cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructure and Properties of Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg Alloy Extrusion after End-Quenching Test

The cooling temperature field, microstructure and properties of an Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg alloy extrusion after an end-quenching experiment at 540 oC were investigated by means of an end-quenching test, hardness test, electrical conductivity determination and TEM observations. The results showed that the cooling rate of the alloy extrusion decreases sharply as the distance from the end-quenching spray point increased, when the distance from the end-quenching spray point is within 70 mm. Additionally, the cooling rate of the alloy extrusion decreased slowly along the length of the alloy extrusion when the distance from the end-quenching spray point exceeded 90 mm. The cooling rate of the alloy extrusion at distances of 20 mm and 32.5 mm from the end-quenching spray point exceeded 34 oC/s and 24 oC/s, respectively. Both hardness and electrical conductivity of the alloy extrusion within 32.5 mm from the end-quenching spray point were comparable to those of the alloy extrusion of off-line quenching at over 520 °C. There was no obvious precipitate in the alloy extrusion matrix 20 mm from the end-quenching spray point, and there were few fine and heterogeneous short rod-like precipitates in the alloy extrusion matrix 32.5 mm from the end-quenching spray point. However, there were many precipitates with lengths of approximately 10 nm in the alloy extrusion matrix 45 mm from the end-quenching spray point, and the lengths of the precipitates increased to approximately 20 nm when the distance from the end-quenching spray point exceeded 57.7 mm. The critical cooling rate of the 4-mm thick Al-12.7Si-0.7Mg alloy extrusion should exceed 24 oC /s.
1.06 – Adult Neurogenesis in the Teleost Fish Brain: Developmental Principles and Evolutionary Implications

In contrast to mammals, teleost fish exhibit an enormous potential to generate new neurons in the adult brain. This difference encompasses both the number of new neurons relative to the total number of brain cells and the number of neurogenic brain regions. After presenting details of these distinctive features, some of the fundamental processes are reviewed that underlie the generation of new cells from adult stem cells, and the development of their progeny into functional neurons and glial cells, in the teleostean brain. Finally, the numerical matching hypothesis is discussed in an attempt to provide an explanation for the evolutionary development of the differences in neurogenic potential between teleosts and mammals.
Correlative Study of ZAP-70 Gene Expression by Quantitative PCR and CD-38 Surface Marker in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have heterogeneous clinical courses. Many possible prognostic factors have been evaluated as a way to predict each patient’s future course. Two such prognostic factors are IgVH gene mutational status and CD38 expression. Recently, ZAP-70 expression has been found to correlate with IgVH gene mutation, but little is known about the correlation between ZAP-70 and CD 38 expression. We sought to evaluate the concordance between the two. METHODS: A procedure was developed at our institution to evaluate ZAP-70 transcripts by PCR. The results were then confirmed by flow cytometry. The blood or bone marrow samples of 14 patients diagnosed with CLL were analyzed by PCR for ZAP-70 transcripts and flow cytometry for ZAP-70 protein expression and CD38 expression. The results of the ZAP-70 transcripts and CD38 expression were then correlated to the clinical courses of the patients. RESULTS: Of the 14 patients analyzed, the majority had Rai Stage I disease at diagnosis (4 Stage 0, 8 Stage I, and 2 Stage II). There was a median follow-up of 28 months. The median number of treatments for these patients was one (range 0–6). Overall, the results for ZAP-70 and CD38 expression were concordant in eight with CD38 data unavailable for 2 patients. In the four patients with discordant results, 3 of them had high CD38 expression and low ZAP-70. However, patients with high ZAP-70 were more likely to require multiple treatments once treatment was indicated. Patients with high CD38 were also more likely to be treated. Cytogenetic data was available for 9 patients with the following results: 5 with normal cytogenetics, 1 with deletion of 11q, 1 with deletion of 13q, and 2 with deletion of 17p. Five of the nine patients had high ZAP-70 expression. CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, the results of ZAP-70 and CD38 expression were concordant 67% of the time. Longer follow-up is necessary and may further delineate the roles of cytogenetics, ZAP-70 expression, and CD38 expression on prognosis in CLL.
Prussian Reproduction, Proper Function and Infertile Marriages

Alex Pruss argues that romantic love is a basic form of human love that is properly fulfilled in sex oriented towards reproduction. As a result, homoerotic sexual activity cannot obtain the proper consummation and therefore involves misunderstanding the other person’s nature and the possibility of union with them. Although same-sex sexual activity may feel like a consummation of romantic love, it is wrong to generate such a false experience in oneself or another. Presented is an apparent dilemma for Pruss’s thesis suggesting that either both postmenopausal homosexuals and postmenopausal heterosexuals ought to be allowed to marry for their romantic love is not dysfunctional despite not being oriented towards reproduction, or that matrimony is inappropriate for both groups. I suggest avoiding the dilemma in either of two ways that would allow Pruss to distinguish the infertility of homosexual couples from the infertility of post-menopausal women.
Nitric Oxide: The Forgotten Child of Tumor Metabolism

