cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in young adults The CARDIA Study.

While there are many studies of the distribution of coronary heart disease risk factors in children, adolescents, and middle-aged adults, little information is available on this topic in young adults. The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) examined 4858 men and women who fasted 10 or more hours, were ages 18 to 30, and were representative of black and white residents of four U.S. communities. Compared with white men, black men had higher age-adjusted mean levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (6.7 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and apolipoprotein A-l (apo A-l) (9.1 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and lower concentrations of triglycerides (-19.7 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) (-3.3 mg/dl, p less than 0.001). Compared with white women, black women displayed higher concentrations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (5.7 mg/dl, p less than 0.001), apo A-l (2.6 mg/dl, p = 0.001), and apo B (3.0 mg/dl, p less than 0.001), but lower triglycerides (-5.8 mg/dl, p=0.001). Gender differences were more pronounced among whites: white men displayed lower mean levels of HDL-C and apo A-l (-9.2 and -7.3 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and higher concentrations of LDL-C, triglycerides, and apo B (5.2 20.3, and 5.3 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) than white women. Attained level of education was significantly associated with a favorable lipoprotein/apolipoprotein profile, particularly among white women. These data indicate substantial variation in the distribution of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in young adults, which may be important determinants of future coronary disease risk.
Altered blood T-cell subsets in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract We have found an alteration in T-cell subsets in patients with active multiple sclerosis, specifically an increase in the T4: T8 ratio. These findings have been reproducibly obtained over the past four years, occurring in the majority of acute patients tested early in the course of an attack and in between 25 and 40% of chronic progressive patients, depending on their stage of illness. These changes correlate with pleocytosis in spinal fluid and with other abnormalities of immune function, such as spontaneous immunoglobulin production. They have been helpful in assessing disease activity in patients being treated on a variety of protocols and as part of research studies of immunoregulatory abnormality in multiple sclerosis, but have not been helpful as a diagnostic test for multiple sclerosis. The decrease of these cells in the peripheral blood of patients with active disease may be secondary to migration of these cells to the central nervous system, where they are sequestered.
Robust mixture regression using the t-distribution

The traditional estimation of mixture regression models is based on the normal assumption of component errors and thus is sensitive to outliers or heavy-tailed errors. A robust mixture regression model based on the t-distribution by extending the mixture of t-distributions to the regression setting is proposed. However, this proposed new mixture regression model is still not robust to high leverage outliers. In order to overcome this, a modified version of the proposed method, which fits the mixture regression based on the t-distribution to the data after adaptively trimming high leverage points, is also proposed. Furthermore, it is proposed to adaptively choose the degrees of freedom for the t-distribution using profile likelihood. The proposed robust mixture regression estimate has high efficiency due to the adaptive choice of degrees of freedom.
Bidirectional transport of interleukin-1 alpha across the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract Circulating interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) has multiple effects on the central nervous system. We investigated the ability of radioiodinated IL-1α (rIL-1α) to cross the rodent blood-brain barrier and found its entry rate to be 43.9 times greater than that predicted by leakage alone. The rIL-1α entered multiple regions of the brain, with over 40% entering at the cortex. The hypothalamus had the highest entry rate on a weight basis but only accounted for 2% of total entry. In all experiments, the entry rate of rIL-1α greatly exceeded that of simultaneously injected radiolabeled albumin. The half-time disappearance of rIL-1α from the brain after central injection was 21.9 min, a time that exceeds the reabsorption rate of cerebrospinal fluid. Pretreatment of animals with aluminum decreased both entry and exit rates, which is compatible with a saturable component of transport. Thus, rIL-1α has access to many regions of the brain with bidirectional transport rates across the blood-brain barrier exceeding those predicted by nonspecific mechanisms.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for smoking cessation: a synthesis

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown initial promise as a feasible and acceptable treatment for smoking cessation. Research on the role of experiential avoidance (EA) for smoking cessation provides basic support for ACT as a treatment for smoking. The current review summarizes recent literature on ACT for smoking cessation as well as the relation between smoking-specific EA and smoking. Findings related to avoidant and inflexible smoking behavior are highlighted as candidate mechanisms by which ACT may offer therapeutic benefit for smoking cessation. Future directions highlight the need for further research on ACT for smoking cessation as well as the role of smoking-specific EA in smoking behavior more generally.
Analysis and design of robust decentralized controllers for nonlinear systems

Decentralized control strategies for nonlinear systems are achieved via feedback linearization techniques. New results on optimization and parameter robustness of non-linear systems are also developed. In addition, parametric uncertainty in large-scale systems is handled by sensitivity analysis and optimal control methods in a completely decentralized framework. This idea is applied to alleviate uncertainty in friction parameters for the gimbal joints on Space Station Freedom. As an example of decentralized nonlinear control, singular perturbation methods and distributed vibration damping are merged into a control strategy for a two-link flexible manipulator.
Identification of Natural Frequencies and Dampings of In Situ Tall Buildings Using Ambient Wind Vibration Data

