed Electric Field on Cells and Skin

Nonthermal atmospheric-pressure plasmas produce reactive plasma species including charged particles and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which are known to induce oxidative stress in living cells in liquid or tissue. In the meantime, pulsed electric fields have been widely used in reversible or irreversible electropermeabilization for either the delivery of plasmid DNA or inactivation of cancer cells. This work discusses the synergistic effects of nanosecond pulsed plasma jets and pulsed electric field on inactivation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and enhancement of plasmid DNA delivery to guinea pig skin in vivo . Higher inactivation rates of the cancer cells in suspension were obtained with combined treatment of 300-ns 50-kV/cm pulsed electric field and a 1-min exposure of a nanosecond pulsed, 250- $\mu \text{m}$ plasma jet. Increased efficiency of gene electrotransfer to skin was also observed after a 3-min treatment of a nanosecond pulsed, 1-mm plasma jet. Application of the plasma alone at the same dosage did not have significant effect on gene delivery. These findings signify the dosage-dependent cell response to both the electric fields and plasma. Importantly, the use of cold plasma to increase the sensitization of the biological cells in response to pulsed electric fields could be an effective approach to enhance the desired effects in electroporation-based applications.
Assessment in a Tight Time Frame: Using Readily Available Data to Evaluate Your Collection

The William S. Carlson Library of The University of Toledo is experiencing a major renovation project. Its first floor is being transformed into a state-of-the-art information commons. In order to provide the space necessary for this transformation, several collections, specifically the reference and circulating, needed to be moved and shifted in a timely manner. This paper highlights how readily available data were used to evaluate the volumes in the reference collection and the circulating collection in order to maximize the space for the renovation projects.
Extremely low-loss chalcogenide photonics devices with chlorine-based plasma etching

Chlorine-based plasma is employed to produce extremely low propagation loss as low as 0.42 dB/cm in chalcogenide waveguides, record-high intrinsic Q-factors of 450,000 microring resonators and fiber-to-waveguide grating couplers with a coupling efficiency of 37%.
Impacts of Upstream Drought and Water Withdrawals on the Health and Survival of Downstream Estuarine Oyster Populations

Increases in the frequency, duration, and severity of regional drought pose major threats to the health and integrity of downstream ecosystems. During 2007–2008, the U.S. southeast experienced one of the most severe droughts on record. Drought and water withdrawals in the upstream watershed led to decreased freshwater input to Apalachicola Bay, Florida, an estuary that is home to a diversity of commercially and ecologically important organisms. This study applied a combination of laboratory experiments and field observations to investigate the effects of reduced freshwater input on Apalachicola oysters. Oysters suffered significant disease-related mortality under high-salinity, drought conditions, particularly during the warm summer months. Mortality was size-specific, with large oysters of commercially harvestable size being more susceptible than small oysters. A potential salinity threshold was revealed between 17 and 25 ppt, where small oysters began to suffer mortality, and large oysters exhibited an increase in mortality. These findings have important implications for watershed management, because upstream freshwater releases could be carefully timed and allocated during stressful periods of the summer to reduce disease-related oyster mortality. Integrated, forward-looking water management is needed, particularly under future scenarios of climate change and human population growth, to sustain the valuable ecosystem services on which humans depend.
L-1,2-propanediol exits more rapidly than L-lactaldehyde from Escherichia coli.

