cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and Initial Psychometric Properties of Two Itch-Related Measures: Scratch Intensity and Impact, Sleep-Related Itch and Scratch

Self-report measures are needed to better understand the relationships among sleep, itching, scratching, and chronic itch conditions and their associations with disease severity, QOL, health, and functioning. Two scales related to sleep and/or scratch were recently developed and assessed in 137 patients with chronic itch and atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The Scratch Intensity and Impact Scale consisted of two factors (scratching intensity and impact of scratching on QOL) that accounted for 64.59% of the variance with a total of 13 items, overall Cronbach's α of 0.93, and test-retest reliability of 0.66. The Sleep-Related Itch and Scratch Scale consisted of one factor that accounted for 63.01% of the variance with a total of 16 items, overall Cronbach's α of 0.98, and test-retest reliability of 0.66. Both measures demonstrated significant correlations with each other as well as other itch-related measures and nonsignificant correlations with scales hypothesized to be unrelated. The final measures demonstrated adequate preliminary psychometric characteristics. It is hoped that these scales will be used for future research and clinical purposes to help fill recognized gaps in understanding about sleep, itch, scratching, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
INTERFACE INSTABILITIES IN LIQUID CRYSTALS

Segregation of impurities at a nematic/isotropic interface induces the Mullins-Sekerka instability. Above a critical velocity tne interface initially flat destabilizes to a wavy pattern. As the velocity is increased a series of dynamical modes are observed. Those which break the parity of the pattern, travelling waves and solitary modes, also select the wavelength.
The Power of Networking and Lessons Learned From Omegaven

As more meetings become virtual, the impact of "live" meetings is being reevaluated. Here one example of how a chance meeting at a national pharmacy meeting led to the development of a new drug therapy that reinvented how parenteral nutrition is provided to infants and children is described. Along the way, many lessons were learned both in the lab and at home. Addressing the challenges raised by others, understanding how the FDA works, and the power of parental involvement are all considered. Until 2013, the only FDA-approved lipid emulsions were those composed of pure soybean oils. Starting with compassionate use protocol in 2004, it took 18 years and hundreds of patients to bring a pure fish oil lipid emulsion to the US market. First used off label to treat a soy-allergic patient dependent on parenteral nutrition, researchers at Boston Children's Hospital later conducted animal studies on its role in treating and preventing intestinal failure associated with liver injury and later translated it into clinical trials that led to the drug's approval in 2018. This is a recount of those efforts.
A Search for Stars of Very Low Metal Abundance. IV. uvbyCa Observations of Metal-Weak Candidates from the Northern HK Survey

CCD photometry on the uvbyCa system has been obtained for 521 candidate metal-poor stars from the northern hemisphere HK survey of Beers and colleagues. Reddening corrections, classifications of stars by luminosity class, and the derivation of metal abundances based on Stromgren indices m1 and hk are described and presented, along with preliminary spectroscopic estimates of abundance. A number of extremely metal-poor stars with [Fe/H] less than or equal to -2.50 are identified.
Analysis on Charging Safety and Optimization of Electric Vehicles

Power grid side charging and equipment side charging for safety charging of electric vehicles are analyzed. Based on different charging modes, this paper aims to optimize the structure designing in safe charging mode. Facing the future, electric vehicles connect with the power grid, and charging safety which become the focus in this field. It analyzes the structure of charging equipment, and introduces the measures of safe charging in two aspects: power grid side charging safety and equipment side charging safety. The feasibility of improving the power quality of electric vehicle charging side is studied, and the optimal solution strategy of safety charging electric vehicle in power grid is put forward. According to the measurement information and battery using conditions, the internal temperature of the battery system can be effectively regulated by the heat management system so that the battery charging and discharging process can be carried out in a suitable temperature range. Avoiding battery safety hazard is caused by cumulative high and low temperature operations. The experiment results show that the increasing of charging load and the discordance of structure designing increase the operating pressure of power grid, but compare with fuel vehicles, which electric vehicles have energy saving and emission reduction to maximize the benefits. A comprehensive and systematic solution to the safety accident of electric vehicles are given, which can effectively control the charging safety of electric vehicle and eliminate the potential danger. It has guiding significance for the popularization of electric vehicle.
Atypical Fibroxanthoma Demonstrating HMB45+ Staining.

