cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response of non-grassland avian guilds to adjacent herbaceous field buffers: testing the configuration of targeted conservation practices in agricultural landscapes

Summary 1. A substantial part of the world’s land base is dominated by agriculture, and forest habitat often consists of discrete patches of forest and linear woody corridors. These natural components provide habitat for some forest birds, but make conservation of these species difficult. In-field practices applied outside forest patches, such as specific juxtapositions of herbaceous field buffers adjacent to forest habitat, could increase avian diversity contributions of existing forest without creation of additional forest habitat. Our prediction was that herbaceous field buffers would increase bird richness in adjacent forest, and we evaluated four potential mechanisms. 2. We used bird count data from a conservation buffer monitoring programme and hierarchical community models to estimate species richness of forest generalist, forest interior and shrubland (edge) species near forest edges with and without adjacent herbaceous field buffers. We accounted for heterogeneity in detection probabilities and forest cover in surrounding landscapes when estimating species- and guild-level responses. 3. Consistent with the drift fence hypothesis, adjacent herbaceous buffers were associated with a modest increase in richness of forest interior birds in woody corridors, but not in forest blocks. Consistent with resource complementation, adjacent herbaceous buffers were associated with modest increases in richness of shrubland (edge) birds in both woody corridors and forest blocks. 4. Across all species and guilds, adjacent buffers were generally associated with greater abundance (e.g. 28 of 39 species), but these increases were also relatively small and highly variable (i.e. overlapping 95% credible intervals). Corroborating existing research, effects of adjacent herbaceous buffers are likely real, but neither pervasive nor strong. 5. Synthesis and applications. Conservation practices targeted to grassland species often produce measurable conservation benefits for target species. However, biodiversity return for investment would be further increased if targeted practices could be deployed in ways that also produce benefits for non-target species in adjacent habitats. Our results suggest that additional benefits for non-target species using adjacent forest habitat are likely to be modest, so conservation planning should focus on species targeted by the conservation practices and avoidance of potential negative impacts on those species when positive benefits to adjacent habitat are weak or lacking.
Enzymatic activity of strains of Ascosphaera apis, an entomopathogenic fungus of the honey bee, Apis mellifera

Le champignon Ascosphaera apis, responsable du couvain plâtre chez l'abeille, existe a l'etat de mycelium (+ ou −) et de formes fecondees sporulees. A l'aide du systeme API ZYM, nous avons determine et compare les profils enzymatiques de 15 souches (soit non fecondees+, non fecondees -, soit fecondees et sporulees avec des sporocystes). Ces profils peuvent etre utiles pour identifier des souches myceliennes, pou r detecter des differences de souches et pour determiner le role des enzymes extracellulaires dans la virulence d'A. apis. Des methodes de preparation d'inoculums pour les tests ont ete mises au point, car les methodes existantes pour les moisissures ne donnaient pas satisfaction
Isolation of Animal Cell Mutants Defective in Long-chain Fatty Aldehyde Dehydrogenase SENSITIVITY TO FATTY ALDEHYDES AND SCHIFF’S BASE MODIFICATION OF PHOSPHOLIPIDS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SJÖGREN-LARSSON SYNDROME

Abstract Using tritium suicide, we have isolated a variant of the Chinese hamster ovary cell line, CHO-K1, that is deficient in long-chain fatty alcohol:NAD+oxidoreductase (FAO; EC 1.1.1.192). Specifically, it was the fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase component that was affected. The enzymatic deficiency found in this mutant strain, designated FAA.K1A, was similar to that displayed by fibroblasts from patients with Sjogren-Larsson syndrome (SLS), an inheritable neurocutaneous disorder. Complementation analyses suggested that the deficiency in fatty alcohol oxidation in the FAA.K1A cells and the SLS fibroblasts is a result of lesions in homologous genes. The FAA.K1A cells were unable to convert long chain fatty aldehydes to the corresponding fatty acids. This resulted in a hypersensitivity of the FAA.K1A cells to the cytotoxic effects of long chain fatty aldehydes. The difference between the mutant and wild-type cells was most obvious when using fatty aldehydes between 14 and 20 carbons, with the greatest difference between wild-type and mutant cells found when using octadecanal. Fibroblasts from a patient with SLS also displayed the hypersensitivity phenotype when compared with FAldDH+ human fibroblasts. In both CHO and human FAldDH− cell lines, addition of long chain fatty aldehydes to the medium caused a dramatic increase in aldehyde-modified phosphatidylethanolamine, presumably through Schiff’s base addition to the primary amine of the ethanolamine head group. When 25 μm hexadecanal was added to the growth medium, approximately 10% of the phosphatidylethanolamine was found in the fatty aldehyde-modified form in FAA.K1A, although this was not observed in wild-type cells. Modified phosphatidylethanolamine could be detected in FAldDH− cells even when exogenous fatty aldehydes were not added to the medium. We propose a possible role for fatty aldehydes, or other aldehydic species, in mediating some of the symptoms associated with Sjogren-Larsson syndrome.
Neurodevelopmental Assessment of Behaviorally Disordered Inner City Boys