Catabolism of the six-carbon compound L-fucose results in formation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (C-1-to-C-3 fragment) and L-lactaldehyde (C-4-to-C-6 fragment) as intermediates. The fate of lactaldehyde depends on the respiratory growth conditions. Aerobically, lactaldehyde is oxidized to L-lactate by an NAD-linked dehydrogenase (ald product). L-Lactate, in turn, is converted to pyruvate, which enters the general metabolic pool. Anaerobically, lactaldehyde is reduced to L-1,2-propanediol by an NADH-linked oxidoreductase (fucO product). L-1,2-Propanediol is excreted as a terminal fermentation product. In a previous study, we showed that retention of the C-4-to-C-6 fragment of fucose depended on the competition for lactaldehyde by aldehyde dehydrogenase and propanediol oxidoreductase (Y. Zhu and E.C.C. Lin, J. Bacteriol. 169:785-789, 1987). In this study, we compared the wild-type strain and isogenic mutant strains defective in ald, fucO, or both for ability to accumulate radioactivity when incubated with fucose labeled at either the C-1 or the C-6 position. The results showed that although blocking the oxidation of lactaldehyde prevented its assimilation, rapid exit of the 3-carbon unit occurred only when the compound was reduced to propanediol. Moreover, growth experiments on fucose indicated that a double ald fucO mutant accumulated inhibiting concentrations of lactaldehyde. The inner cell membrane therefore appears to be much more permeable to the 3-carbon alcohol than to the 3-carbon aldehyde. The almost instantaneous exit of propanediol appears to be a facilitated process.
A synergetic theory of environmentally-specified and learned patterns of movement coordination

This paper outlines and applies a synergetic strategy to the coordination of human rhythmical movement. It extends earlier empirical and theoretical work to include the influence of specific environmental information and of memory on the dynamics of the collective variables (order parameters) that characterize the coordination patterns. Key ideas concern cooperative and competitive influences on the collective dynamics. Recent experiments on environmentally specific and learned rhythmic movement patterns are modeled explicitly on the level of the collective variable, relative phase. New predictions are presented and research directions proposed that follow directly from the present theoretical approach.
The Spontaneous Formation of Current-Sheets in Astrophysical Magnetic Fields

This article is an introduction to Parker’s idea that electric current sheets form spontaneously in astrophysical magnetic fields under the condition of high electrical conductivity. Upon formation, the current sheets will collapse to such small widths as to result in resistive reconnection of magnetic fields and heating, despite the very large but finite electrical conductivity. This mechanism is an attractive explanation of the ubiquitous association between magnetic fields and heated plasmas in many astrophysical situations. The hydromagnetic process of this mechanism is illustrated, using a well-studied two-dimensional Cartesian model involving a quadrupolar magnetic field with or without a magnetic null point. The purpose of this illustration is to acquaint the reader with the basic physics in terms of elementary mathematical results and familiar properties which are possible to obtain for this simple model. The general and more complicated processes in three-dimensional magnetic fields is treated in Parker’s latest (1994) monograph on this subject.
Development and pharmacokinetic evaluation of a curcumin co-solvent formulation.

Poor solubility and bioavailability are limiting factors for the clinical application of curcumin. The objective of the current study was to develop a liquid formulation with increased solubility and systemic bioavailability. A co-solvent formulation with increased solubility of 20 mg/ml was developed and optimized. Pharmacokinetics of the new formulation were evaluated using rats receiving 30 mg/kg intravenous or 50 mg/kg intramuscular administration of co- solvent formulation, compared against a control group receiving 50 mg/kg of curcumin in DMSO through intramuscular injection. Plasma concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The intramuscular injection of formulation resulted in 30% absolute bioavailability and provided sustained release by maintaining plasma concentrations of curcumin above 240 ng/ml for up to 4 h. A 29-fold increase in the maximum plasma concentration (C max ) and 28-fold increase in the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) led to a 28- fold increase in relative bioavailability for the co-solvent formulation. The findings reported here suggest that the clinical application of curcumin can be better-exploited through an intramuscular administration of the co-solvent formulation developed in the present study. The phytopharmaceutical product Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol, is derived from the rhizhome of the herb Curcuma Longa and has a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities including anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-carcinogenic effects and antiangiogenic effects (1-6). Furthermore, various animal models and human studies have proven that curcumin is extremely safe even at high doses of 12 g/day (7-12). Curcumin is classified as a biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class IV molecule on the basis of its poor aqueous solubility (11 ng/ml in aqueous buffer pH 5) and permeability through intestinal epithelial cells (12-14). Chemically, curcumin is a bis-a,β-unsaturated β diketone commonly called diferuloylmethane, and exhibits keto-enol tautomerism having a predominant keto form in acidic and neutral solutions and stable enol form in alkaline medium. In spite of its promising pharmacological activities, high safety profile and efficacy, poor oral bioavailability of curcumin (reported to be less than 1%) (15) is one of the limiting factors regarding its clinical application. The major reasons contributing to low plasma and tissue levels associated with curcumin administration appear to be due to
Interhemispheric differences in regional density of the normal brain

