cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relation of structure to properties in polyurethanes

A polyurethane bearing pendant hydroxyl groups and carbon-carbon double bonds was prepared. Curing was carried out by diisocyanates of different lengths and by an accelerated sulfur recipe. The vulcanizate properties of modulus, hardness, and resilience were found to be independent of both the length and chemical nature of the crosslink. Compression set, however, was always higher for the sulfur cures, an effect which can be attributed to the disulfide structure of this particular crosslink. Both physical and chemical evidence support this structure. Diisocyanate curing of the dolyurethane via the hydroxyl groups is a clean-cut, essentially quantitative reaction which provided an absolute method for determining the degree of crosslinking. Excellent agreement was obtained between the physical degree of crosslinking as determined by equilibrium modulus and the chemical degree of crosslinking. This agreement provides further verification of the network-statistical theory of rubber elasticity in highly swollen systems. No chain entanglement was observed.
The Use of Fractal Geometry in Pharmaceutical Systems

AbstractThe nature of surface irregularity affects many phenomena including adsorption/desorption, catalysis, crystal growth, drug dissolution and chromatography. Many excellent models have been developed with the oversimplified assumption that all particles are smooth spheres; fractal geometry allows these models to be expanded to irregular surfaces by providing a quantitative means of assessing surface roughness.An overview of fractal analysis is presented in the following, and the state of the art, as far as pharmaceutical systems are concerned are outlined. Erroneous approaches, as well as the directions pharmaceutical research and technology might take in the area of fractal analysis are suggested.From a historical perspective, micromeritics (the science of particle size, shape and surface area) were first developed with the assumptions that all particles were smooth spheres.Much excellent work has been developed with such an oversimplified model. For example, numerous workers have shown that particl...
Parent program component analysis in a drug abuse prevention trial.

PURPOSE: The current study estimates the effects of the parent program component of an evidence-based multi-component drug abuse prevention program for adolescents, Project STAR. METHODS: A total of 351 parents of middle school students, who had been assigned by school to a program or comparison condition (n = 8 schools), completed self-report surveys at baseline and two years later. Analyses estimated effects of the overall parent program as well as its three key constituent activities (parent-school committee participation, parent skills training, and parent-child homework activities) on perceptions of parental influence over their children's substance use. RESULTS: Results demonstrate that parents who participated in the overall parent program demonstrated greater perceptions of influence over their children's substance use at two-year follow-up. Furthermore, parents who participated in parent-school committees and homework sessions demonstrated greater perceptions of influence over their children's substance use than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that parent interventions may increase self-efficacy in parent-child management and communication skills. Results may help inform the development of more cost-effective and immediate prevention strategies for parents. Language: en
Methane dynamics in the Willamette River, Oregon

Weekly monitoring of dissolved methane (CH4) at two sites along an , 2-km stretch of the Willamette River (Oregon) between October 2008 and November 2010 revealed persistent supersaturation (24–1703 atmospheric equilibrium). The CH4 concentration difference (DCH4: 0–200 nmol L21) between the two sites varied inversely with river flow, which ranged from 125 m3 s21 to 1500 m3 s21 over the time series. At the downstream site, an ‘excess’ of # 125% was observed, with groundwater input being the likely CH4 source. Quasi-synoptic studies of spatial trends in summer (2010, 2011) revealed steady CH4 decrease along a 12-km river stretch downstream of the time-series sites. The estimated loss due to air–water exchange for this stretch was , 93 greater than the perceived net loss, consistent with regionally widespread groundwater input of CH4. Bi-weekly dissolved nutrient measurements indicated that a distinct nitrate (NO { ) source also existed between the upstream and downstream time-series sites. The excesses of NO { and CH4 were inversely correlated, with the greatest NO { supply corresponding to periods of high rainfall in winter and highest river flow. Although groundwater input is also the probable source of NO { , seasonal seepage of rainwater-saturated soils (shallow groundwater recharge) explains the NO { input, while hyporheic exchange with a persistent deep aquifer best explains the CH4 input. Improved understanding of groundwater input and exchange dynamics in the Willamette River will clarify the influence of human activities on river biogeochemistry and help to better constrain the magnitude of CH4 and other greenhouse gas fluxes associated with inland waters.
Effect of physical exercise on bile and red blood cell lipids in humans.

Abstract Eleven young healthy men exercised on a bicycle ergometer for one hour with a duodenal collection tube in situ (workload 200 kilopond m/min, equivalent to walking one hour at 5.5 km/h). The duodenal fluid output and the biliary lipid output into duodenum were quantitated with a non-absorbable marker during 9 collection periods (30 min each). The sequence of control day (C) and exercise day (E) was randomly assigned. Compared with C, in the first 30 min of exercise the bile acid output (BA) and the cholesterol output (CH) significantly increased. BA: 242 ± 74 (C), 2,204 ± 913 (E), P P P P
INFLUENCE OF THE CONSTITUTIVE MATERIAL BEHAVIOR MODEL ASSIGNED TO THE ANNULUS FIBROSUS AND THE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS ON THE BIOMECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF A MODEL OF THE CERVICAL SPINE: A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS STUDY

