cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black widow evolution: magnetic braking by an ablated wind

Black widows are close binary systems in which a millisecond pulsar is orbited by a companion a few per cent the mass of the sun. It has been suggested that the pulsar's rotationally powered $\gamma$-ray luminosity gradually evaporates the companion, eventually leaving behind an isolated millisecond pulsar. The evaporation efficiency is determined by the temperature $T_{\rm ch}\propto F^{2/3}$ to which the outflow is heated by the flux $F$ on a dynamical time-scale. Evaporation is most efficient for companions that fill their Roche lobes. In this case, the outflow is dominated by a cap around the L1 point with an angle $\theta_g\sim (T_{\rm ch}/T_g)^{1/2}$, and the evaporation time is $t_{\rm evap}=0.46(T_{\rm ch}/T_g)^{-2}\textrm{ Gyr}$, where $T_g>T_{\rm ch}$ is the companion's virial temperature. We apply our model to the observed black widow population, which has increased substantially over the last decade, considering each system's orbital period, companion mass, and pulsar spin-down power. While the original (Fruchter et al. 1988) black widow evaporates its companion on a few Gyr time-scale, direct evaporation on its own is too weak to explain the overall population. We propose instead that the evaporative wind couples to the companion's magnetic field, removes angular momentum from the binary, and maintains stable Roche-lobe overflow. While a stronger wind carries more mass, it also reduces the Alfven radius, making this indirect magnetic braking mechanism less dependent on the flux $t_{\rm mag}\propto t_{\rm evap}^{1/3}$. This reduces the scatter in evolution times of observed systems, thus better explaining the combined black widow and isolated millisecond pulsar populations.
Interdependence in Mediated Intergroup Contact

Abstract. Mediated intergroup contact and extended contact hypothesis research shows that observing a positive intergroup interaction can result in improved attitudes toward the outgroup. This expe...
THIRTEEN – TAYLOR POLYNOMIALS AND APPROXIMATION

Publisher Summary It is a fact that many functions arising in applications are difficult to deal with. A continuous function, for example, may take a complicated form or it may take a simple form that, nevertheless, cannot be integrated. For this reason, mathematicians and physicists have developed methods for approximating certain functions by other functions that are much easier to handle. Some of the easiest functions to deal with are the polynomials because apart from having other useful properties, they can be differentiated and integrated any number of times and still remain polynomials. This chapter discusses how certain continuous functions can be approximated by polynomials. It discusses Taylor's theorem and Taylor polynomials. It discusses how a function can be approximated as closely as desired by a polynomial, provided that the function possesses a sufficient number of derivatives. The chapter presents a proof of Taylor's theorem and then discusses how it is possible to estimate the maximum size of the remainder term Rn(x). The chapter discusses how the bound on the magnitude of the remainder term can be used to find some interesting approximations.
Douching or Perineal Talc Use and Prevalent Fibroids in Young African American Women.

Background: Black women are at an increased risk of developing fibroids, but the cause is unclear. Douching and perineal talc use are common lifestyle exposures among Black women, and may be risk f...
Using an engagement lens to model active learning in the geosciences

Active learning research emerged from the undergraduate STEM education communities of practice, some of whom identify as discipline-based education researchers (DBER). Consequently, current framewo...
Apolipoprotein E Content of Very Low-density Lipoprotein Limits Lipoprotein Lipase-mediated Triglyceride Hydrolysis

Abstract High levels of circulating triglycerides (TG), or hypertriglyceridemia, is a key component of metabolic diseases such as type-II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. As TGs are carried by lipoproteins in plasma, hypertriglyceridemia can result from overproduction or lack of clearance of TG-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) such as very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). The primary driver of TRL clearance is TG hydrolysis mediated by lipoprotein lipase (LPL). LPL is regulated by numerous TRL protein components, including the cofactor apolipoprotein C-II (APOC2), but it is not clear how their effects combine to impact TRL hydrolysis across individuals. Using a novel assay designed to mimic human plasma conditions in vitro, we tested the ability of VLDL from 15 normolipidemic donors to act as substrates for human LPL. We found a striking 10-fold difference in hydrolysis rates across individuals when the particles were compared on a protein or TG basis. While VLDL TG contents moderately correlated with hydrolysis rate, we noticed substantial variations in non-apoB proteins within these particles by mass spectrometry. The ability of LPL to hydrolyze VLDL TGs did not correlate with APOC2 content, but it was strongly inversely correlated with apolipoprotein E (APOE) and, to a lesser extent, apolipoprotein A-II. Addition of exogenous APOE inhibited LPL lipolysis in a dose-dependent manner. The APOE3 and (particularly) APOE4 isoforms were effective at limiting LPL hydrolysis, whereas APOE2 was not. We conclude that APOE on VLDL modulates LPL activity and could be a relevant factor in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease.
Historical Perspectives of Healthcare Disparities

