cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Milk Ejection in Cows Mechanically Stimulated During Late Lactation

Abstract Twelve Holstein cows in late lactation were divided into three groups by previous milk production. The average time in lactation for all cows was 223 days. Cows were subjected to four treatments of teat stimulation: 1) no stimulation, 2) manual stimulation for 60s, 3) positive pressure pulsation (during first 60s after teat cup application), and 4) fast pulsation for the first 60s after teat cup application. Each treatment lasted for 1 wk. On the last 3 days of each treatment, flow rate curves were recorded twice daily. Milk yield, milking time, and milk flow dynamics were determined from these curves. Absolute peak and average milk flow rate exhibited by cows subjected to manual stimulation were only 3 and 10% higher than those of unstimulated cows. Manually stimulated cows required 30s less machine-on time than unstimulated cows. This was less than sufficient to offset the 60s stimulation routine. The total time required to stimulate and milk each cow, i.e., the procedure time, was longer for manually stimulated cows than for unstimulated cows but not different from that for stimulation by fast pulsation. Milk flow patterns for cows stimulated by positive pressure pulsation and for unstimulated cows were similar. Flow patterns for cows given manual stimulation, when corrected for procedure time, were similar to those of cows given fast pulsation stimulation. Milk, fat, and protein yields were not different across treatments.
Patterns of Privet: Urbanizing Watersheds, Invasive Ligustrum sinense , and Performance of Native Plant Species in Piedmont Floodplain Forests

Floodplain forests in rapidly changing landscapes with increased urbanization may reshape habitat conditions to the detriment of native biota and favor invasive species. We assessed whether introduced Ligustrum sinense distribution and abundance are causally linked to urbanization and whether mechanisms that promote L. sinense cause the demise of native plant species. We surveyed vegetation in 12 independent floodplain forests along an urban to rural gradient in South Carolina, USA. We then used a seedling transplant experiment in nine watersheds to assess how increased urban development affects survival and growth of L. sinense and three native species over two growing seasons. Urban development ranged from 1 to 45% and L. sinense cover was positively associated with development. However, in our transplant experiment, growth and survival of L. sinense did not differ significantly among watersheds. Native species were able to survive at all sites, but performance varied greatly among sites and species but not as a function of urban development. Our results suggest that although L. sinense invasion and urbanization are related (likely due to proximity of propagules from urban sources), the demise of native species cannot be explained by increased urbanization or changes in edaphic conditions and points to L. sinense as an agent of change in our floodplain forests. These results indicate that all floodplain forests are at risk of invasion if propagules arrive and that land managers need to be vigilant against new species introductions regardless of the proximity to urban areas.
From Poverty to Perversity: Ideas, Markets, and Institutions over 200 Years of Welfare Debate:

To understand the rise of market fundamentalism from the margins of influence to mainstream hegemony, we compare the U.S. 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act and the English 1834 New Poor Law—two episodes in which existing welfare regimes were overturned by market-driven ones. Despite dramatic differences across the cases, both outcomes were mobilized by “the perversity thesis”—a public discourse that reassigned blame for the poor's condition from “poverty to perversity.” We use the term “ideational embeddedness” to characterize the power of such ideas to shape, structure, and change market regimes. The success of the perversity thesis is based on the foundations of social naturalism, theoretical realism, and the conversion narrative. In the poverty to perversity conversion narrative, structural blame for poverty is discredited as empiricist appearance while the real problem is attributed to the corrosive effects of welfare's perverse incentives on poor people themselves...
Quantity Feeding During the American Civil War

SUMMARY Quantity feeding has always been an integral part of hospitality. This chapter provides a historic description of the food production, quality, and safety challenges facing those individuals who fed Union and/or Confederate soldiers during 1861-1865.
Stimulation of Medial Prefrontal Cortex Serotonin 2C (5-HT 2C ) Receptors Attenuates Cocaine-Seeking Behavior

Serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) agonists administered systemically attenuate both cocaine-primed and cue-elicited reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior. To further elucidate the function of these receptors in addiction-like processes, this study examined the effects of microinfusing the 5-HT2CR agonist MK212 (0, 10, 30, 100 ng/side/0.2 μl) into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) on cocaine self-administration and reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg, i.v.) paired with light and tone cues. Once responding stabilized, rats received MK212 microinfusions before tests for maintenance of cocaine self-administration. Next, extinction training to reduce cocaine-seeking behavior, defined as responses performed without cocaine reinforcement available, occurred until low extinction baselines were achieved. Rats then received MK212 microinfusions before tests for reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior elicited by cocaine-priming injections (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or response-contingent presentations of the cocaine-associated cues; operant responses during cocaine-primed reinstatement tests produced no consequences. MK212 microinfusions into the prelimbic and infralimbic, but not anterior cingulate, regions of the mPFC dose-dependently attenuated both cocaine-primed and cue-elicited reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior, but did not reliably affect cocaine self-administration. A subsequent experiment showed that the effects of MK212 (100 ng/side/0.2 μl) on reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behavior were blocked by co-administration of the 5-HT2CR antagonist SB242084 (200 ng/side/0.2 μl). MK212 administered alone into the mPFC as a drug prime produced no discernable effects on cocaine-seeking behavior. These findings suggest that stimulation of 5-HT2CRs in the mPFC attenuates the incentive motivational effects produced by sampling cocaine or exposure to drug-paired cues.
Behavioural isolation between two closely related Hawaiian Drosophila species: the role of courtship.