In a study of regional variations in cerebral X-ray attenuation as measured by computed tomography, a relationship between bone-related beam hardening and lateralized hemispheric density differences was sought. The CT scans of 22 normal right-handed individuals were evaluated by calculating regional mean attenuation values and regional left-right differences in attenuation, comparing these to regional measurements of skull thickness. A statistically insignificant number of significant correlations was found. This is interpreted to mean that observed left-right hemispheric density differences are not due to beam-hardening through bone. It was also found that left-right differences in density persisted over the entirety of the evaluated slices, suggesting that this finding is due to inherent hemispheric structural differences.
Bicalutamide inhibits androgen-mediated adhesion of prostate cancer cells exposed to ionizing radiation

Background Cell adhesion plays an important role in proliferation, metastasis, and tumor growth and may represent a potential vulnerability in treatment of prostate cancer patients. Bicalutamide (Casodex) has been used as an anti-androgen agent for prostate cancer patients during hormone ablation therapy. This study focuses on the effect of Bicalutamide on cell adhesion to fibronectin (FN) in prostate cancer cells. Methods Androgen–dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells were stimulated with androgen before being irradiated with doses of 0, 5, 10, or 15 Gy. Cell adhesion to fibronectin was then measured to ascertain androgen's role in integrin mediated prostate cancer cell adhesion. Flow cytometry was used to analyze surface expression of integrin subtypes in LNCaP cells. Results LNCaP cell adhesion to FN was significantly increased by stimulation with androgen when treated with 10 or 15 Gy ionizing radiations but not at 0 or 5 Gy. This increase was inhibited by treatment with Bicalutamide. LNCaP cells exposed to high dose radiation showed an increased expression of αV and β1 integrins in response to androgen treatment while Bicalutamide abolished this effect. Conclusions Our data show that Bicalutamide inhibits the effect of androgen on cell adhesion to FN through changes of integrin subtypes in cells given high dose radiation. This suggests new molecular targets and possible treatment strategies for prostate cancer patients to improve the outcome during hormone ablation therapy and radiation therapy. Prostate © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Ten-Meter Grating Spectrograph for the Vacuum Ultraviolet

Some aspects of the construction of a 10-m concave grating spectrograph are described. The large size of the instrument, which is of the Eagle type, has given rise to a number of problems in design, and the solutions to these problems are presented. Some data on the performance of the instrument are given.
Exploring attention-based explanations for some violations of Hick's law for aimed movements.

Choice reaction time generally increases linearly with the logarithm of the number of potential stimulus–response alternatives, a regularity known as Hick’s law. Two apparent violations of this generalization, which have been reported for aimed eye movements (Kveraga, Boucher, & Hughes, Experimental Brain Research, 146, 307–314, 2002), and arm movements (Wright, Marino, Belovsky, & Chubb, Experimental Brain Research, 179, 475–496, 2007), occurred when the indicator stimulus was an abrupt change at the location that was the target of the to-be-made movement. We report two experiments that examined and rejected the hypothesis that these abrupt-onset indicator stimuli triggered a shift in exogenous attention and that this led to unusually small uncertainty effects. Each experiment compared this indicator stimulus with a single alternative: Experiment 1 tested an indicator stimulus at all locations other than the target; Experiment 2 tested a central pointer to the target. Neither alternative led to an uncertainty effect for pointing responses that was of the size typically observed for other responses using the same stimuli.
Dolly Levi: A modern parasite? (Thornton Wilder and Terence)

In this article Thornton Wilder’s playThe Matchmaker is viewed as a modern example of New Comedy, a dramatic form popular in ancient Athens and Rome, since its plot, characters and humor closely reflect that tradition. The portrayal of its leading character Dolly Levi, moreover, reveals a striking parallel to the ancient figure of the “Parasite” especially as depicted in Terence’sPhormio (161 BC). Like Roman comedies Wilder’s play was an adaptation of an earlier play written in a foreign language. Unsuccessful when it first appeared in 1938 asThe Merchant of Yonkers, it was presented again with only modest revisions sixteen years later (The Matchmaker, 1954) and was reincarnated as a very popular Broadway musical in 1964 (Hello, Dolly!). This comparison also considers interesting differences between ancient and modern light domestic comedy.
Buckytubes and Derivatives: Their Growth and Implications for Buckyball Formation

