cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of certain phthalate compounds in embryology.

Certain phthallic acid derivatives have proven advantageous in the preparation of embryos for study and observation. The information is therefore described.
Imaging spectrophotometry of ionized gas in NGC 1068. I - Kinematics of the narrow-line region

The kinematics of collisionally excited forbidden N II 6548, 6583 across the inner 1 arcmin diameter of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 is mapped using an imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer and low-noise CCD. The stack of monochromatic images, which spatially resolved the high-velocity gas, was analyzed for kinematic and photometric content. Profiles agree well with previous long-slit work, and their complete spatial coverage makes it possible to constrain the gas volume distribution. It is found that the narrow-line region is distributed in a thick center-darkened, line-emitting cylinder that envelopes the collimated radio jet. Three distinct kinematic subsystems, of which the cylinder is composed, are discussed in detail. Detailed behavior of the emission-line profiles, at the few points in the NE quadrant with simple kinematics, argues that the ionized gas develops a significant component of motion perpendicular to the jet axis.
Incorporating End-of-Course Exam Timing into Educational Performance Evaluations.

AbstractThere is increased policy interest in extending test-based evaluations in K–12 education to include student achievement in high school. High school achievement is typically measured by performance on end-of-course exams (EOCs), which test course-specific standards in a variety of subjects. However, unlike standardized tests in the early grades, students take EOCs at different points in their schooling careers. The timing of the test is a choice variable presumably determined by input from administrators, students, and parents. Recent research indicates that school and district policies that determine when students take particular courses can have important consequences for achievement and subsequent outcomes such as advanced course taking. We develop an approach for modeling EOC test performance that disentangles the influence of school and district policies regarding the timing of course taking from other factors. After separating out the timing issue, better measures of the quality of instructio...
A pathway to subwavelength imaging using a metamaterial superlens

Recent theoretical works have suggested the possibility of constructing a diffraction-free lens by using a negative refractive index medium (NRIM). The key theoretical proposition is that evanescent waves can be greatly enhanced by increasing the thickness of the NRIM. We present here experimental evidence on enhanced transmission of evanescent waves via surface plasmon at a thin silver film operating near surface plasma resonant frequency. We found the transmission of evanescent waves rapidly grows with the film thickness up to about 50 nm, after which it decays as loss becomes significant. These experiments also demonstrated the broadening of enhanced transmission spectrum as photon energy approaches plasma resonance eAg = -1 condition. These findings represent the first step toward the understanding and realization of a diffraction-free lens by using NRIM.
Analytically motivated process improvements in continuous metal–matrix composite wire fabrication

A recently developed process allows the production of continuous fiber reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) wire. Ceramic fiber tows are infiltrated with metal as the fiber tow is drawn through a pressurized crucible of molten metal. Initial production runs allowed fabrication of only limited lengths, due to fiber tow breakage at the crucible entrance. In this paper, a simple analytical model of the fluid mechanics at the entrance to the pressurized crucible has been developed to understand and improve the process, and to avoid fiber tow breakage at the crucible entry orifice. As a result of this analysis, subsequent MMC wire production maintains a faster pull speed, with corresponding yield lengths of 350 m. The microstructure and properties of the MMC wire produced are similar or improved when faster tow pull speeds are employed.
Method to determine printability of photomask defects and its use in phase-shift mask evaluations

Typically all defects found on a photomask are repaired, despite the fact that many of the defects would not cause problems on the wafer. Ideally, if the lithographic process does not image the defect onto the wafer in such a way as to adversely affect the performance of the device, then the mask maker should not be required to repair the defect -- saving time and money. It is difficult to classify defects in this manner, however, as the impact of the defect depends on various factors, including: lithography process parameters, proximity of defect to a critical feature, feature type and the size, shape, phase and transmission of the defect. These effects are further complicated by shrinking critical feature sizes and the use of resolution enhancement techniques, such as PSM and OPC. To address this problem, a new method of determining the printability of defects on all types of photomasks was developed. This method involves characterizing the aerial image of the defect and assigning an equivalent mask CD error to the defect. The equivalent CD error is then compared to the mask CD error specification to determine if the defect should be repaired. This methodology ties the mask defect specification directly to the device performance specifications and accounts for the multitude of factors that influence the defect printability in a real lithography process. This technique has been used to evaluate attenuated and alternating PSM.
Removal of particles from lithographic masks through plasma-assisted cleaning by metastable atomic neutralization

For extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) to become a high volume manufacturing technology for integrated circuit manufacturing, the cleanliness of the system, especially the photomask, is of high importance. For EUV photomasks, which cannot be protected from contamination by the use of a pellicle, an effective and quick cleaning technology needs to be ready in order to maintain wafer throughput. There are challenges to extend current wet cleaning technologies to meet the future needs for damage-free and high efficiency mask cleaning. Accordingly, a unique process for cleaning particulates from surfaces, specifically photomasks as well as wafers, has been evaluated at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The removal technique utilizes a high density plasma source as well as pulsed substrate biases to provide for removal. Helium is used as the primary gas in the plasma, which under ionization, provides for a large density of helium metastable atoms present in the plasma. These metastable helium atoms have on the order of 20 eV of energy which can transfer to particles on the substrate to be cleaned. When the substrate is under a small flux of ion bombardment, these bonds then remain broken and it is theorized that this allows the particles to be volatilized for their subsequent removal. 100 % particle removal efficiency has been obtained for 30 nm, 80 nm, and 200 nm polystyrene latex particles. In addition, removal rate has been correlated with helium metastable population density determined by optical emission spectroscopy.
Meditation as an Intervention in Stress Reactivity

Meditation may have clinical application in stress-related disorders or it may alleviate the adverse effects of normal daily stress, depending on the resiliency of demonstrated state effects. The significance of meditation as a stress intervention appropriate for daily life might prove major if these meditation state effects carry over and transform the meditator in a more permanent way, becoming traits. Meditation shares with certain relaxation procedures the induction of a generalized low arousal pattern of responses characterized by sympathetic inhibition, which may prove to inhibit the autonomic activation seen in the stress response. Subjects in the meditation condition were asked to do transcendental meditation if they were from the experienced meditator group, and the controls were instructed in a simple meditation technique modeled on transcendental meditation. The stress reactivity pattern found in meditators is in partial contrast to that of chronically anxious individuals, particularly the meditators' rapid stress recovery and lower state and trait anxiety levels.
Variation of corrosion potential fluctuations of 18-8 stainless steel with sulfur content

The spectrum analysis of corrosion potential fluctuations is a useful technique to follow the process of localized corrosion of stainless steels [l-3]. A very slight change in the surface state of a specimen, for example micro pit formation, can be detected by the analysis of corrosion potential fluctuations [3]. In this note, we attempt to apply the spectrum analysis of corrosion potential fluctuations to the evaluation of the influence of sulfide inclusions on corrosion resistance of 18-8 stainless steels. The variation of the psd (power spectral density) of the corrosion potential fluctuations with the sulfur content is investigated for the specimens immersed in a sodium chloride solution. Then, the relationships between the sulfur content and psd are compared with those between the sulfur content and the weight loss of a specimen immersed in a ferric chloride solution.
Fentanyl or dexmedetomidine combined with desflurane for bariatric surgery

Abstract Study Objective Because fentanyl has ventilatory depressing effects, alternative methods for analgesia may be beneficial for management of bariatric surgery. We evaluated whether dexmedetomidine infusion could replace fentanyl for facilitation of open gastric bypass surgery. Design Randomized, single blinded, open label. Setting University teaching hospital. Patients Twenty bariatric patients with an average body mass index of 54 to 61 kg/m 2 undergoing surgery for open gastric bypass. Interventions Patients were randomized to receive either fentanyl (0.5- μ g/kg bolus, 0.5 μ g · kg −1 · h −1 , n=10) or dexmedetomidine (0.5- μ g/kg bolus, 0.4 μ g · kg −1 · h −1 , n=10) for intraoperative analgesia. In both groups, end-tidal desflurane was adjusted to maintain the bispectral index at 45 to 50. Measurements In the operating room, blood pressure and heart rate were measured at 5-minute intervals. Bispectral index and end-tidal desflurane concentration were measured every hour. During recovery in the postanesthesia care unit, patient-evaluated pain scores and morphine use by patient-controlled analgesia pump were determined. Main Results During surgery, desflurane concentrations necessary to maintain the bispectral index at 45 to 50 were decreased, and blood pressure and heart rate were lower with in the dexmedetomidine compared with fentanyl group. In the postanesthesia care unit, pain scores and morphine use were decreased in the dexmedetomidine group. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine, when used to substitute for fentanyl during gastric bypass surgery, attenuates blood pressure and provides postoperative analgesia.
Incremental and encoding formulations for Mixed Integer Programming

The standard way to represent a choice between n alternatives in Mixed Integer Programming is through n binary variables that add up to one. Unfortunately, this approach commonly leads to unbalanced branch-and-bound trees and diminished solver performance. In this paper, we present an encoding formulation framework that encompasses and expands existing approaches to mitigate this behavior. Through this framework, we generalize the incremental formulation for piecewise linear functions to any finite union of polyhedra with identical recession cones.
Deformation twinning in nanocrystalline metals

Deformation twins have been oberved in nanocrystalline Al processed by cryogenic ball-milling and in nanocrystalline Cu processed by high-pressure torsion at a very low strain rate. They were formed by partial dislocations emitted from grain boundaries. This paper first reviews experimental evidences and atomistic simulation results on deformation twinning and partial dislocation emissions from grain boundaries and then discusses recent analytical models on the nucleation and growth of deformation twins. These models are compared with experimental results to establish their validity and limitations.
What Part of the FFR Link Don’t We Understand?∗

