cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Acyl Adenyl Anhydrides: Differences in the Hydrolytic Rates of Fatty Acyl-AMP and Aminoacyl-AMP Derivatives

An improved procedure has been developed to prepare RCOOPO2-Ado (R = C6H13 and C15H31), the intermediate in the enzymatic synthesis of acyl-CoA's. The product has been characterized by spectral methods which, in turn, were used to define the hydrolysis rates of RCO-AMP. When R is a fatty acyl group, the hydrolysis rate is 10-fold slower than when R is aminoacyl. In both cases, the hydrolysis rate is enhanced by Mg2+. We speculate that the rate acceleration is due to intramolecular participation of the second carbonyl group in the aminoacyl residue.
Interrupted ongoing behaviour in two species of vole (Microtus agrestis and Clethrionomys britannicus). I. Response as a function of preceding activity and the context of an apparently ‘irrelevant’ motor pattern

Abstract Microtus agrestis and Clethrionomys britannicus were maintained under different home pen conditions and tested in a large alley. Ongoing behavioural sequences were continuously recorded and interrupted at set intervals by an overhead moving object. Two main problems were examined. First, does an animal's response to the experimental stimulus vary as a consequence of different ongoing behaviour? Secondly can systematic increases as well as decreases in a seemingly irrelevant (i.e. ‘displacement’) behaviour be observed? Consequences of the differences in temperament between the two species, of the different home pen conditions, and of different intensities of the experimental disturbance were also explored. When locomotor activity preceded the stimulus presentation, fleeing rather than just freezing was most likely to occur. The role of an underlying ‘activity tendency’ which need not be expressed in overt locomotion was suggested by the fact that the more docile Microtus was generally more active in the experimental alley, and also fled more than Clethrionomys even when the two species were matched for behaviours preceding the stimulus. This hypothesis was supported by the subsequent finding that locomotor behaviour which had ceased several seconds before the stimulus presentation also increased flight probability. Home pen cover plus trial number influenced flight probability and appeared to combine in their effect with one another and with ongoing locomotion. Other ongoing activities such as grooming appeared on occasion to be momentarily accelerated by the stimulus presentation, but were soon suppressed. Microtus groomed more after the stimulus presentation than during control trials. Clethrionomys groomed less. Microtus also groomed more and Clethrionomys less following a high intensity compared with a low intensity disturbance. These data suggested that the animals were most likely to groom when optimally ‘aroused’. A temporal analysis of grooming supported the basic model. A single unitary process, however, could not be assumed. The ‘disinhibition hypothesis’ was partly supported by the data for grooming, but possible limitations were noted. For example, the relation between grooming and subsequent locomotion was inconsistent. An increase in the apparent intensity of grooming after the stimulus presentation was occasionally observed. Home pen cover had minimal effect upon grooming, probably as a consequence of housing numerous animals together. The relevance of these findings to problems of behavioural integration, and most particularly to the issue of specific versus general motivational systems, is discussed.
Automated high-throughput purification of genomic DNA from whole blood using Promega's MagneSilTM paramagnetic particles with either the Max Yield or MagneSilTM ONE normalized purification methods

Two different methods of automated high throughput purification of genomic DNA from human whole blood in 96 well plates are described. One method uses MagneSilTM paramagnetic particles to purify a maximal amount of the DNA present in the sample. Another method, the MagnesilTM ONE system, allows for the purification of a predetermined amount of DNA from human whole blood. Protocols for the purification of 100 ng or, alternatively 1 ug, of human genomic DNA from whole blood using MagneSilTM paramagnetic particles and a Beckman BioMekTM FX robot are described. With the maximal yield purification system, typical DNA yields fall in the range of 4-9 ug of DNA from 200ul of human whole blood, depending upon the white cell content of donor sample. For situations where DNA achiving is desired, or when the number of downstream sample applications is not clearly defined (e.g. multiple SNP analyses) the maximal yield method is usually preferred. However, in situations with a defined downstream application (e.g. criminal databasing or use of a defined set of amplifications) where purifying DNA in a narrow concentrate range streamlines the high throughput purification and analysis process, the automated MagneSilTM ONE purification system is the method of choice. DNA from either method is suitable for applications such as PCR, STR, READITTM SNP analysis, and multiplexed PCR systems such as Promega's Y-chromosome deletion detection system.
Effect of 35% sodium ascorbate treatment on microtensile bond strength after nonvital bleaching.