An accurate prediction for the response of tall buildings subject to strong wind gusts or earthquakes requires the information of in situ dynamic properties of the building, including natural frequencies and damping ratios. This paper presents a method of identifying natural frequencies and damping ratios of in situ tall buildings using ambient wind vibration data. Our approach is based on the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method, the random decrement technique (RDT), and the Hilbert–Huang transform. Our method requires only one acceleration sensor. The noisy measurement of the building acceleration is first processed through the EMD method to determine the response of each mode. Then, RDT is used to obtain the free vibration modal response. Finally, the Hilbert transform is applied to each free vibration modal response to identify natural frequencies and damping ratios of in situ tall buildings. The application of the proposed methodology is demonstrated in detail using simulated response data of a ...
Relational aspects of maladaptive diaper-wearing and treatment with couples therapy

Adults who wear diapers for psychological reasons offer unique diagnostic and treatment challenges to clinicians, especially when presenting as a couple. Diaper-wearing has been considered a component of Adult Baby Syndrome, but might also be a distinct phenomenon with elements of paraphilia, impulse dyscontrol or obsessive compulsivity. Particularly in the context of relationships, diaper-wearing might also be viewed as a maladaptive coping mechanism with dynamic ties to regression and control. For individuals struggling with the relational aspects of diaper-wearing, couples therapy may be helpful in fostering understanding, acceptance and adaptive change.
Reorganization of the ventral nerve cord in the moth Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Abstract Morphology of the ventral nerve cord of the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera : Sphingidae), changes at the larval-pupal transition as several separate larval ganglia fuse to form single ganglia characteristic of the adult. We examined in detail the time course of ganglionic fusion. Changes in the relative positions of the ganglia were studied by staining the tissue with methylene or toluidine blue. Alterations in the positions and structure of individual neurons were studied by filling neurons with a cobalt-lysine complex. The first gross morphological change, anterior movement of the first abdominal ganglion, is visible within the first 24 hr after pupal ecdysis. Adult ventral nerve cord morphology is recognizable 6 days later, approximately 12 days before the adult will emerge. The sequence in which the individual ganglia fuse is invariant. During ganglionic fusion, the neuronal cell bodies and associated neuropil move out of their former ganglionic sheath and through the sheath covering the connectives. Axons between the fusing ganglia form loops in the shortening connectives. The presence of looping axons is a morphological feature that identifies the boundaries between ganglia during intermediate stages of fusion. Some individual adult neurons also show looped axons at the boundaries of fused ganglia. These axonal loops may be a valuable morphological marker by which neurons can be characterized as conserved neurons.
Floating Ocean Thermal Power Plants and Potential Products

An overview is presented of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Claude's basic open-cycle scheme for OTEC is contrasted with the closed Rankine cycle. Oceans are discussed in relation to natural solar energy collection and thermal storage. A conceptual design is presented for ocean thermal energy conversion. Turbine technology for OTEC applications is discussed. Fabrication and development of the cold-water pipe (CWP) for an OTEC plant will be a challenging engineering/logistics problem. For 100 MWe net power output, a CWP of 12-18 m diameter will be needed to pump approximately 8 million gpm of sea water through the condensers. Approximate costs estimates for power production for OTEC plants are included. The production of ammonia is discussed as being important in the manufacture of fertilizers at a tropical OTEC plant. Other potential products are aluminum, magnesium, and liquid hydrogen fuel. Another possibility would be to ship coal or a carbonate to the platform and use the GH/sub 2/ produced there to make synthetic oil, methane, or methanol.
The Stress Coefficient of Frequency of Quartz Plate Resonators

Abstract : The stress-frequency effect exists for both bulk and surface acoustic wave devices, and has been studied for more than thirty years. Eight years ago these studies led to the discovery of the SC-, or stress-compensated cut, which has found widespread acceptance for many frequency control applications. The calculations required to obtain Kf(psi) characterizing the effects are very elaborate, incorporating as they do the influences of lattice deformation and the third-order elastic constants. These calculations have been carried out previously by EerNisse for the three thickness plate modes at six phi values on the upper zero temperature coefficient (ZTIC) locus. The results have now been used to extract simple polynomial coefficients that permit computation of Kf(psi), as well as several other pertinent measures, in simple engineering form for intermediate phi values.
Fictitious forces and electronic energy relaxation in nanocrystals

It is well known that a localized electronic impurity state couples to the vibrational modes of an insulating nanoparticle through the ordinary electron}phonon interaction, enhanced by the e!ects of quantum con"nement. In this paper we show that an electron can also interact with the translational degrees of freedom of a nanoparticle. The form of the coupling is dictated by Einstein’s equivalence principle and is independent of the ordinary electron}phonon interaction. We calculate the rate of electronic energy relaxation provided by this mechanism and establish its experimental observability. ( 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The influenza c virus glycoprotein (HE) exhibits receptor-binding (hemagglutinin) and receptor-destroying (esterase) activities