Physiologists and physicians have long been interested in blood flow and pressure (i.e., hemodynamics). The importance of the circulatory system in regulating health and disease has been appreciated since the days of blood-letting and leaches. In 1738, Daniel Bernoulli [(1)][1] elegantly described
High frequency low voltage CMOS diode

A CMOS class AB rectifier is presented. It can operate at 100MHz for 2μm CMOS technology and with ±1.5V supplies. Simulations and experimental results from a CMOS test chip are shown that verify the proposed circuit.
46,XY/47,XYY/48,XYYY karyotype in a 3‐year‐old boy ascertained because of radioulnar synostosis

Chromosome analysis was performed on a 3-year-old boy because of bilateral radioulnar synostosis and demonstrated a mosaic karyotype 46,XY/47,XYY/48,XYYY. He had minor facial anomalies and mild intellectual delay. He appears to be the youngest patient reported with this rare chromosome complement. His father, mother, and brother had normal chromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on the propositus and his father with the Y chromosome heterochromatic probe (pHY3.4) to add to the evaluation of mosaicism. 17 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.
Computer reconstruction of serial sections

A computer graphics system is described which reconstructs three-dimensional images from serial sectional data. Microscopic sectional tracings are first digitized and coded with a microcomputer (APPLE II-Plus). The data are transferred to a main frame facility for reconstruction and the final result is displayed on a high-resolution color monitor (Hewlett-Packard 9845C). Depth cueing of the image is enhanced by edge ribboning and area filling. The system is very simple to operate and yet flexible enough to allow selective portions of the tissue sample to be reconstructed and displayed in various orientations.
Graft copolymerization of vinylpyrrolidone onto polydimethylsiloxane

Graft copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) onto polydimethylsiloxane have been prepared by the mutual irradiation technique utilizing high energy electrons (3 M.e.v.) generated by Van de Graaf. Water has been shown to have an acceleration effect of polymerization of vinylpyrrolidone and a reduction in the penetration of the monomer solution in the polymer. The dependence of the molecular weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the dose, and the dependence of the penetration of the grafted layer in the trunk polymer on the dose and the water content in the monomer solutions have been determined. The graft copolymers are hydrophilic and their hydrophilicity is proportional to the amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone grafted onto the silicone. The location of the graft copolymer is determined by staining and sectioning and sectioning technique. Grafting varied from surface grafting to apparently homogeneous grafting depending on the water content in the monomer solution and on the total dose.
Effect of substrate on the spin state of cytochrome P-450 in hepatic microsomes.

Abstract The effect of substrate on the spin state of oxidized cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-pretreated rats has been examined. Formation of the substrate-induced Type I difference spectrum was found to correlate quantitatively with the disappearance of the ferric low-spin esr signal of cytochrome P-450. The dissociation constant of substrate for oxidized cytochrome P-450 obtained by optical methods was found to be the same as that obtained from esr methods provided that the same high microsomal protein concentration was used. However, a decrease in microsomal protein concentration leads to an apparent increase in the affinity of substrate for oxidized cytochrome P-450, indicating a dependence of lipophilic substrate dissociation constants on the membrane concentration.
Collective Identity Orientation, Patriotism, and Reactions to National Outcomes

Two experiments examined the extent to which individual differences in collective identity orientation moderate perceptions of the United States following national success and failure. Participants classified as low or high on both personal and collective identity orientations read fictitious news stories desaibing actions by the United States in response to emergencies. For each story, the United States was portrayed as responding effectively (successful outcome) or failing to act quickly and efficiently (failure outcome). In Experiment 1, among subjects low in personal identity orientation, those high in collective identity orientation rated the United States more favorably following national failure than subjects low in collective identity. In Experiment 2, sujects' beliefs about whether their responses would be private or public were also manipulated. The results replicated Experiment 1, but no effects of the publicity of subjects' responses were obtained, suggesting that the results reflect self-este...
Cotton plant size and fiber developmental responses to FR/R ratio reflected from the soil surface

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants were grown in irrigated field plots over red, green or white soil covers (mulches). The far-red (FR) to red (R) light ratios were higher in upwardly reflected light over the red and green surfaces than in incoming sunlight. Plants that grew over the white mulches received higher photosynhetic photon flux (PPF), but the reflected FR/R ratio did not differ significantly from that in incoming sunlight. At five weeks after emergence, seedling stern lengths were significantly longer over red and green than over white surfaces. At maturity, plants that had grown over the red and green surfaces had longer stems, larger shoots, more bolls (fruit), more seed cotton, and longer fibers than plants grown over the white surfaces even though those grown over the white surfaces had received more reflected photosynthetic light during growth and development.
The quantitative determination of airborne metallic dusts and fumes by x-ray spectrometry.

