cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute and latent herpes simplex virus neurological disease in mice immunized with purified virus‐specific glycoproteins gB or gD

Groups of 5-week-old BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with approximately 10 micrograms of purified alum-precipitated glycoprotein gB or gD of either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2) origin. Control mice received injections of alum-precipitated 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Following a second immunization 4 weeks later, seroconversion was confirmed by demonstrating the presence of glycoprotein-specific antibody by immune precipitation. All animals were challenged with lethal doses of either HSV-1 or HSV-2 by footpad inoculation and assessed for acute virus-induced neurological disease and the development of ganglionic latency. Whereas 70% of control (BSA-immunized) HSV-1-infected animals developed ascending myelitis and died, 100% of mice immunized with either gB-1, gB-2, gD-1, or gD-2 antigens remained free of clinical illness and survived HSV-1 challenge. In contrast, gB-1-or gB-2-immunized mice were not protected against acute HSV-2-induced neurological disease and showed a mortality rate of 60-90% (equivalent to that seen in controls), although mean survival times were prolonged. However, significant protection against HSV-2 challenge was observed with gD-1 or gD-2 immunization. When sacral ganglia were removed from surviving mice 9-12 months after virus challenge, latent virus was detected in all gB- or gD-immunized animals, although the extent of latent infection was restricted. These results provide evidence that glycoprotein gD might be superior to glycoprotein gB as an immunogen for the control of acute HSV-1 and HSV-2 neurological disease in mice. However, neither glycoprotein prevents ganglionic latency, the source of virus for recurrent herpesvirus infections.
NADPH oxidase mediates striatal neuronal injury after transient global cerebral ischemia

Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) constitute most of the striatal neurons and are known to be vulnerable to ischemia; however, the mechanisms of the vulnerability remain unclear. Activated forms of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX), which require interaction between cytosolic and membrane-bound subunits, are among the major sources of superoxide in the central nervous system. Although increasing evidence suggests that NOX has important roles in neurodegenerative diseases, its roles in MSN injury after transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI) have not been elucidated. To clarify this issue, C57BL/6 mice were subjected to tGCI by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 22 minutes. Western blot analysis revealed upregulation of NOX subunits and recruitment of cytosolic subunits to the cell membrane at early (3 to 6 hours) and late (72 hours) phases after tGCI. Taken together with immunofluorescent studies, this activation arose in MSNs and endothelial cells at the early phase, and in reactive microglia at the late phase. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of NOX attenuated oxidative injury, microglial activation, and MSN death after tGCI. These findings suggest that NOX has pivotal roles in MSN injury after tGCI and could be a therapeutic target for brain ischemia.
SCHEMATIC INTERACTIONS FOR NUCLEAR RANDOM-PHASE-APPROXIMATION CALCULATIONS.

It is customarily believed that schematic interactions are useful for preliminary tests of nuclear models, but are otherwise too unrealistic to be of much value. In this paper, we wish to point out that schematic interactions have a much firmer basis than was supposed, and can therefore be used with more understanding for some of the complex problems, that without simplification are essentially unassailable. An exact criterion is established for the validity of a schematic interaction on the basis of which a new schematic interaction is proposed. This interaction is compared with the surface delta interaction and the ${P}^{(2)}$ force. On the basis of our criterion, the radial form of the interaction is compared with that suggested for specific excited states, by random-phase-approximation calculations with more general forces. The agreement is favorable.
Risks And Benefits Of Risk-Management Plans

Scott Gottlieb criticizes the emphasis on the greater use of risk-management plans in the recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on drug safety and the Kennedy-Enzi bill as impractical, failing to recognize the underlying causes of recent drug risk concerns, having the potential to create barriers to care, and interfering unnecessarily in physician decision making. These are worthy concerns but ones that need to be considered in the context of specific regulatory decisions for individual drugs. This is precisely the motivation for calls for greater attention to the potential use of risk-management plans in drug evaluation.
Small odd cycles in 4-chromatic graphs

It is shown that every 4-chromatic graph on n vertices contains an odd cycle of length less than $2\sqrt {n}\,+3$. This improves the previous bound given by Nilli [J Graph Theory 3 (1999), 145–147]. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 37: 115–117, 2001 1990 Mathematics Subject Classification 05C35, 05C55.
Effect of epidural anaesthesia on clinician-applied force during vaginal delivery.

