cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of CREB in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell Increases Cocaine Reinforcement in Self-Administering Rats

Chronic exposure to addictive drugs enhances cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-regulated gene expression in nucleus accumbens (NAc), and these effects are thought to reduce the positive hedonic effects of passive cocaine administration. Here, we used viral-mediated gene transfer to produce short- and long-term regulation of CREB activity in NAc shell of rats engaging in volitional cocaine self-administration. Increasing CREB expression in NAc shell markedly enhanced cocaine reinforcement of self-administration behavior, as indicated by leftward (long-term) and upward (short-term) shifts in fixed ratio dose–response curves. CREB also increased the effort exerted by rats to obtain cocaine on more demanding progressive ratio schedules, an effect highly correlated with viral-induced modulation of BDNF protein in the NAc shell. CREB enhanced cocaine reinforcement when expressed either throughout acquisition of self-administration or when expression was limited to postacquisition tests, indicating a direct effect of CREB independent of reinforcement-related learning. Downregulating endogenous CREB in NAc shell by expressing a short hairpin RNA reduced cocaine reinforcement in similar tests, while overexpression of a dominant-negative CREB S133A mutant had no significant effect on cocaine self-administration. Finally, increasing CREB expression after withdrawal from self-administration enhanced cocaine-primed relapse, while reducing CREB levels facilitated extinction of cocaine seeking, but neither altered relapse induced by cocaine cues or footshock stress. Together, these findings indicate that CREB activity in NAc shell increases the motivation for cocaine during active self-administration or after withdrawal from cocaine. Our results also highlight that volitional and passive drug administration can lead to substantially different behavioral outcomes.
Creep in the earth and planets

Abstract Evidence of imperfectly elastic behaviour in the earth and planets is provided by the following phenomena: 1. (1) damping of the earth's free nutation; 2. (2) damping of elastic waves passing through the earth; 3. (3)secular acceleration of the moon; 4. (4) figure of the moon; 5. (5) figure of the earth; 6. (6) rotations of satellites of the planets; 7. (7) free oscillations of the directions of the moon's axes; 8. (8) eigenfrequencies of the earth; and 9. (9) damping of the S wave as a function of frequency. Darwin attempted to explain the secular acceleration of the moon by viscosity in the body of the earth. This was shown to be unsatisfactory in 1915. A logarithmic law of creep, containing one relevant constant, agrees with some laboratory tests and approximately with a large quantity of seismological data. But it was found that if the constant is chosen to fit the damping of the free nutation (Eulerian nutation or Chandler wobble) the beginning of a transverse seismic wave at distance 80° would be spread over about 70 sec and be unreadable. I propose a law of creep by which for a constant shearing stress P the response is a shearing strain ϵ given by: ϵ = P μ [1 + q α {(1 + at) α − 1 ]} where t is time and μ , q , a , α are constants. This is a particular case of imperfection of elasticity. In it, for disturbances lasting a second or more, there are essentially only two creep parameters to be fixed, α and qa α . These may be determined by the two data: 1. (1) that the relaxation time of the free nutation is 30 ± 20 y years; 2. (2) that S at 80° reaches half its ultimate value in 2 sec. We obtain α as probably between 0.14 and 0.21, with 0.19 as the most probable value. We then proceed to show that this law of creep, with α = 0.19, can account for approximately the right amount of damping (or internal friction) in all the other phenomena listed above. Laws with α = 1 (elastico-viscous law) and α = 0 (logarithmic law) fail to do so. A consequence of this law of creep is that where it holds convection cannot take place.
Income Elasticities for Selected Consumption Categories: Comparison of Single Female‐Headed and Two‐Parent Families

Female-headed families—those maintained by a woman without a husband present—although a fast-growing population group since the '70s, have so far received little or no attention from researchers in the consumption area. Thus the major focus of this study was to examine changes in expenditure behavior of female-headed families with changes in income, and to compare those changes with two-parent families. Data are from the 1972–73 Consumer Expen diture Survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The two samples consisted of 590 female-headed families and 4,881 two-parent families. Total expenditures and expenditures on six consumption categories were modeled as functions of cur rent and permanent income using the double log form. Family size, age and education, employment status of the woman, race, location, and house tenure were included as proxies for tastes and preferences to hold them constant. Cur rent income elasticities were estimated by generalized least squares, and per manent income elasticities by instrumental variables. Only income elasticities for shelter, both current and permanent, differed significantly between the groups. Both family types change shelter spending less than proportionally to an income change, but female-headed families change less than two-parent families. Dif ferential effects of the independent variables, measured by Engel function pa rameters using permanent income, were found for the two family types. Impli cations for future research are discussed.
Book case history

Companion Encyclopaedia of the History of Medicine. Edited by W. F. Bynum and Roy Porter. Routledge: 1993. Pp. Volume 1, 778; Volume 2, 997. £150, $199.95.
Support for Faraday's View of Circulation in a Fine-Powder Chladni Heap