What is the historical background of disparities in healthcare delivery and how did these disparities evolve? The history goes back to slavery, wherein what Byrd and Clayton have termed the slave health deficit originated and was nourished. In this chapter, the concept that slavery gave rise to a racist system of healthcare delivery is explored, and the observation that this system is still operative is documented by several pointed examples.
Morals, roles and reasons for action

El autor quisiera desarrollar una concepcion de la vida moral como una cuestion de cumplir con los deberes que surgen de los papeles que uno tiene dentro de una gran variedad de relaciones con los demas seres humanos. Intenta mostrar que esa concepcion de la moralidad en terminos de papeles relacionales puede dar una explicacion intuitivamente plausible de las virtudes, los deberes, etcetera. En particular, intenta mostrar que considerando la actitud de tener una buena disposicion hacia cualquier otro ser humano, tal concepcion puede expIicar directamente el mal que se hace a la victima de una accion moralmente erronea. Despues, usando y criticando algunas ideas de Foot, Williams y Harman, trata de elucidar la conexion que, segun esa concepcion, hay entre los juicios morales acerca de lo que uno deberia hacer y las razones para actuar. El autor defiende una concepcion 'externa' de esa conexion.
Synchronous Activity in Basal Ganglia Circuits

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that modeling of the basal ganglia network in the late 1980s and early 1990s played an important role in generating and consolidating ideas about basal ganglia function. These models led to predictions about relationships between changes in striatal activity and alterations tonic firing rate in basal ganglia circuits, and triggered research that has evolved to show that firing pattern as well as rate contribute to the functional dynamics of normal and pathological activity in basal ganglia circuits. It discusses that under some conditions synchronized oscillatory neuronal activity in ultraslow, slow and faster frequency ranges are observed in basal ganglia circuits. As synchronized activity has enhanced impact on postsynaptic structures, these oscillations are useful tools for probing basal ganglia function as well as assessing functional connectivity within and between the basal ganglia nuclei and downstream sites. They may also provide insight into mechanisms underlying disease-related processes in the basal ganglia. The observation that removal of dopaminergic input or administration of dopamine agonists alters not only firing rates in the basal ganglia network, but also the extent of synchronization of oscillatory firing patterns may constitute important insight into processes underlying the symptomology of Parkinson's disease. The processes regulating synchronized and oscillatory activity in the basal ganglia, the role of these patterns in normal basal ganglia function and the mechanisms underlying the ability of neuromodulators like dopamine to regulate the transmission of these patterns through basal ganglia circuits are not yet well understood and provide opportunities for research endeavors in the coming decade.
Experts' Round Table: Next-Generation Sequencing.

e3 We have organized a panel of recognized experts working in core settings and using a variety of platforms in the area of Next-Gen sequencing. The panelists will briefly present their views of the pressing issues (technological and otherwise) facing the delivery of Next-Gen sequencing in various settings and discuss what directions the field may take in the next few years. Additionally the panel will address questions posed to them about the field, technologies and operation of Next-Gen research cores.
Targeted vaccination based on a wireless sensor system

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect people from being infected by infectious disease. However, it is often impractical to vaccinate all people in a community due to various resource constraints. Therefore, targeted vaccination, which vaccinates a small group of people, is an alternative approach to contain infectious disease spread. To achieve better performance in targeted vaccination, we collect student contact traces in a high school based on wireless sensors carried by students. With our wireless sensor system, we can record student contacts within the disease propagation distance, and then construct a disease propagation graph to model the infectious disease propagation. Based on this graph, we propose a metric called connectivity centrality to measure a node's importance during disease propagation and design centrality based algorithms for targeted vaccination. The proposed algorithms are evaluated and compared with other schemes based on our collected traces. Trace driven simulation results show that our algorithms can help to effectively contain infectious disease.
Effect of the 532nm pulsed KTP laser in the treatment of Reinke's edema

Objectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate the effect and safety of the 532nm Pulsed Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate (KTP) laser in the office-based treatment of patients with Reinke's edema using objective and subjective scaled outcome measures. Study Design: Case Series. Setting: Tertiary hospital center. Subjects: Seven adult females undergoing in-office KTP laser treatment for Reinke's edema. Methods: Participants were studied pre- and posttreatment. Vocal function was evaluated by objective aerodynamic and acoustic analysis. Subjective changes were evaluated using the GRBAS scale, Voice Handicap Index, and videostroboscopy. Histologic effects of the laser were investigated by comparing one patient treated with laser one year prior to excision, one treated with laser just prior to excision, and one control patient who underwent excision without prior laser treatment. Results: At an average postoperative follow up of 17.8 weeks (range 5–78), maximum phonation time trended toward improvement. The median VHI score decreased from 37 to 26 (p=0.150). There was a reduction in each component of the GRBAS scoring and the median fundamental frequency increased from 162 to 186 (p=0.625). Stroboscopic findings demonstrated an intact posttreatment mucosal wave. Histologic comparison of the tissue effects of laser in three patients demonstrated changes in vocal fold vascularity but no acute or long-term damage to the overlying epithelium. Conclusion: Objective and subjective scaled measures suggest that treatment of Reinke's edema in the office with a 532nm KTP laser may result in improved voice. It appears safe with histologic preservation of the vocal fold vibratory epithelium and persistence of mucosal wave. Laryngoscope, 2012
Assortative Mating and Partner Influence on Antisocial Behavior Across the Life Course

