cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ensemble: the sharing community (abstract only)

The Ensemble computing portal originated under the NSF NSDL program and enjoys the respect and continued interest of the computing education community. The project has reached a maturity level at which it is time to focus on the long-term viability of the activity. The original proposal included a commitment from the Villanova University library to adopt the system and keep in running in perpetuity. However, merely keeping the system running will not preserve nor extend the true promise of the project. That requires an active, engaged community. The leaders of the Ensemble project invite our partner projects and the SIGCSE community to join us in an initial meeting of an organization devoted to the continued development and support of the Ensemble vision: that of a community of educators sharing their best efforts, showcasing the best resources, and archiving materials that deserve long term preservation.
Early Menarche: Confluence of Biological and Contextual Factors

An important factor in a girl’s feelings about menstruation as well as psychological outcomes is the timing of menarche. Reaching menarche early compared to one’s peers has been implicated as a risk factor for multiple negative outcomes including depression, delinquency, body dissatisfaction, and substance abuse. Early menarche also involves a convergence of biological and contextual factors that interact to influence psychological outcomes. In this paper we first review the biology of menarche. Drawing from studies conducted in the U.S. as well as European nations and New Zealand, we synthesize the research on environmental factors that contribute to early menarche, as well as evidence that early menarche changes a girl’s social environment. Then we review the hormonal influence hypothesis, the maturation disparity hypothesis, the contextual amplification hypothesis, and the accentuation hypothesis as models that may explain the mechanisms by which early menarche contributes to negative psychological outcomes. Finally, we describe how both mediation and moderation models can be used to understand the processes that link early menarche to adverse outcomes.
Monte Carlo studies of D2O and H2O neutron moderators for time of flight experiments

Abstract Calculations of neutron moderation in finite D2O and H2O media have been performed. Neutron spectrum shapes, time delays, and time smearings have been determined over a neutron energy range 1.8 keV ≤ E ≤1 MeV.
The Distribution of the Chondriosomes to the Spermatozoa in Scorpions.

The spermatozoon carries into the egg two kinds of bodies both of which have been supposed to play a definite part in heredity; these are the chromosomes and the chondriosomes, the former belonging to the nucleus, the latter to the protoplasm or cytoplasm. If these bodies are in fact concerned in heredity we should in general expect them to be equally distributed to the germ-cells by means of division or some similar process of equal allotment; and as far as the chromosomes are concerned such is always the fact, except in case of the sex-chromosomes.1 The chondriosomes, too, are distributed with approximate equality in many cases, but whether they are comparable with the chromosomes in this regard has not yet been certainly determined. I have for some time been engaged with a study of this question in two species of scorpions in both of which the phenomena are displayed with almost unexampled clearness, and which seem to give a conclusive result on this point. It is in some respects a surprising one. The two species in question are Opisthacanthus elatus (Gervais) from Southern California and Centrurus exilicauda (Wood) from Southern Arizona.* In the latter, alone among animals hitherto examined, it is possible to conclude with certainty that the chondriosome-material is divided with exact equality among all the spermatozoa. The definiteness of this result is owing to the unique fact that before the maturation-divisions take place the whole of the chondriosome-material in the primary spermatocytes is concentrated in a single ring-shaped body which is then equally divided in such a way that each spermatid receives one-quarter of the products, the process taking place with a precision that is comparable to that seen in the distribution of the chromosome-material. The body in question represents a hitherto undescribed type of chondriosome. It arises from numerous minute mitochondria or chondrioconts which early in the growth-period of the spermatocytes become concentrated to form a large, homogeneous and sharply defined ring, lying in the protoplasm and surrounding the idiozome near one pole of the nucleus. Persisting unchanged throughout the growth-period this body places itself like a heterotype chromo-
Screening of natural compounds for ligands to PfTrxR by ultrafiltration and LC-MS based binding assay.

Abstract In our study, we have screened 133 structurally diverse natural compounds from the MEGx ® collection of AnalytiCon Discovery and three synthetic hispolone analogs for binding affinity to Plasmodium falciparum thioredoxin reductase ( Pf TrxR) using an ultrafiltration (UF) and liquid chromatography (LC/MS) based ligand-binding assay newly developed in our laboratory. Pf TrxR catalyzes the reduction of thioredoxin ( Pf Trx) protein. In reduced form, Pf Trx is essentially involved in the antioxidative defense and redox regulation of P. falciparum . Nine compounds (yohimbine ( 1 ), catharanthine ( 2 ), vobasine ( 3 ), gnetifolin E ( 4 ), quinidine N-oxide ( 5 ), 11-hydroxycoronaridine ( 6 ), hispolone ( 7 ), hispolone methyl ether ( 8 ), and hernagine ( 9 )) displayed binding affinity for Pf TrxR at 1 μM. The ranking order of compound's binding affinities for Pf TrxR is 7 > 6 > 2 > 4 > 5 > 8 > 1 > 9 > 3 . On the other hand, compounds 6 , 7 , 2 and 8 demonstrated specific binding to the active site of Pf TrxR, when ligands were tested in an equimolar mixture of 1 μM.
A Requirement for ARF6 in Fcγ Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis in Macrophages

