cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
'Fair, Reasonable and Adequate' According to Who? Cy Pres Distributions that Result in Cheap Settlements and Generous Attorney Fees, But No Financial Benefit to Class Members

In her recent article, Professor Rhonda Wasserman argues that class action settlements that distribute funds cy pres raise a very serious risk of prejudice to absent class members. The problem, she asserts, is the temptation for class counsel to sell out the interests of absent class members in exchange for a discounted settlement for the defendant and a generous fee for class counsel. To illustrate her concern, she cites the $9.5 million settlement in Lane v. Facebook that directed approximately $6.5 million to a nascent charity that was controlled -- at least partially -- by the defendant, $3 million to class counsel and nothing to the 3 million absent class members. Professor Wasserman argues that courts cannot have a laissez faire attitude toward protecting absent class members and she proposes a number of procedural reforms to ensure that cy pres distributions are only used when absolutely necessary. While her proposals are likely to provoke increased judicial scrutiny of cy pres distributions, the article stops short of addressing the principal question: when, if ever, is a settlement that distributes funds cy pres “fair, reasonable and adequate” to the absent class members? This Response addresses the principal question omitted from Professor Wasserman’s article and asserts that representations of counsel who are aligned in support of a proposed agreement and stand to gain from its approval are insufficient to find a proposed settlement agreement “fair, reasonable, and adequate.” Rather, Rule 23(e) demands that courts base a fairness finding upon objectively reliable evidence and this Response offers a proposal for how district courts may acquire such evidence.
Raman signatures from age-dating PuO2 since last calcination

Abstract The self-irradiation of PuO2 has been shown to affect the attributes of fifteen vibrational bands in the Raman spectrum. The vibrational bands correspond to the Raman allowed vibrational mode T2g, overtones, defects, and bands from electronic origin. Defects in the crystal lattice from low-calcination temperature and alpha decay origins are responsible for the changes in the band attributes (band position, full-width half maximum (FWHM), intensity). Crystal lattice defects are also responsible for the growth of the defect bands. The temporal behavior of the vibrational bands can be used to estimate the age of the material since last calcination. Laser annealing was used to reset the material to full crystallinity prior to the aging study. 240PuO2, with an alpha decay rate of 3.67 greater than the decay rate of 239PuO2, was primarily used to assess the alpha decay-induced damage within 3 years. The aging study focused on the time-dependent properties of the T2g band and the growth of defect bands. The FWHM of the T2g band and the ratio of the areas of the defect bands/T2g band were measured through a time period in excess of 3 years. The data from this study were found very close to the data describing the temporal evolution of the lattice constant measured with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The local physical properties of the material measured with Raman spectroscopy and the lattice parameter constant measured with XRD indicates a strong correlation between the two techniques. Although both techniques provide similar age-dating information, in contrast to the few milligram quantities required for XRD, Raman spectroscopy requires a 10 µm diameter PuO2 particle to provide an estimate of the material age since last calcination.
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) of Positive and Negative Affect and Associations with Blood Glucose (BG) in Teens with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Background:Affect (i.e., emotions) can be associated with diabetes self-care and ambient glucose in teens with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We used momentary sampling to examine associations of daily aff...
Online State of Charge Estimation of Lithium-ion Battery Cells: A Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation Approach

Accurate state of charge (SOC) estimation of Lithium-ion battery cells is critical since they are commonly used in a variety of applications. However, the complex chemical reactions inside the cell makes its model nonlinear, which increases the difficulty of the SOC estimation. An accurate online estimation technique to determine the SOC estimate can improve the safety of Lithium-ion cells. More importantly, cell performance and life cycle can also be improved. In this work, the nonlinear state estimation problem of determining SOC is converted to a linear estimation problem solved in a parallel fashion. Multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) technique based on a bank of Kalman filters is used to adaptively estimate the SOC. Simulation results for a LiFePO4 Lithium-ion battery cell demonstrate that this technique provides smaller estimation error compared to the Extended Kalman filter.
Sixteen Personality Factor Profiles of Competitive Bodybuilders and Weightlifters

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personality profiles of competitive bodybuilders and weightlifters. Cattell's 16 PF (Form C) was administered to male bodybuilders (N = 22) and weig...
Sendai Virion Transcriptase Complex: Polypeptide Composition and Inhibition by Virion Envelope Proteins

