cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simple and cost-effective fabrication of microvalve arrays in PDMS using laser cut molds with application to C. elegans manipulation in microfluidics

We present a new fabrication protocol for fabricating pneumatically controlled microvalve arrays (consisting of 100 s of microvalves) in PDMS substrates. The protocol utilizes rapid and cost-effective fabrication of molds using laser cutting of adhesive vinyl tapes and replica molding of PDMS. Hence the protocol is fast, simple and avoids cleanroom use. The results show that effective doormat-style microvalves can be easily fabricated in arrays by manipulating the stiffness of the actuating membrane through varying the valve-chamber area/shape. Three frequently used valve-chamber shapes (circle, square and capsule) were tested and all showed advantages in different situations. Circular valve chambers were best for small valves, square valves were best for medium-sized valves, and the capsule valves were best for larger valves. An application of this protocol has been demonstrated in the fabrication of a microfluidic 32-well plate for high-throughput manipulation of C. elegans for biomedical research.
Biased control-variate estimation

We study Biased Control Variates (BCVs), whose purpose is to improve the efficiency of stochastic simulation experiments. BCVs replace the control-simulation mean with an approximation; the resulting control-variate estimator is biased. This bias may not be a significant issue for finite sample sizes, however, because our estimator minimizes the more general mean-squared-error (mse), i.e., the sum of the estimator variance plus the bias squared. After discussing an example, we review BCVs, including the mse optimal control-variate weight and associated mse performance. We then consider the relationships among bias, induced correlation, relative mse reduction, computing effort and generalized mse (gmse), assuming the use of the mse-optimal control weight, both for cases with and without bias. We define and study two estimators for the optimal control-variate weight: the Natural Estimator and the Classical Estimator. The Classical Estimator, which simply ignores the bias, can yield substantial mse reduction when the error in the approximation is small compared to the sampling error of the control-simulation.
The Past, Present, and Future of House Calls

This article describes: the origin and evolution of house calls; what is uniquely gained from house calls for both patients and providers; key clinical issues managed at home; evidence that house calls improve outcomes; organization of house call practices; and changes in Medicare reimbursement, technology, and interdisciplinary team care that have influenced the delivery of home-based medical care.
Liquid detection trial with x-ray diffraction

SALOME (an acronym for Small Angle Lab Operation Measuring Equipment) is a versatile, energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction imaging (XDi) test-bed facility commissioned and supported by the Transportation Security Laboratory, Atlantic City, USA. In work presented here, the Inverse Fan-beam (IFB) topology has been realized on SALOME and used to investigate the liquids identification capability of x-ray diffraction (XRD). Liquids were investigated from four classes of materials of relevance to security screening of aircraft passenger luggage; namely: dilute aqueous liquids; concentrated aqueous liquids; hydrocarbon fuels; and oxidizers. A set of features associated with the Molecular Interference Function (MIF) were used to classify the liquids. Within the limited scope of this investigation, XRD proved to have excellent capability for discriminating liquids from one another; in particular, for isolating the threat materials without raising false alarms from either household or innocuous substances. Consequences for XRD-based screening of air passenger luggage are summarized.
Markets Against Economic Democracy

Renewed reliance on markets has made it more difficult for democratic institutions of production to survive. The impact of diminished market mediation is illustrated by the cases of the plywood cooperatives in the United States and the Mondragon cooperatives in Spain. New property relations and institutions that are more supportive of economic democracy are essential if market transmission of the norms of capitalism are to be overcome.
Initial efficiencies of air cleaners for the removal of nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds

Abstract The objective of this research was to measure the initial effective cleaning rates (ECRs) of selected air cleaners for removing nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and six representative volatile organic compounds (VOC) from air. Four portable air cleaners, representing different principles of particle removal and incorporating activated carbon, were investigated. Experiments were conducted in a closed room-size environmental chamber using analyte concentrations similar to those reported in residences. Effects of relative humidity, temperature, filter particle loading and saturation of the adsorbents on the ECRs were not investigated in this preliminary study. However, the effect of extended usage was investigated for one air cleaner. Two of the air cleaners were found to be reasonably effective initially in removing NO 2 and five of the six VOC. These two devices had relatively high flow rates and the greatest amounts of activated carbon. None of the devices removed dichloromethane, the VOC with the highest vapor pressure. One air cleaner emitted 1,1,1-trichloroethane and formaldehyde. After being used in a residence for 150 h, the ECRs for the air cleaner which had the highest initial values decreased to 50% or less of the initial ECRs. This use was only about 15% of the recommended filter lifetime. Conversion of NO 2 to NO was also observed for this device but only after it had been used in the residence.
Planar wiener inverses

Abstract Let B(Z1, z2) be a power series and C(z1, z2) be the least mean-square inverse approximation of B among polynomials of a fixed order. This paper discusses conditions under which B (z 1 , z 2 ) , the least mean-square inverse polynomial approximation of C, does not vanish on the unit bicylinder.
First- Versus Continuing-Generation Adult Students On College Perceptions: Are Differences Actually Because of Demographic Variance?:

The profile of students is changing, with an increase in first-generation and adult students. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in college perceptions between first-generation an...
Echocardiographic Evaluation of the Bjork-Shiley Prosthetic Valve

The in vitro and in vivo echocardiographic characteristics of the Bjork-Shiley tilting disc prosthetic valve are described. Optimal position of transducer and valve for detecting maximal disc excursion occurs when the ultrasound beam is perpendicular to the maximally opened disc. This alignment may vary from patient to patient requiring individualization by the echocardiographer. Rotation of the inner valve annulus at the time of surgery, when physiologically feasible, can facilitate optimal valve and ultrasound transducer alignment for serial postoperative evaluations of valve function.
Planned Resettlement: A GIS-Assisted Identification of Areas Suitable for Irrigation-based Resettlement in Ethiopia

Abstract Ethiopia is conducting a government-sponsored population resettlement but the site selection exercise lacks the objectivity that GIS can provide. A GIS-based site selection is performed in this study to identify settlement sites using national data at the Wereda (sub-district) levels. The results show that the application of GIS can yield satisfactory results even under conditions of data scarcity. Seven Weredas are deemed highly suitable while another twelve are classified as suitable. The list of selected sites includes many Weredas known to have received settlers in the past. The selected Weredas also include those being targeted by the government for land-leases to foreign agribusinesses companies. The lack of resources necessary to mitigate all of the environmental dangers including accelerated deforestation, wetland destruction, malaria, and flash-floods, point to serious challenges ahead in making the Weredas selected in this study suitable for large-scale resettlement. It is argued, there...
SU-E-T-584: Dosimetric Comparison Between Static IMRT and VMAT for a Four- Lesion Brain Treatment

Purpose: Sparing brain volume is the goal when designing plans for multiple braintumors. We compared dose distributions for tumor and normal tissues using VAMT and static IMRT.Methods: A patient presented with recurrent meningioma with 4 lesions identified. The greatest dimensions for the tumors were 0.4 to 2.0 cm. The tumor sizes and locations can be treated with a single plan with 1.8 Gy/fraction, 30 fractions. A 6‐field non‐coplanar IMRT with the gantry(G) and couch(C) in IEC scale were used: G0C0, G45C0, G330C0, G240C0, G50C90, and G120C90. IMRT was performed using iPlan sliding‐window. For VMAT, four arcs were used; two using 350 degree from G175 to G185 and the other two using 175 degree from G0 to G175. Two arcs were designed with couch=0 and the rest two using couch=90 degree. VMAT was designed with Eclipse system. Tumors and normal brain were contoured in the iPlan and then exported to Eclipse to maintain identical volume. DVH for normal brain was compared for the same tumor coverage from the two plans. Results: Either static IMRT or VMAT generated an acceptable coverage for these four tumors. The conformity of tumor coverage was better in VMAT than that using IMRT; the range of min.‐max. doses were: 57.5‐63.5 Gy from VMAT vs. 54.1‐64.9 Gy from IMRT. For normal brain, DVH did not show a clear difference between the two plans. For doses 5–15 Gy, VMAT delivered 1– 10% more brain volume (1040 cc) but 1–2 % less volume in 30–40 Gy than that from static IMRT.Conclusions: Either static IMRT or VMAT can adequately be used to treat multiple lesions with a single isocenteric treatment. VMAT plan demonstrated improved tumor coverage, spared 1– 2% braintissue at 30–40 Gy but irradiated up to 10% more brain in 2–7 Gy. The patient was treated with VMAT.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. In pooled analysis, observational studies have shown a 50% reduction in death and myocardial infarction among users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The first randomized trial of HRT for secondary prevention of heart disease found no benefit to therapy (Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study [HERS]). Even after 6–8 years of follow-up, there was still no cardiovascular benefit from the use of HRT (HERS II). HRT was associated with a 50% increased risk of heart attacks within the first year as well as an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (relative risk [RR] 2.89) and gallbladder disease (RR 1.38). The Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial found no evidence that HRT slowed the progression of subclinical angiographic disease either. This was despite a favorable effect on high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. The first randomized trial of HRT for the primary prevention of heart disease found no overall benefit (Women’s Health Initiative). The combination of estrogen and progestin resulted in a 29% increase in heart attacks, 41% increase in stroke, a doubling of thrombotic events (DVT and PE), as well as a 26% increase in breast cancer. The risk for thrombotic events was greatest in the first year whereas the risk of breast cancer increased progressively with duration of therapy. HRT is no longer recommended for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease or stroke. It may still be considered for short-term relief of menopausal symptoms in women without high-risk conditions, but alternatives exist.
Comparative hydrodynamics of 10 Mediterranean lagoons by means of numerical modeling