A cDNA copy of RNA segment 4 of influenza C/Cal/78 virus was cloned into an SV40 vector and expressed in CV-1 cells. The gene product expressed from the SV40 recombinant virus was immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies directed against the influenza C virus glycoprotein. Cells infected with the recombinant virus also exhibited C virus-specific hemagglutinin and O-acetylesterase activity. This suggests that the same C virus protein is associated with receptor-binding as well as receptor-destroying activity. The latter viral activity was measured using as substrates bovine submaxillary mucin or a low molecular weight compound p-nitrophenylacetate. In analogy to the parainfluenza virus HN protein, the influenza C virus glycoprotein was termed HE, because it possesses hemagglutinin and esterase (receptor-destroying) activity.
Looking at the Male Librarian Stereotype

Summary The library profession is haunted by stereotypes. Perpetually raising its infamous head is the portrayal of librarians as drab spinsters peering over the rim of their glasses and ready to “shush” a library patron for the offense of talking too loudly. It is an image that was born at the beginning of the twentieth century, and persists, albeit considerably diluted, to this day. On the other hand, positive and negative images of male librarians are to a large extent either ignored or treated very lightly in popular culture, especially in motion pictures and television. Once the exclusive domain of men, American librarianship evolved over the centuries to not just incorporate women, but to embrace and become almost completely associated with them. Stereotypes of male librarians have existed since colonial times; yet, the stereotypes have undergone considerable transformation as a result of professional and societal changes. This article attempts to understand some of the older stereotypes surrounding...
Infrared and Raman spectra of fluorinated ethanes: Part XVII. CF2ClCH2Cl and CF2BrCH2Br☆

Abstract The infrared absorption spectra of gaseous, liquid and solid CF 2 ClCH 2 Cl, and of gaseous and solid CF 2 BrCH 2 Br, have been obtained with a Perkin-Elmer Model 112 double-pass spectrometer equipped with CsBr, NaCl, and LiF prisms. The Raman spectra of both compounds in the liquid state have been photographed with a 3-prism glass spectrograph of reciprocal linear dispersion 15 A/mm at 4358 A. In the gaseous and liquid states these compounds exist as a mixture of rotational isomers. In the solid state only one isomer is present. Tentative assignments of fundamentals for each isomer have been made. For CF 2 ClCH 2 Cl the standard enthalpy difference between the rotational isomers was found to be Δ H ° (gas) = 430 ± 100 cal/mole. For CF 2 BrCH 2 Br Δ H ° (gas) = 1030 ± 100 cal/mole.
Demonstration of actin in oral epithelial cells.

— Two human sera with antibodies against smooth muscle were used to investigate the distribution of actin in moving oral epithelial cells by immunocytochemical methods. Epithelial outgrowths from explants of rat and human oral mucosa showed a constant positive staining in the peripheral parts of the marginal cells but not in the more central parts of the epithelial sheet. This is in agreement with theories of the importance of the marginal cells in the migratory behavior of the epithelial outgrowth. Subcultured epithelial cells from the human explants showed positive staining of fine fibers in the cytoplasm. During healing of experimental oral wounds from humans and monkeys actin fibers could be demonstrated in only one of 18 cases in the epithelial cells adjacent to the wound, though positive staining of various cells was seen in the underlying tissue. This is in contrast to the evidence presented in previous studies of cells taking part in the re-epithelialization process.
The Rosenzweig picture-frustration study as a measure of reaction to personal Evaluation

Abstract The P-F Study was given to three groups of incarcerated delinquents categorized as to parole evaluation status. The hypothesis tested was that those Ss who were being evaluated for parole would give significantly fewer extrapunitive (E) responses than matched Ss who were not being evaluated for parole. Statistical analyses of the data supported the hypothesis. It was suggested that the probability of external reinforcement may be a basic determinant of responses to the P-F Study and perhaps to projective tests generally.
MO-E-AUD-05: Validating a Video-Based 3-D Surface Imaging System and Testing Its Use to Set-Up CBCT QA Device

Purpose: To validate resolution of a video‐based 3‐D surface imagingsystem before its clinical use and to test feasibility of using system in setting‐up a cone beam CT(CBCT) QA device to accelerate the total QA process. Method and Materials: A CBCT QA alignment tool called Ball‐Bearing device (BBD) (Elekta Inc.) is designed to check the coincidence between the MV and kV beams' isocenters. The micro‐stepping meter of the BBD allows precision adjustment to better than 0.01 mm in three directions. A foam phantom was added to the BBD in order to generate a large 3‐D surface image which can be detected by a video‐based 3‐D surface imagingsystem (AlignRT system, VisionRT Ltd., London UK). The BBD‐phantom has been imaged by the AlignRT system with changes in position (0.0 to 8.0 mm) in all three directions independently. The phantom shifts were determined by AlignRT and compared to the preset ones. After this validation test, AlignRT has been used in the initial set‐up of the CBCT device in replacement of the iterative process required to set the BBD to the MV isocenter. By carefully setting‐up the BBD using the iterative imaging method to place the ball‐bearing to MV beam isocenter, a reference image of BBD‐phantom was taken using AlignRT. Subsequently, AlignRT was used in BBD set‐up; multiple tests have been performed and testing continues. Results: AlignRT can detect 0.1 mm change in both lateral and longitudinal directions, 0.3 mm in vertical direction. AlignRT reduced set‐up time for CBCT QA device by a factor of two compared to traditional iterative method. Conclusions: AlignRT can detect fractional mm shifts in the BBD‐phantom; vertical resolution is not as sensitive as horizontal. AlignRT can be used in setting‐up the CBCT QA device (providing appropriate phantom added) and significantly reduces set‐up time.
Evaluation of brewers yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a feed supplement for hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops×M. saxatilis)

