cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Donor impurity incorporation during layer growth of Zn II-VI semiconductors

Abstract The maximum halogen donor concentration in Zn II-VI semiconductors during layer growth is studied using a standard model from statistical mechanics. Here the driving force for incorporation is an increase in entropy upon mixing of the donor impurity into the available anion lattice sites in the host binary. A formation energy opposes this increase and thus equilibrium is attained at some maximum concentration. Considering the halogen donor impurities within the Zn II-VI binary semiconductors ZnO, ZnS, ZnSe and ZnTe, a heat of reaction obtained from reported diatomic bond strengths is shown to be directly proportional to the log of maximum donor concentration. The formation energy can then be estimated and an expression for maximum donor concentration derived. Values for the maximum donor concentration with each of the halogen impurities, within the Zn II-VI compounds, are computed. This model predicts that the halogens will serve as electron donors in these compounds in order of increasing effectiveness as: F, Br, I, Cl. Finally, this result is taken to be equivalent to an alternative model where donor concentration depends upon impurity diffusion and the conduction band energy shift due to a depletion region at the growing crystal's surface. From this, we are able to estimate the diffusion activation energy for each of the impurities mentioned above. Comparisons are made with reported values and relevant conclusions presented.
Emerging understanding of the mechanism of action for dimethyl fumarate in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an effective treatment option for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), but its therapeutic mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. A better understanding of its mechanism will allow for the development of assays to monitor its clinical efficacy and safety in patients, as well as guide the development of the next generation of therapies for MS. In order to build the foundation for determining its mechanism, we reviewed the manner in which DMF alters lymphocyte subsets in MS patients, its impact on clinical efficacy and safety, as well as its molecular effects in cellular and animal models. DMF decreases absolute lymphocyte counts, but does not affect all subsets uniformly. CD8+ T-cells are the most profoundly affected, but reduction also occurs in the CD4+ population, particularly within the pro-inflammatory T-helper Th1 and Th17 subsets, creating a bias toward more anti-inflammatory Th2 and regulatory subsets. Similarly, B-lymphocyte, myeloid, and natural killer populations are also shifted toward a more anti-inflammatory state. In vitro and animal models demonstrate a role for DMF within the central nervous system (CNS) in promoting neuronal survival in an Nrf2 pathway-dependent manner. However, the impact of DMF directly within the CNS of MS patients remains largely unknown.
Training, Manpower, and Research

In 1952 Sugar opined (24),“…one of the most important things is that one’s results improve with experience….It is clear to me that the more aneurysms one treats, the better one gets at it. Perhaps it is because one learns on which to operate and which to leave alone.” Eighteen years later Hamby concluded (12), “I can think of little justification now for operating upon an intracranial aneurysm in a community hospital which provides a nurse or other routine anesthetist, inadequate assistance, and personnel inexperienced in postoperative management.” In cardiac surgery there always has been emphasis on the team approach with nurse and technician specialists, sufficient case load, experience, training, equipment, and back-up personnel (23). Several neurosurgeons have noted that similar referral patterns, specialization, and team approach (whether private or academic practice) should be used for intracranial aneurysm surgery (3,7,10–12,15,19,24–26).
Calibrating the Learning Region

Regions are becoming focal points for knowledge creation and learning in the new global, knowledge-intensive, capitalism. In effect, they are becoming learning regions. These learning regions function as collectors and repositories of knowledge and ideas, and provide the underlying environment or infrastructure which facilitates the flow of knowledge, ideas and learning. Quite simply, regions are becoming more important modes of economic repeated and technological organization in a global economy.
The Case of Nearly Degenerate Levels

[Alternatively, the results of this section can also be used for precisely degenerate levels in case (3), when H (1) does not remove the degeneracy and hence does not give the proper or stabilized zeroth-order state vectors.]
Applying AI Techniques to Improve Alarm Display Effectiveness

The Alarm Filtering System (AFS) addresses the problem of information overload in a control room during abnormal operations. Since operators can miss vital information during these periods, systems which emphasize important messages are beneficial. AFS uses the artificial intelligence (AI) technique of object-oriented programming to filter and dynamically prioritize alarm messages. When an alarm’s status changes, AFS determines the relative importance of that change according to the current process state. AFS bases that relative importance on relationships the newly changed alarm has with other activated alarms. Evaluations of alarm importance take place without regard to the activation sequence of alarm signals. The United States Department of Energy has applied for a patent on the approach used in this software. The approach was originally developed by EG&G Idaho for a nuclear reactor control room.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitors: An Overview