Abstract Metallic dusts and fumes in air may be collected on filter paper and determined quantitatively by measurement of characteristic secondary x-rays produced by irradiation with high-voltage x-rays. Results are obtained rapidly and simply with little or no sample preparation and without sample destruction. A method is presented for preparation of reference standards, and x-ray characteristics of various types of filter media are discussed. A study of potential interferences is presented as well as results obtained in field sampling.
Identification of a Novel Bone/Calcium Metabolism-regulating Factor in Porcine Pancreas

We purified from porcine pancreas a hypocalcemic peptide clearly distinguishable from other pancreatic osteotropic factors such as amylin, calcitonin, and glucagon. Porcine pancreas was processed by acetone extraction, anion exchange chromatography, isoelectric focusing, and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Fractions were assayed for their inhibitory effects on bone resorption in vitro. Amino acid sequence of a homogeneous 28-kDa protein revealed 92% homology to a human elastase IIIB in the N terminus. Recombinant human elastase IIIB (rhEIIIB) inhibited bone resorption in organ culture stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 at concentrations as low as 75 ng/ml. Antibodies to rhEIIIB recognized purified pancreatic factor in Western blots and blocked its inhibitory effect on bone resorption. This antiresorptive activity was abolished by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, suggesting the importance of elastase proteolytic activity for inhibition of bone resorption. In vivo, rhEIIIB and purified pancreatic factor significantly decreased recombinant human interleukin-1alpha-induced hypercalcemia. In conclusion, a novel naturally occurring inhibitor of bone resorption and calcium-lowering peptide has been identified in porcine pancreas. Because this pancreatic peptide has systemic effects on bone resorption and blood ionized calcium at low concentrations, it may represent a physiological regulator of normal bone remodeling and calcium homeostasis.
Cell to aperture interaction in patch‐clamp chips visualized by fluorescence microscopy and focused‐ion beam sections

Patch-clamp is an important method to monitor the electrophysiological activity of cells and the role of pharmacological compounds on specific ion channel proteins. In recent years, planar patch-clamp chips have been developed as a higher throughput approach to the established glass-pipette method. However, proper conditions to optimize the high resistance cell-to-probe seals required to measure the small currents resulting from ion channel activity are still the subject of conjecture. Here, we report on the design of multiple-aperture (sieve) chips to rapidly facilitate assessment of cell-to-aperture interactions in statistically significant numbers. We propose a method to pre-screen the quality of seals based on a dye loading protocol through apertures in the chip and subsequent evaluation with fluorescence confocal microscopy. We also show the first scanning electron micrograph of a focused ion beam section of a cell in a patch-clamp chip aperture.
Addressing System Boundary Issues in Complex Socio-Technical Systems

Systems engineering researchers are familiar with a variety of challenges associated with doing foundational research in complex socio-technical systems. Some foundational issues have been avoided by focusing on applied research questions and ignoring the "socio" of the engineering system under development. Considerations of large-scale engineering systems often present a dilemma of where to draw the line between a system and its environment. How are social, political, economic, and institutional issues addressed? The lack of suitable methodologies for understanding the interface between a technical system and the human and organizational it exists within is a stumbling block. The author suggests a way ahead drawing on the ancestral disciplines of systems science. This approach led to the development of a system safety engineering methodology, System-theoretic Accident Models and Processes (STAMP), which has had signifi cant impact on industry and the practice of safety engineering.
Organizational Factors that Contribute to the Spiritual Development of College Athletes: A Case Study of a Religious University

AbstractAlthough the concept of college athlete development has received ample attention within the literature, limited attention has been paid specifically to the spiritual development of these athletes. More specifically, little attention has been paid to how organizational contexts might impact the spiritual development of athletes. Using qualitative research methods, we interviewed university and athletic department leaders (i.e., head coaches, university administrators, athletics administrators, faculty members) and analyzed relevant documents of one religiously affiliated university within the United States in efforts to glean insight into some important factors that contribute to the spiritual development among their athletes. The findings indicated that the mission and the culture of the university established a foundation and helped set the tone for how these leaders thought about and engaged in certain practices aimed at fostering the spiritual development of the athletes at the university. In p...
NCID: a non-inclusive cache, inclusive directory architecture for flexible and efficient cache hierarchies