Abstract Sendai virions, disrupted in 2% Triton X-100 in 1 M KCl, were separated into nucleocapsids and envelope proteins by centrifugation. The nucleocapsids, representing 46% of the virion proteins, had a buoyant density of 1.29 gm/cm3 in D2O sucrose. RNA-dependent transcriptase activity associated with them had a ninefold greater specific activity than transcriptase assayed in unfractionated detergent-disrupted virions. These enzyme-active nucleocapsids contained only two polypeptides, the largest virion polypeptide (molecular weight 75,000) and the nucleocapsid structure unit (molecular weight 60,000). Virion envelope proteins, either glycoproteins or nonglycosylated matrix protein, inhibited nucleocapsid-associated polymerase activity; brief heat denaturation abolished their inhibitory activity. Yeast RNA stimulated nucleocapsid-associated enzyme, suggesting that stimulatory polyanions act at the enzyme-template level.
Slow vapor‐phase desorption of toluene from several ion‐exchanged montmorillonites

Abstract The sorption and desorption of volatile compounds from soils and clays exhibit a wide range of kinetics. While much of the sorptive interaction is very rapid, a certain fraction of volatile compounds that enter soil and clays are only slowly desorbed. It is generally believed that the formation of this recalcitrant or slowly desorbing fraction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soils is due to the diffusion of compounds to poorly accessible sorption sites. However, the exact nature of these sites is in doubt. In montmorillonite, there are two likely possibilities for formation of the recalcitrant fraction: sites between the clay lamella and sites within clay particle aggregates. Because montmorillonite may be an important fraction of many soils, we have explored the formation of slowly desorbing toluene on a montmorillonite clay that was ion exchanged with five different ions (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe3+) to form mineralogically similar clays with varying interlamellar spacing. The recalci...
Changing Concepts in Management of Primary Obstructive Megaureter

The management of neonatal urinary tract dilatations represents one of the most challenging dilemmas in pediatric urology today. We have been confronted with 44 renal units in 35 neonates diagnosed as having primary obstructive megaureter during the last 6 years. Of these units 23 in 17 infants were diagnosed antenatally and 20 (87 per cent) have been managed without surgical intervention. Notably, 16 renal units were graded as moderate to severe megaureters by an excretory urogram. The decision to manage conservatively was based on the initial extraction of the 99mdiethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renal scan (the extraction factor). This estimate of absolute renal function has been used to differentiate dilatations with obstructive implications for the renal parenchyma from those without. Significantly, expectant treatment has resulted in improvement of dilatation on sequential excretory urograms in 15 megaureters and none has shown a deterioration of function by renal scan. Similar diagnostic criterion also has resulted in conservative management for 12 of 21 additional neonatal megaureters seen during this period with symptoms or they were discovered serendipitously. Only 2 of these 12 megaureters required surgical correction. The neonatal primary megaureter appears in many cases to represent a different entity than those that commonly presented before the advent of antenatal and perinatal diagnosis.
Being mindful of mindfulness: past, present, and future of mindfulness in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Julio, a quiet and withdrawn ninth-grade boy in foster care, sat in back during a meditation session and silently wept. When I asked him if everything was okay, he said that he was “good” but “had never taken the time to just. feel.” A participant in a study investigating meditation in the setting of foster care, Julio was fond of mindfulness practice despite the emotional response and contacted me after the class about continuing his practice.
A Tiered Framework for Risk-Relevant Characterization and Ranking of Chemical Exposures: Applications to the National Children’s Study (NCS)

A challenge for large-scale environmental health investigations such as the National Children's Study (NCS), is characterizing exposures to multiple, co-occurring chemical agents with varying spatiotemporal concentrations and consequences modulated by biochemical, physiological, behavioral, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Such investigations can benefit from systematic retrieval, analysis, and integration of diverse extant information on both contaminant patterns and exposure-relevant factors. This requires development, evaluation, and deployment of informatics methods that support flexible access and analysis of multiattribute data across multiple spatiotemporal scales. A new "Tiered Exposure Ranking" (TiER) framework, developed to support various aspects of risk-relevant exposure characterization, is described here, with examples demonstrating its application to the NCS. TiER utilizes advances in informatics computational methods, extant database content and availability, and integrative environmental/exposure/biological modeling to support both "discovery-driven" and "hypothesis-driven" analyses. "Tier 1" applications focus on "exposomic" pattern recognition for extracting information from multidimensional data sets, whereas second and higher tier applications utilize mechanistic models to develop risk-relevant exposure metrics for populations and individuals. In this article, "tier 1" applications of TiER explore identification of potentially causative associations among risk factors, for prioritizing further studies, by considering publicly available demographic/socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental data in relation to two health endpoints (preterm birth and low birth weight). A "tier 2" application develops estimates of pollutant mixture inhalation exposure indices for NCS counties, formulated to support risk characterization for these endpoints. Applications of TiER demonstrate the feasibility of developing risk-relevant exposure characterizations for pollutants using extant environmental and demographic/socioeconomic data.
Structure of a novel InsP3 receptor.