Objective Epidural anesthesia (EA) is used in 80% of vaginal deliveries and is linked to neonatal and maternal trauma. Our objectives were to determine (1) whether EA affected clinician-applied force on the fetus and (2) whether this force influenced perineal trauma. Study design After informed consent, multiparas with term, cephalic, singletons were delivered by 1 physician wearing a sensor-equipped glove to record force exerted on the fetal head. Those with EA were compared with those without for delivery force parameters. Regression analysis was used to identify predictors of vaginal laceration. Results The force required for delivery was greater in patients with EA (n=27) than without (n=5) ( P P =.31) were similar between the groups. Clinician force was similar in those with no versus first- versus second-degree laceration ( P =.5). Only birth weight was predictive of laceration ( P =.02). Conclusion Epidural use resulted in greater clinician force required for vaginal delivery of the fetus in multiparas, but this force was not associated with perineal trauma.
Composition and structure of Mars' Upper atmosphere: Results from the neutral mass spectrometers on Viking 1 and 2

The upper atmospheric mass spectrometers flown on Viking 1 and 2 are described, and results obtained for the composition and structure of Mars' upper atmosphere are summarized. Carbon dioxide is the major constituent of the atmosphere at all heights below 180 km. The thermal structure of the upper atmosphere is complex and variable with average temperatures below 200°K for both Viking 1 and 2. The atmosphere is mixed to heights in excess of 120 km. The isotopic composition of carbon and oxygen in the Martian atmosphere is similar to that in the terrestrial atmosphere: 15N is enriched in Mars' atmosphere by a factor of 1.62±0.16.
Kidney membrane cyclic AMP receptor and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activities: comparison of plasma membrane and cytoplasmic fractions

Abstract Hog kidney cortex plasma membrane and cytosol fractions were utilized for comparison of cyclic AMP receptor and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activities. Both preparations exhibited relatively high affinity for cyclic 3′5′ AMP and cyclic AMP activation of the phosphorylation of protamine. In addition cyclic AMP enhanced the phosphorylation of plasma membranes. The specificity of the membrane receptor appeared to be greater than the cytosol receptor as determined by competitive binding studies. The renal plasma membrane receptor could be solubilized with the detergents Lubrol-WX or sodium deoxycholate without inhibiting receptor activity. Triton X-100 solubilized membrane protein but also reduced 3H-cyclic AMP binding activity.
Developing mathematics teachers’ competence through parallel lesson study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine practicing mathematics teachers’ learning through parallel lesson study in China. Lesson study in China has been practiced for decades. Parallel lesson is an enriched mode of lesson study to address the implementation of new curriculum. Design/methodology/approach – The expansive learning perspective has been used to explore the ways practicing teachers learned to improve teaching through the transformation of learning objects and boundary crossing. Findings – Two cases are illustrated and compared to highlight features of teachers’ learning through parallel lesson study. The practicing teachers developed their competence in transforming instructional objectives and task selection and implementation. In addition, they also developed professional vision in alignment with the reform-oriented curriculum. Originality/value – This study makes significant contribution to understanding teachers’ learning through lesson study in China. Meanwhile, it also demonstra...
Relating familiarity-based recognition and the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon: detecting a word's recency in the absence of access to the word.

After viewing a list of single-word answers to general knowledge questions, participants received a test list containing general knowledge questions, some of whose answers were studied, and some of whose were not. Regardless of whether participants could provide the answer to a test question, they rated the likelihood that the answer had been studied. Across three experiments, participants consistently gave higher ratings to unanswerable questions whose answers were studied than to those whose answers were not studied. This discrimination ability persisted in the absence of reported tipof-the-tongue (TOT) states and when no information about the answer could be articulated. Studying a question’s answer did not increase the likelihood of a later TOT state for that question, yet participants gave higher recognition ratings when in a TOT state than when not in a TOT state. A possible theoretical mechanism for the present pattern is discussed, as are relevant theories of familiarity-based recognition and of the TOT phenomenon.
Larvae of Trichophya and phylogeny of the tachyporine group of subfamilies (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) with a review, new species and characterization of the Trichophyinae

. Larvae of the staphylinid subfamily Trichophyinae are described for the first time based on larvae of a new species of Trichophya from the southwestern United States. Adults and larvae of the new species, Trichophya texana Ashe & Newton (type locality Texas, Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park), are described and illustrations of both provided. Also given are a key for separation of the Nearctic species of Trichophya, a checklist of the known World fauna of the Trichophyinae (including first report of the genus from Mexico and Guatemala), and a characterization of the subfamily Trichophyinae based on both larvae and adults. The relationships of major genera and higher taxa in the tachyporine group of staphylinid subfamilies are analysed cladistically using larval characters. No larval characters were found that provide evidence for the monophyly of the tachyporine group; no evidence was found for the monophyly of the Tachyporinae; Charhyphus, Olisthaerus and Phloeocharis (Phloeocharinae + Olisthaerinae) form a monophyletic group; the Trichophyinae and Habrocerinae are sister groups and together probably are the sister group to the Aleocharinae; the Aleocharinae are confirmed to be monophyletic based on larval characters; and Gymnusa + Deinopsis form the sister group to the remainder of the Aleocharinae.
Selection for salt tolerance in Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) S. Wats.