ABSTRACT Immunohistochemistry is useful and often necessary for the diagnosis of many histopathological entities, including atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), which is typically considered a diagnosis of exclusion after ruling out spindle cell melanoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma, and other spindle cell tumors. AFX is a superficial fibrohistiocytic tumor previously believed to be related to pleomorphic sarcoma (formerly known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma), but is now considered a distinct clinicopathological entity. AFXs commonly express CD68, smooth muscle actin, and lysozyme and are usually negative for melanocytic markers such as HMB45 and S100. However, immunohistochemistry can sometimes be misleading, especially when used without other relevant markers in making a histopathologic diagnosis. HMB45 is a glycoprotein marker of premelanosomes and is often helpful in identifying melanoma because it stains melanosomes in the epidermis, dermis, and nevi glycocomplexes. We report a case of AFX which was strongly positive for HMB45, but negative for all other melanocytic markers. This case emphasizes the potential pitfall of relying on a single immunohistochemical marker to make the diagnosis, especially of melanoma, and also is one of the only rare reported cases of AFXs which are HMB45+.
Impact of a randomized weight loss trial on breast tissue markers in breast cancer survivors.

e12501Background: Weight loss interventions are effective approaches to reduce body weight and alter serum biomarkers in breast cancer survivors, however the impact on breast tissue biomarkers is u...
Design and Analysis of Flexible Arms for Minimum-Phase Endpoint Control

A new transmission mechanism for one-link flexible arms is presented. The endpoint control of a flexible arm has been known to be a non-minimum phase system due to the non-collocated sensor and actuator. The mechanism developed in this paper allows the endpoint control system to be a minimum phase system by having a special transmission line from its actuator to an appropriate point where the actuator torque is applied. The new flexible arm is analyzed in terms of pole-zero locations and design guidelines for the transmissions are derived. A simple prototype arm is designed, built and tested. It is compared with a non-minimum phase arm, and the minimum phase feature of the new arm is verified through experiments.
Involvement of Nrf2 and JNK1 in the activation of antioxidant responsive element (ARE) by chemopreventive agent phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC).

Purpose. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) has been of great interest as a promising cancer chemopreventive agent. To better understand its chemopreventive activity, we examined the effect of PEITC on the antioxidant responsive element (ARE), which is an important gene regulatory element of many phase II drug-metabolizing/detoxification enzymes as well as cellular defensive enzymes. Methods. HeLa cells were transiently transfected with different cDNA plasmids using calcium phosphate precipitation. Subsequently, the cells were maintained in fresh media, and various concentrations of PEITC were added to the transfected cells. After harvesting and lysing of the cells, ARE-luciferase reporter gene activity was measured and normalized against β-galactosidase activity. Results. Treatments of HeLa cells with PEITC transiently stimulated ARE-reporter gene expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of wild-type NF-E2 related factor-2 (Nrf2) dramatically increased ARE-reporter gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. Similar effects were seen when wild-type c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) was transfected, although the transactivating potential of JNK1 was much less than that of Nrf2. Cotransfection of Nrf2 and JNK1 showed additional enhancement of ARE reporter gene expression, implying that JNK1 might be an upstream activator of Nrf2. To support this, overexpression of dominant-negative JNK1 suppressed Nrf2-induced ARE reporter gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. When PEITC was added, slight enhancement of ARE reporter gene expression was observed in either Nrf2- or JNK1-transfected cells. Finally, ARE reporter activity induced by PEITC was substantially attenuated by transfection of either dominant-negative mutant of Nrf2 or dominant-negative mutant of JNK1. Conclusion. Taken together, these data suggest that JNK1 acts as an upstream activator of Nrf2 and that PEITC activates ARE-mediated phase II drug metabolism gene expressions via the JNK1- and Nrf2-dependent pathways.
A Bed for the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis

Timely and controversial, A Bed for the Night reveals how humanitarian organizations trying to bring relief in an ever more violent and dangerous world are often betrayed and misused, and have increasingly lost sight of their purpose. Drawing on first-hand reporting from hot war zones around the world - Bosnia, Rwanda, Congo, Kosovo, Sudan and, most recently, Afghanistan - David Rieff shows us what humanitarian aid workers do in the field and the growing gap between their noble ambitions and their actual capabilities for alleviating suffering. Tracing the origins of major humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and CARE, he describes how many of them have moved from their founding principle of neutrality, which gave them access to victims, to encouraging the international community to take action to stop civil wars and ethnic cleansing. Rieff demonstrates how this advocacy has come at a high price. By overreaching, the humanitarian movement has allowed itself to be hijacked by the major powers, sometimes to become a fig leaf for actions that major powers take in their own national interests, as in Afghanistan, sometimes for their inaction, as in Bosnia and Rwanda. With the exception of cases of genocide, where the moral imperative to act overrides all other considerations, Rieff contends that if humanitarian organisations are to continue doing what they do best - alleviating suffering - they must remain independent.
Speed control of a brushless DC motor using pulse density modulation and MCTs

Speed control of a brushless DC motor has been accomplished using pulse density modulation (PDM) in a soft-switched inverter. The implementation of zero voltage switching and pulse density modulation enables increased switching frequency, which allows more precise inverter control. Also MOS-controlled thyristors (MCTs) are used as the power semiconductor devices in the inverter, taking advantage of the newest technology in semiconductor switching. An experimental system has been constructed in the lab and results are presented illustrating the use of PDM in speed control for a brushless DC motor. >
Succinate Thiokinase VI. MULTIPLE INTERCONVERTIBLE FORMS OF THE ENZYME