Abstract Behavioural isolation plays a critical role in several recent models of speciation. A detailed understanding of the process of speciation requires analysis of taxonomic groups that have not completed reproductive isolation. We studied D. silvestris and D. heteroneura because they are still in the process of divergence: behavioural isolation between them is incomplete, and neither postzygotic nor ecological isolation has been detected. Behavioural isolation is due to the failure of courtships between male D. silvestris and female D. heteroneura : there is no postzygotic isolation from either parental species. The F1 hybrids are as successful in courtship with parental individuals as same-species pairs, which suggests that the hybrids resemble male D. heteroneura or female D. silvestris in some behaviour patterns that are crucial to mating success. We searched for this crucial resemblance by examining courtship between F1 hybrids and the parental adults. We found that successful F1 males are somewhat more similar than unsuccessful F1 males to D. heteroneura males, but nevertheless they were intermediate between males of the two species. We also found that in both species the presence of female wings is necessary for courtship to proceed to copulation. These results reinforce an earlier report that behavioural isolation between these species is largely attributable to the decision as to whether to court at all, rather than to the details of courtship.
Stopping distance for high energy jets in weakly coupled quark-gluon plasmas

We derive a simple formula for the stopping distance for a high-energy quark traveling through a weakly coupled quark-gluon plasma. The result is given to next-to-leading order in an expansion in inverse logarithms $\mathrm{ln}﻿(E/T)$, where $T$ is the temperature of the plasma. We also define a stopping distance for gluons and give a leading-log result. Discussion of stopping distance has a theoretical advantage over discussion of energy loss rates in that stopping distances can be generalized to the case of strong coupling, where one may not speak of individual partons.
Lipids and lipoproteins in persons with Down's syndrome.

. This study was designed to investigate whether the observed decreased prevalence of coronary artery disease in individuals with Down's syndrome may be explained by their serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles. Twentyseven persons with Down's syndrome and 23 non-afiFected control individuals were enrolled in this study. Their fasting venous blood was analysed for total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDH cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apo B and apo AI. The results revealed no significant differences between the study and control group with regard to total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apo B and the apo B:apo AI ratio. However, triglyceride levels were significantly increased, and serum HDL cholesterol, apo AI and HDL cholesterohtotal cholesterol ratio were significantly decreased in patients with Down's syndrome when compared with the control group. The latter observations are all associated with an increased risk for coronary artery disease. Therefore, it is concluded that the decreased prevalence of coronary artery disease in individuals with Down's syndrome carmot be explained by the lipid and lipoprotein levels observed in this study population.
Cloning of a cDNA encoding an egg antigen homologue from Schistosoma mansoni.

The egg-induced granulomas are closely associated with pathology in schistosomiasis patients. The soluble components of the eggs, called soluble egg antigens (SEA), were found to be mainly responsible for granuloma formation [l]. Several antigens have been identified from eggs including a prominent 40-kDa protein, p40 [2,3]. The p40 elicited a strong immune response in over 90% of patients and shared a sequence homology with 0t-crystallins and small heat shock proteins (SHSP). The possibility of the existence of a multi-gene family encoding p40 was also proposed [3]. In our effort to characterize SEA, we cloned two cDNAs. One was a 98% match to the p40 reported previously. Another one encoded a peptide which had a 57% identity to p40. Here we present the data for this new clone. A rabbit polyclonal anti-SEA antiserum was used to screen a cDNA expression library constructed from Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the 2Zap II vector [4,5]. Positive clones were plaque purified and transformed into phage-
Purification and properties of allelic lactate dehydrogenase isozymes at the B2 locus in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

Abstract 1. 1. The homotetrameric lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes, B 4 2′ and B 4 2″ , from homozygous rainbow trout livers have been purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography using a Sepharose-linked oxamate ligand. 2. 2. The B 4 2″ isozyme has been found: (a) to have increased K m (pyr) and K i (lac) values, (b) to bind pyruvate strongly in the absence of coenzymes with a binding constant of 4.02 × 10 4 M −1 under conditions where other LDH isozymes showed no binding, and (c) to give a nonlinear noncompetitive lactate product inhibition pattern compared to a normal linear noncompetitive inhibition for the B 4 2′ isozyme. 3. 3. Different kinetic mechanisms have been proposed for the two isozymes and an adaptive functional significance has been discussed.
Hafnium oxide gate dielectrics on sulfur-passivated germanium

Sulfur passivation of Ge(100) is achieved using aqueous ammonium sulfide (NH4)2S(aq). The passivation layer is largely preserved after atomic layer deposition of the high-κ dielectric material HfO2 when sufficiently low growth temperatures (e.g., 220°C) are employed. Oxygen incorporation is moderate and results in an electrically passivating GeOS interface layer. The HfO2∕GeOS∕Ge gate stack exhibits lower fixed charge and interface state density than a more conventional HfO2∕GeON∕Ge gate stack fabricated via an ammonia gas treatment.
Adjuvanted influenza vaccine: a viewpoint by C. L. Park.