Abstract Two separate feeding trials were conducted to evaluate graded levels of dried brewers yeast in the diet of hybrid striped bass. A basal diet was formulated to contain 40% protein, 10% lipid and an estimated digestible energy level of 3.5 kcal/g. In Trial 1, three incremental levels of dried brewers yeast (1%, 2% and 4% of diet) were added to the basal diet in place of cellulose. In Trial 2, the same levels of brewers yeast were added to the basal diet, but menhaden fish meal and menhaden oil were adjusted to provide isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets. Each diet was fed to three (Trial 1) or four (Trial 2) replicate groups of juvenile hybrid striped bass twice daily at rates approximating apparent satiation for 6 or 8 weeks. After the second feeding trial, a Streptococcus iniae bath challenge was executed to test the effects of diet on disease resistance. Enhanced weight gain and feed efficiency were generally observed in fish fed the diets supplemented with yeast compared to the basal diet in both trials. In the second trial, body composition of whole fish, hemocrit and serum lysozyme levels were observed to be within normal ranges and not influenced by the various dietary treatments. After 9 weeks of feeding in the second trial, exposure to S. iniae resulted in no mortality and reduced signs of disease in fish fed diets supplemented with 2% and 4% brewers yeast, while 20% mortality was observed in fish fed the control diet ( P =0.1). In the second trial, blood neutrophil oxidative radical production, extracellular and intracellular superoxide anion production of head kidney macrophages and serum lysozyme were measured after 16 weeks of feeding each diet. Fish fed the diet with 2% brewers yeast were found to have significantly ( P Based on the result of this study, it is concluded that brewers yeast positively influenced growth performance and feed efficiency of hybrid striped bass as well as resistance to S. iniae infection. In addition, results of immune response assays demonstrate that brewers yeast can be administered for relatively long periods without causing immunosuppression.
‘I love you, please notice me’: the hierarchical rhetoric of Twitter fandom

Since its 2006 debut, Twitter has emerged as the primary online space for communication between celebrity and audience. Yet scholars are conflicted on whether Twitter’s expanded interaction is actual or merely perceived. Some contend that the social media site represents a democratised public square in which the borders between ordinary and extraordinary are flattened, while others argue that Twitter encompasses synthetic personalisation: hierarchical power dynamics masked by simulated interconnection. Assuming that Twitter communication is an extension of traditions of letter-writing by fans and fan clubs, this study utilises a framework for rhetorical arrangement drawn from medieval work on the ars dictaminis, or the art of letter-writing. Informed by Cicero, the ars dictaminis divided the letter into five parts, including exordium (opening), captatio benevolentiae (capturing of goodwill), narratio (background), petitio (petition/request), and conclusio (conclusion). Tweets directed at the top five most...
Cutaneous fungal infections in the elderly

Because of impaired host defenses and a favorable environment at specific anatomic sites, there is an increased prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis, mucosal and cutaneous candidiasis, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis in the geriatric population compared with other age groups. Both KOH and fungal culture are timely, convenient, and cost-effective methods of diagnosis. Sensitivity of these tests depends on proper technique for specimen collection and experience. KOH 20% with DMSO and DTM are highly recommended. Treatment should be tailored to the diagnosis and the individual patient. This includes the targeted spectrum of coverage (dermatophyte or yeast); topical versus systemic therapy; review of the patient's medication list for potential drug interactions; and likelihood of compliance. Checking baseline laboratories and routine monitoring of complete blood count and liver function tests in healthy patients, without a history of liver disease or active hepatitis, and without potential drug interactions, seems unwarranted for rare adverse events. Successful management requires adequate patient education, correction of underlying predisposing factors, and prophylactic measures against recurrence.
Magnitude-frequency relationship of coastal sand delivery by a southern California stream

Coastal sand delivery by a stream in southern California is estimated based on a numerical model which stimulates unsteady flow, sediment transport, and the associated channel adjustments for a stream-delta system. An average annual sediment yield of 51,400 m3/yr is estimated for the San Dieguito River, which drains a semiarid watershed controlled by dams. Of the total sand delivery by the stream, 20.5 percent is contributed from floods greater than the 100-year flood; 17.6 percent from those between the 50- and 100-year events; 28.4 percent from those between the 25- and 50 year floods; and 33.5 percent from those smaller than the 25-year flood.
Oxycarbonitride glass formation by melt solidification