Abstract According to previous reports, adverse effects of tooth bleaching on bond strength can be reversed by delaying bonding for 1–3 weeks or by applying 10% sodium ascorbate (SA) for 3 hours or more. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the short-term application of 35% SA to counteract the effects of a 7-day 35% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching regimen on bond strength. Methods Forty extracted third molars were mounted and sectioned to obtain a flat dentin surface and then randomly assigned into 4 groups: group 1: restored, no bleach; group 2: bleached, bonded immediately; group 3: bleached, treated with two 1- minute 35% SA applications before bonding; and group 4: bleached, treated with two 5-minute 35% SA applications before bonding. For bleach treatment in groups 2–4, flattened dentin surfaces were exposed to H2O2 for 7 days at 37°C. Subsequent to respective treatments, dentin surfaces were built up with composite (TPH3 and Prime &Bond NT, Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE). After 24 hours of storage (100% humidity, 37°C), the specimens were sectioned into 1-mm2 dentin-composite beams. Four beams from each tooth (n = 40/group) were subjected to microtensile bond strength testing. Results Results were as follows: group 1: 18.1 ± 8.1MPa, group 2: 11.3 ± 5.7MPa, group 3: 11.2 ± 5.2MPa, and group 4: 12.6 ± 6.1MPa. A 1-factor analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05) indicated that bleaching had a detrimental effect on bond strength and that short-term SA treatments after bleaching did not significantly improve bond strength. Conclusions The application of 35% SA in a clinically relevant timeframe was not effective at reversing bleaching effects on bond strength. Bonding procedures should be delayed following tooth bleaching.
The Effect of Preparation on Anxiety and Performance in Summative Simulations

Abstract Background Historically, studies that looked at how anxiety affects simulation performance have not included information about how students were prepared for those experiences. There is little research into best practices for preparing nursing students for evaluative simulation experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine how preparation for simulation affects anxiety and how anxiety affects simulation performance. Method Thirty-nine student nurses were alternately assigned to experimental and control groups. Both groups received the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after evaluative simulations. The experimental group received an additional supervised simulation practice with focused debriefing. The groups were compared to determine differences. Results No significant differences were found between experimental and control groups' trait anxiety scores at the time of enrollment, nor were there differences found between groups on state anxiety scores either at enrollment or during the period around the summative evaluations. Conclusions This study provides evidence about what is helpful and necessary to ensure that students are adequately prepared for evaluative scenarios.
Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy for airway control

background Endoscopic percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is a good alternative to obtain safe and secure long-term airway control, and is associated with minimal morbidity and mortality. study design During a 14-month period, we prospectively studied 35 intensive care unit (ICU) trauma patients who underwent early PDT for the sole purpose of obtaining long-term airway control. All patients were determined to need a tracheostomy owing to extubation inability, need to maintain a patent airway, or need for continuous airway access for management of secretions. results All patients had sustained multiple injuries with an average Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 29. The time from ICU admission to placement of the PDT was 8 ± 5 days. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale at the time of the PDT was 10 (range 4 to 15), and 11 patients (31%) had an intracranial pressure device in place. The procedure was completed with bronchoscopic guidance in 33 patients, and in 2 it was converted to surgical tracheostomy (ST). There were no significant complications associated with the placement of the PDT. Two deaths were documented, neither related to the PDT placement. Compared with standard ST, charges were reduced by $1,750. conclusions Bedside endoscopic PDT for selected critically ill trauma patients is justified as a safe and effective alternative to ST. The low incidence of complications in PDT suggests that it can be done safely at bedside in the ICU.
Enhancement of Light Output from a Supernova

A possible mechanism to account for the intense light flashes observed in the supernova 3C 273 is presented. The mechanism is based on the theory that collective formation of a cluster of more massive stars with similar evolutionary time-scales may result in numerous Type II supernova explosions in a limited period of time. It is suggested this may account for the large energy radiated by strong radio sources. (C.H.)
Laparoscopic gastric bypass in patients 60 years and older: early postoperative morbidity and resolution of comorbidities.

Bariatric surgery has not been routinely presented as an option for patients over 60 years of age. Part of the reason is the long-standing perception that there is additional risk. Additionally, until its recent ruling, Medicare was inconsistent in its coverage, thus making it difficult for some beneficiaries to gain access to the procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative morbidity in our patients who were 60 years of age or older who underwent a laparoscopic gastric bypass Roux-en-Y (LGBRY). We also report the impact of surgery on five objectively graded comorbidities in the early postoperative period. Our prospectively maintained database was used to identify and report on all patients operated on at our program from January 2002 through January 2007. One hundred twenty patients were identified with 100% follow-up through the perioperative phase and 85% follow-up at 12 months. The mean age was 62 years (range 60–74) with a mean body mass index of 43 kg/m2 (range 34–70). All patients underwent an LGBRY. There was no 30-day mortality. Perioperative complications included: 13 strictures, one abscess, two wound infections, three ulcers, two small bowel obstructions, three bleeding episodes in patients who required coumadin, and atrial fibrillation in two patients. The five graded/measurable comorbid conditions (preop/postop) were diabetes mellitus type II (68/17), hypertension (86/10), obstructive sleep apnea requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; 48/3), hypercholesterolemia (106/18), and hypertriglyceridemia (60/5). LGBRY can be done safely in patients over 60 years of age in an experienced bariatric program, even in patients with relatively high risk based on their comorbid conditions preoperatively. Resolution of associated comorbidities far exceeds that found with any other treatment modality.
Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated Without Concurrent Chemotherapy: What Is the Optimal Radiation Dose?