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of a recently developed neurodevelopmental instrument (Pediatric Early Education Exam "PEEX") for evaluating inner city boys thought to be "hyperactive" by their teachers. Thirty-nine boys (age x = 102.5 months, sd = 11.9; IQ x = 98, sd = 10; 97%, black) were evaluated. No relationship was found between overflow movements and neurodevelopmental subtest performance, intelligence, or educational functioning. The development of laterality was positively related to success in reading (t = 2.21, p < 0.05). A sentence-copying task was related to success in reading (r = .38 p < 0.01). The ability to answer questions about complex sentences was related to mathematical success (r = .32 p < 0.05). A task involving the ability to follow verbal directions proved most sensitive to educational, intellectual, and social functioning.
Ramón Díaz Eterovic y la Generación del 80 en el panorama de la narrativa chilena actual. Entrevista

Ramon Diaz Eterovic (1956) es uno de los mas prolificos representantes de la llamada Nueva Narrativa Chilena. Ha incursionado con exito en el cuento, la poesia y la novela, logrando una excelente recepcion critica y varios galardones literarios tanto en su pais como en el extranjero. Diaz Eterovic se destaca sobre todo por ser el principal exponente de la novela negra o relato neopolicial en Chile. Ha publicado los libros de poemas El poeta derribado (1980) y Pasajero de la ausencia (1982); los volumenes de cuentos Cualquier dia (1981), Obsesion de ano nuevo (1983), Atras sin golpe (1985) y Ese viejo cuento de amar (1990); y las novelas La ciudad esta triste (1987), Solo en la oscuridad (1992), Nadie sabe mas que los muertos (1993), Angeles y solitarios (1995), Correr tras el viento (1997), Nunca enamores a un forastero (1999), Los siete hijos de Simenon (2000), El ojo del alma (2001), El hombre que pregunta (2002) y El color de la piel (2003). Su trabajo novelistico ha sido publicado en Chile, Espana, Argentina, Italia, Portugal, Croacia, Holanda, Francia y Alemania. Es coautor, con el escritor Diego Munoz Valenzuela, de las antologias Contando el cuento. Antologia joven narrativa chilena (1986), Andar con cuentos. Nueva narrativa chilena (1992), Cuentos en dictadura (2003) y autor de la antologia Crimenes criollos. Antologia del cuento policial chileno (1994). Fue director de la revista de poesia La gota pura (19811995) y Presidente de la Sociedad de Escritores de Chile (1991-1993). Entre los galardones que ha recibido Diaz Eterovic se destacan el Premio del Consejo Nacional del Libro y la Lectura (1995) y el Premio Municipal de Santiago, Genero Novela (1996 y 2002) por las novelas Angeles y solitarios y El ojo del alma respectivamente, el Premio Anna Seghers (1989) concedido por la Academia de Arte de Alemania y el Premio Las Dos Orillas (2000) del Salon del Libro Iberoamericano de Gijon, Espana, por la novela Los siete hijos de Simenon. Este dialogo con Ramon Diaz Eterovic, que se inicio en Santiago de Chile el segundo semestre del ano 2004 y se completo a principios de 2005, forma parte de un proyecto de investigacion realizado con el auspicio del Comite de Investigacion y el Instituto de Historia Oral de Baylor University. Colaboraron Lila Cole McDowell y Farrah Rajabi.
E-Business Education at AACSB-Affiliated Business Schools: A Survey of Programs and Curricula

Abstract Business schools throughout the United States and abroad have responded to the explosion in electronic business (e-business) by offering programs in e-business. In this study, we examined 77 e-business programs at AACSB-affiliated business colleges and found four basic types: the master of science (MS), bachelor of science (BS), and nondegree certificate (NDC) in e-business, and the master in business administration (MBA) with a specialization or concentration in e-business. MBA programs were the most numerous. The most commonly offered e-business courses were E-Business Marketing in the MBA, MS, and NDC programs, and Introduction to E-Business in the BS programs. In this article, we provide further information on the e-business programs examined.
The Synthesis of Hydrophobically Modified Water‐Soluble Polyzwitterionic Copolymers and Responsiveness to Surfactants in Aqueous Solution

Abstract A novel zwitterionic surfactant monomer containing a carboxybetaine moiety and a 10 carbon aliphatic tail was synthesized and copolymerized with acrylamide to yield a water‐soluble, hydrophobically modified zwitterionic polymer [Poly(acrylamide‐co‐(3‐(N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐3′‐(N′‐acryloyl)aza‐tridecyl) ammonio butanoate))]. The response of aqueous polymer solutions to the addition of various classes of surfactant was investigated and compared to that of an analogous novel polymer containing the sulfobetaine zwitterion [Poly(acrylamide‐co‐(N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐3′‐(N′‐acryloyl) aza‐tridecyl) ammonio propane sulfonate))]. It was found that the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) produced a pronounced maximum in viscosity, while dodecyltrimethylammoniumbromide (DTAB), N‐dodecyl‐N,N‐dimethylammonio‐1‐propanesulfonate (SB3‐12), and Triton X‐100 either had no effect, or produced a decrease in viscosity. The effect of pH on polymer–SDS interaction was also studied. Lowering pH increased the SDS–polymer interacti...
On positive transitive operators

In this short paper we prove that even though the latest transitive operator has only one negative entry, we cannot get rid of it by simple operations. The research is motivated by, still unsolved, invariant subspace problem for positive operators.
Global Pressures, Local Reactions: Higher Education and Neo-Liberal Economic Policies.

