cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electroanalysis with modified carbon paste electrodes coordination trends, selectivity and sensitivity

Abstract Carbon paste electrodes modified with 1,10-phenanthroline have been employed in the determination of cobalt from aqueous solutions using cyclic and differential pulse voltanimetric techniques. Linear calibration curves were obtained for Co 2+ concentrations ranging from 1×10 −6 to S×1O −4 M. Interference effects of Fe 2+ and Cu + were investigated and these correlated well with the values for the formation constants from homogeneous solution. The effects of the apparent diffusion coefficients of the complexes within the carbon paste on the observed voltammetric signals were also investigated.
Forward kinematic model for continuum robotic surfaces

In this paper, we consider the modeling of robotic continuous “continuum” two-dimensional surfaces. We discuss the fundamental differences between such robot surfaces and traditional rigid link and continuum robots. We then introduce new kinematic models for continuum robotic surfaces. We compare the kinematic models to physical continuum surfaces and validate their performance.
Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) presenting with marked jaundice and duodenal ulcerations

Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) presenting with marked jaundice and duodenal ulcerations
Treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder among children and adolescents with reported prevalence rates of between 3 and 10 %. Recent reports suggest that a multimodal treatment approach is preferable to address many symptoms of ADHD and its associated problems for the children, the family, and the school. Stimulant medications remain the mainstay of treatment and are highly effective in more than 75% of patients. Improvement in the core symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are most noticeable. Recently approved extended release preparation of methylphenidate will allow once a day dosing. Reports of effectiveness of some non-stimulant medications such as bupropion, especially for adolescents, appear promising. A number of behavioral and psychosocial interventions can be used effectively as part of multimodal approach to address many ADHD-related problems. This article provides an update on practical information on the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD who do not have other associated psychiatric disorders.
Striping of nematic elastomers

Abstract We consider a recent experiment of Kundler and Finkelmann (Macromol. Rapid Commun. 16 (1995) 679), who subjected an aligned specimen of nematic elastomer to uniaxial extension and observed the formation of striped domains. In so doing, we apply the general theory for nematic elastomers developed by Anderson et al. (J. Elast. 56 (1999) 33) and work with an energy density that combines the effects included in the molecular-statistical theory of nematic rubber elasticity with the Oseen–Zocher–Frank theory of nematic curvature elasticity. Assuming that the deformation and orientation fields remain in-plane, we arrive at a boundary-value problem which admits solutions corresponding to striped states. We use elementary aspects of bifurcation theory to explore the local stability of these solutions. We also obtain analytical estimates for the energy and thickness of interstripe domain walls as functions of imposed extension and compare these with numerical predictions.
Arginine as a substrate binding site in aspartate aminotransferase.

Abstract Modification of one or two arginine residues in pig-heart cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase with 1,2-cyclohexanedione nearly abolishes its catalytic activity and abolishes its ability to bind dicarboxylic acids. The modification is competitively inhibited by glutaric acid. Modification of the enzyme causes no change in its ability to transaminate alanine, but causes a tenfold increase in the Michaelis constant and a 10 4 fold decrease in the rate of transamination of aspartate. These results indicate that the binding site for the β-carboxyl group of aspartic acid is an arginine residue.
Temperature-dependent field gradients in Zn and Cd: First-principles analysis of electronic and lattice contributions

An ab initio investigation has been carried out for the influence of isotropic, anisotropic, and anharmonic phonons on the ionic and electronic contributions to the field gradients in zinc and cadmium. In addition to explaining the trend of experimental temperature-dependence data in these metals, it is shown that the different phonons influence the ionic and electronic contributions very differently. In particular, it is found that the isotropic components of the phonon spectra lead to no variation in the lattice contribution to the field gradient but produce substantial changes in the electronic contribution. These latter changes represent the leading contribution to the temperature dependence of the total field gradient. The net lattice contribution, composed of opposing contributions from the anisotropic and anharmonic components of phonon spectra is of the same order and sign as the electronic contribution, although somewhat smaller in magnitude. The relationship of our results to those from earlier work is discussed.
Prevalence of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in Texas, 1999–2002†