Abstract Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) constitutes a major intracellular second messenger that transduces many growth factor and neurotransmitter signals. InsP3 causes the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores by binding to specific receptors that are coupled to Ca2+ channels. One such receptor from cerebellum has previously been extensively characterized. We have now determined the full structure of a second, novel InsP3 receptor which we refer to as type 2 InsP3 receptor as opposed to the cerebellar type 1 InsP3 receptor. The type 2 InsP3 receptor has the same general structural design as the cerebellar type 1 InsP3 receptor with which it shares 69% sequence identity. Expression of the amino-terminal 1078 amino acids of the type 2 receptor demonstrates high affinity binding of InsP3 to the type 2 receptor with a similar specificity but higher affinity than observed for the type 1 receptor. These results demonstrate the presence of several types of InsP3 receptor in brain and raise the possibility that intracellular Ca2+ signaling may involve multiple pathways with different regulatory properties dependent on different InsP3 receptors.
Baby-Steps Towards Building a Spanglish Language Model

Spanglish is the simultaneous use, or alternating of both, traditional Spanish and English within the same conversational event. This interlanguage is commonly used in U.S. populations with large percentages of Spanish speakers. Despite the popularity of this dialect, and the wide spread of automated voice systems, currently there are no spoken dialog applications that can process Spanglish. In this paper we present the first attempt towards creating a Spanglish language model.
Systematic and simulation-free coarse graining of homopolymer melts: a relative-entropy-based study

We applied the systematic and simulation-free strategy proposed in our previous work (D. Yang and Q. Wang, J. Chem. Phys., 2015, 142, 054905) to the relative-entropy-based (RE-based) coarse graining of homopolymer melts. RE-based coarse graining provides a quantitative measure of the coarse-graining performance and can be used to select the appropriate analytic functional forms of the pair potentials between coarse-grained (CG) segments, which are more convenient to use than the tabulated (numerical) CG potentials obtained from structure-based coarse graining. In our general coarse-graining strategy for homopolymer melts using the RE framework proposed here, the bonding and non-bonded CG potentials are coupled and need to be solved simultaneously. Taking the hard-core Gaussian thread model (K. S. Schweizer and J. G. Curro, Chem. Phys., 1990, 149, 105) as the original system, we performed RE-based coarse graining using the polymer reference interaction site model theory under the assumption that the intrachain segment pair correlation functions of CG systems are the same as those in the original system, which de-couples the bonding and non-bonded CG potentials and simplifies our calculations (that is, we only calculated the latter). We compared the performance of various analytic functional forms of non-bonded CG pair potential and closures for CG systems in RE-based coarse graining, as well as the structural and thermodynamic properties of original and CG systems at various coarse-graining levels. Our results obtained from RE-based coarse graining are also compared with those from structure-based coarse graining.
Pertuzumab in Combination with Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy in the Treatment of HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Safety, Efficacy, and Progression Free Survival

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have revolutionized the oncology community and were pioneered by the use in HER2-targeted therapies. Improved outcomes were seen with the advent of trastuzumab, leading investigators to develop newer agents to target the HER2 pathway such as the novel monoclonal antibody pertuzumab. In this paper, we describe the attributes of pertuzumab including: mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, safety/cardiotoxicity, drug interactions, efficacy, and role in HER2-positive breast cancer management. Newly reviewed here versus previously published reviews on pertuzumab oriented therapy are data of pertuzumab monotherapy as it is used in combination with other anti-HER2 agents derived from preclinical research and ongoing clinical trials. Materials and methods: A computer based literature search was carried out using PubMed data reported at international meetings (ASCO) up to September 2013 were included.
The template properties of tetranucleoside triphosphoramidates having cytosine-guanosine residues

The tetranucleoside triphosphoramidates CNHpGNHpCNHpGN 3 and GNHpCNHpGNHpCN 3 do not affect the rate of condensation between dinucleoside phosphoramidates pCNHpGN 3 and CNHpGNH 2 in the presence of a water-soluble carbodiimide. This result contrasts with the previously reported efficient template-directed oligomerization of the corresponding GC dimers on the phosphoramidate-linked tetramer of sequence GCGC. These findings are discussed in terms of the relative stability of helices formed by the template itself and by the template with complementary dimers.
The dependence of neutron skin thickness and surface tension on neutron excess

Abstract We show that, as a consequence of the requirement that nucleons in the bulk and in the surface of a nucleus be treated in a thermodynamically consistent way, the neutron skin thickness in neutron rich nuclei is simply related to the dependence of the surface tension on neutron excess. This relationship thus provides constraints on physically acceptable microscopic interactions and mass formulae for neutron rich nuclei, whose properties are of interest in both laboratory and cosmic situations.
Motile Axonal Mitochondria Contribute to the Variability of Presynaptic Strength

