cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Environmental Antigens in the Spontaneous Development of Autoimmunity in MRL-lpr Mice

It has been proposed that the "normal" stimulation of the immune system that occurs from interactions with environmental stimuli, whether infectious or dietary, is necessary for the initiation and/or continuation of autoimmunity. We tested this hypothesis by deriving a group of MRL-lpr mice into a germfree (GF) environment. At 5 mo of age, no differences between GF and conventional MRL-lpr mice were noted in lymphoproliferation, flow cytometric analysis of lymph node cells (LN), or histologic analysis of the kidneys. Autoantibody levels were comparably elevated in both groups. A second experiment tested the role of residual environmental stimuli by contrasting GF mice fed either a low m.w., ultrafiltered Ag-free (GF-AF) diet or an autoclaved natural ingredient diet (GF-NI). At 4 mo of age, both groups showed extensive lymphoproliferation and aberrant T cell formation, although the GF-AF mice had approximately 50% smaller LNs compared with sex-matched GF-NI controls. Autoantibody formation was present in both groups. Histologic analysis of the kidneys revealed that GF-AF mice had much lower levels of nephritis, while immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated no difference in Ig deposits but did reveal a paucity of C3 deposition in the kidneys of GF-AF mice. These data do not support a role for infectious agents in the induction of lymphoproliferation and B cell autoimmunity in MRL-lpr mice. Furthermore, they suggest that autoantibodies do not originate from B cells that were initially committed to exogenous Ags. They do suggest a possible contributory role for dietary exposure in the extent of lymphoproliferation and development of nephritis in this strain.
Developmental characteristics of the lower esophageal sphincter in the kitten

Gastroesophageal reflux is a common event during infancy. Developmental factors may be responsible for incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in this age group. We used the cat as a model to evaluate in vivo and in vitro the mechanical factors responsible for LES pressure during infancy. We found that in vivo the kitten develops lower LES pressure than the adult cat. For in vitro studies consecutive rings 1.75 mm wide were obtained from the LES region of 3-day-, 1-wk-, 3-wk-, and 6-wk-old kittens and of adult animals. Force-length curves were obtained in standard Tyrode's solution, in Tyrode's solution with high KCl, and in calcium-free Tyrode's solution with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt to determine basal, total, and passive forces, respectively. Active force is given by the difference between total and passive force. The maximum active force generated was lowest in the 3-day-old kittens and increased with age, being highest in the adult cat. Stresses, obtained by normalizing forces for the amount of muscle available, were greater in the kitten than the adult. The ratio of muscle thickness to its inner radius is markedly reduced in the kitten. As intraluminal or LES pressure is given by the product of stress and thickness-to-radius ratio, this might explain why lower pressures are generated despite the higher stresses developed.
Effective alcohol, tobacco and other drug intervention and prevention using online game-based, e-learning: an evidence-informed program that works

BACKGROUND: The host of costly individual and societal consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use underscores the importance of ATOD prevention education. "It's Up 2U" is an evidence-informed, game-based, e-learning ATOD prevention program developed by Children's Health Education Center (CHEC) targeting middle school students. PURPOSE: That "It's Up 2U" provides the benefits of an engaging e-learning simulation is of little value if it is not effective in appropriately changing ATOD-related attitudes and behavior. This study investigates the overall efficacy of "It's Up 2U," with a focus on students evidencing a number of protective and risk characteristics. METHODS: A pre-experimental, pretest-posttest within-subjects design. DISCUSSION: Findings support the overall efficacy of "It's Up 2U." Specifically, participation in "It's Up 2U" was associated with a decrease in reported ATOD use and misperceptions about ATOD use. "It's Up 2U" shows particular promise for decreasing student misperceptions regardless of risk, exposure or protective characteristics. Though a similar association could not be established between ATOD use and risk, exposure or protection factors, additional study with a larger sample is warranted. Translation to Health Education Practice: The relationship of these findings to bystander intervention in bullying education and implications for health education practice are discussed. Language: en
Preparation for Social Service Leadership: Field Work and Virtual Organizations that Promote Critical Thinking in Administration Practice.

This article examines how to prepare professional social workers for real-world nonprofit leadership roles. A pilot course assignment that incorporates a quasi-organization fieldwork simulation developed by the author is described. Development and application of critical thinking skills are reviewed, the course objective is explained, and methods and content that evolved during a three-semester trial are outlined. Student assignments and evaluation results indicate that a virtual asynchronous classroom experience is beneficial for students and faculty and that MSW administration students studying advanced generalist practice are an under-recognized potential source of nonprofit leadership.
Orientation of aurora and the concurrent magnetic disturbance