regression adjustment revealed the Cb AUC 5 group was less likely to experience all-grade hem TEAEs, and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia and anemia, compared with the AUC 6 group (all OR <1; all P <.05). Conclusions: Overall, Pem+Cb AUC 5 showed a better safety profile than Pem+Cb AUC 6, and this finding was consistent across three statistical approaches. Due to the heterogeneity of the trials analyzed, this trend should be confirmed in a randomized prospective trial. Author Disclosure: I. Okamoto: None. W. Schuette: F. Honoraria; Receives honoraria for speeches or presentations for Roche, Lilly, and Boehringer Ingelheim. G. Consultant; Advisory relationship himself with Roche, Lilly, and Boehringer Ingelheim. L. Funding Other; Research funding from Roche and Lilly. T. Stinchcombe: F. Honoraria; Received food of estimated value <$500. K. Advisory Board; On Advisory Board for Lilly Oncology. L. Funding Other; Have received research funding related to participation in clinical trials supported by Lilly Oncology. J. Rodrigues Pereira: None. J. Liu: A. Employee; Eli Lilly employee. B. San Antonio: A. Employee; Fulltime Eli Lilly and Company employee. W. John: A. Employee; Paid employee of Eli Lilly and Company. M. Stock; Approximately 1000 Lilly stocks. J. Chen: A. Employee; Eli Lilly and Company employee. M. Stock; Stock holder in Eli Lilly and Company. R. Zinner: S. Leadership; Principal investigator on a recently completed Eli Lilly sponsored clinical study submitted for publication.
A preliminary investigation of the therapeutic value of lanatoside C (Digilanid C)

Abstract 1. 1. Lanatoside C, which is a stable, crystalline glycoside derived from digitalis lanata, caused no anatomic changes in the heart muscle of the dog when it was given in therapeutic doses daily for a period of three months. 2. 2. Lanatoside C, when administered intravenously to patients with auricular fibrillation, reduces the heart rate to normal within a period of two minutes to two hours. When administered orally, lanatoside C reduces the rate of the heart to normal within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. 3. 3. Lanatoside C is efficacious in the treatment of congestive heart failure when normal sinus rhythm is present. In fact, the efficacy of lanatoside C in the presence of normal sinus rhythm is almost as great as when the heart failure is associated with auricular fibrillation. 4. 4. Lanatoside C will often restore normal rhythm in cases of supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia and auricular flutter. In eight of our 102 cases of nonparoxysmal auricular fibrillation, normal sinus rhythm became established spontaneously during treatment with lanatoside C. 5. 5. Lanatoside C will reduce the pulse rate to normal in some cases of auricular fibrillation associated with hyperthyroidism, and, in at least one case, the venous pressure was brought down from 22 cm. of water to 9 cm. of water within forty-eight hours. 6. 6. Lanatoside C seems definitely less toxic than preparations of digitalis purpurea. Some patients who cannot tolerate digitalis purpurea can take lanatoside C in sufficient doses to aid in the relief of their heart failure.
Retroperitoneal fibrosis and gluteal pain in a child.

of extramural ureteral obstruction. A tissue diagnosis would have furnished more precise anatomic, pathologic, and perhaps immunologic evidence but at the time an exploratory laparotomy was not felt to be justified. The association of SLE and retroperitoneal fibrosis in this patient was discovered during the IVP customarily performed before renal biopsy. The frequency of such an association is u n k n o w n but should be carefully looked for by intravenous pyelography. Some authors have used corticosteroids to treat idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis either alone, or as an adjunct to surgery, with questionable success. 7, 8 The dramatic favorable response of the ureteral obs t ruc t ion to corticosteroids in our,case suggests that re t roper i toneal fibrosis found in association with collagen vascular disease may be amenable to corticosteroid therapy. Such therapy may avoid the need for surgical intervention.
Identification and validation of a potential lung cancer serum biomarker detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight spectra analysis.