Summary One of the most notable characteristics of synaptic transmission is the wide variation in synaptic strength in response to identical stimulation. In hippocampal neurons, approximately one-third of axonal mitochondria are highly motile, and some dynamically pass through presynaptic boutons. This raises a fundamental question: can motile mitochondria contribute to the pulse-to-pulse variability of presynaptic strength? Recently, we identified syntaphilin as an axonal mitochondrial-docking protein. Using hippocampal neurons and slices of syntaphilin knockout mice, we demonstrate that the motility of axonal mitochondria correlates with presynaptic variability. Enhancing mitochondrial motility increases the pulse-to-pulse variability, whereas immobilizing mitochondria reduces the variability. By dual-color live imaging at single-bouton levels, we further show that motile mitochondria passing through boutons dynamically influence synaptic vesicle release, mainly by altering ATP homeostasis in axons. Thus, our study provides insight into the fundamental properties of the CNS to ensure the plasticity and reliability of synaptic transmission. Video Abstract
Disruption of the proximal anastomosis of axillobifemoral grafts: Two case reports * **

Abstract The use of axillobifemoral grafting in the treatment of infected aortic prostheses or in the treatment of patients at high risk for aortoiliac occlusive disease has become a widely accepted treatment modality. Few complications involving the proximal anastomosis have been reported. The present report describes two patients who suffered proximal anastomotic dehiscence several weeks after surgery when they fully extended and raised the affected arm. (J Vasc Surg 1989;10:190–2.)
Detection of dental tissues using fiberoptic sensor

Our goal was to determine the fluorescence aided characterization of teeth. The incisors of 6 farmer pigs were opened with a round bur to expose the pulp. A Helium-Cadmium laser at a wavelength of 442 nm and operating at 17 mW was used as the excitation source. The light was guided through a 400 micrometers core diameter fiber which was used not only for delivery, but for the collection of tissue fluorescence. A spectrometer and an optical multichannel analyzer were used to detect and record the fluorescence signal.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Value-of-Information Based Approach to simulation Model Refinement.

Abstract The appropriateness of a simulation model for engineering design is dependent on the trade-off between model accuracy and the computational expense for its development and execution. Since no simulation model is perfect, any simulation model for a system's physical behaviour can be refined further, although likely at an increased computational cost. Hence, the question faced by a designer is ‘How much refinement of a simulation model is appropriate for a particular design problem?’ The simplified nature of simulation models results in two types of uncertainty—variability, which can be modelled using probability distribution functions and imprecision, best modelled using intervals. Value-of-information has been used in the engineering design literature to decide whether to make a decision using the available information or to gather more information before making a decision. However, the main drawback of applying existing value-of-information based metrics for model refinement problems is that exi...
Play and Digital Media

This article examines how play is affected by computers and digital toys. Research indicates that when computer software targeted at children is problem-solving oriented and open-ended, children tend to engage in creative play and interact with peers in a positive manner. On the other hand, drill-and-practice programs can be quite boring and limit children's initiative and decision-making. Digital toys with computer chips installed that make the toys talk or act in certain ways also appear to have a mixed impact on play. Digital toys can serve as catalysts for new forms of play and can have a positive influence on the content of more traditional forms of play. Others contend that children's development can be negatively influenced by playing with digital toys, because they do not encourage creative play. Technological advances in toy manufacture bring significant opportunities and challenges to early childhood education. Parents and teachers need to know how to use technology to promote learning and to en...
Brief report: Borderline personality symptoms and perceived caregiver criticism in adolescents.

Despite findings of an association between adolescent psychopathology and perceived parental criticism, the relation between adolescent borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms and perceived parental criticism has not been examined. Given the centrality of interpersonal sensitivity to BPD (relative to other forms of psychopathology), we hypothesized that adolescent BPD symptoms would be uniquely related to perceived caregiver criticism, above and beyond other forms of psychopathology and general emotion dysregulation. Adolescents (N = 109) in a residential psychiatric treatment facility completed self-report measures of BPD symptoms, perceived caregiver criticism, emotion dysregulation, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Results revealed a unique relation of adolescent BPD symptoms to perceived caregiver criticism, above and beyond age, gender, and other forms of psychopathology. Findings suggest that adolescent BPD symptoms may have unique relevance for adolescents' perceptions of caregivers' attitudes and behaviors, increasing the likelihood of negative perceptions.
Targeting therapy for migraine: what to treat?

