cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vineyard proximity to riparian habitat influences Western grape leafhopper (Erythroneura elegantula Osborn) populations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of vineyard proximity to riparian habitat on the biological control and population densities of the Western grape leafhopper, Erythroneura elegantula Osborn (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Natural enemy and pest populations were monitored over a two-year period at multiple vineyard sites adjacent to riparian habitat in northern California. At each site, natural enemy and pest population data were collected along a transect that extended from the riparian habitat into the vineyard. Additionally, a subset of the original research sites were further evaluated for crop vigor, pest density and parasitism rates between the vineyard edge and interior. Results from this study indicate that lower E. elegantula egg deposition and nymph abundance at the vineyard edge were primarily due to reduced crop vigor at the sampled sites and that the most likely cause for these changes were differences in microclimate and soil fertility that were found to be associated with proximity to the riparian habitat.
Investigation of Corrosion in Aluminum/Adhesive Lap-Splices Using Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Techniques

Corrosion can exist in any layer of a simple aluminum/adhesive lap-splice. For lap- splices where only one aluminum surface is accessible, first layer corrosion is corrosion that occurs on or under the accessible skin; and second layer corrosion is that which exists behind the adhesive/scrim layer on the upper or lower surface of the inaccessible skin. Many different nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques can detect first layer corrosion, and much progress has been made quantifying corrosion that exists in this layer[l]. Due to the layered nature of a lap-splice, second layer corrosion is much more difficult to detect, and also more difficult to quantify. Current maintenance procedures also make it difficult for researchers to obtain lap-splice corrosion samples from serviceable aircraft. The detection of corrosion in lap-splice assemblies has been given an important inspection priority by the airline industry, and regular inspection procedures have been developed to meet these new requirements. During maintenance, if corrosion is suspected in a lap-splice area, the area is opened up for further inspection by removing the rivets, adhesive and sometimes the paint. If the corrosion damage is beyond the manufacturer’s tolerances, the corroded area is cut out and patch-repaired; otherwise, the corrosion is removed by chemical or mechanical means, leaving a serviceable but thinner metal skin when the joint is reassembled[2]. In either case the original character of the lap-splice has been destroyed by the maintenance process, and its use for NDE purposes is lost. In this light, it becomes necessary for researchers to fabricate their own laboratory samples and compare these artificial samples with actual in-service samples.
Latent murine cytomegalovirus DNA in splenic stromal cells of mice

Latency is an integral feature of the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus infection and disease. Using in situ hybridization, we detected viral DNA in the splenic stroma of mice with acute murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection but could not detect latent infection. By using enzymatic amplification of a 700-bp region of exon 4 of immediate-early gene 1 of MCMV, viral DNA was consistently detected in whole spleens of latently infected mice. MCMV DNA was detected in 16 of 23 stromal cell fractions from latently infected animals, in only 2 of 13 residual nonstromal cell fractions, and in none of 9 additional lymphocyte or macrophage-enriched nonstromal cell preparations. We conclude that MCMV DNA is maintained predominantly, and possibly exclusively, in stromal cells in the spleens of latently infected mice.
Isolation of cancer-specific CDKN2A breakpoint fusion sequences in the presence of contaminating normal DNA

A87 Currently, there are few practical molecular tools for the monitoring of patients with solid tumors. Deletions of the CDKN2A (INK4A/ARF) locus on chromosome 9p21 are the most common chromosomal anomalies in solid tumors, including cancers of the lung, esophagus, head and neck, pancreas, liver, bladder, and brain. Accordingly, there is a critical need for the development of technologies that can quickly identify signature deletion breakpoint sequences in the CDKN2A region, and that can generate personalized molecular probes for cancer monitoring in patients with solid tumors, similar to the case of BCR-ABL transcript monitoring in chronic myelogenous leukemia. However, most current breakpoint mapping techniques are imprecise, and/or require the laborious purification of tumor DNA from normal DNA. In order to use DNA from non-isolated primary tumors as templates, we have adapted a technique designated Primer Approximation Multiplex PCR (PAMP), which selectively enriches for, and amplifies, DNA segments with deletions. The method is based on the fact that the geometric amplification rate of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is inversely proportional to the distance between the 39- and 59-flanking primers. Accordingly, amplified PCR products are more efficiently generated when the PCR primers are close together, as occurs in a deletion or translocation. Multiplex PCR with appropriately spaced primers, followed by deletion scanning with genomic tiling arrays, allows for the precise identification of the breakpoints, to yield clone-specific, personalized PCR primers spanning the breakpoint regions. PAMP enables deletions to be mapped in the presence of 99.9% wild type DNA contamination.
Special Lending Facilities of the Fed: Actions and Results