Abstract Orientations of auroral arcs have been determined from all-sky photographs taken at Flin Flon (54.8°N, 101.8°W), Canada during 1958. The corresponding magnetograms were also examined in an attempt to verify the theory that intense ionospheric currents flow along the auroral arc during the auroral display. The average value for the orientation of auroral arcs was found to be 98.4°. Significant diurnal and seasonal variations of orientation were observed. The average value for the angle between the auroral arc and the horizontal component of the concurrent magnetic disturbance was 89.8°, indicating that the theory is substantially correct.
Direct immunofluorescence microscopy of 1 mol/L sodium chloride-treated patient skin

Patients with bullous pemphigoid and those with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita often demonstrate virtually identical clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic features. Although some patients can be distinguished by their pattern of circulating IgG anti-basement membrane zone antibody binding to 1 mol/L sodium chloride-split human skin, approximately 20% and 50% of bullous pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita patients, respectively, do not possess such antibodies. Hence this study sought to determine whether these patients can be distinguished by mapping the distribution of basement membrane zone im-munoreactants in patient skin split in vitro by 1 mol/L sodium chloride. All sodium chloride-treated samples from patients with bullous pemphigoid ( n = 8), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita ( n = 4), or other bullous skin diseases ( n = 6) contained a lamina lucida cleavage plane bounded by bullous pemphigoid antigen and laminin; moreover, treatment of patient samples was performed without loss of tissue substrate or in situ immunoreactants. Deposits of IgG were found on the epidermal side of sodium chloride-treated skin from 13 of 14 bullous pemphigoid samples; IgG deposits in bullous pemphigoid samples were exclusively epidermal in eight, epidermal and dermal in five, and solely dermal in one. In contrast, IgG was found exclusively on the dermal side of sodium chloride-treated samples from patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Although IgG mapping distinguished bullous pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita patients in 94% of these samples, the distribution of C3 in sodium chloride-treated patient skin was more variable and less predictive diagnosti-cally. This study also found that five patients in whom basement membrane zone IgG was undetected in untreated skin showed IgG in their sodium chloride-treated samples. Similarly, four bullous pemphigoid patients showed C3 or C4d on the surface of basal keratinocytes in sodium chloride-treated, but not untreated, skin.
Interpreting Quaternary uplift rates at the Mendocino triple junction, northern California, from uplifted marine terraces.

Analysis of the altitudinal spacing of 14 flights of marine terraces indicates a spatial pattern of varying uplift rates that agrees with that determined from previously dated terraces for the past 3-81 ka, and temporal changes in uplift rates from <1 m/ka to 3-5 m/ka that may reflect response to changes in tectonic regime during passage of the Mendocino triple junction (MTJ). A possible mechanism for regional uplift is growth of a slab window south of the MTJ. The region of most rapid uplift is 25-43 km south of the MTJ, immediately south of the northern boundary of the slab window. The coastline is tilted upward to the south in the region directly above the southern edge of the subducted Gorda plate. At Point Delgada, 55 km south of the present MTJ, where the northern edge of the slab window passes {approximately}300 ka, uplift rates have been 1.2 m/ka for at least 330 ka. More than 1.4 m.y. after passage of the southern edge of the subducted slab, at the Mendocino coast, uplift rates have been less than 0.4 m/ka for at least 330 ka.
Non-Linear Periodization for General Fitness & Athletes

Periodization of resistance training or planned changes in training volume and intensity are used to maximize strength and fitness gains. Several types of periodized resistance training plans have been developed. The most common of these plans is linear also termed classic or strength/power periodization and nonlinear periodization. The biggest difference between these two types of training plans is with nonlinear periodization changes in training volume and intensity are made more frequently. The most common type of nonlinear periodization is daily nonlinear periodization where substantial changes in training intensity and volume are made from one training session to the next training session. Periodized resistance training does result in greater strength gains than non-periodized programs. While both linear and nonlinear periodization plans result in significant strength and fitness gains some research indicates greater strength gains with daily nonlinear periodization.
Control of the formation of ribonucleic acid in yeast: synthesis of ribonucleic acid in a nuclear fraction of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

Abstract A study has been made of the nature of the RNA synthesized by isolated yeast nuclei. At 20 °C the product consists of high molecular weight RNA sedimenting between 10 and 30S, including polyadenylic acid containing messenger RNA. At 30 °C the synthesized material is mainly of low molecular weight. Optimal conditions for synthesis include the presence of magnesium ions (0.01 m ). Manganese ions were found to inhibit very strongly. Nuclei of yeast protoplasts incubated in the presence of amino acids were found to be up to ten times more active than nuclei isolated from starved protoplasts. Yet the activity of the isolated enzymes remained unchanged demonstrating that the activity instead of the actual amount of the enzymes was altered.
Detecting Temporal Trends in Freshwater Fisheries Surveys: Statistical Power and the Important Linkages between Management Questions and Monitoring Objectives