This article reviews the overall pathophysiology of migraine and identifies specific pathways and potential targets for the acute treatment of migraine. This will include a review of our current understanding of the primary sites of action of commonly used antimigraine therapies, including triptans, analgesics (opioids, barbiturates, and narcotics), anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors), and potential future treatments. The article closes with the suggestion that targeting multiple migraine mechanisms may enhance the effectiveness of antimigraine treatment compared to traditional monotherapeutic approaches. Over the past 25 years the field of migraine research has witnessed an explosion of information on the understanding of the pathophysiology and mechanisms involved in the disorder. Advances in molecular biology, genomic science, and imaging techniques have helped to better define pathways involved in the migraine process. Head pain is generated when pain-sensitive intracranial structures are stimulated. These include vascular, meningeal, and neural elements. The circle of Willis and proximal cerebral arteries, middle meningeal, superficial, and trochlear arteries, superior sagittal sinus, and sylvian veins are all vascular pain structures.1,2 Neuronal structures that mediate head pain include the trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, and vagus cranial nerves. Finally, the cranial meninges, and especially the perivascular components of the dura, are important sources of headache. Pain signals are transmitted from the nociceptive structures, mostly via A-δ- and C-fibers that contain glutamate and neuropeptides such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and neurokinin A (NKA). Cat studies indicate that the middle meningeal artery nociceptive fibers travel through the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve to the projection area of the ipsilateral ganglion. On the other hand, fibers from the dura of the middle cranial fossa travel to the mandibular projection area of the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion. From the first relay in the trigeminal ganglion, fibers project centrally to synapse on secondary sensory neurons …
What's new in outpatient cardiology.

Purpose of review Nearing the end of the first decade of this new century, the challenges and changes in the field of outpatient pediatric cardiology continue to accelerate. Recent findings To help the general pediatrician and family practice physician become aware of several new care guidelines and practice trends as well as the controversies surrounding them this article reviews recent publications and places them in a larger context. Current guidelines and policy statements for cardiovascular monitoring for children with attention deficit disorder, subacute bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis and follow-up of adults with congenital heart disease are discussed. Trends regarding use of echocardiograms, changing drug therapy for Marfan syndrome, follow-up of infant with complex coronary heart disease, and treatment of obesity are reviewed. Summary It is important for the practicing pediatrician to be aware of these developments, so they can be incorporated into current patient care and increase the physician's ability to answer patient and family questions about these guidelines.
Analytical solution for cycling zone adsorption

Abstract An analytical solution is presented for calculating the performance of a cycling zone adsorption device. The solution includes the effects of film mass-transfer resistance between phases and square-wave temperature cycling in the standing wave mode of operation. The results are in excellent agreement with those obtained by direct numerical integration of the governing partial differential equations. The analytical solution is presented in the form of a convergent series, which is convenient to use.
ACh receptors link two signaling pathways to neuroprotection against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in isolated RGCs

Previous studies have reported that activation of nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (nAChRs) on cultured pig retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) has a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. However, the mechanism linking nAChRs to neuroprotection is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that signaling cascades involving p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) --> Akt are involved in linking activation of nAChRs to neuroprotection in isolated pig RGCs. In ELISA studies, regulation of phosphorylated p38 MAPK and Akt were analyzed after inducing excitotoxicity or neuroprotection in the presence and absence of specific inhibitors for p38 MAPK and PI3K. ELISA results demonstrated that ACh significantly increased phosphorylated Akt and decreased p38 MAPK. Glutamate increased phosphorylated p38 MAPK but had no significant effect on phosphorylated Akt. Other ELISA studies using p38 MAPK and PI3K inhibitors also supported the hypothesis that ACh up-regulated Bcl-2 levels downstream from PI3K and Akt, whereas glutamate down-regulated Bcl-2 levels downstream from p38 MAPK. RGC survival was subsequently assessed by culturing RGCs in conditions to induce excitotoxicity or neuroprotection in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK or PI3K. The p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly decreased the number of RGCs that died by glutamate-induced excitotoxicity but had no effect on the number of cells that survived because of ACh-induced neuroprotection. PI3K inhibitors significantly decreased cell survival caused by ACh-induced neuroprotection but had no effect on cell death caused by glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. These results demonstrate that glutamate mediates excitotoxicity through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and that ACh provides neuroprotection by stimulating the PI3K --> Akt --> Bcl-2 signaling pathway and inhibiting the p38 MAPK --> Bcl-2 pathway.
Sex differences in hyperalgesia during morphine infusion : Effect of gonadectomy and estrogen treatment

Morphine treatment can paradoxically increase nociception (i.e. hyperalgesia). Since there are putative sex differences in nociception and morphine sensitivity, we compared nociception in male and female mice using the tail-withdrawal test during continuous infusion of two morphine doses (1.6 and 40.0 mg/kg/24 h). Both doses caused hyperalgesia in both sexes, but onset in females always preceded that of males. Although the larger dose initially evoked analgesia, naltrexone (NTX) pellets implanted prior to morphine infusion abolished analgesia but not hyperalgesia. Distinct sex differences also characterized each morphine dose. Specifically, the lower morphine dose caused hyperalgesia that dissipated after 6 days in males but persisted in females for a minimum of 14 days. Despite this difference, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists reversed hyperalgesia in both sexes. In contrast, the higher morphine dose evoked hyperalgesia that resolved concurrently in both sexes, but hyperalgesia was reversed by NMDA receptor antagonists in males only. Ovariectomy (OVX), but not OVX followed by estrogen treatment, abolished both sex differences, and resulted in females exhibiting the male-typical pattern. This study thus demonstrates NTX-insensitive morphine hyperalgesia in females as previously reported for males. However, females utilized hyperalgesic mechanisms which were distinct from those employed by males. Data from females subject to OVX/estrogen replacement further indicate that females possess functional male-typical hyperalgesic mechanisms, but are diverted from their use by ovarian sex steroids. Finally, the finding that each morphine infusion dose was characterized by a unique sex difference provides additional evidence for distinct multiple hyperalgesic systems.
Speaking Mexicano: Dynamics of Syncretic Language in Central Mexico