Many abnormalities detected in the thorax by routine conventional imaging studies are benign, yet all require further evaluation because of the concern for cancer. To address this deficiency and develop a serum biomarker for lung cancer, we designed a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) based platform to display the proteins present in the serum of patients with or without lung cancer, and then challenged the scientific community to analyze these data with the aim of determining specific ion signal differences among the resulting spectra. The most statistically significant ion peak identified by the various analysis algorithms that differentiated the serum of patients with lung cancer from the serum of individuals without lung cancer was found at m/z 11 702. We identified the protein responsible for this ion peak as serum amyloid A (SAA; Mr = 11 682.7) by partial purification followed by in-gel digestion and peptide mapping. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we showed SAA to be present at 286 ng/mL in the serum of cancer patients vs. 34.1 ng/mL in the serum of individuals without cancer. These data suggest that the combination of MALDI-TOF MS and computer analysis can be a powerful tool in the search for serum biomarkers of lung cancer and other diseases.
Constrained bounds on measures of entanglement

Entanglement measures constructed from two positive, but not completely positive, maps on density operators are used as constraints in placing bounds on the entanglement of formation, the tangle, and the concurrence of $4N$ mixed states. The maps are the partial transpose map and the phi map introduced by Breuer [H.-P. Breuer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 080501 (2006)]. The norm-based entanglement measures constructed from these two maps, called negativity and phi negativity, respectively, lead to two sets of bounds on the entanglement of formation, the tangle, and the concurrence. We compare these bounds and identify the sets of $4N$ density operators for which the bounds from one constraint are better than the bounds from the other. In the process, we present a derivation of the already known bound on the concurrence based on the negativity. We compute bounds on the three measures of entanglement using both the constraints simultaneously. We demonstrate how such doubly constrained bounds can be constructed. We discuss extensions of our results to bipartite states of higher dimensions and with more than two constraints.
Recovery of microtubules on the blepharoplast of Ceratopteris spermatogenous cells after oryzalin treatment

Most land plants have ill-defined microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs), consisting of sites on the nuclear envelope or even along microtubules (MTs). In contrast, the spermatogenous cells of the pteridophyte Ceratopteris richardii have a well-defined MTOC, the blepharoplast, which organizes MTs through the last two division cycles. This allows a rare opportunity to study the organization and workings of a structurally well-defined plant MTOC. In this study, antheridial plants were treated with levels of oryzalin that cause complete MT loss from the cells containing blepharoplasts. The oryzalin was then washed out and plants were allowed to recover for varying amounts of time. If the spermatogenous cells were fixed prior to washing out, the blepharoplasts had an unusual appearance. In the matrix (pericentriolar) material where MT ends are normally found, clear areas of about the diameter of MTs were seen embedded in a much deeper matrix, made more obvious in stereo pairs. Occasionally, the matrix material was highly distended, although the basal body template cylinder morphology appeared to be unaltered. The blepharoplasts often occurred as clusters of 2 or 4, indicating that blepharoplast reproduction is not affected by the lack of MTs, but that their movement to the poles is. Gamma (γ) tubulin antibodies labeled the edge of the blepharoplast in areas where the pits are located, indicating that these might be sites for MT nucleation. After wash out, the new MTs always re-appeared on the blepharoplast and the recovery occurred within an hour of washout. MT lengths increased with increasing washout time and were indistinguishable from untreated blepharoplasts after 24 h of recovery. After washout, arrays formed in new sperm cells such as the spline and basal bodies were often malformed or present in multiple copies, as were the blepharoplasts in these cells prior to wash out. These data indicate that the blepharoplast serves as the site of MT nucleation and organization even after complete MT de-polymerization.
Therapies to Slow Polycystic Kidney Disease

Advances in the understanding of cystogenesis and availability of animal models orthologous to human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD
Apoptosis in development and disease of the nervous system: 1. Naturally occurring cell death in the developing nervous system

In recent years, apoptosis, the process by which cells orchestrate their own demise, has been the subject of increasingly intense investigation, both from the stand-point of basic mechanisms of signal transduction and with regard to its role in normal and pathological processes in the nervous system. For the neurologist, an understanding of the mechanisms by which apoptosis determines at a cellular level the normal form of the nervous system, an appreciation of how both unchecked apoptosis and failure of enactment of the apoptotic pathway contribute to nervous system pathology and a sense of how both induction and inhibition of apoptosis can be exploited therapeutically are critical to applying the basic knowledge in this field to human disease. Early studies made it clear that substances produced by the target tissue influenced the survival of developing neurons. More recent investigations have demonstrated that they do so by influencing the production of a series of endogenous mediators and modulators of neuronal survival. Furthermore, it is evident that apoptosis is important for the development of both neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Immersion defect reduction, part II: the formation mechanism and reduction of patterned defects

193-nm immersion lithography is the only choice for the 45-nm logical node at 120-nm half pitch and extendable to 32- and 22-nm nodes. The defect problem is one of the critical issues in immersion technology. In this paper, we provided a methodology to trace the defect source from optical microscope images to its SEM counterparts after exposure. An optimized exposure routing was also proposed to reduce printing defects. The average defect count was reduced from 19.7 to 4.8 ea/wafer.
Effect of cyclooxygenase inhibition on brain cell membrane lipid peroxidation during hypoxia in newborn piglets.