In this paper, we examined monetary policy from August 2007, when the Fed engaged in its first unconventional action, through December 2009, when most of the Fed’s special lending facilities became inactive. However, the monetary base remained in excess of $2 trillion which was more than double its size when these lending facilities began. Two things are very clear. The quantity of the Fed’s assets has increased, and the quality has decreased.
Studies on purified α-actinin: II. Electron microscopic studies on the competitive binding of α-actinin and tropomyosin to Z-line extracted myofibrils

Abstract α-Actinin forms an extensive network of cross-connections between thin filaments in the I-band when incubated with Z-line-extracted fibrils at 0 °C; this result may be due to the very high affinity of α-actinin for actin at 0 °C rather than indicating any other in situ localization of α-actinin in addition to the Z-line. By incubating low-ionic-strength extracted, glycerinated fiber bundles in highly purified α-actinin at 37 °C, cross-connections are predominately limited to the Z-line terminus of thin filaments. Incubation of extracted fiber bundles in tropomyosin at 0 °C results in no visible binding, but at 37 °C circular tufts are bound in three I-band zones. Incubating Z-line-extracted fibers in equal quantities of α-actinin and tropomyosin at 0 °C shows that tropomyosin does not interfere with α-actinin binding. At 37 °C, tropomyosin reduces the number of α-actinin cross-connections, but still binds in the three characteristic I-band zones. Unextracted fibers incubated in α-actinin at 0 °C also show the heavy network of I-band cross-connections; this indicates that at 0 °C, α-actinin can displace tropomyosin from the thin filament in vitro.
Drugs and toxins‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: lessons learned and challenges ahead

Since the identification of the link between pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and exposure to certain drugs and toxins nearly fifty years ago, the expanding landscape of available pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs is further fueling this association. While some causative agents in drugs and toxins associated PAH (D&T-APAH) have been identified, little is known about the exact biology and clinical implications of the disease. In this review, we discuss the historical evidence that links PAH with exposure to anorexinogens, cocaine, and methamphetamines and concentrate on what is known about potential pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and current management. We conclude that future research should focus on studies looking at clinical outcome and susceptibility factors.
Toward a microRNA signature of endometrial cancer

A simple meta-analysis of the eight surveys of microRNA (miRNA) expression in endometrial cancers reveals a panel of sixteen miRNAs that are significantly over-expressed (n = 15) or under-expressed (n = 1) in at least three surveys. Examination of these miRNAs indicates that they target mRNAs involved in a number of basic cellular processes including the crucial epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxia response. The central role played by these miRNAs is reinforced by the demonstration that they are all members of some of the most ancient of all animal miRNA families. This suggests that they may be part of a core set of miRNAs dysregulated as part of the carcinogenic cellular reprogramming process.
Gonorrhea in the emergency department: Management, case follow-up, and contact tracing of cases in women

From June, 1978, to June, 1979, all ten Columbus hospital emergency departments (EDs) participated in a program which provided test-of-cure, follow-up of untreated cases, and contact investigation of women infected with gonorrhea. Four hundred and eighty-nine women were found to be infected with gonorrhea; 99% of these were treated rapidly with recommended schedules. Sixteen percent of women with positive cultures required inpatient care for an average of 6.3 days. Seventy percent of women with positive cultures received counseling and test-of-cure for gonorrhea. Of 134 men treated as a result of these counseling efforts, 79 (59%) were asymptomatically infected. Source-spread analyses suggested that one third of asymptomatically infected male contacts had been infected for longer than 30 days. Only one fourth of women with gonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease (GC-PID) interviewed named male source contacts who were treated prior to her presentation with PID. Future approaches to GC-PID prevention must include cooperative efforts between health department clinics for sexually transmitted disease and hospital EDs.
Intervention with the Elderly

This chapter presents an overview of evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions with the elderly. Using a less stringent definition of EBP, published literature was analyzed in three successive areas: studies of conceptual/theoretical frameworks, effectiveness, and intervention- outcome studies. Quantitative, qualitative, and evaluation research studies were used in this analysis. A model was developed identifying societal themes, then Level 1 and Level 2 intervention knowledge and skill domains that social workers need to know to use EBP in working with the elderly. Effective use of EBP as such results in better informed practice decisions. Keywords: evidence-based practice; Level 1and 2 knowledge/skills; elderly; gerontology
Exact O(g^2 alpha_s) top decay width from general massive two-loop integrals

We calculate the b-dependent self-energy of the top quark at O(g^2 \alpha_s) by using a general massive two-loop algorithm proposed in a previous article. From this we derive by unitarity the O(\alpha_s) radiative corrections to the decay width of the top quark, where all effects associated with the $b$ quark mass are included without resorting to a mass expansion. Our results agree with the analytical results available for the O(\alpha_s) correction to the top quark width.
Differential activation of neuromuscular compartments in the rabbit masseter muscle during different oral behaviors