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) were originally isolated from bone marrow (BM), but are now known to be present in all fetal and adult tissues. These multipotent cells can be differentiated into at least three downstream mesenchymal lineages that include bone, cartilage, and fat. However, under some experimental conditions, these cells can differentiate into nonmesenchymal cell types and/or participate in regeneration of damaged tissues through a variety of mechanisms. Most recently, MSCs have been derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) through several different methodologies. Human MSCs derived from hESCs have been shown to possess characteristics very similar to BM-derived MSCs. Thus, the generation of MSCs from hESCs provides an opportunity to study the developmental biology of cells of mesenchymal lineages in an appropriate in vitro model. Furthermore, MSCs from different adult tissue sources are being actively investigated in a multitude of clinical trials; therefore, hESCs could provide an unlimited source of MSCs for potential clinical applications in the future. Such MSCs could be used without further differentiation for regeneration of tissues, or they could be directed towards specific lineage pathways, such as bone and cartilage, for reconstruction of tissues. Finally, immunomodulatory properties of hESC-derived MSCs are likely to prove valuable for inducing immune tolerance toward other cells or tissues derived from the same hESC lines.
Outpatient oncology massage self-reported outcomes in cancer patients and their caregivers.

e21627Background: Massage as a manual therapy has shown benefit for symptomatic relief in cancer patients and their caregivers. We explored the impact of a single massage session on self-reported s...
Style For Actors: A Handbook for Moving Beyond Realism

"Style is a journey from tourist to native. It is living in the world of the play, not just visiting it." - from Chapter One Anyone who has ever struggled with capes, fans, swords, doublets and crinolines should make Style for Actors 2nd Edition their constant companion. Robert Barton has completely updated his award winning handbook for the 21st century with contemporary references and up-to-date illustrations. This is the definitive guide to roles in historical drama. The past is a foreign country, and this outstanding book is concerned with exploring it from the actor’s point of view. Specific guides range from Greek, Elizabethan, Restoration and Georgian theatre to more contemporary stylings, including Futurism, Surrealism and Postmodernism. Barton takes great care to present the actor with the roles and genres that will most commonly confront them. His analysis moves from entire genres to specific scenes and characters. A huge resource of nearly 150 practical exercises helps a newfound understanding of style to make the leap from page to performance.
What motivates public support for public transit

Abstract Voters often support increased spending for public transportation, but the motivation behind this support is as hard to discern as it is substantively important. Why do voters support transit? We use a survey-framing experiment (n = 1200) to evaluate the persuasive effects of common arguments for public transit. We study how different arguments change not just people’s attitudes toward transit, but also their willingness to become politically active on its behalf. Our findings are twofold. First, arguments that transit will reduce congestion or improve environmental outcomes (specifically, mitigate climate change) make people more supportive of public transportation, while arguments about making travel more convenient, helping the poor, or satisfying other people’s desire for transit do not. Second, congestion-based arguments are self-undermining with respect to activism: they make people more likely to support transit, but less likely to become activists for it. Congestion-based arguments are persuasive because they remind people of wasted time, but in reminding people of time-scarcity they reduce people’s willingness to become involved. Overall, our results suggest that the common reasons people use transit are not powerful political arguments for supporting it, and that one powerful political argument for supporting it, in addition to being inaccurate, might undermine efforts to organize on its behalf.
Color-Encoding Visualizations As A Tool To Assist A Nonliterate Population In Completing Health Survey Responses

ABSTRACTVisual representations of data have increasingly included color-encodings to help engage participants in health research. However, there is limited information on the way in which participa...
Computationally Efficient Estimation of Compound K-Distribution Sea Clutter in Thermal Noise and Its Application to Sea Echo Reflectivity Observations

We consider the parameter estimation of the K-plus-noise distribution model of sea clutter intensity single-pulse observations with unknown thermal noise power. We propose two methods that yield comparable estimation accuracy to existing methods while improving computational cost for real-time processing. These methods iteratively integrate one-dimensional nonlinear curve fitting with integer and fractional intensity moment computations. We provide numerically computed Cramer–Rao lower bounds for the shape estimate as a bench mark for asymptotically unbiased estimators. Performance is demonstrated using simulations and two high-resolution sea echo reflectivity datasets.
Fairness and the Public Trustee Concept: Time to Move On

The Supreme Court has several times set out the rationale for the governmental regulatory regime for broadcasting. Radio is inherently not open to all. More people want to broadcast than there are available frequencies, and the government, therefore, chooses one entity, andto prevent engineering chaosenjoins all others from using the frequency. This scarcitybased not on the number of broadcast outlets or a comparison of those outlets with other media, but on the number of those who seek broadcast outlets compared to the number of frequencies availableis the "unique characteristic" of radio that supports its regulatory scheme.(note 1) It is undisputed that this same scarcitymore people wanting to broadcast than there are available frequenciesexists today.
Guiding the environmental design of a novel solar absorber through life cycle assessment by identifying anticipated hot spots