The techniques of isoelectric focusing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis have been used to demonstrate multiple forms of pig heart succinate thiokinase. There are at least five peaks of enzyme having isoelectric points of 6.4, 6.2, 6.0, 5.9, and 5.8; all are similar with respect to apparent molecular weight, heat stability, pH optimum, and reaction rates with substrate analogs. Also, two other forms with isoelectric points of 5.6 and 5.3 are seen under certain conditions. Isotopic studies show that a major portion of the enzyme is phosphorylated in its native state, with the pI 6.2, 6.0, 5.9, and 5.8 peaks containing the same number of phosphates bound per unit of enzymic activity. The pI 6.4 form lacks exchangeable phosphate but can be converted to the pI 6.2, 6.0, and 5.9 forms by GTP. The pI 6.2 enzyme is converted to the 6.0 and 5.9 forms by the same treatment. When the pI 6.2 or 6.0 forms are incubated with coenzyme A, the pI 6.4 enzyme can be regenerated. Since the pI 6.4 enzyme contains neither exchangeable phosphate nor CoA, it has been called the free enzyme form. The free enzyme is unstable, losing up to 50% of its activity in 2 hours, but it may be protected by glycerol. The interconvertibility of the various enzymes is also seen when the pI 5.9 peak distributes to the other phosphorylated forms upon refocusing.
The impact of insider trading on market liquidity in the NASDAQ market

This study examines the relationship between insider trading and market liquidity (spread and depth) of NASDAQ-100 stocks. Tests on an intraday sample of sell trades show no evidence of cross-sectional association between the width of the spread and insider trading, but detect some widening of the spread after the fact. Overall, our results provide mixed evidence on the ability of NASDAQ dealers to unravel informed order flow and adjust spreads accordingly. Their short-term behavior suggests an inability to detect insider trading and widen spreads, but their behavior over time suggests that dealers may attempt to recover what they apparently lose at a given point and time.
The Effects of the Near‐Surface Geology on P–S Strain Energy Partitioning of Diffusive Seismic Coda: Preliminary Observations and Results

Abstract The diffusive approximation predicts that the ratio of S ‐to‐ P energy in earthquake coda depends only on the ratio of S and P wavespeeds. However, for seismic applications, the near‐surface geologic conditions can introduce complications to the original models of coda diffusion. Specifically, the free‐surface and near‐surface site effects can conspire to significantly affect the ratio of body‐wave energy when observed at the Earth’s surface. To address these effects, previous workers developed physics‐based models of coda diffusion to account for near‐surface effects such as body‐to‐surface‐wave mode conversions and Earth stratification. These models predict that the value of the S ‐to‐ P energy in coda will be strongly affected by near‐surface effects; however, there have been very few controlled experiments to verify this. In this article, we describe the results of an experiment that was designed to observe the effects of the near surface on the S ‐to‐ P strain energy ratio of the coda. Two arrays were deployed simultaneously at two different sites, each of which contained significantly different near‐surface geology. We observe that the energy ratio of the coda is significantly affected by the near‐surface geology and is highly frequency dependent.
On the number of zeros of certain harmonic polynomials

Using techinques of complex dynamics we prove the conjecture of Sheil-Small and Wilmshurst that the harmonic polynomial z -p(z), degp = n > 1, has at most 3n - 2 complex zeros.
Application of a decision support tool for anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background Atrial fibrillation affects more than two million Americans and results in a fivefold increased rate of embolic strokes. The efficacy of adjusted dose warfarin is well documented, yet many patients are not receiving treatment consistent with guidelines. The use of a patient-specific computerized decision support tool may aid in closing the knowledge gap regarding the best treatment for a patient.
Comparisons of the biological effects of ionizing radiations and certain alkylating agents in cell systems.

A review is presented of studles in which the effects of alkylating agents are compared with effects of ionizing radiation. (C.H.).
Value of programmed ventricular stimulation in presumed carotid sinus syndrome

This study determines the results of programmed stimulation in patients with syncope or near-syncope presumed to have the carotid sinus Syndrome based on the finding of carotid sinus hypersensitivity and the absence of any other apparent cause for syncope or near-syncope after clinical evaluation. Fourteen patients had coronary artery disease, 1 had dilated cardiomyopathy and 18 patients did not have structural heart disease. Programmed simulation was performed at 2 basic drive cycle lengths and 2 right ventricular sites with 1 to 3 extrastimuli. Sustained unimorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) was induced in 5 of 15 patients tiho had.structural heart disease, and in none of the 18 patients who did not (p 0.05). Patients who had inducible unimorphic VT were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs that suppressed the induction of VT, and 4 of 5 patients also received a pacemaker; no patient had a recurrence of syncope during fofiowup. Patients who had inducible polymorphii VT and VF (n = 10) or no inducible VT (n = 18) received treatment directed at only carotid sinus syndrome. Two patients with inducible VT or VF and 1 patient without inducible VT had recurrent syncope during follow-up, but none had cardiac arrest or died sriddeniy. it is concluded that programmed stimulation should be performed in patients presumed to have carotid sinus syndrome who have structural heart disease; unimorphic VT may be induced in one-third of these patients, raising the possibility that VT fs the cause of syncope. Antiarrhythmic drug therapy may be unnecessary if pdymorphic VT or VP is induced. in patients without heart disease, programmed stimulation is highly unlikely to yield a clinically significant arrhythmia.
Aortic valve replacement: Determinants of operative mortality