As a summary piece, this essay describes more fully the wider globalizing context in which both students and institutions of higher education are now located. It explores three transitions that signal this new configuration: the creation of new information and media technologies; the transformation of time and space; and the expansion of the culture of consumption and the consumption of culture. The essay then discusses the four ethnographic articles in light of these new social realities.
Surrogate Fuel Development: The Role of Droplet Burning

This paper examines the role which droplet combustion can play in the development of liquid surrogate fuels. The spherical droplet flame configuration is the canonical configuration of liquid fuel combustion with its one dimensional transport process and spherical soot cloud that surrounds the droplet during burning, thus making it a useful perspective from which to develop a surrogate fuel. The liquid fuel burning process includes a number of characteristic parameters which can serve as useful benchmarks against which to compare performance of a surrogate and real fuel. For sprays and droplets these include burning rate, droplet extinction diameter, droplet number density, mean droplet size and soot emissions. At the same time, not all performance metrics of a real fuel can be replicated by a surrogate. An example is given for the case of a highly sooting aviation fuel (JP8) mixed with an alcohol (hexanol). It is shown that on one hand the spherically symmetric droplet burning rate of the JP8+hexanol blend is almost the same as pure hexanol, thus suggesting hexanol as a surrogate for the mixture in terms of burning rate. On the other, sooting propensities are significantly different for hexanol and the mixture.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The effect of filter vent blocking and smoking topography on carbon monoxide levels in smokers.

Two studies were conducted to examine the effect of filter vent blocking and smoking topography on carbon monoxide (CO) levels in smokers. In Study 1, 12 participants smoked two types of cigarettes (Marlboro® Light and Carlton® 100) under two types of blocking conditions (unblocked and half-blocked) while using a smoking topography device. Participants were restricted to 8 puffs, separated by 45 s. Significant main effects of CO boost for cigarette type and blocking condition replicated previous findings. A significant increase in CO boost for the Marlboro® Light blocked condition is a novel finding for this best-selling brand. That result and the finding that topography measures did not predict CO boost made us question the reliability of CO boost. In Study 2, we examined the reliability of CO boost by recruiting 12 participants to smoke three unblocked Carlton® 100 cigarettes in one session and three half-blocked in another. CO boost was significantly greater for the blocked sessions compared to the unblocked and CO boost did not differ within session, thus supporting the reliability of the measure. When participants do not switch brands within a session, smoking topography measures are predictive of CO boost.
Microcalorimetric study of oxygen adsorption on graphite-supported rhodium microcrystals

Abstract A novel true differential calorimeter was used to measure the differential heat and kinetics of oxygen adsorption (approximately 300 K) on graphite-supported rhodium particles. The particle size distribution was determined using a transmission electron microscope and the phases of rhodium present were determined using X-ray diffraction. It was found that only true chemisorption occurs (not bulk oxidation), and that the differential heat of adsorption and the adsorption stoichiometry are a function of particle size. This is consistent with many earlier studies which show the catalytic behavior of rhodium particles to be dependent on size.
The myocardial contraction fraction is superior to ejection fraction in predicting survival in patients with AL cardiac amyloidosis.

AbstractCardiac amyloidosis is a cause of diastolic heart failure in which ejection fraction (EF) remains “normal” despite progression of disease. The myocardial contraction fraction (MCF) is an index of myocardial function, defined as stroke volume (SV) over myocardial volume (MV). We hypothesized that MCF would be superior to EF, the conventional measure of left ventricular function, in predicting survival among patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Sixty-six subjects (mean age = 67 ± 12 years; 20% women) with cardiac amyloidosis (34 with light-chain amyloid and 32 with transthyretin amyloid) underwent two-dimensional echocardiography to determine left ventricular structure and function. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to determine the association of MCF and EF with survival. Over a mean follow-up of 1.86 ± 1.78 years (range 0.03–7.36 years), 37 subjects (56.1%) died. Mean EF of the study population was 51 ± 13%. There was no significant difference in EF between patients who survived the study pe...
An antagonist of substance P N-terminal fragments, D-substance P(1-7), reveals that both nociceptive and antinociceptive effects are induced by substance P N-terminal activity during noxious chemical stimulation.