Abstract Life cycle assessment (LCA) can be a powerful tool in minimizing aggregate life cycle impacts if used during early stage research before materials, processes, and system designs are set. This study examines the life cycle effects of substituting two promising arsenic-containing polymorphs of Cu3AsS4 as the absorber layers in single junction thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells. These thin films and the auxiliary components they require to create functioning PV systems are compared with existing commercial PV systems, including crystalline silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (Cu(In,Ga)Se2). The resulting impacts for Cu3AsS4 are expressed as a range of equally possible values to reflect the design choice uncertainties in this early-stage LCA. Hot spots are identified to determine the most relevant contributors to PV system impacts and uncertainty ranges. Scenario analyses are performed to quantify the change in life cycle impacts due to mounting configuration and product performance. Calculated impacts and identified hot spots suggest Cu3AsS4 PV systems are consistent with commercial PV technologies. Notable design considerations include minimizing waste associated with deposition techniques that have modifiable utilization efficiencies (especially for molybdenum), designing reusable BOS components, investigating roll-to-roll compatible substrates, and prioritizing module efficiency improvements. Within the system boundaries examined here, the contribution of arsenic to the overall life cycle impacts is calculated to be less than 1% in all impact categories through both economic and mass allocations, but direct exposure through specific manufacturing and decommissioning steps were not modeled. By determining potential Cu3AsS4 life cycle impacts, identifying life cycle hot spots, and offering design options, this work serves to establish a basis on which the environmental implications of this potential thin film technology are understood.
Causal Interactions between Southern Ocean Polynyas and High-Latitude Atmosphere–Ocean Variability

AbstractWeddell Sea open-ocean polynyas have been observed to occasionally release heat from the deep ocean to the atmosphere, indicating that their sporadic appearances may be an important feature...
Menstrual Effluent Provides a Novel Diagnostic Window on the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue growing outside of the uterus. Although the cause is unknown, retrograde menstruation leads to deposition of endometrial cells into the peritoneal cavity. Lack of disease recognition and long diagnostic delays (6-10 years) lead to substantial personal, social and financial burdens, as well as delayed treatment. A non-invasive diagnostic for endometriosis is a major unmet clinical need. Here, we assessed whether differences in menstrual effluent-derived stromal fibroblast cells (ME-SFCs) from women with and without endometriosis provide the basis for a non-invasive diagnostic for endometriosis. In addition, we investigated whether treatment of control ME-SFCs with inflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-1β) could induce an endometriosis-like phenotype. ME-SFCs from laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis patients exhibit reduced decidualization capacity, measured by IGFBP1 production after exposure to cAMP. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve developed using decidualization data from controls and endometriosis subjects yielded an area under the curve of 0.92. In addition, a significant reduction in ALDH1A1 gene expression and increased podoplanin surface expression were also observed in endometriosis ME-SFCs when compared to control ME-SFCs. These endometriosis-like phenotypes can be reproduced in control ME-SFCs by exposure to inflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-1β) and are associated with increased cell migration. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that chronic intrauterine inflammation influences the development of endometriosis lesions following retrograde menstruation. In conclusion, the analysis of ME-SFCs can provide an accurate, rapid and non-invasive diagnostic for endometriosis and insight into disease pathogenesis.
Novel HER2–targeted therapies for HER2–positive metastatic breast cancer

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in approximately 20% of all breast cancers. Before the development of HER2-directed monoclonal antibodies, HER2-positive breast cancer was associated with a rather poor prognosis. With the advent of monoclonal HER2-targeting antibodies (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) and antibody-drug conjugates (trastuzumab emtansine [T-DM1] and trastuzumab deruxtecan), clinical outcomes for HER2-positive breast cancer have dramatically changed, and a greater proportion of patients in the nonmetastatic setting are cured. However, in the metastatic setting, resistance to anti-HER2 treatments still remains a major therapeutic challenge, underscoring the importance of developing novel HER2-directed therapies. Over the last year, there has been a dramatic shift in the current treatment paradigms for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, with recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals of trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201), neratinib, and tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine. The authors summarize recent phase 3 data with novel HER2-targeted therapies as well as phase 1 and 2 data with other novel HER2-targeting agents.
Decreased bioenergetics in traumatic brain injury

Abstract Annually, approximately 1.7 million individuals in the United States suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This phenomenon is also a leading cause in two-thirds of injury-related deaths. Alterations in energy metabolism and bioenergetics have been well established in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Although TBI is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, it does not increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown an increase in dementia among persons with traumatic brain, and there is a strong correlation to those with a severe TBI. Therefore, the need to investigate the correlation between decreased energy bioenergetics and TBI is essential. This chapter will focus on the relationship between TBI and energy metabolism. It will also demonstrate how current research supports the link between TBI, oxidative stress, reduced bioenergetics, and restorative TBI treatment strategies.
Organizational sensemaking in tough times: The ecology of NGOs’ COVID-19 issue discourse communities on social media