ABSTRACT Monitoring to detect temporal trends in biological and habitat indices is a critical component of fisheries management. Thus, it is important that management objectives are linked to monitoring objectives. This linkage requires a definition of what constitutes a management-relevant “temporal trend.” It is also important to develop expectations for the amount of time required to detect a trend (i.e., statistical power) and for choosing an appropriate statistical model for analysis. We provide an overview of temporal trends commonly encountered in fisheries management, review published studies that evaluated statistical power of long-term trend detection, and illustrate dynamic linear models in a Bayesian context, as an additional analytical approach focused on shorter term change. We show that monitoring programs generally have low statistical power for detecting linear temporal trends and argue that often management should be focused on different definitions of trends, some of which can be better...
PREDICTING HOSPITAL LENGTH OF STAY AMONG PRE-TERM AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS ADMITTED TO THE NICU: EXPERIENCE IN A MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION† 868

PREDICTING HOSPITAL LENGTH OF STAY AMONG PRE-TERM AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS ADMITTED TO THE NICU: EXPERIENCE IN A MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION† 868
Development of Prototype Valve to Separate Two-Phase Air-Water Flows

A certain nuclear power plant uses a siphon to bring cooling water into the plant during emergency operations. This siphon was “hardened” by adding a nuclear grade vacuum system to the siphon high points. A float valve, sized for the required air flow rate, was used to prevent water carryover into the vacuum system. In order to pass the required flow rate, the valve’s orifice size would be the largest produced by any manufacturer to date. Initial system testing revealed that the valve was not fully opening due to the high vacuum and the design of the valve opening mechanism. Analysis and testing developed a solution to the opening problem. However, a new problem was introduced — excessive liquid carryover. The liquid carryover rate was estimated at 6 gallons per minute. The liquid carryover was postulated to be due to droplet entrainment as high velocity air bubbles entered the valve body, ruptured the air-water interface, and carried some of the resultant droplets through the valve outlet as the valve opened due to falling water level. Additionally, valve operating mechanism changes resulted in it responding slower. Using information learned from modifying the original valve, a new valve design was conceived that would be based on the following 3 principles: 1) liquid momentum must cause it to separate from the air upon entrance into the valve body; 2) enough distance and space must exist inside the body to allow gravity to act upon any liquid droplets to allow them to fall back into the liquid pool instead of being carried out of the valve toward the vacuum system; 3) valve operating mechanism must respond quickly enough to close the valve upon rapid liquid influx. The valve manufacturer reviewed the conceptual design and produced a prototype. The prototype valve was successfully tested with zero water carryover plus better flow versus pressure loss performance than the original valve. The valve also functioned acceptably during shaker table testing to simulate earthquake conditions.© 2011 ASME
Endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms: a systematic review and single-center series.

Background Middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms are often considered unsuitable for endovascular coiling because of unfavorable morphological features. With improvements in endovascular techniques, several series have detailed the results and complications of endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms. Objective We performed a systematic review of published series on endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms including our experience. Methods We conducted a computerized MEDLINE search of the literature on endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms. Only studies examining a consecutive case series of MCA aneurysms were included. We then extracted information regarding intraprocedural complications, procedural mortality and morbidity, immediate and long-term angiographic outcomes, and re-treatment rate. Analysis was done including 40 MCA aneurysms treated at our institution. Results Twelve studies including our institution's consecutive case series were included. Approximately 50% of the aneurysms presented as ruptured. Intraprocedural rupture rate in unruptured aneurysms was 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.7%-3.6%) compared with 4.8% (95% CI = 3.1%-7.4%) for ruptured aneurysms (P = .02). The risk of early postprocedural hemorrhage was 1.1% (95% CI = 0.5%-2.5%) for ruptured aneurysms. Overall procedure-related permanent morbidity and mortality were 5.1% and 6.0% for unruptured and ruptured aneurysms, respectively. The overall rate of complete or near-complete obliteration at angiographic follow-up was 82.4%. Conclusion Endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms is feasible and effective in selected cases. The combined periprocedural mortality and morbidity is not negligible (5.1%) and the overall rate of complete or near-complete angiographic obliteration at follow-up approaches 82%.
Nitrate removal in wetland microcosms

Abstract The effect of hydraulic loading rate (HLR; 5 to 20 cm day −1 ) and carbon addition (1-6 g dried plant material per week) was determined at two temperatures (28°C and 35°C) in 18 flow-through sediment-water wetland microcosms that were fed nitrate-contaminated water (30 mg N L −1 ). Nitrate removal efficiencies varied from 8% to >95%, decreasing with increasing HLRs and increasing with increasing carbon addition rates. The effect of HLR and carbon addition rate were integrated into the C:N ratio, which alone was highly predictive of nitrate removal efficiency. As nitrate removal efficiencies increased, dissolved organic carbon in the effluent also increased, as did chloroform formation potential. Nitrate-treatment wetlands may be a feasible method of remediating nitrate-contaminated groundwater.
PARALLEL ALGORITHMS FOR SPLIT-APERTURE CONVENTIONAL BEAMFORMING