BACKGROUND: The cause of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is poorly understood. This descriptive study of IHPS focuses on the effect of maternal nativity, maternal Hispanic ethnicity, subtypes of maternal Asian ethnicity, and the timing of the infant's surgery, that is, pyloromyotomy. METHODS: All cases of IHPS born in Texas from 1999 through 2002 were retrieved from the Texas Birth Defects Registry. Crude prevalence ratios and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: IHPS occurred predominantly in boys (aPR 4.21; 95% CI: 3.81, 4.65) compared with girls. Compared with Whites, there was a lower prevalence among Blacks (aPR 0.36; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.43), foreign-born Hispanics (aPR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.69), Chinese (aPR 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.78), Vietnamese (aPR 0.17; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.46), Asian Indians (aPR 0.33; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.75), and Filipinos (aPR 0.22; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.91). In aggregate, foreign born Asians had a decreased risk of IHPS (aPR 0.20; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.37) compared to Whites. We observed no decrease in the risk of IHPS among US-born Asians (in aggregate) or US-born Hispanics. The strength of these risk factors did not vary according to the timing of the pyloromyotomy. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed previous findings that female infants and Black infants have a lower rate of IHPS. Large decreases in rates of IHPS were observed among foreign-born Hispanics and foreign-born Asians, but not among their US-born counterparts. These findings may be explained by differences in the frequency of behavioral risk factors for IHPS or differences in the frequency of ascertainment of mild cases of IHPS by ethnicity or nativity. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Differential Inhibition of Red Cell Carbonic Anhydrase Isozymes in Hyperthyroidism

AN inverse correlation has been demonstrated1,2 between the serum level of thyroid hormone in man, measured as protein bound iodine, and one of the isozymes of red cell carbonic anhydrase (designated CA I or CA B3). An attempt was made to quantify a second, genetically distinct isozyme (CA II or CA C) and no significant effect of thyroid hormone was observed. It was clear, however, that the method of measurement was inadequate for the relatively low concentration of CA II in red cells.
Normal vibrations and molecular conformations of dialkyl disulfides

Abstract Normal coordinate calculations were carried out for the following dialkyl disulfides: dimethyl, t-butyl methyl, di-t-butyl, ethyl methyl and diethyl. Modified Urey—Bradley force constants were refined by the method of least squares to give best agreement with the observed frequencies. The functional dependence of the normal frequencies on the dihedral angles about the SS and CS bonds was calculated. It was found that the SS stretching frequency varies little with the dihedral angle about the SS bond but shows a definite dependence on the dihedral angles about the CS bonds. The latter results from a weak coupling of the SS stretching mode with the CCS bending modes. The present study confirms the correlation between the SS stretching frequency and the conformation about the CS bonds recently proposed by Sugeta, Go and Miyazawa.
712: Association Of Interleukin-1 and Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) gene expression with maternal and fetal IL-1RN genotype and chorioamnionitis in preterm birth

1RN) GENE EXPRESSION WITH MATERNAL AND FETAL IL-1RN GENOTYPE AND CHORIOAMNIONITIS IN PRETERM BIRTH CHAD GROTEGUT, JENNA BONE, DAVID CROSSLIN, ELIZABETH HAUSER, BERNARD CANZONERI, GEETA SWAMY, PHILLIP HEINE, AMY MURTHA, Duke University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Durham, North Carolina, Duke University, Center for Human Genetics, Durham, North Carolina OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory pathways play an important role in the pathogenesis of preterm delivery. Interleukin-1 is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine where interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) is an inhibitor of the IL-1 receptor, with anti-inflammatory properties. Maternal carriage of a polymorphism in the IL-1RN gene is associated with preterm delivery. We hypothesize that the presence of this polymorphism is associated with alterations in placental gene expression of IL-1 and/or IL-1RN. We sought to determine if gene expression of IL-1 and IL-1RN correlates with maternal and/or fetal IL-1RN genotype or with the incidence of chorioamnionitis in preterm subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Following IRB approval, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of subjects with spontaneous preterm delivery less than 37 weeks with placental samples available for quantitative gene expression analysis and maternal and fetal genotype for the IL-1RN polymorphism. Messenger RNA was extracted and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction performed for IL-1 and IL-1RN. The association of gene expression to maternal and fetal IL-1RN genotype and presence of chorioamnionitis was then determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: Gene expression data for IL-1 and IL-1RN was determined for 31 women delivering preterm. The data was similar when normalized to a housekeeping gene. There was a clear relationship between the incidence of chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery, especially in the setting of PPROM (OR 13.9, CI 2.5-118.0). There was no relationship between expression levels of IL-1 and IL1RN and maternal and fetal IL-1RN genotype (p 0.44 and p 0.67 respectively) or the presence of chorioamnionitis (p 0.36). CONCLUSION: We found no association between the placental gene expression of IL-1 and IL-1RN with maternal or fetal carraige of the IL-1RN polymorphism, nor with the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis. The balance between the pro-inflammatory IL-1 cytokine and the anti-inflammatory IN-1RN cytokine likely alone does not determine the presence of chorioamniontis.
Asymptotic theory for static behavior of elastic anisotropic I-beams