Abstract NGOs are important civil actors in societies' emergency and disaster responses, and they come together on social media to identify prominent issues and coordinate issue responses. This research explores how U.S. NGO form topic-driven communities on social media to discuss and build representational strategic networks around issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from Issue Niche Theory, we examined how NGOs' networks and discourse evolved before and after the general public paid great attention to the COVID-19 issue and how such patterns changed across the whole issue niche and sub-issue niches. We analyzed the evolution of Twitter-based networks and discourse of 2,588 NGOs in the first five months of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. Our analysis revealed important factors that shape tie formation patterns in the NGOs' communities in this novel issue niche. The findings show that NGOs’ discourses help to orient the organizational community to identify most salient issues. Finally, changes in the discourse patterns reflected changes in the communication networks in the NGO community.
Tablet therapy as an assistive technology-based treatment for anxiety in pediatric oncology

The painful interventions and invasive procedures associated with pediatric cancer treatment can result in anxiety. Anxiety can be reduced or better controlled through distraction and thought retra...
Social Work Students Go to Camp

Abstract This study explored the effects of an intensive, service learning course on the perceived self-efficacy of participating MSW students. A self-efficacy scale was developed following Bandura's (1977) model, based on the goals and objectives of the MSW program and was administered pre and post. The findings indicated a statistically significant increase in perceived self-efficacy (p< .001) following completion of the course. In addition, the students demonstrated significant increases in self-efficacy related to mezzo (p< .001) and macro-level skills (p< .001). These results suggest that service learning, underutilized in social work education, may be an effective learning approach in master's level programs.
Design optimization of parallel plate heat exchangers in thermoacoustic devices

Parallel plate heat exchangers of a thermoacoustic refrigerator with an acoustic driver and a heat-driven thermoacoustic refrigerator are optimized by using the second law of thermodynamics and the computer code DeltaE which solves the one dimensional wave equation in a geometry. In the first simulation by DeltaE, the blockage ratio of the heat exchangers is assumed equal to that of the stack. The porosity of the heat exchangers is optimized through the second law analysis and by assuming the plate thickness of the heat exchangers equal to their length. The optimized blockage ratio for the cold heat exchanger and ambient heat exchanger are estimated 0.56 and 0.345. The results show that with the optimized heat exchangers whose porosity is less than that of the stack, the overall performance of the thermoacoustic refrigerator is increased by 16%.
Cerebral Oxygenation Monitoring: A Strategy to Detect Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Periventricular Leukomalacia

Premature infants are at risk for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) theorized to be a result from fluctuations in cerebral blood flow. Monitoring cerebral oxygenation offers a method to observe changes in cerebral blood flow that may be beneficial for detecting and preventing IVH and PVL. This article explains the potential for cerebral oxygenation monitoring in detecting IVH and PVL using cerebral oximetry, reviews current knowledge known about cerebral oxygenation, and describes current challenges for cerebral oxygenation to be the next neuroprotective vital sign.
A novel low power VMRAM/MTJ design with robust magnetic switching

In this paper, we will present a new MRAM design, targeting ultra-low switching current and switching robustness.
The Magic of World Music: From Rituals to Web Pages / Kouzla ve world music: Od rituálů k webovým stránkám

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2006 Pages: 79 Publisher: Městske kulturni středisko ISBN: 80-903416-5-9 (soft cover).
How is Self-Forgiveness Possible?

The idea of self-forgiveness poses a serious challenge to any philosopher interested in giving a general account of forgiveness. On the one hand, it is an uncontroversial part of our common psychological and moral discourse. On the other, any account of self-forgiveness is inconsistent with any general account of forgiveness which implies that only the victim of an offense can forgive. To avoid this conclusion, one must either challenge the particular claims that preclude self-forgiveness or offer an independently plausible account of self-forgiveness. I deploy both strategies in this article, explaining what self-forgiveness is and how it is possible.
Diffusion channel with Poisson reception process: capacity results and applications

We consider a channel model based on the diffusion of particles in the medium which is motivated by the natural communication mechanisms between biological cells based on exchange of molecules. In this model, the transmitter secretes particles into the medium via a particle dissemination rate. The concentration of particles at any point in the medium is a function of its distance from the transmitter and the particle dissemination rate. The reception process is a doubly stochastic Poisson process whose rate is a function of the concentration of the particles in the vicinity of the receiver. We derive a closed-form for the mutual information between the input and output processes in this communication scenario and establish useful properties about the mutual information. We also provide a signaling strategy using which we derive a lower bound on the capacity of the diffusion channel with Poisson reception process under average and peak power constraints. Furthermore, it is shown that the capacity of discretized diffusion channel can be a negligible factor of the capacity of continuous time diffusion channel. Finally, the application of the considered model to the molecular communication systems is discussed.
Beyond sensing: multi-GHz realtime spectrum analytics