The rabbit masseter muscle is composed of multiple anatomical partitions that produce different mechanical actions. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that these compartments are differentially activated during the performance of different oral behaviors. Rhythmic activation of the masticatory muscles was elicited by stimulating the cortical masticatory area (CMA) while recording forces generated at the incisors in three dimensions with the mandible immobilized. Torques about the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were calculated using these forces recorded during isometric function. A set of 1–15 unique rhythmic behaviors was identified for each rabbit using torque phase plot patterns. Electromyographic recordings were made at nine different compartments in the right masseter, two compartments in the left masseter, two regions in the right digastric, and single locations in the left digastric and right and left medial pterygoid muscles. In activation cycles producing similar mechanical actions, activity patterns at the 16 recording sites were clustered into three to six groups using principal component analysis (PCA). To test for similarities in the activation of masseter compartments, pair-wise comparisons of the PCA assignment for the nine masseter compartments were conducted and frequencies of common assignment were compiled for each unique rhythmic behavior for each rabbit. Masseter muscle compartments were found to vary significantly in their PCA from the expected distribution of 100% common principal component (PC) assignment (i.e., similar activation pattern). This finding is consistent with the independent activation of masseter compartments.
They’re Playing Our Song: Gene Expression and Birdsong Perception

The recent findings in the neuroethology of song perception discussed here point to important ways in which approaching the question of neural representation in songbirds has led to advances in our understanding of both the neural and the behavioral mechanisms of perception. What remains as a significant challenge is the integration of these components, and one promising possibility in this regard is to examine the functional role of ZENK expression in the context of individual vocal recognition. ZENK expression may be directly related to the categorization of classes of songs on the basis of individual identity, or the consolidation of neuronal representations into long-term memory, as suggested by work in other systems (Clayton 1997xClayton, D.F. J. Neurobiol. 1997; 33: 549–571Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (67)See all ReferencesClayton 1997). By combining operant conditioning techniques—where the behavioral relevance of different songs can be tightly controlled—with ZENK immunocytochemistry, one could dissociate between IEG responses that are due to basic discrimination among different songs and/or those that are due to higher level cognitive processes such as learning. Finally, now that NCM has been identified as a site for population-level neuronal representations of song, it is important that we extend our knowledge about the real-time dynamics of this region using electrophysiology. Recent technical advances that allow for simultaneous recording from large numbers of neurons (reviewed by Nicolelis et al. 1997xNicolelis, M.A.L, Fanselow, E.E, and Ghazanfar, A.A. Neuron. 1997; 19: 219–221Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (43)See all ReferencesNicolelis et al. 1997), could be used to examine electrophysiological activity throughout NCM and other forebrain regions, in response to behaviorally relevant songs. For all these behavioral studies, the application of methodologies that could specifically block ZENK expression or the action of the ZENK protein would be especially welcome. The already important advances in the study of perceptual processes made by neuroethological studies will no doubt be augmented by the continued coordination and refinement of neural and behavioral methodologies.*To whom correspondence should be addressed.
On system-driven sound change: Accent shift in Markina Basque

Abstract Regular sound change has been seen as primarily involving the phonologization of fast speech reductions (Browman and Goldstein, 1991; Mowrey and Pagliuca, 1995; Bybee, 1997) or being otherwise motivated by phonetic tendencies (Donegan, 1993). In this paper I argue that systemically-based sound changes lacking phonetic motivation need to be given greater attention as they offer crucial evidence for the organization of the mental lexicon. One area where system-based changes are particularly prominent and clear is in the diachronic restructuring of accentual systems. Here I examine a situation in western Basque where the acquisition of a phonetically-based sound change has triggered the application of other ‘compensatory’ system-driven changes, giving rise to an extensive restructuration of the accentual system.
Developmental neurobiology of cognitive control and motivational systems

One form of cognitive control is the ability to resist temptation in favor of long-term goal-oriented behavior. Historically, the development of cognitive control capacity has been described by a linear function from infancy to adulthood. However, the context in which control is required impacts behavioral regulation abilities, such that emotionally charged or rewarding contexts can diminish control. More recently, studies have begun to examine the development of cognitive control in contexts that vary in motivation. These studies suggest specific windows of development in which cognitive control capacity is more vulnerable to incentive-based modulation. In this review we highlight the most recent work on neurobiological changes supporting motivational and cognitive development, underscoring the importance of functional organization and development of the underlying circuitry implicated in these processes, and provide a theoretical perspective that moves away from discussing singular functional regions toward considering functional circuitry.
Elders’ End-of-Life Decisions: Implications for Hospice Care

Elders' views on various end-of-life decision options were studied to determine each option's acceptability if they were faced with the need for such decisions. 388 black and white elders aged 60 to 100 responded to 17 decision scenarios depicting situations with a low quality of life, rating acceptability of each of 7 options for each scenario. Based on factor analysis of responses over scenarios, three scores were computed: maintaining life, ending life, and letting others decide. Profile types were identified and related to demographic background and personality variables. Implications for hospice care are drawn.
Effect of Body Weight Loss During a Molt on Second Cycle Reproductive Performance of Turkey Hens

