cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro exchange of ribosomal subunits between free and membrane-bound ribosomes.

Abstract Studies on the distribution of isotopieally labeled ribosomal subunits between free and membrane-bound ribosomes from rat liver showed that, upon release of nascent polypeptides in vitro , the small subunits of membrane-bound ribosomes could exchange with small subunits derived from free polysomes. However, under the same conditions, the large subunits of membrane-bound ribosomes did not exchange efficiently with large subunits derived either from free or bound polysomes; instead, the addition of large subunits caused a transfer of microsomal small subunits into a newly formed pool of free monomers. The small subunit exchange required a macromolecular fraction of the cell sap, was stimulated by ATP or GTP, and occurred at low concentrations of magnesium ions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed close similarities between the protein complement of subunits from free and membrane-bound ribosomes, with the exception of one protein band which was more intense in free large subunits.
Evaluation of three disinfectants after in-use stress

Abstract Solutions of 2·0% and 3·4% glutaraldehyde, and of 0·5% phenate with 0·18% glutaraldehyde were stressed with a microbial and organic soil load for the periods advocated by the respective manufacturers. The disinfecting efficacy of the stressed solutions was challenged with Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Bacillus subtilis , Mycobacterium bovis (BCG), a water Mycobacterium sp. and Candida albicans . The three disinfectants were active against the fast-growing bacteria in appropriate dilutions; lesser dilutions of the glutaraldehyde solutions killed the mycobacteria and the yeast, while stressed phenate with glutaraldehyde did not. One hour exposure of the stressed disinfectants failed to kill the spore preparations while reducing the number of survivors.
Fourier transform IR spectroscopic observation of pernitric acid formed via HOO + NO2 → HOONO2

Abstract Kinetic and spectroscopic evidence has been found for the formation of pernitric acid via HOO + NO2 → HOONO2 using Cl-atom sensitized oxidation of H2  NO2 mixture and a Fourier transform IR spectroscopic detection method.
The critical micelle concentration of some physiologically important fatty acyl-coenzyme A's as a function of chain length

The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of a series of saturated fatty acyl-CoAs have been determined using a fluorescent titration method with 2-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate as a probe. The CMC was found to be a function of the number of carbon atoms in the acyl chain over the range tested (12 to 18). A double bond has the effect on the CMC of decreasing the acyl chain by 1.6 carbon atoms. Knowledge that the CMC of each of these fatty acyl-CoAs is a function of the acyl chain length and the availability of a simple and appropriate method for the estimation of this property under other conditions should be of importance in designing and interpreting in vitro experiments with these compounds.
Relationship between intrinsic-extrinsic religious orientation and depressive symptoms in Korean Americans

Abstract This study investigates the relationship between intrinsic-extrinsic relgious orientation and depressive symptoms of 95 Korean Americans who are members of four Korean churches in a southeastern state. The subjects are Korean immigrants between the ages of 30 and 53 who have resided in the United States for 29 years or less. They completed the Korean version of the Allport-Ross Religious Orientation Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The results of the correlational analysis showed that depressive symptoms were negatively related to intrinsic religious orientation and positively related to extrinsic religious orientation. A hierachiacal strategy in the multiple regression showed that education, marital status and employments status were also significant indicators of depressive symptoms. Based on the findings, suggestions for multicultural counselling and future research are offered.
The Astroglial Response to Wallerian Degeneration after Spinal Cord Injury in Humans

We describe the changes exhibited by astrocytes in areas of Wallerian degeneration after spinal cord injury in humans using glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry correlated to standard histology at time points ranging from 8 days to 23 years after injury. Astrocytes were slow to react; a slight increase in immunoreactivity was observed at 4 months. Over time they began to lose immunoreactivity in both the somata and the processes as the debris from the degenerative process was cleared. By 1 year after injury the staining intensity had decreased to levels which were lower than in normal areas of the cord. This hypointense staining persisted for at least 23 years after injury. These findings are significantly different from those observed in animal studies and emphasize the need for additional pathological studies of human spinal cord injury.
Selling the nightingale : P.T. Barnum, Jenny Lind, and the management of the American crowd

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to interpret the 1850 debut American performances of Swedish concert singer Jenny Lind as an emblematic moment in the history of live music promotion.Design/methodology/approach – This paper studies the manner in which Lind's earliest concerts and the singer herself were marketed through analysis of contemporary newspaper and magazine reports and advertisements.Findings – Lind's concerts were important for the way they demonstrate the complex balance of “high” and “low” cultural forces at a transitional moment in US cultural history, and for the way in which her manager, P.T. Barnum, used various mechanisms to manage the potential disorder posed by her immense audiences.Research limitations/implications – The paper addresses only the first few concerts of Lind's nearly two‐year American tour in detail, but uses those concerts as a case study for understanding the degree to which the business of nineteenth‐century concert promotion had to balance the pursuit of profit...
Computation of functions of certain operator matrices