Contradictory results have been reported regarding risk factors for aortic valve replacement (AVR). This study was designed to investigate determinants of operative mortality for AVR with emphasis on concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and old age. Between January 1986 and June 1992, 371 patients with a mean age of 61.99 +/- 0.76 years underwent AVR. There were 256 men (69.0%) and 115 women (31.0%). Twenty-six patients (7.0%) were 80 years old or older, and 97 (26.1%) were between 70 and 80 years old. Of these patients, 210 (56.6%) had isolated AVR, 142 (38.3%) had concomitant CABG, and 31 (8.4%) had concomitant mitral valve operations. Twenty patients (5.4%) underwent emergency operation. There were 33 operative deaths (8.9%). Univariate analysis and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors for operative mortality. In the univariate analysis, 13 preoperative variables (sex, age, history of congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, functional class, class I/II versus III/IV, four variables related to aortic valve pathology, ejection fraction, left ventricular function) and 20 perioperative variables (emergency operation, individual surgeon, myocardial protection by type and route of cardioplegia, type of prosthesis, size of prosthesis, mean size by survival, small versus large size, concomitant procedure, concomitant CABG (versus others or AVR alone), concomitant mitral valve operation (versus others or AVR alone), concomitant CABG and MV operation, aortic cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, use and time of insertion of intraaortic balloon pump, low cardiac output, postoperative complications) were examined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chemical substructure identification by mass spectral library searching.

A library-search procedure that identifies structural features of an unknown compound from its electron-ionization mass spectrum is described. Like other methods, this procedure first retrieves library compounds whose spectra are most similar to the spectrum of an unknown compound. It then deduces structural features of the unknown compound from the chemical structures of the retrievals. Unlike other methods, the significance of each retrieved spectrum is weighted according to its similarity to the spectrum of the unknown compound. Also, a “peaks-in-common” screening step serves to reduce search times and an optimized dot product function provides the match factor. If the molecular weight of the unknown compound is provided, the identification of certain substructures can be improved by including “neutral loss” peaks. Correlations between the presence of a substructure in a test compound and its presence among library retrievals were derived from the results of searching the NIST/EPA/NIH reference library with a 7891 compound test set. These correlations allow the estimation of probabilities of substructure occurrence and absence in an unknown compound from the results of a library search. This method may be viewed as an optimization of the “K-nearest neighbor” method of Isenhour and co-workers, with improvements that arise from spectrum screening, peak scaling, an optimal distance measure, a relative-distance weighting scheme, and a larger reference library.
Magnetic wires in MEMS and bio-medical applications

Magnetic wires of appropriate design have special features making them useful to micro-electromechanical systems and bio-medical applications. Several applications that exploit the properties of magnetic wires are reviewed including: (a) a magnetic micro-manipulation technique that utilizes integrated micro-coils and magnetic micro-wires for localized positioning of micron-sized magnetic objects, (b) integrated micro-coil/micro-wire system operating as a micro-fluidic micro-motor, (c) mechanical tweezers using magneto-static interaction between two magnetic micro-wires, and (d) ultra-high gradient magnetic separation system based on porous membranes partially filled with magnetic wires.
Tricarboranyl Pentaerythritol-Based Building Block

A new tricarborane building block based on pentaerythritol was prepared for applications in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Its X-ray single-crystal structure revealed a high degree of steric congestion. To enable the attachment of the building block to other moieties, a succinimidyl linker has been introduced at the focal point, and a generation-2 hexacarborane-containing dendron carrying 60 boron atoms has been prepared using a 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid core.
Who is the "Self" in Self Reports of Sexual Satisfaction? Research and Policy Implications

Federal policies that guide clinical trial design exert an often unseen influence in people’s lives. Taking a closer look at the US Food and Drug Administration’s guidance in the field of female sexual dysfunction, this paper examines how sexual satisfaction is increasingly used to guide clinical interventions; however, questions remain about the social psychological qualities of this appraisal. The current mixed methods study pairs interview data with close-ended measures of sexual satisfaction in order to examine the cognitive and interpersonal strategies individuals used when they were asked to assess their own sexual satisfaction (N = 41). While researchers often assume that responses in self-report measures are reflections of an intra-individual reflective process, findings demonstrated that women and sexual minority men often reported on their partner’s sexual satisfaction instead of their own. Taking up the question of who is the “self” in self-reports of sexual satisfaction, this study explores the clinical, research, and policy implications of relying on sexual satisfaction as a meaningful indicator of change or well-being in an individual’s life.
MR Imaging of Crohn’s disease: what is the attraction?: Koh DM, Miao Y, Chinn RJS, et al., MR Imaging Evaluation of the Activity of Crohn’s Disease. AJR 2001;177:1325–32