Phagocytosis requires extension of F-actin-rich pseudopods and is accompanied by membrane fusion events. Members of the ARF family of GTPases are essential for many aspects of membrane trafficking. To test a role for this family of proteins in Fcgamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis, we utilized the fungal metabolite brefeldin A (BFA). The addition of 100 microM BFA to a subclone of RAW 264.7 macrophages disrupted the appearance and function of the Golgi apparatus as indicated by altered immunofluorescent distribution of beta-COP and reduced efflux of BODIPY C5-ceramide, a phospholipid that normally accumulates in the Golgi apparatus. In contrast, BFA had no effect on phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes. These results suggested that activation of BFA-sensitive ARFs is not required for phagocytosis. ARF6 is unique among members of the ARF family in that its membrane association is unaffected by BFA. Expression of ARF6 mutants defective in either GTP hydrolysis (Q67L) or binding (T27N) inhibited phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes and attenuated the focal accumulation of F-actin beneath the test particles. These results indicate a requirement for ARF6 in Fcgamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis and suggest that ARF6 is an important mediator of cytoskeletal alterations after Fcgamma receptor activation.
Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation of Failure Properties for Immature Tissue Engineered Cartilage

Articular cartilage functions as a low friction load bearing soft tissue. The contact area and load distribution is highly location dependent in the knee joint [1]. Regeneration and repair strategies for osteoarthritis include tissue-engineered cartilage, which will need to bear high mechanical stresses and strains. There has been variable success in developing tissue-engineered cartilage with compressive mechanical properties comparable to native tissue (modulus = 40kPa – 1000kPa) [2–4]. There has also been some debate on the costs and benefits of implanting immature constructs and allowing them to elaborate their properties in situ, or culturing them in vitro and implanting them only after they have elaborated sufficiently functional properties. The former strategy may benefit from using the body as a bioreactor and might promote better construct integration, though constructs may bee to frail to sustain the physiological loading environment. The failure properties of engineered cartilage have not been widely evaluated, and may greatly affect the successful implantation of engineered cartilage as a repair strategy for the knee joint. The objective of this study was twofold: 1) to evaluate the failure properties of agarose hydrogels used as scaffolds in our tissue engineering studies, and 2) to evaluate whether joint congruence might sufficiently shield immature constructs to prevent their early failure. The long-term hypothesis of this study is that engineering analyses, based on an informed failure criterion for tissue constructs, might allow proper pre-assessment of failure risk for a given set of construct properties, dimensions, and joint congruence.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Bottom-up Policy Diffusion: National Emulation of a Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Brazil

Policy diffusion studies often invoke explanations that draw on the directional pressures for emulation, whether top-down, horizontal, or bottom-up. This article develops a theoretical framework that accounts for the multidirectional features of diffusion, including sub-national, cross-national, and international mechanisms, through the illustrative case of Brazil’s federal adoption of Bolsa Escola (School Grant Program), a conditional cash transfer program that preceded the internationally acclaimed poverty alleviation program called Bolsa Familia (Family Grant Program). Using process tracing, I argue that bottom-up pressures, including professional norms and intergovernmental competition, were key for policy emulation. Cross-national competition had little effect on decision-making. Finally, top-down processes, including norms and financing, reinforced adoption decisions and ensured these programs would endure.
Notes on the diffusion-type model for the longitudinal mixing of fluids in flow

The longitudinal mixing of fluids in flow can sometimes be characterized by a single parameter D, the “longitudinal dispersion coefficient.” which is analogous to and has the same units as the coefficient of molecular diffusion. The results of a study of this model show that a dimensionless parameter, the Peclet number can be used as the similarity criterion for longitudinal mixing. Also, it is pointed out that the obvious and direct method of calculating the mean velocity of flow, by injecting a tracer into the fluid stream at one point and measuring its maximum concentration at a given point downstream, may in some cases lead to an appreciable error, even in situations where the diffusion-type model is applicable. Methods are shown for evaluating D from experimental measurements, examples are worked out and conditions for applicability of the model are discussed.
Italy and the Euro in the Global Economic Crisis

As Italian policymakers argue about the best way to respond to the global economic crisis, the importance of the euro to Italian economic stability seems to have dropped out of the debate. This is a problem for three reasons: it dulls the memory of Italian efforts to get into the single currency in the mid-to-late 1990s; it allows critics of the euro to shape perceptions of how eurozone membership affected Italy during the past decade; and it obscures the trade-offs that Italians would face if they were to make different choices in the future -- including the choice to leave. As a result, while it has been relatively easy to argue that Italian politicians would have to be crazy to try to take Italy out of the euro, it may become more difficult to make that case with the same level of confidence as time goes on. Italian perceptions of the merits of being in the euro are changing and the real possibilities available to Italian policymakers are changing as a result. Italy will pay a high price for opening up...
Relationship between age and hazard perception in automobile drivers.