Why do individuals select romantic partners who use drugs, are criminals, or have mental health problems, a choice that eventually puts them and their children at increased risk for negative developmental outcomes? Results are presented from a systematic literature review on assortative mating for antisocial behavior and on the subsequent influence partners have on each other. All cross-sectional, retrospective studies except one supported assortative mating over partner influence. In contrast, all prospective studies supported partner influence. Given that prospective data are generally better than retrospective data, partner influence is recognized here as an important finding, previously hidden or discounted in the literature because of its reliance on retrospective, cross-sectional designs. Theoretical perspectives, social homogamy, heterotypic assortment, and methodological issues are also examined. Language: en
Mobility control through spontaneous formation of nanoparticle stabilized emulsions

[1] We report on measurements of the flow pattern and in-situ saturations whenn-octane displaces a brine in which surface treated silica nanoparticles are dispersed. The nanoparticles are known to stabilize octane-in-water emulsions. We find that the displacement front is more spatially uniform, and with a later breakthrough when compared to a control displacement with no in-situ nanoparticles. Pressure measurements during the displacement are consistent with generation of a viscous phase such as an emulsion. These observations suggest that a nanoparticle stabilized emulsion is formed during the displacement which acts to suppress the viscous instability. We argue that generation of droplets of nonwetting phase occurs at the leading edge of all drainage displacements. The droplets rejoin the bulk phase in the absence of stabilizing agents, but are preserved when nanoparticles adhere to the fluid/fluid interface.
A Gr receptor is required for response to the sugar trehalose in taste neurons of Drosophila

We recently identified from the Drosophila genome database a large family of G protein-coupled receptor genes, the Gr genes, and predicted that they encode taste receptors on the basis of their structure and specificity of expression. The expression of Gr genes in gustatory neurons has subsequently been confirmed and 56 family members have been reported. Here we provide functional evidence that one Gr gene, Gr5a, encodes a taste receptor required for response to the sugar trehalose. In two different mutants that carry deletions in Gr5a, electrophysiological and behavioral responses to trehalose were diminished but the response to sucrose was unaffected. Transgenic rescue experiments showed that Gr5a confers response to trehalose. The results correlate a particular taste ligand with a Gr receptor and indicate a role for G protein-mediated signaling in the transduction of sweet taste in Drosophila.
Calcineurin Alpha Inhibition Induces Nox2 Up-regulation via NFκB

Although essential for preventing transplant rejection, prolonged calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) use induces nephrotoxicity. We showed that mice lacking the alpha catalytic isoform of calcineurin (CnA...
Performance investigation of a head-operated device and expanded membrane cursor keys in a target acquisition task

This study investigated the relative performance of two computer input devices appropriate for persons sharing similar motor challenges: a head operated device and expanded membrane cursor keys. Performance was evaluated in the context of a Fitts' law target acquisition task. For this initial phase of investigation, subjects without disabilities were selected to focus on performance differences inherent in the devices and their operation. Results indicated that the total time to acquire a target was significantly faster for the head device than for the expanded cursor keys. For typical young adults, the head-operated device required less time to reach asymptote performance by simplifying the cognitive demands for device operation. These results suggest that for persons unable to isolate their fingers, head-operated controls may offer advantages over input devices operated by the upper extremities.
An asymptotically free Reggeon field theory

Abstract Renormalization group techniques are used to examine Reggeon field theories with derivative triple Pomeranchuk interactions in accord with the decoupling theorems. The simplest asymptotically free “weak coupling” solution has total cross sections which behave as σ tot AB ( s ) ∽ g A g B − c /log s +…, and the triple Pomeranchuk vertex has a nonsense wrong signature zero asymptotically ∼( t − t 1 − t 2 ). Another “strong coupling” solution reproduces the results of Migdal, Polyakov, Ter-Martirosyan, Abarbanel and Bronzan to lowest order in the ϵ-expansion.
Pseudospectral techniques in minimum-variance calculations of electron-scattering cross sections.