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of MR imaging in assessing the activity of Crohn’s disease. Activity assessment is important in this disorder to identify patients with active inflammation so that optimal and newer forms of therapy can be prescribed appropriately (1–3) . In this investigation, 30 symptomatic patients with Crohn’s disease but of uncertain activity were prospectively examined using MR imaging; 29 patients were scored using a Crohn’s disease activity index (2) . MR findings were correlated with the activity index and also with endoscopy, surgery, or both in all patients. A multiphasic MR examination was performed using a variety of T1 and T2 techniques along with gadolinium-enhanced sequences; patients also ingested 600 cc of water for bowel contrast and were given 1 mg of glucagon to lessen bowel wall activity. Images were assessed by two radiologists who were not aware of the patient’s symptoms, clinical scoring, or results of other imaging; a consensus agreement was reached in each patient regarding the absence or presence of active disease overall per patient and also in specifically identified segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Results showed that 23 patients had active disease and seven patients had inactive disease as determined by endoscopic and/or surgical findings. MR findings in 124 of a total of 168 bowel segments were correlated to the endoscopic or surgical results. MR imaging had an overall sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 71% on a per patient basis; the Crohn’s disease activity index showed 92% sensitivity and 28% specificity, while the per bowel segment results were 59% and 93%, respectively. Bowel wall thickening of more than 4 mm, bowel wall enhancement, and increased mesenteric vascularity were useful in identifying active disease on MR imaging; also, a layered enhancement pattern after gadolinium imaging was highly specific for active inflammation. The authors conclude that MR imaging is useful in assessing the activity of Crohn’s disease and may be helpful when clinical scoring is equivocal.
Effects of a Dependent Group-Oriented Contingency on Middle School Physical Education Students’ Fair Play Behaviors

This study investigated the effects of a dependent group-oriented contingency on the supportive and non-supportive fair play behaviors of 6th grade students engaged in volleyball games as part of their physical education instruction. Six students, one male and one female per class, from three classes, identified as demonstrating low incidences of supportive behaviors during volleyball games, were participants in this study. A multiple baseline across classes design was used to examine the data. During baseline few incidences of non-supportive behaviors occurred among all six students. However, the participants seldom displayed supportive behaviors during games (i.e., encouraged each other). Following the introduction of the dependent group contingency, supportive behaviors for all participants increased. Follow-up data, collected in an alternative setting, indicated variable maintenance. The results are discussed in the context of group contingencies and social behaviors in sports.
Electron spin resonance in neutron irradiated and in doped polycrystalline graphite—Part I

Abstract The electron spin resonance of neutron irradiated and lamellar compound doped, incompletely graphitized, P33 carbon black was investigated. An improved temperature arrangement operating from room temperature down to liquid nitrogen was constructed which permits one to perform speedy measurements with a minimum of corrections involved. It is shown that the intensity vs. temperature curves for P33 can be split into a sum of contributions of localized spin centers and conduction carriers; the irradiation producing mainly localized spins and the doping changing only the carrier concentration. The two kinds of spin centers interact by exchange so that they produce a single line with a g-value intermediate between that for localized spin centers gfree and for the conduction carriers gc. The g-value can be calculated using a simple mix formula, each type of spin contributing in proportion to its absorption intensity. The gc value for conduction carriers varies according to irradiation dose or amount of doping and is always lower than the directionally averaged graphite value due to a combined effect of displacement of the Fermi level and of the spreading apart of the layers, both causing a change in spin—orbit interaction. Extensive studies of variation in ESR parameters with irradiation dose, amount of doping (Li, Na, K, Rb, H2SO4 and ammonia), temperature of anneal and ambient temperature permitted one, among other things, to observe the transition of the Fermi level across the center of the band overlap (with Na and Li).
The Stokes resistance of a slightly deformed sphere

Abstract A theoretical calculation of the low Reynolds number resistance of a rigid, slightly deformed sphere to translational and rotational motions in an unbounded fluid is presented. To the first-order in the small parameter characterizing the deformation, explicit expressions are derived which relate the Stokes resistance dyadic, the torque dyadic and the location of the centre of hydrodynamic stress of the particle to its geometry.
ATOMIC BEAM STUDIES OF SOME RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES OF REFRACTORY GROUP ELEMENTS