A comparison study between 10 Mediterranean lagoons has been carried out by means of the 3-D numerical model SHYFEM. The investigated basins are the Venice and Marano-Grado lagoons in the Northern Adriatic Sea, the Lesina and Varano lagoons in the Southern Adriatic Sea, the Taranto basin in the Ionian Sea, the Cabras Lagoon in Sardinia, the Ganzirri and Faro lagoons in Sicily, the Mar Menor in Spain, and the Nador Lagoon in Morocco. This study has been focused on hydrodynamics in terms of exchange rates, transport time scale, and mixing. Water exchange depends mainly on the inlet shape and tidal range, but also on the wind regimes in the case of multi-inlet lagoons. Water renewal time, which is mostly determined by the exchange rate, is a powerful concept that allows lagoons to be characterized with a time scale. In the case of the studied lagoons, the renewal time ranged from few days in the Marano-Grado Lagoon up to 1 year in the case of the Mar Menor. The analysis of the renewal time frequency distribution allows identifying subbasins. The numerical study proved to be a useful tool for the intercomparison and classification of the lagoons. These environments range from a leaky type to a choked type of lagoons and give a representative picture of the lagoons situated around the Mediterranean basin. Mixing efficiency turns out to be a function of the morphological complexity, but also of the forcings acting on the system.
DIFFUSION OF METHYL MERCURY |[lpar]|mHg|[rpar]| IN BLOOD

The fetus is particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of mHg. Comparisons of mHg content of maternal and newborn blood have shown increased levels in the newborn. This has been attributed to facilitated transplacental diffusion because of high fetal hematocrit (Hct). This study shows the converse, that the diffusion of mHg diminishes progressively with increasing Hct. The diffusion of m209Hg across a Millipore membrane (.45μ) separating compartments A and B of a diffusion cell was studied. When both compartments contained saline or plasma alone, equilibration from A to B occurred in 5 hours. Introduction of human red blood cells (RBC) in saline (Hct 20%) in B, resulted in a 2-fold increase in diffusion of mHg when compared to saline alone. Increasing Hct resulted in a progressive decrease in diffusion. At Hct 80%, the increase in diffusion seen at Hct 20% was completely abolished. The presence of RBC in plasma (Hct 20%) in B, resulted in a 60% decrease in diffusion; with increasing Hct, diffusion was further reduced (r = -0.95, p < .001), until at Hct 80% it was < 5% of that in plasma alone. Direct addition of mHg to RBC in saline resulted in 98% RBC uptake. Increasing concentrations of plasma (at constant Hct) resulted in a progressive decrease in RBC uptake. In undiluted plasma at Hct 14%, RBC uptake of mHg was 35%. Plasma electrophoresis showed that much of mHg was associated with a high molecular weight lipoprotein fraction. Plasma components appear to be important in the distribution of mHg in blood and may be a factor in the relatively higher blood levels in the fetus.
Repair of hair bundles in sea anemones by secreted proteins

Sea anemones are sessile invertebrates that detect movements of prey using numerous hair bundles located on tentacles surrounding their mouth. Previously we found that hair bundles of anemones are structurally and functionally similar to those of vertebrates. After 10-15 min exposure to calcium depleted buffers, hair bundles in chickens suffer moderate damage from which they recover in 12 h without requiring new protein synthesis [Zhao, Yamoah and Gillespie, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94 (1996) 15469-15474]. We find that after 1 h exposure to calcium free seawater, hair bundles of anemones suffer extensive damage from which they recover in 4 h, apparently because of newly synthesized, secretory proteins called 'repair proteins'. Recovery is delayed in a dose dependent fashion by cycloheximide. In the presence of exogenously added repair proteins, recovery occurs within 8 min and is cycloheximide insensitive. Recovery is ascertained by a bioassay performed on intact specimens, by electrophysiology, and by timelapse video microscopy. Fraction beta, a chromatographic fraction with bioactivity comparable to the complete mixture of repair proteins, consists of complexes having an estimated mass of 2000 kDa. Avidin based cytochemistry suggests that biotinylated fraction beta binds to damaged hair bundles. SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis demonstrates that fraction beta contains 8-10 polypeptides of 90 kDa or smaller. At least four of these polypeptides apparently are consumed during the repair process. Negatively stained samples of fraction beta are shown by transmission electron microscopy to include filamentous structures similar in length (150 nm) and width (6 nm) to linkages between stereocilia. The filamentous structures can be associated with globular structures (20 nm in diameter). A model is presented wherein repair proteins comprise replacement linkages and enzymes that attach linkages to appropriate membrane proteins.
Recognition of breast cancer-associated peptides by tumor-reactive, HLA-class I restricted allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Strategies to identify tumor-associated antigens rely on the paradigm that tumor-associated peptides presented in the context of HLA-class I are recognized by the cellular immune system. Approaches to isolate tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are difficult because long-term growth of the CTL requires autologous tumor cells and lymphocytes (PBL) as feeder cells. In this study, a CTL line (BL.HBL-100 CTL) was generated from PBL from a normal healthy donor by stimulating with irradiated, HLA-class I partially matched breast cancer cell line HBL-100. Activated T lymphocytes generated expressed TCR alpha/beta+ with a predominant CD8+ population after 12 stimulations (98.54% CD8+ vs. 0.18% CD4+). These CTL lysed HLA-A1+, but not HLA-A1-, breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, HLA-A1+, non breast cancer cell lines were not recognized. The lytic activity of BL.HBL-100 CTL against HLA-A1+ breast cancer cell lines was blocked by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to HLA-class I and CD8, but not by anti-HLA-class II and CD4. Recognition of HLA-A1+ breast cancer cells by the CTL was dependent on peptides associated with HLA-class I since the lysis was inhibited by acid elution of HLA bound peptides. HBL-100 tumors were grown in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Immunohistochemical staining of the HBL-100 tissue harvested from SCID mice demonstrated human breast cancer cells. HLA-class I molecules were affinity purified from the HBL-100 harvested from the SCID mice; class I bound peptides were eluted and separated by RP-HPLC. Pooled HPLC peptide fractions were tested for reconstituting antigenic epitopes recognized by the BL.HBL-100 CTL and found to reside within fraction 40. Our results show that a tumor reactive, HLA-class I restricted CTL was produced by stimulating normal PBL against an HLA-class I matched breast cancer cell line. We also provide evidence for a breast cancer-associated, HLA-class I bound peptide antigen(s) that reconstitutes the antigenic epitope(s) recognized by these CTL.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children with heart disease and down syndrome: a multicenter analysis