Abstract Substance P (SP) N-terminal fragments are known to alter nociception when injected intrathecally or when released in response to capsaicin. However, it is not known whether a sufficient concentration of SP N-terminal metabolites accumulate during noxious stimulation to modulate nociception. To test this, we examined the effect of the SP(1–7) antagonist, d -SP(1–7), injected intrathecally in mice, on two nociceptive assays that are differentially affected by exogenous SP(1–7): acetic acid-induced writhing that is inhibited and formalin-induced behaviors that are enhanced by SP(1–7). One nmol of d -SP(1–7) is sufficient to block the acute (30 min) antinociceptive effects of SP(1–7) on writhing. When injected alone at much higher doses (10–100 nmol), d -SP(1–7) inhibited writhing. In the formalin assay, SP(1–7) had no acute effect (30 min) on responses during Phase 1 at any dose tested, but d -SP(1–7) increased responses 5 min after injection of low (2–1000 pmol), but not high doses (10 and 100 nmol). Twenty-four hours after injection of SP(1–7), writhing was inhibited and formalin responses were increased. d -SP(1–7) prevented these effects of SP(1–7) but had no effect when injected alone, indicating that there is no tonic SP N-terminal activity in mice not exposed to noxious stimuli. Thus, acetic acid and formalin each induce endogenous SP N-terminal activity, respectively, producing a pro-nociceptive effect that is relatively insensitive to d -SP(1–7) and antinociception that is very sensitive to inhibition by d -SP(1–7).
High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of cocaine and its metabolites in serum microsamples with fluorimetric detection and its application to pharmacokinetics in rats.

Abstract A sensitive, selective and simple HPLC method with fluorimetric detection is described for quantitating cocaine and its three metabolites in rat serum microsamples (50 μl). Chromatographic separation is achieved on a Hypersil BDS C18 column (100×2.1 mm, 5 μm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol–acetonitrile–25.8 mM sodium acetate buffer, pH 2.6, containing 1.0·10−4 M tetrabutylammonium phosphate (14:10:76, v/v/v). The detection limit (0.5 ng/ml) for all the compounds, using direct fluorometric detection operated at excitation and emission wavelengths of 230 and 315 nm, respectively, was approximately five-times lower than that of using a UV detector operated at 235 nm. The effects of ratio of 2-propanol to chloroform in extraction solvents on the recovery and precision for cocaine and its metabolites were systematically examined. The method was used to study the pharmacokinetics of cocaine after administration of intravenous 2 mg/kg and oral 20 mg/kg doses.
Potentiometr1c study of the complexes of mercury1 with pyrophosphate, triphosphate and tetraphosphate

Abstract The dimer of mercuryI forms stable complexes with polyphosphates. The stabilities of these complexes decrease slightly as the chain length increases. Because of the strong tendency of mercuryI to associate with hydroxide ions, the mixed complex species containing both polyphosphate and hydroxide ions were found to be the predominant species in slightly alkaline solutions. In polyphosphate solutions, polarographic waves of HgI and HgII are obtained at similar potentials, because the HgII reacts chemically with the mercury of the drop to form HgI complexes before the electrode reaction occurs. Similar anodic waves are obtained in the presence or absence of mercury ions in solution because of the formation of mercury1complexes. The tetraphosphate complexes which have not been studied before, and their over-all complexity constants in the presence of l M K.NO3 and 0·15 M guanidinium ion at 25°, are: Hg2(P4O12)4−, 107·32; Hg2(P4O13)210−, 109·88; Hg2(P4O13)(OH)5−, 1015·26; Hg2(P4O13)(OH)26−: 1022·45.
A Bullying Intervention System: Reducing Risk and Creating Support for Aggressive Students

Involvement in bullying is a contributor to student failure. The author describes a bullying intervention system that has been developed and implemented in a high school that aimed to interrupt bullying, conflict, and aggression before it escalates. A high school tried to reduce student involvement with the school's disciplinary system and advocated nonpunitive educative interventions to support student behavioral change. This attempt reflected a systemic, schoolwide response to bullying and the behaviors that can lead to bullying.
Abstract A223: Widefield and high‐resolution fluorescence imaging of multiple targeted contrast agents to detect dysplasia and cancer in oral tissue

Background: Early detection of dysplasia and cancer in the oral cavity dramatically improves patient survival, however, early stage disease can be difficult to identify with a conventional oral examination. Non‐invasive, molecular‐specific optical imaging has the potential to rapidly and simultaneously assess expression of multiple biomarkers that indicate neoplastic changes. Imaging biomarker expression may aid not only in early detection, but also in determination of an appropriate surgical margin, ensuring that all neoplastic tissue is removed without removing excess normal tissue. Methods: Three contrast agents were topically applied to freshly resected oral lesions (n=20) for 20 minutes. One contrast agent targets overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor and is composed of epidermal growth factor peptide labeled with a fluorescent dye. Another is a fluorescently labeled glucose that targets increased metabolism due to increased expression and activity of GLUT transporters. The third intercalates with nucleic acids to allow quantification of metrics such as nuclear size and inter‐nuclear distance. After incubation, both widefield and high‐resolution fluorescence images were collected for analysis. Widefield imaging increases sensitivity of detection by surveying a large region, while high‐resolution imaging increases specificity by interrogating a smaller field of view in more detail. Using an auto‐threshold function in Matlab software, the widefield fluorescence images were converted to binary. This binary image was smoothed to identify a contiguous region, which was outlined as a potential “margin.” This potential margin was overlaid onto a pathology map created through intensive review of HE8(12 Suppl):A223.
Long-term results of tebuthiuron herbicide treatment on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) in southeast Arizona, USA