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule with pleiotropic physiological roles in normal cells and pathophysiological roles in cancer. NO synthetase expression and NO synthesis are linked to altered metabolism, neoplasticity, invasiveness, chemoresistance, immune evasion, and ultimately to poor prognosis of cancer patients. Exogenous NO in the microenvironment facilitates paracrine signaling, mediates immune responses, and triggers angiogenesis. NO regulates posttranslational protein modifications, S-nitrosation, and genome-wide epigenetic modifications that can have both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing effects. We review mechanisms that link NO to cancer hallmarks, with a perspective of co-targeting NO metabolism with first-line therapies for improved outcome. We highlight the need for quantitative flux analysis to study NO in tumors.
Automatic pickup of arrival time of channel wave based on multi-channel constraints

Accurately detecting the arrival time of a channel wave in a coal seam is very important for in-seam seismic data processing. The arrival time greatly affects the accuracy of the channel wave inversion and the computed tomography (CT) result. However, because the signal-to-noise ratio of in-seam seismic data is reduced by the long wavelength and strong frequency dispersion, accurately timing the arrival of channel waves is extremely difficult. For this purpose, we propose a method that automatically picks up the arrival time of channel waves based on multi-channel constraints. We first estimate the Jaccard similarity coefficient of two ray paths, then apply it as a weight coefficient for stacking the multichannel dispersion spectra. The reasonableness and effectiveness of the proposed method is verified in an actual data application. Most importantly, the method increases the degree of automation and the pickup precision of the channel-wave arrival time.
Beta-defensin derived cationic antimicrobial peptides with potent killing activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria

Avian β-defensins (AvBD) are cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMP) with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, chemotactic property, and low host cytotoxicity. However, their bactericidal activity is greatly compromised under physiological salt concentrations which limits the use of these peptides as therapeutic agents. The length and the complex structure involving three conserved disulfide bridges are additional drawbacks associated with high production cost. In the present study, short linear CAMPs (11 to 25 a.a. residues) were developed based on the key functional components of AvBDs with additional modifications. Their biological functions were characterized. CAMP-t1 contained the CCR2 binding domain (N-terminal loop and adjacent α-helix) of AvBD-12 whereas CAMP-t2 comprised the key a.a. residues responsible for the concentrated positive surface charge and hydrophobicity of AvBD-6. Both CAMP-t1 and CAMP-t2 demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. However, CAMP-t1 failed to show chemotactic activity and CAMP-t2, although superior in killing Staphylococcus spp., remained sensitive to salts. Using an integrated design approach, CAMP-t2 was further modified to yield CAMP-A and CAMP-B which possessed the following characteristics: α-helical structure with positively and negatively charged residues aligned on the opposite side of the helix, lack of protease cutting sites, C-terminal poly-Trp tail, N-terminal acetylation, and C-terminal amidation. Both CAMP-A and CAMP-B demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains. These peptides were resistant to major proteases and fully active at physiological concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2. The peptides were minimally cytotoxic to avian and murine cells and their therapeutic index was moderate (≥ 4.5). An integrated design approach can be used to develop short and potent antimicrobial peptides, such as CAMP-A and CAMP-B. The advantageous characteristics, including structural simplicity, resistance to salts and proteases, potent antimicrobial activity, rapid membrane attacking mode, and moderate therapeutic index, suggest that CAMP-A and CAMP-B are excellent candidates for development as therapeutic agents against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant staphylococci.
Diversity, Race as Proxy, and Religion as Proxy

This article makes two observations about the intellectual diversity rationale for race-based affirmative action: (1) Race as Proxy: The rational uses race as proxy for people's attitudes, something that equal protection jurisprudence generally condemns. It's hard to see how this use of race as proxy is different from other, impermissible uses. (2) Religion as Proxy: The intellectual diversity arguments in favor of race-conscious decisions would also apply to religion-conscious decisions, especially given the lack of devoutly religious perspectives in many academic environments. If we believe that the end of intellectual diversity doesn't justify the means of religious discrimination, this suggests the same may be true for race.
Synthesis and Analysis of a Constrained Spherical Parallel Manipulator