Speaking Mexicano: Dynamics of Syncretic Language in Central Mexico. Jane H. Hill and Kenneth C. Hill. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1986. xiii. 493 pp., map, tables, appendixes, bibliography, Index. $40.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-8047-1182-8
Significance of duration and amplitude in transmembrane pressure pulsed ultrafiltration of binary protein mixtures

Abstract This study examines the effects of varying the pulse amplitude and duration on permeate flux and solute throughput for a binary protein solution in crossflow transmembrane pressure pulsed ultrafiltration with semi-permeable hydrophobic membranes. Solutions of 1% BSA and 0.3% IgG in 0.15 M NaCl, with pH 7.4 were used in a crossflow ultrafiltration cell with a crossflow shear rate of 700 s −1 , pulsing frequency of 0.5 Hz, and an average operating pressure of 66 kPa was used. Polysulfone membranes with 100 000 MWCO were used throughout the study. Average pulse amplitude was varied between 60 and 27 kPa and the average pulse duration ranged between 0.13 and 0.34 s of backpressure per second of operation. The results showed that variations in pulse duration did not significantly effect permeate flux. However, mass flux of BSA was enhanced due to pulsing by as much as a factor of three. Only the case which combined reduced pulsing pressure and short duration resulted in negligible deviation in BSA concentration from the nonpulsed case results. One proposed mechanism for this is that transmembrane pressure pulsing may improve solute flux by removing lodged solute in the pores. The backward flow potentially carries the previously lodged solute out away from the pore, clearing the pore for solute transport in the next ultrafiltration cycle.
Neutrinos and SU(3) family gauge symmetry

We include the standard model (SM) leptons in a recently proposed framework for the generation of quark mass ratios and Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) mixing angles from a $SU(3)$ family gauge interaction. The set of SM singlet scalar fields describing the spontaneous breaking is the same as employed for the quark sector. The imposition at tree level of the experimentally correct Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (PMNS) mixing matrix, in the form of a tri-bi maximal structure, fixes several of the otherwise free parameters and renders the model predictive. The normal hierarchy among the neutrino masses emerges from this scheme.
Dissociations Between the Effects of LSD on Behavior and Raphe Unit Activity in Freely Moving Cats

The hypothesis that the action of hallucinogenic drugs is mediated by a depression of the activity of brain serotonergic (raphe) neurons was tested by examining the behavioral effects of d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) while studying the activity of raphe neurons in freely moving cats. Although the results provide general support for the hypothesis, there were several important dissociations. (i) Low doses of LSD produced only small decreases in raphe unit activity but significant behavoiral changes; (ii) LSD-induced behavioral changes outlasted the depression of raphe unit activity; and (iii) raphe neurons were at least as responsive to LSD during tolerance as they were in the nontolerant condition.
Freedom, Support, Authority, and Responsibility: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Program on Self-Determination.

The professional direction of the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities is giving way to self-determination. This values-based movement relies on philosophical, managerial, and perso...
The sharp reductions in medicare payments for noninvasive diagnostic imaging in recent years: will they satisfy the federal policymakers?

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine recent trends in Medicare reimbursements for noninvasive diagnostic imaging (NDI). Methods The Medicare Part B databases for 2000 to 2010 were used. For each procedure code, these files provide payment and other data. All NDI codes were selected. Medicare physician specialty codes were used to identify radiologists, cardiologists, all other nonradiologist physicians as a group, and independent diagnostic testing facilities. Part B NDI payment trends were tracked. Results Overall Part B spending for NDI rose from $5.921 billion in 2000 to $11.910 billion in 2006 (+101%). There was then a sharp drop in 2007, resulting from the implementation of the Deficit Reduction Act. This was followed by a slight rise in 2008, then successive smaller drops the next 2 years, reaching $9.457 billion in 2010 (−21% vs 2006). Radiologists' payments were $2.936 billion in 2000, rose to a peak of $5.3 billion in 2006 (+81%), then dropped to $4.712 billion in 2010 (−11% vs 2006). Cardiologists' NDI payments were $1.327 billion in 2000, peaking at $2.998 billion in 2006 (+126%), then dropping to $1.996 billion in 2010 (−33% vs 2006). Other physicians' payments were $1.106 billion in 2000, peaking at $2.378 billion in 2006 (+115%), then dropping to $1.968 billion in 2010 (−17% vs 2006). Similar trends occurred in independent diagnostic testing facilities. Conclusions After years of rapid growth in Medicare NDI payments, an abrupt reversal occurred starting in 2007. By 2010, overall NDI costs to Medicare Part B were down 21% compared with their 2006 peak. It is unclear whether this large payment reduction will satisfy federal policymakers.
Visions for Children: African-American Early Childhood Education Program.