To test the hypothesis that indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, reduces free radical-induced brain cell membrane changes during cerebral hypoxia, we determined levels of brain cell membrane
Comparison of the number and type of dental functional units in geriatric populations with diverse medical backgrounds

Elderly subjects (N 430) from four convenience populations that representeddifferent levels of medical health—independent living (Veterans Affairs and non-Veterans Affairs), nursing home, and hospitalized acute care—were given dental examinations. The independent living groups had significantly higher numbers of functional units (opposing natural or prosthetic tooth pairs) and of contiguous functional units compared with the nursing home and hospitalized groups. There was a shift from functional units that consisted of natural teeth to functional units that consisted of prosthetic teeth in the nursing home and hospitalized groups. Numbers of functional units were negatively correlated to plaque index, papillary bleeding scores, and minor salivary gland output. This study suggests a strong relationship between functional integrity of the dentition and general health.
Mating preference tests with the recombinant congenic strain balb.htg.

Tests of MHC-associated mating preference were conducted with the congenic mouse strains BALE (H-2d), BALB.B (H-2b), and BALB.HTG (recombinant ofH-2d andH-2)b. The results conform to a hypothesis that anRi gene (Ri-1), the expression of which influences mating preference in females, is situated to the right of theS region; and that anotherRi gene (Ri-2), the expression of which influences mating preference in males, is situated elsewhere, probably to the left ofH-2D. This hypothesis is consistent with conclusions previously reached from study of the mating preferences of B6 and B6-Tlaa congenic mice.
Some limits of lattice and lifting structures

We discuss the relation between lattice and ladder structures for two-channel filter banks. It is well-known that both lattice and ladder steps are powerful enough to generate all perfect reconstructing filter banks provided that the filter coefficients may take arbitrary values in a field. However, we will show that the two concepts differ in general. We relate the two concepts by looking at three properties of the coefficient ring. We discuss a number of incompleteness results of these parametrizations and point out some connections to open problems in group theory.
NH3 chemisorption on stoichiometric and oxygen-deficient SnO2(110) surfaces

BF3 has been used as a probe of the basicity of surface oxygen anions on SnO2(110) surfaces. BF3 interacts directly with surface lattice oxygen “base” sites on SnO2(110) and acts as a reasonable molecular chemisorption probe for the basicity of thermally stable three-coordinate O2- anions by forming a Lewis acid/base adduct with these particular surface oxygen anions. However, BF3 reacts irreversibly with the more labile two-coordinate bridging oxygen on the stoichiometric surface, and no distinctive BF3 desorption feature is observed in thermal desorption that can be used to provide a measure of the basicity of bridging oxygen anions. These results are indicative of an inherent limitation in the application of BF3 thermal desorption measurements as a simple probe for the basicity of surface oxygen species of limited thermal stability. The presence of bridging oxygen on the stoichiometric surface does gives rise to gas-phase reaction products (HF and F2) in thermal desorption that are not seen on the more...
Temporally asymmetric Hebbian learning and neuronal response variability

Recent experimental data have characterized a form of long-term synaptic modi"cation that depends on the relative timing of pre- and post-synaptic action potentials. Modeling studies indicate that this rule can automatically adjust excitatory synaptic strengths so that the post-synaptic neuron receives roughly equal amount of excitation and inhibition and as a consequence "res irregular spike trains as observed in vivo. This rule also induces competition between di!erent inputs and strengthens groups of synapes that are correlated over short time periods. ( 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The effects of oestrin-progestin combinations on the endometrium, vagina and sexual skin of monkeys†

The effects of estrin-progestin combinations on the endometrium vagina and sexual skin of monkeys were investigated. 10 castrated adolescent Macacus rhesus monkeys received daily injections of estrin and progestin combined in varying amounts for 10-59 days. The uteri that received treatment for 25 or more days were much larger than the uteri which were given the same dosages of estrin or progestin alone. A fully developed premenstrual condition was established in the endometria and the glands revealed different degrees of secretory exhaustion depending upon the length of treatment. Uteri of 6 animals were traumatized between the 8th and 10th days after beginning the combination treatment. Endometrial proliferations characteristic of normal implantation sites occurred. The cornified condition of the vaginal epithelium characteristic of estrin action decreased when progestin was given simultaneously with estrin. Sexually skin lost its edema and faded on the combination therapy. It is concluded that combination therapy is more favorable for uterine development than when the 2 hormones are given separately. These results indicate that progestin can modify and inhibit the actions of estrin.
Latency of the nictitating membrane response to periocular electro-stimulation in unanesthetized rabbits

The latency of the nictitating membrane response (NMR) in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) to periocular electro-stimulation is a negative exponential function of stimulus current with an asymptote of approximately 17 msec. The NMR was recorded by means of a precision low-torque potentiometer like that employed in previous studies of NMR latency, and the criterion of response initiation employed here was similar to that employed in studies of classical conditioning in this preparation. Using estimates from physiological studies on surgically acute preparations, the minimum latency of the NMR of 17 msec can be decomposed as follows: 4 msec to fire motoneurons of the accessory abducens nucleus; 9 msec for conduction, synaptic transmission, and recruitment of retractor bulbi muscle fibers; 4 msec for the nictitating membrane to initiate its sweep after eyeball retraction. The implications of these estimates for chronic unit-recording studies of the conditioned NMR are discussed.
Does Vaping in E-Cigarette Advertisements Affect Tobacco Smoking Urge, Intentions, and Perceptions in Daily, Intermittent, and Former Smokers?