The data on the outcomes of children with heart disease and Down syndrome receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiac or respiratory failure are limited. This study aimed to evaluate morbidity and mortality associated with ECMO in children with Down syndrome and heart disease. Children younger than 18 years undergoing heart surgery and ECMO reported in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry (1998–2011) were included in the study. The registry was queried for the following five heart defects: common atrioventricular (AV) canal, tetralogy of Fallot, truncus arteriosus, transposition of great vessels, and interrupted aortic arch. Data collection included patient characteristics, ECMO characteristics, and outcomes. The outcomes evaluated included mortality, ECMO duration, and length of hospital stay for patients with Down syndrome and those with no Down syndrome. The study enrolled 2,815 patients qualified for inclusion. Of these patients, 121 had Down syndrome, whereas 2,694 had no genetic syndrome and were included in the control group. The median age of the patients was 45 days (interquartile range [IQR] 9–192 days), and the median weight was 3.8 kg (IQR 3.0–6.1 kg). The most common cardiac defects in Down syndrome group were common AV canal (63 %) and tetralogy of Fallot (40 %). The Down syndrome group included older patients with greater body weight than the control group. The mortality rate was lower in the Down syndrome group than in the control group (44 vs. 56 %; p = 0.01). The duration of ECMO and length of hospital stay were similar in the two groups. The findings showed that ECMO can be used for children with heart disease and Down syndrome with good results. The outcomes were comparable between the children with Down syndrome and the children without Down syndrome.
QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF HOMOLOGOUS AND HETEROLOGOUS ACTIVE IMMUNITY TO STRAINS OF THE VIRUS OF EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA.

When mice are immunized by one intraperitoneal inoculation with active or inactive influenza virus (strain PR8, W.S., and Melbourne) the quantity required for protection against heterologous strains is about 10 times the homologous minimal immunizing dose. Three injections increase the immunity to all strains, but the ratio between the homologous and heterologous minimal immunizing dose is not altered. Swine influenza virus given intraperitoneally fails to immunize against human strains unless the quantity injected is 1,000 times the minimal amount required for homologous immunity. Intranasal immunization of mice with 1/100 M.L.D. of attenuated ferret passage strains PR8 and Philadelphia, or the tissue culture strain of swine influenza, gives a solid resistance to infection with heterologous strains. When smaller amounts of virus are given intranasally, strain specificity becomes more apparent, and with minimal doses the immunity may be effective only against the homologous and closely related strains.
The treatment of intravenously implanted Lewis lung carcinoma with two sustained release forms of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine

Abstract Liposomes have been used in recent years as carriers for drugs and molecules of biological importance. In cancer chemotherapy, however, the advantages of liposome encapsulation of antitumor drugs remain uncertain, with the possible exception of the usefulness of encapsulated 1-β- d -arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), an antitumor drug of a very short half-life. Liposome-encapsulated ara-C has been shown by others to enhance significantly the survival time of mice bearing leukemia, and the enhancement may be attributable to the role of liposomes as a slow release system for ara-C. We now further explore the advantages of two sustained release systems for ara-C, namely the liposome-encapsulated ara-C and 1-β- d -arabinofuranosylcytosine-5′-diphosphate- l -1,2-dipalmitin (ara-CDP- l -dipalmitin, a prodrug of ara-C). Intravenously implanted Lewis lung carcinoma is used as a solid tumor model. The therapeutic effectiveness of the two slow release forms of ara-C given by either i.v. or i.p. injections is examined. Viable tumor cells (1.0 × 105 cells/mouse) were inoculated i.v. and treatment was initiated 24 hr later using three schedules of multiple treatments for liposomal ara-C and single or multiple injections of ara-CDP- l -dipalmitin. Liposomal ara-C given by the i.p. route consistently increased the number of cures (> 120 days survival). For example, when nine small doses (10 mg/kg) were given on consecutive days by i.p. injections, 50% of mice given liposomal ara-C were cured, compared with 10% cures in the group given ara-C liposomes by i.v. and no cures in mice receiving free ara-C given according to the same schedules. On the other hand, ara-CDP- l -dipalmitin given at a single dose is more effective than an equal dose divided in five injections. However, no cures have been obtained by treatments with ara-CDP- l -dipalmitin. These results have further demonstrated the advantage of lipsomes as carriers for antitumor drugs of short half-life.
Portrayals of Sex and Sexuality in Gay- and Lesbian-Oriented Media: A Quantitative Content Analysis