Faraday, like Chladni, saw fine powder collect in a circular heap at an antinode of a vibrating plate. In each vibration cycle, the heap experiences a free-flight interval during which pressure gradients in the heap`s interior drive powder centerward, as Faraday proposed. When heap-floor collision terminates flight, pressure gradients reverse direction; but passage of a compaction front has locked particles against further movement. Before a next flight interval, an increase in porosity will reverse the compaction that accompanied heap-floor collision. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
FEEDFORWARD-FEEDBACK CONTROL OF A VERTICAL LONG-TUBE TOMATO EVAPORATOR. 1. Analog Simulation

SUMMARY A combined feedforward-feedback system is proposed to reduce fouling in a vertical long-tube tomato evaporator. Development of the appropriate heat and mass transfer equations under conditions of changing feed composition and constant evaporator temperature indicated that perfect control can theoretically be maintained by feedforward control of flow rate. Derivative and proportional control are required. Fouling in the evaporator tubes and uncertainties of process dynamics necessitate the addition of integral and proportional feedback control to the feedforward system. The proposed evaporator-control system was simulated on an analog computer. The results proved that excellent control of the product can be maintained in single-pass operation with feedforward-feedback control.
A finitely generated, infinitely related group with trivial multiplicator

We exhibit a 3-generator metabelian group which is not finitely related but has a trivial multiplicator.1. The purpose of this note is to establish the exitense of a finitely generated group which is not finitely related, but whose multiplecator is finitely generated. This settles negatively a question whichb has been open for a few years (it was first brought to my attention by Michel Kervaire and Joan Landman Dyer in 1964, but I believe it is somewhat older). The group is given in the follwing theorem.
The YARF system for vision-based road following

The YARF system extracts road features from color images in order to drive a vehicle along the road. Central to the system is a model of the road which includes both geometric information about the relative placement of the features defining the lane structure of the road and information about the appearance of those features. This model is used to selectively apply specialized image segmentation methods to perform the feature detection; to provide the system of constraints which relate the feature positions to the vehicle position on the road; and to provide a context of expectations about the appearance of the road which can be used to analyze situations where expected features are not seen. Experimental results are presented showing the benefit of using multiple specialized image segmentation techniques, the advantages of using Least Median Squares estimation in situations where there are outliers in the data, and the ability of YARF to detect intersections and changes in lane structure based on the failure to see expected features in the image.
Recent developments in dynamic testing of materials

Three new testing configurations that have been developed since the last DYMAT conference in 2009 are presented. The first is high strain rate testing of Kevlar cloth and Kevlar yarn in a tensile Split Hopkinson Bar (SHB) apparatus. The Kevlar cloth/yarn is attached to the bars by specially designed adaptors that keep the impedance constant. In addition to determining the specimen’s stress and strain from the recorded waves in the bars the deformations are also measured with Digital Image Correlation (DIC). The second testing configuration is a high strain rate shear test for sheet metal. The experiment is done by using a flat notched specimen in a tensile SHB apparatus. The shear strain is measured using DIC within the notch and on the boundary. The third development is a compression apparatus for testing at intermediate strain rates ranging from 20 s −1 to 200 s −1 . The apparatus is a combination of a hydraulic actuator and a compression SHB. The stress in the specimen is determined from the stress wave in a very long transmitter bar and the strain and strain rate is determined by using DIC. The results show clean stress strain curves (no ringing).
Pseudo-Brewster and second-Brewster angles of an absorbing substrate coated by a transparent thin film

The pseudo-Brewster angle of minimum reflectance for the p polarization, the corresponding angle for the s polarization, and the second-Brewster angle of minimum ratio of the p and s reflectances are all determined as functions of the thickness of a transparent film coating an absorbing substrate by numerical solution of the exact equations that govern such angles of the form Re(Z′/Z) = 0, where Z = Rp, Rs, or ρ represent the complex amplitude-reflection coefficients for the p and s polarizations and their ratio (ρ = Rp/Rs), respectively, and Z′ is the angle-of-incidence derivative of Z. Results that show these angles and their associated reflectance and reflectance-ratio minima are presented for the SiO2–Si film–substrate system at wavelength λ = 0.6328 μm and film thickness of up to four periods (≃1.2 μm). Applications of these results are proposed in film-thickness measurement and control.
Simplicity as a Strategy-Making Process: The Effects of Stage of Organizational Development and Environment on Performance

This field study investigated the importance of simplicity as a strategy-making process. Consistent with our hypotheses, use of a simplistic strategy-making process was found to be positively assoc...
Dimethyl Fumarate and Monoethyl Fumarate Exhibit Differential Effects on KEAP1, NRF2 Activation, and Glutathione Depletion In Vitro

Delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (also known as gastro-resistant dimethyl fumarate), an oral therapeutic containing dimethyl fumarate (DMF) as the active ingredient, is currently approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. DMF is also a component in a distinct mixture product with 3 different salts of monoethyl fumarate (MEF), which is marketed for the treatment of psoriasis. Previous studies have provided insight into the pharmacologic properties of DMF, including modulation of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) pathway, and glutathione (GSH) modulation; however, those of MEF remain largely unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of DMF and MEF on KEAP1 modification, activation of the NRF2 pathway, and GSH conjugation. Using mass spectrometry, DMF treatment resulted in a robust modification of specific cysteine residues on KEAP1. In comparison, the overall degree of KEAP1 modification following MEF treatment was significantly less or undetectable. Consistent with KEAP1 cysteine modification, DMF treatment resulted in nuclear translocation of NRF2 and a robust transcriptional response in treated cells, as did MEF; however, the responses to MEF were of a lower magnitude or distinct compared to DMF. DMF was also shown to produce an acute concentration-dependent depletion of GSH; however, GSH levels eventually recovered and rose above baseline by 24 hours. In contrast, MEF did not cause acute reductions in GSH, but did produce an increase by 24 hours. Overall, these studies demonstrate that DMF and MEF are both pharmacologically active, but have differing degrees of activity as well as unique actions. These differences would be expected to result in divergent effects on downstream biology.
Structural and geometric changes in iliac bone: Relationship to normal aging and osteoporosis

We Measured Indices Of Bone Volume (Cancellous And Cortical) And Bone Surface (Cancellous, Endocortical, And Intracortical) In Intact, Full-Thickness Transiliac Bone Biopsies Obtained From 47 Healthy White Women (23 Premenopausal And 24 Postmenopausal) And 82 Patients With Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. In The Normal Subjects There Was The Expected Loss Of Cancellous Bone With Age, Best Shown By A Reduction In Bone Surface/Tissue Volume, But No Fall In Cortical Thickness With Age Despite A Significant Reduction In Forearm Bone Density Measured By Single-Photon Absorptiometry. Bone Surface/Bone Volume Was About Four Times Higher In Cancellous Than In Cortical Bone, And Cancellous Bone Contributed About One-Third Of The Total Bone Volume And About Two-Thirds Of The Bone Surface When Related To The Core Volume Referent. In The Osteoporotic Patients, Core Width, An Index Of Iliac Bone Thickness At The Biopsy Site, Was Reduced By 10%, But We Could Not Determine Whether This Was The Result Of Compaction Of The Core Or Of Bone Slenderness. All Indices Of Bone Volume, Cortical As Well As Cancellous, Were Significantly Smaller, As Were The Values For Forearm Bone Densitometry; The Relative Deficits At Different Sites Depended On Whether They Were Expressed As Percentages Or As Z Scores. Bone Surface/Bone Volume Was Increased In Both Cancellous And Cortical Bone, But Bone Surface/Tissue Volume Was Reduced In Cancellous Bone And Increased In Cortical Bone. The Proportions Of Total Bone Volume And Surface Contributed By Cancellous And Cortical Bone Were Almost The Same As In Normal Postmenopausal Women. We Reached The Following Conclusions: (1) Age-Related Bone Loss In Normal Subjects Is More Difficult To Detect By Histomorphometry Than By Densitometry. (2) Cortical Bone Loss May Be Slower In The Axial Than In The Appendicular Skeleton. (3) The Amount Of Bone Is Reduced At All Sites In Osteoporotic Patients; The Deficit Is Not Necessarily Greater In Cancellous Than In Cortical Bone But May Be Greater In The Axial Than In The Appendicular Skeleton. (4) Cortical Bone Contributes Relatively Less Volume And Relatively More Surface In The Axial Then In The Appendicular Skeleton. (5) Depending On The Location And The Referent, Bone Surface And Volume May Change In The Same Or In Opposite Directions, With Consequences For The Time Course Of Bone Loss And The Relationships Between Biochemical And Histologic Indices Of Bone Remodeling.
Microcracking in polycrystalline ceramics: elastic isotropy and thermal anisotropy

Abstract A hexagonal grain array model is used to study grain boundary microcracking of a polycrystalline aggregate due to residual stress. Each grain is assumed to be elastically isotropic but thermally anisotropic. The axes of thermal anisotropy for each grain are arbitrary. An explicit analytic solution is obtained for the entire residual stress field. This solution is used to give a detailed description of the grain boundary stress fields. Further, explicit algebraic formulae are given for stress intensity factors associated with grain boundary microcracks. The results are used to predict the critical grain size for the occurrence of spontaneous microcracking. Agreement between theory and experiment is good.
Determinants of stability of large randomly connected systems

Abstract Monte Carlo studies of the stability of the random real matrix are used to deduce general principles concerning the stability of large complex systems. The relationships between stability and the size, connectance and hierarchy of the system are investigated to reveal that, in general, increases in system size and connectance have a destabilizing effect while the introduction of even a crude hierarchy (as discussed in the text) has a stabilizing effect.
A language-oriented data modeling approach

This paper presents a fresh data modeling tool: Language-Oriented Data Modeling (LODM). The language used is the English language. After a brief summary of previous research in this field, the paper discusses the theoretical under-pinnings of the LODM approach from the perspectives of both relational theory and linguistic theory. The paper then illustrates the implementation of LODM with a research prototype tool, "Database Designer." Through a step-by-step description of the stages involved in using this new tool, the paper addresses the linguistic and database issues encountered in the process of mapping English sentences into a relational schema. In discussing the robustness of the LODM tool, the paper presents both its strengths and its weakness.
New phonocardiographic transducers utilizing the hot-wire anemometer principle.