Visual depictions of vaping in electronic cigarette advertisements may serve as smoking cues to smokers and former smokers, increasing urge to smoke and smoking behavior, and decreasing self-efficacy, attitudes, and intentions to quit or abstain. After assessing baseline urge to smoke, 301 daily smokers, 272 intermittent smokers, and 311 former smokers were randomly assigned to view three e-cigarette commercials with vaping visuals (the cue condition) or without vaping visuals (the no-cue condition), or to answer unrelated media use questions (the no-ad condition). Participants then answered a posttest questionnaire assessing the outcome variables of interest. Relative to other conditions, in the cue condition, daily smokers reported greater urge to smoke a tobacco cigarette and a marginally significantly greater incidence of actually smoking a tobacco cigarette during the experiment. Former smokers in the cue condition reported lower intentions to abstain from smoking than former smokers in other conditi...
Calculation of the product phase grain edge length and quadruple points per unit volume during solid state transformations

General expressions are derived for the calculation of the total product phase grain edge length per unit volume LVβββand the total number of product phase quadruple points per unit volume QV (i.e., ββββ quadruple points) at any given time during solid state transformations occurring by nucleation and growth process. It is shown that, { $$L_V^{\beta \beta \beta } = 0.155\int_0^{V_{V_{ex} } } {(S_{V_{ex} } )^2 Exp(--V_{V_{ex} } ){\text{ }}dV_{V_{ex} } } $$ } and, { $$Q_V = \tfrac{\pi }{{96}}\int_0^{V_{V_{ex} } } {(S_{V_{ex} } )^3 Exp(--V_{V_{ex} } ){\text{ }}dV_{V_{ex} } } $$ } where VVex is the extended volume fraction of the product phase, and SVex is the total extended product phase-matrix interfacial area per unit volume. It is assumed that the spatial distribution of the product phase nuclei is random. The analysis is applicable to any arbitrary time dependent nucleation rate, and any arbitrary time and/or size dependent growth rate, provided that the product phase particles have an equiaxed shape in the extended structure. The analysis is applicable to isothermal transformations as well as nonisothermal and continuous cooling transformations. It is shown that LVβββand QV are basically determined by the path of microstructural evolution described by the variation of product phase-matrix interfacial area per unit volume with the volume fraction of the product phase. The ASTM grain size number of the transformed microstructure and average grain shape can be calculated from these results.
The impact of targeted training, a dedicated protocol and on-site training material in reducing observer variability of prostate and transition zone dimensions measured by transrectal ultrasonography, in multicentre multinational clinical trials of men with symptomatic benign prostatic enlargement.

OBJECTIVE To assess the variability of a standardized protocol of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), with targeted training, and compare it to the variability in other multicentre clinical trials, as TRUS-estimated total prostate volume (TPV) and transition zone volume (TZV) are considered important efficacy endpoints in assessing new drug therapies for benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), but standardizing TRUS remains a challenge in such studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 174 patients with BPE in the placebo arm of a 30-centre clinical trial were analysed at baseline, 13 and 26 weeks with TRUS, to extract TPV and TZV values. All TRUS operators received training in the standardized methods, which was supplemented at the outset by a compact disc-based video. RESULTS The mean (sd) changes from baseline in TPV at 13 and 26 weeks were − 2.9 (8.9) and −1.9 (8.5) mL, respectively; the respective mean changes from baseline in TZV were −1.2 (6.4) and + 0.7 (7.8) mL. For TPV, 80% of the measurements had differences of + 5.2 to −13.4 mL at 13 weeks, and + 8.0 to − 10.9 mL at 26 weeks. For TZV, 80% of the differences were + 5.8 to − 7.4 at 13 weeks, and + 9.3 to −6.5 mL at 26 weeks. CONCLUSION The performance of TRUS compared favourably with similar published multicentre studies, which we suggest relates in part to the careful implementation of the protocol. We showed that diligent implementation of a detailed protocol, supplemented by targeted training of investigators and provision of on-site training material, promoted consistent acquisition and successful derivation of key clinical trial endpoints. Quantifying the variability of such endpoints will enable us to track deployment quality for future clinical trials, and will ensure that trials are sufficiently powered to define small changes in prostate size.
Dynamics of gene differentiation between incompletely isolated populations of unequal sizes