Spectrum sensing has been an active research area for the past two decades. Nonetheless, current spectrum sensing systems provide only coarse occupancy data. They lack information about the detailed signal patterns in each band and can easily miss fleeting signals like radar. This paper presents SpecInsight, a system for acquiring a detailed view of 4 GHz of spectrum in realtime. SpecInsight's design addresses the intrinsic conflict between the need to quickly scan a wide spectrum and the desire to obtain very detailed information about each band. Its key enabler is a learned database of signal patterns and a new scheduling algorithm that leverages these patterns to identify when to sample each band to maximize the probability of sensing active signals. SpecInsight is implemented using off-the-shelf USRP radios with only tens of MHz of instantaneous bandwidth, but it is able to sense 4 GHz of spectrum, and capture very low duty-cycle signals in the radar band. Using SpecInsight, we perform a large-scale study of the spectrum in 7 locations in the US that span major cities and suburban areas, and build a first-of-its-kind database of spectrum usage patterns.
Radiographic evaluation and comparison of triple pelvic osteotomy with and without additional ventral plate stabilization in forty dogs - part 1

Triple pelvic osteotomies (TPO) were evaluated in 40 clinical cases. In 39 cases, these were young dogs with hip dysplasia; in one case, the TPO was used as a correction for a hip luxation. Unilateral TPOs were performed in twenty patients, twelve with traditional TPO (without additional ventral plate) and eight with additional ventral plate fixation. Bilateral TPOs were performed in twenty patients, thirteen with traditional TPO and seven with additional ventral plate. In traditional TPOs, evidence of implant failure occurred in 5 of 12 unilateral and 11 of 13 bilateral procedures. In TPOs with additional ventral plate fixation, minor screw loosening was detected in one of eight unilateral and zero of seven bilateral procedures. Statistically TPOs without additional ventral plate fixation had 9.2 times greater odds of screw loosening with significantly greater acetabular segment displacement (p < 0.01). Two traditional TPOs performed required additional surgery due to screw loosening. Other attempted additional stabilization techniques used with the TPO procedure included ilial body wiring, ischial body wiring, sacral screw purchase, and medial screw nuts, however these methods did not prevent loosening and migration. TPO with additional ventral plate fixation was highly effective at combating implant failure.
Perspective: A means to an end.

Exploring graphene's chemical properties reveals a world of potential away from the purely two-dimensional, says Rodney Ruoff.
Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci for the salmonid trematode Plagioporus shawi

We isolated and characterized 11 microsatellite loci from Plagioporus shawi , a parasitic trematode of salmonid fishes ( Oncorhynchus spp.). Extensive polymorphism (expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.476 to 0.981 and number of alleles from 10 to 55) was found in a sample of 94 trematodes from 24 infected cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarki ) individuals. Nine of the 11 loci will be useful for future genetic studies on within population dynamics of P. shawi .
Dependence of Sn Grain Morphology of Sn-Ag-Cu Solder on Solidification Temperature

Near-eutectic Sn-Ag-Cu samples were produced in different sizes and geometries, with different solidification temperatures. The Sn grain morphologies of samples were characterized and found to be correlated with the sample solidification temperature; the lower the solidification temperature, the higher the degree of interlacing observed. These Sn grain morphologies were observed to be consistent with a simple model that envisions the nucleus in an undercooled Sn-Ag-Cu liquid to be Sn atoms clustered around a Ag atom in a hexagonal configuration that allows Sn to grow epitaxially on each of its surfaces. At intermediate degrees of undercooling, a mixed Sn grain morphology is observed, with the interlaced portion associated with the region closer to Sn nucleation in these samples.
A two-year clinical study comparing the effect of dentifrices on selected dental materials.

Summary 1A two-year double-blind human clinical study has been conducted to determine the comparative effect of two commercially available dentifrices on selected dental materials. 2Forty-three adult subjects were selected to participate. They received either acrylic resin or silicate restorations in their anterior teeth, or a full cast gold veneer crown with an acrylic surface. 3The subjects were randomly assigned to either one of the two dentifrices and utilized the dentifrice in their normal manner at least 3 times per day. 4The dental restorations were clinically evaluated in reference to their surface characteristics immediately after placement, and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months' use of the dentifrices. The acrylic surfaces of the veneer crowns were also evaluated at these same time periods; however, in this case an in vivo tooth surface reflectance measurement technique was also utilized. 5The results of this clinical study provide the following conclusion after 24 months use of the two dentifrices: There was no difference between the two dentifrices in that neither dentifrice produced any abnormal or unusual effect on the surface characteristics of either the acrylic or silicate anterior restorations, or the acrylic surfaces of the veneer crowns.
Joint effects of fraternity size, plane of nutrition and nursing schedule on pig growth from birth to 20 weeks of age