Abstract One hundred Medium White turkey hens were randomly placed in cages, photostimulated, and provided a breeder diet and water ad libitum. Once egg production began, eggs were collected daily for 19 weeks. When the first egg laying cycle was completed, 95 hens were moved to floor pens and molted to observe the effects of different body weight losses during the molt on the second egg production cycle. Hens were randomly distributed between replicate pens of two treatment groups and exposed to 24 hr of light per day for 7 days. The photoperiod was then reduced to 6 hr for the remainder of the molt. Water was removed for 3 days and feed was removed for 7 and 18 days, respectively, until a reduction in body weight of 10% for the first Treatment (TRT 1) or 20% for the second treatment (TRT 2) was reached. Upon reaching desired body weight loss, hens were fed a holder diet for 5 weeks, then a prebreeder diet for 2 weeks. All hens were then randomly placed in cages, fed a breeder diet ad libitum, and subjected to a 14-hr/day photoperiod for a 20-week laying cycle. Packed cell volume increased during water deprivation during the molt. Body weights were not different at lighting for the second cycle. Production was signifcantly higher for birds with lower weight loss. Percent hen-housed egg production and total eggs per hen-housed bird were significantly (P
Microstructure and Biochemistry of Avian Muscle and its Relevance to Meat Processing Industries

Abstract This review is an attempt to summarize information concerning the gross and microscopic anatomy of avian muscle. In addition, specific proteins found in muscle tissue such as the troponins, tropomyosin, α- and β-actinin, desmin, vimentin, myomesin, and creatine kinase are described. The role of protein synthesis and degradation, leading to net protein accumulation in growing animals, is addressed. It is thought that learning to decrease the rate of protein degradation would have immense economic significance. Satellite cells are mentioned as some of these cells fuse with muscle cells to become true muscle nuclei. Understanding the mechanism by which the nuclei of satellite cells differentiate into muscle nuclei could lead to a practical means of increasing protein synthesis within muscle tissue. Finally, postmortem biochemistry is discussed to show how the pH of muscle tissue interacts with environmental temperature to affect the final tenderness of the product.
Anti-Streptococcus IgM Antibodies Induce Repetitive Stereotyped Movements: Cell Activation and Co-Localization with Fcα/μ Receptors in the Striatum and Motor Cortex

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) infections are implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders associated with an increased expression of repetitive stereotyped movements. Anti-streptococcus IgG presumably cross-reacts with elements on basal ganglia cells, modifies their function, and triggers symptoms. IgM may play a unique role in precipitating behavioral disturbances since variations in cortico-striatal activity occur in temporal congruity with peak IgM titers during an orchestrated immune response. We discovered in Balb/c mice that single subcutaneous injections of mouse monoclonal IgM antibodies to streptococcus group A bacteria induce marked dose-dependent increases in repetitive stereotyped movements, including head bobbing, sniffing, and intense grooming. Effects were antibody- and antigen-specific: anti-streptococcus IgG stimulated ambulatory activity and vertical activity but not these stereotypies, while anti-KLH IgM reduced activity. We suggest that anti-streptococcus IgM and IgG play unique roles in provoking GABHS-related behavioral disturbances. Paralleling its stereotypy-inducing effects, anti-streptococcus IgM stimulated Fos-like immunoreactivity in regions linked to cortico-striatal projections involved in motor control, including subregions of the caudate, nucleus accumbens, and motor cortex. This is the first evidence that anti-streptococcus IgM antibodies induce in vivo functional changes in these structures. Moreover, there was a striking similarity in the distributions of anti-streptococcus IgM deposits and Fos-like immunoreactivity in these regions. Of further importance, Fcα/μ receptors, which bind IgM, were present- and co-localized with anti-streptococcus IgM in these structures. We suggest that anti-streptococcus IgM-induced alterations of cell activity reflect local actions of IgM that involve Fcα/μ receptors. These findings support the use of anti-streptococcus monoclonal antibody administration in Balb/c mice to model GABHS-related behavioral disturbances and identify underlying mechanisms.
Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms That Lead to Defects in Refolding but Not Aminoacylation

Defects in organellar translation are the underlying cause of a number of mitochondrial diseases, including diabetes, deafness, encephalopathy, and other mitochondrial myopathies. The most common causes of these diseases are mutations in mitochondria-encoded tRNAs. It has recently become apparent that mutations in nuclear-encoded components of the mitochondrial translation machinery, such as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), can also lead to disease. In some cases, mutations can be directly linked to losses in enzymatic activity; however, for many, their effect is unknown. To investigate how aaRS mutations impact function without changing enzymatic activity, we chose nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) that encode residues distal from the active site of human mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. The phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase variants S57C and N280S both displayed wild-type aminoacylation activity and stability with respect to their free energies of unfolding, but were less stable at low pH. Mitochondrial proteins undergo partial unfolding/refolding during import, and both S57C and N280S variants retained less activity than wild type after refolding, consistent with their reduced stability at low pH. To examine possible defects in protein folding in other aaRS nsSNPs, we compared the refolding of the human mitochondrial leucyl-tRNA synthetase variant H324Q to that of wild type. The H324Q variant had normal activity prior to unfolding, but displayed a refolding defect resulting in reduced aminoacylation compared to wild type after renaturation. These data show that nsSNPs can impact mitochondrial translation by changing a biophysical property of a protein (in this case refolding) without affecting the corresponding enzymatic activity.
Continuous operation of a long-lived CO 2 laser tube