Abstract This note gives a simple method to compute the entries of holomorphic functions of a 2×2 block or operator matrix which can be written as a product. To illustrate this method, the entries are given for the exponential, fractional powers, and inverse of such operator matrices.
Prognostic determinants in patients with uterine and ovarian clear cell carcinoma: a SEER analysis.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the demographics, treatment, and survival rates in patients with uterine clear cell carcinoma (UCCC) and ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program data for all 18 registries from 1988 to 2010 was reviewed to identify women with OCCC and UCCC. Demographic and clinical data were compared, and the impact of tumor site on survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Factors predictive of outcome were compared using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results The final study group consisted of 5421 women with clear cell histopathology. 3631 (67%) had OCCC and 1790 (33%) had UCCC. The mean age at diagnosis was 56 (±12) years for women with OCCC and 67.7 (±12.0) years for UCCC (P Conclusion In the entire population, there was no significant difference in cancer related mortality between the groups. However, in women with localized disease, UCCC had improved survival, but increased mortality in distant disease compared to OCCC.
Comments on the rotational state and non-gravitational forces of comet 46P/Wirtanen

We apply our experience of modeling the rotational state and non-gravitational forces of comet 1 P/Halley and other comets to comet 46P/Wirtanen. While the paucity of physical data on 46P/Wirtanen makes this process somewhat speculative, this comet's place as target for the important Rosetta mission gives significance to such a study. Our arguments are based on the summary of observational data provided by Jorda and Rickman (1995) and a comparative study of the behavior of other periodic comets. We find 46P/Wirtanen to have a level of surface activity relative to its mass that is dynamically more akin to that found in comet 1 P/Halley than in a typical periodic comet. We show through an illustrative numerical example that this apparent fact should likely lead to an excited spin state for this comet and that significant changes in the spin period could occur in a single pass through perihelion. We argue that the available observations are not sufficient to substantiate the claim of Jorda and Rickman (1995) that the nucleus is undergoing retrograde rotation and it is possible that the rotation is either prograde as well as retrograde. The substantial requirements that must be placed on any future observing program necessary to determine the precise rotational state are outlined. We advocate an extended (approx. two month) southern hemisphere observing campaign to determine the nuclear rotational state in 1996 if possible before activity turns on.
Salvage radiotherapy for rising or persistent PSA after radical prostatectomy.

Abstract Objectives. To assess the effectiveness of salvage radiotherapy (RT) for a persistent or rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after radical prostatectomy, and to identify the pretreatment factors that may predict for patients likely to benefit from this treatment. Methods. Seventy-three consecutive patients were treated during a 10-year period (1989 to 1999) with RT after radical prostatectomy. Twelve patients were excluded from analysis because of either an undetectable PSA level before RT or lack of follow-up data. No patients had clinical or radiographic evidence of distant disease. An undetectable PSA level (less than 0.1 ng/mL) was required to be considered disease free. Results. The median PSA level before RT was 0.8 ng/mL (range 0.1 to 63). The median radiation dose prescribed was 66.6 Gy. The actuarial PSA-free survival rate at 4 years was 39%. Failure was uncommon in patients followed up beyond 4 years. Univariate analysis revealed that a pre-RT PSA level of less than 1.0 ng/mL ( P = 0.001), Gleason score less than 8 ( P = 0.003), and achievement of an undetectable PSA level after prostatectomy ( P = 0.018) were significant predictors of improved disease-free survival. On multivariate analysis, both a pre-RT PSA level of less than 1.0 ng/mL and a Gleason score less than 8 maintained statistical significance. Conclusions. Salvage RT provides a reasonable chance of intermediate-term disease-free survival in patients with PSA persistence or relapse after radical prostatectomy. Patients with a higher PSA level (greater than 1 ng/mL) and Gleason score of 8 or more are less likely to benefit from this treatment, and improved therapies are needed for this subset of patients. Patients should be referred promptly for salvage RT after detection of relapse.
The private placement of bank equity

Abstract This paper investigates the role of private placements of common stock as a source of bank capital. Our results show that information asymmetry problems that typically attend new offers of bank equity are mitigated in the private placement process. Moreover buyers of privately placed common stock seem to provide a quality certification of capital deficient bank holding companies. Our evidence is also consistent with the notion that buyers of privately placed common stock provide a monitoring service that aligns the interest of the bank's managers and shareholders. Finally, we find no evidence that private placements are predominately motivated by incumbent management's attempts to sell equity to a friendly buyer at the expense of the bank's current shareholders.
Aflatoxin and Reye's Syndrome: A Study of Livers from Deceased Cases