Abstract Eighty-nine gilts were assigned to 8 treatments (2 diets × 2 litter sizes × 2 nursing schedules) in a cross-fostering experiment. Diets were a corn-soya bean ration with or without 15% animal fat; litter sizes were 6 or 10 pigs; nursing was conventional or restricted. Interactions on body weight through 20 weeks of age in progeny of the gilts were assessed. Sires of pigs did not differ before weaning but did so thereafter, accounting for 15.3% of the variance in 18-week body weights. Pre-natal maternal effects explained 44.4% (birth weight) to 7.1% (7-week weight) of the variance. Post-natal effects increased through 10 weeks of age, and decreased later. About 31% of the variance of 20-week body weight was accounted for by pre- and post-natal maternal effects. An increase in fraternity size reduced body weight of 10–18-week-old pigs under conventional nursing but not under limiting nursing. Pigs raised in a “constant” nutritional environment grew faster than those reared in a “variable” environment. Diet fed to genetic dam×diet fed to nurse×fraternity size interactions affected body weights at 3, 4, 5, 10 and 12 weeks of age.
Domain Structure and Dielectric Response of Barium Titanate Single Crystals

Single crystals of BaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ have been grown and investigated by means of the polarization microscope, x-ray diffraction, and their dielectric and piezoelectric response. It has become possible to see the domains in the ferroelectric state and to change their number, size, and orientation. Wall displacements and the alignment of such domains, for which well-known indirect evidence exists in the case of ferromagnetics, have been observed in both polarized and unpolarized light, and the influence of temperature and electric fields on the domain structure and orientation of the polar axis have been investigated. In addition to the Curie point near 120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, there exist two polymorphic transitions near 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and -70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. A tentative explanation for the development of the ferroelectric state is given which brings the new ferroelectric group of the titanates into close relation to those of the tartrates and phosphates.
Improving the quality of object-oriented programs

Object-oriented languages originated in the late '60s and entered widespread industrial use in the early '90s. With this technology's advent came the hope and belief that life from a programming perspective would generally improve. We believed that these languages would foster reuse and, consequently, a reduction in the quantity of code written. We also believed that inheritance, an object-oriented language feature, would result in less testing effort, although D. Perry and G. Kaiser (1990) dispelled this notion. So, if we use object-oriented technology, what should we expect in terms of quality? What can we do to increase our chances of producing highly reliable software? This paper presents four ideas that will improve these chances regardless of the object-oriented language used.
Fingarette and Johnson on retributive punishment

Professor Herbert Fingarette has expounded and defended a retributivist thesis concerning law and punishment. 1 His thesis has been criticized by Professor Oliver Johnson. 2 In what follows I shall briefly point out how Professor Johnson's critique is right with respect to Professor Fingarette's stated thesis and then show how a version of retributivism, in the spirit of Fingarette's but not of the letter, escapes Johnson's critique. Professor Johnson's rendition of Fingarette's thesis is, I think, fair enough. It begins with the following quote from Fingarette: "It is part of what it means for the law to exercise its power over us, to require things of us, that those who don't of their own will comply are normally punished." (Johnson, p. 158). I now quote Johnson himself:
Rsf1p, a protein required for respiratory growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A central problem in our understanding of mitochondrial (mt) function remains the question of how coordinate transcriptional control is accomplished between nucleus and mitochondria. Here, we report the initial characterization of a protein of previously unknown function, the product of the YMR030 W gene, that appears to mediate such coordinate gene expression. Expression of YMR030 W is glucose-repressible; a deletion mutant for this gene shows a severe growth defect on glycerol-, but not glucose- or ethanol-based medium. In that mutant, transcript levels from GUT1 and GUT2 are highly attenuated compared with those of the wild-type parent when both are grown on glycerol-based medium. Under the same growth conditions, transcripts from the mt OLI1 gene, which has one copy of a mt upstream activating sequence (UAS) in its 5′-flanking region, are attenuated in the ΔYMR030 W mutant, but mRNA from the mt COX3 (OXI2) gene, which lacks the mt UAS, are not. Some nuclear genes encoding mt-related proteins also show low transcript levels in the ΔYMR030 W mutant in comparison with those of the wild-type parent strain during glycerol-based growth. Localization of the protein, via its expression fused to green fluorescent protein, indicates that it is present in both nucleus and mitochondria, supporting a respiration-related transcriptional role for this gene product in both cellular genetic compartments. Because of its role in both respiratory growth and mt function, we designate the YMR030 W coding sequence RSF1 (respiration factor 1).
Evaluation of methods for determining adverse impacts of air pollution on terrestrial ecosystems

Methods used to determine adverse impacts of air pollution on four levels of biological organization of terrestrial ecosystems were evaluated for their use in decision making by federal land managers of class I areas and as guidelines for scientists employed to design field studies in these areas. At the level of the individual, visible injury, biomass, and sulfur uptake were the most often used components; at the population level, natality and mortality; at the community level, diversity; and at the ecosystem level, biogeochemical cycling. Most studies focused on structural responses of individual organisms. These components are relatively sensitive and are easy and inexpensive to measure; however, linkages of these parameters to adverse impacts on populations, communities, or ecosystems are lacking. Measurements of effects of air pollution at the higher levels of organization are confounded by natural variability, long response times, climatic variation, pathogens, and other factors. In addition, the lack of replication and of true control areas creates severe problems for design of monitoring programs and testing of hypotheses concerning effects.
Habitat preferences in gray marmots (Marmota baibacina)