A sealed-off CO 2 laser tube was operated with continuous, almost constant, power output at 10.6 μm for more than 1000 hours. A Ni cathode that was maintained at 300°C acted as a catalyst to regenerate CO 2 back into the tube from the oxygen and carbon monoxide formed in the discharge. By the time 1100 hours of operation had passed, 92 percent of the original CO 2 concentration was still available in the tube.
Microstructure Evolution during the Solidification of Steel

In today's material world it is agreed that a complete understanding of the solidification path and of the resulting microstructure can only be obtained by treating the alloys as mathematical systems, followed by validation of the models through definitive experiments. This paper will attempt to review the main recent experimental and mathematical efforts directed to the understanding of microstructure evolution in steel.
An equivalence theorem for string solutions of the Einstein matter-gauge equations

String-like static solutions of the Einstein matter-gauge equations have interesting implications in cosmology. It has been shown recently that, at a critical coupling phase, this system of equations allows a reduction into a coupled Einstein-Bogomol'nyi system. In this Letter, we prove that, in the important case where the underlying two-dimensional Riemannian manifold is either compact or asymptotically Euclidean, the two systems are actually equivalent. Moreover, we show that the standard assumption that the strings reside in a conformally Euclidean surface will give us a metric which fails to be asymptotically Euclidean. In particular, in the radially symmetric case, we establish under the finite energy condition the boundary behavior of the metric. These results may indicate that a string solution will inevitably lead to nonflatness of the space at infinity even on the cross-section.
Differential degradation of ferritin H- and L-chains: accumulation of L-chain-rich ferritin in lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE. The storage of iron by ferritin is determined by tissue-specific composition of its 24 subunits, which are designated as either heavy (H) or light (L). For a better understanding of how lens epithelial cells regulate their ferritin subunit makeup, the degradation pattern of each subunit type was analyzed. In addition, age-related changes in ferritin concentration and subunit makeup were determined. METHODS. Ferritin turnover in primary cultures of canine lens epithelial cells was determined by metabolic labeling with [ 35 S]-methionine. Transient transfection with vectors containing coding sequences for either H- or L-chains were used to modify ferritin subunit makeup. Ferritin concentration was measured by ELISA. Immunodetection and fluorescence immunocytochemistry were used to study age-related changes in ferritin chain concentration. RESULTS. Inhibition of the proteasomal protein degradation pathway by clastolactacystin-β-lactone had no effect on ferritin degradation, whereas inhibition of lysosomal degradation markedly increased ferritin levels, confirming that this system is involved in ferritin turnover. H-chain ferritin degraded at a faster rate than the L-chain. L-chain-rich ferritin in L-chain-transfected cells formed inclusion bodies that were localized to the cytosol. Similar inclusion bodies were found in older lens cells kept in cell culture for more than 8 days. CONCLUSIONS. Steady degradation of H-chain ferritin contributed to the maintenance of a constant level of this chain within the lens epithelial cells. In contrast, slower turnover of the L-chain resulted in accumulation of L-chain-enriched ferritin associated with cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. These L-chain-containing inclusion bodies were found in the cytosol of cells overex-pressing L-ferritin chain and in nontransfected cells maintained in culture for 8 to 35 days. Overexpression of the L-chain has been associated with the formation of premature cataracts in humans with hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome. The formation of inclusion bodies in older lens epithelial cells, as demonstrated in the current investigation, is intriguing and could point to possible involvement of cytoplasmic L-chain-enriched ferritin aggregates in the formation of age-related cataract.
Vacuum and Forceps Training in Residency: Experience and Self-Reported Competency

Determine chief residents' experience with vacuum and forceps deliveries and self-perceived competencies with the procedures. Study 1: A written questionnaire was mailed to all fourth year residents in US RRC approved Ob/Gyn programs. Study 2: The study was replicated using a web-based survey the following year. Data were analyzed with χ2 and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests using SPSS. Surveys were received from 238 residents (20%) in Study 1 and 269 residents in Study 2 (23%, representing 50% of all residency programs). In both studies, residents reported performing significantly less forceps than vacuum deliveries. Virtually all residents wanted to learn to perform both deliveries, indicated attendings were willing to teach both, and felt competent to perform vacuum deliveries (Study 1, 94.5%; Study 2, 98.5%); only half felt competent to perform forceps deliveries (Study 1, 57.6%; Study 2, 55.0%). The majority of residents who felt competent to perform forceps deliveries reported that they would predominately use forceps or both methods of deliveries in their practice (Study 1, 75.8%; Study 2, 64.6%). The majority of residents who reported that they did not feel competent to perform forceps deliveries reported that they would predominately use vacuum deliveries in their practice (Study 1, 86.1%; Study 2, 84.2%). Current training results in a substantial portion of residents graduating who do not feel competent to perform forceps deliveries. Perceived competency affected future operative delivery plans.
The Effect of Large Intravenous Doses of Sodium Borate on the Human Myocardium as Reflected in the Electrocardiogram