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of graphite tubules (buckytubes) and their derivatives have revealed not only the previously reported buckytube geometries but also additional shapes of the buckytube derivatives. Detailed cross-sectional TEM images reveal the cylindrical cross section of buckytubes and the growth pattern of buckytubes as well as their derivatives. These observations of frozen growth stages of buckytubes and derivatives suggest a helical growth mechanism analogous to that of crystal growth via screw dislocations. The helicacy of buckytubes is analyzed by electron diffraction whereas the anisotropy of electronic structure is revealed by momentum transfer resolved electron energy loss spectrometry. Based on the TEM observations, it is proposed that buckytubes act as precursors to closed-shell fullerene (buckyball) formation and the possible steps in buckyball formation are outlined. In arc evaporation experiments in which residue rods (containing various amounts of buckytubes) were used as the starting anode for fullerene production, the amount of buckytubes in the rod was correlated with fullerene yield.
Reflection and crosstalk in logic circuit interconnections

Digital logic circuits are now available and are being used with delay times that are comparable to the delays of interconnections used in packaging these circuits. At high speeds, however, such interconnections no longer behave as simple short circuits, but take on the appearance of transmission lines. Unless transmission lines are terminated properly, ``reflections'' can develop that might be of sufficient magnitude to produce false logic levels or exceed maximum circuit voltage specifications. One may choose to solve the problem by increasing the density of the system. This, however, introduces the problem of ``crosstalk.'' The present article describes several analytical techniques for predicting the kinds of reflections and crosstalk that are typically seen in digital systems, thus enabling the engineer to determine in advance whether or not such ``interconnection noise'' will result, how bad it will be, and what the typical interconnection limitations are for circuits of various speeds.
The effects of positioning on the Hering-Breuer reflex in the preterm infant.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of positioning on the Hering-Breuer inflation reflex (HBIR) in the preterm infant. Seven, non-intubated, premature infants, ranging in birthweight from 732 to 1450 g with post-conceptual ages of 32–36 weeks were studied. In each infant, pulmonary function testing, including the HBIR was obtained using the SensorMedics 2600 during quiet sleep in the supine and prone position. The strength of the HBIR was quantified by the measurement of the percent prolongation of expiration after an occluded breath. Sleep states were categorized by the criteria of Prechtl. There was a significant difference in Hering-Breuer activity in the prone position versus the supine position with a consistently stronger reflex in the prone position. The mean percent prolongation of expiration was 237 ± 108% in the prone position versus 95 ± 32% in the supine position. Analysis of the data, using paired t-testing revealed a mean difference of 142 ± 119% between prone and supine positions (P = 0.028). Significant differences in the strength of the HBIR occur in relation to positioning in the preterm infant. Newborn positioning may affect pulmonary reflexes and may play a role in control of breathing. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:37–40. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Lysine Requirement of the Chick

SummaryThe 1-(+)-lysine requirement for optimum growth of the young chick is approximately 0.9% of the diet.
Common Knowledge: Learning Spaces in Academic Libraries

The first iterations of the information commons organized library work space around access to digital resources, with research and computing assistance also available. More recently, however, change in academic libraries has paralleled the reorientation of knowledge in higher education. With further involvement in campus-wide initiatives and an emphasis on the social dimension of learning, the learning commons represents transformative change that extends beyond the reach of the traditional academic library. A review of literature on the learning commons provides case studies that reveal collaborative space, partnerships leading to integrated service, and user-centered assessment.
The passive elastic moment at the hip