Abstract Creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ) is native to the southwestern United States and central Mexico. Experimental plots of creosote bush treated with tebuthiuron herbicide in southeast Arizona in the early 1980s were rediscovered in 2010. The response over the 30-year period was monitored, revealing creosote bush was effectively controlled by tebuthiuron; however, the anticipated recolonization by native grasses was not realized. Reducing the overall vegetative canopy cover of the site may leave the soil more susceptible to erosion, negatively affecting its hydrologic function. Land management strategies should more thoroughly consider shrub treatments in ecosystems receiving less than 254 mm of annual rainfall and inadequate seed source, such as this study site. Low and inconstant precipitation are typical of the American Southwest. This study demonstrates that, while brush management techniques are effective for long periods of time, the reduction of shrub cover does not directly stimulate recolonization of the site with native grasses.
A small angle scattering study of dendrimer–copper sulfide nanocomposites

Abstract Dendrimers are a new class of three-dimensional, man-made molecules produced by an unusual synthetic route which incorporates repetitive branching sequences to create a unique novel architecture. Exceptional features of the dendritic architecture include a high degree of structural symmetry, a density gradient displaying an intra-molecular minimum value and a well defined number of terminal groups which may be chemically different from the interior. The combination of these features creates an environment within the dendrimer molecule which facilitates trapping of guest species. Recently, dendritic polymers have been used as soluble templates/unimolecular reactors from which nano-clusters of inorganic compounds or elements can be synthesized. The basic concept involves using dendrimers as hosts to pre-organize small molecules or metal ions, followed by a simple in situ reaction which will immobilize and stabilize domains of atomic or molecular guest components (inorganic compounds as well as elemental metals). In one of these examples poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have been used, to attract copper(II) ions inside the macromolecules where they are subsequently reacted with solubilized H 2 S to form metal sulfides. These organic/inorganic, dendrimer-based hybrid species have been termed `nanocomposites' and display unusual properties. For example, solubility of the nanocomposites is determined by the properties of the host dendrimer molecules. This allows for solubilization of the inorganic guest compounds in environments in which they are inherently insoluble. Since it has been established that there is no covalent bond between host and guest, these observations suggest that the inorganics are physically and spatially restricted by the dendrimer shell. However, this structure has not been verified. In this investigation a preliminary understanding of the physical structure of these dendrimer-based nanocomposites was sought. A model system of PAMAM dendrimer–copper sulfide nanocomposites was studied in various stages of its formation using a combination of small angle X-ray and neutron scattering experiments. The results suggest that little perturbation of the dendritic species occurs on complexation, but indicate that a secondary super-molecular aggregation phenomena occurs within nanocomposite solutions.
Implementation of an ergonomics program: A case report

Abstract The objective of this case report is to identify the common factors associated with the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among workers in a special-purpose truck manufacturing company and propose solutions to these problems. Over the past 2.5-year period, this company has had eleven cases in which its workers have had wrist surgery for median nerve decompression. After reviewing the company's injury records, systematically analyzing its work processes and interviewing workers who had undergone wrist surgery, the factors that potentially contribute to the development of CTS were identified. Tool changes and modifications together with some administrative controls for reducing cumulative trauma disorders, especially CTS, were proposed.
Mechanical, magnetic and superconductor hardening by precipitates

Abstract Analogies are discussed in the understanding of the flow stress of an alloy, the coercive field of a ferromagnet, and the critical current density of a type II-superconductor. In particular the Orowan process is considered in the three cases. In a type II-superconductor the process does not appear to be possible for the flux tubes in its mixed state but only for dislocations in the flux tube lattice. This should not limit the critical current although it may determine subcritical flux flow.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Early Uterine Sarcoma

Nine years' experience with early uterine sarcoma is reviewed. In addition to hysterectomy and radiotherapy, 34 patients received adjunctive chemotherapy; 67 patients received no adjunctive chemotherapy. Seventeen patients who received chemotherapy received combination vincristine, 1.5 mg/m2 weekly; actinomycin D, 0.5 mg intravenously on Days 1 to 5; and cyclophosphamide, 300 mg intravenously on Days 1 to 5. Seventeen other patients received adriamycin either alone at a dose of 50 mg/m2 BSA/month or in combination with vincristine and cyclophosphamide. Neither the probability of survival nor the disease-free interval was improved by the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Comments on Shelley Doctors, “Interpretation as a Relational Process”

Because I found myself in agreement with the major points of Shelley's paper in my discussion, I could only underline a few outstanding features of her clinically very useful paper. I found her description that “communication is not a turn-taking procedure” particularly useful, as well as her alerting us that “it is very difficult to be aware of the ‘undertones’ and the ‘overtones’ of our words in real time and also difficult to report about them in a convincing lively manner.” I also agree that not every comment the analyst makes is “an interpretation”; rather, all of the analyst's comments, as well as her silences, are part of an “interpretive process.” However, I question that interpretive work can instantaneously reorganize ingrained ways of experiencing events. Ya que estoy de acuerdo con las principales ideas de Shelley en su articulo, solo puedo subrayar algunas caracteristicas sobresalientes en su articulo, tan util desde el punto de vista clinico. Me parecio que su descripcion de que “la comunica...
Changes in distribution and androgen production of Leydig cells of two populations during sexual maturation in the rat.