Abstract In a study conducted in 1997–1998 to determine the salt tolerance of Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) S. Wats., saline irrigation waters greater than 21 dS m−1 electrical conductivity were found to cause high plant mortality. Surviving plants were inter-mated under controlled conditions and seeds were collected from these plants. The following season, seeds of the selected salt tolerant full-sibs, designated WCL-SL1, were direct-seeded into 21 outdoor sand tanks, along with two other lines. One line was the original seed planted the previous year called ‘1986 bulk’, and the other was an unselected line, designated ‘line 54’. In an effort to determine whether salt tolerance is a heritable trait in lesquerella, this study compared the salinity response of WCL-SL1 with the two other lines. After seeding into the sand tanks, they were irrigated daily with complete nutrient solutions. Seven salinity treatments were imposed by stepwise additions of mixed salt salinity composed of Na+, SO42−, Cl−, Mg2+ and Ca2+. Final electrical conductivities (ECi) of the irrigation waters were 3, 7, 11, 15, 18, 21 and 24 dS m−1. Two weeks after salinization, significant treatment differences in both plant height and survival were observed among lines. The parental line ‘1986 bulk’ was most sensitive, WCL-SL1 line most tolerant, and ‘line 54’ intermediate. Shoot weights in all lines decreased as a function of increasing salinity and ranked mean differences within lines were consistent across all salinity levels. At 7, 15 and 18 dS m−1 salinity levels, the shoot weights of the WCL-SL1 line were significantly greater than the parental line. Total seed oil and lesquerolic acid contents increased significantly as irrigation water salinity increased from 3 to 18 dS m−1. Improved salt tolerance of line WCL-SL1 was not attributed to differences in mineral ion uptake and accumulation in leaf tissue. Our results indicate that a single cycle of selection with lesquerella in salinized sand cultures resulted in an improved lesquerella line that had higher absolute and relative salt tolerance based on seedling survival, plant height, shoot biomass production, and seed yield than the original line.
Evaluation of Four Disinfectants Under Poultry Grow-Out Conditions Using Contact Agar Sampling Technique

Abstract Four commercial disinfectants used in poultry house sanitation procedures were evaluated for efficacy using a specialized Petri dish (Rodac plate) for contact sampling. The samples were taken from a variety of surface materials commonly found in poultry rearing facilities. Two media were used, one for bacteria and one for mold. Predisinfection samples were taken following removal of chickens and litter. Postdisinfection samples were taken 4 hr after room treatment with a high pressure spray apparatus. The most effective disinfectant for reducing bacteria colony counts was a product that contained glutaraldehyde. The other products, ranking in order of efficacy for bacteria, contained cresylic acid, iodophors, and a combination of quaternary ammonium compound and formaldehyde. The most effective disinfectant for reducing mold colony counts was the product containing cresylic acid. The other products, ranking in order of efficacy for mold, contained iodophors, the combination of quaternary ammonium compound and formaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde. The most effective overall disinfectant was the cresylic acid product.
In vitro assessment of macrophage attachment and phenotype on polymerized phospholipid bilayers

Phosphatidyl choline (PC)-based materials have been found to be resistant to nonspecific protein adhesion in vitro. In this study, a PC-based planar supported phospholipid bilayer composed of 1,2-bis[10-(2',4'-hexadienoyloxy)decanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (bis-SorbPC or BSPC) was generated on piranha-treated silicon wafers by vesicle deposition. The bilayer was polymerized with redox initiation forming a stable 4-nm thick coating. Polymerized lipid bilayers (PLBs) were characterized and tested for uniformity, with ellipsometry and contact angle. Cellular adhesion and morphological changes in RAW 264.7 macrophages were investigated in vitro on PLBs and compared to bare silicon controls. Fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe changes in cellular morphology. The PLBs showed much lower cellular adhesion than bare silicon controls. Of the cells that attached to the PLBs, a very low percentage showed the same morphological expressions seen on the controls. It is hypothesized that proteins adsorb to the defects in the PLBs, caused by incomplete polymerization, and this mediates the observed minimal cellular attachment and morphological changes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: , 2011.
Synthesizing Soft Parallel Robots Comprised of Active Constraints

In this paper, we introduce a new type of spatial parallel robot that is comprised of soft inflatable constraints called Tri-Chamber Actuators (TCAs). We extend the principles of the Freedom and Constraint Topologies (FACT) synthesis approach to enable the synthesis and analysis of this new type of soft robot. The concepts of passive and active freedom spaces are introduced and applied to the design of general parallel systems that consist of active constraints (i.e., constraint that can be actuated to impart various loads onto the system’s stage) that both drive desired motions and guide the system’s desired degrees of freedom (DOFs). We provide the fabrication details of the TCA constraints introduced in this paper and experimentally validate their FACT-predicted kinematics. Examples are provided as case studies.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Metabolic patterns in three types of phagocytizing cells.