One feature of the literature on finite element analysis of models of cervical spine segment(s) is that an assortment of constitutive models has been used for the elastic behavior of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and the nucleus pulposus (NF). The extent to which the model assigned to each of these tissues affects the values of the biomechanical parameters of interest of the model is lacking. This issue was the subject of the present study. We used a three-dimensional solid model of the C4–C6 motion segment units (which comprised the vertebral bodies, the bony posterior elements (transverse processes, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes, and facet joints), the intervertebral discs (IVDs), the endplates, and the five major ligaments) and eight combinations of constitutive models. It was found that (1) the influence of the constitutive material models used depended on the tissue considered, with some, such as the posterior endplate of C5 and the cancellous bone of C6, showing marked sensitivity, while others, such as the cancellous bone of C4 and the cortical bone of C5, were moderately affected; and (2) the biomechanical performance of the spine model is more sensitive to the material behavior model used for the AF than it is to that used for the NF. These results suggest that experimental and computational efforts expended in obtaining the most appropriate constitutive model for the elastic behavior of the two parts of the IVD, in particular the AF, are justified.
User-driven integrated software lives: Paleomag paleomagnetics analysis on the Macintosh

"PaleoMag," a paleomagnetics analysis package originally developed for the Macintosh operating system in 1988, allows examination of demagnetization of individual samples and analysis of directional data from collections of samples. Prior to recent reinvigorated development of the software for both Macintosh and Windows, it was widely used despite not running properly on machines and operating systems sold after 1995. This somewhat surprising situation demonstrates that there is a continued need for integrated analysis software within the earth sciences, in addition to well-developed scripting and batch-mode software. One distinct advantage of software like PaleoMag is in the ability to combine quality control with analysis within a unique graphical environment. Because such demands are frequent within the earth sciences, means of nurturing the development of similar software should be found.
Scalable iterative solution of sparse linear systems

Abstract The efficiency of a parallel implementation of the conjugate gradient method preconditioned by an incomplete Cholesky factorization can very dramatically depending on the column ordering chosen. One method to minimize the number of major parallel steps is to choose an ordering based on a coloring of the symmetric graph representing the nonzero adjacency structure of the matrix. In this paper, we compare the performance of the preconditioned conjugate gradient method using these coloring orderings with a number of standard orderings on matrices arising from finite element models. Because optimal colorings for these systems may not be known a priori, we employ a graph coloring heuristic to obtain consistent colorings. Based on lower bounds obtained from the local structure of these systems, we find that the colorings determined by the heuristic are nearly optimal. For these problems, we find that the increase in parallelism afforded by the coloring-based orderings more than offsets any increase in the number of iterations required for the convergence of the conjugate gradient algorithm. We also demonstrate that the performance of this parallel preconditioner is scalable. We give results from the Intel iPSC/860 to support our claims.
Towards automatic argument diagramming of multiparity meetings

This paper focuses on a lesser studied multiparty meetings processing task of argument diagramming. Argument diagramming aims at tagging the utterances and their relationships to represent the flow and structure of reasoning in conversations, especially in discussions and arguments. In this work, we tackle the problem of automatically assigning node types to user utterances using several lexical and prosodic features. We performed experiments using the AMI Meeting Corpus annotated according to the the Twente Argumentation Schema. Our results indicate that while lexical and prosodic features both provide orthogonal information for this task, using a cascaded approach, eliminating backchannel utterances improves the performance. With this final approach, when all features are used, we achieve about 9% relatively better error rates than a simpler classifier based on only lexical features.
Controlling interfacial charge separation and recombination dynamics in QDs by wave function engineering

In addition to the size dependent optical and electronic properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), quantum confinement also affects the charge separation and recombination dynamics in QD - charge acceptor complexes. It leads to enhanced amplitudes of electron and hole wave functions at the surface, enabling ultrafast interfacial charge transfer, an important property for the application of QDs in photovoltaic and photocatalytic devices. In this proceeding, we show that both charge separation and recombination are ultrafast in strongly quantum confined PbS QDs adsorbed with electron acceptors. Using CdSe/ZnS type I and CdTe/CdSe type II core/shell QDs as model systems, we show that the spatial distributions of electron and wave functions can be optimized to simultaneously achieve ultrafast charge separation and retard charge recombination.
Last but Not Least

We report a novel, easily observed, and extraordinarily striking optical illusion mediated by interactions of colour, brightness, form, and motion perception—the Leaning Tower of Pisa (LTOP) illusion. Under some circumstances, the perception of orientation of coloured forms is radically altered by rotary movement. We demonstrate that this kinetic effect—easily reproduced with a common record turntable—is optimised by particular colour and brightness differences between foreground and background with an illusory tilt of 8° and more. The described illusions can be easily studied at home by downloading the colour figures from www.perceptionweb.com/perc1000/ditzinger, printing them on a common colour printer and placing them on a rotating record turntable.
Effect of chronic cocaine on dopamine synthesis in the nucleus accumbens as determined by microdialysis perfusion with NSD-1015