Preparation de verres d'oxycarbonitrure par co-fusion des poudres de verre MgSiAlON (de composition en % poids) 25,5 MgO, 22,0 Al 2 O 3 , 42,5 SiO 2 , 10,0 Si 3 N 4 avec addition de SiC. Des additions d'azote au systeme d'oxydes MgO-Al 2 O 3 SiO 2 augmentent la resistance a la denitrification mais des additions de carbone aux verres MgSiAlON favorisent la nucleation cristalline
Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability among a national sample of adult women in the USA.

Background: In the USA, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is currently licensed for 9–26-year-old females, but licensure for women over 26 years is being considered. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association of sociodemographic and health-related factors to HPV vaccine acceptability among adult women. Methods: The current study utilised a nationally representative sample of women (n = 1323) aged 27–55 living in the USA, with an oversampling of black and Latina women. A multiple item measure of HPV vaccine acceptability across varying cost and location-of-availability (clinic only v. any local pharmacy) conditions was the main outcome measure. General linear modelling was used to analyse the association of vaccine cost, location availability, and sociodemographic and health-related variables with vaccine acceptability. Results: Vaccine cost had the strongest association with acceptability [F (2, 1249) = 832.1; P < 0.0001]; however, factors such as religiosity, political views, a history of various negative sexual health outcomes and previous flu shot receipt were also associated with acceptability. Location availability had a statistically significant but modest effect, with a slight preference shown for health clinic availability. Conclusions: Adult women had generally high levels of HPV vaccine acceptability, but were greatly influenced by cost of the vaccine. Women who had experienced negative sexual health outcomes due to HPV-specific infection rated the vaccine as more acceptable, perhaps due to distress associated with those outcomes.
Transplantation of embryonic occipital cortex to the brain of newborn rats. An autoradiographic study of transplant histogenesis.

The neurogenesis of immature cerebral cortex transplants was investigated using tritiated thymidine (3HT) autoradiography. Cortical tissue taken from rat fetuses during their last week of gestation (E15-E21) was transplanted to the tectum or cerebral cortex of newborn rat hosts. At different times after transplantation, a single injection of 3HT was given to the host. Most of the experimental animals were killed after the transplants had grown to maturity (5–12 weeks), and some were studied shortly after the tracer had been given. In other experiments, donor tissue was used that was labeled in utero up to 1 day before being transplanted on E16, E17, E18, or E19.
Transforming growth factor-beta: a down-regulator of the parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor in renal epithelial cells

We have recently provided evidence for the ability of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta) to modulate PTH-related protein (PTHrP)-mediated responses in opossum kidney (OK) cells through reducing the number of PTHrP receptor-binding sites. In the present studies, we investigated the possible mechanisms by which TGF beta might regulate PTHrP receptor density in OK cells, an area that has remained largely unexplored. The steady state level of PTHrP receptor mRNA was time dependently reduced by TGF beta treatment, with the nadir (approximately 3-fold decrease) between 6-10 h, preceding the maximal inhibition on PTHrP receptor binding at 18 h. We then assessed whether the 41% reduction in binding consequent to 18-h TGF beta exposure was reversible. PTHrP-binding activity recovered considerably after 24 h (23% decrease compared with controls) and almost completely by 48 h. However, the addition of monensin or cycloheximide, but not actinomycin (at a dose effective in preventing TGF beta action in this ...
Alpha2 Macroglobulin-Like Is Essential for Liver Development in Zebrafish

Background Alpha 2 Macroglobulin family members have been studied extensively with respect to their roles in physiology and human disease including innate immunity and Alzheimer's disease, but little is known about a possible role in liver development loss-of-function in model systems. Principal Findings We report the isolation of the zebrafish α2 macroglobulin-like (A2ML) gene and its specific expression in the liver during differentiation. Morpholino-based knock-down of A2ML did not block the initial formation of the liver primordium, but inhibited liver growth and differentiation. Significance This report on A2ML function in zebrafish development provides the first evidence for a specific role of an A2M family gene in liver formation during early embryogenesis in a vertebrate.
Visual modality research in virtual and mixed reality simulation

Military organizations worldwide continue to invest heavily in research, development, and fielding of virtual and mixed reality simulations and simulators for training. However, the future fiscal environment will be challenging for both simulation as well as the US Army as a whole. Thus, wise design decisions must be made when developing virtual simulations for training. In order to optimize the effectiveness of these simulations, developers must employ trade-off analysis and scientific methods to derive empirical evidence, in order to ensure that the simulation under development is optimized to meet the training requirements, while still adhering to cost and schedule constraints. This paper specifically focuses on the task of employing the optimal visual modality in virtual and mixed reality simulations. This paper reviews the literature on training simulation benefits and taxonomy, and examines the training efficacy of virtual and mixed reality simulation. Major concepts and applications of virtual and ...
Children's Mental Health Policy: Challenging the Future