We propose a method for calculating electron-scattering cross sections which consists of a combination of the minimum-variance approach to optimizing a trial wave function and pseudospectral techniques for evaluating exchange contributions. Tests in simple applications indicate that this hybrid approach is remarkably efficient. Only one-electron matrix elements and quantities depending on the trial function and its derivatives evaluated at grid points are required. The extension to more complex systems is discussed.
Health care users residing on the Mexican border. What factors determine choice of the U.S. or Mexican health system

Using multivariate analytic techniques, this article examines the factors influencing choice of the Mexican or U.S. health care system by service users residing on the Mexican border. Data were obtained from a 1987 binational health survey of 660 households, conducted in Tijuana. The sample consiste
Mass and magnetic moment of the antiproton by the exotic atom method

Abstract Precision determinations of the mass and magnetic moment of the antiproton were made by the exotic atom method. Antiprotons were stopped in lead or uranium targets. De-excitation X-rays from the antiprotonic atoms were viewed by a high resolution Ge (Li) detector. Six principal transitions of the pPb spectrum (16 → 15 to 11 → 10) were analyzed to deduce a value of the antiproton mass. The fine structure splittings of the 11 → 10 and 12 → 11 transitions of pPb and pU were used to determine a value of the antiproton magnetic moment. Our computed values of the energy eigenvalues of the ( n , l , j ) levels included corrections due to vacuum polarization and higher order radiative terms, electron screening, nuclear finite size and nuclear polarization. In the case of the pU data, an additional shift due to the dynamic E2 mixing of nuclear rotational levels with antiprotonic orbital levels was included. Noncircular transitions were included in the analysis of the data. The values obtained for the antiproton mass and magnetic moment, 938.179±0.058 MeV and − 2.791±0.021 nuclear magnetons, respectively, are compared with the corresponding quantities pertaining to the proton, 938.2796 ± 0.0027 MeV and +2.793 nuclear magnetons, respectively (error 1.1 × 10 −6 nuclear magnetons).
Sputnik, space and me

It is fifty years since the launch of Sputnik. The ensuing 'space race' had major impact — politically, of course, and technologically, but it also created a new avenue for physics research and a rich seam of funding for a generation of young scientists.
Convolution PML (CPML): An efficient FDTD implementation of the CFS–PML for arbitrary media

A novel implementation of perfectly matched layer (PML) media is presented for the termination of FDTD lattices. The implementation is based on the stretched coordinate form of the PML, a recursive convolution, and the use of complex frequency, shifted (CFS) PML parameters. The method, referred to here as the convolutional PML (CPML), offers a number of advantages over the traditional implementations of the PML. Specifically, the application of the CPML is completely independent of the host medium. Thus, no modifications are necessary when applying it to inhomogeneous, lossy, anisotropic, dispersive, or nonlinear media. Secondly, it is shown that the CFS–PML is highly absorptive of evanescent modes and can provide significant memory savings when computing the wave interaction of elongated structures, sharp corners, or low-frequency excitations. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 27: 334–339, 2000.
Mitochondrial DNA deletions in Alzheimer's brains: A review

Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress have been associated with normal aging and are possibly implicated in the etiology of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). DNA deletions, as well as other alterations, can result from oxidative damage to nucleic acids. Many studies during the past two decades have investigated the incidence of mitochondrial DNA deletions in postmortem brain tissues of late-onset AD patients compared with age-matched normal control subjects. Published studies are not entirely concordant, but their differences might shed light on the heterogeneity of AD itself. Our understanding of the role that mitochondrial DNA deletions play in disease progression may provide valuable information that could someday lead to a treatment.
Structural Basis for Binding Multiple Ligands by the Common Cytokine Receptor γ-Chain

The common gamma-chain (gamma(c)) that functions both in ligand binding and signal transduction is a shared subunit of the multichain receptors for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21. The structural basis by which the ectodomain of gamma(c) contributes to binding six distinct cytokines is only partially defined. In the present study, epitope mapping of antagonistic anti-gamma(c) monoclonal antibodies led to the identification of Asn-128 of mouse gamma(c) that represents another potential contact residue that is required for binding IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 but not IL-4. In addition, Tyr-103, Cys-161, Cys-210, and Cys-211, previously identified to contribute to binding IL-2 and IL-7, were also found to be involved in binding IL-4 and IL-15. Collectively, these data favor a model in which gamma(c) utilizes a common mechanism for its interactions with multiple cytokines, and the binding sites are largely overlapping but not identical. Asn-128 and Tyr-103 likely act as contact residues whereas Cys-161, Cys-210, and Gly-211 may stabilize the structure of the proposed ligand-interacting surface formed by the two extracytoplasmic domains.
Proteasome Dysfunction in Troponin Related Cardiomyopathies