This paper presents a methodology for constraining a spherical parallel manipulator so that it guides a body through five task positions with one degree-of-freedom. A dimensional synthesis procedure is used to constrain links of a 3-RRR spherical parallel manipulator using two spherical RR chains to obtain a spherical ten-bar linkage. For our purposes, we begin with a spherical parallel manipulator that has a base and platform that are isosceles spherical triangles. Inverse kinematics analysis of the spherical manipulator provides a set of relative task positions that are used to formulate the synthesis equations for spherical RR chains. The primary challenge is the analysis of the resulting four loop spherical linkage in order to animate is movement.
Controversial Therapies in Developmental Disabilities

The development and validation of new medical and surgical therapies is a long and involved process which follows a clearly defined set of scientific procedures. The initial step is the formulation of a hypothesis based on existing biomedical knowledge. A treatment protocol is then defined and implemented. The results obtained with the new treatment are compared with the natural history of the untreated condition, a group of patients treated with placebo, or a group of patients treated with a different protocol. Design features such as random assignment to the treatment group, blinding of the patient and observer to the treatment status of the subject, and quantitative assessment of the outcome are important features of the study design. The results are tested for significance using appropriate statistical techniques, and the entire studies are subjected to critical peer review before being published.
Distinct patterns of somatic mutation clearance and association with clinical outcome in patients with AML.

7005Background: Persistence of somatic mutations at the time of complete remission (CR) was associated with poor outcome in patients (pts) with AML. Methods: We studied 95 pts with AML who were tre...
Comparison of comorbid diagnoses in children with and without eosinophilic esophagitis in a large population

Abstract Background Previous reports suggest a higher prevalence of comorbid diseases in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), although few have systematically quantified comorbidities in pediatric patients. Objective To define the rate of comorbid diagnoses in pediatric EoE patients compared with rates in those without EoE. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional review of electronic medical records for patients seen in a single large pediatric primary care network between January 2007 and December 2016 (n = 456,148). International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision codes were used to determine prevalence rates for coexisting diagnoses. Results A total of 428 patients held a diagnosis for EoE. Significant differences in rate of comorbid diseases included allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (60.0% of EoE cohort vs 17.4% of non-EoE cohort, P Conclusion Children with EoE have markedly higher rates of both atopic and non-atopic diseases compared with children without EoE. These associations have important implications for comprehensive EoE care and future research regarding associated disease mechanisms.
Blood Vessel Epicardial Substance (BVES) in junctional signaling and cancer

ABSTRACTBlood vessel epicardial substance (BVES) is a tight-junction associated protein that was originally discovered from a cDNA screen of the developing heart. Research over the last decade has ...
Impact of preexisting mental illness on breast cancer endocrine therapy adherence.

Patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer are often non-adherent to endocrine therapies, despite clear survival benefits. We utilized a nationally representative cancer cohort to examine the role of specific mental illnesses on endocrine therapy adherence. Using the SEER-Medicare database, we included 21,894 women aged 68+ at their first surgically treated stage I-IV ER+ breast cancer during 2007–2013. All had continuous fee-for-service Medicare Parts A and B for 36+ months before, 18+ months after diagnosis, and continuous Part D for 4+ months before, 18+ after diagnosis. Mental illness was defined as occurring in the 36 months prior to cancer onset. We analyzed endocrine therapy adherence, initiation, and discontinuation using longitudinal linear and Cox regression models. Unipolar depression (11.0%), anxiety (9.5%), non-schizophrenia psychosis (4.6%), and dementias (4.6%) were the most prevalent diagnoses. Endocrine therapies were initiated by 80.0% of women. Among those with at least one year of use, 28.0% were non-adherent (< 0.80 adherence, mean = 0.84) and 25.7% discontinued. Patients with dementia or bipolar depression/psychotic/schizophrenia disorders had lower adjusted initiation probabilities by year one of follow-up, versus those without these diagnoses [0.74 95% CI (0.73–0.74) and 0.73 (0.72–0.73), respectively, reference 0.76 (0.76–0.77)]. Patients with substance use or anxiety disorders less frequently continued endocrine therapy for at least one year, after adjustment, [0.85 95% CI (0.85–0.86) and 0.88 (0.87–0.88), respectively, reference 0.90 (0.89–0.90)]. Patients with substance use disorders had 2.3% lower adherence rates (p < 0.001). Nearly one-quarter of female Medicare beneficiaries have diagnosed mental illness preceding invasive breast cancer. Those with certain mental illnesses have modestly reduced rates of initiation, adherence, and discontinuation and this may help define patients at higher risk of treatment abandonment. Overall, endocrine therapy adherence remains suboptimal, unnecessarily worsening recurrence and mortality risk.
Closed Genome Sequences of Clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains Obtained from Combined Oxford Nanopore and Illumina Sequencing

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the etiological agent of gonorrhea, the second most common notifiable disease in the United States. Here, we used a hybrid approach combining Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION and Illumina MiSeq sequencing data to obtain closed genome sequences of nine clinical N. gonorrhoeae isolates.
The Learning Process of Social Work Students After Exposure to an SBIRT Training

To better understand how to train social work students on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) we tested a path model of students’ learning processes for SBIRT principle...
Parent experience with volunteers and support groups in a multidisciplinary DSD clinic.