Hazard perception in automobile drivers of different ages was studied by assessing reports of potentially dangerous situations encountered while driving. Two experiments were conducted, one with 20...
Cerebrovascular Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease and Leukoaraiosis

A high percentage of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) show evidence of white matter degeneration known as leukoaraiosis (LA), which is due to chronic ischemia. We found that the periventricular veins tend to become occluded by multiple layers of collagen in the vessel walls in the elderly. This collagen deposition is particularly excessive in LA lesions. Therefore, it is present in the brains of many AD patients, along with other ischemia-causing cerebrovascular pathology. We found evidence that there is severe loss of oligodendrocytes in LA, due to extensive apoptosis. No evidence of inflammation was found in the LA lesions. In thick celloidin sections of AD brain, we have obtained detailed 3D views of small (early) deposits of amyloid (stained with beta-amyloid antibody) around capillaries (stained with collagen IV antibody).
METABOLISM OF C-PEPTIDE IN THE PREGNANT RHESUS MONKEY

The assessment of fetal and maternal B-cell function by C-peptide measurement requires an understanding of its metabolism in pregnancy. We gave 125I-tyrosylated-C-peptide (I-CP) to 6 pregnant Rhesus monkeys by bolus followed by constant infusion. This resulted in a steady state in the maternal circulation of immunoprecipitable cpm, as measured using excess C-peptide antiserum. At the end of the 2 or 4 hr infusion fetuses were exsanguinated via the umbilical vein. In the umbilical venous plasma (UVP) 3-13% of total cpm were immunoprecipitable. UVP immunoprecipitable cpm represented 1.4-5.8% of maternal immunoprecipitable cpm at delivery. Medium pressure gel filtration chromatography of UVP showed that the immunoprecipitable cpm were due to & fragment of I-CP approximately 25 amino acids long. The predominant immunoprecipitable peak in maternal plasma was intact I-CP; a peak corresponding to the fetal immunoprecipitable peak was also present. Simultaneous maternal arterial and uterine vein samples showed that the degradation of I-CP occured across the uterus. Comparison to studies in 3 post-partum animals indicated that pregnancy increased the rate of appearance of I-CP metabolites. Further, when I-CP was incubated with trophoblastic cells in culture, degradation to the fetal immunoreactive species was observed. We conclude that pregnancy alters maternal C-peptide metabolism, owing largely to placental metabolism. Though placental passage was insufficient to alter interpretation of fetal measurements, the placenta may degrade fetal C-peptide.
T cell cultures and the Hayflick limit

Analyse theorique du fait que les lymphocytes T en culture semblent vivre indefiniment contrairement aux autres cellules normales, dont la survie suit les limites de «Hayflick»
Mechanism of Flavin Mononucleotide Cofactor Binding to the Desulfovibrio vulgaris Flavodoxin. 2. Evidence for Cooperative Conformational Changes Involving Tryptophan 60 in the Interaction between the Phosphate- and Ring-Binding Subsites†

A mechanism has been proposed for the binding of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and riboflavin to the apoflavodoxin from Desulfovibrio vulgaris [Murray, T. A., and Swenson, R. P. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 2307-2316]. In this model, the binding of the flavin isoalloxazine ring is dependent on the presence of a phosphate moiety in the phosphate-binding subsite, suggesting a cooperative interaction between that region and the ring-binding subsite. In the absence of inorganic phosphate, FMN can bind through the initial association of its 5'-phosphate group in the phosphate-binding subsite followed by insertion of the flavin ring. Because riboflavin lacks the 5'-phosphate group, it is unable to bind to this apoprotein in the absence of inorganic phosphate in solution. However, inorganic phosphate can enhance the rate of ring binding by occupying the phosphate-binding subsite. In this paper, NMR, near-UV circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy provide evidence for a phosphate-induced conformational change within the isoalloxazine ring-binding subsite. Phosphate-dependent changes in the chemical shifts of 22 amide groups were observed in (1)H-(15)N HSQC NMR spectra. The majority of these groups are proximal to the phosphate-binding subsite or the loops that constitute the isoalloxazine ring-binding site. Also, a phosphate-dependent change in the environment or position of the Trp60 side chain was apparent in the NMR data and was confirmed by associated changes in the near-UV CD and tryptophan fluorescence spectra when compared to the spectra of the W60A mutant. These data suggest that phosphate, either the 5'-phosphate of the FMN or inorganic phosphate from solution, facilitates the movement of the side chain of Trp60 out of the isoalloxazine ring-binding site and other associated conformational changes, creating a population of apoflavodoxin that is capable of binding the isoalloxazine ring. This conformational switch may explain why some apoflavodoxins cannot bind riboflavin and also supports the "aromatic gate" model proposed from the crystal structure of the Anabaena apoflavodoxin [Genzor, C. G., Perales-Alcon, A., Sancho, J., and Romero, A. (1996) Nat. Struct. Biol. 3, 329-332].
Evaluation of Automatic Summaries: Metrics under Varying Data Conditions