Some chemical and metabolic characteristics of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes from peritoneal exudates of the guinea pig, and of alveolar macrophages from the same animal, have been compared. Changes in the metabolic patterns of these three types of cell have been followed during the act of phagocytosis. The effect of conventional inhibitors of metabolism, and of anaerobiosis on the phagocytic ability of each of the three cell types mentioned has also been determined. From these studies it was found that alveolar macrophages depend to a considerable degree upon oxidative phosphorylation to provide energy for phagocytosis. The other two types of cell depend only on glycolysis as the source of metabolic energy for that function. In some experiments aimed at obtaining information on the possible role of complex lipids in the function of the cell membrane, it was noted that phagocytosis stimulated the incorporation of inorganic phosphate-P32 into the phosphatides of both types of cell from peritoneal exudates—whether these were free-swimming or adherent to a surface. This phenomenon has not yet been detected in the case of alveolar macrophages.
A classification scheme of social conditions of reinforcement within group operant systems1

Many different reinforcement contingencies are found in group operant systems, such as token economies and point systems. Some systems use group contingencies in which the reinforcement of any one participant may depend on the behavior of some other group member. Other programs are individual, in that participants earn reinforcers dependent only on their own behavior. The various possible arrangements of people and their response requirements are labelled “social conditions of reinforcement” in this paper. Previous attempts at classification have failed to categorize the variety of social conditions of reinforcement. In addition, some conditions that may produce behaviorally different effects have not been separated. The present paper classifies the social conditions of reinforcement found in applied programs in a three-dimensional scheme. The efficacy of the three major dimensions—reinforcing agent, recipient response requirement, and group response requirement—is supported by clinical and research data. The reinforcing agent dimension refers to the person(s) who dispenses reinforcers to group members. This major dimension is further subdivided: one or several agents may be either designated or nondesignated. Recipients are the group members who receive reinforcement. This dimension is also subdivided: one or several recipients in a social condition of reinforcement may obtain reinforcers either contingently or noncontingently. The group response requirement is a criterion that must be satisfied before any group participant is eligible for reinforcement. Some systems have no group requirement, and others have a group requirement that must be met by some designated or nondesignated participant(s). Supportive references and examples are given in the explanation of each dimension and subdimension. The behavioral impact of the various categories is emphasized. For all major dimensions, applied implications and research suggestions are discussed. Concluding remarks center on the utility of the present scheme, the classification of operant procedures other than positive reinforcement, and both theoretical and applied issues requiring further study (e.g., the long-term effects of participation in group contingencies).
Bedside Imaging of Intracranial Hemorrhage in the Neonate Using Light: Comparison with Ultrasound, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Medical optical imaging (MOI) uses light emitted into opaque tissues to determine the interior structure. Previous reports detailed a portable time-of-flight and absorbance system emitting pulses of near infrared light into tissues and measuring the emerging light. Using this system, optical images of phantoms, whole rats, and pathologic neonatal brain specimens have been tomographically reconstructed. We have now modified the existing instrumentation into a clinically relevant headband-based system to be used for optical imaging of structure in the neonatal brain at the bedside. Eight medical optical imaging studies in the neonatal intensive care unit were performed in a blinded clinical comparison of optical images with ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Optical images were interpreted as correct in six of eight cases, with one error attributed to the age of the clot, and one small clot not seen. In addition, one disagreement with ultrasound, not reported as an error, was found to be the result of a mislabeled ultrasound report rather than because of an inaccurate optical scan. Optical scan correlated well with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings in one patient. We conclude that light-based imaging using a portable time-of-flight system is feasible and represents an important new noninvasive diagnostic technique, with potential for continuous monitoring of critically ill neonates at risk for intraventricular hemorrhage or stroke. Further studies are now underway to further investigate the functional imaging capabilities of this new diagnostic tool.
Demonstration of behavioral contrast with adjunctive drinking

In 4 food deprived but water sated rats, adjunctive drinking was initially induced and maintained in both components of a multiple FI 1 min FI 1 min food reinforcement schedule. When access to water was prevented in one component, drinking increased substantially above baseline in the other component, demonstrating positive ploydipsia contrast. When access to water was reinstated in the changed component, drinking in the unchanged component decreased again, demonstrating negative contrast.
Numerical and experimental investigation of turbulent DME jet flames