Hot thermistors and hot wires have been adapted to detect vascular and precordial pulses and heart sounds, respectively. The activity from the skin is amplified hydraulically by sealing a plastic cup over the area of interest and mounting the sensing elements in the centre of a small exit port plugged into a hole in the cup. Two thermistors can be mounted physically and electrically in such a way as to produce biphasic unbalancing of a Wheatstone bridge for sub-audio pulses. Fine heated wires sense higher frequency sound waves.
Employees, Supervisors, and Workplace Mediation: Experiences of Justice and Settlement

This study explores the experience of disputant–disputant interpersonal justice in workplace mediation in a public organization. The results show that there are significant differences between employees’ and supervisors’ experiences of disputant–disputant interpersonal justice. Moreover, the results indicate that the quality of participants’ interactions in mediation is significantly related to the quality of the mediated outcome in terms of settlement or case resolution. When disputants experience interpersonal justice with each other during mediation, they are more likely to reach a full resolution to the dispute. When disputants corroborate each others' reports of their own behaviors during mediation, they are also more likely to achieve settlement of the mediation. Disputants who received an apology from the other party were more likely to report a settlement to the dispute. In sum, this field test supports the theory of disputant–disputant interpersonal justice and provides evidence that it is an important element in the mediated resolution of a workplace dispute.
Genealogy of the United States Therapeutic Recreation Certification Framework

Building upon Foucault’s (1977, 1998) research methodology of genealogy, the purpose of this paper is to highlight how educational disciplinary techniques utilized by the United States National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) unknowingly normalizes people toward the dominant discourse of white Euro‐North American individualistic notions. In particular, the NCTRC uses three types of individualistic technologies of educational discipline: the art of distribution, the examination and the confessional, to create individualistic actions as ‘common sense’ practice in therapeutic recreation. As the NCTRC attempts to gain a greater international and cross‐cultural audience (e.g. Australia, Canada, China, United Kingdom), it may unintentionally assimilate people from different cultures and national backgrounds into a standardized framework of white Euro‐North American individualism, which can result in damaging psychological consequences for clients from diverse cultures. The paper conclud...
The Effect of Temperature and Pressure on the Mechanical Properties of Thermo- and/or Piezorheologically Simple Polymeric Materials in Thermodynamic Equilibrium – A Critical Review

The mechanical properties of polymeric materials quite generally dependon time, i.e., on whether they are deformed rapidly or slowly. The timedependence is often remarkably large. The complete description of themechanical properties of a polymeric material commonly requires thatthey be traced through 10, 15, or even 20 decades of time. The class ofpolymeric materials referred to as thermorheologically and/orpiezorheologically simple materials allows use of the superposition ofthe effects of time and temperature and/or time and pressure in suchmaterials as a convenient means for extending the experimental timescale. This paper presents a critical review of models proposed todescribe the effect of temperature and/or pressure on time-dependentthermorheologically and/or piezorheologically simple polymericmaterials. The emphasis here is on the theoretical aspects, althoughexperimental results are used as illustrations wherever appropriate.
Advancing Educational Policy by Advancing Research on Instruction

Understanding the impact of “instructional regimes” on student learning is central to advancing educational policy. Research on instructional regimes has parallels with clinical trials in medicine yet poses unique challenges because of the social nature of instruction: A child’s potential outcome under a given regime depends on peers and teachers, requiring the need for multilevel methods of causal inference. The author considers studies of the impact of intended versus experienced instructional regimes. Both are important; however, intended regimes are well measured and accessible to randomized trials, whereas experienced instruction is measured with error and not amenable to randomization. Multiyear sequences of experienced instruction are of central interest but pose special methodological challenges. A 2-year study of intensive mathematics instruction illustrates these ideas.
Elastic wave propagation in filamentary composite materials

Abstract An approximate first order theory for elastic wave propagation in unidirectional, filamentary composite materials is developed. Included are stress equations of motion, boundary conditions and constitutive relations. For waves propagating parallel to the fiber orientation in an extended medium, the motion separates into three distinct types: longitudinal, flexural and torsional. All motions are dispersive and sensitive to changes in relative material stiffnesses and geometry. For propagation perpendicular to the fiber orientation, the motion is dispersive and the frequency spectra show stopping bands typical of periodic media.
A conditioned response model of the placebo effect predictions from the model.