Abstract End effects for prismatic anisotropic beams with thin-walled, open cross-sections are analyzed by the variational-asymptotic method. The decay rates for disturbances at the ends of prismatic beams are evaluated, and the most influential end disturbances are incorporated into a refined beam theory. Thus, the foundations of Vlasovs theory, as well as restrictions on its applicability, are obtained from the variational-asymptotic point of view. Vlasovs theory is proved to be asymptotically correct for isotropic I-beams. The asymptotically correct generalization of Vlasovs theory for static behavior of anisotropic beams is presented. In light of this development, various published generalizations of Vlasovs theory for thin-walled anisotropic beams are discussed. Comparisons with a numerical 3-D analysis are provided, showing that the present approach gives the closest agreement of all published theories. The procedure can be applied to any thin-walled beam with open cross-sections.
Remarks on tune-up of Analogue II

A successful knob-turning experiment in determining the 35 separate coil current setting required for the full-radius
Fuel Optimal Reorientation of Axisymmetric Spacecraft

Abstract : The problem of reorienting axisymmetric spacecraft by using reaction control jets and at the same time minimizing fuel expenditure is analyzed. The reorientations considered are not limited to small angle rotations, and axial cross-coupling is not neglected. However, only rest-to-rest maneuvers are studied and the vehicle is modeled as a rigid body free from disturbance torques. It is assumed that the attitude control thrustors can provide large enough torques for the thrust durations to be negligible compared to the maneuver periods. The Pontryagin Maximum Principle is used to determine the optimality of control profiles involving only two thrustor firings - an initial and a terminating thrust. These maneuvers are found to be optimal for a large class of reorientations and this method appears to have great practical potential, typically offering an average spacecraft fuel saving of 10 to 25 percent over current techniques. (Author)
A pilot study: mindfulness meditation intervention in COPD

Living well with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires people to manage disease-related symptoms in order to participate in activities of daily living. Mindfulness practice is an intervention that has been shown to reduce symptoms of chronic disease and improve accurate symptom assessment, both of which could result in improved disease management and increased wellness for people with COPD. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate an 8-week mindful meditation intervention program tailored for the COPD population and explore the use of breathing timing parameters as a possible physiological measure of meditation uptake. Results demonstrated that those randomized to the mindful meditation intervention group (N=19) had a significant increase in respiratory rate over time as compared to those randomized to the wait-list group (N=22) (P=0.045). It was also found that the mindful meditation intervention group demonstrated a significant decrease in level of mindfulness over time as compared to the wait-list group (P=0.023). When examining participants from the mindful meditation intervention who had completed six or more classes, it was found that respiratory rate did not significantly increase in comparison to the wait-list group. Furthermore, those who completed six or more classes (N=12) demonstrated significant improvement in emotional function in comparison to the wait-list group (P=0.032) even though their level of mindfulness did not improve. This study identifies that there may be a complex relationship between breathing parameters, emotion, and mindfulness in the COPD population. The results describe good feasibility and acceptability for meditation interventions in the COPD population.
Learning in Artificial Neural Networks: A Statistical Perspective

The premise of this article is that learning procedures used to train artificial neural networks are inherently statistical techniques. It follows that statistical theory can provide considerable insight into the properties, advantages, and disadvantages of different network learning methods. We review concepts and analytical results from the literatures of mathematical statistics, econometrics, systems identification, and optimization theory relevant to the analysis of learning in artificial neural networks. Because of the considerable variety of available learning procedures and necessary limitations of space, we cannot provide a comprehensive treatment. Our focus is primarily on learning procedures for feedforward networks. However, many of the concepts and issues arising in this framework are also quite broadly relevant to other network learning paradigms. In addition to providing useful insights, the material reviewed here suggests some potentially useful new training methods for artificial neural ne...
Leukocytes, oxygen radicals, and myocardial injury due to ischemia and reperfusion.

Abstract Ischemic myocardium generates stimuli for neutrophil chemotaxis before the final extent of irreversible ischemic injury is attained. Reperfusion accelerates the infiltration of ischemic myocardium by neutrophils. Oxygen radicals released by the activated neutrophils may exacerbate the tissue damage caused by ischemia. Neutrophil depletion by antiserum was shown to limit infarct size in dogs undergoing coronary occlusion for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion for 6 or 72 hours, but not in dogs undergoing occlusion for 4 hours. Prostacyclin, which inhibits the generation of superoxide anions by neutrophils, also limited canine myocardial injury despite no effect on collateral blood flow. Iloprost, an analogue of prostacyclin that inhibits neutrophils also reduced infacrt size, while SC39902, an analogue that does not inhibit neutrophils, did not alter infarct size. The results suggest that oxygen radicals released by activated neutrophils play a role in the pathophysiology of myocardial injury due to ischemia followed by reperfusion.
Mifepristone abortion in minors