In order to reinvestigate a strong reported association, we attempted to identify aflatoxin in the livers of 12 children who presumably died of Reye's Syndrome and in the liver of one child who died accidentally. Aflatoxins were detected, but not confirmed in only one of the liver specimens (limits of detection 20 ppt). In addition, the microscopic appearance of the livers was reviewed. Although most of the cases fit the clinical definition of Reye's Syndrome, the microscopic appearance of the liver was varied. We conclude that aflatoxin is not regularly recoverable from cases of Reye's Syndrome at a high rate, and question the proposed etiologic relationship. We confirm the varied appearance of the liver late in the course of Reye's Syndrome; however, microvesicular fat was present in most cases.
Stabilization of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: A Two-Year Follow-up of a Cohort of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Stages 4 and 5

This study examines whether stabilization of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is possible in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), managed in a CKD clinic. A cohort of 82 patients with stages 4 and 5 CKD was followed for a period of 2 years after initiation of erythropoietin for anemia to determine the GFR and the frequency of primary outcomes (dialysis, transplantation, or death). GFR, calculated by the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula, was determined every 3 months. After 24 months, 35 subjects (43%) developed a primary outcome. Controlled for other risk factors, the risk of having a primary outcome increased 19.7% for every unit that the GFR decreased (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.9%-26.8%, P
An Experimental Investigation of Transistor Noise

Transistor noise is discussed in general and methods of measurement are presented. Experimental results show that noise figures for point-contact transistors are approximately 50 db; for junction transistors they may be as low as 10 db at 1,000 cycles. The effect of the variation of the dc operating point on noise figures and other parameters is discussed. It was found that the noise figure of point-contact transistors is relatively independent of the dc operating point, while for junction transistors it may vary considerably with the collector voltage and to some extent with the emitter current.
Comment on atorvastatin safety in kawasaki disease patients with coronary artery aneurysms.

To the Editor, I read with great interest the article by Niedra et al. [1] entitled ‘‘Atorvastatin Safety in Kawasaki Disease Patients with Coronary Artery Aneurysms,’’ which addresses an important gap in current knowledge. The study describes the use of atorvastatin in children with aneurysms after Kawasaki disease (KD) and provides data regarding safety and adverse effects of this drug in this patient population. Because there is currently no standard therapy for children with coronary artery abnormalities after KD, this report provides welcome new information. However, the investigators did not provide clinical details that would help readers to fully evaluate the safety of this approach. Specifically, they should explain the relationship, if any, between per-kilo dose and adverse effects experienced by their patient population. In addition, it would be helpful to know the range of doses (in mg/kg) for these patients as well as the ages of the youngest patients. In the United States, we have launched a phase I/IIa clinical trial of atorvastatin in children with coronary artery abnormalities during the acute phase of KD (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01431105). In the Canadian study, it appears that infants were also treated with atorvastatin. Due to the lack of juvenile toxicity data, we have been limited by the United States Food and Drug Administration to enrollment of children C2 years of age. We would like to know what regulatory process was used in Canada to allow treatment of these younger patients. We look forward to your responses.
Three siblings with atypical mucopolysaccharidosis.

Summary Three siblings with mucopolysaccharidoses are presented. They were found to excrete der-matan sulfate and heparan sulfate, and had specific bony changes without any physical or mental retardation. These features were compared with those of other known cases of mucopolysaccharidoses.
Evaluation of a computerized system for mechanical ventilation of infants

Objective. To evaluate a computerized system for mechanical ventilation of infants. Methods. FLEX is a computerized system that includes the features of a patented mode known as adaptive-support ventilation (ASV). In addition, it has many other features including adjustment of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2), minute ventilation, and control of weaning. It is used as an open-loop decision support system or as a closed-loop technique. Blood gas and ventilation data were collected from 12 infants in the neonatal intensive care at baseline and at the next round of evaluation. This data were input to open-loop version of FLEX. The system recommendations were compared to clinical determinations. Results. FLEX recommended values for ventilation were on the average within 25% and 16.5% of the measured values at baseline and at the next round of evaluation, respectively. For FIO2 and PEEP, FLEX recommended values were in general agreement with the clinical settings. FLEX recommendations for weaning were the same as the clinical determinations 50% of the time at baseline and 55% of the time at the next round of evaluation. FLEX did not recommend weaning for infants with weak spontaneous breathing effort or those who showed signs of dyspnea. Conclusions. A computerized system for mechanical ventilation is evaluated for treatment of infants. The results of the study show that the system has good potential for use in neonatal ventilatory care. Further refinements can be made in the system for very low-birth-weight infants.
Inhibition by cycloheximide of ACTH-induced internal differentiation of mitochondria in cortical cells in tissue cultures of fetal rat adrenals.