A model of the placebo response as a conditioned response(CR) is presented and predictions from this model are listed. Through association with active ingredients(UCS), neutral(CS) places, persons, procedures, and things can come to acquire the ability to reduce pain, anxiety, and depressive responses. One major counterintuitive prediction from the model is that therapists who routinely use active ingredients(UCS) or powerful drugs will get stronger placebo effects than those who routinely use “inert” ingredients(CS) or weak drugs. Developmentally, placebo responding appears to involve two successive conditioning stages, which may involve first the left and later the right hemisphere in right-handed subjects. The relationship between placebo responding and hypnotizability is discussed.
Pesticide Adsorption in Soils and Sediments

Abstract The literature pertaining to pesticide adsorption in soils and sediments has been reviewed. Results of various investigations and theories for pesticide absorption are discussed and a mechanism for the accumulation of non-polar (chlorinated hydrocarbon) pesticides is suggested.
Environmental and economical impact of LED lighting systems and effect of thermal management

Solid-state lighting (SSL) technologies such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been of interest for the last 15 years. This article focuses on inorganic LED technology and their evolving applications, energy efficiency, and economic impact as well as the effect of thermal management on LED lighting systems. The efficacy of the best commercial 1 W LED packages currently surpasses 120 lm/W, which is more efficient than typical metal-halide and fluorescent lamps. This high efficacy will eventually allow LED lighting systems to be used in specialty and general illumination applications. However, higher lumen requirements for LED systems will inevitably lead to significant thermal challenges at both the chip and the system level that need to be addressed to enable practical applications at low costs. In this article, the basics of LED lighting will be discussed first. It will be followed by the potential economic benefits for high efficiency LED lighting systems in the general illumination market. We will then discuss the thermal challenges and possible candidate cooling technologies in LED lighting systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels on surface acoustic wave-based microfluidic devices

Polymers are ideal microfluidic channel materials due to their chemical and biological compatibility, optical characteristics, fast and easy prototyping capability, and low fabrication cost. Especially, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most widely used polymer as a microfluidic channel material due to many prominent features. However, this elastomer material severely attenuates Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAW) when they propagate toward the sample fluid within the microfluidic channel. The acoustic energy absorption by the microchannel affects the capabilities and efficiencies of the Rayleigh SAW-based microfluidic devices. In this paper, we investigate the effects of the PDMS channel wall thickness on the insertion loss and the particle migration to the pressure node due to acoustic radiation forces induced by Rayleigh SAW. Our results indicate that as the PDMS channel wall thickness decreased, the SAW insertion loss is reduced as well as the velocity of the particle migration due to acoustic forces increased significantly. As an example, reducing the side wall thickness of the PDMS channel from 8 to 2mm in the design results in 31.2% decrease and 186% increase in the insertion loss and the particle migration velocity, respectively.
A stable isotope dilution method for measuring bioavailability of organic contaminants.

Methods for determining bioavailability of organic contaminants suffer various operational limitations. We explored the use of stable isotope labeled references in developing an isotope dilution method (IDM) to measure the exchangeable pool (E) of pyrene and bifenthrin as an approximation of their bioavailability in sediments. The exchange of deuterated bifenthrin or pyrene with its native counterpart was completed within 48 h. The derived E was 38–82% for pyrene and 28–59% for bifenthrin. Regression between E and the sum of rapid and slow desorption fractions obtained from sequential desorption showed a slope close to 1.0. The ability of IDM to predict bioavailability was further shown from a strong relationship (r2 > 0.93) between E and bioaccumulation into Chironomus tentans. Given the abundance of stable isotope labeled references and their relatively easy analysis, the IDM has the potential to become a readily adoptable tool for estimating organic contaminants bioaccessibility in various matrices.
Emotional reactions of children to isolation in a cancer hospital

Emotional reactions of 123 hospitalized children and their mothers were evaluated during standard isolation with limited visitation and during peninsula isolation with visitation only through glass partitions. Self-report surveys and behavioral observations by nurses indicated that (1) patients and parents in both isolation facilities had overall high levels of hospital-related anxiety and depression which varied with the patient's chronologic age; and (2) parents of preschool children had more negative opinions toward peninsula isolation than did parents of older children. These results confirm the need for psychologically supportive programs for the families of children being treated for catastrophic diseases.
The classical limit of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system

Solutions of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system of partial differential equations are considered in three space dimensions. The speed of light,c, appears as a parameter in this system. For smooth Cauchy data, classical solutions are shown to exist on a time interval that is independent ofc. Then, using an integral representation for the electric and magnetic fields due to Glassey and Strauss [6], conditions are given under which solutions of the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system converge in pointwise sense to solutions of the non-relativistic Vlasov-Poisson system at the asymptotic rate of 1/c, asc tends to infinity.
Inhibition in a microgravity environment of the recovery of Escherichia coli cells damaged by heavy ion beams during the NASDA ISS phase I program of NASA Shuttle/Mir mission no. 6.