We examined habitat preferences of the Southern Altai subspecies of gray marmots (Marmota baibacina baibacina) both at the small and large scale. Considerable differences in habitat use among the gray marmot (sub)species complex have been described; Marmota kastschenkoi possibly represents the only forest-dwelling Palearctic marmot. Our results show that habitat use in Southern Altai marmots is determined mainly by vegetation type. The Altai marmots preferred grasslands and shrublands and their distribution was limited to the alpine zone above timberline. Marmots clearly avoided woodlands, even the forest edges and forest-steppe areas with a tree cover greater than 10 %. Gray marmots occur rarely in habitats occupied by alpine pikas, whereas presence of ground squirrels had no effect on marmot distribution. Altai marmots preferred mesic habitats with permeable subsoil layers. Livestock grazing and human disturbance did not affect marmot occurrence. Habitat requirements of examined Altai subspecies M. baibacina baibacina differ from the forest-steppe M. kastschenkoi; nevertheless, the ecological factors to which the forest-dwelling species responds remain to be analyzed. A recent speciation process in gray marmot complex was followed by the evolution of ecological requirements resulting in adaptation to forest dwelling.
Neuropeptide Interaction with the Extracellular Domain of the Acid Sensing Ion Channel 1A

Acidic fluctuations occur within the brain and contribute to multiple physiological and patho-physiological processes. Neurons possess specific molecules to sense and respond to these pH changes. In particular, many neurons express the acid sensing ion channels (ASICs). ASICs are ligand-gated ion channels activated by extracellular protons. ASICs are permeable to cations and depolarize neurons to mediate acid-dependent neuronal signaling. Some ASIC channels are also permeable to calcium and these channels are thought to play a particularly important role in neuronal processes. Specifically, ASIC1a subunits form channels permeable to calcium and contribute to multiple behaviors, seizure termination, pain, as well as neuronal death initiated by prolonged acidosis following inflammation and stroke. ASIC1a undergoes a process called steady-state desensitization in which slow, incremental acidification causes the channels to desensitize rather than undergo robust activation. Induction of steady-state desensitization prevents ASIC1a-mediated neuronal death. Yet, specific neuropeptides present within the brain limit steady-state desensitization and allow ASIC1a to activate following slow, incremental acidification. Two types of neuropeptides, the RFamides and dynorphin-related peptides, interact directly with the extracellular domain of ASICs to modulate channel gating. In this work, we explore the mechanism and protein domains responsible for modulation of ASC1a steady-state desensitization by endogenous neuropeptides. We determined that (1) RFamide and dynorphins alter ASIC gating in distinct, but overlapping ways; (2) dynorphins can compete with the inhibitory spider toxin venom peptide PcTx1 for interaction with the channels; and (3) the addition of RFamide and dynorphins synergizes ASIC1a modulation. We also present evidence that specific protein domains are involved in endogenous neuropeptide modulation of ASIC1a. Together, these studies further define endogenous neuropeptides as important modulators of ASIC1a activity and present data indicating that distinct protein domains control neuropeptide effects.
195 SUPPRESSION OF SETDB1 DURING BOVINE EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT RESULTS IN PRE-IMPLANTATION MORTALITY AND DECREASED TRANSCRIPTION OF TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS

Organization of chromatin structure by the combinatorial patterns of DNA methylation and post-translational histone modification is essential for the establishment and maintenance of proper transcriptional programs that result in the coordination of embryonic development. We previously observed that suppression of transcripts encoding SET domain, bifurcated 1 (SETDB1) using small interfering RNAs (siRNA) is embryonic lethal, with SETDB1-suppressed embryos (n = 361) arresting immediately before the blastocyst stage (blastocyst rate: Control 44.9 ± 4.9% and NULL injected 25.7 ± 6.0%). Studies in rodents indicate SETDB1 is a crucial regulator of transposable elements and that the precise epigenetic regulation of these elements is a key aspect of transcriptional programs controlling pluripotency and placentation. To better characterise the molecular basis of the observed mortality, we analysed expression of the bovine Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 family (LINE1) of transposable elements via quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Mature bovine oocytes were obtained from a commercial supplier (De Soto Biosciences, Seymour, TN, USA) and IVF performed by standard laboratory protocol. Eighteen hours after IVF, cumulus cells were removed and presumptive zygotes divided into 3 different treatment groups: non-injected control (CNTL), non-targeting siRNA injected control (siNULL), and zygotes injected with siRNAs targeting SETDB1 (siSETDB1). Each embryo was injected with ~100 pL of siRNAs (10 µM) in fluorescent dextran solution. All zygotes were verified as injected by fluorescent microscopy and then cultured in Bovine Evolve (Zenith Biotech, Guilford, CT, USA) medium supplemented with 4 mg mL of BSA (Probumin, EMD Millipore, Darmstadt, Germany). Groups of embryos (15–20) from each treatment were lysed at the 4-cell, 8-cell, and morula stages, RNA extracted, and analysed by RT-qPCR using GAPDH and YWHAZ as reference genes. A two-way ANOVA and a Student's t-test were used to analyse the results from the RT-qPCR. As expected, siSETDB1-injected morulae displayed dramatic reduction in the level of Setdb1 transcripts as compared to siNULL control (96%; P < 0.05). Preliminary analysis of LINE1 transcripts at the morula stage indicated siSETDB1-injected embryos displayed a 75% reduction compared to the siNULL. Whether alteration in LINE1 regulation contributes to the developmental arrest and embryonic mortality of siSETDB1-injected embryos is under investigation.
An ultrasound imaging method for in vivo tracheal bulk and Young's moduli of elasticity

