cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mice lacking the galanin gene show decreased sensitivity to nicotine conditioned place preference.

Previous work has indicated that the neuropeptide galanin decreases sensitivity to the rewarding effects of morphine and cocaine, but increases alcohol drinking. The aim of the current study was to examine the role of galanin signaling in nicotine reward by testing the effects of nicotine in mice lacking galanin peptide (Gal −/−) as compared to wild-type (Gal +/+) controls. Using an unbiased, three-chamber conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm the dose-response function for nicotine CPP was tested in Gal −/− and Gal +/+ mice. Since activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK2) is involved in the rewarding effects of several classes of drugs of abuse, we then measured the level of ERK2 phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens shell (NACsh) and core (NACco) of Gal −/− and Gal +/+ mice following re-exposure to the CPP chamber previously paired with nicotine as a marker of mesolimbic system activation. Finally, we examined whether acute nicotine administration affects ERK2 activity in Gal −/− and Gal +/+ mice. Gal −/− mice required a higher dose of nicotine to induce a significant CPP compared to Gal +/+ mice. Upon re-exposure to the CPP apparatus, only Gal +/+ mice showed activation of ERK2 in the NACsh after training with the optimal dose for nicotine CPP, suggesting that the CPP observed following training with a higher dose of nicotine in Gal −/− mice resulted in differential recruitment of ERK signaling in the NACsh. In addition, no activation of ERK2 was observed following acute nicotine administration in either genotype. These data, along with prior results, suggest that galanin alters sensitivity to drugs of abuse differentially, with morphine, cocaine and amphetamine place preference suppressed, and nicotine and alcohol preference increased, by galanin signaling.
A relaxed model and its homogenization for nematic liquid crystals in composite materials

We analyse a model for equilibrium configurations of composite systems of nematic liquid crystal with polymer inclusions, in the presence of an external magnetic field. We assume that the system has a periodic structure, and consider the relaxed problem on the unit length constraint of the nematic director field. The relaxation of the Oseen–Frank energy functional is carried out by including bulk as well as surface energy penalty terms, rendering the problem fully non-linear. We employ two-scale convergence methods to obtain effective configurations of the system, as the size of the polymeric inclusions tends to zero. We discuss the minimizers of the effective energies for, both, the constrained as well as the unconstrained models. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN EXISTENTIAL PERSPECTIVE ON DIFFERENTIATION/FUSION: THEORETICAL ISSUES AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

This paper calls for a recognition of existential issues in family therapy. It begins by noting the importance of “big questions” to families, reviews the roots of existential philosophy and existential therapy, offers an example of the usefulness of connecting existential thought to the family field by discussing differentiation/ fusion from an existential perspective, and offers guidelines for clinical application.
Zinc mesoporphyrin induces rapid and marked degradation of the transcription factor Bach1 and up-regulates HO-1.

Abstract Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is the first and rate-controlling enzyme in heme degradation. Bach1 is a mammalian transcriptional repressor of HO-1. To understand how zinc mesoporphyrin (ZnMP) induces the expression of HO-1, we investigated the effects of ZnMP on Bach1 mRNA and protein levels in human hepatoma Huh-7 cells by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blots. We found that ZnMP markedly up-regulated HO-1 mRNA and protein levels, and rapidly and significantly decreased Bach1 protein levels by increasing degradation of Bach1 protein [half life ( t 1/2 ) from 19 h to 45 min], whereas ZnMP did not influence Bach1 mRNA levels. The proteasome inhibitors, epoxomicin and MG132, significantly inhibited degradation of Bach1 by ZnMP in a dose-dependent fashion, indicating that the degradation of Bach1 by ZnMP is proteasome-dependent. Purified Bach1 C-terminal fragment bound heme, but there was no evidence for binding of ZnMP to the heme-binding region of Bach1. In conclusion, ZnMP produces profound post-transcriptional down-regulation of Bach1 protein levels and transcriptional up-regulation of HO-1. Our results indicate that ZnMP up-regulates HO-1 gene expression by markedly increasing Bach1 protein degradation in a proteasome-dependent manner.
Type la glycogenosis associated with hepatocellular carcinoma

The predispostion of preexisting cirrhotic metabolic liver disease to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma is well established. However, the association between glycogenoses (a form of noncirrhotic metabolic liver disease) and the formation of benign and malignant liver tumors is less well known. The sixth case of simultaneous occurrence of glycogenosis type la and hepatocellular carcinoma, which occurred in a 34-year-old man referred for advice on therapy for his malignant neoplasm, is reported. Cases previously described in the literature are reviewed and management of this entity in light of the current knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is discussed. Cancer 1992; 69:1320-1322.
Modeling of a tapered tubular optical waveguide probe for fluorescent immunosensors