The passive elastic moment at the hip was measured in normal male subjects in situ. The influence of two joint muscles crossing the hip was evaluated by performing hip moment measurements over a continuous range of hip angles and at prescribed knee angles. The experimentally acquired data was fitted by exponential functions which separately modeled the moment contribution of tissues deformed by hip flexion and extension. The results of the investigation are discussed with regard to the possible role of the passive joint moments as an energy storage and release mechanism during human walking.
Avian Retrovirus U3 and U5 DNA Inverted Repeats ROLE OF NONSYMMETRICAL NUCLEOTIDES IN PROMOTING FULL-SITE INTEGRATION BY PURIFIED VIRION AND BACTERIAL RECOMBINANT INTEGRASES

The U3 and U5 termini of linear retrovirus DNA contain imperfect inverted repeats that are necessary for the concerted insertion of the termini into the host chromosome by viral integrase. Avian myeloblastosis virus integrase can efficiently insert the termini of retrovirus-like DNA donor substrates (480 base pairs) by a concerted mechanism (full-site reaction) into circular target DNA in vitro. The specific activities of virion-derived avian myeloblastosis virus integrase and bacterial recombinant Rous sarcoma virus (Prague A strain) integrase (approximately 50 nM or less) appear similar upon catalyzing the full-site reaction with 3'-OH recessed wild type or mutant donor substrates. We examined the role of the three nonsymmetrical nucleotides located at the 5th, 8th, and 12th positions in the U3 and U5 15-base pair inverted repeats for their ability to modify the full-site and simultaneously, the half-site strand transfer reactions. Our data suggest that the nucleotide at the 5th position appears to be responsible for the 3-5-fold preference for wild type U3 ends over wild type U5 ends by integrase for concerted integration. Additional mutations at the 5th or 6th position, or both, of U3 or U5 termini significantly increased (approximately 3 fold) the full-site reactions of mutant donors over wild type donors.
Learning how the electron transport chain works: independent and interactive effects of instructional strategies and learners’ characteristics

In order to develop an expert-like mental model of complex systems, causal reasoning is essential. This study examines the differences between forward and backward instructional strategies’ in terms of efficiency, students’ learning and progression of their mental models of the electronic transport chain in an undergraduate metabolism course (n = 151). Additionally, the participants’ cognitive flexibility, prior knowledge, and mental effort in the learning process are also investigated. The data were analyzed using a series of general linear models to compare the strategies. Although the two strategies did not differ significantly in terms of mental model progression and learning outcomes, both groups’ mental models progressed significantly. Mental effort and prior knowledge were identified as significant predictors of mental model progression. An interaction between instructional strategy and cognitive flexibility revealed that the backward instruction was more efficient than the conventional (forward) strategy for students with lower cognitive flexibility, whereas the conventional instruction was more efficient for students with higher cognitive flexibility. The results are discussed and suggestions for future research on the possible moderating role of cognitive flexibility in the area of health education are presented.
Agonistic behavior in naïve juvenile lobsters depleted of serotonin by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine

We have been exploring the role of serotonin in fighting behavior in lobsters using a specific model of agonistic behavior, the establishment of hierarchical relationships between pairs of socially naive juvenile lobsters. We selected this model because the behavior is easily evoked, readily quantifiable, and the effects of experience are eleminated by using socially naive animals. In these studies we injected a specific neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, into juvenile lobsters over a 4-week period and then measured the effects on fighting behavior. This treatment reduces the levels of serotonin in the nervous system and immunocytochemical studies show a dramatic reduction in neuropil staining for the amine. Control animals received vehicle injection alone. All injected animals were paired against larger or smaller non-injected opponents, and three successive 30-min fights were carried out and statistically analyzed. The results were surprising: As with elevations of serotonin, reduced levels of serotonin increased the amount of time animals engaged in fighting behavior. No significant effects were seen on who initiated encounters, who retreated first, or who the eventual winner would be. Thus, in this model, elevation or reduction of serotonergic function increases the tendency of animals to engage in agonistic encounters.
Edwards EndoVent as a pacing catheter for minimally invasive aortic valve surgery: a novel approach.