Tissue cultures of fetal rat adrenals were used to study effects of cycloheximide on the ACTH-induced synthesis of mitochondrial inner membranes in the cortical cells. Cycloheximide alone added to the culture medium in concentrations of 100-0.25 μg/ml killed the cortical cells during six days of treatment. At the dosage level of 0.15 μg/ml/6 days, it induced a decrease in the size of mitochondria and an increase in the pleomorphism of mitochondria. Cycloheximide at a concentration of 0.015 μg/ml/6 days induced no change in the ultrastructure of cortical cells. When cycloheximide in concentrations of 0.15 μg/ml/6 days was added to the culture medium together with 100 mU/ml/6 days of ACTH, the ACTH-induced changes of mitochondrial inner membranes (formation of 600 A vesicles) was completely inhibited. It also suppressed the ACTH-induced development of smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, hypertrophy of Golgi apparatus, development of microvilli and accumulation of lipids. However, it had no effects on the ACTH-induced increase in the number of polysomes 01 the increase of heterochromatin in the nucleus. Cycloheximide (0.08 μg/ml/6 days) given together with 100 mU/ml/6 days of ACTH had incomplete inhibitory effects on the ACTH-induced differentiation of the cortical cells. Cycloheximide (0.015 μg/ml/6 days) given together with ACTH resulted in only slight inhibition of ACTH-induced ultrastructural differentiation of adrenal cortical cells in vitro. The present observations suggest that (1) the stimulatory effect of ACTH on mitochondrial protein synthesis is dependent upon nuclear control of protein synthesis; (2) a specific cytoplasmic mitochondrial protein synthesis stimulating factor in the cytoplasm of cortical cells is dependent on ribosomal protein synthesis and is a mediator of ACTH action on the mitochondrion; (3) despite their apparent autonomy, the mitochondria in cortical cells are kept under nuclear control; (4) the only direct locus for the trophic effect of ACTH is in the nucleus.
An archaeal genomic signature

Comparisons of complete genome sequences allow the most objective and comprehensive descriptions possible of a lineage's evolution. This communication uses the completed genomes from four major euryarchaeal taxa to define a genomic signature for the Euryarchaeota and, by extension, the Archaea as a whole. The signature is defined in terms of the set of protein-encoding genes found in at least two diverse members of the euryarchaeal taxa that function uniquely within the Archaea; most signature proteins have no recognizable bacterial or eukaryal homologs. By this definition, 351 clusters of signature proteins have been identified. Functions of most proteins in this signature set are currently unknown. At least 70% of the clusters that contain proteins from all the euryarchaeal genomes also have crenarchaeal homologs. This conservative set, which appears refractory to horizontal gene transfer to the Bacteria or the Eukarya, would seem to reflect the significant innovations that were unique and fundamental to the archaeal "design fabric." Genomic protein signature analysis methods may be extended to characterize the evolution of any phylogenetically defined lineage. The complete set of protein clusters for the archaeal genomic signature is presented as supplementary material (see the PNAS web site, www.pnas.org).
A case of JAK2 positive essential thrombocythemia 16.5 years after autologous marrow transplantation for AML.

A 42-year-old previously healthy woman presented in 1990 with anemia and thrombocytopenia and a marrow exam, which showed 95% replacement with myeloblasts. She underwent induction therapy with daunorubicin, ARA-C and thioguanine per Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group protocol, P-C486. Because of the persistence of blasts on day 14 of treatment, she underwent a second induction with daunorubicin and ARA-C alone and was discharged home after count recovery.
Exploiting locality and tolerating remote memory access latency using thread migration

Much research has focused on reducing and/or tolerating remote memory access latencies on distributed-memory parallel computers. Caching remote data is intended to reduce average access latency by handling as many remote memory accesses as possible using local copies of the data in the cache. Data-flow and multithreaded approaches help programs tolerate the latency of remote memory accesses by allowing processors to do other work while remote operations take place. The thread migration technique described here is a multithreaded architecture where threads migrate to remote processors that contain data they need. By exploiting access locality, the threads often use several data items from that processor before migrating to other processors for more data. Because the threads migrate in search of data, the approach is called Nomadic Threads. A prototype runtime system has been implemented on the CM5 and is portable to other distributed memory parallel computers.
The effects of disconfirming information on stereotype change

This research examined the effects of disconfirming information on changes in Stereotypic attitudes. It was hypothesized that definite Stereotypic attitudes toward an ethnic group were harder to change with disconfirming information than were less definite attitudes. With a posttest‐only control group design, 151 white American students were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group. As hypothesized, mean differences in the attitude scores toward Turks in the Turk message group were statistically different from the control group. Variance differences between the Turk message group and the control group were statistically significant. The differences between the African American message group and control group, however, were not significant for any of the items in terms of mean differences or variance differences.
Dynamics of strong-field laser-induced microplasma formation in noble gases