We participated in a space experiment, part of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) Phase I Space Radiation Environment Measurement Program, conducted during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shuttle/Mir Mission No. 6 (S/MM-6) project. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of microgravity on the DNA repair processes of living organisms in the in orbit. Heavy ion beam radiation- or c-irradiation-damaged biological samples of Escherichia coli and the radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans were prepared and placed in a biospecimen box, which was loaded into the RRMD III sensor unit of the Space Shuttle. Two identical sets of samples were left in the Spacehab's Payload Processing Facility (SPPF) in Florida, USA, as a control. (flight No. STS-84) was launched from NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, USA, on May 15, 1997. The mission duration was 9.22 days. An astronaut activated the biological samples in the biospecimen box in the Spacehab during orbit in order to start repair of the DNA damaged by heavy ion beams or c-irradiation and the samples were incubated for 19 h 35 min at about 22uC, the cabin temperature. The control specimens in the SPPF were subjected to the same treatment under terrestrial gravity. After returned to earth, we investigated cell recovery by comparing the repair of the radiation-damaged DNA of E. coli and D. radiodurans in the microgravity environment in space with that on Earth. The results indicated that the DNA repair process of E. coli, but not of D. radiodurans, cells was inhibited in a microgravity environment.
Injections of estrogens in young female rats and their intake of palatable ingesta

Abstract Young female rats were used to assess the consequences of a single injection of estrone 3-sulfate (ES) or 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE), 0.38 mg/kg, or their carrier (placebo) on daily intake of palatable ingesta, chocolate cake mix batter (CCMB). Previously, it was shown that estradiol valerate increased intakes of CCMB and a combination of both fat and sugar at 0.38 mg/kg, as well as other doses, for a number of days post-injection provided that intakes were not measured just after injections. The initial effects of EV (and other estrogens) are significant reductions in bodyweights and intakes establishing a conditional state that biases further intakes. When the initial effects (as indexed by bodyweight loss) are separated from subsequent intakes, EV enhances intakes of palatable ingesta. The effects (g of CCMB eaten and bodyweights) of ES and EE were assessed 4 days after injections for 10 days. EE, but not ES, produced reliable increments in intakes and bodyweights. Unlike conclusions appearing in the literature, estrogens can produced marked increments in intake of ingesta among laboratory animals, provided the presented ingesta are highly palatable and not associated with initial weight loss that typically results from injections. Given these findings, there should be a further consideration of the idea that estrogens, when given as medicines to women, are salient with respect to obesity.
Neutron resonance spectroscopy: Chlorine

Results are presented of time of flight total $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ vs $E$ measurements for natural Cl to 400 keV. Resonance parameters were obtained for 35 resonances below 200 keV. Of these, 12 resonances were assigned to $^{35}\mathrm{Cl}$, 6 to $^{37}\mathrm{Cl}$, with 17 weak resonances for which isotope assignments could not be made. On the basis of our assignments as $s$ or $p$ resonances, $10^{4}\mathrm{S}_{0}=({0.12}_{\ensuremath{-}0.07}^{+0.23})$ for $^{35}\mathrm{Cl}$ and (${0.59}_{\ensuremath{-}0.28}^{+0.66}$) for $^{37}\mathrm{Cl}$. For $^{35}\mathrm{Cl}$, $10^{4}\mathrm{S}_{1}=({0.77}_{\ensuremath{-}0.29}^{+0.53})$ with no ${S}_{1}$ determination for $^{37}\mathrm{Cl}$. The anomalous behavior of $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ vs $E$ below \ensuremath{\sim} 1000 eV for natural Cl, along with previously established thermal cross sections, are fitted by assigning a bound resonance in $^{35}\mathrm{Cl}$ at - 130 eV, having $l=0$, $J=2$, ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}^{0}=0.725$ eV, and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}=0.378$ eV.
Control of oocyte meiotic maturation and fertilization

Sexual reproduction depends upon meiosis for the generation of haploid gamete nuclei, which unite after fertilization to form the diploid zygote. The oocytes of most animal species arrest during meiotic prophase, and complete meiosis in response to intercellular signaling in a process called meiotic maturation. Oocyte meiotic maturation is defined by the transition between diakinesis and metaphase of meiosis I and is accompanied by nuclear envelope breakdown, rearrangement of the cortical cytoskeleton, and meiotic spindle assembly. Thus, the meiotic maturation process is essential for meiosis and prepares the oocyte for fertilization. In C. elegans, the processes of meiotic maturation, ovulation, and fertilization are temporally coupled: sperm utilize the major sperm protein as a hormone to trigger oocyte meiotic maturation, and in turn, the maturing oocyte signals its own ovulation thereby facilitating fertilization. This chapter highlights recent advances in understanding meiotic maturation signaling and gametic interactions required for fertilization.
Late relapses in hodgkin disease