Currently available influenza vaccines consist of inactivated whole virus vaccines or subunit (or split) vaccines. These inactivated vaccines have been shown to reduce the incidence of influenza infections and to reduce the severity of the illness in vaccinees who become infected. The protective efficacy of these vaccines is greatest in healthy youngadultsandleastintheelderlywhoareathigh risk of the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza-related illnesses. Influenza outbreaks have been reported among vaccinated individuals from long-term care facilities, even when the vaccine being administered was well matched to the circulating virus strains. [1] A meta-analysis of the efficacyoftheinfluenzavaccineintheelderlyconcluded that, overall, the efficacy of conventional inactivated vaccines was 56%for the prevention of respiratory illness and 68% for the prevention of death as a result of influenza. [2] These efficacy rates with the inactivated vaccine are probably due to lowimmuneresponsesandtheshortdurationfor which antibodies are produced at greater than protective levels in the elderly or immunocompromised individuals. Many alternative vaccination strategies have been proposed to induce a better immune response in at-risk populations and, ultimately,toimproveprotectiveefficacy.Afewof these strategies have been clinically tested.
Adenosine triphosphate increases survival time during hypoxia

Abstract The protective effect of centrally administered adenosine triphosphate was demonstrated in the rat hypoxic model (F i O 2 =0.05). Intracerebroventricular pretreatment with adenosine triphosphate increased rat survival tine 250% over control animals. AC the single dose tested, no toxicity was observed. The preliminary data suggest that adenosine triphosphate performs a key role in maintaining neuronal function during hypoxia. Little is known about possible cerebral protective measures in hypoxic hypoxia, in which there is a reduction in arterial oxygen tension and content. Barbiturates have been demonstrated to extend survival time in the mouse hypoxic model (F i O 2 =0.05) (Secher and Wilhjelm, 1968; Steen and Michenfelder, 1979). In a similar model, we demonstrated that systemic administration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (200 mg/kg IP) and AMP-containing coenzymes increased animal survival time (Kraynack, et al , 1980, 1981). Beneficial effects appeared to be due to the nucleotide's effect on the myocardium. It is generally accepted that highly charged anions, like the phosphorylated nucleotides, do not cross the blood brain barrier. It was of interest to examine the effects of centrally administered adenosine triphosphate on survival time in rats exposed to hypoxic hypoxia (F i O 2 = 0.05). The results of this investigation form the basis of this report.
Women's and Men's Access to Employer-Provided Benefits: An Assessment of Women's Acceptance as Breadwinners

This article asks whether the rising number of women in the paid labor force over the last half-century has been accompanied by a parallel trend of increased recognition of a breadwinning status for women, or if traditional role conceptions have persisted in spite of women's changed economic and social circumstances. I theorize that employer-provided benefits are a unique form of compensation that, by helping parents balance work and family, directly affect parents in their capacities as breadwinners. As such, assessing women's and men's access to these benefits over the period of women's rising labor force participation can be very revealing of the acceptance of women as breadwinners. To acquire a general picture of women's and men's access to employer-provided benefits, I compare access to benefits from 1940 to 1990 in a modal women's occupation (“professional nurses”) to a modal men's occupation (“automobile mechanics and repairmen”). Through the studied time span, these occupations are the largest comparably sized women's and men's occupations that are also similar in pay level and extent of unionization. This allows me to control for pay level and unionization, important alternative explanations for women's restricted access to benefits. I hypothesize that nurses have had more restricted access to employer-provided benefits than have auto mechanics. I find a disadvantage for nurses relative to auto mechanics through most of the time period, which nonetheless diminishes and then reverses slightly at the end. Taking into consideration subtleties, as well as patterns masked in the data as presented, these findings suggest at best a rather slow rate of acceptance of a breadwinning status for women, and at worst, a continuation of traditional gender norms.
Possible Amiodarone−Warfarin Interaction: A Reemphasis on a Potentially Dangerous Drug−Drug Interaction