Quiet submarine threats and high clutter in the littoral undersea environment increase the processing demands on beamforming arrays, particularly for applications which require in-array autonomous operation. Whereas traditional single-aperture beamforming approaches may falter, the Split-Aperture Conventional Beamforming (SA-CBF) algorithm can be used to meet stringent requirements for more precise bearing estimation. Moreover, by coupling each transducer node with a microprocessor, parallel processing of the split-aperture beamformer on a distributed system can glean advantages in execution speed, fault tolerance, scalability, and cost. In this paper, parallel algorithms for SA-CBF are introduced using coarse-grained and medium-grained forms of decomposition. Performance results from parallel and sequential algorithms are presented using a distributed system testbed comprised of a cluster of workstations connected by a high-speed network. The execution times, parallel efficiencies, and memory requirements of each parallel algorithm are presented and analyzed. The results of these analyses demonstrate that parallel in-array processing holds the potential to meet the needs of future advanced sonar beamforming algorithms in a scalable fashion.
Is what you see all you get? Recognizing meaning in archaeology

Archaeologists wishing to interpret the meanings of artifacts, both symbolic and functional, have increasingly drawn from Saussure-inspired linguistic models as a way to ‘read’ the archaeological r...
Micromechanics of cyclic softening in thermoplastic vulcanizates

Abstract The strain history dependence of the stress–strain behavior of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) materials is studied through a set of experiments and micromechanical models. Thermoplastic vulcanizates are a class of composite material consisting of a high volume fraction of fully-cured elastomeric particles in a thermoplastic matrix. The stress–strain behavior of TPVs is found to soften after having been subjected to an initial load/unload cycle. In this paper, the TPV strain history dependence is experimentally documented on a representative TPV material (TPV-R) by subjecting TPV-R to load/unload/reload histories in plane strain compression to various magnitudes of strain. The stress–strain behavior is observed to be more compliant upon reloading, but the tangent modulus is found to increase with strain until the reloading stress–strain curve joins the initial curve. An increase in the magnitude of the initial strain excursion increases the compliance observed during reloading. The unloading behavior following the reload is very similar to the unloading behavior following the initial load. The underlying microscopic mechanisms which govern the strain history effects are investigated using micromechanical modelling of the composite structure and its deformation. The stress–strain behaviors predicted by the simulations are found to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed behavior over the entire strain history for each magnitude of strain considered. The models reveal the softening of the material to result from a reorganization of the particle/matrix microstructural configuration due to plastic stretching of interparticle ligaments during the initial load step followed by ligament bending and rotation during the unloading step. The new microstructural configuration that exists after the first load/unload cycle favors bending and rotation of the (now thinned) matrix ligaments (as opposed to plastic deformation of the ligaments) during reloading; the ligament bending and rotation occur under low stress levels which results in the more compliant response. The additional features of the stress–strain behavior during reloading are also captured well by the model.
Cervical spine in Treacher Collins syndrome.

AbstractTreacher Collins syndrome is a congenital syndrome with characteristic craniofacial malformations, which are well described in the literature. However, the presence of cervical spine dysmorphology in this syndrome has been minimally described. This study reviews cervical spine radiographs of
Effects of Fasting on Fatty Acid Composition of Muscle, Liver, and Abdominal Fat in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

Channel catfish Zctalurus punetatus were fasted for 20, 40, 60, and 80 d. Proximate and fatty acid composition of liver, abdominal fat, muscle, and viscera were determined. Percentage moisture, protein, and lipid of viscera showed little change during the period of fasting. Percentage protein in muscle decreased (P 0.05). In the liver, percentage lipid was higher in fish that were not fasted (0 d) than in fish fasted 20, 40, 60, and 80 d (P 50%) of the total lipid was composed of oleic acid and there was little change in levels of individual fatty acids in abdominal fat during 80 d of fasting.
The normal fraction density in superfluid 3HeB

Abstract We have used a torsional oscillator to study the normal fraction density in superfluid 3 HeB down to a reduced temperature, T/T c , of 0.2 and over a wide range of pressures. Below the reduced temperature of approximately 0.27 the normal fraction density is less than 1%. The pressure dependence of the normal density is removed by making corrections for Fermi liquid effects only, in disagreement with present theoretical predictions of the effect of strong coupling on the normal density.
Histologic grading and the practicing urologist

Over the past 60 years, pathologists have identified three histologic features, tumor volume, glandular differentiation, and nuclear anaplasia, as important prognosticators of the malignant potential of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Several histologic grading systems have emerged to assess these morphological and cytological features, but problems with objectivity and reproducibility have been encountered. The failure of grading systems to predict accurately the malignant potential of individual tumors and the paucity of therapeutic options available have prevented many urologists from adopting these systems. Recent progress among stage A lesions has highlighted the clinical relevance of histologic grading systems, but advances are needed in prognostic techniques and therapeutic modalities before the practicing urologist can apply histologic information clinically among the majority of his patients.
Contour tracking using a knowledge-based snake algorithm to construct three-dimensional pharyngeal bolus movement.