Reduced steady state formation of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) (47%) was found in the nucleus accumbens (N. ACC) of rats treated with ten days of repeated cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) as compared to saline controls after NSD 1015 perfusion (10(-4) M) by microdialysis. In addition, prior to NSD 1015 perfusion, basal extracellular levels of the dopamine metabolite, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the N. ACC were 33% lower in the chronic cocaine-treated animals. The results indicate the rate of dopamine synthesis in the N. ACC is significantly reduced by repeated cocaine administration.
The Relationship of Kawasaki Disease to Other Systemic Vasculitides

The vasculitis of Kawasaki disease shares some pathologic attributes with other forms of systemic vasculitis, however, it has a number of distinctive characteristics, including a 1) unique association with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome although MCLNS may not be completely expressed in all patients, 2) strong predilection for coronary arteries although other arteries may be involved, and 3) pattern of inflammation that shares features with other forms of arteritis but has distinctive characteristics. The three major categories of systemic vasculitis are large vessel vasculitis (chronic granulomatous arteritis), medium-sized vessel vasculitis (necrotizing arteritis), and small vessel vasculitis (necrotizing polyangiitis). Kawasaki disease arteritis and polyarteritis nodosa belong to the medium-sized vessel vasculitis category. There is no problem distinguishing acute Kawasaki disease arteritis from the two major large vessel vasculitides (Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis). Necrotizing arteritis that resembles Kawasaki disease arteritis occurs in polyarteritis nodosa, microscopic polyangiitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome. Although these vasculitides share some pathologic features with Kawasaki disease arteritis, the overall clinical manifestations and some aspects of the pathologic lesions, allow confident differentiation of Kawasaki disease from these systemic vasculitides. For example, the small vessel vasculitides (e.g., microscopic polyangiitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome) often have clinical and pathologic evidence for involvement of capillaries (e.g., glomerulonephritis and pulmonary capillaritis) and venules (e.g., dermal leukocytoclastic venulitis) that does not occur with Kawasaki disease. Polyarteritis nodosa has the greatest pathologic similarity to Kawasaki disease arteritis, however, compared to polyarteritis nodosa, the acute arteritic lesions of Kawasaki disease have less neutrophil infiltration, more mononuclear leukocyte infiltration, more edema of the muscularis, and less fibrinoid necrosis. The term infantile polyarteritis nodosa should be abandoned because most patients given this diagnosis actually have Kawasaki disease. In summary, Kawasaki disease and the arteritis of Kawasaki disease are distinct from other forms of systemic vasculitis.
Metal concentrations in the ground water of the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, U.S.A.

Ninety-one ground water samples (predominantly from springs) in two mineralized areas of the Ouachita Mountains in west-central Arkansas, were analyzed for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Hg, Sb, Sr, Ba, Ca, and Li. These areas contain Mn, barite, strontianite, cinnabar, stibnite and scattered Pb-Zn mineralization, Cumulative frequency curves were used to determine the threshold and anomalous concentrations for each element in the two areas. These values were, in general, higher in the ground water from the more mineralized area for several of the base metals, but most notably for Mn and Fe, the principal metals in the Mn oxide minerals. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 1976) criteria for Fe (300 μg L −1) and Mn (50 μg L−1) in drinking water were exceeded, respectively, in 34% and 30% of the springs in Area I, and 13% and 23% in Area II. One spring exceeded the EPA Hg criterion (2 μg L−1) and 3 springs exceeded the 50 μg L−1 criterion for Pb. In spite of the large number of anomalous Ba concentrations, the highest concentration of Ba was 930 μg L−1 (EPA criterion 1000 μg L −1).
Non-melanoma skin cancer and NSAID use in women with a history of skin cancer in the Women's Health Initiative.

Abstract Objective Evidence for the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) risk is inconsistent. We prospectively examined whether regular, inconsistent, or no/low-use of NSAIDs is associated with lower NMSC risk among 54,728 postmenopausal Caucasian women in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study enrolled between 1993 and 1998. Methods Logistic regression models were used to assess odds of NMSC after adjusting for skin type, sun exposure history and indication for NSAID use. Results There were 7652 incident cases of NMSC (median follow-up: 6.9 years). There was no association between regular NSAID-use and NMSC risk relative to no/low-users. However, in a subgroup analysis of 5325 women with a history of skin cancer (incident NMSC: 1897), odds of NMSC were lower among regular NSAID users whether Conclusion Overall, NSAID use was not associated with NMSC risk. However, in women with a history of skin cancer, regular NSAID use was associated with 18% lower odds of NMSC. Future studies on potential chemopreventative effects of NSAIDs should focus on subjects with prior history of NMSC.
Raised plasma-catecholamines in some patients with primary hypertension.