Previous studies in this laboratory demonstrated the presence of two populations of Leydig cells (I and II) in testes of mature rats. Leydig cells of the two populations have essentially the same number of LH receptors (as measured by [125I]hCG binding), but population II Leydig cells produce considerably more testosterone in vitro in response to hCG than do population I Leydig cells. In the present studies, we demonstrate that [125I]hCG-binding capacities of Leydig cells are essentially the same in the two populations from 25–55 days of age. Therefore, changes in [125I]hCG binding in populations I and II were used to evaluate changes in the distribution of Leydig cells between the two populations during sexual maturation. In addition, changes in basal and hCG-stimulated androgen production in vitro by Leydig cells of the two populations were studied. Early in sexual maturation, most of the Leydig cells in the rat testis are in population I, and the increase in the total number of Leydig cells results fro...
A New Methodology to Generate Long Time Series of Solar Radiation Based on Stochastic Analysis

Abstract A detailed knowledge of the solar resource is essential for the planning and operation of solar energy systems. For characterizing the solar resource in a specific location over a longer period of time, such as 30 years, typical meteorological year (TMY) data sets are commonly used. The TMY comprises hourly values of solar radiation and meteorological elements for a 1-year period, chosen to represent ‘typical’ conditions in ten or more years of data. Consequently, TMY are not suited for designing systems to meet both the variability and the extreme conditions occurring at a location. In this work, probability distribution functions that contain the natural variability of the solar resource are analyzed. These distributions facilitate the generation of large data sets of monthly series of solar radiation; each of these yearly series can be seen as a feasible year and, therefore, possible years are used instead a median year that doesn’t contain information about variability or extreme conditions.
Brightness enhancement in a high-peak-power cladding-pumped Raman fiber amplifier

We demonstrate a cladding-pumped Raman fiber amplifier (CPRFA) whose brightness-enhancement factor depends on the cladding-to-core diameter ratio. The pump and the signal are coupled independently into different input arms of a pump-signal combiner, and the output is spliced to the Raman amplifier fiber. The CPRFA generates 20 μJ, 7 ns pulses at 1100 nm at a 2.2 kHz repetition rate with 300 μJ (25.1 kW peak power) of input pump energy. The amplified signal's peak power is 2.77 kW, and the brightness-enhancement factor is 192—the highest peak power and brightness enhancement achieved in a CPRFA at any wavelength, to our knowledge.
Dynamic multiproduct optimal hedging in the soybean complex – do time-varying correlations provide hedging improvements?

Optimal multiproduct time-varying hedge ratios are determined – for a soybean complex – and their risk-mitigating impact is contrasted over single-commodity time-varying and naive hedge ratios. A parsimonious regime-switching dynamic correlation model is employed, with the estimated dynamic correlation matrix among prices varying between two different levels, and the time-varying correlations being applied to the multiproduct setting. Findings obtained are three-fold. First, there is significant evidence that estimated simultaneous correlations among different commodities’ prices (e.g. soybean spot and soybean meal futures) attain different values along the time series. Second, there is a substantial reduction in margin variance provided by the optimal multiproduct time-varying hedge ratios over single time-varying and naive hedge ratios, for both in- and out-of-sample data. Third, average optimal multiproduct time-varying hedge ratios for soybean and soybean meal (0.82 and 0.74, respectively; for out-of-...
Focal ischemia due to traumatic contusions documented by stable xenon-CT and ultrastructural studies

A traumatic cerebral contusion causes a zone of perifocal neuronal necrosis, the cause of which is not known; the surgical management of these lesions remains controversial. To determine the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for brain damage after contusions, the authors performed cerebral blood flow (CBF) mapping studies and related these to change in local cerebral blood volume (CBV) and ultrastructure. In 11 severely head injured patients with contusion, CBF and CBV were measured in pericontusional areas using stable xenon-computerized tomography (CT). These studies demonstrated a profound reduction in perilesional CBF (mean 17.5 +/- 4 ml/100 g/min), which was always accompanied by a zone of edema defined by CT density measurements. Mean CBV in these regions was 2.3 +/- 0.4 ml/100 g, a reduction to approximately one-half the value of 4.8 ml/100 g found in the nonedematous regions, and to approximately 35% of the value of 6.0 ml/100 g found in normal volunteers. Ultrastructural analysis of the pericontusional tissue, taken at surgery in four patients with high intracranial pressure showed glial swelling with narrowing of the microvascular lumina due to massive podocytic process swelling. Additionally, some suggestion of vascular occlusion due to erythrocyte and leukocyte stasis was seen. These data support the conclusion that microvascular compromise by compression and/or occlusion is a major event associated with profound perilesional hypoperfusion, which is a uniform finding within edematous pericontusional tissue.
Mobile robot labs

There has been much interest in achieving educational and research objectives through the use of small, low-cost robot platforms. While our initial experiences with these platforms were similarly positive, we questioned whether these platforms could be pushed beyond their early uses and transitioned towards achieving substantial educational and research goals. This article reports initial results of this investigation - the construction and implementation of a series of detailed lab assignments using these platforms to tackle basic computer science, AI, robotics, and engineering problems. We first provide detailed descriptions of the labs we have developed and then discuss the robot platforms, including the progression of hardware issues encountered. Finally, we share what we have learned from this endeavor.
ATTITUDES TOWARD U.S. AND RUSSIAN ACTIONS: A DOUBLE STANDARD.