Videofluorography (VFG) using a barium-mixed bolus is in wide clinical use for assessing patients with swallowing disorders. VFG is usually done with both lateral (LA) and anterior–posterior (AP) views, most commonly in two separate sittings. A real-time, three-dimensional (3-D) representation of the evolution of a pharyngeal bolus and its volumetric information can potentially help clinicians analyze and visualize the kinematics of swallowing, dysphagia, and compensatory therapeutic strategies. Active contour models, also known as ``Snakes,'' have been used to solve various image analysis and computer vision problems. We applied a Snake algorithm to automate in part the contour tracking and reconstruction of VFG images to visualize and quantitatively analyze the 3-D evolution of a pharyngeal bolus. To improve the accuracy of the Snake search, we provided the additional ``knowledge'' of the pharyngeal image itself, which served as an extra constraint to push the Snake curve toward the desired contour. VFG of pharyngeal bolus transport in a normal subject was recorded by using barium-mixed boluses (viscosity: 185 centipoise, density: 2.84 g/cc) with volumes of 5, 10, and 20 ml. The resulting LA and AP video images were digitally captured and matched frame by frame. The knowledge-based Snake search algorithm was used to generate Snake points to satisfy both internal (i.e., smoothness) and external (i.e., boundary fitting) constraints. Using these Snake points, we traced the 3-D bolus movement at each time instant, assuming elliptic geometry in the cross-section of the pharyngeal bolus. By concatenating the 3-D images for each time instant, we developed a 3-D movie representing pharyngeal bolus movement. The efficiency, reproducibility, and accuracy of this algorithm in tracing pharyngeal bolus boundaries and estimating front/tail velocities were assessed and found satisfactory. We conclude that 3-D pharyngeal bolus movement can be traced both accurately and efficiently by using a knowledge-based Snake search algorithm.
Influence of Lightweight Deflectometer Characteristics on Deflection Measurement

The lightweight deflectometer (LWD) is currently not standardized; as a result, there are a number of commercially available LWD designs that yield different deflection and elastic modulus values. This proves problematic because transportation agencies are beginning to prescribe target deflections and/or elastic modulus values during earthwork construction. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive investigation into the influence of LWD design characteristics on measured deflection. The influence of the sensor type (accelerometer versus geophone), sensing configuration (measurement of plate versus ground surface), LWD rigidity, and applied load pulse were investigated through field testing and finite element analysis. The investigation revealed that the sensing configuration (i.e., the measurement of plate versus ground surface response) is the predominant cause of differences between the Zorn and Prima LWD responses (deflection normalized by peak force). Vertical plate deflection exceeded ground surface deflection by 65 % to 310 % on soils and by 20 % on asphalt. The relative influences of the sensor type (accelerometer versus geophone), plate rigidity, and load pulse each led to relatively small differences (<10 %) between Zorn and Prima LWD responses. The results of this investigation illustrate that each of the two LWD configurations will always produce different deflection and elastic modulus values for the same ground conditions, and that the differences will be difficult to predict.
Retailer power and supplier welfare

Abstract Whether retailers have become more powerful than manufacturers in recent years continues to be a burning question in the trade press and academic literature. Our research adds fresh fuel to the fire by looking at whether Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the United States, has exerted power over its suppliers and squeezed them financially. Previous academic research on retailer power has looked largely at food stores, but we extend this perspective into nonfoods by using Compustat data as a source. Our analysis of these data indicates that the answer may be more complex than a simple yes or no. We find that Wal-Mart suppliers holding a small share of their respective markets do not perform relatively as well financially when they have Wal-Mart as one of their primary customers. However, large-share suppliers to Wal-Mart perform better than their large-share counterparts reporting retailers other than Wal-Mart as their primary customers. This indicates that suppliers who seek Wal-Mart’s wide market reach may derive benefits from using this association if it can be used to strengthen their market positions. Those that fail in this goal, however, may find their profits squeezed and do better by shifting their retail channel focus elsewhere.
Modified FALGPA assay for cell-associated collagenolytic activity

Abstract A continuous spectrophotometric assay monitoring the hydrolysis of the synthetic peptide 2-furanacryloyl- l -leucylglycyl- l -prolyl- l -alanine (FALGPA) is used to measure collagenase activity of both bacterial and vertebral collagenases. In the present study, a protocol was developed to adapt this assay to the measurement of cell-associated FALGPA hydrolytic activity in bacteria. The bacteria tested included Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli, and various levels of activity were identified. The method presented here allows the detection of FALGPA hydrolysis using a small quantity of cells without the need for prior purification of the collagenolytic enzyme or collection and concentration of a large volume of culture supernatant fluid.
Steady state toroidal magnetic field at Earth's core-mantle boundary