Abstract Results are presented here from a three-dimensional direct numerical simulation of a temporally-evolving planar slot jet flame and experimental measurements within a spatially-evolving axisymmetric jet flame operating with DME (dimethyl ether, CH 3 OCH 3 ) as the fuel. Both simulation and experiment are conducted at a Reynolds number of 13050. The Damkohler number, stoichiometric mixture fraction and fuel and oxidizer compositions also are matched between simulation and experiment. Simultaneous OH / CH 2 O PLIF imaging is performed experimentally to characterize the spatial structure of the turbulent DME flames. The simulation shows a fully burning flame initially, which undergoes partial extinction and subsequently, reignition. The scalar dissipation rate ( χ ) increases to a value much greater than that calculated from near-extinction strained laminar flames, leading to the observed local extinction. As the turbulence decays, the local values of χ decrease and the flame reignites. The reignition process appears to be strongly dependent on the local χ value, which is consistent with previous results for simpler fuels. Statistics of OH and CH 2 O are compared between simulation and experiment and found to agree. The applicability of OH / CH 2 O (formaldehyde) product imaging as a surrogate for peak heat release rate is investigated. The concentration product is found to predict peak heat release rate extremely well in the simulation data. When this product imaging is applied to the experimental data, a similar extinction/reignition pattern also is observed in the experiments as a function of axial position. A new 30-species reduced chemical mechanism for DME was also developed as part of this work.
Effect of mechanical treatment on the free fatty acid content of raw milk.

Abstract The relative effect of different milking procedures, physical handling, and pumping on lipolytic activity in milk was investigated. Six cows were selected by their stage of lactation from the University of Wisconsin dairy herd. Samples of raw milk were collected daily from individual cows and from each point where physical abuse occurred as milk passed to the bulk tank Samples were refrigerated rapidly and analyzed to determine concentration of FFA. The method of Deeth and Fitzgerald was used to obtain FFA concentrations initially and after refrigerated storage at 4°C for 24, 48, and 72h. A milk pump that contained a rotor turning at 3500rpm was replaced with one turning at 1750rpm. Analysis of FFA was repeated in individual milk samples. Results show a higher concentration of FFA in milk moved by a pump turning at 3500rpm. Significantly greater increments of rancidity were observed in these samples after storage. Recommendations are given to minimize lipolysis caused by mechanical abuse on raw milk in farms and plant handling systems.
The Effects of Filament, Sheet, and Disk Breakup upon the Drop Spectrum

Abstract The coalescence/breakup formulas introduced by Low and List included a new formulation of the coalescence efficiency and a new formulation of the fragment distribution function P, which is written as a weighted sum of three distribution functions, each corresponding to one of three types of fragmentation (filament, sheet and disk). The purpose of this work is to examine in detail the effects of each main component of the Low and List formulas upon the evolution of the drop spectrum. Compared to an earlier formulation, the Low and List coalescence efficiency tends to distribute more water mass from the small-drop range to the 1argee-drop range. The individual processes of filament and sheet breakup tend to produce single peaks in the small-drop end of the spectrum, while disk breakup tends to produce a bimodal distribution with peaks near drop diameters 1 and 2.3 mm. Disk breakup is the dominant type of fragmentation in determining the response time of the system and in causing the destruction of ...
Evaluating design metrics on large-scale software

Design-quality metrics that are being developed for predicting the potential quality and complexity of the system being developed are discussed. The goal of the metrics is to provide timely design information that can guide a developer in producing a higher quality product. The metrics were tested on projects developed in a university setting with client partners in industry. To further validate the metrics, they were applied to professionally developed systems to test their predictive qualities. The results of applying two design metrics and a composite metric to data from a large-scale industrial project are presented. >
Overview of the current status of solid-gas interface science

Abstract The principal methods for establishing the chemical composition, long-range structure, short-range structure and nature of chemical bonding at the S-G interface are reviewed. Electron and ion spectroscopies largely developed over the past two decades have vastly improved our ability to establish the interface chemical composition, and developments over the past 5 years have done much to put the determination of long-range and short-range structures on firm ground. The high vacuum requirements of these techniques limit their applications to interfaces whose stability under evacuation can be reasonably presumed. This is a serious limitation for many solar applications, and new methods of characterization not subject to it are urgently needed. Some possibilities are indicated.
Using Magpie Research to Determine the Top 10 Human Factors Issues in UAS for NATO FINAS

Knowledge from various related disciplines is commonly used as a top-down approach to address human factors issues. In this paper, we suggest continuing this tradition in order to solve the specific problems pertaining to NATO UAS flight. Furthermore, we encourage applying what is known about manned aircraft to unmanned aircraft, rather than starting anew, because the two share many common issues. We narrowed down the top 10 issues in NATO UAS flight, as voted on by NATO FINAS delegates (subject matter experts), and discuss how each of these issues may be addressed using a top-down approach.
Bootstrapping least-squares estimates in biochemical reaction networks