Large intravenous doses of sodium borate, given to seven patients with brain tumors, caused development of temporary but consistent hypoxic-type abnormalities in the S-T segments and the T waves of the electrocardiogram. Correlation of these electrocardiographic changes with blood boron concentrations, determined up to 48 hours after boron injection, indicated that the changes were probably the result of damage by boron, present intracellularly in the myocardium. The intracellular concentrations which cause electrocardiographic abnormalities are considered to be of the order of 100 µg. per milliliter, similar to concentrations which have been shown to inhibit respiration in in vitro myocardial preparations.
Formation of carbon-carbon bonds using organotransition metal enolate complexes

Abstract Stable, characterizable primary organotransition metal 2-oxaalkyl complexes (hereafter referred to as enolate complexes because of their relationship to organic α-carbonyl anion salts that contain an alkali cation rather than a transition metal) may be prepared by treatment of anionic tungsten, molybdenum and rhenium complexes with α-chloresters, ketones and amides. In the tungsten series, several transformations may be carried out on the organic carbonyl functionality of ester enolate 1 without affecting the metal-carbon bond. Complex 1, whose structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction, undergoes photochemical aldol reactions with aldehydes, and combined CO/alkyne migratory insertion with acetylene derivatives. Evidence is presented that these reactions proceed via oxaallyl complexes, such as 15, that are too sensitive to isolate but can be characterized in solution. Secondary enolates are accessible by alkylation with the appropriate α-methanesulfonoxycarbonyl complexes, but undergo metalcarbon bond cleavage rather than aldol and insertion reactions. Similarly, both primary and secondary rhenium enolates such as 33, 34, and 35 may be prepared. These complexes undergo thermal condensation reactions with nitriles, leading to cyclized products such as 36. After activation of the rhenium center by replacement of a carbonyl group with a labile acetonitrile ligand, aldol condensation reactions with aldehydes are also observed in this system. Preliminary results indicate that in contrast to the behavior of the tungsten complexes, secondary rhenium enolates undergo aldol and insertion reactions successfully.
Elastic interaction of interfacial spherical-cap cracks in hollow particle filled composites

Abstract This work analyzes the elastic interaction between two spherical-cap cracks present along the outer surface of a hollow particle embedded in a dissimilar medium under remote uniaxial tensile loading. A semi-analytical approach based on an enriched Galerkin method is adopted to determine stress and deformation fields as functions of particle wall thickness and cracks’ configuration. The present analysis is limited to multiple interfacial spherical-cap cracks; that is, crack propagation is restrained to the particle-matrix interface and possibility of crack kinking in the matrix is not considered. Interfacial crack growth characteristics, conditions for stable crack propagation, equal crack growth, and shielding are established through energy release rate analysis. The study is relevant to the analysis of tensile and flexural failure of syntactic foams used in marine and aerospace applications. Results specialized to glass-vinyl ester syntactic foams demonstrate that particle wall thickness can be used to control crack stability and growth characteristics as well as tailoring the magnitude of the shielding phenomenon. Predictions are compared to finite element findings for validation and to results for penny-shaped cracks to elucidate the role of crack curvature.
CSF LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE PREDICTS SEVERE NEONATAL INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE

CSF LDH is elevated in neonatal IVH and may arise from cerebral injury (Engelke, 1983). To test the value of CSF LDH in detecting cerebral injury, a prospective study was carried out in 57 neonates ≤ 32 weeks gestation. Total CSF LDH and its isoenzymes were measured on admission and cranial ultrasound (US) was performed on day 1 and 3. Ultrasounds were graded normal, small-moderate IVH, moderate-large IVH with ventricular dilation or parenchymal extension. There was a significant correlation of CSF LDH with severity of US hemorrhage (p<.02), although CSF red and white cell counts and glucose did not correlate with IVH. Comparing patients with large IVH and ventricular dilation or parenchymal extension vs patients with normal US or small IVH, mean CSF LDH was 169 v. 49 U/L. LDH isoenzyme 2 also correlated with severity of IVH (p<.01). Elevated CSF LDH was also significantly related to mortality (p<.04). Mean LDH in patients who died compared to survivors was 174 v. 48 U/L. In addition, elevated LDH isoenzyme 1 correlated with mortality (p<.02). In conclusion, our results show an increase in CSF LDH in patients with IVH and ventricular dilation or parenchymal hemorrhage, which may reflect cerebral infarction. Elevated CSF LDH also correlated with risk of death. Follow-up testing will assess its predictive value for long term neurodevelopmental handicap.
Convergence of heat kernels for degenerating hyperbolic surfaces