Measurements of the dc electrical potential near the top of earth's mantle have been extrapolated into the deep mantle in order to estimate the strength of the toroidal magnetic field component at the core-mantle interface. Recent measurements have been interpreted as indicating that at the core-mantle interface, the magnetic toroidal and poloidal field components are approximately equal in magnitude. A motivation for such measurements is to obtain an estimate of the strength of the toroidal magnetic field in the core, a quantity important to our understanding of the geomagnetic field's dynamo generation. Through the use of several simple and idealized calculation, this paper discusses the theoretical relationship between the amplitude of the toroidal magnetic field at the core-mantle boundary and the actual amplitude within the core. Even with a very low inferred value of the toroidal field amplitude at the core-mantle boundary, (a few gauss), the toroidal field amplitude within the core could be consistent with a magnetohydrodynamic dynamo dominated by nonuniform rotation and having a strong toroidal magnetic field.
Moral competence and character strengths among adolescents: The development and validation of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth

Moral competence among adolescents can be approached in terms of good character. Character is a multidimensional construct comprised of a family of positive traits manifest in an individual's thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The Values in Action Inventory for Youth (VIA-Youth) is a self-report questionnaire suitable for adolescents that measures 24 widely valued strength of character. Data from several samples bearing on the internal consistency, stability, and validity of the VIA-Youth are described, along with what is known about the prevalence and demographic correlates of the character strengths it measures. Exploratory factor analysis revealed an interpretable four-factor structure of the VIA-Youth subscales: temperance strengths (e.g., prudence, self-regulation), intellectual strengths (e.g., love of learning, curiosity), theological strengths (e.g., hope, religiousness, love), and other-directed (interpersonal) strengths (e.g., kindness, modesty). The uses of the VIA-Youth in research and practise are discussed along with directions for future research.
DNA-PK is essential only for coding joint formation in V(D)J recombination

The analysis of the role of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in DNA double-strand break repair and V(D)J recombination is based primarily on studies of murine scid, in which only the C-terminal 2% of the protein is deleted and the remaining 98% is expressed at levels that are within an order of magnitude of normal. In murine scid, signal joint formation is observed at normal levels, even though coding joint formation is reduced over three orders of magnitude. In contrast, a closely associated protein, Ku, is necessary for both coding and signal joint formation. Based on these observations, a reasonable hypothesis has been that absence of the DNA-PK protein (rather than merely its C-terminal 2% truncation) would ablate signal joint formation along with coding joint formation. In fact, a study of equine SCID, in which there is a much larger truncation of the DNA-PK protein, has suggested that signal joints do fail to form. In our current study, we have analyzed signal and coding joint formation in a malignant glioma cell line, M059J, which was previously shown to be deficient in DNA-PK. Our quantitative analysis shows that full-length protein levels are reduced at least 200-fold, to a level that is undetectable, yet signal joint formation occurs at wild-type levels. This result demonstrates that at least this form of non-homologous DNA end joining can occur in the absence of DNA-PK.
Internal equilibration of a nucleus with metastable states: 26 Al as an example

In many isotopes important to nucleosynthesis theory there exists a low-lying metastable state whose deexcitation to the ground state is strongly inhibited by a large angular momentum difference. In a stellar plasma, the equilibration of the ground and metastable states of such nuclei proceeds primarily via indirect transitions that involve upper-lying levels. We present a mathematical technique to follow these multistep transitions. Under the crucial assumption that the abundances of the upper-lying levels are in a steady-state abundance distribution, our method abstracts away all the higher-lying excited states allowing the isotope in question to be represented as a two-state system with transitions between these two states. The two states are properly not the ground and metastable states themselves but rather two ensembles of states, one tied to the ground state and one tied to the metastable state. We show how to compute effective rates into and out of these ensembles and between them, as well as how to identify the dominant pathways. This allows such nuclei to be treated in a simple, straightforward, and accurate fashion in nucleosynthesis networks. The specific example of ${}^{26}\mathrm{Al},$ including its effective beta-decay lifetime, is considered in detail.
Differential sensitivity of operant behaviors to changes in the concentration of a sucrose reinforcer: Effects of pimozide