The paper proposes new computational methods of computing confidence bounds for the least-squares estimates (LSEs) of rate constants in mass action biochemical reaction network and stochastic epidemic models. Such LSEs are obtained by fitting the set of deterministic ordinary differential equations (ODEs), corresponding to the large-volume limit of a reaction network, to network's partially observed trajectory treated as a continuous-time, pure jump Markov process. In the large-volume limit the LSEs are asymptotically Gaussian, but their limiting covariance structure is complicated since it is described by a set of nonlinear ODEs which are often ill-conditioned and numerically unstable. The current paper considers two bootstrap Monte-Carlo procedures, based on the diffusion and linear noise approximations for pure jump processes, which allow one to avoid solving the limiting covariance ODEs. The results are illustrated with both in-silico and real data examples from the LINE 1 gene retrotranscription model and compared with those obtained using other methods.
Origination and Immigration Drive Latitudinal Gradients in Marine Functional Diversity

Global patterns in the functional attributes of organisms are critical to understanding biodiversity trends and predicting biotic responses to environmental change. In the first global marine analysis, we find a strong decrease in functional richness, but a strong increase in functional evenness, with increasing latitude using intertidal-to-outer-shelf bivalves as a model system (N = 5571 species). These patterns appear to be driven by the interplay between variation in origination rates among functional groups, and latitudinal patterns in origination and range expansion, as documented by the rich fossil record of the group. The data suggest that (i) accumulation of taxa in spatial bins and functional categories has not impeded continued diversification in the tropics, and (ii) extinctions will influence ecosystem function differentially across latitudes.
Mammography Use Among Women as a Function of Age and Patient Involvement in Decision-Making

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent to which self-reported patient involvement in decision-making for initiation of mammography differs with age. DESIGN: Data from the 1992 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Cancer Control Supplement were evaluated. Prevalences were weighted and variances were adjusted using SUDAAN software to account for the complex, multistage sampling probability design of the NHIS. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relative likelihood of self-reported involvement in the decision to have a mammogram within the preceding year as a function of age and other covariates. PARTICIPANTS: Mammography use was assessed among 3863 NHIS female respondents 40 years of age or older. The analysis of decision-making was restricted to the subgroup of 1064 women who reported a screening mammogram within the preceding year and who provided information on the other relevant variables. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The probability of reported mammography use within the preceding year declines among older groups of interviewees. Among women with a mammogram in the preceding year, the weighted percentage of women reporting active involvement in the decision (patient decision or decided jointly with a physician) declines from 51% among women 40 to 45 years of age to 19% among those aged 75 years or older. The adjusted odds ratio comparing the likelihood of participating in the decision to have a mammogram for the oldest women, compared with the youngest, was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Older women are substantially less likely than younger women to report active involvement in the mammography decision-making process. Increased use of screening mammography among older women will require greater promotion by physicians. Other interventions, such as directed educational efforts, may also be needed to increase mammography demand among older women. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:817–821, 2000.
Hyperoxia increases the elastic modulus of alveolar epithelial cells through Rho kinase

Patients with acute lung injury are administered high concentrations of oxygen during mechanical ventilation, and while both hyperoxia and mechanical ventilation are necessary, each can independently cause additional injury. However, the precise mechanisms that lead to injury are not well understood. We hypothesized that alveolar epithelial cells may be more susceptible to injury caused by mechanical ventilation because hyperoxia causes cells to be stiffer due to increased filamentous actin (f-actin) formation via the GTPase RhoA and its effecter Rho kinase (ROCK). We examined cytoskeletal structures in cultured murine lung alveolar epithelial cells (MLE-12) under normoxic and hyperoxic (48 h) conditions. We also measured cell elasticity (E) using an atomic force microscope in the indenter mode. Hyperoxia caused increased f-actin stress fibers and bundle formation, an increase in g- and f-actin, an increase in nuclear area and a decrease in nuclear height, and cells became stiffer (higher E). Treatment with an inhibitor (Y-27632) of ROCK significantly decreased E and prevented the cytoskeletal changes, while it did not influence the nuclear height and area. Pre-exposure of cells to hyperoxia promoted detachment when cells were subsequently stretched cyclically, but the ROCK inhibitor prevented this effect. Hyperoxia caused thickening of vinculin focal adhesion plaques, and inhibition of ROCK reduced the formation of distinct focal adhesion plaques. Phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase was significantly reduced by both hyperoxia and treatment with Y-27632. Hyperoxia caused increased cell stiffness and promoted cell detachment during stretch. These effects were ameliorated by inhibition of ROCK.
Retroperitoneoscopic radical and partial nephrectomy in the patient with cirrhosis.