This article reports two patients with delayed amiodarone— warfarin interaction resulting in a significant elevation in the international normalized ratio. One patient developed episodes of nosebleeds. Amiodarone is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Warfarin undergoes metabolism via the same isoenzyme, potentially leading to prolongation of elevated international normalized ratio levels. A decrease in the warfarin dose is thus warranted when coadministered with amiodarone to circumvent the potential danger of this interaction, which can go unnoticed because several weeks of therapy may be necessary to discern an elevated international normalized ratio. The Naranjo probability scale indicated a possible relationship between the elevated international normalized ratio levels and the coadministration of amiodarone and warfarin. With the coadministration of warfarin and amiodarone, frequent and close monitoring of warfarin is paramount, especially in the initial weeks of therapy, in an ...
Human Factors and Behavioral Research at a Mars Analog Habitat

Long-duration space missions pose many challenges to the health of the crew and success of the overall mission. In addition to hazards of the space environment, such as radiation exposure and the effects of microgravity on the human body, poor interactions between crewmembers can result in tension, conflict, or degraded performance. Although scientists have learned a great deal about how to reduce the effects of physical hazards to the crew, few studies have examined ways to monitor the functioning of the crew during a long-duration mission in order to avoid breakdowns in crew performance. This research had two goals. First, we collected data on crew function and performance by administering a battery of behavioral and performance measures to a seven-person crew, comprised of five undergraduate students and two graduate students, during a 2-week mission to the Mars Desert Research Station in Winter 2013. Second, this setting provided a unique opportunity for human factors students to develop a research pr...
Relapse prevention strategies and techniques for female sexual dysfunction

Abstract Relapse prevention is an integral component of comprehensive sex therapy. Specific strategies and techniques are described to prevent relapse of female desire, arousal, and orgasm dysfunctions. A core concept is to address the meanings, motivations, and context needed to maintain a vital and resilient female sexuality. Relapse prevention is an active process which includes reinforcing sexual comfort and skill; strengthening the female “sexual voice”; revitalizing bridges to sexual desire; valuing erotic scenarios and techniques; initiating affectionate, sensual, playful, erotic, and intercourse touching; taking responsibility to request and guide pleasuring; female control over making the transition to intercourse and guiding intromission; and viewing her spouse as an intimate ally in developing a comfortable and functional couple sexual Style.
Krafting the obesity message: A case study in framing and issues management

This study examined the application of framing theory in issues management. Using case study methodology, the researchers analyzed message frames used by Kraft Foods in its public response to the obesity crisis, how the Kraft frames were reported by the media and whether Kraft's approach might help define effective framing and issues management practices in public relations. The study suggested that framing was indeed useful in Kraft's attempt to manage the issue of obesity.
Topical application of B-aminopropionitrile.

Abstract Application of 14 CB-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) to the skin of rats followed by measurement of urinary radioactivity was used for comparative studies of the absorption of 14 C-BAPN fumarate and 14 C-BAPN free base (F.B.). 14 C-BAPN (F.B.) was absorbed more rapidly and to a greater extent than the fumarate salt. Six hours after topical administration of 14 C-BAPN (F.B.) only traces of 14 C were found on the skin and less than 1% of the dose within the skin section suggesting rapid drug absorption. Lysyl oxidase activity of sponge granuloma tissue was significantly inhibited by a single small dose (20 μl) of BAPN (F.B.) applied to the intact skin over the implant. Chronic application of twice daily 5 μl doses of BAPN (F.B.) significantly inhibited lysyl oxidase of the granuloma tissue underlying the area of topical application as well as that on the opposite side not receiving BAPN. Extractibility of collagen was significantly increased only in the granuloma tissue under the skin receiving BAPN.
The incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia—a completed survey

A two year survey of blood glucose values in low-birth-weight infants during their first 5 postnatal days has been carried out. Fourteen (5.7 per cent) of the infants had two or more blood glucose values less than 20 mg. per cent and had clinical manifestations which disappeared following the parenteral administration of glucose.
Beyond Dichotomy: An Embodied Active Agent for Cultural Psychology

Boesch's developmentally oriented cultural action theory is explored in the context of relational-developmental metatheory. This metatheory provides an avenue for moving beyond either/or debates to an inclusive understanding concerning the nature of developmental change, expressive-constitutive and instrumental-communicative fcunctions of action, and the nature of the person-action-culture relationship. Moving beyond dichotomy in cultural psychology requires taking seriously the notion of embodiment and describing the person of cultural psychology according to the dimension of embodiment, action and agent. Boesch's approach is identified as a concrete instantiation of these interrelated dimensions.
SIMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK FOR REAL TIME CONTROL ALGORITHMS WITH ITS

We have proposed, investigate,d and implemented a general framework for the simulation, verification, and proto-typing of control algorithms for intelligent vehicles and highways. prior to this project the protocols and control algorithms should have been manually verified, translated to a simulation language for simulation, and then modified for the QNX real-time operating system for porting to the vehicle's computer. This manual translation process is error prone at every stage. Our framework performs the translations automatically, and therefore, removes the possibility of the translation errors. The specification of the control algorithms is performed in the SHIFT specification language. An existing verification platform is used to carry out the correctness proofs of the control algorithms. The QNX real-time operating system, which is currently in use at PATH in automated vehicles, is used as the target platform for the generated code.
Homoacetogenesis: A potentially underappreciated carbon pathway in peatlands