Abstract The plasma-catecholamines of twenty-seven patients with primary hypertension were determined by an enzymatic method and were compared with values in twenty-five controls. Ten patients had sustained hypertension and seventeen had labile hypertension. The mean plasma-catecholamines of the supine hypertensives (0.35 μg. per litre) was 30% greater than that for controls, and they increased by 74% after standing, similar to the increase in controls. 26% of the patients with primary hypertension when supine and 33% when standing had total plasma-catecholamines which exceeded the sums of the mean plus 2 S.D. of the mean for controls. The means of total plasma-catecholamines of both normotensive and hypertensive females were 27 and 30% greater, respectively, than those of males. Three (11%) supine hypertensives and nine (33%) standing hypertensives had increased plasma-catecholamines when compared to the mean values of normotensive males and females separately. Excessive plasma-catecholamines in some patients may reflect increased sympathetic nerve tone and be a pathogenic factor in their hypertension.
Differences in Fas and Fas-Ligand Expression in Cardiac Allograft Tissue Using Mice Deficient in Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) As Donors or Recipients • 138

Differences in Fas and Fas-Ligand Expression in Cardiac Allograft Tissue Using Mice Deficient in Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) As Donors or Recipients • 138
Measuring the Economic Efficiency of Producing Rural Road Services

This paper reports research examining the ability of a sample of Midwest township officials to produce low-volume rural road services in an economically efficient manner. Farrell-type measures of input use and scale efficiency are described. Results suggest that over 50% of costs may be unnecessarily incurred because of input use inefficiency. Correlation between output measures and the efficiency measures suggests that larger jurisdictions are more efficient than smaller jurisdictions. In addition, 84.5% of the townships exhibit technology characterized by increasing returns to scale. These results suggest that jurisdictional consolidation of production-related responsibilities may yield substantial cost savings.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of white matter in bipolar disorder: a pilot study.

Objective Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown increased sensitivity in detecting brain white matter disease compared to traditional T2-weighted MRI. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can quantitatively assess the microstructural integrity of white matter using the average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC(av)), a measure of the extent to which water molecules move freely within tissue. On the basis of numerous studies suggesting white matter disease in bipolar patients, particularly patients with more severe illness, this study aimed to test the utility of DWI in assessing the white matter integrity of bipolar patients with severe illness. Methods The existing MRI scans of eight bipolar patients and eight age-matched controls with neurological illness were examined retrospectively. ADC(av) values for pixels within white matter regions of interest (ROIs) were calculated and used to plot ADC(av) frequency histograms for each ROI. Mean ADC(av) values for the two groups were then compared by ANCOVA. Results The bipolar mean ADC(av) (0.855 +/- 0.051 x 10(-3) mm2/s) for combined white matter ROIs significantly exceeded that of controls (0.799 +/- 0.046 x 10(-3) mm2/s), while covarying for age (F = 4.47, df = 3, p = 0.025). Conclusions This is the first report of an elevated ADC(av) in the white matter of a group of patients with bipolar disorder. In this group of patients with severe illness, increased white matter ADC(av) suggests microstructural changes consistent with decreased white matter integrity. DWI may be an additional, useful tool to assess white matter abnormalities in bipolar disorder.
Measures of emotion: A review

A consensual, componential model of emotions conceptualises them as experiential, physiological, and behavioural responses to personally meaningful stimuli. The present review examines this model in terms of whether different types of emotion-evocative stimuli are associated with discrete and invariant patterns of responding in each response system, how such responses are structured, and if such responses converge across different response systems. Across response systems, the bulk of the available evidence favours the idea that measures of emotional responding reflect dimensions rather than discrete states. In addition, experiential, physiological, and behavioural response systems are associated with unique sources of variance, which in turn limits the magnitude of convergence across measures. Accordingly, the authors suggest that there is no “gold standard” measure of emotional responding. Rather, experiential, physiological, and behavioural measures are all relevant to understanding emotion and cannot ...
Intraparty Challenges of Incumbent Governors and Senators: 1956-1976

This is an empirical analysis of intraparty competition of incumbent governors and senators during the period 1956-1976. The historical data demonstrate that little real intraparty competition occurred, that no trends are evident, and that no political party benefited. An analysis of divisive primaries indicates that region, party organization and strength, and the level of interparty competition affect the intensity of primary challenges of incumbent governors and senators. The findings are relevant to current discussions of the decline of American political parties.
Correction: Diatom genomes come of age.

References 1. Vardi A, Thamatrakoln K, Bidle KD, Falkowski PG: Diatom genomes come of age. Genome Biology 2008, 9:245. 2. Armbrust EV, Berges JA, Bowler C, Green BR, Martinez D, Putnam NH, Zhou S, Allen AE, Apt KE, Bechner M, Brzezinski MA, Chaal BK, Chiovitti A, Davis AK, Demarest MS, Detter JC, Glavina T, Goodstein D, Hadi MZ, Hellsten U, Hildebrand M, Jenkins BD, Jurka J, Kapitonov VV, Kroger N, Lau WW, Lane TW, Larimer FW, Lippmeier JC, Lucas S, et al.: The genome diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana: ecology, evolution, and metabolism. Science 2004, 306:79-86. 3. Bowler C, Allen AE, Badger JH, Grimwood J, Jabbari K, Kuo A, Maheswari U, Martens C, Maumus F, Otillar RP, Rayko E, Salamov A, Vandepoele K, Beszteri B, Gruber A, Heijde M, Katinka M, Mock T, Valentin K, Verret F, Berges JA, Brownlee C, Cadoret JP, Chiovitti A, Choi CJ, Coesel S, De Martino A, Detter JC, Durkin C, Falciatore A, et al.: The Phaeodactylum genome reveals the evolutionary history of diatom genomes. Nature 2008, 456:239-44.
HARD-SPHERE APPROACH TO THE EXCITATION SPECTRUM IN LIQUID HELIUM II