Chip-multiprocessor (CMP) architectures employ multi-level cache hierarchies with private L2 caches per core and a shared L3 cache like Intel's Nehalem processor and AMD's Barcelona processor. When designing a multi-level cache hierarchy, one of the key design choices is the inclusion policy: inclusive, non-inclusive or exclusive. Either choice has its benefits and drawbacks. An inclusive cache hierarchy (like Nehalem's L3) has the benefit of allowing incoming snoops to be filtered at the L3 cache, but suffers from (a) reduced space efficiency due to replication between the L2 and L3 caches and (b) reduced flexibility since it cannot bypass the L3 cache for transient or low priority data. In an inclusive L2/L3 cache hierarchy, it also becomes difficult to flexibly chop L3 cache size (or increase L2 cache size) for different product instantiations because the inclusion can start to affect performance (due to significant back-invalidates). In this paper, we present a novel approach to addressing the drawbacks of inclusive caches, while retaining its positive features of snoop filtering. We present NCID: a non-inclusive cache, inclusive directory architecture that allows data in the L3 to be non-inclusive or exclusive, but retains tag inclusion in the directory to support complete snoop filtering. We then describe and evaluate a range of NCID-based architecture options and policies. Our evaluation shows that NCID enables a flexible and efficient cache hierarchy for future CMP platforms and has the potential to improve performance significantly for several important server benchmarks.
Linear models that allow perfect estimation

The general Gauss–Markov model, Y = Xβ + e, E(e) = 0, Cov(e) = σ2V, has been intensively studied and widely used. Most studies consider covariance matrices V that are nonsingular but we focus on the most difficult case wherein C(X), the column space of X, is not contained in C(V). This forces V to be singular. Under this condition there exist nontrivial linear functions of Q′Xβ that are known with probability 1 (perfectly) where \({C(Q)=C(V)^\perp}\). To treat \({C(X) \not \subset C(V)}\), much of the existing literature obtains estimates and tests by replacing V with a pseudo-covariance matrix T = V + XUX′ for some nonnegative definite U such that \({C(X) \subset C(T)}\), see Christensen (Plane answers to complex questions: the theory of linear models, 2002, Chap. 10). We find it more intuitive to first eliminate what is known about Xβ and then to adjust X while keeping V unchanged. We show that we can decompose β into the sum of two orthogonal parts, β = β0 + β1, where β0 is known. We also show that the unknown component of Xβ is \({X\beta_1 \equiv \tilde{X} \gamma}\), where \({C(\tilde{X})=C(X)\cap C(V)}\). We replace the original model with \({Y-X\beta_0=\tilde{X}\gamma+e}\), E(e) = 0, \({Cov(e)=\sigma^2V}\) and perform estimation and tests under this new model for which the simplifying assumption \({C(\tilde{X}) \subset C(V)}\) holds. This allows us to focus on the part of that parameters that are not known perfectly. We show that this method provides the usual estimates and tests.
Formation of hexagonal-wurtzite germanium by pulsed laser ablation

Abstract A stable phase of relatively large hexagonal-wurtzite germanium (lonsdaleite) crystals (up to 10 μm) was formed when germanium was directly deposited at low pressure using pulsed ultraviolet laser ablation. Films were grown on various substrates at room temperature from a single crystal, cubic germanium target. Crystallites of the hexagonal-wurtzite phase of germanium were clearly identified using selected area electron diffraction. Further characterizations of the films were made using X-ray diffraction and confocal scanning micro-Raman spectroscopy.
Antiarrhythmic effects of beta3-adrenergic receptor stimulation in a canine model of ventricular tachycardia

Background Beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3-AR) stimulation inhibits cardiac contractility. Objective This study sought to test the hypothesis that beta3-AR stimulation is antiarrhythmic. Methods We implanted a radio transmitter for continuous electrocardiogram monitoring in 18 dogs with a tendency for high incidence of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT). Ten of 18 had subcutaneous continuous BRL37344 (beta3-AR agonist) infusion (experimental group) for 1 month. The other dogs were controls. Western blotting studies were performed on tissues sampled from the noninfarcted left ventricular free wall of all dogs that survived the 60-day follow-up period. Results Phase 2 VT appeared significantly later in the experimental group than in the control group (P Conclusion Beta3-AR stimulation significantly reduces the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia.
The rise of ‘prostituted’ physics

“From its origins to the present day, American academic science has been permeated by the influence of American business”. The reciprocal influence, of science on business and industry, has grown dramatically in the twentieth century. The rise of industrial research and its sustained vigour during this period is charted.
Interactions between rna polymerase and the “core recognition element” counteract pausing

Transcription elongation is interrupted by sequences that inhibit nucleotide addition and cause RNA polymerase (RNAP) to pause. Here, by use of native elongating transcript sequencing (NET-seq) and a variant of NET-seq that enables analysis of mutant RNAP derivatives in merodiploid cells (mNET-seq), we analyze transcriptional pausing genome-wide in vivo in Escherichia coli . We identify a consensus pause-inducing sequence element, G –10 Y –1 G +1 (where –1 corresponds to the position of the RNA 3′ end). We demonstrate that sequence-specific interactions between RNAP core enzyme and a core recognition element (CRE) that stabilize transcription initiation complexes also occur in transcription elongation complexes and facilitate pause read-through by stabilizing RNAP in a posttranslocated register. Our findings identify key sequence determinants of transcriptional pausing and establish that RNAP-CRE interactions modulate pausing.
Redistribution of actin and fascin in sea urchin eggs after fertilization.