Media serve as vital sources of sexual information for adolescents exploring their sexual identities. Research suggests that mainstream media sanitize depictions of lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) individuals, preventing LGB characters from engaging in realistic sexual talk or sexual behaviors. Beyond mainstream media, however, a niche media industry designed, produced, and marketed specifically for gay and lesbian audiences has become increasingly accessible. Despite the growing visibility of gay- and lesbian-oriented (GLO) media, no empirical research has quantified the depiction of sex and sexuality in this media genre. The current study reports the results of a quantitative content analysis of sexual instances in GLO television, film, and music popular with LGB youth. Results indicate that LGB depictions occur with greater frequency than heterosexual depictions in GLO media, most LGB depictions are validating in nature, and gay males are depicted significantly more than lesbian women or bisexual individuals. The diversity of LGB relationships, sexual interests, and sexual behaviors are also acknowledged in GLO media, suggesting that LGB individuals are portrayed in realistic sexual situations rarely portrayed in mainstream media. Additionally, comparisons between GLO media and mainstream media suggest that GLO media depict LGB sexualities more frequently and in more validating contexts than mainstream media. Possible effects of exposure to GLO media among youth are discussed in terms of the social identity perspective.
The effect of progesterone on estradiol-17 β dipropionate-induced wet weight, percent water, and glycogen of the rat uterus

Abstract The purpose of this study was to better understand the effect of the estrogen-progesterone (E/P) ratio on several uterine parameters-wet weight, percent water and glycogen. Ovariectomized Holtzman rats were treated with 1 μg estradiol-17β dipropionate alone or with different amounts of progesterone (1, 5, 10, 15 mg) concurrently with estrogen (0 hr) or at 1, 6, 12 hr following estrogen treatment. The animals were killed 24 hr after estrogen stimulation. Uterine wet weight was lowered significantly from the estrogen controls by 5 mg (0 hr) of progesterone. The percent water responded differently than did the uterine wet weight; 5 mg of progesterone at 0 hr and 1 hr significantly lowered the percent water of the uterus, while the higher doses were effective in inhibiting the uterine water due to estrogen at the later time intervals. The glycogen concentration was inhibited significantly by 5 mg (0 hr) and 10 mg (1 hr) of progesterone whereas total glycogen was suppressed significantly from the estrogen controls only when 5 mg of progesterone was administered at 0 hr. The data show that in studying the interrelationship between estrogen and progesterone on different parameters, the E/P ratio and the time of progesterone administration relative to estrogen stimulation should be considered.
Pressure dependence of pyrene excimer fluorescence in human erythrocyte membranes.

Abstract The intensity of pyrene excimer fluorescence in human erythrocyte membranes and in sonicated dispersions of the membrane lipid (liposomes) was examined as a function of pressure (1–2080 bar) and temperature (5–40°C). Higher pressure or lower temperature decreased the excimer/monomer intensity ratios. A thermotropic transition was detected in both membranes and liposomes by plots of the logarithm of the excimer/monomer intensity ratio versus 1/K. The transition temperature of the membranes was 19–21°C at 1 bar and 28–31°C at 450 bar, a shift with pressure of approx. 20–22 K per kbar. Corresponding transition temperatures of the liposomes were 21°C at 1 bar and 33°C at 450 bar, a shift of approx. 27 K per kbar. The observed pressure dependence of the thermotropic transition temperature is similar to that reported for phospholipid bilayers and greatly exceeds that of protein conformation changes. In concert with the liposome studies the results provide direct evidence for a lipid transition in the erythrocyte membrane.
The relationship between inter-annual and intra-annual variability in atmospheric angular momentum in a GCM with climatological SSTs

The internally generated interannual variability in absolute angular momentum is examined with a 100-year run of a GFDL GCM. Interannual forcing of the atmosphere by the ocean is suppressed as the GCM's sea surface temperatures are constrained to undergo the same annual cycle each year. The interannual variation in the model's globally integrated and annually averaged absolute angular momentum (GAAM) is found to be a moderately large fraction of the changes in the GAAM observed in the atmosphere. The meridional structure of the absolute angular momentum is examined with an EOF analysis. Three modes are found; a tropical mode that represents a strengthening and weakening of the tropical easterlies, and two extratropical dipole modes, one in either hemisphere, that represent latitudinal shifts of the jet maxima. It is shown that the interannual variability of all three modes can be interpreted as resulting from climate noise. The absolute angular momentum budget of all three modes is examined. It is found that the tropical mode depends upon a complex three way balance between the friction and mountain torques and the absolute angular momentum flux convergence, whereas the two midlatitude modes are primarily determined by the absolute angular momentum flux convergence. Fluctuations of the tropical mode are shown to be related to the GCM's Madden–Julian Oscillation, and the midlatitude dipole modes are found to show characteristics in common with the zonal index observed in the atmosphere. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1995.t01-1-00006.x
Dominant Negative Farnesyltransferase α-Subunit Inhibits Insulin Mitogenic Effects