This is a report of the design of an early childhood education demonstration program whose goal is to facilitate the intellectual development and academic achievement and enhance the self-concepts of African-American preschool children. The features of the program are delineated. The research questions and the child development measures that are being used for longitudinal evaluation of the program are listed and described. Baseline data are reported for the first two phases of child testing.
Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Beliefs About Women Managers

This paper presents preliminary evidence on the internal consistency and validity of a scale designed to measure the degree to which one believes women managers experience a greater number of obstacles and more critical judgments about their work performance as compared to managerial men (the Stereotype Beliefs about Women Managers scale; SBWMS). Survey data from 1,337 managerial and nonmanagerial men and women employed by a large manufacturing organization revealed that the 6-item scale possessed a single factor. Significant mean group differences and correlations between the SBWMS and a number of organizationallyrelevant measures provide good preliminary support for the scale’s validity.
A Macintosh computer system for collecting and analyzing rodent sexual behavior.

We present a Macintosh-based computer system for collection and analysis of rodent sexual behavior. Two computer programs are presented. The first is an entirely generalizable real time data collection program that records any keyboard or keypad inputs (e.g., user defined behavior codes) and their time of occurrence. The second is somewhat generalizable; we use it to analyze frequencies, durations, and latencies relative to a copulatory series (including mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations). To our knowledge, these are the first such programs available on the Macintosh platform.
Physical fitness in virtual worlds

Academic studies and news reports have suggested that the increasing number of obese youth derive at least partially from television viewing and video game use. In particular, the couch potato hypothesis suggests that watching television and playing video games consume time that could be spent engaging in physical activities. This hypothesis assumes that video gamers pursue their hobby by pressing buttons and moving joysticks while occupying comfortable chairs placed in front of large video screens. An accurate stereotype until recently, this form of gaming is being supplanted by a new generation of games and controllers that entice players to become more physically active. Low-cost cameras and advanced video processing algorithms let video games be controlled by bodily movements, while touch-sensitive floor sensors let players dance in virtual spaces. The article looks briefly at some of these new generation games including: Dance Dance Revolution; and GameBike.
Molten-salt fuel cells—Technical and economic challenges

Abstract This paper presents a personal view of the status and research needs of the MCFC and other molten-salt fuel cells. After an overview of current MCFC performance, compared with performance and cost of other fuel cells, improvements in power density and lifetime as well as cost reduction are identified as key priorities to accelerate the commercialization of the MCFC. In spite of its unfavorable public image (compared to, in particular, PEMFC and planar SOFC) MCFC technology has progressed steadily and cost reduction has been significant. Large-scale commercialization, especially in the distributed generation and cogeneration market, remains a possibility but its chances are highly dependent on a forceful and consistent energy policy, for example taking into account the externalities associated with various modes of electric power production from fossil fuels. In spite of steady improvements in performance, important defects in fundamental knowledge remain about wetting properties, oxygen reduction kinetics, corrosion paths and control mechanisms. These must be addressed to stimulate further simplification of design and find solutions to lifetime issues. Recently, alternative concepts of molten-salt fuel cells have been capturing attention. The direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC), reviving an old concept, has caught the attention of energy system analysts and some important advances have been made in this technology. Direct CO and CH4 oxidation have also been a focus of study. Finally, the potential of nanotechnology for high-temperature fuel cells should not be a priori excluded.
PIV Measurements of Jet Flow Mixing in the Vicinity of Rod Bundles Using Matched-Index of Refraction

In this study, the velocity field of impinging jets within a rod bundle was developed. Velocity measurements were accomplished using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Additionally, Matched-Index of Refraction (MIR) techniques were implemented to allow the visualization of flow characteristics within interior areas of the rod bundle which would typically be obstructed. Such measurements are of importance and essential to the development of new models to predict the systems’ hydraulic behavior.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
TBI and sex: Crucial role of progesterone protecting the brain in an omega − 3 deficient condition