Following fertilization, the sea urchin egg cortex undergoes a structural change involving the assembly and organization of actin filaments into microvilli. Antifascin localizes this actin cross-linking protein in the microvilli of the fertilized egg cortex but no organized staining is present in the unfertilized cortex. Determination of the actin content of eggs using the DNAase I inhibition assay indicates that actin is about 1.4% of the total protein. Approximately 90% of this actin is soluble in low calcium isotonic extracts of unfertilized eggs while only 60–65% can be recovered in identical extracts of fertilized eggs. Similar measurements for fascin using a radioimmunoassay indicate this molecule represents about 0.3% of the total egg protein, essentially all of which is recovered in low calcium isotonic extracts of unfertilized eggs. After fertilization only 65–70% of this actin cross-linking protein is in the soluble phase. These results demonstrate a markedly different solubility for actin and fascin after fertilization, when the indirect immunofluorescence staining localizes fascin in the microvilli, and are consistent with the idea that fascin organizes newly polymerized actin filaments into the microvillar cores. A consideration of the amounts of actin and fascin incorporated into the cortex after fertilization and the number of microvilli on the egg surface indicates that the measured values are sufficient to account for the observed microvillar elongation.
The Reference Period for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Performance of Thermal Insulating Foams

With the advent of thermal insulating foams manufactured with alternative blowing agents, the need for estimating their long-term thermal performance became evident. Two predictive techniques (slicing and scaling [1,2] or slicing and modelling [3,41]) are now considered for different foam products. However, the selection of the reference period for which the thermal performance is evaluated has not received sufficient attention.In this paper, the limit of economic considerations for aging processes is assumed to be fifteen to twenty years. The analysis indicates that for a wide range of thermal insulation products and thickness, the same reference time can be used. The reference time denotes the period of aging when the measured thermal resistivity (inverse of thermal conductivity) represents the timeaveraged thermal resistivity over the considered service life.This paper postulates that the five year reference period should be used for all thermal insulations with thermal performance varying during the s...
Suction vs Water Seal After Pulmonary Resection* A Randomized Prospective Study

Study objective To evaluate whether suction or water seal is superior in the management of chest tubes after pulmonary resection. Design A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. After an initial, brief period of suction, patients were randomized to water seal or − 20 cm H 2 O suction. Setting University hospital. Patients Sixty-eight patients who underwent wedge resection, segmentectomy, or lobectomy were included in the study. Those patients who underwent reoperative surgery or lung volume reduction surgery were excluded. Results There were 34 patients in each group. The two groups were evenly matched for age, sex, operation performed, severity of lung disease, and nutritional status. Fifteen patients in each group (44%) had an air leak at the completion of surgery. The duration of the air leak was shorter in the water seal group than in the suction group (mean ± SEM, 1.50 ± 0.32 days vs 3.27 ± 0.80 days, respectively; p = 0.05). The mean times to removal of chest tubes were 3.33 ± 0.35 days in the water seal group and 5.47 ± 0.98 days in the suction group (p = 0.06). The length of stapled parenchyma was measured for each patient and averaged 24.9 cm for the water seal group and 18.5 cm for the suction group (p = 0.18). When corrected for the length of staple lines, the duration of air leaks and days with chest tube were dramatically lower in the water seal group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion Placing chest tubes on water seal after a brief period of suction after pulmonary resection shortens the duration of the air leak and likely decreases the time that the chest tubes remain in place. Adoption of this practice may result in lower morbidity and lower hospital costs.
NMR structures of the transmembrane domains of the α4β2 nAChR

The α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is the predominant heteromeric subtype of nAChRs in the brain, which has been implicated in numerous neurological conditions. The structural information specifically for the α4β2 and other neuronal nAChRs is presently limited. In this study, we determined structures of the transmembrane (TM) domains of the α4 and β2 subunits in lauryldimethylamine-oxide (LDAO) micelles using solution NMR spectroscopy. NMR experiments and size exclusion chromatography–multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) analysis demonstrated that the TM domains of α4 and β2 interacted with each other and spontaneously formed pentameric assemblies in the LDAO micelles. The Na+ flux assay revealed that α4β2 formed Na+ permeable channels in lipid vesicles. Efflux of Na+ through the α4β2 channels reduced intra-vesicle Sodium Green™ fluorescence in a time-dependent manner that was not observed in vesicles without incorporating α4β2. The study provides the structural insight into the TM domains of the α4β2 nAChR. It offers a valuable structural framework for rationalizing extensive biochemical data collected previously on the α4β2 nAChR and for designing new therapeutic modulators.
Glandular-Haired Alfalfa Resistance to Potato Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and Hopperburn: Development of Resistance Indices