A tubular optical probe for fluorescent immunosensors based on magnetic focusing of paramagnetic microspheres has been developed. The optical probe features a tubular optical waveguide tapered at both ends with a tapered magnet embedded inside the waveguide. Laser light is delivered to a dye-labeled spot in the inner surface of a cuvette and the fluorescent signal is guided to an optical detection system. A 3D computer model of this system has been created and its optical properties evaluated with a commercially available non-sequential ray-trace program. Up to 10,000 rays are traced from the laser to the cuvette and again from the fluorescent source to the detector. Results lead to the optimization of the component properties.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stability and error analysis for time integrators applied to strain-softening materials

Abstract The behavior of explicit time integrators is examined for the field equations of dynamic viscoplasticity in one dimension. The analysis proceeds by linearizing the field equations about the current state and freezing coefficients so that the solution to the system of ordinary differential equations can be computed explicitly. Amplification matrices for the central difference method (with rate tangent constitutive update) and fourth-order Runge-Kutta schemes are obtained by applying these schemes to the resulting linear, constant coefficient equations. These amplification matrices lead to local truncation error estimates for the temporal integrators as well as to estimates of the resulting growth rate. Analysis of the cental difference method with a forward Euler constitutive update indicates that the local truncation error involves as the product of the third power of the strain-rate and the square of the time step. In viscoplastic models, the viscoplastic strain-rate is an increasing (decreasing) function of the viscoplastic strain in softening (hardening). Also, the eigenvalues of the rate tangent method increase with strain-rate in softening. Thus, it is recommended that the time step be reduced in localization problems to keep the strain-increment within a prescribed tolerance. As a byproduct of the analysis, conditions for numerical stability for the central difference method with a rate tangent constitutive update are obtained for strain-hardening dynamic viscoplasticity. In the softening regime, the resulting linearized differential equations admit exponentially growing solution. Thus, conventional definitions of stability such as Neumann stability and absolute stability are inappropriate. In order to characterize stability of such systems, we introduce the concept of g-rel stability which combines the concept of relative and absolute stability. We show conditions under which the resulting system is g-rel stable and thus characterize the nature of the numerical stability that can be expected in such problems.
An examination of 1D solar cell model limitations using 3D SPICE modeling

To examine the limitations of one-dimensional (1D) solar cell modeling, 3D SPICE-based modeling is used to examine in detail the validity of the 1D assumptions as a function of sheet resistance for a model cell. The internal voltages and current densities produced by this modeling give additional insight into the differences between the 1D and 3D models.
Evolution of genital masculinization: why do female hyaenas have such a large ‘penis’?

Abstract In place of a ‘normal' external vagina, female spotted hyaenas bear a fully erectile, penis-sized clitoris through which they mate and give birth. Early hypotheses on the evolution of this organ have focused on its signal function, because the erect phallus is used by both sexes as part of submission or appeasement displays. However, a quite different hypothesis is suggested by recent data on the ecological function of female aggressiveness, and on the role of androgens in the development of aggressiveness and male genital development. In this view, the female phallus may have originated as an unselected side effect of selection for androgen-mediated bellicosity, a major advantage in the extraordinarily competitive hyaena social system.
Pulling on Slippery versus Non-Slippery Surfaces: Can a Lifting Belt Help?:

Biomechanical research has shown that pull forces are largely generated by leg extension and by leaning (using one's body mass). However, this pulling technique requires sufficient friction in the foot floor interface. When pulling tasks are performed on slippery surfaces the center of gravity must be kept over the feet, thereby increasing the trunk's role in force generation. The purpose of this study was to investigate using electromyography (EMG) the muscle recruitments in the torso when pulling tasks are performed on slippery versus non-slippery surfaces. It was hypothesized that if a lifting belt acts to stiffen the torso, this would reduce the muscle activities detected with the EMG. Twelve subjects pulled at 40% of their maximal exertion values in four postures, with a lifting belt either tight or very loose, and under good footing conditions or extremely slippery footing conditions. When averaged across subjects all EMG activities increased under the slippery conditions. These increases ranged bet...
NASA scatterometer provides global ocean-surface wind fields with more structures than numerical weather prediction

The major differences between monthly-mean ocean-surface wind fields derived from the observations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Scatterometer (NSCAT) and produced by the operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) model of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts are found in coastal and equatorial regions, where the sharp changes are smoothed over in NWP products; these wind differences are explained to be the result of the superior spatial resolution of NSCAT winds. Objective interpolation of NSCAT data alleviates errors caused by the uneven satellite sampling and retains greater energy content of NSCAT winds at high wavenumbers.
Diminution of parotid IgA secretion in an elderly black population taking antihypertension medications