Due to anaerobic conditions, peatland soils store globally significant amounts of carbon and are an important source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. One component of anaerobic carbon cycling, homoacetogenesis (i.e., acetate formation from carbon dioxide and dihydrogen via the acetyl-CoA pathway), has rarely been quantified in natural environments because it is commonly viewed as being thermodynamically unfavorable. Here we show that in a laboratory incubation using a tracer method, homoacetogenesis occurred at significant rates in soils from three peatlands (bog, intermediate fen, and cedar swamp) despite thermodynamic conditions that appeared to be unfavorable for this process. Homoacetogens consumed dihydrogen at rates up to 3- to 10-times faster than methanogens, and homoacetogenesis accounted for 16–63% of total acetate production, with the balance likely coming from fermentation processes. Our results show that homoacetogenesis can play an important role in regulating acetate dynamics, methane production, and carbon cycling in peatlands.
Surface self-organization: From wear to self-healing in biological and technical surfaces

Wear occurs at most solid surfaces that come in contact with other solid surfaces. While biological surfaces and tissues usually have the ability for self-healing, engineered self-healing materials only started to emerge recently. These materials are currently created using the trial-and-error approach and phenomenological models, so there is a need of a general first-principles theory of self-healing. We discuss the conditions under which the self-healing occurs and provide a general theoretical framework and criteria for self-healing using the concept of multiscale organization of entropy and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The example of epicuticular wax regeneration of plant leaves is discussed as a case study.
Bioactive poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers and fabrics: grafting, chemical characterization, and biological assessment.

The grafting of poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (pNaSS) onto ozone-treated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric surfaces was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and toluidine blue colorimetry. Significant amounts of pNaSS were grafted over the range of experimental conditions examined in this study (30−120 min of ozonation, reaction at 65 or 70 °C, and reaction times up to 240 min). Within these ranges the amount of grafted pNaSS increased with both ozonation time and reaction temperature. The amount of grafted pNaSS increased over the first 60 min of reaction, then remained relatively constant from 60 to 240 min. For the biological experiments pNaSS-grafted samples were prepared with 30 min of ozonation and 60 min of reaction at a grafting temperature of 70 °C. The ozonation time was limited to 30 min to minimize any possible degradation of the PET fabrics by the ozonation treatment. The pNaSS-grafted PET surface adsorbed a factor of 4 more compared to the nongrafted surfaces. The stren...
Isolation of A- and B-chain sulfonates of insulin by countercurrent distribution

Abstract The A-chain and B-chain S -sulfonates of insulin have been prepared by an efficient procedure in which oxidative sulfitolysis of insulin and separation of the chains by countercurrent distribution were used. The resulting chains were extremely pure by chemical and biological assays. This procedure, which is technically easy to carry out, should be helpful in work requiring isolated insulin chains. It has already found use in studies on the chemical synthesis of insulin (13).
A comparison of azithromycin and penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis

The safety and efficacy of azithromycin was compared with that of penicillin V in a multicenter study of the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in outpatients. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either azithromycin 500 mg once on day 1 followed by 250 mg once daily for 4 days, or penicillin V (V-Cillin K) 250 mg every 6 hours for 10 days. Two hundred and forty-two patients from 29 centers were evaluable at the 11th day after enrollment. Five of 229 (2.2%) azithromycin-treated patients were not evaluable because their enrollment isolates of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) were resistant to the drug. In both treatment groups, 99% of patients were clinically cured or improved. Eradication of GABHS occurred in 91% of azithromycin-treated patients compared with 96% of penicillin-treated patients (p = 0.21). Of the patients who had a recurrence of GABHS, clinical evidence of infection occurred in 3 of 13 (23%) patients who had been treated with azithromycin and in 7 of 10 (70%) patients treated with penicillin. Adverse events, generally mild to moderate gastrointestinal complaints, were significantly more common in the azithromycin-treated patients (16.6%) than in penicillin-treated patients (1.7%) (p less than 0.001). Discontinuation because of side effects occurred with similar frequency in both groups. Azithromycin appears to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis in adult outpatients.
A note on the eigenvalue consistency index

In this paper we show the relation between the eigenvalue consistency index and cycles of length k in a complete directed graph. Cardinal consistency, which requires the introduction of a scale to represent the degree of preferences among different alternatives, is discussed, and a new index to measure this concept is derived.
Comparative study of memory-switching phenomena in phase change GeTe and Ge2Sb2Te5 nanowire devices

Differences in memory-switching behavior based on the reversible amorphous-crystalline transition in GeTe and Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 nanowires devices are investigated in detail. Phase change nanowires were synthesized via bottom-up-based vapor transport method. Main device parameters for memory applications such as threshold switching voltage, programming curves, and writing/erasing currents were measured and analyzed. In addition, nanowire-thickness dependent electrical characteristics were measured and efficient lowering of switching power consumption in both GeTe and Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 nanowires was observed. Such interesting memory-switching phenomena are compared and discussed in terms of structural, thermodynamic and electrical uniqueness of GeTe and Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 materials.
Neurobiology: channels for pathfinding.