ObjectiveThe placement of epicardial pacing wires before weaning from bypass during port-access heart surgery can be difficult or impossible. Sometimes, it is necessary to pacing the patient to wea...
Specific heat of superconducting films of indium and of indium alloyed with magnetic impurities

Measurements were made of the dicontinuity ..delta..c in the specific heat at the superconducting transition for quench-condensed films of indium--manganese, and indium--chromium. Manganese and chromium are 3-d transition elements, and retain their magnetism when dissolved in indium. This is the first investigation of this sort where 3-d magnetic impurities have been studied in a simple metal superconductor. Magnetic impurities depress the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/, and predictions based on the Shiba theory for classical spins in superconductors indicate that ..delta..c is also depressed by the presence of magnetic impurities. It is useful to express the results in terms of ..delta..c/sub 0/ and T/sub c0/, the values for the pure superconductor. The Shiba theory indicates that ..delta..c/..delta..c/sub 0/ is depressed more rapidly than T/sub c//T/sub c0/ as magnetic impurities are introduced into a superconductor. The results of the present work confirm this prediction, but show an even greater depression of ..delta..c/..delta..c/sub 0/ relative to T/sub c//T/sub c0/ than the Shiba theory predicts. Similar results have been obtained by previous workers who dissolved 3-d magnetic impurities in transition metal superconductors. This work also shows that ..delta..c for pure indium increases with increasing disorder, where the degree of disorder is indicated bymore » the residual resistivity of the sample. This result is to be expected qualitatively from Bergmann's studies of the transition temperature and energy gap width for disordered samples of indium. The present results, however, indicate that ..delta..c increases roughly ten times more rapidly with the degree of disorder than would be estimated from the results of Bergmann.« less
The tax revolt and electoral competition

This paper explores the effect of electoral competition onstate and local expenditures in the US during the politicalenvironment following the tax revolt of the late 1970s. Itutilizes a theoretical model in which both electoralcompetition and tax and expenditure limits impact spending.Empirical results indicate the tax revolt's primary impact wastransmitted through political candidate competition, notthrough the adoption of tax or expenditure limitations, as iscommonly believed. However, tax and expenditure limits doaffect public education expenditures.
Software defined networking opportunities for transport

The economic landscape where trends of computing and networking are diverging creates motivation for new engineering paradigms. One emerging paradigm is software defined networking, whose attributes include separation of control from forwarding, enabling joint optimization of computing and networking deployments, software-defined functions at a number of layers, including the transport (i.e., optical and TDM) layer, enabling simpler interworking of different administrative and technology domains, and application-aware transport network resources. This column provides some background on the aspects of SDN related to transport networking, summarizes major drivers, trends, and issues to be addressed, and concludes by discussing areas of potential research and development for transport-related future SDN work.
Mutual coupling between circular waveguide-fed apertures in a rectangular ground plane

A method is presented whereby the infinite ground plane analytical model for the self- and mutual admittances of waveguide-fed apertures can be supplemented (using the geometrical theory of diffraction) to include the edge effects of a rectangular ground plane. The H -plane coupling between two TE_{11} mode excited circular apertures is calculated and compared with measurements.
Diffusion of water in additively colored potassium iodide crystals

Abstract The diffusion of water into additively colored potassium iodide has been studied in the range 15–45°C. Penetration depths, measured by decrease in the F -band absorption, increase with t 1 2 . The diffusion coefficient, D = 0·58 exp (−6496/ T ) cm 2 sec −1 agrees very well with that determined by other workers. The Henry's law constant, K = C 0 p w = 1·3 × 10 9 exp (+4882/T) cm −3 torr −1 implies a water concentration of C 0 ≅ 10 17 molecules per cm 3 in the surface of KI crystals in equilibrium with an environment at 25°C and 35 per cent relative humidity. The large C 0 makes penetration very rapid. Diffusion occurs by interstitial migration of water molecules with an entropy of activation of 9.4 cal/mol deg and an enthalpy of activation of 12·9 kcal/mol.
What caused the decline in US breast cancer incidence

The incidence of breast cancer in the US dropped sharply between 2002 and 2003. In this Viewpoint, the author discusses two theories to account for this observation: the decrease in use of hormone-replacement therapy and a decline in the US screening mammography rates.
Individual and Seasonal Variation in External Genitalia of Male Tree Swallows