Eight proprietary genotypes of glandular-haired alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., supplied by two different companies, were compared for the degree and types of resistance to the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), and hopperburn. A tube cage no-choice bioassay was developed to test leafhopper mortality, feeding, settling preferences, severity of hopperburn symptoms (in this case, defined as both yellowing and stem growth reduction), and trichome density and type on feeding sites. Leafhopper mortality was both strongly and significantly associated with feeding and leaf trichome density; decreased hopperburn symptom severity was weakly, although significantly, associated with increased mortality. To quantify hopperburn in terms of both yellowing and stem growth reduction, we developed a ranking system that reduces overall hopperburn expression to a single number that considers the varying responses to both types of symptoms. Great variability in leafhopper settling, leafhopper mortality, and stem glandular trichome density was detected among alfalfa genotypes, suggesting that genotypic differences may be based on the concentration and/or chemical constituency of the trichome exudates. We postulate that, among variably resistant genotypes of glandular-haired alfalfa, differences among leafhopper responses and hopperburn severity are linked to forced movement from the stems to the leaves as refuge feeding sites. Principal component analysis was performed to reduce the 10 variables down to five biologically significant factors. Scores for these factors were then used to develop resistance indices for potato leafhopper resistance, hopperburn resistance, and an overall glandular-haired alfalfa resistance index.
Anatomic and Radiographic Comparison of Arthroscopic and Open Biceps Tenodesis Site

Objectives:Both arthroscopic and open surgical techniques are commonly utilized for proximal biceps tenodesis of the long head of biceps brachii. One concern about the arthroscopic approach is that a portion of the biceps tendon may remain in the bicipital groove, which is a possible source of persistent post-operative pain. [1] The purpose of this study was to determine the location of tendon fixation in an open subpectoral technique and an arthroscopic technique that attempted to place the biceps inferior to the bicipital groove. The null hypothesis was that there would be no difference in the tenodesis site for the arthroscopic and open techniques.Methods:With the shoulders in a beach chair position, ten matched pairs of cadaver shoulders were randomized such that within each pair one shoulder underwent a standard open subpectoral biceps tenodesis and the other underwent an arthroscopic tenodesis. The arthroscopic technique was performed through an anterior working portal directly over the tendon with ...
Five-Factor Model of Personality Disorder: A Proposal for DSM-V

The predominant dimensional model of general personality structure within psychology is the five-factor model (FFM). Research indicates that the personality disorders of the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual can be understood as maladaptive variants of the domains and facets of the FFM. The current review provides a proposal for the classification of personality disorder from the perspective of the FFM. Discussed as well are implications and issues associated with an FFM of personality disorder, including the integration of a psychiatric nomenclature with general personality structure, the inclusion of a domain of openness to experience, the identification of problems in living associated with maladaptive personality traits, the setting of a diagnostic threshold, prototypal matching, feasibility, and clinical utility.
Cohort Differences in Self-Rated Health: Evidence from a Three-Decade, Community-Based, Longitudinal Study of Women

Despite the fact that life expectancy has nearly doubled over the past century, the US public has become increasingly preoccupied with issues of health and illness. In this study, the authors investigated cohort differences in self-rated health between women born in 1935-1944 (preboomers) and women born in 1945-1954 (baby boomers). A randomly selected, community-based sample of 618 mothers, 314 preboomers, and 304 baby boomers was interviewed. Over three decades, self-rated health was assessed in 1975, 1983, 1985-1986, 1991-1994, and 2001-2004. An individual growth model showed a linear decline (-0.61 per year, p < 0.001) in self-rated health from mean ages 31-59 years combined, with a quadratic age effect (-0.03, p < 0.001). Baby boomers reported lower self-rated health (mean difference, -5.30; p < 0.001) and more rapid decline per year (slope difference, -0.52; p < 0.001) than did preboomers of overlapping ages; those differences remained after adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic variables, personality factors, health behaviors, chronic illness, and depression symptoms. Study findings have important implications with regard to the potential growing burden on the nation's health care system, suggesting that generational changes in health evaluations and expectations may continue to increase demand for medical care.
Subcellular Distribution of 3H-estradiol in Rat Uterus by Quantitative Autoradiography—A Comparison Between 3H-estradiol and 3H-norethynodrel