The ultrafast dynamics of microplasmas generated by femtosecond laser pulses in noble gases has been investigated using four-wave mixing (FWM). The time dependence of the FWM signal is observed to reach higher intensity levels faster for Xe, with progressively lower scattering intensity and longer time dynamics for the noble gas series Xe, Kr, Ar, Ne, and He. The temporal dynamics is interpreted in terms of a tunnel ionization and impact cooling mechanism. A formalism to interpret the observed phenomena is presented here with comparison to the measured laser intensity and gas pressure trends.
Probing the gluon structure of the proton with HERA

Abstract We study the production of ψ mesons in ep collisions and argue that ψ's form the ideal experimental signature for directly identifying the “anomalous” gluon structure of the photon. The observation is of relevance to studies of the nucleon structure functions using HERA and to high energy γ-ray astronomy.
Nonlinear process control using contraction theory

Contraction theory is a recently developed nonlinear control system tool based on an exact differential analysis of convergence. Contraction theory is applied to stability analysis and control system design for nonlinear chemical processes. Simple designs with explicit stability and convergence guarantees are obtained by taking advantage of the monotonicity of the reaction rates and the linear ambiguity in the choice of the chemical state.
Helios: a modeling language for global optimization and its implementation in Newton

Helios is the first (to our knowledge) modeling language for global optimization using interval analysis. Helios makes it possible to state global optimization problems almost as in scientific papers and textbooks and is guaranteed to find all isolated solutions in constraint-solving problems and all global optima in optimization problems. Helios statements are compiled to Newton, a constraint logic programming language using constraint satisfaction and interval analysis techniques and their efficiency is comparable to direct programming in Newton. This paper presents the design of Helios, describes its theoretical foundation and semantic properties, sketches its implementation, reports some experimental results, and compares Helios to other modeling languages and direct programming in Newton.
Non-medical use of prescription stimulants for weight loss, disordered eating, and body image.

Abstract Objective There has been minimal research on the non-medical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS), such as Adderall and Ritalin, normally used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for the purpose of weight loss. The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of this use in a young adult sample. Method College students ( N = 707) completed an online survey assessing NMUPS, in general and for weight loss, disordered eating behaviors and attitudes, body image, and recreational drug use. Results Overall, 4.4% of participants reported NMUPS for the purpose of weight loss with 56.7% reporting receiving the medication from friends. Individuals reporting NMUPS for weight loss had higher body image concerns and had higher eating disorder symptomatology. Vomiting for weight loss as well as laxative, diet pill, or diuretic use were robustly associated with NMUPS for weight loss. Discussion Results suggest that NMUPS for weight loss is relatively common and that this behavior is related to other harmful behaviors. Eating disorder prevention and intervention work should include this behavior when assessing unhealthy weight control behaviors.
Angular Multigrid Preconditioner for Krylov-Based Solution Techniques Applied to the Sn Equations with Highly Forward-Peaked Scattering

It is well known that the diffusion synthetic acceleration (DSA) methods for the Sn equations become ineffective in the Fokker-Planck forward-peaked scattering limit. In response to this deficiency, Morel and Manteuffel (1991) developed an angular multigrid method for the 1-D Sn equations. This method is very effective, costing roughly twice as much as DSA per source iteration, and yielding a maximum spectral radius of approximately 0.6 in the Fokker-Planck limit. Pautz, Adams, and Morel (PAM) (1999) later generalized the angular multigrid to 2-D, but it was found that the method was unstable with sufficiently forward-peaked mappings between the angular grids. The method was stabilized via a filtering technique based on diffusion operators, but this filtering also degraded the effectiveness of the overall scheme. The spectral radius was not bounded away from unity in the Fokker-Planck limit, although the method remained more effective than DSA. The purpose of this article is to recast the multidimensional...
Ranking tributaries for setting remediation priorities in a TMDL context

The San Joaquin River (SJR) in the Central Valley of California has been designated an impaired waterbody based on its loss of fisheries-related beneficial uses and the river is now subject to regulation under total maximum daily load (TMDL) rules. For impaired waterbodies, numeric standards alone may not be sufficient to establish remediation priorities and priorities must be established by comparing drainages to each other. Data collected as part of regional water quality (WQ) studies in the SJR Valley were not normally distributed, so nonparametric methods based on ranking were used to compare the WQ of individual tributaries and drainages. Normalized rank means (NRMs) were calculated from ranked data and NRMs were mapped to identify priority drainages for WQ improvement activities. NRMs for individual parameters were combined into indexes that are useful for examining the relative importance of different drainages for multiple parameters simultaneously. Indexes were developed for eutrophication and overall WQ. This ranking approach is being proposed as an easily understood, transparent, and scientifically rigorous method to assess the relative WQ impact of individual drainages and set watershed remediation priorities.
The impact of bit-line coupling and ground bounce on CMOS SRAM performance