In evaluation of automatic summaries, it is necessary to employ multiple topics and human-produced models in order for the assessment to be stable and reliable. However, providing multiple topics and models is costly and time-consuming. This paper examines the relation between the number of available models and topics and the correlations with human judgment obtained by automatic metrics ROUGE and BE, as well as the manual Pyramid method. Testing all these methods on the same data set, taken from the TAC 2008 Summarization track, allows us to compare and contrast the methods under different conditions.
The Role of Transport Use in Adolescent Wilderness Treatment: Its Relationship to Readiness to Change and Outcomes

Background Considering the sensitive ethical issues related to involuntary treatment of adolescents, research investigating youth transport practices and treatment outcomes is clearly needed. Youth transport is common practice in many private pay programs, including wilderness therapy programs.
Eye tracking abnormalities in schizophrenia: evidence for dysfunction in the frontal eye fields

Abstract Background: Eye tracking deficits are robust abnormalities in schizophrenia, but the neurobiological disturbance underlying these deficits is not known. Methods: To clarify the pathophysiology of eye tracking disturbances in schizophrenia, we tested 12 first-episode treatment-naive schizophrenic patients and 10 matched healthy individuals on foveofugal and foveopetal step-ramp pursuit tasks. Results: On foveopetal tasks, the initiation of pursuit eye movements was delayed in schizophrenic patients, and their steady-state pursuit gain was reduced particularly at slower target speeds (8 and 16 deg/sec). In foveofugal step-ramp tasks, their primary catch-up saccades were normal in latency and accuracy, but their postsaccadic pursuit in the first 100 msec after the primary catch-up saccade was significantly reduced even relative to their slow steady-state pursuit, especially during and immediately after an acute episode of illness. Conclusions: These observations indicate that motion-sensitive areas in posterior temporal cortex provide sufficiently intact information about moving targets to guide accurate catch-up saccades, but that the sensory processing of motion information is not being used effectively for pursuit eye movements. Low-gain pursuit after the early stage of pursuit initiation suggests that the use of extraretinal signals about target motion (e.g., anticipatory prediction) only partially compensates for this deficit. The pattern of low-gain pursuit, impaired pursuit initiation, and intact processing of motion information for catch-up saccades but not pursuit eye movements, was consistent in the schizophrenic patients tested at five time points over a 2-year follow-up period, and implicates the frontal eye fields or their efferent or afferent pathways in the pathophysiology of eye tracking abnormalities in schizophrenia.
Electron cyclotron resonance etching of silylated resist

The dry development of Plasmask 301-U resist was investigated using O2 plasmas generated in an experimental electron cyclotron resonance reactor. An rf source operating at 13.5 MHz was used to independently bias the wafer holder. The dc component of the rf bias was used as a rough indication of the bombardment energy of ions incident on the wafer surface. The ECR plasma source was characterized using Langmuir probes and optical emission spectroscopy. Etch rates were measured as a function of reactor pressure, O2 flow rate, wafer bias, and wafer distance from the ECR source chamber. Etch rates correlated most closely with ion current density over the range of variables studied. Etched profiles generated at different wafer positions, rf biasing conditions, oxygen gas flow rates, and gas pressures were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The anisotropy of etched profiles improved with increasing rf bias and decreasing pressure. At very low oxygen flow rates, mask formation was inhibited; at high rf biases, mask sputtering was enhanced. Development of high resolution anisotropic profiles depended on a fine balance between silylation temperature, wafer bias, and etch pressure. Anisotropic, well-defined profiles of 0.30 micrometers lines and spaces were obtained at 0.5 m Torr and an applied bias of -60 volts.
High-calcium coal combustion by-products: Engineering properties, ettringite formation, and potential application in solidification and stabilization of selenium and boron

Abstract Four high-calcium coal combustion by-products (two pulverized coal fly ashes (PCFA), a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) residue, and an atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) fly ash), were tested for engineering properties and ability to immobilize boron and selenium. These data are needed to explore high-volume utilization in engineered structures or in solidification/stabilization (S/S) technology. Strengths of cured pastes (91 days), varied from as much as 27 MPa (3900 psi) for one of the PCFA specimens to 4.6 MPa (670 psi) for the FGD specimen. All of the coal by-product pastes developed more than the 0.34 MPa (50 psi) required for S/S applications. Ettringite formation is important to engineering properties and S/S mechanisms. XRD on plain specimens cured for 91 days indicated that the two PCFA pastes formed 5–6% ettringite, the FGD paste formed 22%, and the AFBC paste formed 32%. The hydrating PCFA pastes showed little expansion, the FGD paste contracted slightly, and the AFBC paste expanded by 2.9% over 91 days. Se and B were spiked into the mixing water as sodium selenite, selenate and borate, and for most pastes this had little effect on strength, workability, and expansion. Leaching of ground specimens (cured for 91 days) showed a generally positive correlation between the amount of ettringite formed and resistance to Se and B leaching. Se spiked as selenate was more readily leached than Se spiked as selenite. B showed a high level of fixation.
CD14-dependent modulation of NF-κB alternative splicing in the lung after burn injury

Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB), a key downstream player of the LPS signaling pathway, has been shown to undergo alternative splicing in in vitro studies. In this study, we examined the effect of injury and the role of CD14 on NF-kappaB alternative splicing using a murine burn model. CD14 knockout and respective wild-type mice were sacrificed after 18% total body surface area burn. RT-PCR and subsequent sequencing analysis revealed that injury induced multiple novel splicing variants of relA, relB, and NF-kappaB2 in the lungs of CD14 knockout but not wild-type mice. These novel variants resulted either from exon skipping, alternative usage of splicing signals, or intron retention. All but one variant resulted in a frameshift leading to premature termination of translation. These splicing variants encoded for proteins that lacked the domains essential for NF-kappaB transcription factor functions. Two NF-kappaB2 variants acquired only minor changes in their C-terminus that might affect their post-translational cleavage into active isoforms. These results suggest that alternative splicing may be one of the mechanisms by which NF-kappaB activity in the lungs can be regulated after injury. Furthermore, the CD14-mediated LPS signaling pathway may play a role in the regulation of NF-kappaB alternative splicing in the lungs after injury.
Physiologic effects of GHRH in patients with HIV lipodystrophy: a model of acquired visceral adiposity.

Physiologic effects of GHRH in patients with HIV lipodystrophy: a model of acquired visceral adiposity
Multi-criteria de Novo programming with fuzzy parameters

Abstract A multiple criteria de Novo program with fuzzy parameters is developed based on the possibility concept of fuzzy set. This approach is much more flexible than the standard de Novo programming and allows the decision maker to choose his appropriate membership grades based on the risk factor he is willing to take. A numerical example is given to illustrate the approach.
LEED and HREELS studies of the coadsorbed CO + Ethylidyne and NO + Ethylidyne systems on the Rh(111) crystal surface

Abstract The CO + C2H3 (ethylidyne) and NO + C2H3 ordered coadsorption systems on a Rh(111) crystal surface were studied by low energy electron diffraction (LEED) surface crystallography and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). In both surface structures the ethylidyne occupies one type of three-fold hollow site and CO or NO the other type. For the case of CO + C2H3 CO is adsorbed in a hcp hollow site forcing C2H3 into the fcc site, while for NO + C2H3 NO is adsorbed at the fcc hollow site pushing C2H3 into the hcp hollow site. Interactions between CO or NO and C2H3 are likely to be responsible for both the site choices of the coadsorbates and for their c(4 × 2) ordering since the molecular adsorhates alone on Rh(111) prefer different adsorption sites and ordering. CO and NO bond to the metal through the carbon and nitrogen atoms, respectively. The molecular axis of the NO is perpendicular to the metal surface, while that of the CO is tilted by about 5° from the surface normal. The C-C bond in ethylidyne is perpendicular to the metal surface. Coadsorbate-induced ordering should be of great importance in investigating the interactions between coadsorhed molecules.
A research technique for organizing multiple psychiatric diagnoses.

Abstract Psychiatric classification is a nettling problem but one that must be dealt with in most clinical research. We have presented a method for organizing multiple psychiatric diagnoses in individual patients and in groups of patients. Our method consists of a diagnosis of individual cases by sets of objective criteria followed by application of a priority system based on a hierarchy of diagnoses that can be altered to suit different research goals. An additional feature is the use of a double grid method that offers a means to graphically represent all our diagnostic combinations and to facilitate coding of diagnostic information for data analysis. We have shown that this method organizes our diagnostic data in such a way that it is amenable to various types of groupings. Patients with only one diagnosis may be easily identified and studied alone. Patients with multiple diagnoses can be studied separately or used to augment the group of patients with the same priority diagnosis. Patients with probable diagnosis can be separated from or considered together with patients having the same definite diagnosis. In samples larger than the 200 patients that we have presented, combination frequency could be determined and the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these various combinations could be studied.
Parameter estimation and mathematical properties of a model for batch fermentation

Abstract A mathematical model for the simple batch fermentation process, , is studied. It is shown that that the system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations which model the chemical process can be conveniently handled by the introduction of the specific growth rate variable, μ = (d X /d t )/ X where X = K [ R + C ]. In particular, the mathematical analysis of the associated initial-value problem for the reaction in the μ − S phase plane leads to techniques which can be employedto estimate the parameters k 4 , k 5 and k 6 .
1706 DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (DHT) INHIBITS FETAL PULMONARY SURFACTANT PRODUCTION IN VIVO