Objective Despite recommendations that clinics for children with a difference of sex development (DSD) should include peer support, information on how to provide this support is lacking. We utilized a mixed-methods program evaluation to evaluate family satisfaction with our clinic-based volunteers (who either have DSD themselves or are a parent of a child with DSD) and to understand the experience of these volunteers. Methods Parents (n=29) of a child with DSD completed an electronic survey. Interviews were conducted with three clinic volunteers. Results Most participants (72%) met with a clinic volunteer and majority (81%) rated their interaction as helpful. Most common topics discussed between parents and volunteers included: connecting to support groups (81%), their child's future (62%), and learning about their child's diagnosis (48%). Half of parents (48%) attended an after-clinic support group lunch, and 43% of these attendees rated the lunch session as helpful. Parents who attended a lunch liked the experience because they met other families with a child with a similar medical condition (100%), met volunteers with a similar medical condition (64%), and it helped them think more positively about their child's future (64%). Those who did not attend a lunch cited logistical reasons for not attending. Conclusions Incorporating clinic volunteers into a multidisciplinary DSD clinic is associated with high reported rates of satisfaction by families and volunteers.
Sex matters: Otolith shape and genomic variation in deacon rockfish (Sebastes diaconus).

Little is known about intraspecific variation within the deacon rockfish (Sebastes diaconus), a recently described species found in the northeast Pacific Ocean. We investigated population structure among fish sampled from two nearshore reefs (Siletz Reef and Seal Rock) and one offshore site (Stonewall Bank) within a 15,000 neutral loci, whether analyzed independently or classified into nearshore and offshore groups. Male and females were readily distinguished using genetic data and 92 outlier loci were associated with sex, potentially indicating differential selection between males and females. Morphometric results indicated that there was significant secondary sexual dimorphism in otolith shape, but further sampling is required to disentangle potential confounding influence of age. This study is the first step toward understanding intraspecific variation within the deacon rockfish and the potential management implications. Since differentiation among the three sample sites was small, we consider the results to be suggestive of a single stock. However, future studies should evaluate how the stock is affected by differences in sex, age, and gene flow between the nearshore and offshore environments.
Perception of Syntactic Stress in Alaryngeal Speech

This project was a perceptual investigation of syntactic stress in alaryngeal speech. The ability to signal syntactic stress in American English was assessed by obtaining tape recordings of minimally differentiated noun compound-noun phrase pairs (e.g., GREENhouse vs. green HOUSE) from four normal and 16 laryngectomized speakers using four different types of alaryngeal speech. The recordings of these compounds and phrases were presented to 30 listeners for identification using a two-interval-forced-choice procedure. As expected, the four normal speakers were able to achieve high (96% or above) levels of stress contrast. The compound/phrase stress contrasts were also achieved at a high level of proficiency (93% or above) by all four conventional esophageal speakers, all four tracheoesophageal shunt speakers, all four users of the Western Electric #5 electronic artificial larynx, and two of four users of the Servox electronic artificial larynx. Comparisons were made with the results of similar experiments o...
Saline lavage and reaspiration for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are among the most dreadful complications associated with total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Despite the numerous precautionary measures employed by surgeons to avoid their occurrence, the incidence of PJIs after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains between 2.0% and 2.4% (1). Because the management of PJIs typically entails two-stage revision arthroplasty, it poses a substantial burden on patients, surgeons, hospitals, and healthcare in general. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the incidence of TJA is increasing, and as a result, PJIs are expected to increase concordantly.
Homeschooling parents in California: Attitudes, beliefs and behaviors associated with child’s vaccination status

Abstract Background Senate Bill 277 (SB277) banned nonmedical exemptions from school-entry vaccination requirements for children attending classroom-based schools in California, but excluded homeschooled children from vaccination requirements. Thus, it was hypothesized that more parents would choose to homeschool to avoid vaccination requirements in response to SB277. There is limited literature on the vaccine attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among the homeschooling population in the US, despite an overall increase in homeschooling nationwide and documented vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks within the homeschooled child population. Methods Between November 2018 and January 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among homeschooling parents with at least one child in grades K-8 who is currently enrolled in one of the legally-acceptable mechanisms to homeschool in California: (1) home-based private school satellite program (PSP), or (2) public or charter independent study program (ISP) with no classroom-based instruction. Results Among 140 homeschooling parents from 8 schools in California, 71% reported that their youngest child in grade K-8 was up-to-date on immunizations at kindergarten-entry and 56% reported that they made the decision to homeschool their child after the implementation of SB277. Compared to homeschooling parents whose child was up-to-date at kindergarten entry, homeschooling parents whose child was not up-to-date at kindergarten entry reported higher concerns over vaccine safety and effectiveness, more frequently cited immunization mandates as a reason to homeschool, and were more likely to report having considered moving out of California due to immunization mandates. Conclusion There was variation in vaccine attitudes and beliefs within the homeschooling population in this sample. Immunization mandates were a factor in the decision to homeschool for some parents in this sample, supporting the hypothesis that vaccine-hesitant parents considered homeschooling as a way to avoid immunization mandates such as SB277. Future studies should explore the complexities around vaccine attitudes, beliefs and behaviors among homeschooling populations.
Lung-resident mesenchymal stromal cells are tissue-specific regulators of lung homeostasis