Approximately one-third of pregnant teenagers in the U.S. choose abortion. This prospective study evaluated whether medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol is physically and emotionally acceptable in adolescents. Adolescents 14- to 17-years-old, with pregnancies < or =56 days gestation, and seeking abortion services with parental consent from at least one parent were enrolled. Mifepristone (200 mg) was administered, followed 2 days later by 800 microg of misoprostol administered vaginally. Follow-up visit occurred on Day 4-8 to confirm abortion completion. Questionnaires regarding acceptability of the procedure as well as emotional coping were administered at the initial visit, at the follow-up visit, and by phone at 4 weeks postabortion. All 28 adolescents had complete medical abortions without complications or surgical intervention, and five minors did not require misoprostol. At the Day 4-8 follow-up visit, 75% of teens found the procedure acceptable, and that increased to 96% by the 4-week visit. Although 57% reported stress and 43% reported fear initially, by 4 weeks postabortion only 21% of the teens reported stress, and 8% were still experiencing fear. In addition, the minors' satisfaction with their abortion decision increased from 43% to 79% by 4 weeks postabortion. Medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol was highly effective and well tolerated, physically and emotionally, by adolescents in our sample. A larger clinical trial is needed to generalize these findings to other adolescent populations seeking medical abortion services.
Optical suppression of experimental seizures in rat brain slices.

Summary Purpose: To determine if a small ultraviolet emitting diode (UV LED) could release sufficient γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from a caged precursor to suppress paroxysmal activity in rat brain slices. Methods: Electrophysiologic recordings were obtained from rat brain slices bathed with caged GABA: 4-[[(2H-benzopyran-2-one-7-amino-4-methoxy)carbonyl]amino]butanoic acid (BC204), at concentrations between 3 and 30 μm. Seizure-like activity was induced by perfusing slices with extracellular medium lacking magnesium and containing 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 100 μm). A small, high-power UV LED was used to uncage BC204 and determine whether an increase in ambient GABA could alter normal or paroxysmal activity in the slice. Results: UV LED illumination, in the absence of BC204, had no effect on CA1 population spikes or seizure-like activity. The light did induce a small temperature elevation (<0.15°C) over the current intensities and exposure durations used in these experiments. In the presence of BC204, UV light decreased the CA1 population spike and seizure-like activity. The BC204 effect can be best accounted for by release of GABA: The reduction of population spikes and seizure-like activity was blocked by the GABA antagonist picrotoxin, and BC204 illumination produced a membrane polarization that reversed at the expected potential for GABAA receptors. Discussion: These experiments establish that illumination of a low concentration of caged GABA with a tiny UV LED can release sufficient GABA to attenuate seizure-like activity in brain slices. Because our seizure model is very severe, it is probable that this technique would have a robust effect in human focal epilepsy.
Number and reactivity of the sulfhydryl groups of α-isopropylmalate synthase of Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract With three different methods of titration, 16 ± 1 free sulfhydryl groups were found per molecule of α-isopropylmalate synthase from Salmonella typhimurium, assuming a molecular weight of 160 000. On the basis of their reaction rate with 5,5′-dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoate and with 2,2′-dithiodipyridine, at least two types of sulfhydryl groups could be distinguished. The presence of the endproduct inhibitor leucine or, to a lesser extent, of the substrate α-ketoisovalerate caused a general decrease of the sulfhydryl reactivity. Enzymatic activity was lost after 4–5 sulfhydryl groups had been titrated with 5,5′-dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoate. Incubation with thiol compounds partially restored activity. The restoration was complicated by the finding that the thiol compounds themselves caused inactivation of the unmodified enzyme.
Preparation of high performance PET fiber by solution spinning technique

High molecular weight poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET, IV = 3.30 dL/g) was extruded in attempts to prepare high performance fiber using the solution spinning method. Solution preparation, fiber coagulation, and mechanical properties of resultant fibers were examined. An as-spun fiber exhibited high deformability when appropriate coagulation conditions were used. Tenacity and modulus of the resultant drawn fibers achieved 12.9 and 230 gpd, respectively, at draw ratio above 10. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rational approximation to ex and to related functions

Abstract According to a well-known result of S. N. Bernstein, ex can be approximated uniformly on [−1, 1] by polynomials of degree ⩽n with an error of the order [2n(n + 1)!]−1. In this note it is shown that the smallest (uniform norm) error in approximating ex by reciprocals of polynomials of degree ⩽n is also of the order [2n(n + 1)!]−1. We denote throughout by Pn(x), Qn(x) real polynomials of degree ⩽n. We show, furthermore, that the smallest error in approximating ex by rational functions of the form P n (x) Q n (x) where the coefficients of Qn are ⩾0 is again of that same order.
Cardiac telemetry exercise program