Farnesylation of p21Ras is required for translocation to the plasma membrane and subsequent activation by growth factors. Previously we demonstrated that insulin stimulates the phosphorylation of farnesyltransferase (FTase) and its activity, whereby the amount of farnesylated p21Ras anchored at the plasma membrane is increased. Herein we report that substitution of alanine for two serine residues (S60A)(S62A) of the alpha-subunit of FTase creates a dominant negative (DN) mutant. VSMC expressing the FTase alpha-subunit (S60A)(S62A) clone showed a 30% decreased basal FTase activity concurrent with a 15% decrease in the amount of farnesylated p21Ras compared to controls. Expression of alpha-subunit (S60A,S62A) blunted FTase phosphorylation and activity in the presence of hyperinsulinemia, and inhibited insulin-stimulated increases in farnesylated p21Ras. Insulin-stimulated VSMC expressing the FTase alpha-subunit (S60A,S62A) showed decreased (i) phosphorylation of FTase, (ii) FTase activity, (iii) amounts of farnesylated p21Ras, (iv) DNA synthesis, and (v) migration. Thus, down-regulation of FTase activity appears to mitigate the potentially detrimental mitogenic effects of hyperinsulinemia on VSMC.
Plastic Deformation of Partially Stabilized Zirconia

The results of room-temperature compression experiments conducted on poly-crystalline Mg partially stabilized zirconia are described. It is shown that, in addition to prefuilure axial microfracture, the material exhibits significant plasticity. This plasticity arises from deformation bands formed by cooperative martensitic transformation of melastable tetragonal precipitates; the deformation bands lead to significant surface rumpling. It is suggested that both stress- and strain-induced martensitic transformations may be involved in the deformation process.
Ovariectomy induced placental hypertrophy.

Abstract The demonstrations, that a mere progesterone (P) withdrawal can provoke abortion in laboratory mammals as well as in human patients, revealed the sustained presence of a stimulatory mechanism of the uterus during pregnancy. Since it is P which curtails the activating action of this endogenous mechanism (dominated by Prostaglandins), and since it is the placenta which controls P-genesis, to a large degree (even in luteal dependent species, through its luteotrophic support), placental weight is a significant regulatory parameter in pregnancy maintenance and prenatal life. “Spontaneous” placental hypertrophy was observed in intact pregnant rats with “low” litter size. Distinct hypertrophy was provoked by ovariectomy, regardless of litter size, provided that pregnancy was protected by sustaining exogenously the P and E2 levels within the physiological range. Placental hypertrophy and fetal survival were maximal, when ovariectomy was performed between the 10th to 12th days of gestation. Shortly after implantation ovariectomy increased pregnancy wastage markedly, in spite of P treatment, unless the daily dose of estradiol was reduced below 0.5μg. Ovariectomized rats, supported by hormone treatment, provide a useful “model” for studying the regulatory control of pregnancy, and for testing the potency of placental growth inhibitors. This bioassay procedure is being used already in current attempts to isolate the ovarian factors which inhibit placental growth.
Brief paper: Adaptive simulation and control of variable-structure control systems in sliding regimes

Conventional simulation and control methods for sliding-mode control systems are limited by the available sampling bandwidth and allowable tracking error. Consequently, these methods suffer from harmful chattering. This paper presents an adaptive method for the discrete-time simulation and control of sliding-mode control systems, based on an analysis of the relationship between tracking error and sampling rate for these systems. Our analysis shows that the tracking error decreases as the sampling time interval decreases when the sliding condition exists. The adaptive method exploits the concept of discrete-time sliding mode; the method adjusts its sampling rate to ensure that the tracking error is bounded within a boundary layer of the sliding surface. To simulate a sliding-mode system in discrete time, we present an adaptive integration scheme that follows the ideal system within a given tolerance. Likewise, the adaptive method can be used to generate discrete control signals for sliding-mode systems. Simulation results on examples have shown that the adaptive method is free of chattering.
TRANSPLANTED HUMAN NEURONS DERIVED FROM A TERATOCARCINOMA CELL LINE (NTERA-2) MATURE, INTEGRATE, AND SURVIVE FOR OVER 1 YEAR IN THE NUDE MOUSE BRAIN