Until recently, data supporting the tissue-resident status of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) has been ambiguous since their discovery in the 1950-60s. These progenitor cells were first discovered as bone marrow-derived adult multipotent cells and believed to migrate to sites of injury, opposing the notion that they are residents of all tissue types. In recent years, however, it has been demonstrated that MSC can be found in all tissues and MSC from different tissues represent distinct populations with differential protein expression unique to each tissue type. Importantly, these cells are efficient mediators of tissue repair, regeneration, and prove to be targets for therapeutics, demonstrated by clinical trials (phase 1-4) for MSC-derived therapies for diseases like graft-versus-host-disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease. The tissue-resident status of MSC found in the lung is a key feature of their importance in the context of disease and injuries of the respiratory system, since these cells could be instrumental to providing more specific and targeted therapies. Currently, bone marrow-derived MSC have been established in the treatment of disease, including diseases of the lung. However, with lung-resident MSC representing a unique population with a different phenotypic and gene expression pattern than MSC derived from other tissues, their role in remediating lung inflammation and injury could provide enhanced efficacy over bone marrow-derived MSC methods. Through this review, lung-resident MSC will be characterized, using previously published data, by surface markers, gene expression patterns, and compared with bone-marrow MSC to highlight similarities and, importantly, differences in these cell types.
Debt Dynamics and Default Probabilities

We derive a simple integral equation for the default probability over a finite time horizon of a company that makes coupon payments on its debt and infrequently returns to its leverage target by increasing its debt unless it defaults on its debt. Compared to the conventional (constant default barrier) formula, our formula permits the default barrier to change dynamically (i.e., is ratcheted up) over time. Hence it addresses the misspecification problem stemming from existing default probability predictions that do not take into the account that firms alter (optimally) their capital structure. We quantify the importance of our solution by (i) comparing it to the correct formula for a static model and (ii) analyzing default probabilities for different dynamic models.
Transverse mode coupling instability threshold with space charge and different wakefields

Transverse mode coupling instability of a single bunch with space charge (SC) and a wakefield is considered within the framework of the boxcar model. Eigenfunctions of the bunch without a wake are used as a basis for the solution of the equations with the wakefield included. A dispersion equation for a constant wake is presented in the form of an infinite continued fraction and also as the recursive relation with an arbitrary number of basis functions. Realistic wakefields are considered as well including resistive wall, square, and oscillating wakes. It is shown that the transverse mode coupling instability threshold of the negative wake grows in absolute value when the SC tune shift increases. The threshold of the positive wake goes down at increasing the SC tune shift. The explanation is developed by an analysis of the bunch spectrum.
Coronavirus Kindness: The Pandemic Has Exposed Every American's Angels and Demons

The pandemic in the United States has a long way to go. People who are locked up for months may well behave very differently than those at home for two weeks or so.
Transport in helical Luttinger liquids in the fractional quantum Hall regime.

Domain walls in fractional quantum Hall ferromagnets are gapless helical one-dimensional channels formed at the boundaries of topologically distinct quantum Hall (QH) liquids. Naively, these helical domain walls (hDWs) constitute two counter-propagating chiral states with opposite spins. Coupled to an s-wave superconductor, helical channels are expected to lead to topological superconductivity with high order non-Abelian excitations1–3. Here we investigate transport properties of hDWs in the ν = 2/3 fractional QH regime. Experimentally we found that current carried by hDWs is substantially smaller than the prediction of the naive model. Luttinger liquid theory of the system reveals redistribution of currents between quasiparticle charge, spin and neutral modes, and predicts the reduction of the hDW current. Inclusion of spin-non-conserving tunneling processes reconciles theory with experiment. The theory confirms emergence of spin modes required for the formation of fractional topological superconductivity. Previous work has shown that helical domain walls can form between states of different spin-polarization during a ferromagnetic spin transition in the fractional quantum Hall regime. Here, the authors study the transport through a single helical domain wall and find strong deviations from a simplified theory of weakly interacting edge channels.
Re-Evaluation Based on Self-Concept