Abstract The spins of several neutron-produced isotopes in the refractory region have been measured by the atomic-beam method. They are found to be Ta 183 (I = 7 2 ) ; W 185 (I = 3 2 ) ; W 187 (I = 3 2 ) ; Re186 (I = 1); Re188 (I = 1); Ir192 (I = 4); and Ir194 (I = 1). With the exception of Ir192, these values are consistent with plausible state assignments based on the Nilsson model and with the coupling rules for odd nuclei of Gallagher and Moszkowski. A new method is described for the production of atomic beams of materials having high melting points and low vapour pressures.
Stress response circuitry hypoactivation related to hormonal dysfunction in women with major depression

Abstract Background Women have approximately twice the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) than men, yet this difference remains largely unexplained. Previous MDD research suggests high rates of endocrine dysfunction, which may be related to deficits in brain activity in stress response circuitry [hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)]. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study investigated the relationship between hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG)-axis hormones and stress response circuitry dysfunction in MDD in women. Methods During the late follicular/midcycle phase of the menstrual cycle, female participants (10 with extensive histories of MDD, in remission, 10 healthy controls) were scanned while viewing negative and neutral arousal pictures. Group differences in blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal changes were analyzed using SPM2. Baseline gonadal hormones included estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. Results fMRI results showed greater BOLD signal intensity changes in controls versus MDD in hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, OFC, ACC, and subgenual ACC, findings unrelated to medication status. MDD women had a lower serum estradiol and higher serum progesterone compared to controls. Hypoactivations in hypothalamus, subgenual ACC, amygdala and OFC in MDD were associated with low estradiol and high progesterone. Limitations Generalizability of our findings is limited by small sample size and restriction to females, although this did not affect the internal validity of the results. Conclusions Hypoactivation of the stress response circuitry in MDD women is associated with dysregulation of the HPG-axis. Associations between brain activity deficits and hormonal disruption in MDD may ultimately contribute to understanding sex differences in MDD.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration on modernization of the Nutrition and Supplements Facts labels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for obtaining public comments on modernizing the Nutrition and Supplements Facts label. Public comments to specific questions asked in the ANPRM will be considered by FDA for future rulemaking. There are numerous issues that FDA will consider during the rulemaking process, such as determining (1) which Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) to use for setting the Daily Values (DVs), (2) the approach for setting a single nutrient DV for adults and children over the age of 4 years, (3) which vitamins and minerals are of public health concern in the United States and therefore required to be declared in the Nutrition Facts label, (4) the definition of certain nutrients, such as total carbohydrate and fiber, (5) the labeling of trans fat, and (6) the use of International Units (IUs) for providing the amount of a vitamin. After reviewing the public comments, as well as any other new relevant information, FDA will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register that provides the agency's proposed decisions for modernizing the Nutrition and Supplements Facts label. Publication of a final rule, along with the Code of Federal Regulations, will set forth the new regulatory requirements for the Nutrition and Supplements Facts labels.
A pyridazinyl derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), SR 95531, is a potent antagonist of Cl- channel opening regulated by GABAA receptors.

Abstract The antagonistic effects of a pyridazinyl derivative of GABA (SR 95531) were investigated on GABA-induced Cl− currents in neonatal rat cortical neurons in primary culture. Three different methods were used: direct application of GABA onto the cell, induction of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) and membrane patch-clamp recordings. Using the first technique, SR 95531 appeared to be more potent than bicuculline methiodide while both drugs seemed equally potent in reducing the IPSC amplitudes and the opening rate of Cl− channels regulated by GABAA receptors in patch-clamp membranes.
Takeover Defenses and Bargaining Power

For decades, academics have claimed that even friendly acquisitions are negotiated in the “shadow” of a hostile takeover bid. But interviews with senior M&A investment bankers provide a different picture of negotiated acquisitions. Determining which version is more representative of most deals is important because the academic assumption has been a main pillar of attempts to justify poison pills and other takeover defenses as ways of increasing the bargaining power of target companies' managements and the premiums received by their shareholders. This article shows that takeover defenses can be justified as a value-maximizing control device in a simplified model with one buyer and one seller. But after taking account of four realities that are present in many if not most corporate M&A deals—alternatives away from the negotiating table (i.e., other potential targets), high costs of launching a hostile bid, information disparities, and managers with divided loyalties—the author demonstrates that only a fraction of friendly acquisitions are in fact negotiated in the shadow of a hostile takeover threat. This conclusion is reinforced by both empirical evidence and the commentary of M&A practitioners presented in the article.
The genetics of esterase isozymes inLactuca sativa L.