For a degenerating family of hyperbolic surfaces SI (1 > 0), we show that the heat kernel of SI converges to the heat kernel of SO . The proof consists of two steps. For small time, we use the Brownian motion interpretation of the heat kernels to prove the convergence. Then we use Gaussian type bounds for the heat kernels and their derivatives and a priori bounds for heat equations to finish the proof.
Chaotic Synchronization and the Global Economy

A brief introductory article on the role of chaotic synchronization in the context of complex economic systems. The basic framework developed by the late Richard Goodwin in his book, Chaotic Economic Dynamics, of 1990 has been extended to massively complex dynamical systems of chaotic elements. Recent experimental results and speculative applications to global economic systems are presented.1
Rapidly prototyped three-dimensional nanofluidic channel networks in glass substrates.

Microfluidic and nanofluidic technologies have long sought a fast, reliable method to overcome the creative limitations of planar fabrication methods, the resolution limits of lithography, and the materials limitations for fast prototyping. In the present work, we demonstrate direct 3D machining of submicrometer diameter, subsurface fluidic channels in glass, via optical breakdown near critical intensity, using a femtosecond pulsed laser. No postexposure etching or bonding is required; the channel network (or almost any arbitrary-shaped cavity below the surface) is produced directly from “art-to-part”. The key to this approach is to use very low energy, highly focused, pulses in the presence of liquid. Microbubbles that result from laser energy deposition gently expand and extrude machining debris from the channels. These bubbles are in a highly damped, low Reynolds number regime, implying that surface spalling due to bubble collapse is unimportant. We demonstrate rapid prototyping of three-dimensional “j...
Discriminating texturally similar tills in central Minnesota by graphical and multivariate techniques

The sequence of glaciation in the midwestern United States has been defined mainly by till stratigraphy. Correlation of tills over long distances, however, is complicated by spatial variation of sediment characteristics. In east-central Minnesota three till units were previously defined. Two were considered to be lithologically identical and were correlated with the late Wisconsin advance of the Rainy lobe, whereas a third till was assigned to the contemporaneous advance of the Superior lobe. This interpretation was inconsistent with subsequent glaciological reconstructions of the Rainy and Superior lobes. In an effort to define the parent lobe of the deposits in central Minnesota, the tills were sampled, analyzed, and compared by graphical and multivariate techniques. Graphical comparisons of sedimentological parameters were inadequate to distinguish important differences among the groups. However, principal component analysis of the analytical data indicates that the original interpretation is untenable and that one of the tills formerly assigned to the Rainlylobe should now be attributed to the Superior lobe. Problems encountered with correlation of tills exposed at the surface illustrate the complexity and problems associated with subsurface stratigraphic correlation.
The Importance of a Social Science Research Agenda in the Management of Protected Natural Areas, with Selected Examples

The advent of the modern protected area movement began in 1872 with the creation of Yellowstone National Park in the United States. For a century thereafter, as more nations began to set up protected area systems, the movement was largely western-dominated and adhered to ‘fences and fines’ forms of conservation. As many more developing nations gained independence in the latter half of the twentieth century, it was increasingly recognized that strict forms of conservation based on western ideals of nature could not be sustained in the long term. Specifically, many rural people in developing countries are dependent on local natural resources, and the conservation rules put into place in many protected areas frequently forbade all extraction and in many cases all entry except for tourism or research. This created a climate of increasing park-people conflicts that in many cases compromised conservation goals and led to a refocus in protected areas management and research in the social sciences worldwide. Here I describe survey and non-survey based protocols developed to study the effectiveness of protected areas in the societal realm. Policy gap analyses, rapid rural appraisals, key informant and focus group surveys and structured and semi-structured social surveys are described. Such studies can allow managers to plan for interventions where needed and can aid in designing appropriate local development projects in an effort to ameliorate park-people conflicts. I finish with a preliminary social research protocol, tested in May, 2009, for Yachang Orchid Reserve, Guangxi Province, the People’s Republic of China.
Non-femoroacetabular impingement

Femoroacetabular impingement is one of the causes of hip pain leading to acetabular labral tears and cartilage damage that may lead to the development of early osteoarthritis. More recently other causes of impingement have been recognized that may be the culprit for the painful hip. These causes include ischiofemoral, anterior inferior iliac spine/subspine and iliopsoas impingement. Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome is related to narrowing between the ischial tuberosity and lesser trochanter with abnormalities of the quadratus femoris muscle producing hip pain. Anterior inferior iliac spine/subspine impingement syndrome is defined as hip pain produced by abnormal contact between the anterior inferior iliac spine and proximal femur. Iliopsoas impingement may produce hip pain that is related to a thickened or taut iliopsoas tendon at the level of the acetabular rim/anterior hip capsule. Radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or computed tomography may help to better elucidate the problem while excluding intra-articular pathology or femoroacetabular impingement. Keeping these causes of impingement in mind when evaluating the painful hip will aid in diagnosis.
Determination of critical micelle concentration of aerosol-OT using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry fragmentation ion patterns.