Among a cohort of 142 patients with Hodgkin disease (HD), pathologic stages (PS) IA through IVB, 84 remained in complete remission (CR) at least 3 years after the completion of initial protocol therapy. Eight of these patients subsequently developed a recurrence of HD and were defined as having a late relapse. The disease-free interval ranged from 37 to 76 months (median 53 months). Six of the relapse patterns were those of dissemination. All patients were salvaged and are in CR from 14 to 50 months after relapse. The actuarial survival, measured from the time of relapse, of the eight late-relapsing patients was superior to the actuarial survival of 38 patients with early relapse (disease-free interval less than 36 months), but as yet this difference is not statistically significant (P = 0.07, Gehan).
Demographic, Clinical, and Geographic Predictors of Placement Disruption among Foster Care Youth Receiving Wraparound Services

The effective delivery of wraparound depends upon the availability of a wide range of community-based services. This study seeks to determine the impact of proximity to resources on the effectiveness of a wraparound program for stabilizing foster care placements among a sample of youth. We present a methodology for deriving proximity scores for individual clients using Geographic Information Systems technology, and incorporate this score into a model for predicting placement disruption among youth in foster care receiving services within a wraparound model aimed at preventing placement disruptions. Cox Regression is used to predict length of time until placement disruption using clinical, demographic, and service proximity measures. Risk of placement disruption is predicted by trauma experiences, risk behaviors, and age, and is reduced by the presence of child strengths and proximity to resources. The impact of proximity to resources on placement disruption varies by land use type, suggesting that proximity exerts a greater impact on youth in rural and suburban areas than in urban areas where wraparound service delivery models may be able to overcome distance and other barriers. Implications for the implementation of wraparound programs as well as service system planning are discussed.
Localized bonding with PSG or indium solder as intermediate layer

The feasibility of "localized bonding" with PSG (phosphosilicate glass) or indium solder as the intermediate layer have been demonstrated. Both localized PSG-to-glass and indium-to-glass bonds are accomplished on a square bonding area (/spl sim/500/spl times/500 /spl mu/m/sup 2/) encompassed by 5 /spl mu/m wide microheaters made of phosphorus doped polysilicon. Either PSG or indium solder are deposited on top of the microheater and function as the intermediate bonding material. The separation of heating and bonding materials by the intermediate layer greatly improved the controllability of the bonding process. Moreover, the whole bonding process can be achieved in less than 2 minutes at atmospheric pressure and room temperature environment. This new bonding scheme has potential application for MEMS device packaging that requires low temperature processing at the wafer-level, but high temperature at the bonding interface.
The degradation pathways of glucagon in acidic solutions.

Abstract Objective: Glucagon is a 29 amino acid peptide hormone that exhibits degradation via both chemical and physical pathways. The objective of the studies reported herein was to identify the degradation products and scheme for glucagon hydrolysis in acidic solutions. Methods: Solutions of glucagon in 0.01 N HCl (pH 2.5) were degraded at 60°C for 70 h. One isocratic and two gradient RP-HPLC methods were developed to separate the degradation products. Structure elucidation of the separated peaks was achieved using amino acid sequencing, amino acid analysis, and mass spectrometry. Degradation was carried out in the pH range 1.5–5 to check for changes in degradation scheme with pH. Authentic samples of degradation products were degraded under similar acidic conditions to confirm precursor successor relationships in the degradation scheme. Results: Sixteen major degradation products were isolated and identified. The major pathways of degradation were found to be aspartic acid cleavage at positions 9, 15, and 21 and glutaminyl deamidation at positions 3, 20, and 24. Cleavage occurred on both sides of Asp-15 but only on the C-terminal side of Asp-9 and Asp-21. Deamidation of the Asn residue at position 28 was not detected.
Effect of nitrogen and potassium on the macro‐nutrient content of fifteen bermudagrass cultivars1

Abstract Information concerning the mineral nutrient composition of various turfgrass species and cultivars is limited. The concentration of nutrients in the turfgrass plant provides an indication of the overall nutrient status and quality of the turf stand. Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is an important turfgrass utilized throughout the Southeastern and Southwestern states and the transition zone of the United States. A study was conducted to determine the effects of different rates of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) on the macronutrient content of fifteen bermudagrass cultivars. The cultivars utilized were: ‘Ormond’, ‘Texturf 10’, ‘Tiflawn’, ‘Tufcote’, and ‘U‐3'; ‘Everglades’, ‘Midiron’, ‘Midway’, ‘Pee Dee’, ‘Santa Ana’, ‘Tifdwarf’, ‘Tifgreen’, ‘Tifway’, and ‘Tifway II’ [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt‐Davey]; and ‘Sunturf’ [Cynodon magennisii Hurcombe], Cultivar plots were replicated three times and were divided into four sub‐plots for the application of N and K mo...
Gigahertz modulation of GaAs-based bipolar cascade vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers.