0.09 or 0.63 μg of 6,7-3H-estradiol- 17β or 10 μg of 6,7-3H-norethynodrel was injected in immature rats and the distribution of radioactivity was studied by autoradiography. The autoradiographic technique used is based on low temperature tissue preparation of freeze-dried frozen sections and dry mounting on photographic emulsion, eliminating known sources of translocation artifacts such as liquid fixation, embedding and wet tissue and wet emulsion mounting. Autoradiograms were prepared 15 min and 2 hr after subcutaneous injection. 3H-estradiol was found to be concentrated in nuclei of cells of the epithelium of the lumen and the glands, the substantia propria and the muscularis. Quantification of the subcellular distribution of radioactivity by silver grain counting showed about 68% of 3H-estradiol associated with the nuclear compartment of all the uterine tissues. This value agrees with results in the literature from centrifugal fractionation experiments. Cell nuclei were not uniformly labeled, and a sma...
The diary study: a workplace-oriented research tool to guide laboratory efforts

Methods for studying user behavior in HCI can be informally divided into two approaches: experimental psychology in the laboratory and observations in the workplace. The first approach has been faulted for providing results that have little effect on system usability, while the second can often be accused of yielding primarily anecdotal data that do not support general conclusions. This paper describes two similar approaches in another field, the study of animal behavior, and shows how they produce complementary results. To support similar complementary interactions between research approaches in the HCI field, the paper describes the diary study technique, a tool for research in the workplace that achieves a relatively high standard of objectivity. A diary study is reported that focuses on exploratory learning.
Effects of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone on Fat Distribution in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Wasting

In light of current interest in recombinant human growth hormone (GH) as a treatment for fat distribution abnormalities, we retrospectively evaluated regional changes in fat and lean body mass in a subset of subjects who participated in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of GH for treatment of wasting. Treatment with a pharmacologic dose of GH (0.1 mg/kg/day) resulted in significant and sustained increases in lean body mass and losses of fat in both the trunk and appendicular regions.
An Electromagnetic Topology and Transmission Line Matrix Hybrid Technique for Modeling High Power Electromagnetic Interactions

A combination of electromagnetic topology (EMT) and a transmission line matrix methodology to simulate an external electromagnetic pulse's interactions with cable network following penetration through apertures is presented. The results show improvements over previous simulations using EMT technique only. An array of the topological network has been created by the integration of the sub-network matrices based on the transmission line matrix (TLM) network. The simulation results for field penetration using this technique confirm the new combination approach and give good results when compared with an FDTD method. The transmission line-electromagnetic topology approach is simpler, less time consuming and for large systems is likely to save on mesh generation, simulation time without sacrificing on results. Analysis of the field propagation and penetration also shows the effects of the aperture size on the temporal characteristics and frequency spectral components of the incident Gaussian pulse.
Spin dimer and classical spin analyses of the ordered magnetic structures of alkali iron pyrophosphates NaFeP2O7 and LiFeP2O7

The magnetic oxides NaFeP2O7 and LiFeP2O7, made up of FeO6 octahedra containing high-spin Fe3+ (d5) ions, undergo a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering at low temperatures. The strengths of various Fe–O⋯O–Fe super-superexchange interactions of NaFeP2O7 and LiFeP2O7 were estimated on the basis of spin dimer analysis to probe the nature of their ordered magnetic structures. It is found that the critical factor governing the strength of a Fe–O⋯O–Fe super-superexchange interaction is not the Fe⋯Fe distance but the O⋯O distance. Using the spin exchange parameters thus obtained, the total spin exchange interaction energies were calculated for various ordered spin arrangements of NaFeP2O7 and LiFeP2O7 on the basis of classical spin analysis to confirm that the observed magnetic structures are the magnetic ground states.
Association between the metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in Chinese adults

Background. The metabolic syndrome is a common risk factor for cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Western populations. We examined the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and risk of CKD in Chinese adults.Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 15 160 Chinese adults aged 35-74 years. The metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of three or more of the following risk factors: elevated blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, high triglycerides, elevated plasma glucose and abdominal obesity. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m 2 and elevated serum creatinine was defined as ≥1.14 mg/dl in men and ≥0.97 mg/dl in women (≥95th percentile of serum creatinine in Chinese men and women aged 35-44 years without hypertension or diabetes, respectively).Results. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence interval (CI)] of CKD and elevated serum creatinine in participants with compared to those without the metabolic syndrome were 1.64 (1.16, 2.32) and 1.36 (1.07, 1.73), respectively. Compared to participants without any components of the metabolic syndrome, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of CKD were 1.51 (1.02, 2.23), 1.50 (0.97, 2.32), 2.13 (1.30, 3.50) and 2.72 (1.50, 4.93) for those with 1, 2, 3, and 4 or 5 components, respectively. The corresponding multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of elevated serum creatinine were 1.11 (0.88, 1.40), 1.39 (1.07, 2.04), 1.47 (1.06, 2.04) and 2.00 (1.32, 3.03), respectively.Conclusions. These findings suggest that the metabolic syndrome might be an important risk factor for CKD in Chinese adults.