TRP channels are best known for their role in sensory systems: detecting heat and cold, taste, pain and so on. Unexpectedly, they have also been shown to help the growing axons of nerve cells find their way. Two groups this week show that embryonic nerves rely on unexpected sensory devices to guide their growth. The findings help to build a picture of how brains get wired. Ion channels formed by transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins allow adult sensory organs to respond to temperature, mechanical stress or taste. Gordon Wang and Mu-ming Poo have now found TRP channels in an unexpected place: at the tip of embryonic nerves, where the calcium ion currents that they control allow nerves to grow towards or away from guidance molecules. Li et al. show that TRP channels have similar roles in the guidance of growing nerves in the developing cerebellum.
Risks and management of obesity in pregnancy: current controversies.

Purpose of reviewTo explore recent developments in obesity-related topics of interest and importance to obstetricians. Specifically addressed are the impact of gestational weight gain on perinatal risk, the increased risk of congenital anomalies in offspring, developmental origins of health and dise
The Role of Stem Cells in Wound Angiogenesis

Significance: Revascularization plays a critical role in wound healing and is regulated by a complex milieu of growth factors and cytokines. Deficiencies in revascularization contribute to the development of chronic nonhealing wounds. Recent Advances: Stem-cell-based therapy provides a novel strategy to enhance angiogenesis and improve wound healing. With bioethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells, focus has shifted to different populations of vascular precursors, isolated from adult somatic tissue. Three main populations have been identified: endothelial progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and induced-pluripotent stem cells. These populations demonstrate great promise to positively influence neovascularization and wound repair. Critical Issues: Further studies to more definitively define each population are necessary to efficiently translate stem-cell-based therapeutic angiogenesis to the bedside. Better understanding of the physiologic pathways of how stem cells contribute to angioge...
NMR STUDY OF RAPIDLY EXCHANGING BACKBONE AMIDE PROTONS IN STAPHYLOCOCCAL NUCLEASE AND THE CORRELATION WITH STRUCTURAL AND DYNAMIC PROPERTIES

Exchange rates of rapidly exchanging (>1.0 s-1) backbone amide protons with solvent water in staphylococcal nuclease (SN) were measured at pH 6.03−7.03 with a 2D heteronuclear water exchange filter sequence (WEX II-FHSQC). Comparison of the exchange data with crystal structure data reveals the following: (1) Non-hydrogen-bonding and exposed residues have protection factors (predicted exchange rate in random coil/measured exchange rate) of less than 15 for non-hydrophobic residues and 10 or higher for hydrophobic residues. Among non-hydrophobic residues, Gly tends to have a higher protection factor (10−15), whereas other residues are below 10. (2) Protection factors for buried and non-hydrogen-bonded protons vary over a wide range (6−104). Low protection factors (<25) may indicate fluctuations in structure resulting in substantial solvent exposure. (3) Some hydrogen-bonded and buried protons show rapid exchange, and the protection factors are 25−400. This indicates kinetically labile hydrogen bonds and so...
New independent component analysis (ICA) method and its application to remote sensing images

In this paper, a new independent component analysis (ICA) method is proposed that makes use of the higher order statistics. We name it joint cumulant ICA (JC-ICA) algorithm. It can be implemented efficiently by a neural network. Its applications in AVIRIS data and change detection are discussed. The results show the potential usage in image processing problems.
Anaphylaxis to wine

Summary Anaphylaxis following the ingestion of wine was found in a non-atopic woman. The reaction occurred within 15 min of wine ingestion but did not follow other alcoholic beverages. An immediate skin test response to the offending wine was found but specific IgE levels could not be measured by radioallergosorbent testing.
On the relation between induced and residual kinesthetic after-effects.