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease characterized by small to significant increases in calcium sensitivity of force development. Our results suggest that patients with mutations which are associated with large increases in calcium sensitivity of force development show poor prognosis. Investigation of two cardiac troponin T (cTnT) transgenic mice, I79N and F110I, which are associated with HCM using a functional proteomics approach showed that several key proteins which are known to be degraded by the proteasome are altered when compared to wild-type cTnT transgenic mice. Skinned fiber studies from I79N and F110I transgenic mice showed that these mutations both caused similar increases in calcium sensitivity of force development (change in pCa50 = approx. 0.22) when compared to wild-type transgenic mice. The 179N and F110I mice both showed significant decreases in 20S proteasome activities related to wild-type cTnT transgenic mice suggesting that proteasomal dysfunction may be a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of HCM. The levels of polyubiquitinated proteins present in the I79N and F110I were also increased relative to wild-type cTnT transgenic mice. Transgenic mice expressing cTnT I79N or cTnT F110I do not develop significant hypertrophy or ventricular fibrosis even after chronic exercise challenge. This suggests that increased heart size may not the critical factor for causing proteasome dysfunction in some cardiomyopathies. These results suggest that the UPS is an important system involved in the pathogenesis of troponin related HCM which is initially caused by significant increases in calcium sensitivity of force development.
Intakes of Feed and Water Following Restriction in Selected and Nonselected Broilers

Consumption following a 24-hr withdrawal from feed or water was examined in selected and nonselected broilers from 0 to 10 days of age and in low body weight (LW), high body weight (HW), and HW X LW (F1) progeny from 120 to 132 days of age. In posthatch trials, body weights of feed-restricted (FR) and water-restricted (WR) selected broilers decreased more rapidly than comparable treatments in nonselected broilers. Feed intake of ad libitum control treatments in both genotypes was significantly greater than feed intake of FR and WR treatments. Nonselected birds had a greater ability to compensate for feed deprivation than selected birds, and there appeared to be no differences between genotypes with regard to ability to compensate for water deprivation. The LW birds and HW X LW progeny (F1) had greater ability than HW birds to compensate for both feed and water restriction. Feed consumption on days of water restriction was not as severely reduced as was water consumption on days of feed restriction. It was concluded that water intake is more dependent on the availability of food than is food intake on the availability of water at 120 days in the LW and HW lines.
Proceedings of the 13th ACM symposium on Access control models and technologies

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 13th ACM Symposium on Access Control Models and Technologies (SACMAT 2008). This year's symposium continues its tradition of being the premier forum for presentation of research results on leading edge issues of access control, including models, systems, applications, and theory. The call for papers attracted 79 submissions from 24 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Each submission was reviewed by at least three reviewers who are experts in the field. Furthermore, extensive online discussions took place in making the selections for the symposium. The program committee selected 20 papers that cover a variety of topics, including role mining, workflow access control, access control in distributed environments, policy analysis and visualization, implementations issues in role based access control, usage control, obligations, integrity measurement, and attestation. The program also includes a keynote address and two panels.
Nonequilibrium quantum fields in the large-N expansion.

An effective action technique for the time evolution of a closed system consisting of one or more mean fields interacting with their quantum fluctuations is presented. By marrying large-N expansion methods to the Schwinger-Keldysh closed time path formulation of the quantum effective action, causality of the resulting equations of motion is ensured and a systematic, energy-conserving and gauge-invariant expansion about the quasiclassical mean field(s) in powers of 1/N developed. The general method is exposed in two specific examples, O(N) symmetric scalar \ensuremath{\lambda}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}^{4}$ theory and quantum electrodynamics (QED) with N fermion fields. The \ensuremath{\lambda}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}^{4}$ case is well suited to the numerical study of the real time dynamics of phase transitions characterized by a scalar order parameter. In QED the technique may be used to study the quantum nonequilibrium effects of pair creation in strong electric fields and the scattering and transport processes in a relativistic ${\mathit{e}}^{+}$${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ plasma. A simple renormalization scheme that makes practical the numerical solution of the equations of motion of these and other field theories is described.
Vimentin-GFAP transition in primary dissociated cultures of rat embryo spinal cord.

Primary dissociated cultures derived from 15-day-old rat embryo spinal cord with or without dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were grown on polylysine, Primaria and laminin substrates. On polylysine and Primaria substrates, spinal cord neurons formed aggregates connected by bundles of neurites in a distinctive pattern similar to that observed in cultures derived from embryonal rat brain and neonatal rat cerebellum. After 2 days in culture, the number of cells stained with GFAP antibodies progressively increased within the vimentin-positive monolayer surrounding the neuronal aggregates. These astrocytes had the typical appearance of astrocytes in primary dissociated cultures derived from late fetal or early neonatal murine brain, i.e. large flat or stellate cells with thick processes staining equally well with GFAP and vimentin antibodies. Astrocytes found within the neuronal aggregates in 4-5 day cultures were markedly different, i.e. small stellate cells with slender processes forming a delicate mesh throughout the aggregate. These GFAP-positive cells stained only weakly with vimentin antibodies. Spinal cord neurons formed aggregates on laminin substrates but failed to extend neurites and rapidly degenerated. The large flat cells in the surrounding monolayer gradually invaded the aggregates. These cells stained with both GFAP and vimentin antibodies. DRG neurons developed equally well on Primaria and laminin substrates, extending their neurites on the vimentin-positive flat cells forming the monolayer regardless of their reactivity with GFAP antibodies.
Scent marking in the musk shrew (Suncus murinus)