Abstract The cloacal protuberance (CP) of passerines functions primarily to store spermatozoa. When gently squeezed, the CP of male Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) everts to expose a small papilla from which semen can be expressed. From 1994 to 1999, I examined individual and seasonal variation in CP dimensions and papilla length of mated male Tree Swallows in western Michigan. Male CP volumes were greatest when their mates were laying eggs and declined to the nestling period. Papilla lengths did not vary over the course of the breeding season. Cloacal protuberance dimensions and papilla length were not associated with the age class of a male's mate, the date she started laying eggs, or number of eggs she laid. The decrease in CP size over the course of the breeding season is consistent with the steady decrease in reproductive opportunities for male swallows. Although it seems likely, whether or not the papilla of Tree Swallows functions as an intromittent organ awaits further study of the anatomical ...
Nonanalog 0+(g.s.)→0+(g.s.) transitions in pion double charge exchange reactions on 128Te and 130Te

Abstract Small-angle (π + , π − cross sections for the 0 + (g.s.)→0 + (g.s.) transition in ββ-decay-allowed nuclei 128 Te and 130 Te were measured in the Δ 33 resonance region. The ratio of the cross section for 130 Te to that for 128 Te is 2.92±1.38 , in opposite trend to the currently accepted A −4 3 dependence of the nonanalog (π + , π − ) transitions. Possible consequences on the interpretation of geochemical ββ-decay half-life ratio are discussed.
Elastic forward scattering in the cuprate superconducting state

We investigate the effect of elastic forward scattering on the ARPES spectrum of the cuprate superconductors. In the normal state, small angle scattering from out-of-plane impurities is thought to broaden the ARPES spectral response with minimal effect on the resistivity or the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$. Here we explore how such forward scattering affects the ARPES spectrum in the $d$-wave superconducting state. Away from the nodal direction, the one-electron impurity scattering rate is found to be suppressed as $\ensuremath{\omega}$ approaches the gap edge by a cancellation between normal and anomalous scattering processes, leading to a square-root-like feature in the spectral weight as $\ensuremath{\omega}$ approaches $\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathbf{k}}$ from below. For momenta away from the Fermi surface, our analysis suggests that a dirty optimally or overdoped system will still display a sharp but nondispersive peak which could be confused with a quasiparticle spectral feature. Only in cleaner samples should the true dispersing quasiparticle peak become visible. At the nodal point on the Fermi surface, the contribution of the anomalous scattering vanishes and the spectral weight exhibits a Lorentzian quasiparticle peak in both energy and momentum. Our analysis, including a treatment of unitary scatterers and inelastic spin fluctuation scattering, suggests explanations for the sometimes mysterious line shapes and temperature dependences of the peak structures observed in the ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}\mathrm{Ca}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ system.
Recognition of the Activated States of Gα13 by the rgRGS Domain of PDZRhoGEF

G12 class heterotrimeric G proteins stimulate RhoA activation by RGS-RhoGEFs. However, p115RhoGEF is a GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) toward Galpha13, whereas PDZRhoGEF is not. We have characterized the interaction between the PDZRhoGEF rgRGS domain (PRG-rgRGS) and the alpha subunit of G13 and have determined crystal structures of their complexes in both the inactive state bound to GDP and the active states bound to GDP*AlF (transition state) and GTPgammaS (Michaelis complex). PRG-rgRGS interacts extensively with the helical domain and the effector-binding sites on Galpha13 through contacts that are largely conserved in all three nucleotide-bound states, although PRG-rgRGS has highest affinity to the Michaelis complex. An acidic motif in the N terminus of PRG-rgRGS occupies the GAP binding site of Galpha13 and is flexible in the GDP*AlF complex but well ordered in the GTPgammaS complex. Replacement of key residues in this motif with their counterparts in p115RhoGEF confers GAP activity.
Self-Monitoring Scale Factor Structure and Correlates

Factor analyses of Snyder's Self-Monitoring Scale were conducted with two samples of introduction, psychology, students obtained during consecutive rears. Four factors replicated across years for both males and females: theatric al acting ability, sociability/social anxiety, other-directedness, and speaking ability. The correlations of these factors with several personality instruments were examined to aid in interpreting the factors. The findings indicated that this scale is not unidimensional, raising the possibility that some of its factors, notably sociability/social anxiety,, mat, interact differentially with characteristics of experimental situations.
The management of severe aortoiliac occlusive disease: Endovascular therapy rivals open reconstruction