Pulmonary surfactant production, measured by the saturated phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin (SPC/S) ratio, is delayed in male rabbit fetuses at 26 to 28 days' gestation (Nielsen and Torday, Ped Res 14:459, 1979). We have observed that the SPC/S ratio in lung lavage (LL) of female fetuses is quantitatively related to the number of neighboring male fetuses, suggesting that the sex difference is hormone-dependent. Therefore, we administered DHT to pregnant rabbit does daily from the 12th postconceptional day. Doses of 25mg, 10mg and lmg/day were used to show a dose/response relationship. The fetuses were delivered on the 26th day. The fetal lungs were lavaged with 5 × 0.5ml aliquots of iced saline. Fetal sex was determined by inspection of the gonads. Phospholipids were extracted from LL, chromatographed and then measured by spectrodensitometry. All DHT doses eliminated the sex difference in the LL SPC/S ratio. Increasing doses of DHT correlated significantly with lower mean SPC/S ratios (p<.05). The DHT effect was apparently organ-specific since there was significant inhibition of fetal lung alkaline phosphatase activity with no detectable effect on fetal duodenal alkaline phosphatase activity. This is the first evidence of a steroid hormone delaying pulmonary surfactant production. These findings suggest a hormonal basis for the known male disadvantage in the Respiratory Distress Syndrome of the newborn. Partially supported by a grant from the King Trust.
THE OSEBERG TRANSITION: VISUALIZATION OF GLOBAL BIFURCATIONS FOR THE KURAMOTO–SIVASHINSKY EQUATION

We present and discuss certain global bifurcations involving the interaction of one- and two-dimensional invariant manifolds of steady and periodic solutions of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation. Numerical bifurcation calculations, dimensionality reduction using approximate inertial manifolds/forms, as well as approximation and visualization of invariant manifolds are combined in order to characterize what we term the "Oseberg transition".
Liquid water breakthrough pressure through gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract The dynamic behavior of liquid water transport through the gas diffusion layer (GDL) of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell is studied with an ex-situ approach. The liquid water breakthrough pressure is measured in the region between the capillary fingering and the stable displacement on the drainage phase diagram. The variables studied are GDL thickness, PTFE/Nafion content within the GDL, GDL compression, the inclusion of a micro-porous layer (MPL), and different water flow rates through the GDL. The liquid water breakthrough pressure is observed to increase with GDL thickness, GDL compression, and inclusion of the MPL. Furthermore, it has been observed that applying some amount of PTFE to an untreated GDL increases the breakthrough pressure but increasing the amount of PTFE content within the GDL shows minimal impact on the breakthrough pressure. For instance, the mean breakthrough pressures that have been measured for TGP-060 and for untreated (0 wt.% PTFE), 10 wt.% PTFE, and 27 wt.% PTFE were 3589 Pa, 5108 Pa, and 5284 Pa, respectively.
Personal pronoun interchanges in Mandarin Chinese conversation

Abstract Dynamic and interactive uses of personal pronouns are usually not as neat as traditional grammar describes in that the first and second person pronoun index speakers and addressees in a speech event. Devoted to a prevalent feature of Mandarin Chinese conversation—the switch of the first person singular pronoun wo, “I”, and the second person singular pronoun ni, “you”, this study explores why and how interlocutors go beyond traditional grammatical uses of the first person pronoun wo, and the second person pronoun ni by transposing their references in interaction. Taking conversation analysis and discourse analysis, the study focuses on syntactic properties and discourse functions of the interchanges in the micro-organization within conversation to illuminate how personal pronouns are employed to affect others’ perspectives in order to enhance interaction in subsequent utterances. The result shows that wo, “I”, for the second person pronoun serves a communicative purpose by having speakers take the listeners’ perspective; on the other hand, ni, “you”, for the first person pronoun is for information-providing purposes, which invites listeners to a subjective experience. Speakers involve their hearers to orient them to the co-construction of discourse through selections of the personal pronouns wo and ni.
Predictors of Retention in an Alternative-To-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Program

This longitudinal study examines predictors of retention among alternative-to-prison substance abuse treatment clients. The roles of motivational factors and the client-therapist relationship are examined. The sample was composed of 141 male felony offenders who were legally mandated to a community-based, long-term residential drug treatment program. Results support the following conclusions: (a) retention in treatment is positively related to motivation to change; (b) motivation to change, particularly recognition of a drug problem, is positively related to the therapeutic alliance; and (c) changes in motivation in response to treatment are positively related to the therapeutic alliance. Implications of these findings for treatment and research are discussed.
Treatment of bulimia: a review of current studies.

Several methodologically sound studies support the efficacy of antidepressant medications for the treatment of bulimia. Various forms of psychotherafiy—particularly cognitive behavioral and group therapy—also appear to be promising treatments but have not yet been adequately assessed in well-designed controlled studies.
Subchannel assignment and collision resolution enhancements for receiver-initiated MAC protocols

Multiple channel access interference is a major cause of throughput degradation in wireless networks because of the shared channel. IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol is a standard for medium access in wireless LANs, but suffers from contention and co-channel interference and thus performs poorly. We propose to use receiver-initiated MAC protocol, instead of the sender-oriented 802.11, to address these issues. The proposed protocol is based on carrier sensing and resolves collisions among senders based on a deterministic tree splitting algorithm to minimize the retransmissions of data packets due to hidden terminals. Further, subchannel assignment is used to exploit the parallel transmissions that are possible in multi-channel networks; thus, reducing the channel contention and improving the throughput. We also present simulation results, using ns-2 simulator, to evaluate our approach and compare it with 802.11. The simulation results indicate that collision resolution with multiple subchannel access is more effective in throughput and provides better packet delays than 802.11 MAC. We also observe that the maximum throughput is achieved when the channel is divided into three or four subchannels irrespective of the size and shape of the network and traffic load.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the Math and Me Survey: Measuring Third Through Sixth Graders’ Attitudes Toward Mathematics