In this paper, we provide an analytical framework to study the inter-cell and intra-cell bit-line coupling when it is superimposed with the ground bounce effect and show how those noises impair the performance of SRAM. The impact of noises is expressed in term of a coupling noise degradation factor and a ground bounce degradation factor. We have used analytical techniques to reduce the governing nonlinear ordinary differential equations to some manageable form and have derived very simple formulas for those degradation factors. Experiments have shown that the results obtained using the derived simple formulas are in good agreement with HSPICE simulation.
Variable Frequency Multiplier Technique for High-Efficiency Conversion Over a Wide Operating Range

This paper presents a variable frequency multiplier (VFX) technique that enables the design of converters for wide input and/or output voltage ranges while preserving high efficiency. The technique is applied to an LLC converter to demonstrate its effectiveness for converters having a wide input voltage variation such as universal input power supplies. This technique compresses the effective operating range required of a resonant converter by switching the inverter and/or the rectifier operation between processing energy at a fundamental frequency and one or more harmonic frequencies. The implemented converter operates over an input voltage range of 85–340 V, but the resonant tank and conversion ratio have only been designed for half this range; a VFX mode of the inverter is used to enhance this to the full range. The experimental results from a 50-W converter show an efficiency of 94.9%–96.6% across the entire input voltage range, demonstrating the advantage of using this technique in such applications.
Do wood ducks use the quantity of eggs in a nest as a cue to the nest’s value?

Breeding birds use a variety of cues to choose a nest site. For conspecific brood parasites, the number of eggs in a host nest may be an important indicator of nest stage (laying or incubating) and the resulting prospective value of the nest. In precocial birds, such as wood ducks (Aix sponsa), a parasitic female should lay her eggs during the host's laying stage to ensure hatch synchrony with the host. Incubation and hatching success may also be compromised in large clutches. Accordingly, parasitic females should respond to the number of eggs already present in a potential hosts' nest and should preferentially lay eggs in nests with smaller clutches. We conducted a field experiment using simulated nests containing different numbers of "host" eggs to test this hypothesis. When offered a choice of nests containing clutches of 5, 10, 15, or 20 eggs, females were significantly more likely to lay eggs in the 5- and 10-egg treatments, laid more eggs in total in the smaller clutch treatments, and were more likely to incubate the nests in the 5- and 10-egg treatments. These results indicate that wood ducks are responsive to quantitative cues, such as the number of eggs in a nest, although we do not yet know if they are able to do so directly by numerical discrimination (i.e., counting). Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
Factors influencing the relationship between alpha activity and visual reaction time.

Abstract Studies have been reported concerning the relationship between alpha activity and visual reaction time. Evidence is presented to indicate that for a given individual there is an enduring tendency for particular phases of the alpha cycle to be associated with fastest or slowest reaction times. Evidence is also presented to indicate that the alpha phase at which stimulation evokes slowest reaction time is not significantly or consistently shifted by altering the stimulus intensity. This would suggest that alpha phase may be indirectly related to cortical excitability, and stimulus intensity may alter this relationship; or else that alpha phase may become related to reaction time much earlier in the course of neural events than has been suspected.
Fabrication of terahertz frequency phonon cooled HEB mixers

We have successfully fabricated NbTiN phonon-cooled, hot-electron bolometers (HEBs) on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates for use in terahertz-frequency waveguide mixers. At these frequencies our technology offers three significant advantages over the more common approach of using thin quartz substrates. Firstly, the SOI chips are more rugged than quartz, which become very fragile at the required thickness (<20 microns). Secondly, the outline of the chips is defined lithographically so that they can be given a nonrectangular shape that may be required for more complicated circuits. Thirdly, freestanding gold beam-leads are used to hold the chip in place in the waveguide block and to make good electrical connections at DC, IF (intermediate frequency) and signal frequencies. The SOI wafer is a 6 /spl mu/m thick Si layer bonded to a 400 /spl mu/m thick oxidized Silicon "handle" wafer. The HEBs and gold beam-leads are fabricated on front side of the SOI wafer. After processing the front side, the handle wafer is removed and the 6 /spl mu/m Si layer is patterned and etched to complete the device. Mixer measurements have been made with such devices at a signal frequency of 19 GHz, giving an IF bandwidth of about 1.4 GHz (under conditions that maximize low-frequency conversion efficiency). This bandwidth is close to that measured with similar devices on thicker silicon and on quartz.
NEUROTENSIN REDUCES GLUTAMATERGIC TRANSMISSION IN THE DORSOLATERAL STRIATUM VIA RETROGRADE ENDOCANNABINOID SIGNALING