The excitation spectrum of a Bose system of hard spheres is obtained in a high-density calculation including multiple scattering processes. The hard-sphere interaction is represented by a non-Hermitian pseudopotential constructed in a previous work, and the $T$-matrix method of Brueckner and Sawada is adopted with modifications to take into account the non-Hermitian property of the Hamiltonian. The inclusion of multiple scattering is found essentially to give a screening effect to the two-body interaction in a many-body medium. The screening factor is studied within certain approximations and is shown to play a very important role in determining the shape of the excitation spectrum. The effect of depletion of particles from the zero-momentum state due to particle interaction is also included in a self-consistent way and is found to be very small. The calculated spectrum is then applied to liquid helium and there is a good qualitative agreement with experiments. Especially, a roton-type dip exists in the spectrum.
Detection of murine intestinal adenomas using targeted molecular autofluorescence.

There is a significant need for noninvasive methods of evaluating dysplastic and neoplastic lesions in the luminal gastrointestinal tract. We have optimized an approach based on autofluorescence to study dysplastic adenomatous polyps in Apcmin/+ mice. We made recordings from both normal intestinal mucosa and from polyps using a xenon lamp-based fiberoptic device. Seventy-eight polyps in 11 mice revealed an increase in mean autofluorescence intensity ratios of 1.29 ± 0.04 (72 small intestinal polyps; P < 0.0001) and 1.28 ± 0.05 (6 colon polyps; P = 0.0016). Serial measurements of autofluorescence discriminated polyps from normal mucosa with a sensitivity, verified histologically, of 95%. To understand the chemical basis for increased autofluorescence, we examined the tryptophan content of intestinal polyps and the adjacent normal mucosa in a small subset of animals. The findings revealed an increased concentration of tryptophan in polyps (990 ± 240 ng/mg) compared to normal mucosa (720 ± 150 ng/mg; P = 0.03). In conclusion, these findings suggest that autofluorescence intensity increases in the setting of intestinal neoplasia and can be used to detect adenomas in the mouse intestine in real time.
Development Of Prototype Plastic Optics

Extensive use of plastics has become commonplace in the optics industry over the last decade. Plastics offer many advantages in the design and manufacturing of novel optical components. A combination of advanced techniques for machining and measuring surfaces as well as process control during molding enable optics manufacturers to make tightly toleranced multielement plastic aspheric lenses. In this paper we will attempt to describe a general approach we might follow to develop and evaluate a prototype optical component. In the first part of the paper we will discuss the equipment and resources that might be used for this task, while in the second part we will present a procedure we might follow in the design and fabrication of precision prototype plastic optical components.
Isolation and cultivation of porcine brain capillary endothelial cells as an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier

Capillary endothelial cells were isolated from the brains of Yucatan miniature swine and were cultivated to serve as an in vitro model for blood-brain barrier studies. The procedure included mechanical and enzymatic digestion of the brain tissue followed by separation of the capillary cells, based on size and density, from contaminating cell types. The purity of the cultures was further enhanced by manipulating the growth medium composition. The cells possess typical capillary endothelial cell morphology, the Factor VIII related antigen, and the ability to accumulate acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Cells from passages 4–6 were grown on polycarbonate membranes suspended between two chambers of media: analogous to the capillary lumen and the interstitium of the brain. A barrier was established within 4 days, as demonstrated by a resistance to the passage of albumin and an electrical current.
Peripheral peaking and shrinkage phenomenon in the s channel based on the statistical bootstrap model with spin

We observe that the spectrum of the statistical bootstrap model with spin can indeed give rise to peripheral peaks in two-body scattering. This further confirms the conclusion of an earlier work by Kogitz et al. We also present a new refined solution to the bootstrap model, which provides the shrinkage phenomenon for peripheral peaks. (AIP)
Endocrine regulation of reproduction in elasmobranchs: Archetype for terrestrial vertebrates

The reproductive biology of the chondrichthyan fishes is remarkably sophisticated. Using both oviparous and viviparous reproductive modes, the group in general has adapted the strategy of producing relatively few young at one time. The oviparous species foreshadow the situation common in oviparous reptiles and universal in birds; viviparous species range from internal incubators to species in which the complexity of placentation and egg yolk reduction approaches the eutherian condition. In certain viviparous elasmobranchs histiotrophic nutrition attains an importance not seen in any other vertebrate group. Associated with the elasmobranch priority on these female reproductive adaptations, a typically vertebrate type of reproductive endocrinology is seen for the first time. This laboratory has focused on ovarian endocrine function and the regulation of the reproductive tract. We report on the steroidogenic capacity of theca, granulosa, and luteal elements and their regulation and correlate this with the natural ovarian cycle and plasma hormone levels. In addition, we describe the biochemistry of the ovarian peptide hormone relaxin and some of its actions on the reproductive tract. As in terrestrial species, relaxin effect on the elasmobranch reproductive tract is steroid hormone-dependent. In general, the results support the concept that the basic endocrine regulatory elements for vertebrate reproductive processes were established in the earliest gnathostomes, the elasmobranchs. These species may therefore provide useful models from which to gain insights into the complexities of higher vertebrate systems that may be obscured by subsequent adaptation to a terrestrial environment and homeothermy.
Ultra-high resolution adaptive optics - Optical coherence tomography for in vivo imaging of healthy and diseased retinal structures