A study was conducted with two randomly selected groups of black patients. Group A, the control group, consisted of 15 elderly healthy normotensive patients, whereas group B consisted of 19 patients with hypertension who were taking antihypertension medications. Parotid salivary samples were collected from each patient with the Lashley cup and were analyzed for IgA, total protein, and electrolytes. The results showed a diminution of sodium (p < 0.01), salivary flow (p < 0.23), and IgA secretion (p < 0.022) in the medicated group. The medicated group showed an increase in the incidence of root decay, which was significant at the p < 0.035 level.
READFAST: high-relevance search-engine for big text

Relevance of search-results is a key factor for any search engine. In order to return and rank the Web-pages that are most relevant to the query, contemporary search engines use complex ranking functions that depend on hundreds of features. For example, presence or absence of the query keywords on the page, their proximity, frequencies, HTML markup are just a few to name. Additional features might include fonts, tags, hyperlinks, metadata, and parts of the Web-page description. All this information is used by the search-engine to rank HTML Web pages returned to the user, but is unfortunately absent in free text that has no HTML markup, tags, hyperlinks, and any other metadata, except implicit natural language structure.Here we demonstrate one of the first Big text search engines that leverages hidden structure of the natural language sentences in order to process user queries and return more relevant search-results than a standard keyword-search. It provides a structured index extracted from the text using Natural Language Processing (NLP) that can be used to browse and query free text.
Repressors' Appraisals of Emotional Stimuli in Threatening and Nonthreatening Positive Emotional Contexts

Abstract This research tests a model of repression (Mendolia, Moore, & Tesser, 1996) which posits that repressors are hypersensitive to both negative and positive emotional events but distance themselves from these events only when the situation threatens their self-concept. The following three experiments demonstrate that repressors psychologically distance themselves from their responsiveness in threatening positive emotional contexts. Participants' emotional responsiveness was assessed using their appraisals of facial expressions of emotion (Experiments 1 and 2) and their self-reports of affect (Experiment 3). This model extends the current conceptualization of repression in that it identifies motivation (dispositional emotional sensitivity) and context (situational threats to self-concept) for repressors' distancing of themselves from negative and positive emotional events.
CGRP-Beta Unlike CGRP-alpha Has No Osteogenic Stimulatory Effect In Vitro

Abstract Hirt, D. and G. W. Bernard. Calcitonin gene related peptides-beta unlike calcitonin gene related peptide-alpha, has no osteogenic stimulatory affect in vitro. Peptides 18(9) 1461–1463, 1997.—The purpose of this study is to test whether CGRP-beta has an osteogenic stimulating effect, as does CGRP-alpha, on rat bone marrow cells in vitro. CGRP-beta in different doses was added daily to bone marrow white cells, which were harvested from rats, then seeded onto a previously prepared layer of fibroblasts. CGRP-alpha in different doses was used as a positive control. Fourteen days after the start of the experiment, there was no statistical difference in the number of bone colonies between the control and CGRP-beta dishes. The CGRP-alpha dishes demonstrated an increase in the number of colonies with an increase of peptide dose.
Group Termination: Completing the Study of Group Development

A critical aspect of organizational work groups-the ending and termination stage-has been ignored by both group and organizational communication researchers in favor of a research focus on the assigmnent, development, and maintenance of groups. How work groups process the conclusion of their task and the personal and professional relationships developed in the group are important to examine and understand because individuals are continually assigned and recycled to various work groups, taskforces, andproduction teams. Rather than looking forfaulty group process or interaction deterioration to explain group termination, here the focus is specific to group relationships thiat terminate as part of the group's natural life cycle (e.g., completionz of task) or terminate due to organizational or systemic causes (mergers, acquisitions, tranisfers, promotions, reassignments).
Cardioprotective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles in a transgenic murine model of cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles have been shown to protect cells in culture from lethal stress, but no protection in vivo has been reported. Cardiac-specific expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in mice causes ischemic cardiomyopathy associated with activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on cardiac function and remodeling as well as ER stress response in this murine model of cardiomyopathy. Methods: MCP-1 transgenic mice (MCP mice) and wild-type controls were administered intravenously 15 nmol of CeO2 nanoparticles or vehicle only twice a week for 2 weeks. Cardiac function, myocardial histology, nitrotyrosine formation, expression of cytokines, and ER stress-associated genes were evaluated. Results: Treatment with CeO2 nanoparticles markedly inhibited progressive left ventricular dysfunction and dilatation in MCP mice and caused a significant decrease in serum levels of MCP-1, C-reactive protein, and total nitrated proteins. The infiltration of monocytes/macrophages, accumulation of 3-nitrotyrosine, apoptotic cell death, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in the myocardium were markedly inhibited by CeO2 nanoparticles. Expression of the key ER stress-associated genes, including glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), and heat shock proteins (HSP25, HSP40, HSP70), were also suppressed by CeO2 nanoparticles. Conclusions: CeO2 nanoparticles protect against the progression of cardiac dysfunction and remodeling by attenuation of myocardial oxidative stress, ER stress, and inflammatory processes probably through their autoregenerative antioxidant properties.
A revised paradigm of leisure choices