Neurotensin is a peptide that has been suggested to mimic the actions of antipsychotics, but little is known about how it affects synaptic transmission in the striatum, the major input nucleus of the basal ganglia. In this study we measured the effects of neurotensin on EPSCs from medium spiny projection neurons in the sensorimotor striatum, a region implicated in habit formation and control of motor sequences. We found that bath-applied neurotensin reduced glutamate release from presynaptic terminals, and that this effect required retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, as it was prevented by the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM251. Neurotensin-mediated inhibition of striatal EPSCs was also blocked by antagonists of D2-like dopamine receptors and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors, as well as by intracellular calcium chelation and phospholipase C inhibition. These results suggest that neurotensin can indirectly engage an endocannabinoid-mediated negative feedback signal to control glutamatergic input to the basal ganglia.
X‐Ray Strain Measurement Techniques for Ceramic Bodies

X-ray diffractometer techniques for measuring triaxial and biaxial strain in ceramic bodies are described. The results of the techniques as applied to model ceramic systems using Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and ThC/sub 2/ crystal phases compacted with various glasses in the system Na/sub 2/O--B/sub 2/O/sub 3/--SiO/ sub 2/ are presented. It is shown that internal stresses due to expansion coeifficient mismatches occur in these systems and that their magnitudes often exceed the bulk strength of the body. Further applications of the techniques are discussed. (auth)
Preface to second edition of special issue: social work with the military: current practice challenges and approaches to care.

This is the second special edition of Social Work in Health Care on social work with the military. The first edition was published in January 2011. This issue begins with an article by Jose Coll, PhD, Eugenia Weiss, PsyD, LCSW, and Jeffrey Yarvis, PhD, LCSW, LTC, MS. The authors discuss challenges faced by social workers/mental health professionals working with Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) service members. They stress the unique influence of the military culture on those returning from war and its impact on the delivery of mental health services. One of the signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is traumatic brain injury (TBI). The second article in this issue, written by Louis French, PsyD, Glenn Parkinson, MSW, and Silvia Massetti, MSW, explores the impact of a TBI on a soldier and suggests treatment approaches to best address the multiplicity of needs caused by this injury. Reintegration from war poses numerous challenges for the returning soldier/veteran. Joan Beder, DSW, Ray Coe, AN, PhD, and Darren Sommer, DO, MPH report on research with over 800 returnees from Afghanistan/Iraq. The research was designed to pinpoint specific areas of concern for the returnee to determine areas of focus for care. Gender and age differences were most notable in the findings. LTC (Ret) Mark Chapin, PhD, LISW, BCD describes the challenges faced by military families. Using McCubbin’s Family Resilience Model, he suggests approaches to counseling military families for several common situations that occur post deployment.
Office Automation, Gender, and Change: An Analysis of the Management Literature

This study examines the consequences of computerization for women who do information work. Syntheses of research findings from both the general social science literature and the business and management periodical literature are compared with each other. The two bodies of research results converge with respect to employment consequences and shifts in work, but differ markedly when it comes to control of the labor process and training. In contrast to social scientists, management researchers pay scant attention to differential gender effects of microcomputer deployment. Similarities and differences between the two research traditions show that social science and business research, if combined, yield a better understanding of the changes prompted by new information technology.
Melanoma on Genital Skin

Melanoma on the genitalia is a rare but frequently fatal or mutilating form of melanoma. The histological features are occasionally deceitful and such lesions are frequently confused with benign lesions, especially in their early stage. Although histologically closely related, vulvar melanoma and melanoma on male genitalia will be treated separately because of their peculiar clinical characteristics.
Distinct Sites for Inverse Modulation of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors by Sulfated Steroids

Steroid sulfation occurs in nervous tissue and endogenous sulfated steroids can act as positive or negative modulators of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function. In the current study, structure-activity relationships for sulfated steroids were examined in voltage-clamped chick spinal cord and rat hippocampal neurons in culture and in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing NR1(100) and NR2A subunits. The ability of pregnenolone sulfate (a positive modulator) and epipregnanolone sulfate (a negative modulator) to compete with each another, as well as with other known classes of NMDA receptor modulators, was examined. The results show that steroid positive and negative modulators act at specific, extracellularly directed sites that are distinct from one another and from the spermine, redox, glycine, Mg2+, MK-801, and arachidonic acid sites. Sulfated steroids are effective as modulators of ongoing glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission, which is consistent with their possible role as endogenous neuromodulators in the CNS.
Integrating soil conservation practices and glyphosate-resistant crops: impacts on soil.