The sensitivity of operant response rates to changes in a sucrose reinforcer was examined in well-trained animals maintained on a variable ratio (VR) or variable interval (VI) schedule (experiment 1). Although VR performance showed greater resistance to small reductions in the concentration of the sucrose reinforcer than VI performance, VR performance was more sensitive to large reductions in the sucrose concentration. Despite this differential sensitivity only the smallest dose of pimozide (0.125 mg/kg) differentially affected these behaviors by reducing VI rates without affecting VR rates. These and other results support the view that low doses of pimozide reduce the hedonic impact of the reinforcer. The results also indicate that the attenuation of operant responding by higher doses (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) cannot be solely a result of the blunting of reward. Experiment 2 demonstrated that when rats drink in daily, brief one-bottle tests they show greater resistance to reductions in the sucrose concentration than when they lever-press for sucrose, and require a higher dose of pimozide (2.0 mg/kg) to attenuate consumption. Together the results of both experiments suggest that the greater the resistance to reductions in the reinforcement value, the greater the dose of pimozide necessary to attenuate performance. We discuss the importance of attaining a more complete understanding of the factors in control of operant performance in order to better assess the effects of neuroleptics on reward.
MoS2 Nanoparticles Grown on Graphene: An Advanced Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Advanced materials for electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting are central to the area of renewable energy. In this work, we developed a selective solvothermal synthesis of MoS2 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets suspended in solution. The resulting MoS2/RGO hybrid material possessed nanoscopic few-layer MoS2 structures with an abundance of exposed edges stacked onto graphene, in strong contrast to large aggregated MoS2 particles grown freely in solution without GO. The MoS2/RGO hybrid exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) relative to other MoS2 catalysts. A Tafel slope of ∼41 mV/decade was measured for MoS2 catalysts in the HER for the first time; this exceeds by far the activity of previous MoS2 catalysts and results from the abundance of catalytic edge sites on the MoS2 nanoparticles and the excellent electrical coupling to the underlying graphene network. The ∼41 mV/decade Tafel slope suggested the Volmer–Heyrovsky mec...
Observation of level anticrossing effects in the laser-Stark spectra of POF3

Abstract Nonlinear level anticrossing effects have been observed in saturated absorption in transitions in the ν 4 band of POF 3 by the method of laser-Stark spectroscopy. The anticrossings occur as narrow additional absorptions superimposed on the Doppler-broadened transitions. From the resonant fields of the anticrossings, values of A 0 - B 0 have been calculated which agree well with values obtained previously. The widths of the anticrossings were found to be independent of sample pressure in the 10- to 50-m Torr range. A procedure for calculating the lineshape for level crossing or level anticrossing that has a greater range of validity than the conventional perturbation theory is described.
Similarities and differences in the structure of 3d-metal monocarbides and monoxides

The structure and properties of the monocarbides ScC, TiC, VC, CrC, MnC, FeC, CoC, NiC, CuC, ZnC and their negatively and positively charged ions together with 3d-metal monoxide cations are calculated by density functional theory (DFT) and hybrid DFT methods. In addition to the spectroscopic constants, the computed properties include the electron affinities, ionization energies, and dissociation energies. These results along with our previous results for the neutral and negatively charged 3d-metal monoxides allow a detailed comparison of similarity and differences in the bonding of the metal oxides and carbides. These results are compared with results obtained using other theoretical approaches and with experiment. Chemical bonding, analyzed using the natural bond orbital scheme, was found to be rather different in the 3d-metal monocarbides and monoxides.
Monte Carlo simulations of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice

Avec la motivation d'une relation possible entre la supraconductivite dans les nouveaux oxydes supraconducteurs et le comportement magnetique de ces materiaux, on realise des simulations numeriques pour determiner l'aimantation de sous-reseaux dans l'etat fondamental de l'antiferromagnetique a spin 1/2 sur le reseau carre avec des interactions de plus proches voisins
Deformation of centrifuge models of clay embankments due to ‘bumpy road’ earthquakes☆

Abstract A model study of deformations of kaolin embankments during earthquakes has been carried out using a ‘Bumpy Road’ actuator to impose earthquake-like base accelerations on centrifuge models. This paper begins by briefly describing the earthquake simulating apparatus. The results of the model tests indicate that predictions of displacement using sliding block type calculations need to take account of softening of the soil during the earthquake. A simple mathematical model for degradation of strength with increasing block displacement is shown to satisfactorily account for softening. In one model test, strain softening and pore pressures caused by an earthquake apparently induced a collapse of the model a few seconds after the earthquake. Delayed failure produced deformations of an order of magnitude larger than any measured during actual base shaking.
Limiting effects of low leaf-water content on the nitrogen utilization, energy budget, and larval growth ofHyalophora cecropia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