Objective Aortobifemoral bypass (ABF) grafting has been the traditional treatment for extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). This retrospective study compared the outcomes and durability of recanalization, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and stenting (R/PTAS) vs ABF for severe AIOD. Methods Between 1998 and 2004, 86 patients (161 limbs) underwent ABF (n = 75) or iliofemoral bypass (n = 11), and 83 patients (127 limbs) underwent R/PTAS. All patients had severe symptomatic AIOD (claudication, 53%; rest pain, 28%; tissue loss, 12%; acute limb ischemia, 7%). The analyses excluded patients treated for aneurysms, extra-anatomic procedures, and endovascular treatment of iliac stenoses. Original angiographic imaging, medical records, and noninvasive testing were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier estimates for patency and survival were calculated and univariate analyses performed. Mortality was verified by the Social Security database. Results The ABF patients were younger than the R/PTAS patients (60 vs 65 years; P = .003) and had higher rates of hyperlipidemia (P = .009) and smoking (P Conclusion R/PTAS is a suitable, less invasive alternative to ABF for the treatment of severe AIOD. Repair of the concomitant femoral occlusive disease is often needed regardless of open or endovascular treatment. Infrainguinal disease negatively affects the durability of the procedure and patient survival.
Two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins of citric acid nuclei prepared with aid of a Tissumizer.

Abstract Nuclei prepared from normal rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells with the aid of a Tissumizer® in media containing 0.5 and 5 % citric acid were compared on the basis of electron microscopic appearance, DNA, RNA and protein content. Electron microscopy revealed better preservation of the nucleolar and nuclear morphology in the nuclei isolated in 0.5 % citric acid than in nuclei isolated in 5 % citric acid. Moreover, losses of protein and DNA from liver nuclei prepared by the sucrose-Ca 2+ procedure were significantly less in nuclei treated with 0.5 % citric acid than in nuclei treated with 5 % citric acid. The preservation of nuclear morphology and the retention of the majority of types of nuclear protein were significantly better with the procedure using 0.5 % citric acid than with the procedure using 5 % citric acid. The 5 % citric acid treatment was found to alter nuclear morphology and extract specific nuclear proteins, as demonstrated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the proteins.
High Harmonic Generation from Multiple Orbitals in N2

Molecular electronic states energetically below the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) should contribute to laser-driven high harmonic generation (HHG), but this behavior has not been observed previously. Our measurements of the HHG spectrum of N2 molecules aligned perpendicular to the laser polarization showed a maximum at the rotational half-revival. This feature indicates the influence of electrons occupying the orbital just below the N2 HOMO, referred to as the HOMO-1. Such observations of lower-lying orbitals are essential to understanding subfemtosecond/subangstrom electronic motion in laser-excited molecules.
Sensitivity of cost coefficient errors in aggregate production planning

Abstract The cost implications of cost parameter estimation errors for an aggregate production planning problem are investigated. Three popular aggregate planning models (the Linear Decision Rule, the Linear Programming model, and the Production Switching Heuristic) are evaluated for the effects of a range of errors over a finite planning horizon. Analysis of different cost functions indicates that the accuracy of the coefficients related to regular production capacity per employee, target ending inventory level, and regular employment cost per employee are critical regardless of the model chosen.
Echocardiographic estimates of pulmonary artery wedge pressure.

IN patients free of pulmonary venous occlusive disease or mitral-valve obstructive disease or both, the pulmonary artery wedge pressure reflects the left atrial pressure and thus the left ventricular filling pressure. Care of a critically ill patient with a cardiac disorder frequently requires measurement of the pulmonary artery wedge pressure by right-heart catheterization with a balloon-tipped flow-directed catheter. Bedside catheterization of the right heart is an expensive procedure with a small but definite risk.1 An easily obtained and reproducible noninvasive method of assessing left ventricular pressure, using only the electrocardiogram and the echocardiogram, is described below. Phonocardiographic studies in patients . . .