As described in the previous chapter, one can re-evaluate oneself in ways to increase positive affect (or decrease negative affect) in a particular life domain. In the previous chapter the focus was on using this strategy by manipulating expectancies based on one’s personal history. In this chapter I will describe a similar strategy, however the focus here will be on manipulating expectancies based on one’s self-concept. Specifically, I will describe how people enhance their subjective well being by re-evaluations in relation to their ideal self, social self, deserved self, minimum tolerable self, predicted self, competent self, and aspired self. I will also address the issue of self-concept integration and how it affects subjective well being.
Transient midventricular ballooning syndrome: a new variant.

We describe a new variant of transient left ventricular (LV) ballooning in North American Caucasian patients in which only the midventricle is affected. The patients described in this case series initially presented with emotional or physical stress and had similarities to transient apical ballooning syndrome; however, this variant is unique in that the transient ballooning involves the midventricle with hypercontractility of the apical and basal segments. The presentation, clinical features, and transient nature of the reported cases in this series are similar to transient LV apical ballooning and suggest a shared pathophysiologic etiology. Sparing of the apical segment with involvement of midventricle only supports etiologies not related to an epicardial coronary artery distribution. Although the pathophysiologic mechanism of the transient ventricular ballooning syndromes and other cases of catecholamine-associated transient ventricular dysfunction are not well understood, the emergence of this new variant raises further questions in the understanding of the “brain-heart” relationship.
Learning Progressions & Climate Change

Our society is currently having serious debates about sources of energy and global climate change. But do students (and the public) have the requisite knowledge to engage these issues as informed citizenry? The learning-progression research summarized here indicates that only 10% of high school students typically have a level of understanding commensurate with that called for in the Next Generation Science Standards. The learning-progression research shows how most students fall short of being able to trace matter and energy through carbon-transforming processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion that are at the center of analyses of energy use and global climate change. We discuss the more typical types of understanding that students develop and their implications for teaching.
Household out‐of‐pocket health care expenditure trends: 1980–95

This descriptive study examines household out-of-pocket expenditure trends for health insurance, medical services, prescription drugs and medical supplies using the 1980–95 Consumer Expenditure Surveys. Constant dollar out-of-pocket expenditures for health insurance have risen sharply over time while constant dollar out-of-pocket expenditures for medical services have declined, perhaps reflecting health care market changes. Older consumers spent more in constant dollars and had higher budget shares for all aspects of health care than younger consumers. Although Medicare and Medicaid provide access to basic health care, results indicate that, for older consumers who are poor, health care expenditures may still crowd out spending for other necessities.
Plant cells do not properly recognize animal gene polyadenylation signals.

We have introduced chimeric genes containing polyadenylation signals from a human gene and two animal virus genes into tobacco cells. We see, in all three cases, inefficient and ‘aberrant’ utilization of the foreign polyadenylation signals. We find that a chimeric gene carrying the polyadenylation site of the human growth hormone gene is polyadenylated at three sites in the vicinity of the site that is polyadenylated in human cells. A chimeric gene containing the polyadenylation site from the adenovirus 5 E1A gene is polyadenylated at a site 11 bases downstream from that reported in animal cells. A gene carrying the polyadenylation site from the SV40 early region is polyadenylated some 80 bases upstream from the site that is polyadenylated in animal cells. In all three cases, related mRNAs ending at flanking ‘authentic’ plant polyadenylation sites can be detected, indicating that the foreign polyadenylation signals are inefficiently utilized in tobacco cells.
Dynamo process governing solar wind-magnetosphere energy coupling

Abstract Based on the method of dimensional analysis, the energy transfer rate from the solar wind into the magnetosphere can be characterized by a magnetic coupling parameter α on open field lines and by a viscous coupling parameter β on closed field lines. By assuming that the energy transfer rate can be monitored by the total energy dissipation rate of the magnetosphere, the histogram of α is constructed and is found to peak around −0.1 α
Financial Constraints in Higher Education: Using a Case-Study Approach.

ABSTRACT Financial constraints remain a major concern to administrators of higher education in the United States. Equally important to these administrators is the need to demonstrate to an increasingly skeptical public that a deteriorating financial situation has a negative impact on the quality of education. In search for a way to demonstrate the effects of financial condition on institutions, this study investigates the impact of financial constraints on the teaching conditions (curriculum development, faculty development, and teaching technology). The study also examines constraints reduction strategies preferred by faculty members.
A masterpiece in a new genre: The rhetorical negotiation of two audiences in schrödinger's “what is life?”