Professionals have recently recognized the depth and complexity of emotional and behavioral disorders of America's children. Among those who grasped the scope of the problem early, some have taken ...
Topographical localization of function in the cardiac ganglion of the crab,Portunus sanguinolentus

The location and role in burst formation of electrotonic and chemically mediated interaction among cardiac ganglion neurons ofPortunus sainguinolentus was studied with intra- and extracellular recording and stimulation, and by dye injection (Fig. 1).
Enhancing the social skills of an unpopular girl: A social learning intervention

Abstract The use of a social learning approach to reduce the unpopularity of an 11-year-old girl, Rene, at a summer camp was studied. Two social skill deficiencies were suggested to be the cause of Rene's unpopularity by her bunk house counselors: her lack of contact with bunkhouse members during free choice times, and her negative, interfering conversational style. A multiple baseline design was used by the counselors to successively implement reinforcement contingencies on each class of social skill. Substantial improvements in performance were noted concurrent with the application of each contingency. These outcomes were maintained after reinforcement contingencies were withdrawn. Sociometric ratings of Rene's popularity by her bunkhouse mates improved after intervention. These outcomes are discussed from a social learning perspective.
Infrared Fiber Optics For CO2 Laser Applications

Advances in the technology of fabricating IR transmissive fiber waveguides have resulted in the development of fibers that offer unique solutions to near and long-term IR systems problems. Short (<2 m) links of polycrystalline KRS-5 (thallium bromoiodide) fiber have already been successfully used to relay information to remote photodetectors. Future long-distance communications links may take advantage of the extremely low loss potential (~10-3 dB/km) predicted theoretically for a large class of IR fiber materials near 5 µm.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Strategic underproduction with product switching

Abstract It is well known that some consumers switch to other products if their most preferred products are not available. To be competitive, therefore, it is essential that the design of a product line reflects the switching patterns of the consumers, based on their lower order preferences. In this paper, we formalize the treatment of consumer switching patterns, to show how a firm's choice of production quantities of the products in a line, in relation to those of the competitors' products, can be used as a competitive weapon. We show that there exists a strategy that creates opportunities for the firm to increase its product line profit to a level higher than otherwise possible, for any particular market share. We also establish certain properties of the competitive environment which identify the scenarios under which different variations of such a strategy would be successful.
Surface tension of binary metal—surface active solute systems under conditions relevant to welding metallurgy

Since the fluid flow, heat transfer, and the resulting weld properties are significantly affected by interfacial tension driven flow, the variation of interfacial tension in dilute binary solutions is studied as a function of both composition and temperature. Entropy and enthalpy of adsorption of surface active components such as oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium in Fe-O, Fe-S, Fe-Se, Cu-O, Cu-S, Cu-Se, Cu-Te, Ag-O, and Sn-Te systems were calculated from the analysis of the published data on interfacial tension of these systems. For these calculations, a formalism based on the combination of Gibbs and Langmuir adsorption isotherms was used. Interfacial tensions in Cr-O, Co-S, and Ni-S systems, where the data are scarce, were predicted by using certain approximations. The computed values were found to be in reasonable agreement with the data available in the literature. Temperature coefficients of interfacial tensions were calculated for several binary systems. It was demonstrated that in dilute solutions, the temperature coefficient of interfacial tension is strongly influenced by the heat of adsorption which, in turn, is influenced by the difference in electronegativity between the solute and solvent ions.
Determination of chlorobutanol in mouse serum, urine and embryos by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection

Abstract A sensitive and specific method for the determination of chlorobutanol (1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol) in mouse serum, urine, and embryos by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection is described. For sample preparation n-hexane was used to extract chlorobutanol and the internal standard 2,2,2-trichloroethanol (TCE) from each matrix. Following extraction chromatographic separation of the samples was achieved with a fused-silica capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm I.D., 0.25 μm film thickness). The method as described has the required sensitivity to quantitate chlorobutanol in individual embryos following administration of a single oral dose of the drug to a pregnant mouse. The limit of detection was 1 pg on column and the detector response was linear from 1 to 100 μg/ml for serum, 0.2 to 20 μg/ml for urine, and 1 to 10 ng/embryo.
Genistein: does it prevent or promote breast cancer?