Ultra-high isotropic resolution imaging of retinal structures was made possible with an adaptive optics system using dual deformable mirrors and a Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (Fd-OCT) system with correction for longitudinal chromatic aberration. This system was used to image microscopic retinal structures of healthy as well as diseased retinas in vivo. The improved resolution and contrast enhanced visualization of morphological structures in the retina can be clearly seen. The benefits of this instrument are apparent from comparison of new images with those acquired using a previous generation AO-OCT instrument. Big change in the appearance of speckle field (reduction in speckle size) can be observed as well. Additionally, further improvements in volumetric data acquisition and image representation will be discussed. This includes creation of large Field of View (FOV) AO-OCT volume from multiple sub-volumes and its visualization. Also techniques and results of reducing speckle contrast by averaging multiple B-scans will be presented.
Modified Matrix Band Design for Ultra-conservative Posterior Restorations

Conventional box preparations, tunnel cavities and slot preparations have been recommended for the treatment of proximal carious lesions over the years. If the adjacent tooth is missing or the proximal surface becomes accessible at the time of cavity preparation of the adjacent tooth, a direct proximal access to the decay process can be performed. A similar procedure is supported by the use of adhesive composite restorations reinforcing the remaining sound tooth structure. The increasing patient and clinician's desire for ultraconservative treatment justifies this minimally invasive tooth preparation approach; however, appropriate materials and techniques need to be selected to achieve adequate bonding of the cavity walls and marginal adaptation of the composite.
Improved Sequential Signaling and Decision Techniques for Nonbinary Block Codes

A situation is postulated whereby the goal is to maximize the average number of bits per second reliably communicated by nonbinary block codes over a channel whose conditions are slowly varying in a largely unpredictable fashion. A feedback channel limited to block retransmission requests is assumed. It is demonstrated that repetition usually is not the best signaling technique for sequential decision making under the postulated situation. Examples of improved sequential signaling techniques are given for multilevel amplitude modulation and multiple phase modulation.
IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference: Notes on the Early Conferences

This paper gathers the remembrances of several key contributors who participated in the earliest Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conferences (NSRECs).
A mosquito neuropeptide in a moth larva (Helicoverpa zea): relation to FMRF-amide immunoreactivity.

Abstract The cerebral nervous and midgul endocrine systems of the larval corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, were examined using light microscopy and immunocytochemistry for RF-amide family peptides. Immunoreactivity for a mosquito neuropeptide, Aedes Head Peptide-I (Aea-HP-I, pERPhPSLKTRFa), is widely distributed in this lepidopteran. Immunostaining for Aea-HP-I is localized (1a) in perikarya and axons of the brain, the subesophageal ganglion, and the first thoracic ganglion, (b) in peripheral axons innervating muscles of the midgut, and (2) in numerous midgut endocrine cells. Aea-HP-I-associated activity generally occurs as a subset of FMRF-amide (FMRFa; a molluscan cardioactive peptide) immunoreactivity. Crossreactivity studies indicate that Aca-HP-I and FMRFa immunoreactivities are heterogeneous in the cerebral nervous system and in axons innervating the muscles of the midgut, but may be homogeneous in midgut endocrine cells. Radiommunoassay for Aea-HP-I reveals immunoreactivity in hemolymph, as well as in extracts of midguts and heads.
Hairpin Peptide Motif. A New Class of Oligopeptides for Sequence-Specific Recognition in the Minor Groove of Double-Helical DNA

Peptides which bind in the minor groove of DNA as antiparallel side-by-side dimers can be linked head-to-tail to afford a new class of hairpin oligopeptides with enhanced sequence specificity for DNA. Four hexapeptides were synthesized wherein the terminal amine and carboxyl groups of tris(N-methylpyrrolecarboxamide) (P3) and N-methylimidazole-2-carboxamide-netropsin (2-ImN), respectively, have been connected with glycine (Gly), β-alanine (βAla), 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and 5-aminovaleric acid (Ava) amino acids. The hexapeptide 2-ImN-GABA-P3 binds 5'-TGTTA-3' sites with a binding affinity of 7.6 X 10^7 M^(-1) (10 mM Tris·HCl, 10 mM KCl, 10 mM MgCl_2, and 5 mM CaCl_2 at pH 7.0 and 22 °C). The general and efficient synthetic methodology-for preparation of head-to-tail linked peptides should allow the design of a new class of hairpin peptides for specific recognition of many different sequences in the minor groove of DNA.
Optimal Scintigraphic Evaluation of a Hydronephrotic Horseshoe Kidney

A 25-y-old man with horseshoe kidney was referred for diuretic-augmented renal scintigraphy. Single-detector dynamic posterior imaging was performed and revealed asymmetric retention of radiotracer in the left collecting system. Renal scintigraphy was repeated with a modified protocol. Dynamic imaging was performed this time using dual-detector acquisition of both anterior and posterior data. Thereafter, pregravity and subsequently postgravity static images were obtained in both anterior and posterior projections. This second study showed near-complete emptying of the left collecting system. This case illustrates the utility of using simultaneous anterior and posterior imaging and geometric mean calculations for functional analysis and also highlights the value of physiologic maneuvers to augment the traditional diuretic challenge.
Isolation and chromosomal assignment of 100 highly informative human simple sequence repeat polymorphisms