Critics may fail to appreciate the rhetorical significance of scientific texts that do not fit within the dominant genre of truth‐forming argument. Only by identifying Schrodinger's text as inspirational community‐forming discourse do we come to recognize the rhetorical artistry of his negotiation between two audiences, a negotiation that includes a subtle building of common ground, the application of productive ambiguity at a key point of collision, and a skillful _ reversal of language expectations to relocate audience loyalties.
Lipopolysaccharide modulation of phenylephrine-dependent vasoconstriction is dependent on intercellular communication

The role of gap junctional intercellular communication between endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells during the inflammatory process is not well understood. In particular, the role of vascular connexins (gap junction proteins) in regulating blood flow in response to inflammatory agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has not been fully investigated. We have previously demonstrated that the endothelium modulates the LPS response in microvessels via an unknown mechanism. Our hypothesis is that LPS modulation of agonist-mediated vasoconstriction is dependent on the presence of connexin 40 (Cx40) within the microvessel wall.
The social hyperlink

Online, hyperlinks connect not just related information, but people who relate to one another. In this talk I will discuss the many dimensions and uses of the social hyperlink across a variety of online communities. Sometimes it is the information that brings the people together, as they are seeking answers to questions, or seeking to answer questions. In online question and answer forums, hyperlinks record a fleeting social interaction, an information exchange. In other instances, for example, in virtual worlds, social hyperlinks may be conduits for social influence, direct transfer of information, or even the sharing of virtual goods. Occasionally, an online tie is established in order to navigate the real world, or more specifically, find a real couch to sleep on. This of course takes a good deal of trust - trust that is expressed in hyperlinks.
A note on additive conjoint measurement

Abstract Additive two-factor conjoint measurement is derived from axioms that do not include unrestricted solvability or a condition on interlocked standard sequences.
Spectrum broadening in phase-modulated coherent optical illumination

Abstract A method is proposed for broadening the spectrum available from a “phase-modulator”, thereby effecting an improvement in two-dimensional image quality when using coherent light.
Technology Transfer in Western Rural Areas

Although rural cities and counties in the West appear stable with respect to available resources and demands on their transportation systems, changes in demands and available resources are becoming more evident. Available transportation resources in rural areas are limited at the same time that agriculturally based areas are exploring ways to strengthen their economies. A common approach by local officials is to use the same resources as they have in the past and solve problems as they arise rather than conduct systematic planning for the future. Increasing traffic demands on rural transportation systems, environmental pressures, strict standards, and diversified use make solutions harder to find. Today's legal environment forces cities and counties to adhere to minimum standards in construction and maintenance. The current need for technology transfer and providing assistance to local officials to solve transportation problems is focused on. Several factors adversely affect the transfer of needed information. They fit into two basic categories: ineffective communication on the part of the giver and a lack of desire or ability to receive needed information by local officials. Programs at technology transfer centers throughout the West have been developed to improve the quality and availability of training. The programs are designed to reduce travel, time involvement, cost, and effort required by the local transportation officials to participate in training activities. All of these ideas define technology transfer as communication.
Phenomenological Analysis of K + Λ Photoproduction

Low-energy $K\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ photoproduction cross-section and polarization data are analyzed using contributions from nonresonant perturbation amplitudes associated with $p$, ${K}^{+}$, $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, $\ensuremath{\Sigma}$, and ${K}^{*+}$ propagators, and from a resonant amplitude in one total and final orbital angular momentum state. The resonance is assumed to have an energy of about 1.7 GeV and a width of about 100 MeV. The data are analyzed by assuming that the resonance can be in any one of the angular momentum states from ${S}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ to ${F}_{\frac{5}{2}}$, and a ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}$ minimization is performed for each possibility. It is found that the perturbation amplitudes alone give good fits to the cross-section data, and that only a small amount of resonant amplitude in any one of a number of angular momentum states is sufficient to explain the polarization without strongly modifying the cross-section fits. The assumed resonant state in general contributes about 20% to the total cross section, and ${P}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ and ${D}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ states give the lowest values of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}$. The values of the coupling constants obtained herein are compared with those expected from $\mathrm{SU}(3)$; approximate agreement is found though the values obtained in our analysis are generally smaller than the $\mathrm{SU}(3)$ predictions. The possible contribution of an ${F}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ resonant amplitude found in the analysis is consistent with that expected from $\mathrm{SU}(3)$ for the third resonance. A compilation of all the presently existing $K\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ photoproduction data is given as an appendix.
Culture in crisis: Deploying metaphor in defense of art

This paper examines the public discourse around cultural organizations under threat of closing. When discussing these crises, do people cling to old metaphors or find new ways to defend the arts? We compare the use of metaphor across the field of cultural organizations from high to popular culture and nonprofit to commercial. These questions are timely, with U.S. cultural policy under strain and rising rates of closure facing orchestras and theaters. Rather than forging a new path, we ultimately find that discourse around high culture nonprofits relies on old, elitist metaphors.
Weights, growth, and survival of timber wolf pups in Minnesota.