The hormonal regulation of scent marking was examined in male and female musk shrews. In males castration depressed flank, perineal, and throat marking frequencies, and a physiological dose of testosterone restored perineal and throat marking to intact levels. Females exhibited high levels of marking whether tested in a non-pregnant state, late in gestation, or when post-partum. Moreover, ovariectomy had no influence on marking behavior. Adrenalectomy, in addition to ovariectomy, caused a significant decline in two of the three marking behaviors examined, flank and perineal marking. These results demonstrate that these sexually monomorphic scent marking behaviors are under gonadal control in male musk shrews, but not in females. Furthermore, two of the three different types of scent marking examined in female musk shrews appear to require adrenal hormones. Throat marking in the female musk shrew apparently is not regulated by steroidal hormones.
Oscillating Couette flow for in vitro cell loading

Synovial joints are loaded by weight bearing, stretching, and fluid-driven shear. To simulate in vitro fluid-driven shear, we developed an "oscillating Couette flow mechanical shear loader". Oscillating Couette flow mimics relative motion of articular surfaces; hence, characterizing flow-induced shear by the loader enhances understanding of mechanotransduction in the joint tissue. Here, the analytical and computational models for an oscillating Couette flow were used to predict time-varying shear distribution on a plate surface, applying numerical simulation to evaluate the effects of finite plate dimension in a 2D flow. Shear stress on the plate was significantly different from that in simpler models (unbounded plates and viscous low-frequency flow). High-stress spots appeared near the leading and trailing edges of a moving plate, and a relatively uniform shear region was restricted to the interior area. Stress prediction in an example experimental geometry is presented, where the frequency and finite width effects are feasibly accounted.
The Lowest Mass Member of the beta Pictoris Moving Group

We present spectral and kinematic evidence that 2MASS J06085283-2753583 (M8.5gamma) is a member of the beta Pictoris Moving Group (BPMG, age ~12 Myr), making it the latest-type known member of this young, nearby association. We confirm low-gravity spectral morphology at both medium and high resolutions in the near-infrared. We present new radial velocity and proper motion measurements and use these to calculate galactic location and space motion consistent with other high-probability members of the BPMG. The predicted mass range consistent with the object's effective temperature, surface gravity, spectral type, and age is 15-35 M_Jup, placing 2MASS 0608-27 well within the brown dwarf mass regime. 2MASS J06085283-2753583 is thus confidently added to the short list of very low mass, intermediate age benchmark objects that inform ongoing searches for the lowest-mass members of nearby young associations.
On the plastic yielding of porous metals

Abstract Accurate numerical results are presented for the stress-strain response of an elastic-plastic material containing a cubic array of spherical voids. Cases of both proportional macroscopic stressing and non-proportional macroscopic stressing are examined, and the numerical results are compared with the predictions of Gurson's (1977a, b) theory and Tvergaard's (1982) modification of it. It is determined that Gurson's original theory performs adequately in predicting the stress-strain response for the porous solid, at least for the axisymmetric stress histories investigated. In addition, the structure of the macroscopic yield surface is explored in detail, and it is demonstrated that a vertex exists at the loading point despite the fact that the plasticity formulation used to model the matrix material is characterized by a smooth yield function.
An experimental test of the theory that visual information is stored in the inferotemporal cortex

This experiment employed reversible cold lesions to assess the possible storage functions of inferotemporal cortex (IT) for visual information. Four Macaca fascicularis were chronically implanted with 4 bilateral sets of cryodes which covered dorsal and ventral IT. Animals learned visual discrimination problems while subsections of IT were cooled. Retention was then tested with the previously warm tissue cold as well as with all of IT cold. In addition, an attempt was made to replicate previous studies showing spared retention of visual discriminations with preoperative overtraining. When animals learned a visual discrimination with partial bilateral IT cooling, retention was good when the previously warm tissue was cooled. If learning occurred with partial IT cooling confined to a single hemisphere, retention was lost when the previously warm tissue was cooled. When acquisition occurred without any cooling, retention was severely impaired when IT was cooled, even if animals received 1000 trials of overtraining. The results are attributed to distributed stimulus-analyzing properties of IT.
A portable positron accumulator for antihydrogen formation