The progress of gene differentiation between two populations of unequal sizes is studied by taking into account the effects of mutation and migration. Explicit formulae for the eventual rate of approach to equilibrium of the probabilities of identity of genes by descent within and between populations are worked out for the case of small migration. Formulae for the equilibrium values of identity probabilities are also given for some special cases. It is shown that in the case of large migration the Nei—Feldman formulae for the temporal changes and equilibrium values of identity probabilities approximately hold, unless the sizes of the two populations are extremely different. The theories developed are applied to study the evolution of cave fish populations in Astyanax mexicanus. The approximate time after divergence between the cave and river populations of this fish has been estimated to be 525,000–710,000 years, which agrees well with the geological data on cave formation.
The effects of web-based technologies on knowledge transfer

Knowledge transfer as it relates to individual satisfaction indicated a non-significant relationship. This result may have been driven by the complexity of the satisfaction construct. That is, individuals may have a difficult time in transferring knowledge to a factor that relates to several significant indicators. Also, experience was deemed as an important factor for retention of company services (Weiss, Nicholas, & Daus, 1999). Experienced individuals, more than those with less experience, appear to produce better abstract representation of an organization’s information quality and system quality (e.g., by concepts or a "deep structure"). These extensive problem structures of high knowledge individuals may have permitted broader solution strategies, whereby low knowledge individuals proceeded through a list of constraints that limits them to take action. Experienced individuals may have been able to better cluster (meaningful groupings) the web-based information, as well as display greater inferential capability. The linkage between experience and knowledge has consequences not only through the direct effect on individual retention but also via the information processing
Heterogeneous heat-mass transfer and effective thermal conductivity of pores in ceramic materials at arbitrary knudsen numbers

Approximate expressions are obtained for mass flux and thermal conductivity component in a temperature gradient field in a plane slit. A number of examples are used to demonstrate the significant contribution of heat-mass transfer in the transitional regime to thermal conductivity of refractory materials.
What is MEMS Gyrocompassing? Comparative Analysis of Maytagging and Carouseling

North-finding based on micromachined gyroscopes is an attractive possibility. This paper analyzes north-finding methods and demonstrates a measured 4 mrad standard deviation azimuth uncertainty using an in-house developed vibratory silicon MEMS quadruple mass gyroscope (QMG). We instrumented a vacuum packaged QMG with isotropic Q-factor of 1.2 million and Allan deviation bias instability of 0.2 °/hr for azimuth detection by measuring the earth's rotation. Continuous rotation (“carouseling”) produced azimuth datapoints with uncertainty diminishing as the square root of the number of turns. Integration of 100 datapoints with normally distributed errors reduced uncertainty to 4 mrad, beyond the noise of current QMG instrumentation. We also implemented self-calibration methods, including in-situ temperature sensing and discrete ±180° turning (“maytagging” or two-point gyrocompassing) as potential alternatives to carouseling. While both mechanizations produced similar azimuth uncertainty, we conclude that carouseling is more advantageous as it is robust to bias, scale-factor, and temperature drifts, although it requires a rotary platform providing continuous rotation. Maytagging, on the other hand, can be implemented using a simple turn table, but requires calibration due to temperature-induced drifts.
Note on the existence and modulus of continuity of the $${\textit{SLE}}_8$$ curve

We review one method for estimating the modulus of continuity of a Schramm–Loewner evolution (SLE) curve in terms of the inverse Loewner map. Then we prove estimates about the distribution of the inverse Loewner map, which underpin the difficulty in bounding the modulus of continuity of SLE for \(\kappa =8\). The main idea in the proof of these estimates is applying the Girsanov theorem to reduce the problem to estimates about one-dimensional Brownian motion.
STUDIES ON THE RESPIRATION OF THE NEWT II. THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED, IMMATURE, THYROIDECTOMIZED AND PANCREATECTOMI2ED MALES

IN A PREVIOUS study (i), a method employing a modified Warburg respirom' ter for the simultaneous measurement of the oxygen consumption and the carbon dioxide production of the newt, Triturus viridescens Raf., was described. Using this instrument it was found that the temperature charac teristic (µ) for the respiration of normal animals was approximately 17,200. This value was not found to change as a result of gonadectomy, but µ values of 13,800 and 17,200 on either side of approximately 15° C. were found for fall'collected animals which had been kept under laboratory condi' tions without feeding for several weeks. It was concluded that this change was probably due to starvation. The observations reported in the present paper deal principally with the effect of various experimental modifications of the endocrine complex on the temperature'respiration relationship as described by the temperature char' acteristic.
A reply to McCann, Miller, and Moskowitz: Dynamic multivariate decision processes are even more complex than they seem