The ability to ascertain electrophoretically isozyme inheritance using extracts of individual lettuce seeds afforded us a unique opportunity to study the genetic control of esterases in this small seeded species. Genetic analyses carried out in single seeds of the F2 reciprocal and backcross progeny from a cross between two winter-desert cultivars of contrasting esterase banding phenotypes confirmed the segregation of a single gene with codominant action. We propose that the major seed esterases in lettuce, as determined with our experimental conditions are controlled by two genes, one invariant (EST-2) and the other segregating (EST-1).
Long-term tillage and maize monoculture effects on a tropical Alfisol in western Nigeria. II. Soil chemical properties

Abstract Intensive monocropping of maize is widely practised in densely populated regions of west Africa. A wide range of tillage systems are used for seedbed preparation without the benefits of research information from long-term experiments relating tillage method to soil properties. Soil chemical effects of eight tillage and residue management treatments were studied for 8 years or 16 consecutive maize monoculture crops for a western Nigerian soil with a coarse-textured surface horizon. Treatments established on a newly cleared land were: (1) notill ± crop residue mulch, (2) notill ± chiselling in the row zone at 50 cm depth, (3) mouldboard ploughing ± harrowing, (4) disc ploughing ± rotovation, (5) notill − residue mulch, (6) mouldboard ploughing at the end of rains or summer ploughing, (7) mouldboard ploughing ± residue mulch, and (8) mouldboard ploughing and harrowing ± ridging or ridge till. Soil chemical properties of the 0–5-cm and 5–10-cm depths were measured during the dry season every year beginning with base line characterization soon after land clearing in 1980. Soil pH declined with cultivation duration from 6.6 in 1981 to 5.4 in 1987 for the 0–5-cm depth, and from 6.5 in 1981 to 5.5 in 1987 for the 5–10-cm depth. Mean soil pH for the 0–5-cm depth declined from 6.7 to 5.6 in notill ± residue mulch, and from 6.7 to 5.4 with mouldboard ploughing. Soil content of Bray P increased with cultivation duration due to application of phosphatic fertilizers. There occurred a significant decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) and total soil nitrogen (TSN), and an increase in C:N ratio with cultivation duration. Mean SOC content in 1987 of the 0–5-cm depth was 13.9 g kg −1 for the notill treatment compared with 11.0 g kg −1 for the plough-based methods. Soil concentration of Ca and Mg and total cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased with cultivation duration. Maize grain yield was significantly correlated with SOC, exchangeable Ca 2+ , and CEC. Continuous cropping decreased soil chemical quality, and the rate of decreases was more with plough-based than notill methods.
Decision Fusion in Large Sensor Networks using Partially Coherent and Noncoherent Strategies

We study the performance of partially coherent and noncoherent fusion rules in a distributed sensor network. We assume that sensors communicate their local (binary) decisions over a Rayleigh flat-fading channel to a central fusion center and treat separately the cases where the channel gain is known and unknown. Our analysis is motivated by the case that the channel signal to noise ratio (SNR) is low and the number of sensor observations is large. For partially coherent strategies, we assume that the residual phase error is described by the Tikhonov probability distribution function. We use the Central Limit Theorem to characterize the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and the Deflection performance of this network. Our study is carried out using analytic techniques complemented by numerical simulations. Our main contribution is an analysis that allows the system designer to determine the level of phase asynchrony that must be present before noncoherent strategies outperform partially coherent ones.
Characterization and Early Detection of Balance Deficits in Fragile X Premutation Carriers With and Without Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) results from a “premutation” size 55–200 CGG repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Core motor features include cerebellar gait ataxia and kinetic tremor, resulting in progressive mobility disability. There are no published studies characterizing balance deficits in FMR1 premutation carriers with and without FXTAS using a battery of quantitative measures to test the sensory integration underlying postural control, automatic postural reflexes, and dynamic postural stability limits. Computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) and two performance-based balance measures were administered in 44 premutation carriers, 21 with FXTAS and 23 without FXTAS, and 42 healthy controls to compare balance and functional mobility between these groups. Relationships between FMR1 molecular variables, age, and sex and CDP scores were explored. FXTAS subjects demonstrated significantly lower scores on the sensory organization test (with greatest reductions in the vestibular control of balance), longer response latencies to balance perturbations, and reduced stability limits compared to controls. Premutation carriers without FXTAS also demonstrated significantly delayed response latencies and disrupted sensory weighting for balance control. Advancing age, male sex, increased CGG repeat size, and reduced X activation of the normal allele in premutation carrier women predicted balance dysfunction. These postural control deficits in carriers with and without FXTAS implicate dysfunctional cerebellar neural networks and may provide valuable outcome markers for tailored rehabilitative interventions. Our findings suggest that CDP may provide sensitive measures for early detection of postural control impairments in at-risk carriers and better characterize balance dysfunction and progression in FXTAS.
Don't care set specifications in combinational and synchronous logic circuits

A unified framework for the specification and computation of don't care conditions for combinational and synchronous multiple-level digital circuits is presented. Circuits are characterized in terms of graphs, logic functions and don't care conditions induced by the external and internal interconnections. The replacement of a gate in a synchronous logic network is modeled by a perturbation of the corresponding logic function, and it is shown that the don't care conditions for the gate optimization represent the bound on this perturbation. Algorithms to compute such don't care conditions in both the combinational and synchronous case are presented. The implementation of the algorithms and the experimental results are discussed. >
Predicting tissue outcome in acute human cerebral ischemia using combined diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MR imaging.