Retinoic acid (RA) induces a human teratocarcinoma cell line (NTera-2 or NT2) to give rise exclusively to post-mitotic neuron-like (NT2N) cells, but NT2N cells never acquire a fully mature neuronal phenotype in vitro. To determine whether NT2N cells can mature into adult neuron-like cells in vivo, purified NT2N cells were grafted into different regions of the central nervous system (CNS) of adult and neonatal athymic mice, and the grafts were examined immunohistochemically by light, confocal, and electron microscopy using antibodies to a panel of developmentally regulated neuronal polypeptides. NT2N grafts were distinguished from endogenous mouse neurons with antibodies that recognize human or murine specific epitopes in selected neuronal polypeptides. Viable NT2N cells were identified in > 89% of graft recipients (N = 90), and some grafts survived 14 months. Within 3 weeks of implantation, grafted NT2N cells re-extended their processes, and the location of the grafts (e.g., septum versus neocortex) appeared to determine the extent to which processes were elaborated. Within the early post-transplantation period, grafted NT2N cells expressed the same neuronal polypeptides as their in vitro counterparts. However, between 6 weeks and 4-6 months post-implantation, the grafted NT2N cells progressively acquired the molecular phenotype of fully mature in vivo neurons as evidenced by dramatically increased expression of the most highly phosphorylated isoforms of the heavy neurofilament subunit, and the de novo expression of adult CNS tau. Notably, the time course for the extension of processes and the expression of neuronal polypeptides by NT2N grafts was similar in neonatal and adult mice. Although grafted NT2N cells formed synapse-like structures and elaborated dendrites and axons, these axons remained unmyelinated. Finally, none of the transplanted NT2N cells reverted to a neoplastic state. These studies demonstrate that pure populations of grafted human NT2N cells acquire a fully mature neuronal phenotype in vivo, and that these cells integrate and survive for > 1 year post-implantation in the mouse CNS. These human neuron-like cells are an attractive model system for studies of neuronal development, polarity and transplantation.
Late Quaternary fluctuations of the Polar Front and Subtropical Convergence in the southeast Indian Ocean

Abstract Planktonic foraminiferal assemblages have been examined in five deep-sea cores located beneath the present position of the Subtropical Convergence Zone. Fluctuations in the positions of the Subtropical Convergence and Polar Front during the last 500,000 years are recorded by frequency changes in the total planktonic foraminiferal fauna, by coiling changes in Neogloboquadrina pachyderma and by changes in species diversity. Late Quaternary paleoceanographic events in the temperate southeast Indian Ocean can be correlated with events in the South Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea on the basis of oxygen isotope stratigraphy for the last 230,000 years, 230 Th dating and the biostratigraphic displacement of Globorotalia crassaformis by Globorotalia truncatulinoides at approximately 300,000 years.
Comparing physical activity patterns of hypertensive and nonhypertensive US adults.

BACKGROUND Nonpharmacologic management of hypertension is an important strategy in treating people with hypertension, but little is known about patterns of physical activity among such people. We compared patterns of physical activity of adults with and without hypertension in the United States using the most recent guidelines for physical activity. METHODS We used data from 391,017 adults aged > or =18 years from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and physical activity categories based on 2008 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines. All information was self-reported. RESULTS The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 27.2%, whereas the age-adjusted prevalence of meeting DHHS recommendations was 60.2% among participants with hypertension and 66.9% among participants without hypertension. After adjusting for age, gender, race or ethnicity, education, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and histories of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the odds ratio (OR) for meeting DHHS recommendations among participants with hypertension was 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82, 0.88) compared with those who did not have hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Although the majority of adults with hypertension are currently meeting national guidelines for physical activity, they are less active overall than adults who do not have hypertension.
Large and moderate deviations for the empirical measures of an exchangeable sequence

Abstract In this paper we prove large and moderate deviations results for certain sequences of mixtures of probability measures. These results give large and moderate deviations for the empirical measures of an exchangeable sequence.
Co-localization of tyrosine hydroxylase and zebrin II immunoreactivities in Purkinje cells of the mutant mice, tottering and tottering/leaner.

Abstract The mutant mice tottering, leaner and the compound heterozygous tottering/leaner exhibit varying degrees of several abnormal neurological phenotypes including petit mal -like epilepsy, ataxia and an intermittent myoclonus-like movement disorder. Aberrant expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in cerebellar Purkinje cells of tottering, leaner and tottering /leaner mice has been observed previously [Austin M. C. et al. (1992) Molec. Brain Res. 15 , 227–240; Hess E. J. and Wilson M. C. (1991) Neuron 6 , 123–132]. In the present study, the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase expression was compared with that of Zebrin II in Purkinje cells of adult homozygous tottering and compound heterozygous tottering/leaner mutant mice using single and double immunocytochemistry and double immunofluorescence. The pattern of Zebrin II expression in the cerebella of the mutant mice was identical to that described for normal mice [Hawkes R. et al. (1985) Brain Res. 333 , 359–365; Hawkes R. and Leclerc N. (1987) J. comp. Neurol. 256 , 294¯1]. In addition, sections through tottering and tottering/leaner cerebella demonstrated an exact correspondence between the bands of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and bands of Zebrin II immunoreactivity. Similarly, the compartments of the Purkinje cell layer which were negative for Zebrin II staining were also negative for tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity. This study provides evidence that the cerebellar Purkinje cells of tottering and tottering/leaner mice were able to express a normal gene product, Zebrin II, in a normal spatial pattern and the same Purkinje cells can also express an aberrant gene product, tyrosine hydroxylase. This abnormal gene expression may indicate that at least some Purkinje cells in these mutant mice are not functioning normally. This possibility, taken together with the morphological changes observed in many mutant Purkinje cell axons, suggests that Purkinje cell function could be altered in tottering and tottering/leaner mice, thereby contributing to the neurological abnormalities exhibited by these mice. It is also possible that alteration in function of mutant Purkinje cells could correlate with the rostrocaudal zonation pattern described in this study.
Problem Finding and Contradiction: Examining the Relationship Between Naive Dialectical Thinking, Ethnicity, and Creativity