Abstract Recently, McCann, Miller, and Moskowitz ( Organizational Behavior and Human Performance 1975, 14 , 281–303) investigated the problems of model estimation and model specification for dynamic multivariate decision processes. Close examination of their recommended procedures suggests that several are either misleading or incorrect. In particular, the specification problem appears to be difficult to resolve unless the researcher has strong priors concerning which of two models is more appropriate.
Predicting difficult and traumatic lumbar punctures.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to determine if visual and tactile inspection of the spine is useful in the prediction of a difficult or traumatic lumbar puncture (LP). Design This was a prospective, observational, cohort study conducted in the emergency department (ED) on patients who were undergoing an LP. Physicians prospectively completed a structured data form that included information about the patient, number of prior LPs performed, their assessment of the LP difficulty, and the number of needlesticks required. A “difficult” LP and a “traumatic” tap were defined a priori. χ2, t tests, and regression were used as appropriate; an independent statistician performed the statistical analysis. Setting The study was conducted at an urban university teaching hospital with an annual ED census of approximately 48 000 patients between November 1, 2002, and June 1, 2003. Patients The study population included a convenience sample of patients undergoing LP in the ED. Results Of the 148 patients enrolled, LP was difficult in 47 (32%) patients and traumatic in 23 (16%) patients. The percentage of patients that did not have a visible spine was significantly higher in the difficult and traumatic groups (P Conclusion It may be possible to predict which patients will have difficult or traumatic LPs before performing the procedure. Simple bedside assessments of spine visibility and palpability may assist in planning the approach to an LP in patients.
Microclimate influence in a physiological model of cattle-fever tick (Boophilus spp.) population dynamics

Since their official eradication from the US in 1943, the cattle-tick species Boophilus microplus and Boophilus annulatus, vectors of bovine babesiosis, frequently have penetrated a quarantine zone established along the Texas-Mexico border designed to exclude them. Inspection and quarantine procedures have eradicated reinfestations successfully within the US, but increasing acaricide resistance in Mexican B. microplus populations poses a threat to future eradication efforts. Better understanding of interrelationships among Boophilus populations, their hosts, and vegetation communities in south Texas could improve prediction of the behavior of reintroduced Boophilus populations and increase management options. To this end, we constructed a simulation model to evaluate how microclimate, habitat (i.e. vegetation) heterogeneity, and within-pasture cattle movement may influence dynamics of Boophilus ticks in south Texas. Unlike previous Boophilus tick models, this model simulates dynamics at an hourly time-step, calculates all off-host dynamics as functions of temperature and relative humidity, and runs with ground-level microclimate data collected bi-hourly in three different habitat types. Sensitivity analysis of the model showed that temperatures and relative humidities created by habitat type, as well as engorged female mass, influenced tick population dynamics most strongly. Host habitat selection, initial number of larvae per cow, and the number of cells into which the simulated pasture was divided also had a strong influence. Population dynamics appeared moderately sensitive to the proportion of Bos indicus in cattle genotypes and the larval attachment rate, while appearing relatively insensitive to factors such as mortality rate of engorged females. When used to simulate laboratory experiments from the literature, the model predicted most observed life-history characteristics fairly well; however, it tended to underestimate oviposition duration, incubation duration, and egg mortality and overestimate larval longevity, especially at low temperatures and high humidities. Use of the model to predict Boophilus population dynamics in hypothetical south Texas pastures showed that it reasonably generated qualitative patterns of stage-wise abundances but tended to overestimate on-host tick burdens. Collection and incorporation of data that appear not to exist for Boophilus ticks, such as larval lipid content and lipid-use rates, may improve model accuracy. Though this model needs refinements such as a smaller spatial resolution, it provides insight into responses of B. microplus or B. annulatus populations to specific weather patterns, habitat heterogeneity, and host movement.
Porosity effects on catalytic char oxidation. Part II: Experimental results

Oxidation rates of Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/- and K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/-impregnated char samples were measured in an isothermal kinetic control regime. The results were analyzed by a previously developed model to extract the intrinsic catalytic reactivities, freed from superimposed noncatalytic and structural effects. Although the overall catalyzed rates are only several times greater than their uncatalyzed counterparts, the intrinsic catalytic rates were found to be four orders of magnitude greater. The results further indicate that the function of the catalyst is to increase the number of active sites without affecting the activation energy. The overall reaction kinetics are demonstrated to contain the combined contributions of both catalytic and noncatalytic reactions, and in this context the effects of multiple catalysts as well as of the pore structure development during reaction can be understood and interpreted.
Controlling the electrostatic discharge ignition sensitivity of composite energetic materials using carbon nanotube additives

Powder energetic materials are highly sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD) ignition. This study shows that small concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNT) added to the highly reactive mixture of aluminum and copper oxide (Al + CuO) significantly reduces ESD ignition sensitivity. CNT act as a conduit for electric energy, bypassing energy buildup and desensitizing the mixture to ESD ignition. The lowest CNT concentration needed to desensitize ignition is 3.8 vol.% corresponding to percolation corresponding to an electrical conductivity of 0.04 S/cm. Conversely, added CNT increased Al + CuO thermal ignition sensitivity to a hot wire igniter.