To train cardiac consultants who interpret electrocardiogram rhythm strips from the field, we designed a series of prerecorded telemetered rhythms and discussions which can be sent into telemetry consoles. The patterns represent cardiac arrhythmias (eg, ventricular tachycardia, complete heart block, etc), as well as equipment problems (loose leads, misplaced leads, etc). We selected and modified some of the patterns of "Arrhythmia Resusci Anne" (Laerdal Medical Corporation), sent these through ambulance radios (to create a tone), recorded the signal on a standard tape recorder and dubbed in the monologue. The physician is asked to interpret the pattern and give instructions to the ambulance attendant. The answers and response times are recorded by the technician running the taped exercise. At the end of the quiz, the rhythms are replayed along with a discussion of each pattern.
Effects of density on goldfish blood—I hematology

Abstract 1. 1. Adult goldfish were held at two loading densities (0.80 and 4.19 fish cm/l water) to determine the effects of density on hematology. 2. 2. Consistent decreases of hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations, with an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, were found to be related to density. 3. 3. A highly significant reduction in hemoglobin was associated with a high density of males. 4. 4. Density effects are apparently masked by fish size and sex. 5. 5. Density was found to have no effect on other hematological indices and plasma osmolality. These are discussed in the text.
Sample shape and magnetic grain sizes: two possible controls on the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility variability in deep-sea sediments

Abstract The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) has been measured on synthetic cylindrical samples with magnetic grain sizes of 20–38 μm, 10–20 μm, and 0.5 μm. The length to diameter ratio has been progressively reduced by slicing the cylinders and the AMS determined. Sample-shape controls AMS ellipsoid orientations when magnetic grain size is small. Such sample-shape controls may explain some of the anomalous AMS results which have been reported for deep-sea sediments and must be considered when interpreting magnetic fabric.
SCIENCE PERIODICALS USE STUDY

A two-semester study of science periodicals usage at State University of New York at Albany was conducted to identify little used titles for storage or possibly discard. Even in this large multidisciplinary collection a small core of journals accounted for a large percentage of use. Use patterns over time were also recorded and are reported for selected titles. Use rankings are correlated with citation rankings reported in Science Citation Index's Journal Citation Reports.® Titles for storage and possible discard or cancellation were successfully identified.
Mid-level providers demonstrate proficiency in FAST after directed training

Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) is commonly used to detect intra-peritoneal blood as part of the evaluation of trauma patients. In our level 1 trauma center, mid-level providers (MLPs) perform serial FAST exams on trauma patients. We describe our training approach and proficiency achieved. Subjects were MLPs with no previous training in FAST. The training consisted of hands-on training on live models, two on-line ultrasound (US) modules, and a video image review session. Participants were evaluated with pre-, post-, and 6-month follow-up video tests. Subsequently, they independently performed FAST exams which were reviewed by ED US faculty. 11 MLPs participated, completing an average of 17 scans; 91% were technically adequate. Average scores were: pre-test 50.5% (31.7–68.3%), post-test 76.7% (65.9–87.8%), and 6-month test 77% (58.5–87.8%), for an initial improvement of 26.2% (p < 0.001) and a sustained improvement over the pre-test of 26.5% (p = 0.011) at 6 months. MLPs demonstrated proficiency in FAST after brief training.
A model-free ensemble method for class prediction with application to biomedical decision making

Objective: A classification algorithm that utilizes two-dimensional convex hulls of training-set samples is presented. Methods and material: For each pair of predictor variables, separate convex hulls of positive and negative samples in the training set are formed, and these convex hulls are used to classify test points according to a nearest-neighbor criterion. An ensemble of these two-dimensional convex-hull classifiers is formed by trimming the "mC"2 possible classifiers derived from the m predictors to a set of classifiers comprised of only unique predictor variables. Because only two-dimensional spaces are required to be populated by training-set samples, the ''curse of dimensionality'' is not an issue. At the same time, the power of ensemble voting is exploited by combining the classifications of the unique two-dimensional classifiers to reach a final classification. Results: The algorithm is illustrated by application to three publicly available biomedical data sets with genomic predictors and is shown to have prediction accuracy that is competitive with a number of published classification procedures. Conclusion: Because of its superior performance in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value compared to its competitors, the convex-hull ensemble classifier demonstrates good potential for medical screening, where often the major emphasis is placed on having reliable negative predictions.
Spatial Memory Formation and Memory-Enhancing Effect of Glucose Involves Activation of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex–Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway

The tuberous sclerosis complex–mammalian target of rapamycin (TSC–mTOR) cascade integrates growth factor and nutritional signals to regulate the synthesis of specific proteins. Because both growth factor signaling and glucose have been implicated in memory formation, we questioned whether mTOR activity is required for long-term spatial memory formation and whether this cascade is involved in the memory-augmenting effect of centrally applied glucose. To test our hypothesis, we directly administered rapamycin (an inhibitor of mTOR), glucose, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1β-4-ribonucleoside (AICAR; an activator of AMP kinase), or glucose plus rapamycin into the dorsal hippocampus after we trained rats in the Morris water maze task. The results from these studies indicate that glucose enhances, whereas AICAR and rapamycin both impair, long-term spatial memory. Furthermore, the memory-impairing effect of targeted rapamycin administration could not be overcome by coadministration of glucose. Consistent with these behavioral results, biochemical analysis revealed that glucose and AICAR had opposing influences on the activation of the TSC–mTOR cascade, as indicated by the phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) and 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1), targets of mTOR. Together, these findings suggest that memory formation requires the mTOR cascade and that the memory-enhancing effect of glucose involves its ability to activate this pathway.
Aging and Estrogen Effects on Transcervical-Transvaginal Epithelial Permeability