A theory‐based model distinguishing three kinds of leisure from required nonwork activity has been examined through research on adult leisure in three communities. In the research sequence, the defining dimension of relative freedom and constraint is found central to the perceptions of respondents, but the work‐relation dimension does not significantly differentiate types of leisure. The model is revised to replace work‐relation with meaning to the participant that is either intrinsic to doing the activity or primarily social. Further, anticipated satisfactions in building and maintaining relationships are found more salient in leisure choices than in meeting role expectations. The revised typology is employed to classify activities from the New Town phase of the research as (1) unconditional, (2) recuperative, (3) relational, and (4) role‐determined.
Rapunzel: The Symbolism Of The Cutting Of Hair

I have adduced data to demonstrate that the act of cutting of hair is a symbol. The criterion of proof used is the traditional one in psychoanalysis: the idea carries constant meanings in separate areas of human experience and behavior. Such constant meanings are shown in a folk tale, the mental lives of patients, clinical studies by other authors, and certain practices of other cultures. The cutting of hair symbolizes separation from a mothering object, castration, and reparation.
"Shutting the Box": Fostering Collaboration Among Early Grades and Secondary Preservice Teachers Through Authentic Problem Solving

In this paper are discussed recent efforts to provide preservice mathematics teachers with opportunities to connect elementary teaching methods and content with the content and methods of secondary school mathematics. Through an indepth exploration of the game, Shut the Box, preservice elementary and secondary mathematics teachers thoughtfully analyzed and manipulated computer-generated output, developed and tested their own conjectures, and collaboratively answered questions involving theoretical probabilities across courses and content levels. Through their collaboration, the preservice teachers gained a better appreciation of mathematics content and pedagogical strategies that lie beyond the grades they will likely teach, as they reconsidered the importance of content and pedagogical knowledge at every level of mathematics instruction. These interactions are considered in this document through a discussion of the mathematical underpinnings of the popular board game.
Google Scholar acceptance and use among graduate students: A quantitative study

Abstract Adding the external variables of satisfaction and loyalty to Fred Davis' technology acceptance model (TAM), this study examined the extent to which graduate students perceived Google Scholar to be a resource that is useful and easy to use. A survey of 1141 graduate students at the University of Minnesota asked questions exploring their perceptions of Google Scholar as part of their research process. Seventy-five percent of survey participants had used Google Scholar at least once before, and a statistical analysis of the responses found that perceived usefulness, loyalty, and, to a lesser extent, perceived ease of use, were positively and significantly related to the graduate students' intended use of the information resource. This research showed that TAM is an applicable model for predicting graduate student use of Google Scholar, which can help academic librarians seeking to understand graduate student acceptance of new information sources. Additionally, this study provides information about how librarians might best promote Google Scholar and other library resources to graduate students.
Cortical Indexes of Saccade Planning Following Covert Orienting in 20-Week-Old Infants

This study examined scalp-recorded, event-related potential (ERP) indexes of saccade planning in 20-week-old infants. A spatial cuing procedure was used in which the infants were presented with a central fixation stimulus and a peripheral cue. A peripheral target followed the cue on the ipsilateral or contralateral side of the cue. The procedure resulted in covert orienting of attention in these participants, reflected in behavioral (e.g., response facilitation or inhibition of return depending on cue–target stimulus–onset asynchrony) and ERP (P1 facilitation to ipsilateral target) indexes of covert orienting of attention. A presaccadic ERP that occurred over the frontal cor tex about 50 msec before the saccade onset was largest when the saccade was to a target in a cued location. A presaccadic ERP potential that occurred about 300 msec before the saccade onset was largest for the saccades toward the cued location whether the target was present or not. These results suggest that saccade planning occurs in in fants at this age and that infant saccade planning is controlled by cortical systems.
Unstable Spreading of a Fluid Inclusion in a Grrain Boundary under Normal Stress

A fluid inclusion trapped in a stress-free grain boundary will assume an equilibrium lenslike shape. The dihedral angle at apex will be determined by the ratio of the (isotropic) solid-solid and solid-liquid interface energies. The radius of curvature of the lens surface will depend on the volume of the inclusion. If a normal stress is now applied across the interface, then the mechanical energy (equal to the sum of the external work and (he strain energy) and the interface energy will together determine the shape of the inclusion. In this paper it is shown that the inclusion can spread catastrophically if the applied stress is greater than a critical value. The magnitude of the critical stress depends on the equilibrium dihedral angle and the volume of the inclusion. A smaller angle and a larger volume lead to a smaller value of the critical stress. As an example a fluid inclusion which is ∼1 μm in size and forms a dihedral angle of 15° is unstable under an applied stress of 100 MPa. The results have slgniflciincc in the phenomenon of liquid-phase-enlianccd sintering and diffuslonal creep.
Radioactive Waste Management Basis