ABSTRACT Purpose: In patients with cirrhosis and a renal mass options may be limited by medical disease and the surgical difficulties associated with portal hypertension. We describe a retrospective review of patients with cirrhosis with renal masses who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy through a retroperitoneoscopic approach. Materials and Methods: Ten consecutive patients, including 4 men and 6 women, with cirrhosis, of whom 2 had undergone liver transplantation, underwent radical (7) or partial (3) nephrectomy for a total of 5 right and 5 left renal neoplasms via the retroperitoneoscopic approach at our institution from March 2002 to February 2004. Recovery data were prospectively obtained and other information was gathered retrospectively from the medical record. Results: Average patient age was 58 years and average American Society of Anesthesiology score was 2.8. Average renal tumor size for radical and partial nephrectomy was 4.6 (range 2.9 to 7) and 1.8 cm (range 1.3 to 2.3), respectively. Operative time was 140 to 315 minutes (median 172) and estimated blood loss was 100 to 5,000 ml (median 225). One patient required open conversion due to hemorrhage from left portosystemic venous communications. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 1.5 days (range 1 to 6). Conclusions: Although retroperitoneoscopic surgery avoids many surgical dangers associated with portal hypertension and it is our preferred approach to renal surgery in patients with cirrhosis, significant portosystemic venous communications exist in the retroperitoneum, especially on the left side, and they still lead to substantial blood loss in some patients.
Treatment for improving flame retardancy of wool and minimizing toxic gas evolution in burning

A treatment involving formaldehyde, a reducing agent, and a boron-containing compound of a wool shag carpet imparted to it a flame-retardancy effect that was effective after the seventh but not the eighth shampoo. This treatment also decreased the concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrocyanic acid generated in the products of combustion by at least a factor of 2. Analogous treatment of a wool flannel fabric produced a 15–22% sample area shrinkage and imparted a flame-retardancy effect that was still effective after a 2-hr cold water rinse.
Intramolecular electron-transfer rates in mixed-valence triarylamines: measurement by variable-temperature ESR spectroscopy and comparison with optical data.

The electron spin resonance spectra of the radical cations of 4,4′-bis[di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]tolane, E-4,4′-bis[di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]stilbene, and E,E-1,4-bis{4-[di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]styryl}benzene in dichloromethane exhibit five lines over a wide temperature range due to equivalent coupling to two 14N nuclei, indicating either delocalization between both nitrogen atoms or rapid intramolecular electron transfer on the electron spin resonance time scale. In contrast, those of the radical cations of 1,4-bis{4-[di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]phenylethynyl}benzene and E,E-1,4-bis{4-[di(4-n-butoxyphenyl)amino]styryl}-2,5-dicyanobenzene exhibit line shapes that vary strongly with temperature, displaying five lines at room temperature and only three lines at ca. 190 K, indicative of slow electron transfer on the electron spin resonance time scale at low temperatures. The rates of intramolecular electron transfer in the latter compounds were obtained by simulation of the electron spin resonance spectra and d...
On the steady rotational motion of polar fluids

It is shown that for all physically reasonable boundary conditions employed in the theory of polar fluids the theory predicts the traditional result that a fluid will undergo a pure rigid body rotation when subjected to a steady rotational motion in a cylindrical vessel.
The estimated reduction in the odds of loss-of-control type crashes for sport utility vehicles equipped with electronic stability control.

Abstract Introduction Using data from the NASS General Estimates System (GES), the method of induced exposure was used to assess the effects of electronic stability control (ESC) on loss-of-control type crashes for sport utility vehicles. Method Sport utility vehicles were classified into crash types generally associated with loss of control and crash types most likely not associated with loss of control. Vehicles were then compared as to whether ESC technology was present or absent in the vehicles. A generalized additive model was fit to assess the effects of ESC, driver age, and driver gender on the odds of loss of control. In addition, the effects of ESC on roads that were not dry were compared to effects on roads that were dry. Results Overall, the estimated percentage reduction in the odds of a loss-of-control crash for sport utility vehicles equipped with ESC was 70.3%. Both genders and all age groups showed reduced odds of loss-of-control crashes, but there was no significant difference between males and females. With respect to driver age, the maximum percentage reduction of 73.6% occurred at age 27. The positive effects of ESC on roads that were not dry were significantly greater than on roads that were dry.
PRINCIPLES OF METALLOGRAPHIC ETCHING.

Abstract The principles of metallographic etching have been determined by electrochemical and optical measurements on tin-zinc alloys in sodium hydroxide electrolytes. The minimum dissolution rate ratio and the minimum amount of selective dissolution necessary to achieve metallographic contrast of phases have been measured. Etching rate and contrast are uniquely defined by etching potential by potentiostatic, electrolytic and chemical etching methods.
Exploring multivariate spatio-temporal change in climate data using image analysis techniques

Spatio-temporal data from earth observation systems and models are increasing at astronomical rates in the climate domain. This results in a massive dataset that is increasingly difficult to navigate to find interesting time periods where the spatial pattern of a process changes. The ability to navigate to such areas can lead to new knowledge about the factors that contribute to a spatio-temporal process. This paper proposes a method to automatically characterize multi-variate spatio-temporal datasets using basic image processing techniques and an efficient distance measure. The approach uses a measure of local image entropy combined with edge detection to find naturally occurring boundaries in the dataset. Then a distance measure is used to track the change in these boundaries over time. The resulting measure of spatio-temporal change can be used to explore spatio-temporal datasets to find new relationships between the spatial pattern of variables over time. Experiments were performed on a real-world climate dataset and the results were promising in that new patterns emerged and interesting relationships between variables were found.
New directions for evaluation coverage of cultural issues and issues of significance to underrepresented groups