A pulsed source of positrons has been developed which may be useful for antihydrogen ( $$\bar H$$ ) formation because it is portable when compared to accelerator-based sources. This positron accumulator uses a Penning-style trap to collect moderated positrons from a radioactive source. The positron pulses may be emitted with repetition rates in the range of 50–1000 Hz, which is appropriate for $$\bar H$$ production schemes involving laser-induced recombination. Bunching techniques may be used to vary the width of the positron pulses over the range 30–120 ns (FWHM) to match the width of the antiproton and/or laser pulses. The efficiency of the accumulator increases from ∼ 10% at 100 Hz to ∼ 50% at 1000 Hz. 250 Hz the efficiency is ∼ 25% and the accumulator has delivered up to 8 e+/pulse per mCi of positron activity. This translates into ∼ 1.2 × 105 e+/pulse for a 100 Ci58Co source.
RAPTOR: a visual programming environment for teaching algorithmic problem solving

When students are learning to develop algorithms, they very often spend more time dealing with issues of syntax rather than solving the problem. Additionally, the textual nature of most programming environments works against the learning style of the majority of students. RAPTOR is a visual programming environment, designed specifically to help students envision their algorithms and avoid syntactic baggage. RAPTOR programs are created visually and can be executed visually by tracing the execution through the program. Required syntax is kept to a minimum. Students preferred expressing their algorithms visually, and were more successful creating algorithms using RAPTOR than using a traditional language or writing flowcharts.
Impact of heart failure on the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

We randomized patients with chronic kidney disease (serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dl or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m²) in a double-blind fashion to receive saline or sodium bicarbonate prior to and after cardiac or vascular angiography. The primary endpoint was contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), defined as an increase in serum creatinine by 25% or by 0.5 mg/dl from baseline. Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac ejection fraction (EF) <30%, or GFR < 20 ml/min/1.73 m² were excluded. The study was discontinued (after 142 patients were randomized) due to a low incidence of CIN (1.5%). We retrospectively identified all cases of CIN (n = 30) at our institution during the same time period to see if these patients differed from our trial sample. There was no difference in serum creatinine (1.7 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.6 mg/dL), GFR (42.7 ± 9.7 vs. 45.3 ± 3.2 ml/min), incidence of diabetes (51.8% vs. 63.3%), contrast volume (121.7 ± 63.8 vs. 122.7 ± 68.3 ml), ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use (54.0% vs 63.3%), and periprocedure diuretic use (33.1% vs 26.7%). On multivariate analysis, only a cardiac ejection fraction (EF) of less than 40% was significantly associated with CIN (odds ratio, 4.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.30–15.71; P = 0.02). In all, 22/30 patients (73.3%) who developed CIN had at least one or more characteristics that would have excluded their enrollment in our randomized trial including evidence of congestive heart failure (17/30 patients), EF less than 30% (9 patients), age greater than 85 years (2 patients), or advanced renal failure with a baseline GFR of less than 20 cc/min (1 patient). In summary, patients with CKD without evidence of CHF who receive adequate hydration appear to have a very low risk of CIN associated with angiography. A low EF (less than 40%) appeared to be the most significant risk factor for CIN in our population.
Ingestion of hand sanitizer by a hospitalized patient with a history of alcohol abuse.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of hand sanitizers for all health care professionals before and following direct patient contact.[1][1] Alcohol-based sanitizers containing 60–95% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol are used in many health care institutions as a primary
Are iron supplements appropriate for iron replete pregnant women

Iron replete pregnant women often are routinely advised to take a daily supplement of 30-40mg iron. An extensive review of controlled trials has failed to demonstrate that this practice improves clinical outcome of mother or newborn. However, this iron loading has long been assumed to be harmless. Recently, two hazardous complications of pregnancy, gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, have been recognized to be associated with iron loading. Accordingly, it may be appropriate to consider performing, at the patient's initial prenatal medical visit, a serum ferritin test to ascertain iron status. This simple procedure would enable evidence-based medical practice to replace mass medication with iron, a potentially toxic element.
Determination of leucine and α-ketoisocaproic acid concentrations and specific activity in plasma and leucine specific activities in proteins using high-performance liquid chromatography

Plasma concentrations and 3H and 14C specific activities (specific radioactivities) of leucine and alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) and leucine specific radioactivity in hydrolyzed tissue and plasma proteins were determined using an automated isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system. Within-day variability of leucine and KIC specific radioactivity in plasma was congruent to 1%, whereas that observed for leucine derived from protein hydrolysis was congruent to 5%. Day-to-day variability of leucine and KIC specific radioactivity in plasma was congruent to 5% and in protein-derived leucine congruent to 6%. In addition, an indirect method is described to measure low specific activities of [3H]- and [14C]leucine derived from the hydrolysis of in vivo labeled proteins with low turnover rates (skeletal muscle and diaphragm). In proteins with higher turnover rates (fibrin, kidney, liver, jejunum and heart muscle), this indirect method gave similar results to the direct HPLC method. Using these methods, fractional protein synthetic rates in a variety of tissues can be accurately determined using radioisotopes of KIC and/or leucine.
TU‐C‐204C‐01: Basic Cellular and Molecular Biology of Chemoradiotherapy and Molecular Imaging