Weights, growth rates, canine tooth lengths, and survival data were obtained from 73 wild wolf ( Canis lupus ) pups that were 8 to 28 weeks old when live-trapped in three areas of northern Minnesota from 1969 to 1972. Relative weights of wild pups are expressed as percentages of a standard weight curve based on data from captive pups of similar age. These relative weights varied greatly within litters, between litters, and between years; extremes of 31 to 144 percent of the standard were observed. Growth rates ranging from 0.05 to 0.23 kilograms per day were observed, and similar variations in general development and in replacement and growth of canine teeth were noted. Survival data based on radio-tracking and tag returns indicated that pups with relative weights less than 65 percent of standard have a poor chance of survival, whereas pups of at least 80 percent of standard weight have a high survivability. Pups born in 1972 were especially underweight, probably a result of declining white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) densities in the interior of the Superior National Forest study area.
Defining and computing multi-dimensional skeletons

Describing shapes is an important task in graphics and vision. A simple, concise descriptor that captures the essential shape properties of an object would greatly facilitate computer-based understanding of the object and applications such as matching and segmentation. For this reason, medial axes (MA) has become a popular shape descriptor since its introduction by Blum [Blum 1967]. The MA of an N-D object is an (N -- 1)-D geometry centered within the object. For example, the MA of a 2D object consists of medial curves at elongated parts, whereas the MA of a 3D object consists of medial surfaces describing the protrusions on the object.
High-repetition-rate pulse-burst laser for Thomson scattering on the MST reversed-field pinch

A new, high-repetition-rate pulse-burst laser system for the MST Thomson scattering diagnostic has operated with 2 J pulses at repetition rates up to 75 kHz within a burst. The 1064 nm laser currently employs a q-switched, diode pumped Nd:YVO4 master oscillator, four Nd:YAG amplifier stages, and a Nd:glass amplifier, with plans for an additional Nd:glass amplifier. The laser can maintain 1.5–2 J pulses in two operating modes: either at a uniform repetition rate of 5–10 kHz (sustained for 5–8 ms), or reach rates of up to 75 kHz in pulse-burst operation (for 10 bursts of 15 pulses each), limited by flashlamp explosion energy and wall loading. The full system, including an additional Nd:glass amplifier, is designed to produce bursts of 2 J pulses at a repetition rate of at least 250 kHz. Custom programmable square-pulse power supplies drive the amplifier flashlamps, providing fine control of pulse timing, duration, and repetition, and allow for pulse-burst operation. The new laser system integrates with the same collection optics and detectors as used by the previous MST Thomson laser: 21 spatial points across the MST minor radius, filter polychromators with 6 to 8 channels (10 eV–5 keV range), avalanche photodiode detectors, and 1 GSample/s/channel digitization. Use of the previous pulse-burst laser continues concurrently with new laser development. Additional notes on optimization of flashlamp simmering will also be covered, showing that an increase in simmer currents can improve pulse-to-pulse energy consistency on both the new and older lasers.
Pressing the Online Learning Advantage: Commitment, Content, and Community

“In the Learning Paradigm … a college's purpose is not to transfer knowledge but to create environments and experiences that bring students to discover and construct knowledge for themselves, to ma...
Contractile and endurance properties of feline triangularis sterni muscle

Abstract The triangularis sterni muscle has recently been found to play an active role in the modulation of airflow during expiration in several species; furthermore its electrical activity is influenced by many chemical and mechanical stimuli which influence breathing. To determine feline triangularis sterni contractile and endurance properties, strips of triangularis sterni and costal diaphragm muscle were removed from anesthetized ventilated cats, and studied in vitro. The isometric contractile kinetics of the two muscles were similar; contraction times were 37 ± 2 and 36 ± 1 ms for the triangularis sterni and diaphragm, respectively. However, the twitch to tetanic tension ratio of the triangularis sterni was lower than that of the diaphragm ( 0.19 ± 0.01 versus 0.37 ± 0.03; P ), and the force frequency relationship of the triangularis sterni was located to the right of that of the diaphragm. Repetitive stimulation (40 Hz trains, duty cycle 0.33) produced a greater decline in force for the diaphragm than the tringularis sterni. The fatigue index (ratio of force at 2 min to initial force) was significantly higher for the triangularis sterni ( 0.31 ± 0.04 ) than for the diaphragm ( 0.18 ± 0.02; P ). These data indicate that the contractile and endurance properties of the feline triangularis sterni are different in some but not all respects from those of the diaphragm, which may reflect adaptations to patterns of use during breathing.