The Math and Me Survey was designed to measure elementary students’ attitudes toward mathematics. The authors conducted content validation, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory, reliability, and external validity analyses to improve it and to test its psychometric properties. The final Math and Me Survey consists of two scales: Mathematical Self-Perceptions and Enjoyment of Mathematics.
Oxytocin-induced prostaglandin release from perifused bovine caruncular and intercaruncular endometrial tissue on days 20, 30 and at first estrus postpartum.

Twenty-two multiparous Brahman x Hereford F1 cows were utilized to determine the effect of oxytocin (OT) on prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) release from caruncular and intercaruncular endometrial tissues and prostaglandin E2 (PGE) release from intercaruncular tissue. The previously gravid uterine horn was removed on d 20 postpartum (n = 7), on d 30 postpartum (n = 7) or the uterine horn ipsilateral to the dominant follicle was removed 12-18 h after onset of first behavioral estrus postpartum (ES; n = 8). Tissues (200 mg wet wt) were cultured in Nutrient Mixture F-10 medium in a perifusion system. The medium and tissues were aerated with 95% O2: 5% CO2 and temperatures were maintained at 39 degrees C. The flow rate was 100 microliters/min and fractions were collected at 20 min intervals for 400 min. After a 2 h settling phase, the tissues were challenged with 1, 2 or 4 micrograms [Asu1,6]-OT/ml of media for 1 h. Basal release of PGE and PGF on d 20 was greater than on d 30 and at ES (P less than .02) which were similar. All doses of OT increased PGE and PGF with both remaining elevated throughout the duration of the perifusion (P less than .008). However, there were no differences among doses. Release of PGE in response to OT on d 20 and 30, was higher than at ES (P less than .008). More PGF was released in response to OT from intercaruncular than caruncular tissue on d 20 (P less than .0001) and at ES (P less than .003). Release of PGF in response to OT on d 20 was higher (P less than .0001) than on d 30 and d 30 was higher than at ES (P less than .007). Basal and OT-induced release of PGE and PGF declined as day postpartum increased. We conclude that intercaruncular tissue released more PGF than caruncular tissue and both intercaruncular and caruncular tissue responded to OT with a sustained release of prostaglandins in a non-dose-dependent manner on d 20, 30 and at ES postpartum.
Physiological release of nitric oxide is dependent on the level of vascular tone

Abstract The presser effect of N G -methyl-L-arginine (NMA) was tested in urethane-anesthetized rats which were untreated (control) or devoid of sympathetic tone. In contrast with controls, the NMA response was attenuated by pithing or ganglionic blockade. In pithed rats, the induction of moderate or intense vasoconstriction with constant phenylephrine infusion restored or augmented, respectively, the NMA pressor response. Our data suggest that vascular tone may physiologically regulate the release of nitric oxide in vivo.
Salt sensitivity, insulin resistance, and public health in India.

ABSTRACT Objective To provide a current overview of the worldwide prevalence and pattern of cardiovascular disease and discuss the role of sodium intake and salt sensitivity, with a focus on the Asian Indian population. Methods An extensive search of the literature from PubMed and the Cochrane Library was undertaken. Moreover, the pathophysiologic basis of the relationship between sodium intake and insulin sensitivity in various populations was reviewed. Results High blood pressure is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease and mortality globally. Although salt sensitivity is a frequent determinant of hypertension, a strong link between salt sensitivity and cardiovascular disease associated with insulin resistance has not received adequate attention. This may be particularly relevant to the public health challenges of increasing prevalences of obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic syndrome in India where, according to recent estimates, approximately 60% of the world’s cases of cardiovascular disease occur and the salt consumption is among the highest in any large population. Conclusion There is evidence for a strong link between increased salt sensitivity and insulin resistance leading to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. This relationship may be particularly relevant to the escalating epidemic of cardiovascular disease in the southern Asian Indian population. A broad-based community action to achieve at least a modest restriction of salt intake can yield important health benefits and is urgently needed. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:940-944)
The Kirkwood-Buff integrals for one-component liquids.