Background and Purpose—Tissue signatures from acute MR imaging of the brain may be able to categorize physiological status and thereby assist clinical decision making. We designed and analyzed statistical algorithms to evaluate the risk of infarction for each voxel of tissue using acute human functional MRI. Methods—Diffusion-weighted MR images (DWI) and perfusion-weighted MR images (PWI) from acute stroke patients scanned within 12 hours of symptom onset were retrospectively studied and used to develop thresholding and generalized linear model (GLM) algorithms predicting tissue outcome as determined by follow-up MRI. The performances of the algorithms were evaluated for each patient by using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results—At their optimal operating points, thresholding algorithms combining DWI and PWI provided 66% sensitivity and 83% specificity, and GLM algorithms combining DWI and PWI predicted with 66% sensitivity and 84% specificity voxels that proceeded to infarct. Thresholding al...
A more general closed-form solution to the inverse kinematics of mechanical arms

This paper presents solutions to a number of different classes of robot manipulators obtained by locking the redundant joints in a redundant arm. This effort is part of the study of the flexibility...
Effects of hydroxyurea during final neuronal DNA synthesis in dorsal root ganglia of rats

Abstract The sequence of final neuronal DNA synthesis was investigated in developing lumbar dorsal root ganglia of rats. Patterns of final division were compared to permanent neuronal deficiencies produced by single doses of hydroxyurea (HU), a specific cytotoxic inhibitor of DNA synthesis. The purpose was to discern increased susceptibility of terminal cell cycles in order to evaluate possible phenotypic or mitotic commitments responsible for cessation of DNA synthesis. The normal period of final DNA synthesis was found to occur primarily on gestation Days 12, 13, and early 14. Precursors of larger (A cells) and smaller (B cells) neurons are generated in sequence, suggesting the presence of phenotypic commitments during terminal division. When HU was administered during the period of final DNA synthesis, severe neuronal depletions and altered phenotypic proportions were observed postnatally. With HU on Day 13, total neuronal numbers were reduced by an average of 62% and deficiencies were confined primarily to neurons originating at or near the time of treatment. Given 12 hr later (Day 13.5), HU produced a 48% depletion involving neurons of smaller diameters. With treatment on Day 14, some ganglia appeared normal histologically but quantitation revealed an average 21% numerical deficiency involving the smallest neuronal phenotypes. Later treatments did not appear to affect ganglion morphology even though other defects (primarily growth retardation and gait abnormalities) continued to occur. Earlier treatments, given during terminal division of large neurons on Day 12, produced resorption or early postnatal death. The results suggest the emergence of phenotypic commitments in final cell cycles which restrict the probability of continued DNA synthesis and, thus, the probability of regeneration.
An improved back computation procedure for the parting‐out step of a destructive method for measuring residual stresses in pipes

One method for measuring through the thickness residual stress distributions in welded pipes involves a destructive, three step laboratory procedure consisting of parting out, splitting, and layer removal operations. In the parting out step, a coupon of material is removed from the wall of the pipe while strain gauges on the inner and outer surfaces are monitored. In back computing the through the thickness residual stresses from the parting-out strain gauge data, it is generally assumed that stress changes through the thickness of the coupon vary as a straight line. If the circumferential dimension of the coupon is large compared to the thickness, this assumption is valid. However, in the case of a pipe, the circumferential dimension is usually limited to reduce curvature effects during the subsequent splitting and layer removal steps. If this dimension is too small, the assumption of straight line stress changes through the thickness can lead to serious inaccuracies. In this paper, the validity of the straight line assumption is examined over a range of conditions. To handle cases where the straight line assumption is not valid, a modified back computation procedure for the analysis of parting-out strain gauge data is developed and presented with numerical results. (Author/TRRL)
Effects of Acid on Line Widths in the Proton NMR Spectra of Porphyrins Not Substituted at the meso-Positions

It was shown in earlier work that the proton NMR spectra of some meso-tetraarylporphyrins in deuterochloroform−trifluoroacetic acid solutions show little dependence of signal line widths upon acid concentration, but chemical shifts (particularly of the N-H signal) are strongly acid dependent. In contrast, the corresponding NMR spectra of meso-unsubstituted coproporphyrin I tetramethyl ester in deuterochloroform solution show weak signals assigned to porphyrin N−H and to O−H (water impurity in solvent). Addition of trifluoroacetic acid at mole ratios TFA:COPH2 as low as 0.05 produces simultaneous broadening of these signals, both of which become too broad to observe at normal instrument gain and room temperature when this mole ratio exceeds 0.3. Additional acid causes the N−H signal to narrow again and then reappear as a very broad line when the TFA:COPH2 ratio exceeds 2. It gradually narrows and moves upfield as the TFA concentration increases further. Within the same range of TFA:COPH2 concentration rati...