Using easily understood language suitable for non‐biologists, this presentation will discuss the biological underpinnings, clinical significance and research directions for two increasingly important techniques in radiation oncology: the use of concurrent chemotherapy with radiation to achieve tumor sensitization; and the use of molecular imaging for the detection, characterization, treatment planning, and ultimately, the eradication of especially resistant types of cells in tumors. Special emphasis will be place on discussing methodology, strategies and clinical goals discussed by the other speakers in this educational session. Learning Objectives: 1. Better understand why chemotherapy is often given concurrently with radiotherapy as a means of producing tumor radiosensitization, based on our growing knowledge of molecular, cellular and tumor biology. 2. Describe the biological basis for molecular imaging, how it can be used for radiotherapytreatment planning purposes, and how it can facilitate the detection, characterization and ultimately, the eradication, of tumors containing therapy‐resistant cell populations. 3. Evaluate different techniques used to study drug‐radiation interactions and tumor resistance, and how these have helped guide new diagnostic and therapeutic developments.
Thresholding based on learning theory

Learning theory is applied to real-time thresholding of gray-level images on a line-by-line basis. With this approach, each scan line becomes an isolated entity and a dynamic threshold value for each pixel is iteratively calculated while scanning. The approach works with horizontal or vertical scanning. The locations of objects in the image may also be identified while thresholding. This approach can be used to develop fast real-time algorithms suitable for hardware implementation. >
The growing need for further integrating Taiwan into the international community

Asia has had to face a severe financial crisis recently and Dr David Tawei Lee here suggests that, as a result, it is time to reconsider the premises, dating from the 1980s and 1990s, on which the world deals with the Asia Pacific. These premises are now outdated and among the most unrealistic is the current status of Taiwan in the international community. The tacit acceptance by the international community of the myth engendered by the People's Republic of China that the PRC has sovereignty over. Taiwan is the major obstacle to an upgrading of Taiwan's status. Despite fulfilling the required qualifications Taiwan remains outside the UK, WTO, IMF and all UN‐affiliated organisations. Dr Tawei Lee warns that the marginalising of the ROC destabilises the Southeast Asian region, not least because the Chinese assumption that Taiwan is a part of the PRC legitimises to some the mainland authorities use of force against Taipei in ‘an internal affair’ such as the Taiwan Strait issue.
A multicollinearity diagnostic for models fit to censored data

A multicollinearity diagnostic is discussed for parametric models fit to censored data. The models considered include the Weibull, exponential and lognormal models as well as the Cox proportional hazards model. This diagnostic is an extension of the diagnostic proposed by Belsley, Kuh, and Welsch (1980). The diagnostic is based on the condition indicies and variance proportions of the variance covariance matrix. Its use and properties are studied through a series of examples. The effect of centering variables included in model is also discussed.
Soluble interleukin-2 receptor as a marker for progression of coronary artery calcification in type 1 diabetes

Abstract Introduction Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2r), a marker of T cell activation, is elevated in inflammatory processes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis and neoplasm. We explored a potential association between plasma sIL2r levels and progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC), a marker for subclinical atherosclerosis, in a prospectively followed cohort of type 1 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects, aged 20–59 years, with no history of coronary artery disease. Materials and methods CAC progression was assessed by electron beam tomography over 2.6 years (range 1.6–3.2). Plasma sIL2r levels were measured in a nested case–control substudy of 98 subjects (67 diabetic, 31 non-diabetic) with and 173 subjects (84 diabetic, 89 non-diabetic) without significant CAC progression. Log-transformed sIL2r levels were analyzed by conditional logistic regression to compare subjects with and without significant CAC progression. Results SIL2r was a significant predictor for CAC progression after adjusting for presence of baseline CAC, age, gender, diabetes status, baseline calcium volume score and adiponectin (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.09–3.61, p = 0.02 for a doubling of sIL2r level). Addition of BMI, LDL, HDL, hypertension, smoking status, HbA1c, CRP, fibrinogen, homocysteine and PAI-1 to regression models weakened but did not remove sIL2r as a predictor of CAC progression. There was no indication that this effect was different by diabetes status ( p = 0.6 for diabetes–sIL2r interaction). Discussion Elevated plasma sIL2r is associated with CAC progression independent of traditional coronary artery disease risk factors in type 1 diabetic and non-diabetic young adults. SIL2r should be considered as a novel marker of inflammation leading to coronary artery disease.
New light on the transmissibility of viral hepatitis in dental practice and its control

The nature of viral hepatitis, its transmissibility, and available methods of instrument sterilization to prevent exposure to infection and to control spread of the virus are reviewed. Dental patients may be exposed to hepatitis from dentist-carriers and from infected patients if instruments are not sterilized and if other aseptic precautions are not taken to control spread of the virus. Use of disinfectant solutions for instrument sterilization does not ensure destruction of the microorganism. The adequacy and deficiencies of available methods for instrument sterilization are given.