One hundred highly informative simple sequence repeat (SSR) polymorphisms have been isolated and mapped to specific human chromosomes by somatic cell hybrid analysis. These markers include 97 (CA)n, 2 (AGAT)n, and a single (AACT)n repeat. All the SSRs have heterozygosities greater than 0.50 and can be amplified using identical PCR conditions. At least one SSR was detected on every chromosome, except for chromosomes 22 and Y. The frequency of (CA)n repeats on each chromosome was proportional to the relative chromosomal length, except for chromosome 15, on which a substantial excess of markers was identified.
Cholinergic sites in skeletal muscle: interaction with concanavalin A.

– The interaction of normal and denervated skeletal muscle cholinergic sites with the lectin concanavalin A and concanavalin A-Sepharose are detailed. Concanavalin A blocks the binding of 125I-α-bungarotoxin to both the high and low affinity sets of cholinergic sites described previously. The characteristics of the block of 125I-α-bungarotoxin binding to the high affinity set (acetylcholine receptor) is not competitive. The data suggest that the concanavalin binds multivalently to the macro-molecular complex containing the ACh receptor site and sterically prevents the α-bungarotoxin binding. The interaction of both sets of cholinergic sites with concanavalin A-Sepharose was also studied. The macromolecule(s) containing both the high and low affinity sets of sites bind to the concanavalin A-Sepharose. The data indicate a multivalent association with the affinity resin. Following the affinity procedure, a partial purification in both sets of sites is effected. The equilibrium binding of 125I-diiodo-α-bungarotoxin to the preparations from the affinity procedure (both normal and denervated muscle) was examined. The KD of the α-bungarotoxin binding to the high affinity sets of sites (acetylcholine receptor) in both normal and denervated preparations changes from ∼10−9mol/l to ∼ 10−10 mol/l following purification. No change in the KD of the α-bungarotoxin binding to the low affinity set of sites was observed following purification. The 125l-α-bungarotoxin binding to the partially purified acetylcholine receptor was blocked by unlabelled α-bungarotoxin, concanavalin A, d-tubocurarine and carbamylcholine.
An Alternate Route: 64-Slice CT Diagnosis of Pulmonary Pseudosequestration

anomalies. 1 Imaging confirmed a large anomalous branch from the proximal right coronary artery, with a course posterior to the aorta (Figures 1D-1F). The artery then supplied a network of smaller vessels in the right middle lobe of the lung. Based on these findings and the patient’s history, a diagnosis of a pulmonary sequestration with arterial supply from the right coronary artery was made. Pulmonary sequestration is an uncommon condition whereby the arterial supply of a portion of the lung originates from a separate anomalous arterial source, usually arising from the aorta. An increased incidence of infection has been noted with this condition, possibly due to compromised blood flow or to an inadequate or partial connection with the tracheobronchial tree. 2-4 Confirmation of the diagnosis is frequently demonstrated by computed tomography of the chest, with or without invasive angiography. 5-7 When this condition results in recurrent infection, treatment is ligation of the arterial supply with removal of the sequestered segment of the lung. Rarely, arterial supply can be seen from one of the coronary arteries. 8,9 This is the first reported case in which computed tomography coronary angiography was used to diagnose pulmonary sequestration with coronary arterial supply by defining the course of the anomalous coronary artery.
The conflation of ignorance and knowledge in the inference of clade posteriors

The objective Bayesian approach relies on the construction of prior distributions that reflect ignorance. When topologies are considered equally probable a priori, clades cannot be. Shifting justifications have been offered for the use of uniform topological priors in Bayesian inference. These include: (i) topological priors do not inappropriately influence Bayesian inference when they are uniform; (ii) although clade priors are not uniform, their undesirable influence is negated by the likelihood function, even when data sets are small; and (iii) the influence of nonuniform clade priors is an appropriate reflection of knowledge. The first two justifications have been addressed previously: the first is false, and the second was found to be questionable. The third and most recent justification is inconsistent with the first two, and with the objective Bayesian philosophy itself. Thus, there has been no coherent justification for the use of nonflat clade priors in Bayesian phylogenetics. We discuss several solutions: (i) Bayesian inference can be abandoned in favour of other methods of phylogenetic inference; (ii) the objective Bayesian philosophy can be abandoned in favour of a subjective interpretation; (iii) the topology with the greatest posterior probability, which is also the tree of greatest marginal likelihood, can be accepted as optimal, with clade support estimated using other means; or (iv) a Bayes factor, which accounts for differences in priors among competing hypotheses, can be used to assess the weight of evidence in support of clades. ©The Willi Hennig Society 2009
Chromosome numbers and polyploidy in Orobanche(Orobanchaceae)