Retention of figural after-effects over varying periods of time has been reported by a number of investigators (Gibson, 1933; Koehler 8: Wallach, 1944; Koehler & Dinnerstein, 1947; Koehler & Fishback, 1950; Gardner, 1961; Wertheimer & Leventhal, 1958). T he existence of residual after-effects suggests an analogy with retention of learned material. If amount of material retained is related to amount of material learned, then it is meaningful to ask whether in the after-effect situation, the amount of retained or residual afcer-effect is related to the size of the afcer-effect induced earlier. The present study was designed to determine whether there exists a relationship between the size of an induced kinesthetic after-effect and the size of [he residual after-effect. METHOD Appauatas.-The apparatus consisted of three wooden blocks: (1 ) a scandard block 1.5 in. wide, 60 in. long, and 2 in. thick; (2) a tapered block, 60 in. long, and 2 in. thick, varying in width from 1 in. to 2% in. and changing at the rate of 1/32 in. per inch, and (3) an inspection-block, 0.5 in. wide, 24 in. long, and 2 in. thick. The three blocks were mounted on tables 36 in. high and parallel to each other. The standard block and the inspection-block were at the side of S's non-preferred hand and the tapered variable-width block was at the side of S's preferred hand. The tapered block was fitted with an H-shaped rider within which S placed his thumb and forefinger while making equality judgments. Procedare.-The apparatus was used to obtain measures of the apparent widch of the standard block. S was to find a widch between the thumb and forefinger on the tapered block which felt equal to the width of the standard block held in the other hand. The measure of point of subjective equality (PSE) was the mean of four judgments made alternately from points 1.25 in. wide or 1.75 in. wide. An inspection-period interposed between two measures of PSE allowed for a measure of the kinesthetic after-effect. During inspection S, while holding the inspection-block between the thumb and forefinger of his nonpreferred hand, moved the hand back and forth along the block at a prescribed rate and for a prescribed time. The other hand was held flat on a table. The difference between the pre-inspection PSE and the post-inspection PSE constitutes the measure of the kinesthetic after-effect. Ss were blindfolded while making judgments and during the inspeccion-period.
Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease: caspases and synaptic element interdependence

Extensive genetic, biochemical, and histological evidence has implicated the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, and several mechanisms have been suggested, such as metal binding, reactive oxygen species production, and membrane pore formation. However, recent evidence argues for an additional role for signaling mediated by the amyloid precursor protein, APP, in part via the caspase cleavage of APP at aspartate 664. Here we review the effects and implications of this cleavage event, and propose a model of Alzheimer's disease that focuses on the critical nature of this cleavage and its downstream effects.
Detection of local stiffness and piezoelectric properties of materials via piezoresponse force microscopy

The objective of this study is to propose a practical framework for simultaneous estimation of the local stiffness and piezoelectric properties of materials via piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). For this, the governing equation of motion of a vertical PFM is derived at a given point on the sample. Using the expansion theorem, the governing ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of the system and their state-space representation are derived under applied external voltage. For the proof of the concept, the results obtained from both frequency and step responses of a PFM experiment are utilized to simultaneously identify the microcantilever parameters along with local spring constant and piezoelectric coefficient of a Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) sample. In this regard, a new parameter estimation strategy is developed for modal identification of system parameters under general frequency response. Results indicate good agreements between the identified model and the experimental data using the proposed modeling and identification framework.
Post-ovipositional development of the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia (Serpentes: Elapidae)

Summary External morphological development between oviposition and hatching of the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia, is described. Ten developmental stages are diagnosed according to nine features. These include fusion of the body wall musculature along the ventral midline, appearance of the endolymphatic ducts, formation of the eyelid, and the appearance of scales on the head and body. Additional observations of the developing skull are made at four of these ten stages, based on cleared and stained heads.
Commodity bundling in Japanese non-life insurance: Savings-type products as self-selection mechanism

This paper develops a self-selection rationale for the use of commodity bundling in the case of savings-type casualty insurance in Japan. The savings-cum-insurance bundle is described in detail. Two alternative models to explain its success are presented. The moral hazard model assumes that casualty insurance claims depend on unobservable actions of the insured (lack of care), while the adverse selection model centers around the assumption that consumers have private information about their exogenous claim probability. The likelihood of a claim is inversely related to personal income, because preventive safety measures are normal goods. The evidence from casualty insurance in Japan supports the adverse selection theory, while the moral hazard model is inconsistent with some of the institutional and empirical facts.
Reciprocal differences in female recombination associated with hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

Large reciprocal differences in recombination frequencies were observed in F1 female progeny of a number of strain crosses. These reciprocal effects on recombination were found in several intervals of all three major chromosomes; they were greatest in intervals proximal to or spanning the centromere but were also found in some distal regions. The direction of recombination change was not consistent over different chromosomal intervals. There was no clear trend for reciprocal recombination differences to be associated with change of interference values between adjacent intervals. A close association was found between reciprocal female recombination effects, male recombination and other component traits of hybrid dysgenesis. However, reciprocal differences in female recombination were not restricted to dysgenic crosses. Backcross experiments demonstrated that reciprocal differences in the centromeric region of chromosome III were the result of increased crossing-over in dysgenic F1 hybrids rather than decreased crossing-over in the reciprocal hybrids. It is concluded that genotype-cytoplasm interaction can be a major factor influencing recombination frequencies and that the use of interstrain hybrids for recombination measurement may lead to errors in the estimation of intrastrain frequencies.
Real-time vision-based infotainment user determination for driver assistance