The purpose of this Radioactive Waste Management Basis is to describe the systematic approach for planning, executing, and evaluating the management of radioactive waste at LLNL. The implementation of this document will ensure that waste management activities at LLNL are conducted in compliance with the requirements of DOE Order 435.1, Radioactive Waste Management, and the Implementation Guide for DOE Manual 435.1-1, Radioactive Waste Management Manual. Technical justification is provided where methods for meeting the requirements of DOE Order 435.1 deviate from the DOE Manual 435.1-1 and Implementation Guide.
Semantic Factors in Verb Retrieval: An Effect of Complexity

Aphasic patients often have more difficulty retrieving verbs than nouns. We present data from eight aphasics demonstrating that they have a selective impairment for verb retrieval. We then explore the role of semantic complexity (i.e., the number of semantic features) in verb retrieval using a delayed repetition/story completion task. The results indicate that six of the patients are better at retrieving semantically complex verbs (e.g., run) than semantically simpler verbs (e.g., go). The results have implications for accounts of the noun/verb dissociation in aphasia, as well as for theories of verb representation.
Conditional entropy-constrained vector quantization of displaced frame difference subband signals

We study the performance of conditional entropy-constrained vector quantizers when used to quantize subbands of the displaced frame differences derived from video sequences. Chou and Lookabaugh (1990) originally suggested a locally optimal design of this new kind of vector quantizer which can be accomplished through a generalization of the well known entropy-constrained vector quantizer (ECVQ) algorithm. This generalization of the ECVQ algorithm to a conditional entropy-constrained is called CECVQ, i.e., conditional ECVQ. The non-memoryless quantization performed by the conditional entropy-constrained VQ is based on the current vector to be encoded and the previous encoded vector. A new algorithm for conditional entropy-constrained vector quantizer design is derived and it is based on the pairwise nearest neighbour technique presented by Equitz (1989). >
US school reform policy, state accountability systems and the limited English proficient student

This article focuses upon the political and policy environment that has shaped the educational agenda for rising state accountability systems in the United States. In particular, the authors direct attention to the effects of accountability policies on the Limited English Proficient Learner. We address how these accountability reforms continue to permeate educational and political debates. Also, we discuss how specific state accountability systems affect student outcomes given changing demographics and the increasing demands for equitable outcomes for all children. We focus our attention on children who have been labelled Limited English Learner and pay attention to their experiences in this environment of accountability and reform.
Inferring grant support types from online biomedical articles

The category of institution or organization underwriting the research reported in a scientific article is a required field (Grant Support type) in the bibliographic record of that article in the MEDLINE® database. We describe a system based on a combination of a Naive Bayes classifier and heuristic rules that automatically infers the Grant Support types from article text. Testing the performance of the system on 2,000 biomedical articles shows Precision, Recall, and F-Measure exceeding 95%.
Molecular beam epitaxial GaAs/Al/sub 0.2/Ga/sub 0.8/As heterojunction bipolar transistor on

Summary form only given. The authors have investigated the characteristics and reliability of p-doping in GaAs with Si by MBE and have realized high-gain n-p-n GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) on
Determinants of Migration for the Sixty-Seven Counties of Florida Before and After The Great Recession

Florida had a net loss of 18,000 migrants to other states between 2008 and 2009, whereas it had a net gain of 185,000 migrants between 2004 and 2005. This article examines the determinants of state in, out, and net migration for the sixty-seven counties in Florida before and after the Great Recession. Counties with a high percentage of the labor force in tourism and those with a military base experienced high rates of both in and outmigration for both years, probably more indicative of a mobile population than an expanding or contracting economy. Counties with high rates of unemployment experienced high outmigration in 2008 and 2009, suggesting that the economic recession affected those counties. Counties with a high percentage of elderly attracted migrants in both years, likely because elderly, although not directly in the labor force, still require a cadre of support workers. Surprisingly, change in median housing value was not significant for 2008 and 2009.
Audience response made easy: using personal digital assistants as a classroom polling tool

Both teachers and students benefit from an interactive classroom. The teacher receives valuable input about effectiveness, student interest, and comprehension, whereas student participation, active learning, and enjoyment of the class are enhanced. Cost and deployment have limited the use of existing audience response systems, allowing anonymous linking of teachers and students in the classroom. These limitations can be circumvented, however, by use of personal digital assistants (PDAs), which are cheaper and widely used by students. In this study, the authors equipped a summer histology class of 12 students with PDAs and wireless Bluetooth cards to allow access to a central server. Teachers displayed questions in multiple-choice format as a Web page on the server and students responded with their PDAs, a process referred to as polling. Responses were immediately compiled, analyzed, and displayed. End-of-class survey results indicated that students were enthusiastic about the polling tool. The surveys also provided technical feedback that will be valuable in streamlining future trials. j J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2004;11:217-220. DOI 10.1197/jamia.M1468.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Increases cAMP but Fails to Augment Contraction in Adult Rat Cardiac Myocytes