Chromosome numbers are reported for 48 collections representing ten species (and five subspecies) ofOrobanche of western North America. Two species of sect.Gymnocaulis have 2n = 48; previous counts are 2n = 36 and 72 for one of these species. In sect.Nothaphyllon eight species have 2n = 48 and three of these (O. cooperi, O. corymbosa, O. parishii) also have 2n = 96. One instance (2n = 72) of apparent intraspecific hybridization between the two polyploid levels was found inO. cooperi. The taxonomy ofO. cooperi and of the closely relatedO. multicaulis is discussed in relation to polyploidy. A review of chromosome numbers inOrobanche points to the need for corroboration of the reports of 2n = 36 and 40, as well as other specific counts. Probablyx = 12 for sectionsGymnocaulis, Nothaphyllon, andTrionychon. Derivation ofx = 19 for sect.Orobanche remains problematical.
Anti-idiotype and Anti-anti-idiotype Antibodies Generated from Polyclonal Antibodies against Microcystin-LR

Polyclonal anti-idiotype antibodies (pAb2/m) for microcystin leucine−arginine variant (MCYST-LR) were generated from ascites after immunization with affinity-purified Fab fragment of rabbit polyclonal antibodies (pAb1/r) against MCYST-LR to BALB/c mice. Competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cd-ELISA) revealed that the binding of free MCYST-LR to solid-phase pAb1/r was inhibited by affinity-purified pAb2/m. pAb2/m can be used as MCYST-LR surrogate in the ELISA. Using the purified pAb2/m as immunogen, polyclonal anti-anti-idiotype antibodies (pAb3/r), which have characteristics similar to those of original pAb1/r, were generated in rabbits. In the pAb3/r-based ELISA, the concentrations causing 50% inhibition (IC50) of binding of MCYST-LR−horseradish peroxidase (MCYST−HRP) to the solid-phase pAb3 by MCYST-LR, MCYST−arginine−arginine variant (MCYST-RR), MCYST−tyrosine−arginine variant (MCYST-YR), and nodularin (NODLN) were 0.7, 24.4, 19.2, and 24.3 ng/mL, respectively. pAb3/r showed a dose-dep...
Exploring and “reconciling” the factor structure for the Revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire

Abstract The Revised Two-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) operationalizes learning approaches such as deep and surface, and further subdivides these into motives and strategies. Many researchers have investigated the dimensionality and factor structure of the R-SPQ-2F, although they have all reached different conclusions. The current study attempts to disentangle these differences, by testing eight models with the intent of removing the effect of the different statistical methodologies used by each study. This study found that a model without items 7 and 8 that operationalizes the R-SPQ-2F as the two factors of surface approach and deep approach may be most appropriate.
Long-term feed intake regulation in sheep is mediated by opioid receptors

These experiments were conducted to determine if 1) syndyphalin-33 (SD33), a mu-opioid receptor ligand, affects feed intake; 2) SD33 effects on feed intake are mediated by actions on opioid receptors; and 3) its activity can counteract the reduction in feed intake associated with administration of bacterial endotoxin. In Exp. 1, 5 mixed-breed, castrate male sheep were housed indoors in individual pens. Animals had ad libitum access to water and concentrate feed. Saline (SAL; 0.9% NaCl) or SD33 (0.05 or 0.1 micromol/kg of BW) was injected i.v., and feed intake was determined at 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 h after the i.v. injections. Both doses of SD33 increased (at least P < 0.01) feed intake at 48 h relative to saline. In Exp. 2, SAL + SAL, SAL + SD33 (0.1 micromol/kg of BW), naloxone (NAL; 1 mg/kg of BW) + SAL, and NAL + SD33 were injected i.v. Food intake was determined as in Exp. 1. The SAL + SD33 treatment increased (P = 0.022) feed intake at 48 h relative to SAL + SAL. The NAL + SAL treatment reduced (at least P < 0.01) feed intake at 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 h, whereas the combination of NAL and SD33 did not reduce feed intake at 24 (P = 0.969) or 48 h (P = 0.076) relative to the saline-treated sheep. In Exp. 3, sheep received 1 of 4 treatments: SAL + SAL, SAL + 0.1 micromol of SD33/kg of BW, 0.1 microg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/kg of BW + SAL, or LPS + SD33, and feed intake was monitored as in Exp. 1. Lipopolysaccharide suppressed cumulative feed intake for 48 h (P < 0.01) relative to saline control, but SD33 failed to reverse the reduction in feed intake during this period. These data indicate that SD33 increases feed intake in sheep after i.v. injection, and its effects are mediated via opioid receptors. However, the LPS-induced suppression in feed intake cannot be overcome by the opioid receptor ligand, SD33.
Symmetry Friend or Foe: Confluences of Conical Intersection Seams in Tetra-Atomic Molecules†

It is usually assumed that seams of conical intersection are isolated features, that is, a displacement perpendicular to the seam leads to a removal of the degeneracy. However, this need not be the case. It has been shown that for triatomic molecules, there may exist a confluence of an accidental symmetry-allowed C2v seam of conical intersection with an accidental Cs seam of conical intersection of two states of the same symmetry. Here, we demonstrate the existence of a related confluence of seams of conical intersection in the tetra-atomic molecule isocyanic acid. Such confluences have not been previously reported. A perturbative analysis of the vicinity a seam of conical intersection is used to explain origin of this novel locus of conical intersection points.