The high-frequency modulation characteristics of GaAs-based bipolar cascade vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers operating at 980 nm with GaAs tunnel junctions and p-doped Al0.98Ga0.02As oxide apertures have been measured. We achieve −3 dB laser output modulations of 6.5 GHz for two-stage and 9.4 GHz for three-stage devices in response to small-signal current injection at an operating temperature of −50°C.
REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN DENOMINATIONAL SWITCHING AMONG WHITE PROTESTANTS

This study examines the hypothesis that the determinants of denominational switching vary regionally among white American Protestants. Data for the analysis are taken from the National Opinion Research Center's General Social Survey for 1974 through 1984. Using logistic regression, the analysis compares the determinants of switching among respondents residing in the nine Census regions of the U.S. Results reveal significant regional differences in the determinants of switching, especially in the effects of conversion, childhood affiliation and interdenominational marriage.
Multi-dimensional simulation of flow nonuniformities in fissured porous media

Abstract A general purpose state-of-the-art thermal-hydraulics computer program is used to simulate the cold bed flow pattern in the large 0.91 m (3.0 ft) diame
The Preoperative Prediction of Success Following Irrigation and Debridement With Polyethylene Exchange for Hip and Knee Prosthetic Joint Infections

Although the criterion standard for the treatment of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is 2-stage revision with interim placement of an antibiotic-loaded spacer, irrigation and debridement with polyethylene exchange offer advantages such as fewer surgeries, reduced potential for intraoperative complications, and lower direct costs. The purpose of this study was to develop a tool to preoperatively predict the probability of successful infection eradication following irrigation and debridement with polyethylene exchange for hip or knee PJIs. A total of 10,411 surgical cases were retrospectively reviewed, and data were collected from 309 charts. Overall, 149 (48.2%) cases failed to eradicate the infection following irrigation and debridement with polyethylene exchange. Univariate analysis identified multiple variables independently associated with reinfection including duration of symptoms, preoperative inflammatory markers, and infecting organism. Logistic regression was used to generate a model (bootstrap-corrected concordance index of 0.645) to predict successful eradication of the infection, which was the basis for a nomogram. Using commonly obtained preoperative variables, the nomogram can be used to predict the probability of infection-free survival at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Preoperative knowledge of the probability that a treatment strategy will eradicate a patient's PJI may improve risk assessment.
Single-Particle Model for a Lithium-Ion Cell: Thermal Behavior

15 developed a thermal model for the LiCoO2-mesocarbon microbead MCMB pouch cells based on the PP model and obtained good agreement between model predictions and experimental data. A disadvantage common to the P2D model and the PP model is the long simulation time due to the large number of nonlinear equations, so these models become computationally inefficient for simulating conditions such as cycling behavior and series/parallel configuration of stacked cells in battery packs. To improve computational run time without compromising accuracy, the singleparticle model SP modelRef. 3 and 16 was proposed. The SP model ignores the detailed distribution of local concentration and potential in the solution phase and instead accounts for a lumped solution resistance term. Furthermore, the local reaction currents across the porous electrode are assumed to be constant, which allows treatment of a porous electrode as a large number of single particles, all of which are subjected to the same conditions. These assumptions are reasonable for low applied current densities, thin electrodes, and highly conductive electrodes. In such cases the overpotential is primarily affected by the diffusion in the solid state. At high current densities, the concentration gradients in the electrolyte become important. The model presented here does not include these concentration gradients and is consequently limited to low to moderate current densities. These assumptions simplify the model equations significantly. The SP model using a two term polynomial approximation shows good agreement with the detailed PP model for charge/discharge below 1C, where C denotes the cell capacity. 3 In this work, the single-particle model is extended to include thermal effects by adding the energy balance equation to the SP model. Instead of using a two term polynomial approximation, the solid phase diffusion equations are solved by the eigenfunction expansion method, which improved the accuracy of the model. Parameters in this SP thermal model are estimated by fitting the simulated discharge curves up to 1C rate with the experimental data obtained on lithium-ion pouch cells. Also, good agreement between the SP thermal model and the PP thermal model presented in Ref. 15 is obtained.
Visuospatial processing and learning effects in virtual reality based mental rotation and navigational tasks

Visuospatial function and performance in interactions between humans and computers involve the human identification and manipulation of computer generated stimuli and their location. The impact of learning on mental rotation has been demonstrated in studies relating everyday spatial activities and spatial abilities. An aspect of visuospatial learning in virtual environments that has not been widely studied is the impact of threat on learning in a navigational task. In fact, to our knowledge, the combined assessment of learning during mental rotation trials and learning in an ecologically valid virtual reality-based navigational environment (that has both high and low threat zones) has not been adequately studied. Results followed expectation: 1) learning occurred in the virtual reality based mental rotation test. Although there was a relation between route learning and practice, a primacy effect was observed as participants performed more poorly when going from the first zone to the last.
Water restriction increases renal inner medullary manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD).

Oxidative stress damages cells. NaCl and urea are high in renal medullary interstitial fluid, which is necessary to concentrate urine, but which causes oxidative stress by elevating reactive oxygen...