Abstract We assessed whether the protective action of progesterone on traumatic brain injury (TBI) could be influenced by the consumption of omega − 3 fatty acids during early life. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were fed on omega − 3 adequate or deficient diet from 3rd day of pregnancy and their female offspring were kept on the same diets up to the age of 15 weeks. Ovariectomy was performed at the age of 12 weeks to deprive animals from endogenous steroids until the time of a fluid percussion injury (FPI). Dietary n − 3 fatty acid deficiency increased anxiety in sham animals and TBI aggravated the effects of the deficiency. Progesterone replacement counteracted the effects of TBI on the animals reared under n − 3 deficiency. A similar pattern was observed for markers of membrane homeostasis such as 4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE) and secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2), synaptic plasticity such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), syntaxin (STX)-3 and growth associated protein (GAP)-43, and for growth inhibitory molecules such as myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and Nogo-A. Results that progesterone had no effects on sham n − 3 deficient animals suggest that the availability of progesterone is essential under injury conditions. Progesterone treatment counteracted several parameters related to synaptic plasticity and membrane stability reduced by FPI and n − 3 deficiency suggest potential targets for therapeutic applications. These results reveal the importance of n − 3 preconditioning during early life and the efficacy of progesterone therapy during adulthood to counteract weaknesses in neuronal and behavioral plasticity.
Invited Speaker RNA and DNA, In and Out of Viral Capsids

The genomes of the large majority of viruses are either single-stranded (ss) RNA or double-stranded (ds) DNA. This talk discusses the qualitatively different physical properties of these two molecules, and how they account for the qualitatively different genome packaging and delivery mechanisms of ssRNA and dsDNA viruses. The molecular sizes and shapes depend strongly on the degree and nature of secondary and tertiary structure, which are investigated by analytical and computational theory and by several experimental techniques including small-angle X-ray scattering, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy. Effects of di- and poly- valent cations, and of nucleotide sequence, are explicitly considered.
Role of spermidine in the activity of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase from Escherichia coli.

Abstract The integral membrane protein, sn -glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, catalyzes the first committed step in phospholipid synthesis, and both acyl-CoA and acyl-acyl carrier protein can be used as acyl donors in this reaction. We found that spermidine increased the specific activity of the acyltransferase when either substrate was used as the acyl donor. Magnesium, as well as other cations, also increased acyltransferase activity but were not nearly as effective as spermidine. Two roles for spermidine in this reaction were deduced from our data. First, spermidine dramatically lowered the K m for glycerol 3-phosphate resulting in an overall rate enhancement when either substrate was used as the acyl donor. This effect was attributed to the modification of the acyl-transferase environment due to the binding of spermidine to membrane phospholipids. A second effect of spermidine was evident only when acyl-acyl carrier protein was used as substrate. Using this acyl donor, a pH optimum of 7.5 was found in the absence of spermidine, but in its presence, the pH optimum was shifted to 8.5. Between pH 7.5 and 8.5, palmitoyl-acyl carrier protein undergoes a conformational change to a more expanded, denatured state and its activity in the acyltransferase assay decreases dramatically. Spermidine restored the native conformation of palmitoyl-acyl carrier protein at pH 8.5, thus accounting for the majority of rate enhancement observed at elevated pH.
Redistribution of Damping in Viscoelasticity

Physically admissible, global BV solutions are constructed to the Cauchy problem for the equations of one-dimensional, nonlinear viscoelasticity of the Boltzmann type. The required BV bounds are derived with the help of energy estimates, in conjunction with a change of variables that redistributes the damping on an equitable basis among the equations of the system, thus exposing the dissipative effect of viscosity on the variation of solutions.
Bone geometry in cercopithecoid mandibles.

This study explores the relation between cortical bone geometry in the mandibular corpus and in vivo masticatory stress patterns and dietary specialization in cercopithecoid primates. Cortical bone distribution in the mandibles of three species of Old World monkeys (Macaca fascicularis, Procolobus badius, Lophocebus albigena) was measured by computed tomography. The arrangement of bone within sections was quantified as (1) the ratio of cortical area to the enclosed (total) subperiosteal area; (2) the ratio of orthogonal second moments of area; and (3) size-adjusted measures of cortical area and regional thickness. Cross-sectional geometry differed among samples, but consistent patterns of cortical thinning and bone area were found within individual sections. This consistency was despite the marked differences in diet and feeding behavior that distinguish the three taxa. Lingually thin and basally thick cortical bone was found in the three monkeys; previously published data suggest that this pattern may be stereotypical among anthropoid primates. It is hypothesized that the interactive effects of shear, bending and torsion produce eccentric loads in corpus sections, which are mirrored by this asymmetrical arrangement of cortical bone. When interpreted against existing data for other primate groups, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that masticatory-loading profiles are broadly similar across anthropoids despite the distinctive occlusions found among the suborder. Understanding of the impact of diet on jaw morphology is, therefore, not improved by considerations of cortical bone distribution, i.e. the inference of diet from jaw form is best predicated on considerations of relative corpus size rather than cross-sectional geometry.