This chapter examines coverage of cultural and underrepresented group issues in New Directions for Evaluation over the last twenty years.
History of the Mafia

Salvatore Lupo, (2009) translated by Antony Shugaar, (New York: Columbia University Press), 328 pp., ISBN 9780231131346, $32.95, hard cover, $22.95, soft cover This is a workmanlike, well-documente...
A New Sensitive Indicator for Semi-Micro Chelometric Titrations

RECENTLY, a new colorimetric reagent was introduced for the spectrophotometric determination of magnesium1. This reagent (LaMotte Chemical Products Co., Chestertown, Md.), 1-azo-2-hydroxy-3-(2.4-dimethylcarboxanilido)-naphthalene-1′-(2-hydroxybenzene), given the trivial name ‘magon’, has now been found to be useful as an indicator in the direct titrimetric determination of small amounts of magnesium.
The Racing Car Problem

The racing car problem can be stated as follows: A spectator at a race track is observing a car race in which the cars are numbered consecutively from one to some unknown number N. He wishes to estimate the number of cars on the race track after observing that M cars numbered Xi, X2, . . ., XM have passed. Each car is equally likely to hold a given position in the race at any given time. In this paper, we will find the minimum variance unbiased estimate and the maximum likelihood estimate of N. We will also compare these two estimates on the basis of relative efficiency. I like to give this problem in an introductory mathematical statistics course at the level of Mood and Graybill [1], because it illustrates all the points of the theory of minimum variance unbiased estimation without becoming too mathematically intractable.
Estradiol Protects Against Ischemic Brain Injury in Middle-Aged Rats

Several clinical studies suggest that estradiol acts as a potent growth and protective factor in the adult brain. Postmenopausal women experience permanent hypoestrogenicity and suffer from increased risk of brain injury associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Estrogen replacement therapy appears to decrease the risk and severity of these neurodegenerative conditions. Studies using animal models have shown that estradiol exerts similar effects in rodents and can enhance cell survival and induce synaptic plasticity. Therefore, we undertook studies to assess whether estradiol treatment can decrease brain injury and cell death induced by an experimental model of ischemia and whether aging animals remain responsive to the protective effects of estradiol. We will review results from recent studies that demonstrate that 1) in young animals, estrogens exert profound protective effects against ischemic brain injury induced by cerebral artery occlusion and 2) the response of aging animals has been tested with varying results. We will discuss and compare our experimental findings that utilize a permanent cerebral artery occlusion model and physiological levels of estradiol replacement therapy in young and middle-aged rats with those of previous studies. These observations provide important insights into the potential protective actions of estrogen replacement therapy on age- and disease-related processes in the brain.
A symbolic-numeric computation algorithm for the analysis of constrained distributed parameter systems

Abstract This paper presents a systematic computation algorithm for the analysis of one-dimensional, constrained distributed parameter systems. The methodology is based on the transfer function approach in frequency domain and gives exact closed-form solutions for both the free and forced responses. It is shown that eigenfunctions can be evaluated in a straight-forward manner and only algebraic manipulations are involved. The algorithm is shown to be useful for both symbolic and numeric computations. The vibration analyses of a non-uniform four-span beam and a coupled rotating shaft system are considered using the proposed computation scheme. The programming structures for both problems are the same which demonstrates the versatility of the algorithm. In addition, since the algorithm takes advantage of symbolic programming, the programs for both vibration problems are straight-forward and simple.
Using a mineral lifetime diagram to evaluate the persistence of olivine on Mars

We present a diagram that shows the effect of pH, temperature, grain size, composition, hydrodynamics, and the laboratory/field discrepancy on the lifetime of olivine grains in weathering environments. Because the persistence of olivine grains on Mars can be used to constrain the duration of liquid water, we can use this diagram to predict a range of possible maximum contact times for olivine grains with liquid water before they dissolve away completely. Depending upon the physicochemical conditions, this contact time could range between a few thousand and several million years.
Current dependence of base-collector capacitance of bipolar transistors

Abstract We present analytical expressions for the base-collector capacitance of bipolar transistors in three operating conditions as the collector current density is continuously increased until the collector is fully depleted. A simple model is also presented to calculate this capacitance after base pushout occurs. The critical current densities separating each operating condition are discussed. The capacitance as a function of current density is calculated for various base-collector biases, collector thicknesses and collector dopings. The calculated results of this simple base-collector capacitance model are in close agreement with SEDAN simulation results. In addition, these results are shown to agree with published experimental work.