Diet is estimated to contribute to approximately 50% of all newly diagnosed breast cancers. As such, a search for dietary factors differentially consumed among populations with increased breast cancer risk (e.g., Caucasians) compared to those with low risk (e.g., Asians) has become a priority. One such dietary component, which is typical to the Asian but not the Caucasian diet, is soy. We review data relevant to attempts to determine whether soy, and more specifically genistein, is a dietary component that may help to explain the dramatic disparity in breast cancer risk among these populations.
Expression and Characterization of a Soluble Form of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Glycoprotein GN

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a member of the Tospovirus genus within the Bunyaviridae, is an economically important plant pathogen with a worldwide distribution. TSWV is transmitted to plants via thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), which transmit the virus in a persistent propagative manner. The envelope glycoproteins, G(N) and G(C), are critical for the infection of thrips, but they are not required for the initial infection of plants. Thus, it is assumed that the envelope glycoproteins play important roles in the entry of TSWV into the insect midgut, the first site of infection. To directly test the hypothesis that G(N) plays a role in TSWV acquisition by thrips, we expressed and purified a soluble, recombinant form of the G(N) protein (G(N)-S). The expression of G(N)-S allowed us to examine the function of G(N) in the absence of other viral proteins. We detected specific binding to thrips midguts when purified G(N)-S was fed to thrips in an in vivo binding assay. The TSWV nucleocapsid protein and human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B did not bind to thrips midguts, indicating that the G(N)-S-thrips midgut interaction is specific. TSWV acquisition inhibition assays revealed that thrips that were concomitantly fed purified TSWV and G(N)-S had reduced amounts of virus in their midguts compared to thrips that were fed TSWV only. Our findings that G(N)-S binds to larval thrips guts and decreases TSWV acquisition provide evidence that G(N) may serve as a viral ligand that mediates the attachment of TSWV to receptors displayed on the epithelial cells of the thrips midgut.
Nano-mixing of dipyridamole drug and excipient nanoparticles by sonication in liquid CO2

Abstract Nanoparticles (about 200 nm thick and 600–12000 nm long flakes) of dipyridamole, a poorly water-soluble anti-thrombosis drug, are produced by supercritical antisolvent solvent with enhanced mass transfer method. Applicability of sonication in liquid CO2 for mixing of drug and excipient nanoparticles is demonstrated for several binary mixtures of drug and excipient. The drug particles are mixed with three different excipients: silica nanoparticles, lactose microparticles, and polyvinylpyrrolidone nanoparticles. To intimately mix at nanoscale, macro mixtures of dipyridamole and excipient particles are sonicated in liquid carbon dioxide. The effects of ultrasonic energy, amplitude, and component weight ratio are studied for the binary mixtures. Characterization of mixing is done using several methods. Scanning electron microscopy is used as a primary method for microscopic analysis. Two macroscopic effects, drug dissolution and blend homogeneity (relative standard deviation), are used to characterize mixing quality of drug/lactose mixture. Results of drug dissolution and blend homogeneity show effectiveness of the proposed mixing method for fine size particles. Material handling properties of drug/silica and lactose/silica mixtures were examined. Upon mixing, the handling properties are significantly improved as measured by compressibility index and Hausner ratio. Liquid CO2 offers an environmentally benign media for mixing. In addition, the mixture obtained does not contain any residual solvent as compared to the sonication in organic liquids. Upon depressurization, CO2 is easily removed from the mixture providing a facile recovery of the product.
1,25(OH)2D3 and cAMP Synergistically Induce Complement 5a Receptor Messenger RNA

Complement 5a receptor (C5aR) mediates both acute and chronic participation of monocytes in the immune response. In the human U937 monoblast, C5aR is maximally expressed 4 days after treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 (or cycloheximide) and prostaglandin E2 combined. The authors asked whether these agents altered expression of C5aR messenger RNA (mRNA). Unstimulated U937 cells expressed neither C5aR mRNA nor C5a binding. Complement 5aR mRNA rose 3 hours after prostaglandin E2 application and fell to basal levels by 12 hours. This early rise in C5aR mRNA did not cause an acute rise in C5a binding, which gradually increased between 1 and 4 days. Neither 1,25(OH)2D3 nor cycloheximide induced expression of C5aR mRNA in the absence of prostaglandin E2 but did enhance prostaglandin E2-stimulated C5aR mRNA expression and C5a binding. The authors observed a late increase in C5aR mRNA at day 3 in treated cells. Inhibition of this late rise in mRNA with 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside attenuated C5a binding by 65%, indicating its importance in the generation of C5a binding sites. The expression of functional C5aR is, therefore, a complex process involving regulation at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels.
2,3-Difluorotyrosine at Position 356 of Ribonucleotide Reductase R2: A Probe of Long-Range Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Escherichia coli class I ribonucleotide reductase catalyzes the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides and consists of two subunits: R1 and R2. R1 possesses the active site, while R2 harbors the essential diferric-tyrosyl radical (Y•) cofactor. The Y• on R2 is proposed to generate a transient thiyl radical on R1, 35 A distant, through amino acid radical intermediates. To study the putative long-range proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), R2 (375 residues) was prepared semisynthetically using intein technology. Y356, a putative intermediate in the pathway, was replaced with 2,3-difluorotyrosine (F2Y, pKa = 7.8). pH rate profiles (pH 6.5−9.0) of wild-type and F2Y-R2 were very similar. Thus, a proton can be lost from the putative PCET pathway without affecting nucleotide reduction. The current model involving H• transfer is thus unlikely.
A note on the Mirnov signal analysis in Tokamaks