The objective of the study was to understand age-related contributions of the resistance of the intercellular tight junctions (R(TJ)) and the resistance of the lateral intercellular space (R(LIS)) to the transcervical-transvaginal permeability. The experiments used normal human ectocervical epithelial cells obtained from women aged 36-65 yr. Twenty-four hours of treatment of cells with 10 nm 17beta-estradiol decreased the R(LIS), whereas longer treatments were required to decrease The R(TJ). Aging had no effect on baseline or estrogen decrease in R(TJ), but it blocked both baseline and the estrogen decrease in R(LIS). Actin assays showed age-related decrease in the fraction of monomeric G-actin and attenuation of sodium-nitroprusside-induced increase in G-actin. These results suggest that the aging-related diminished capacity of human ectocervical epithelial cells to remodel cellular actin from polymerized actin toward monomeric G-actin confers increased cell rigidity and therefore increased R(LIS). Therefore, the hypoestrogenism-related decrease in R(TJ) and the hypoestrogenism- and aging-related increase in R(LIS) could be the cellular mechanisms of decreased permeability that lead to decreased fluid transport and decreased lubrication of the lower genital tract in older postmenopausal women.
Analysis of ablation characteristics of absorbing dielectrics caused by short laser pulses

The effect of ablation of absorbing dielectrics by single and two successive ultra short pulses from an excimer laser source is investigated. The numerical model is based on two photon absorption by the molecular chromophores followed by thermal degradation and diffusion, whereas ablation occurs through sublimation of the material from the surface. The numerical analysis involves solving a set of coupled three- or two-level chromophore rate equations, heat diffusion equation, and the transient radiative transport equation, using two techniques: a fully implicit iterative scheme and a predictor corrector technique (Fromm's scheme). Results for the temperature distribution and ablation depth are obtained for different laser parameters such as the delay time between two successive pulses, laser pulse width, laser fluence, and various material properties such as activation energy, relaxation time, thermal conductivity, and absorption cross section of molecules. The results obtained by consideration of the transient radiative transfer equation are compared with the steady-state formulation, and significant differences are observed in the temperature profiles and the ablation depth.
Vertisol Crack Extent Associated with Gilgai and Soil Moisture in the Texas Gulf Coast Prairie

Long-term observations of in situ crack formation and closure in shrink-swell soils are rare, but important to understanding hydrology in shrink-swell soils. To analyze spatial and temporal variability of crack development in a Vertisol with gilgai, soil cracks were measured on a 100-m 2 area of Laewest clay (fine, smectitic, hyperthermic Typic Hapludert) with native tallgrass vegetation on 42 dates from 1989 to 1998. Our objectives were to (i) report the distribution of Vertisol cracking across gilgai microtopography; (ii) estimate crack depth as a function of crack width considering gilgai; (iii) investigate the relationship of surface cracking and soil moisture considering gilgai and hysteresis. All surface cracks were mapped on scaled diagrams with width categorized, and some crack depth measured. Gravimetric soil moisture corresponding to crack measurements was measured on 18 dates, and on an additional 32 dates without crack measurements. Drying, wetting, and uniform soil moisture conditions were classified from the difference in soil moisture from 10- to 25-cm depths. Microtopography was quantified using a digital elevation model. Results showed that crack area density was greatest on microhighs and microslopes, though microlows had the largest cracking potential. The linear correlation between crack depth and width was moderately strong (r 2 = 0.5), and not affected significantly by gilgai and hysteresis. However, taking hysteresis into account improved the linear regression models of crack area density versus soil moisture (up to r 2 = 0.69) on both microhighs and microlows. Antecedent soil moisture seemed to impact in situ crack area density. Further field studies are recommended.
Ligand substitution process in tetranuclear metal carbonyl clusters

Abstract Kinetic and mechanistic studies of carbon monoxide substitution processes in the tetranuclear metal carbonyl clusters, Co 4 (CO) 12− n [P(OMe) 3 ] n ( n = 1, 2), are reported. Co 4 (CO) 10 [P(OMe) 3 ] 2 was found to proceed to Co 4 (CO) 9 [P(OMe) 3 ] 3 by a two-term rate law (dissociative and ligand-dependent paths) with the CO dissociative process being dominant at low incoming ligand concentrations. On the other hand, the rate of reaction of Co 4 (CO) 11 [P(OMe) 3 ] with P(OMe) 3 to afford Co 4 (CO) 10 [P(OMe) 3 ] 2 was strongly dependent on the concentration of trimethyl phosphite; making it difficult to assess the importance of the CO dissociative process.
Criminal justice teaching practicum I: Teaching doctoral students to teach