Knowledge of driver body pose can be used in many applications. In this paper, we develop and evaluate a novel real-time computer vision algorithm to robustly discriminate which of the front-row seat occupants is accessing the infotainment controls. The knowledge of user type can alleviate driver distraction and maximize passenger infotainment experience. The system consists of a visible and near-infrared imaging device observing the front-row seat area in the vehicle. Using histogram-of-oriented-gradients to describe the image area over the controls, a support-vector-machine was shown to be able to provide 96.8% average correct classification rate. This approach represents an alternative of detecting and tracking the hand movements and then classifying the hands into the respective classes.
Phosphorylation of GATA-6 is required for vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation after mTORC1 inhibition

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo transcriptionally regulated reversible differentiation in growing and injured blood vessels. This dedifferentiation also contributes to VSMC hyperplasia after vascular injury, including that caused by angioplasty and stenting. Stents provide mechanical support and can contain and release rapamycin, an inhibitor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Rapamycin suppresses VSMC hyperplasia and promotes VSMC differentiation. We report that rapamycin-induced differentiation of VSMCs required the transcription factor GATA-6. Inhibition of mTORC1stabilizedGATA-6andpromotedthenuclearaccumulationofGATA-6,itsbindingtoDNA,itstransactivation of promoters encoding contractile proteins, and its inhibition of proliferation. These effects were mediated by phosphorylation of GATA-6 at Ser 290 , potentially by Akt2, a kinase that is activated in VSMCs when mTORC1 is inhibited. Rapamycin induced phosphorylation of GATA-6 in wild-type mice, but not in Akt2 �/� mice.Intimalhyperplasiaafterarterialinjury wasgreaterinAkt2 �/� micethaninwild-type mice,and the exacerbated response in Akt2 �/� mice was rescued to a greater extent by local overexpression of the wild-type or phosphomimetic (S290D) mutant GATA-6 than by that of the phosphorylation-deficient (S290A) mutant. Our data indicated that GATA-6 and Akt2 are involved in the mTORC1-mediated regulation of VSMC proliferation and differentiation. Identifying the downstream transcriptional targets of mTORC1 may provide cell type–specific drug targets to combat cardiovascular diseases associated with excessive proliferation of VSMCs.
Vascular cell-derived heparan sulfate shows coupled inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor binding and mitogenesis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been previously shown to be mitogenic for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vivo, but only after vascular injury. We show in the present study that the regulation of bFGF-stimulated VSMC proliferation, by vascular cell-secreted heparin-like compounds, correlates with inhibition of bFGF binding to cell-associated heparin sulfate proteoglycans. The stimulation of cultured VSMC proliferation by bFGF was markedly reduced when these cells were cocultured with confluent endothelial cells or confluent VSMCs (100.8 +/- 8.4% and 55.6 +/- 2.3% inhibition, respectively) or with conditioned media from these two cell types. Balb/c3T3 fibroblasts had no statistically significant effect on bFGF-stimulated VSMC proliferation. Vascular cell-conditioned media also inhibited bFGF binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans on VSMCs, and the inhibition of binding correlated linearly with the inhibition of proliferation after a critical amount of binding was inhibited (44%) (r = .952, P < .0001). Heparinase or heparitinase treatment of conditioned media removed the bFGF-inhibitory effects, presumably by degrading heparin-like compounds. Indeed, heparin itself mimicked the inhibitory effects of conditioned media on bFGF-mediated proliferation and binding to heparin sulfate proteoglycans. These results suggest a bFGF regulatory role for vascular cell-produced heparin-like compounds, linking the mitogenic effects with binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans for this heparin-binding growth factor.
The Differential Impacts of Federally Assisted Housing Programs on Nearby Property Values: A Philadelphia Case Study

Abstract Prior research has found negative impacts of public housing on neighborhood quality. Few studies have examined the impact of public and other assisted housing programs on real estate prices, particularly differential impact by program type. In this study, federally assisted housing units by program type are aggregated by 1/8‐ or 1/4‐mile radii around individual property sales and regressed on sales prices from 1989 through 1991, controlling for area demographic, housing, and amenity variables. Results show that public housing developments exert a modest negative impact on property values. Scattered‐site public housing and units rented with Section 8 certificates and vouchers have slight negative impacts. Federal Housing Administration—assisted units, public housing homeownership program units, and Section 8 New Construction and Rehabilitation units have modest positive impacts. Low‐Income Housing Tax Credit sites have a slight negative effect. Results suggest that homeownership programs and new c...
Two-dimensional DFT projection for wideband direction-of-arrival estimation

A statistical analysis of the spatial-temporal DFT projection technique for estimation of the direction-of-arrivals (DOAs) of wideband signals is presented. One of the advantages of this technique is its simple implementation as it does not require the construction of focusing matrices. Simulation results and comparisons with existing techniques show satisfactory performance, especially at low signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios and a relatively low SNR threshold. >