The relation between Mirnov coil signals and the current perturbation on the rational surface is examined analytically by using the approximate Green's function for the case of large aspect ratio circular tokamaks. Satellite island formation, phase modulation effect due to the poloidal variation of the field line pitch, and the shift effect of the plasma column with respect to the center of the vacuum chamber are examined. The detectability of these effects from Mirnov coil signals is discussed for TFTR.
Life and death in the cardiovascular system.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:2 In recent years, the concept of apoptosis1 has swept through the fields of biology and medicine, creating a cultlike following in many disciplines, including cardiovascular research. This editorial is written explicitly to update the readers of Circulation on this fascinating and rapidly expanding field. The focus is on the concept of apoptosis relevant to cardiovascular diseases. Not all of the research areas in apoptosis can be covered in great depth in this editorial. Interested readers should consult several other excellent reviews for details.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 The word apoptosis was derived from Greek, meaning falling off of petals from a flower.1 A professor of Greek suggested this usage to his pathology colleagues at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, in the early 1970s to describe a form of cell death with distinct morphological features that was not widely recognized at that time. As shown in Fig 1A⇓, when a cell receives the signal to die an apoptotic death, it goes through a series of morphological changes that can be easily observed with the light microscope. Starting from shrinkage of cell membrane, to condensation of nuclear chromatin, to cellular fragmentation, to the engulfment of the apoptotic bodies by neighboring cells, apoptotic death follows a carefully orchestrated script. Figure 1. A, Morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis. Cell receives death signal and undergoes apoptosis. Fragmented bodies are taken up by neighboring cell. B, Fas signaling pathway. Fas ligand (FasL) causes aggregation of Fas molecules, which initiate recruitment of FADD and FLICE to complex. For simplicity, only one molecule each of FADD and FLICE are depicted. D denotes death domain; …
A rate-governing reaction of protein synthesis.

RABBIT reticulocytes synthesize haemoglobin in vitro. In order to maintain a high rate for at least four hours there needs to be added to the saline solution in which the cells are suspended a mixture of amino-acids, glucose, iron and an iron-chelating agent. The rate then (in four hours) is about five times that in saline alone. Glucose, iron and chelating agent have little effect on the rate unless the amino-acid mixture is added with them1.
Sub-regional hippocampal injury is associated with fornix degeneration in Alzheimer's disease

We examined in vivo evidence of axonal degeneration in association with neuronal pathology in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through analysis of fornix microstructural integrity and measures of hippocampal subfield atrophy. Based on known anatomical topography, we hypothesized that the local thickness of subiculum and CA1 hippocampus fields would be associated with fornix integrity, reflecting an association between AD-related injury to hippocampal neurons and degeneration of associated axon fibers. To test this hypothesis, multi-modal imaging, combining measures of local hippocampal radii with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), was applied to 44 individuals clinically diagnosed with AD, 44 individuals clinically diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 96 cognitively normal individuals. Fornix microstructural degradation, as measured by reduced DTI-based fractional anisotropy (FA), was prominent in both MCI and AD, and was associated with reduced hippocampal volumes. Further, reduced fornix FA was associated with reduced anterior CA1 and antero-medial subiculum thickness. Finally, while both lesser fornix FA and lesser hippocampal volume were associated with lesser episodic memory, only the hippocampal measures were significant predictors of episodic memory in models including both hippocampal and fornix predictors. The region-specific association between fornix integrity and hippocampal neuronal death may provide in vivo evidence for degenerative white matter injury in AD: axonal pathology that is closely linked to neuronal injury.
The Use of Partial Reflections for Scaling and Averaging X-ray Area-Detector Data

Frozen crystals of proteins, nucleic acids or other biological macromolecules often have mosaic spreads comparable to the maximum useful oscillation angles. It is, therefore, necessary to develop scaling methods that are independent of the exclusive use of full reflections. The Hamilton, Rollett and Sparks [Acta Cryst (1965), 18, 129–130] procedure for scaling frames of X-ray area-detector data has been generalized to utilize partial reflections by adding intensities of partial reflections from consecutive frames (method 1) or by correcting intensities of partial reflections, using a model to calculate the reflection partiality (method 2). Both methods have been applied to scaling and averaging of data-sets collected on crystals of biological macromolecules. The agreement factors of the scaled data are better when using method 1, although it often fails when there are rotation gaps between successive images or when the data redundancy is low. Method 2 is more stable and versatile, allowing scaling of data-sets with incompletely measured reflections and low redundancy. The major drawback of method 2 is its sensitivity to inaccuracy in calculated partiality. The actual values of the scale factors obtained with the two methods are within 5%. However, when the true value of the scale factor changes dramatically between consecutive frames (e.g. due to beam dumps and refills at a synchrotron source), the results of the two methods can differ by as much as 15% because method 1 produces physically wrong results. The scaling algorithm implemented in the commercially available program SCALEPACK is vulnerable to the same problems as method 1.