Alterations in neonatal airway mechanical properties resulting from ventilatory therapies such as mechanical ventilation have been implicated in airway collapse and chronic disease. Advances in ultrasound (US) technology allow for real-time imaging and accurate measurement of tracheal dimensions in vivo; thus, changes in mechanical properties can be tracked longitudinally. In this report we introduce an adaptation of engineering concepts using US imaging data to study airway mechanics in vivo. In this protocol, tracheal segments are isolated in a spontaneously breathing newborn lamb model and the segments are exposed to time-cycled, pressure-limited mechanical ventilation. Serially, tracheal segments are filled with saline and pressure-volume relationships are recorded with stepwise volume infusions. US dimensional measurements of the segments are made while static (no distending pressure) and at pressure limits during dynamic ventilator cycling. US measurements are used to normalize pressure-volume data for resting volume, calculation of bulk modulus, stress-strain relationships and the adapted Young's modulus associated with tangential wall stress. Temporal changes in bulk and Young's moduli demonstrate the time dependence of alterations in conducting airway mechanical properties in vivo during the course of mechanical ventilation. This methodology will provide a means to evaluate respiratory therapies with respect to airway mechanics.
Screen Time, Physical Activity, and Overweight in U.S. Youth: National Survey of Children's Health 2003

The purpose was to examine screen-based leisure time sedentary behavior and physical activity and overweight in a national sample of children. Boys and girls who engage in low physical activity and high leisure time sedentary behavior are two times more likely to be overweight than more active, less sedentary children.
Phospholipid bilayer-micelle transformation.

Abstract A theoretical analysis of the transformation among a phospholipid bilayer, cylindrical micelle, and spherical micelle in an aqueous solution of 0.1 N NaCl is considered in terms of the net charge of the head group of a phospholipid. It is found that the bilayer state is the most stable state for the lipid molecules in the aqueous solution over the range of the net charge per molecule 0 ∼ 1.25 ∥ e ∥ and the free energy of the cylindrical micelle is lowest in the range 1.25 ∼ 2.0 ∥ e ∥ of the net charge per molecule. The formation of the spherical micelle is very unlikely to occur in an aqueous solution of pH range corresponding to the net charge 0 ∼ ∥ 2e ∥ per molecule. The transformation of the bilayer to cylindrical micelle could occur in the solution in which a polar head group possesses the net charge of 1.0 ∥ e ∥ dissociated.
THE ADOPTION OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH TECHNIQUES BY MANUFACTURING ORGANIZATIONS

This research examines the adoption of operations research techniques by manufacturing organizations. The study includes the frequency of use, techniques used, organizational units and the number of personnel, types of problems analyzed, overall results achieved, and problems encountered among various sizes of firms and industry classes.
9-CIS-RETINOIC ACID IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN ALL-TRANS-RETINOIC ACID IN UPREGULATING EXPRESSION OF THE ALPHA -FETOPROTEIN GENE

In McA-RH 8994 rat hepatoma cells, all-trans-retinoic acid (t-RA) induces expression of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin genes and results in a phenotype similar to differentiated fetal hepatocytes. The present study elucidated the mechanism involved in AFP gene regulation mediated by retinoic acid. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that 9-cis-retinoic acid (c-RA), a ligand for retinoid x receptors (RXRs), also induced expression of the AFP gene in McA-RH 8994 cells. The induction was time- and dose-dependent. Northern blots and transfection assays using the 7.3 kb full-length regulatory region of the AFP gene demonstrated that c-RA was more effective than t-RA in regulating expression of the AFP gene. At 10(-7) M, c-RA increased AFP mRNA 5-fold and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity 2.5-fold. In contrast, t-RA at a concentration of 10(-7) M exerted no significant effect; 10(-6) to 10(-5) M t-RA was needed to affect AFP gene expression. These data suggested that activation of RXRs is essential for the regulation of the AFP gene. Co-transfection experiments revealed that over-expression of RXR alpha in McA-RH 8994 cells further enhanced the CAT activity induced by c-RA. In addition, c-RA did not alter the half-life of AFP mRNA. Thus, RXR alpha may play a crucial role in transcriptional regulation of the AFP gene and in controlling hepatocyte phenotype.