In recent years the U. S. A. and Russia have taken many similar or identical actions, e.g., increased their military budgets, made disarmament proposals, signed joint treaties. It was hypothesized that attitudes of American students toward these similar actions would exhibit a double standard, favoring the U. S. A. Parallel 50-item questionnaires were given to 27 college students in a counterbalanced design. As predicted, most U. S. actions were rated much more favorably than the identical Russian action (45 of 50 higher, 30 significant). However, Ss who had just rated one nation's actions were more neutral in rating those of the other nation, suggesting that a balanced presentation of information leads to greater objectivity. The double standard in evaluating international actions is necessary for operation of the “mirror-image effect” described by Bronfenbrenner.
The Effect of Nicarbazin on Egg Production and Egg Quality

ABSTRACT DURING the winter of 1956 several field cases were reported to the Experiment Station of flocks of hens in which a large percentage of the freshly laid eggs showed abnormalities of the yolk. The yolks seen in these field cases and subsequently produced experimentally were blemished by a combination of translucent and opaque areas with the result that the color of the yolk surface was not uniform. In many eggs, whitish-yellow “curdled” areas were evident, and in severe cases the yolk had a brownish-orange color and was streaked. These yolks were apparently similar to those described by Jeffery (1945). The studies reported here were undertaken to determine the possible cause of the yolk damage observed in the field cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS During the experiments described below, eggs laid the previous day were broken out on a glass plate supported between mirrors so that all the surfaces of the yolk . . .
The Medically Complex Premature Infant in Primary Care

Abstract The survival rate of the smallest and youngest of premature infants has continued to improve as medical technology has progressed. The current edge of viability is represented by infants born at 23 to 25 weeks’ gestation. Neonatal survival of infants at 23 weeks’ gestation ranges from 11% to 30%. Survival to hospital discharge for infants ranging from 23 to 26 weeks’ gestation is about 70%; 30% to 50% of these infants have moderate to severe disability. Nurse practitioners and physicians will be meeting these young infants in primary care offices after they have been discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit. This article is Part III in a series addressing issues related to the premature infant. This installment focuses on medically complex premature infants and their health issues after discharge. Part I addressed issues common to all premature infants. Part II looked at the healthy premature infant and their management in primary care.
MO‐F‐211‐03: A Practical Approach for Liver Iron Measurement in Clinical Setting

Purpose: To quantitatively and noninvasively determine a wide range of hepatic iron concentration (HIC) for hematologic oncology patients in a routine clinical setting. Methods: A total of 28 consecutive patients who underwent a bone marrow stem cell transplant at our institution within last five years were included in this study. A breath‐hold multiecho gradient‐echo sequence was used to acquire T2*‐weighted images using a 1.5‐T MRI scanner. To cover a wide range of clinically relevant T2* values, we used three HIC measurement protocols with different temporal resolutions to acquire data for each patient in three breath‐holds. Of the three measurement protocols, the one that provided the most reliable T2* values was selected for clinical use. An in‐house image post‐processing software tool was developed to generate T2*, R2*, and HIC maps for each patient. To validate the repeatability and reproducibility, a Ferri phantom consisting with different T2* tubes was used to measure T2* values with the same protocol for patients in every three to four months over a period of one year. Results: This technique is successfully used to measure a wide range of liver T2* values from 1.0 msec to 25.0 msec. Those T2* values correspond to HIC values ranging from 1.3 mg/g to 26.0 mg/g (dry weight). Phantom test for T2* tubes (range from 4.0 msec to 32.0 msec) demonstrated very good repeatability and reproducibility, with standard deviation error less than 2.0%. Conclusions: Although it is well known that T2* is proportional iron deposition in liver, clinical ironmeasurements using MRI are still far from routine. With the technique developed in this work, a wide range of clinically relevant HIC values can be accurately and noninvasively quantified in routine clinical settings by carefully combining breath‐holding protocols and using in‐house image post‐processing software.
Tonic “Seizures” in a patient with brainstem demyelination: MRI study of brain and spinal cord