The gut hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is secreted in nanomolar amounts in response to nutrients in the intestinal lumen, exerts cAMP/protein kinase A-mediated insulinotropic actions in target endocrine tissues, but its actions in heart cells are unknown. GLP-1 (10 nmol/L) increased intracellular cAMP (from 5.7+/-0.5 to 13.1+/-0.12 pmol/mg protein) in rat cardiac myocytes. The effects of cAMP-doubling concentrations of both GLP-1 and isoproterenol (ISO, 10 nmol/L) on contraction amplitude, intracellular Ca(2+) transient (CaT), and pH(i) in indo-1 and seminaphthorhodafluor (SNARF)-1 loaded myocytes were compared. Whereas ISO caused a characteristic increase (above baseline) in contraction amplitude (160+/-34%) and CaT (70+/-5%), GLP-1 induced a significant decrease in contraction amplitude (-27+/-5%) with no change in the CaT after 20 minutes. Neither pertussis toxin treatment nor exposure to the cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase (PDE2) inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine or the nonselective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine nor the phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid or calyculin A unmasked an ISO-mimicking response of GLP-1. In SNARF-1-loaded myocytes, however, both ISO and GLP-1 caused an intracellular acidosis (DeltapH(i) -0.09+/-0.02 and -0.08+/-0.03, respectively). The specific GLP-1 antagonist exendin 9-39 and the cAMP inhibitory analog Rp-8CPT-cAMPS inhibited both the GLP-1-induced intracellular acidosis and the negative contractile effect. We conclude that in contrast to beta-adrenergic signaling, GLP-1 increases cAMP but fails to augment contraction, suggesting the existence of functionally distinct adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A compartments, possibly determined by unique receptor signaling microdomains that are not controlled by pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins or by enhanced local PDE or phosphatase activation. Furthermore, GLP-1 elicits a cAMP-dependent modest negative inotropic effect produced by a decrease in myofilament-Ca(2+) responsiveness probably resulting from intracellular acidification.
Depositional Environment Interpretation from Settling-Velocity (Psi) Distributions

Multivariate discriminant-function analysis of settling-velocity (Psi) distributions of sands provides a reliable technique for environmental interpretation. We have been able to achieve nearly complete environmental separation by this computational procedure using settling-velocity parameters for 81 samples of sand from desert dune, fluvial, and beach environments. The curve shape of sieved grain–size distributions plotted on probability paper does not appear to be a reliable guide for interpreting depositional environments. Comparison with settling-tube data indicates that sieving may distinguish grain–size distributions unrelated to the hydraulic characteristics of sediments and may not distinguish hydraulically important modalities.
Mortality and Morbidity During Delivery Hospitalization Among Pregnant Women With Epilepsy in the United States

Importance Between 0.3% and 0.5% of all pregnancies occur among women with epilepsy. Evidence suggests an increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality among women with epilepsy. However, these risks have not been quantified in large population-based samples. Objective To report on the risk for death and adverse outcomes at the time of delivery for women with epilepsy in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of pregnant women identified through delivery hospitalization records from the 2007-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. From this representative sample of 20% of all US hospitals, we obtained a weighted sample of delivery hospitalizations from 69 385 women with epilepsy and 20 449 532 women without epilepsy. Main Outcomes and Measures Obstetrical outcomes including maternal death, cesarean delivery, length of stay, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and stillbirth. Results Women with epilepsy had a risk of death during delivery hospitalization of 80 deaths per 100 000 pregnancies, significantly higher than the 6 deaths per 100 000 pregnancies found among women without epilepsy (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 11.46 [95% CI, 8.64-15.19]). Women with epilepsy were also at a heightened risk for other adverse outcomes, including preeclampsia (adjusted OR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.54-1.63]), preterm labor (adjusted OR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.50-1.57]), and stillbirth (adjusted OR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.17-1.38]), and had increased health care utilization, including an increased risk of cesarean delivery (adjusted OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.38-1.42]) and prolonged length of hospital stay (>6 days) among both women with cesarean deliveries (adjusted OR, 2.13 [95% CI, 2.03-2.23]) and women with vaginal deliveries (adjusted OR, 2.60 [95% CI, 2.41-2.80]). Conclusions and Relevance Findings suggest that women with epilepsy are at considerably heightened risk for many adverse outcomes during their delivery hospitalization, including a more than 10-fold increased risk of death, and that increased clinical attention is imperative for these pregnancies.
A comparison of the von Mises and Gaussian basis functions for approximating spherical acoustic scatter