This research examined the association between naive dialectical thinking and creativity, measured as originality in problem construction and reframing (types of problem finding). Ethnic identity (Caucasian vs. Asian/Asian American) was examined as a moderator. Two correlational studies and one experimental study revealed a complex pattern of results: For problems with low inherent contradiction, naive dialectical thinking decreased originality on problem finding tasks, whereas for tasks with higher contradiction, there was no or even a slight positive effect. Furthermore, these relationships were found for Caucasian participants but not for Asian or Asian American participants. This research built upon the long-standing notion that dialectical thinking is positively associated with creativity, but suggests the relationship might be culture-, task-, and process-specific. The nature of dialectical thinking as involving the acceptance of contradiction or necessitating the resolution of tension should be exp...
The Cartesian doctor, François Bayle (1622-1709), on psychosomatic explanation.

Abstract There are two standing, incompatible accounts of Descartes’ contributions to the study of psychosomatic phenomena that pervade histories of medicine, psychology, and psychiatry. The first views Descartes as the father of “rational psychology” a tradition that defines the soul as a thinking, unextended substance. The second account views Descartes as the father of materialism and the machine metaphor. The consensus is that Descartes’ studies of optics and motor reflexes and his conception of the body-machine metaphor made early and important contributions to physiology and neuroscience but otherwise his impact was minimal. These predominately negative assessments of Descartes’ contributions give a false impression of the role his philosophy played in the development of medicine and psychiatry in seventeenth-century France and beyond. I explore Descartes’ influence in the little-known writings of a doctor from Toulouse, Bayle, 1670 , Bayle, 1676 . A study of Bayle gives us occasion to rethink the nature and role of psychosomatic explanation in Descartes’ philosophy. The portrait I present is of a Cartesian science that had an actual and lasting effect on medical science and practice, and may offer something of value to practitioners today.
Ethical Values and Long-term Orientation.

Lapses in ethical conduct by those in corporate and public authority worldwide have given business researchers and practitioners alike cause to re-examine the antecedents to personal ethical values. We explore the relationship between ethical values and an individual’s long-term orientation or LTO, defined as the degree to which one plans for and considers the future, as well as values traditions of the past. Our study also examines the role of work ethic and conservative attitudes in the formation of a person’s long-term orientation and consequent ethical beliefs. Empirically testing these hypothesized relationships using data from 292 subjects, we find that long-term perspectives on tradition and planning indeed engender higher levels of ethical values. The results also support work ethic’s role in fostering tradition and planning, as well as conservatism’s positive association with planning. Additionally, we report how tradition and planning mediate the influence of conservatism and work ethic on the formation of ethical values. Limitations of the study and future research directions, as well as implications for business managers and academics, are also discussed.
Accelerating protein coordinate conversion using GPUs

For modeling proteins in conformational states, two methods of representation are used: internal coordinates and Cartesian coordinates. Each of these representations contain a large amount of structural and simulation information. Different processing steps require one or the other representation. Our goal is to rapidly translate between these coordinate spaces so that a scientist can choose whichever method he or she would like independent of the coordinate representation required. An algorithm to convert Cartesian to internal coordinates is implemented by taking a protein structure file and the trajectories of protein's atoms within a time frame. The implementation then computes bond distances, bond angles and torsion angles of the atoms. This is implemented on two types of hardware: CPU and a heterogeneous system combining CPU and GPU. The CPU sequential codes in MATLAB and C are compared with MATLAB Parallel Computing Toolbox, OpenMP, and GPU versions in CUDA-C and CUDA-MATLAB. The performance is evaluated on two different protein structure files and their trajectories. Our results show that this computation is well suited to the parallelism offered in modern Graphics Processing Units. We see many orders of magnitude improvement in speed over the original MATLAB code and have brought the computation time from over an hour down to tens of milliseconds.
Quark tunneling in nuclei

Abstract We consider the effect in finite nuclei of the fact that amplitudes of quark constituents do not vanish abruptly at any finite distance from a nucleon. A crude approximation indicates that there is a significant contribution to binding energy from the resultant quark tunneling between nucleons. We discuss some implications of this new model of nuclei for nuclear physics.