Most college professors receive no training in education and teaching unless they have degrees in education. Criminal justice professors are no exception. This article describes a three-credit course on teaching that is required of all doctoral students in one academic criminal justice program. Not only are the students required to take this course for graduation, they also must complete this course adequately in order to teach during their doctoral program. The author designed this course and has taught it for the past four years. The topics covered include preparing a course, lecturing, class discussion and exercises, critical thinking, varied uses of writing, multicultural and gender issues, testing, grading, advising, ethical issues in teaching, and evaluations.
Prevention of in vitro fertilization of canine oocytes by anti-ovary antisera: a potential approach to fertility control in the bitch.

Antisera raised against canine ovaries were found to induce light scattering of the surface of the egg zona pellucida even when diluted 10,000 times, and to delay digestion of the zona by pronase. High concentrations of antiserum were required, however, to inhibit in vitro fertilization of the oocytes. Absorption of the antisera with canine ovaries removed these effects, whereas absorption with liver, uterus and serum did not. These results demonstrate the antigenicity of the canine ovary and suggest the plausibility of an anti-zona pellucida vaccine for birth control in the bitch.
The micro-mechanics of cortical shell removal in the human vertebral body

Abstract An improved understanding of the biomechanical role of the vertebral cortical shell with respect to the trabecular bone may improve diagnosis of osteoporosis and provide insight into the effects of disease, aging, and drug treatments. In this study, we present results from finite element simulations of removal of the shell from the vertebral body and the associated mechanical effects in terms of overall change in vertebral structural stiffness and of the tissue-level stresses. Specimen-specific micro-mechanical finite element models of thirteen vertebrae were generated from micro-CT scans with 60-μm voxel size. An algorithm was developed to automatically isolate the thin (and discontinuous) shell and the images were converted into finite element models by mapping each image voxel into a finite element. After removal of the endplates, compressive loading conditions were applied and linear elastic analyses were run for three cases – with and without the shell, and shell-only models. The models contained up to 13.6 million elements and were solved using a maximum of 144 CPUs in parallel, 300 GB memory, and a custom code with a parallel mesh partitioner and algebraic multigrid solver. Results indicated that the shell was on average, 0.38 ± 0.06 mm thick, accounted for 21–39% of the overall bone mass, but accounted for 38–68% of the overall vertebral stiffness. Examination of the tissue-level stresses indicated that this disproportionately large mechanical effect of shell removal was due in part to unloading of the remaining peripheral trabeculae adjacent to the shell. Stress paths were also preferentially within vertically-aligned bone: the cortical shell and vertically-aligned trabeculae. Taken together, these results demonstrate two important roles of the thin vertebral cortical shell: it can carry significant load by virtue of representing a large proportion of the vertically-aligned bone tissue within the vertebra, and, as a shell, it also maximizes the load carrying capacity of the trabecular centrum, particularly around the periphery.
A time-dependent deformation mechanism in metallic f.c.c. crystals

Abstract In this article, we present a time-dependent deformation mechanism for f.c.c. metal single crystals in which the resulting deformation is produced by the cumulative effect of dislocation glide in each slip systems. This model presents a self-consistent micromechanical approach where both the time-dependent and independent deformations are linked together. The time-dependent mechanism considers that additional glide of a dislocation segment in a given slip system results by the net motion of forest obstacles at which the segment is detained. The net obstacle motion is then related to the dislocation climb rate. We consider that the obstacle velocity is a function of the rate at which jogs on the gliding plane and the forest plane meet. This approach requires the jog density evolution to be followed for all systems. Two main sources of jog production are considered in this article: cross-slip and dislocation intersection, both depending on the loading history of the material. The predictions of the theory are compared to creep tests. These tests are especially suited to studying the contribution of the time-dependent part since the time-dependent portion remains unaltered during testing. The proposed model captures the creep rate dependence with stress as well as several key micromechanical features such as the dislocation density evolution, the reduced creep rate for high initial dislocation density and the effect of stacking fault energy.
Menstrual cycle variation in women's preferences for the scent of symmetrical men.