Aggregation patterns and fragmentation ion data from thin film preparations of the anionic surfactant sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (aka Aerosol-OT (AOT)) near the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in carbon tetrachloride were determined using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Previous work using electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to determine the chemical structure of AOT aggregates was compared to data from ToF-SIMS results from both positive and negative ion spectra. Quasi-molecular ions were detected for AOT in the positive and negative spectra at m/z 467 and 421, respectively, corresponding to [AOT+Na]+ and [AOT−Na]−. Repeating ion patterns assigned to AOT aggregates were detected in the positive spectra from n = 3 to n = 13, corresponding to the repeating series [AOTn+Na]+. A similar pattern [AOTn−Na]− was observed in the negative ion spectra from n = 4 to n = 14. ToF-SIMS analysis was also abl...
Observations of the Magnetic Field and Plasma in the Heliosheath by Voyager 2 from 2007.7 to 2009.4

The density and temperature profiles of the plasma measured by Voyager 2 (V2) behind the termination shock changed abruptly near 2008.6 from relatively large average values and large fluctuations during 2007.7 to 2008.6 (interval A) to relatively low average values and very small-amplitude fluctuations during 2008.6 to 2009.4 (interval B). This paper shows that the change in the magnetic field strength B(t) was less abrupt than the plasma changes, and the fluctuations of the magnetic field strength in interval B were of moderate amplitude, with indications of a quasiperiodic structure in part of the interval. The magnetic field was directed away from the sun (positive polarity) approx. 78% +/- 5% of the time in both interval A and interval B, changing in an irregular way from positive to negative polarities throughout the interval. The polarity distribution indicates that the minimum latitudinal extent of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) was near V2 throughout the interval, consistent with the extrapolated minimum latitudes of the HCS computed from solar magnetic field observations. Thus, V2 was observing magnetic fields from the southern polar coronal hole most of the time. The distribution of B was lognormal in interval A and Gaussian interval B.
Effects of Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Infant Gender on the Interactions Between Mothers and Their Medically At-Risk Infants

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the effects of maternal depressive symptoms and infant gender on interactions between mothers and medically at-risk infants. Design Longitudinal, descriptive secondary analysis. Setting Neonatal intensive care unit, intermediate care unit, and infectious disease clinic of the tertiary medical centers in the Southeast and East. Participants One hundred and eight preterm infants and their mothers, 67 medically fragile infants and their mothers, and 83 infants seropositive for HIV and their primary caregivers were studied in their homes between 6 and 24 months. Main Outcome Measures Observation and the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory were used to assess the interactions of mothers and their medically at-risk infants. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results The level of depressive symptoms did not differ between the mothers of boys and mothers of girls in the three groups. Mothers of medically fragile infants had higher levels of depressive symptoms than mothers of preterm infants at 6 months corrected age and similar levels of depressive symptoms as HIV-positive mothers at 12 months. Mothers of medically fragile infants with elevated depressive symptoms were less attentive and more restrictive to their infants. HIV-positive mothers with elevated depressive symptoms were less attentive to their infants. The effects of gender on mother-infant interactions were not moderated by maternal depressive symptoms. Conclusion Maternal depressive symptoms had a somewhat negative effect on the interactions of mothers and medically at-risk infants.
Frequency-wavenumber domain methods for analysis of incident and scattered guided wave fields

Full acoustic wavefield data were acquired from an aluminum plate with various structural discontinuities and artificial defects using an air-coupled transducer mounted on a scanning stage. Piezoelectric transducers permanently mounted on the specimen were used as wave sources. These source transducers were elements of a permanently attached sparse array. A time series of wavefield images clearly shows details of guided waves as they propagate outward from the source, reflect from specimen boundaries, and scatter from discontinuities within the structure. Distinct S 0 and A 0 Lamb wave modes are directly visible on constant time snapshots of the captured wavefield. However, the waves propagating outward from the source, and waves reflected from boundaries, obscure the weaker waves that are scattered from defects. To facilitate analysis of weaker scattered waves, source waves are removed from the full wavefield data using both time and frequency domain methods. The effectiveness of each method is evaluated in the wavenumber-wavenumber domain and results are fused to obtain images of scattered wavefields. The method is demonstrated on a through hole, to which a notch is added to simulate a crack. The angular dependence of the scattered wavefield is experimentally determined for source waves incident on the notch from two directions, one toward the side of the notch and the other toward the end of the notch.