This paper compares the approximation accuracy of two basis functions that share a common radial basis function (RBF) neural network architecture used for approximating a known function on the unit sphere. The basis function types considered are that of a new spherical basis function, the von Mises function, and the now well-known Gaussian basis function. Gradient descent learning rules were applied to optimize (learn) the solution for both approximating basis functions. A benchmark approximation problem was used to compare the performance of the two types of basis functions, in this case the mathematical expression for the scattering of an acoustic wave striking a rigid sphere. >
How new media affords network diversity: Direct and mediated access to social capital through participation in local social settings:

This study examines how information and communication technologies – mobile phone, social networking websites, blogging, instant messaging, and photo sharing – are related to the diversity of people’s social networks. We find that a limited set of technologies directly afford diversity, but many indirectly contribute to diversity by supporting participation in traditional settings such as neighborhoods, voluntary groups, religious institutions, and public spaces. Only one internet activity, social networking websites, was related to lower levels of participation in a traditional setting: neighborhoods. However, when direct effects were included, the total influence of social networking services on diversity was positive. We argue that a focus on affordances of new media for networked individualism fails to recognize the continued importance of place for the organization of personal networks: networks, that as a result of the persistent and pervasive nature of some new technologies, may be more diverse than at any time in recent history.
Abnormal Spirometry in Congenital Heart Disease: Where Do We Go From Here?

> “But the gods, foreknowing that the palpitation of the heart in the expectation of danger and the swelling…of passion was caused by fire, formed…as a supporter to the heart the lung…as a soft spring, that, when passion was rife within, the heart, beating against a yielding body, might be cooled and suffer less, and might…join with passion in the service of reason.” > > — Timaeus , Plato1 The close relationship between the heart and lungs has been appreciated for more than 2000 years, although the functions of each organ and their connection were misunderstood. Although Plato’s assertion that the lungs’ purpose is to support the heart may be considered an early case of cardiac chauvinism, his description of their close interaction aligns with our current understanding. Not only is efficient cardiopulmonary coupling critical to support tissue metabolic demands at rest and with effort, but cardiac and pulmonary development are also intertwined. Cardiac dysfunction produces readily appreciated and dynamic effects on measured pulmonary function; the converse is equally true. Just as the ECG is affected by pulmonary disease, spirometry provides a window on cardiac function. Hutchinson’s description of spirometry and the divisions of thoracic volume in the mid-19th century2 had been applied to patients with heart disease by the early 20th century, and it was quickly clear that heart disease was associated with abnormal vital capacity.2–4 These relationships have been explored extensively in acquired heart and lung disease, but investigation in congenital heart disease has generally been limited to small series. In this issue of Circulation , Alonso-Gonzalez and colleagues present data on spirometry from a large cohort of adults with congenital heart disease.5 The authors report 2 major findings. First, there is a high prevalence of markedly abnormal forced vital …
Spherical sliding isolation bearings with adaptive behavior: Theory

The principles of operation and force-displacement relationships of three novel spherical sliding isolation bearings are developed in this paper. These bearings are completely passive devices, yet exhibit adaptive stiffness and adaptive damping. That is, the stiffness and damping change to predictable values at calculable and controllable displacement amplitudes. The primary benefit of adaptive behavior is that a given isolation system can be separately optimized for multiple performance objectives and/or multiple levels of ground shaking. With the devices presented here, this is accomplished using technology that is inherently no more complex than what is currently used by the civil engineering profession. The internal construction consists of various concavesurfaces and behavior is dictated by the different combinations of surfaces upon which sliding can occur over the course of motion. As the surfaces upon which sliding occurs change, the stiffness and effective friction change accordingly. A methodology is presented for determining which surfaces are active at any given time based on the effective radius of curvature, coefficient of friction and displacement capacity of each sliding surface. The force-displacement relationships and relevant parameters of interest are subsequently derived based on the first principles.
Towards the monitoring and prediction of north‐east Brazil droughts