Abstract Tonic seizures are a poorly understood manifestation of demyelinating disease, first reported in 4 patients with multiple sclerosis. We describe a patient with tonic extension of the left limbs caused by a right-sided brainstem lesion as the first manifestation of demyelinating disease. A 19-year-old man was referred with a 4-month history of spontaneous attacks of mild paresthesias of the left arm and leg, followed by 15–45 s of rigid extension of the left limbs, occurring up to 25 times per day. Two months after onset, an MRI scan revealed areas of T 2 abnormality in the lateral right cerebral peduncle and deep frontal white matter. The EEG was normal, including during hyperventilation which induced a typical episode. All attacks were successfully suppressed by carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproate monotherapy. Serologic testing for toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Lyme disease, and HIV was negative. Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands were absent but cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulin G was mildly elevated (4.2 mg/dl). Over the next 30 months, serial MRIs revealed a normal spinal cord and persistence of the midbrain lesion, with resolution of some of the white matter lesions but reappearance of others. At 46 months, the midbrain lesion resolved on MRI, and the spasms no longer occurred spontaneously, nor could they be elicited by hyperventilation. While two previous reports have shown internal capsule lesions to underlie the tonic spasms in demyelinating disease, this is the first report in which a brainstem lesion has been causative.
CXCR3, IP-10, and Mig are required for CD4+ T cell recruitment during the DTH response to HSV-1 yet are independent of the mechanism for viral clearance.

Sensitized CD4 + T cells play an essential role in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) elicited by HSV-1 antigen. As activated CD4 + T cells express CXCR3, we investigated whether this chemokine receptor was involved in their recruitment. Antibody blockade of CXCR3 suppressed DTH, whereas ear pinna swelling was not impaired in mice lacking the gene for CCR5, another frequently expressed chemokine receptor. CXCR3 ligands IP-10 and Mig were elevated at the DTH site. Their neutralization significantly reduced DTH ear swelling and CD4 + T cell influx. Furthermore, CXCR3 ligand expression was abrogated and DTH diminished in mice unable to make IFN-γ, a potent inducer of IP-10 and Mig. Interestingly, neutralization of CXCR3 or its ligands did not compromise host resistance to virus replication. Collectively, these results suggest that in the sensitized host, CXCR3, IP-10, and Mig are required for optimal DTH responsiveness but are not essential for containing HSV-1 replication in the ear pinna.
Menstrual cycle-related fluctuations of tics in Tourette syndrome

In a survey of 47 women of all ages with Tourette syndrome, 26% had a premenstrual increase in tics (P less than .001) when various hormonal states were examined. An increase in tics at menarche predicted the premenstrual tic exacerbation (P less than .001). In contrast, other hormonally influenced conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, and menopause were not associated with a change in tic frequency. The finding of an increase in tic frequency during the estrogenic phase of the menstrual cycle provides additional insight into an important control mechanism for tic expression and suggests possible therapeutic options.
Defect measurements of CdZnTe detectors using I-DLTS, TCT, I-V, C-V and γ-ray spectroscopy

In this work we measured the crystal defect levels and tested the performance of CdZnTe detectors by diverse methodologies, viz., Current Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (I-DLTS), Transient Current Technique (TCT), Current and Capacitance versus Voltage measurements (I-V and C-V), and gamma-ray spectroscopy. Two important characteristics of I-DLTS technique for advancing this research are (1) it is applicable for high-resistivity materials (>10{sup 6} {Omega}-cm), and, (2) the minimum temperature for measurements can be as low as 10 K. Such low-temperature capability is excellent for obtaining measurements at shallow levels. We acquired CdZnTe crystals grown by different techniques from two different vendors and characterized them for point defects and their response to photons. I-DLTS studies encompassed measuring the parameters of the defects, such as the energy levels in the band gap, the carrier capture cross-sections and their densities. The current induced by the laser-generated carriers and the charge collected (or number of electrons collected) were obtained using TCT that also provides the transport properties, such as the carrier life time and mobility of the detectors under study. The detector's electrical characteristics were explored, and its performance tested using I-V, C-V and gamma-ray spectroscopy.
Electrospun bilayer fibrous scaffolds for enhanced cell infiltration and vascularization in vivo

Bilayer poly(L-lactic acid) fibrous scaffolds consisting of a thin aligned-fiber layer (AFL) and a relatively thick random-fiber layer (RFL) were fabricated by an electrospinning technique, which uses two slowly rotating parallel disks as the collector. The morphology and structure of the bilayer scaffolds were examined by high-magnification scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. The bilayer scaffolds demonstrated a gradual variation in through-thickness porosity and fiber alignment and an average porosity much higher than that of conventionally electrospun scaffolds (controls) with randomly distributed fibers. The biocompatibility and biological performance of the bilayer fibrous scaffolds were evaluated by in vivo experiments involving subcutaneous scaffold implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats, followed by histology and immunohistochemistry studies. The results illustrate the potential of the bilayer scaffolds to overcome major limitations of conventionally electrospun scaffolds associated with intrinsically small pores, low porosity and, consequently, poor cell infiltration. The significantly higher porosity and larger pore size of RFL enhances cell motility through the scaffold thickness, whereas the relatively dense structure of AFL provides the scaffold with the necessary mechanical strength. The bilayer scaffolds show more than two times higher cell infiltration than controls during implantation in vivo. The unique structure of the bilayer scaffolds promotes collagen fiber deposition, cell proliferation, and ingrowth of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in vivo. The results of this study illustrate the high prospect of the fabricated bilayer fibrous scaffolds in tissue engineering and regeneration.