Hyalophora cecropia larvae were reared on leaves of wild cherry,Prunus serotina, which contained variable amounts of leaf water but otherwise did not differ in fiber, total nitrogen, and caloric content. Larvae which were fed leaves low in leaf water grew more slowly and were less efficient at utilizing plant biomass, energy, and nitrogen than those larvae fed leaves which were fully supplemented with water. Experiments were performed using excised leaves under different regimes of relative humidity and leaf water supplementation in climatic control chambers maintained at identical temperatures and photoperiod. Foodplant biomass utilization efficiencies were severely reduced by decreasing amounts of leaf water. Growth rates were halved and the efficiency of conversion of assimilated dry matter into larval biomass was reduced from 82% in the treatment with fully supplemented leaves to 34% in the driest treatment. The nitrogen utilization efficiency (N.U.E.) was reduced from 75–80% to 48%, and the relative accumulation rate of nitrogen (N.A.R.) was suppressed nearly 2-fold for larvae on low-water leaves. Relative maintenance costs (calories expended in respiration/mg tissue/day) of larvae were nearly five times higher on dry leaves than on fully supplemented leaves. Larvae on leaves which were low in water content were themselves more desiccated, and metabolized greater portions of assimilated energy, perhaps in an attempt to supplement body water with metabolic water derived from respiration. The larval rates of consumption of biomass, energy, and nitrogen were the same for all treatments, indicating that leaf water affected larval growth primarily by restricting the efficiency of utilizing these nutrients. Where water was limiting (as in tree leaves), an increased consumption rate did not appear to be a successful means of increasing growth rates. There were daily and seasonal differences in leaf water content between different trees of the same species. Although absolute differences in leaf water exist between different trees and between young and old (fully expanded) leaves of a single tree, these differences are proportional and parallel each other through daily and seasonal cycles. In spite of evolutionary adaptations of herbivores to acquire adequate water and avoid desiccation, the leaf water content naturally encountered by cecropia larvae on cherry leaves may limit their growth, especially if the R.H. is low.
Mammalian generic diversity and turnover in the late Paleocene and early Eocene of the Bighorn and Crazy Mountains Basins, Wyoming and Montana (USA)

Abstract Patterns of mammalian generic turnover, richness, and faunal composition were investigated for faunas from 17 biostratigraphic zones in middle Paleocene through early Eocene deposits of the Bighorn and Clarks Fork basins of northern Wyoming and the Crazy Mountains Basin of south-central Montana. Significance of turnover was evaluated (1) by comparison of observed turnover to expected turnover (calculated from the multiple regression of turnover on zone duration and generic richness), and (2) by comparison of observed turnover to a bootstrapped turnover distribution. Patterns of turnover and richness also were assessed in light of relative sampling quality of each faunal zone. The analysis identified four intervals of significant faunal change: the Torrejonian Tiffanian transition, the late Tiffanian, the earliest Wasatchian, and the middle-to-late Wasatchian. The first interval was characterized by a high number of last occurrences in the latest Torrejonian, resulting in a decrease in standing generic richness in the earliest Tiffanian, but no major changes in ordinal composition. During the next interval of significant turnover, the late Tiffanian, higher-than-expected first occurrences resulted in an increase in standing richness and a change in faunal composition, most probably reflecting the immigration of taxa from outside North America. The third, and most dramatic, interval of significant generic turnover took place in the earliest Wasatchian and was distinguished by a high number of first occurrences, but relatively few last occurrences. This led to a marked increase in generic richness, a pattern similar to that for the early Wasatchian of North America as a whole. The major change in faunal composition, as in the late Tiffanian, was largely composed of immigrants from other continents. The pattern of faunal change during the early Wasatchian of the Bighorn Basin, along with evidence for global warming at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary, supports previous interpretations associating this episode in mammalian evolution with the opening of high latitude intercontinental dispersal routes. During the fourth interval of interest, the middle to late Wasatchian, the Bighorn Basin fossil record shows a drop in generic richness. This differs from the overall North American pattern, and may be, in part, an artifact of still inadequate sampling for the latest part of the stratigraphic sequence in the Bighorn Basin.
Interpersonal violence and mental health outcomes among Asian American and Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander college students.

In a cross-sectional survey of college students (N = 614) we studied interpersonal violence victimization, perpetration, and mental health outcomes in an ethnoracially diverse rural-based sample of Asian Americans (27%), and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders (25%), two groups vastly underrepresented in trauma research. High rates of interpersonal violence (34%), violence perpetration (13%), and probable psychiatric diagnoses (77%), including posttraumatic stress disorder, were found. Exposure to physical violence, sexual violence, and life stress all were predictive of psychopathology. Female participants were associated with higher likelihood of sexual violence victimization compared to male participants, and Asian American status (especially among males) was associated with lower likelihood of physical and sexual violence compared with European Americans. These data enhance our understanding of interpersonal violence and mental health outcomes among previously understudied minority groups.
Effect of orientation on the piezoresistivity of mechanically drawn single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin films

Abstract Mechanically drawn SWCNT thin films were prepared and systematically investigated for understanding the effect of SWCNT orientation on the piezoresistive response of SWCNT thin film based piezoresistive sensors. Through polarized Raman spectroscopy analysis and coupled electrical–mechanical test, a quantitative relationship between the piezoresistive sensitivity and SWCNT alignment order parameter was established. This along with the morphological characterization, film area and sheet resistance measurement allow identifying the critical roles of SWCNT orientation, packing density, and micro-crack formation in dictating the piezoresistivity of mechanically drawn SWCNT thin film strain sensors. As compared to the randomly oriented SWCNT thin film sensor, the one with draw ratio of 3.2 exhibited 6 times increase on the gauge factor.