Evidence suggests that female sexual preferences change across the menstrual cycle. Women’s extra-pair copulations tend to occur in their most fertile period, whereas their intra-pair copulations tend to be more evenly spread out across the cycle.This pattern is consistent with women preferentially seeking men who evidence phenotypic markers of genetic bene¢ts just before and during ovulation.This study examined whether women’s olfactory preferences for men’s scent would tend to favour the scent of more symmetrical men, most notably during the women’s fertile period. College women sniied and rated the attractiveness of the scent of 41T-shirts worn over a period of two nights by diierent men. Results indicated that normally cycling (non-pill using) women near the peak fertility of their cycle tendedto prefer the scent of shirts worn by symmetrical men. Normally ovulating women at low fertility within their cycle, and women using a contraceptive pill, showed no signi¢cant preference for either symmetrical or asymmetrical men’s scent. A separate analysis revealed that, within the set of normally cycling women, individual women’s preference for symmetry correlated with their probability of conception, given the actuarial value associated with the day of the cycle they reported at the time they smelled the shirts. Potential sexual selection processes and proximate mechanisms accounting for these ¢ndings are discussed.
Listeria monocytogenes infection causes metabolic shifts in Drosophila melanogaster.

Immunity and metabolism are intimately linked; manipulating metabolism, either through diet or genetics, has the power to alter survival during infection. However, despite metabolism's powerful ability to alter the course of infections, little is known about what being “sick” means metabolically. Here we describe the metabolic changes occurring in a model system when Listeria monocytogenes causes a lethal infection in Drosophila melanogaster. L. monocytogenes infection alters energy metabolism; the flies gradually lose both of their energy stores, triglycerides and glycogen, and show decreases in both intermediate metabolites and enzyme message for the two main energy pathways, beta-oxidation and glycolysis. L. monocytogenes infection also causes enzymatic reduction in the anti-oxidant uric acid, and knocking out the enzyme uric oxidase has a complicated effect on immunity. Free amino acid levels also change during infection, including a drop in tyrosine levels which may be due to robust L. monocytogenes induced melanization.
Rheology of Full‐fat and Low‐fat Cheddar Cheeses as Related to Type of Fat Mimetic

Cheeses with 60% reduced fat were prepared with three fat mimetics and viscoelasticity was studied. Storage and loss moduli of low-fat cheeses made with a carbohydrate-based fat mimetic were greater (p < 0.05) than those of low-fat cheeses made with two protein-based fat mimetics or low-fat control cheese, but smaller (p < 0.05) than the storage and loss moduli of full-fat cheese. A six-element Kelvin model properly predicted the creep compliance for the full-fat cheese and the low-fat cheeses made with or without fat mimetics. Low-fat cheese made with a carbohydrate-based fat mimetic had a network structure more similar to full-fat cheese than the low-fat control or samples made with protein-based fat mimetics.
The Effect of Obesity on the Time to Recurrence in Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Introduction/Background The objective of this study was to examine whether obesity affects the time to recurrence in primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients and Methods A multicenter retrospective chart review was performed between 2004 and 2009. Three hundred seventy patients were eligible for analysis. Demographic and clinicopathological variables and treatment-related data were collected. Women with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 were categorized as obese. The time to recurrence was quantified in terms of months. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank testing. Results One hundred thirty (35%) obese patients were compared with 240 (65%) nonobese patients. A recurrence was documented in 125 (47.9%) nonobese patients and 49 (37.7%) obese patients. Time to recurrence between both BMI groups was identical, at 15 months ( P = 1.0). The progression-free survival was similar in obese and nonobese subjects ( P = .118). Conclusion Obesity does not affect the recurrence time in patients with primary ovarian cancer.
Sarcolemmal proteins and the spectrum of limb-girdle muscular dystrophies.

Proteins of the sarcolemma are of crucial importance for the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophies. This update focuses on the dystrophin-associated proteins including the dystroglycan and sarcoglycan complexes, caveolin-3, of the clinical phenotypes that are part of the limb-girdle muscular dystrophy spectrum, including fukutin-related proteinopathy (LGMD 21), the sarcoglycanopathies (LGMD 2C-F), caveolinopathy (LGMD 1C), dysferlinopathy (LGMD 2B), and finally Bethlem myopathy. Although recent progress has been tremendous, much remains to be learned about the pathophysiological consequences caused by a deficiency of any one of these components.
Influence of mobile phase composition on methylene group selectivity and homologous compound retention in near-critical mobile phases

A number of near-critical mobile phases were evaluated with respect to methylene group selectivity and overall eluotropic strength on a polymeric column. Binary mobile phases, consisting of mixtures of carbon dioxide and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a), showed strong temperature and compositional dependence on both retention and selectivity. Binary mobile phases, consisting of mixtures of carbon dioxide and conventional modifiers such as alcohols, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran, also showed a strong temperature dependence on methylene group selectivity and relative retention. In contrast to the behavior observed using a polymeric column, a bonded silica-based stationary phase displayed significant deviations from the Martin rule, even with high order homologs. Of all the systems evaluated in this study, a binary mixture of carbon dioxide and 2-methoxyethanol proved to be optimal for obtaining a high degree of methylene group selectivity and strong eluotropic strength.