The purpose of this study is to develop a method of forecasting the March-April and March-September rainfall in northern north-east Brazil. Earlier diagnostic research has documented that the droughts of northern north-east Brazil are heralded by identifiable departures in the quasi-permanent circulation systems in the tropical Atlantic sector. Dynamically plausible predictor candidates are selected on the basis of the aforementioned diagnostic results and simple correlation. These include sea surface temperature, pressure and wind in key areas of the tropical Atlantic, pre-season rainfall in north-east Brazil and northern South America, and an index of the Southern Oscillation. Candidates for the period 1921–30 plus 1946–56 are entered into a stepwise multiple regression scheme. This yields regression equations for each of the months October through February preceding the March/April peak of the rainy season. For January, these explain about 65% of the rainfall variance. The regression equations are then used to produce forecasts for each of the years 1958 through 1972, in terms of a seasonal rainfall index for the northern Nordeste as a whole. The forecasts account for 41–62% of the variance of observed rainfall, with which they are thus highly correlated. Unusually abrupt seasonal evolution of general circulation anomalies, as well as noise in predictors may contribute to forecast failures. However, the severe 1958 drought was eminently predictable from the methodology developed here. The most important predictors are atmospheric and oceanic parameters in key areas of the tropical Atlantic; the timely acquisition of such observations consistent with a reference climatology being essential for the implementation of the prediction method on an operational basis.
Spinal‐cord Injuries During Birth

The subject of perinatal injury to the spinal cord is briefly reviewed. Recognized causative factors are traction on the infant's trunk during breech delivery, rotational stresses applied to the spinal axis, traction on the cord via the brachial plexus in shoulder dystocia, and hyperextension of the fetal head in breech delivery or transverse presentation. Recognition of these factors is the basis for prevention of this terrible accident. Diagnostic criteria at various period of life are mentioned and the importance of the recognition of anaesthesia and reflex movements is emphasized. Treatment is mainly supportive. The development of an automatic reflex bladder evacuation is discussed. Follwup examinations and resourceful orthopedic care are essential. A few affected children learn to live with their disability and a very few who are apparently transected at birth recover surprisingly well.
Quarantine strategies for olive fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae): low-temperature storage, brine, and host relations.

A dose–response relationship was not observed in olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin), larvae exposed to acetic acid concentrations (0–2.5%) used in commercial brine solutions to cure olives. Immersion in a 1% acetic acid brine solution impeded emergence of the immature stages. A 1-wk exposure of olives infested with olive fruit fly larvae to low-temperature storage as a postharvest treatment at 0–1°C resulted in 8% survival of the population, and exposures of 2 through 5 wk further reduced pupal and adult emergence to <1.0%. One- to 2-wk exposures at 2–3°C resulted in a significant decrease in survival from 20 to 3%, respectively, and longer durations of 3–5 wk reduced survival to <1.0%. Mean daily fruit pulp temperatures in olives in the top, middle, and bottom of plastic bins stored at 2–3°C decreased by 5–8°C from the first to the second day. Lowest temperatures were observed in the top, and highest temperatures were observed in the middle layer of fruit, which attained a mean temperature of 3.8°C on day 5. Laboratory choice tests showed that olive fruit fly oviposited at a higher rate in late season Mission olives that were green than in fruit that were in the red blush maturity stage in tests with 1- and 3–4-d exposure periods, and an increase in duration of exposure was related to an increase in the total number of ovipositional sites. Higher percentages of olive fruit fly third instars, pupae, and adults were reared from green fruit than from fruit in the red blush stage after a 1-d exposure to oviposition. Manzanillo olives were more attractive for oviposition by olive fruit fly than Mission olives, and significantly more third instars, pupae, and adults developed in Manzanillo fruit than in Mission fruit in the red blush stage. These differences were related to the better quality and higher flesh content of the Manzanillo versus Mission olives used in the tests.
Optimal Detection of Global Warming Using Temperature Profiles: A Methodology

Abstract Optimal fingerprinting is applied to estimate the amount of time it would take to detect warming by increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in monthly averages of temperature profiles over the Indian Ocean. A simple radiative–convective model is used to define the pattern of the warming signal, and the first 100 yr of the 1000-yr control run of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory atmospheric–oceanic global climate model is used to estimate the natural variability of the upper-air temperatures. The signal is assumed to be the difference in two epochs of data, each epoch consisting of 12 consecutive months of monthly average temperature profiles. When the variabilities of monthly averages are assumed independent of each other, the difference in August upper-air temperatures yields the strongest fingerprint, giving a time span for a one-sigma detection of 22 yr. When correlations of natural variability between months are considered, the one-sigma detection time is 10 yr. If only an annual a...
Behavior of the cock of the Sierra rupicola rupicola (Cotingidae) in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil

Behavior of the cock of the Sierra rupicola rupicola (Cotingidae) in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil
Analysis of Triaxial Test for Granular Soils

Based on an earlier analytic formulation for the isothermal flow of an idealized cohesionless soil, several implications are deduced for the triaxial test (a compression test in the presence of a hydrostatic pressure). A specific form for the loading surface and the flow rule are selected. Since normality is generally absent uniqueness is not expected and a criterion is established to choose the best solution from a group of possible solutions. The question of stability is examined. Finally, the effect of the elastic membrane normally used in triaxial testing on the behavior of the granular material is discussed. In certain important respects the limited analytical and numerical results appear to agree with experience in soil mechanics testing.