BACKGROUND: Conservation practices often associated with glyphosate-resistant crops, e.g. limited tillage and crop cover, improve soil conditions, but only limited research has evaluated their effects on soil in combination with glyphosate-resistant crops. It is assumed that conservation practices have similar benefits to soil whether or not glyphosate-resistant crops are used. This paper reviews the impact on soil of conservation practices and glyphosate-resistant crops, and presents data from a Mississippi field trial comparing glyphosate-resistant and non-glyphosate-resistant maize (Zea mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under limited tillage management. RESULTS: Results from the reduced-tillage study indicate differences in soil biological and chemical properties owing to glyphosate-resistant crops. Under continuous glyphosate-resistant maize, soils maintained greater soil organic carbon and nitrogen as compared with continuous non-glyphosate-resistant maize, but no differences were measured in continuous cotton or in cotton rotated with maize. Soil microbial community structure based on total fatty acid methyl ester analysis indicated a significant effect of glyphosate-resistant crop following 5years of continuous glyphosate-resistant crop as compared with the non-glyphosate-resistant crop system. Results from this study, as well as the literature review, indicate differences attributable to the interaction of conservation practices and glyphosate-resistant crop, but many are transient and benign for the soil ecosystem. CONCLUSIONS: Glyphosate use may result in minor effects on soil biological/chemical properties. However, enhanced organic carbon and plant residues in surface soils under conservation practices may buffer potential effects of glyphosate. Long-term field research established under various cropping systems and ecological regions is needed for critical assessment of glyphosate-resistant crop and conservation practice interactions. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiative transfer calculations for characterizing obscured surfaces using time-dependent backscattered pulses.

Numerical calculations for estimating the albedo of a surface and its distance behind an obscuring multiple-atmosphere are performed for the idealized case of an instantaneous pulse uniformly illuminating a scattering plane-geometry atmosphere of known properties. This inverse problem is complicated by the fact that the backscattered irradiance is broadened in time because of purely geometric effects arising from the geometry considered; the broadening increases with an increasing thickness of the obscuring medium and if the medium scatters in a more isotropic manner, such as with Rayleigh scattering. Isocline maps of different observables suggest that graphical inversion maps might be useful for some applications of this type.
Norethindrone acetate (NA) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) related oxidative transformation products in stability samples of formulated drug product: synthesis of authentic references

Preparative chemical methods for the synthesis of eight oxidative transformation products of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and norethindrone acetate (NA) are described. The prepared materials are useful as reference materials and standards for pharmaceutical analysis of EE and NA as bulk chemical or in formulated product. All eight products result from oxidation of the A and/or B rings of the parent compounds. Oxidation of the heteroannular 3,5 dienyl acetate derivative of NA resulted in the 6 alpha-hydroxy, 6 beta-hydroxy and 6-keto NA. Oxidation of 6-keto NA led to the preparation of 6 alpha-hydroxy, 6 beta-hydroxy, 6-keto- and Delta(6) EE. Delta(11) EE was prepared from estrone.
Stressed podocytes fail to fold: a potential new role of ER in FSGS.

focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has been attributed to both acquired and genetic causes. Although FSGS, at least in some cases, appears to be a systemic process that recurs in transplants, the precise pathobiology at the glomerulus is poorly elucidated. Research in the field supports a
Closed-loop analysis of slow adaptation in the control of unknown dynamic hysteretic systems

This paper continues the analysis of an adaptive control approach for a class of systems represented by an unknown hysteresis nonlinearity preceding unknown linear dynamics. In previous work, the multi-time-scale slow adaptation technique has been shown to produce local, asymptotic parameter convergence in an identification problem. In this paper, the same multi-time-scale slow adaptation technique is applied to the closed-loop adaptive control system. Stability of the closed-loop system is examined under the given control, using averaging theory and singular perturbation techniques. It is shown that, for sufficiently small initial conditions, both the parameter error and the output error converge exponentially to zero under appropriate conditions.
Applications of angular and frequency correlation functions for detecting the characteristics of geophysical media at millimeter wavelengths

Correlation effects in the scattered field from rough surfaces, also known as the memory effect, has been studied extensively in recent years [Nitta and Asakura, 1991; Knotts et al., 1992; Ishimaru et al., 1994]. One example of this effect can be observed by illuminating a rough surface with laser light. A slight change in the direction of the incidence angle will cause a shift in the speckle pattern but the new speckle pattern still has many similarities to the original one. This technique has been used for discriminating the particle sizes at optical frequencies [Nitta and Asakura, 1991]. In this paper the authors present experimental studies of the angular and frequency correlation functions conducted at the millimeter-wave frequency. It is shown that the correlation functions in the specular direction are sensitive to the surface characteristics. >