The Kirkwood-Buff integrals (KBIs) for one-component systems are calculated from either the pair correlation functions or from experimental macroscopic quantities. As in the case of mixtures, the K ...
Characteristics of the metal-Oxide-semiconductor transistors

The theory of the MOS transistor in the gradual channel approximation is presented with the assumption of constant surface and bulk charge, and constant surface mobility. From the simple theory, the complete design equations are derived and design curves are calculated. From the analysis, the equivalent circuit parameters of the device are related to the basic properties of the material and geometry of the device. The simple theory is then critically compared with experimental measurements of MOS transistors with circular geometry. The comparison shows good general agreement with the theory of the dc characteristics but discrepancies are found for the differential characteristics such as the transconductance and the gate capacitance. The possible sources of the discrepancies are discussed.
The extraction of iron(III) by dioctylarsinic acid in chloroform

Abstract Dioctylarsinic acid, HDOAA, in chloroform solution has been investigated as a reagent for the extraction of iron(III) chloride. The extraction coefficient reaches two maxima, one of 1.5 at 8.5 M hydrochloric acid and another of 7 at pH 2.3. Experiments in the range 4–8 M for sulfuric, nitric and perchloric acids showed no extraction of iron(III) from these solutions for extraction times of 6 h. Evidence for the extraction of H3FeCl6 from 4–9 M hydrochloric acid solutions as [(H2DOAA)+]3FeCl63- is presented. The species extracted from aqueous solutions of pH 1–2.3 is probably a hydroxy complex of the composition [Fe2(DOAA)2(HDOAA)X4(H20)2 ](X = OH and/or Cl).
Mating preferences of f2 segregants of crosses between mhc-congenic mouse strains.

Male and female F2 homozygotes from crosses between MHC-congenic inbred mouse strains were tested for MHC-associated mating preference. In three instances, of the four genotypic combinations so tested, marked MHC-associated mating preference was observed. This result greatly reduces the possibility that the observed mating preferences of MHC-congenic inbred strains can be explained wholly in terms of non-MHC genetic drift, or of residual non-MHC genetic disparity, or of fortuitous acquired strain characteristics unrelated to MHC. In two of the four combinations investigated, the MHC-related mating bias of F2 segregants was similar to that of the genotypically similar inbred parent strains. In a third combination, F2 segregants did not show the mating bias exhibited by the corresponding parent strains. In a fourth combination, F2 segregants displayed an MHC-related mating bias that was evident in the corresponding parental inbred strains only when the colonies of the parent strains had been maintained in isolation from other strains. While the exhibition of mating preference by mice of the same genotypes may differ according to circumstances, as indicated, in no instance was preference reversed. Mating preference in a given combination of MHC genotypes, whenever it was observed, always favored the same MHC haplotype of the two alternative haplotypes represented. It appears that the familial MHC genotypes of mice and the environment in which the colonies are maintained influence their MHC-related mating preference, but it has yet to be decided whether these factors operate by determining exposure to particular MHC haplotypes.
Integrated simulation of thermo-solutal convection and pattern formation in directional solidification

Abstract Numerical analysis is carried out to examine the effects of thermo-solutal convection on the formation of complex patterns in directionally solidified binary alloys. A finite-difference analysis is used for dynamic modeling of a two-dimensional prototype of the vertical Bridgman system that takes into account heat transfer in the melt, crystal, and the ampoule, as well as the melt flow and solute transport. Actual temperature data from experimental measurements are used for accurately describing the thermal boundary conditions. A range of complex dynamical behavior is predicted in the melt flow due to flow transitions and this is found to be directly related to the spatial patterns observed experimentally in the solidified alloys. The model is applied to single phase solidification in the Al–Cu and Pb–Sn systems to characterize the effect of convection on the macroscopic shape of the interface. The application of the model to hyper-peritectic alloys in the Sn–Cd system shows that the presence of oscillating flow can give rise to a novel convection induced microstructure in which a tree-like primary phase in the center of the sample is embedded in the surrounding peritectic matrix.
SNPP VIIRS thermal emissive band performance after three years on-orbit

The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) spacecraft's primary sensor is the Visible-Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) which launched on October 28, 2011. It has 22 total bands with 7 thermal emissive bands (TEBs), a high dynamic range monochromatic Day Night Band (DNB) and 14 reflective solar bands (RSBs). The TEB gain and noise performance is tracked on-orbit using an On-Board Calibrator BlackBody (OBCBB) as a thermal source. The TEBs view the OBCBB every scan allowing gain correction roughly every 1.7 seconds. Long term trending of the F factor (inversely proportional to gain) and Noise Equivalent delta Temperature (NEdT) allows the stability and uncertainty in the TEB thermal model to be evaluated. This paper will discuss the impacts of the thermal model uncertainties on the VIIRS calibration and how those impact the long term performance of VIIRS. It will also show the stability of the TEBs over 3 years on-orbit.
1/f noise and phase noise in RTD oscillators

Here we apply the quantum theory of 1/f noise to evaluate the 1/f noise of double-barrier RTDs in general, and to the phase noise of oscillators based on them. If the energy of the tunneling electrons is close to the first energy level in the well, resonance occurs, and a peak I of the current through the diode occurs at the voltage v. If the applied voltage increases further, only a negligibly small non-resonant current trickle i remains at the valley voltage V>v. Scattering processes that reduce the energy of the carriers from the resonant energy eV will always be present, generating a finite current minimum i at v. Their quantum 1/f rate fluctuations cause the 1/f current fluctuations in i. The results are compared with experimental data on RTD oscillators. The resulting phase noise of oscillators built on this basis is calculated with the quantum 1/f theory.