cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Gender in Computer Programming Learning Processes

The two studies reported here investigated gender differences in planning and debugging behavior, group processes, and achievement among junior high school students learning computer programming in small group or individual settings. In the first study, thirty-five students (15 females, 20 males) learned LOGO in three-person groups. In the second study, thirty students (9 females, 16 males) learned BASIC in two-person groups, and twenty-five students (9 females, 16 males) learned BASIC individually. In neither study and in neither setting, group or individual, did females and males differ in behavior or learning outcomes. Furthermore, the composition of the group, the ratio of females to males, had little effect on behavior or achievement. Reasons for the discrepancies between the present results and previous studies of gender differences in non-computer settings are discussed.
Neuroprotective effects of high affinity sigma 1 receptor selective compounds

We previously reported that the antipsychotic drug haloperidol, a multifunctional D2-like dopamine and sigma receptor subtype antagonist, has neuroprotective properties. In this study we further examined the association between neuroprotection and receptor antagonism by evaluating a panel of novel compounds with varying affinity at sigma and D2-like dopamine receptors. These compounds were evaluated using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay that utilizes a hippocampal-derived cell line, HT-22, in the presence or absence of varying concentrations (5 to 20 mM) of glutamate. While haloperidol was found to be a potent neuroprotective agent in this in vitro cell assay, the prototypic sigma 1 receptor agonist (+)-pentazocine was found not to be neuroprotective. Subsequently, the potency for the neuroprotection of HT-22 cells was evaluated for a) three SV series indoles which have nMolar affinity at D2-like receptors but varying affinity at sigma 1 receptor and b) two benzyl phenylacetamides sigma 1 receptor selective compounds which bind with low affinity at D2-like receptors but have nMolar affinity for the sigma 1 receptor. We observed that cytoprotection correlated with the affinity of the compounds for sigma 1 receptors. Based upon results from the HT-22 cell-based in vitro assay, two phenylacetamides, LS-127 and LS-137, were further evaluated in vivo using a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (t-MCAO) model of stroke. At a dose of 100 μg/kg, both LS-127 and LS-137 attenuated infarct volume by approximately 50%. These studies provide further evidence that sigma 1 receptor selective compounds can provide neuroprotection in cytotoxic situations. These results also demonstrate that sigma 1 receptor selective benzyl phenylacetamides are candidate pharmacotherapeutic agents that could be used to minimize neuronal death after a stroke or head trauma.
Functional organization of the ventral lateral geniculate complex of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri): II. Connections with the cortex, thalamus, and brainstem

Connections of the ventral lateral geniculate complex (GLv) in the tree shrew were traced by anterograde and retrograde transport of WGA-HRP. The results buttress earlier findings that GLv in this species is composed of two main divisions, lateral and medial, each of which differs in its connections with the brainstem and cerebral cortex. The connections of the lateral division (GLv) suggest that it participates in visuosensory functions: it receives input from the retina, striate cortex, pretectum, and retino-recipient layers of the superior colliculus. These connections help clarify the identification of the internal and external subdivisions of GLv inasmuch as projections from both the superior colliculus and pretectum terminate in the external subdivision and each, in turn, receives a projection from the internal subdivision. Connections of the medial division suggest that this part of the nucleus is involved with visuomotor functions. Thus, the medio-caudal subdivision projects to the pontine nuclei, the prerubral field and the central lateral nucleus. The medio-caudal subdivision also receives projections from the lateral cerebellar nucleus, so that the GLv-ponto-cerebello-GLv loop involves mainly one subdivision of GLv. The medio-rostral subdivision receives projections from the pretectum and parietal cortex. Its output is directed primarily at the intermediate and deep layers of the superior colliculus. All of these targets of GLv, the pons, prerubral field, and deep layers of the superior colliculus, are known to play a role in the coordination of head and eye movements. Additional connections of GLv with the vestibular nuclei, intralaminar nuclei, hypothalamus, and facial motor nucleus are also described. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Die diagnostische Verwertung der direkten mechanischen Erregbarkeit der Muskeln, insbesondere der Wadenmuskeln, positives und negatives Gastrocnemiusphänomen

Die direkte mechanische Muskelerregbarkeit, wurde bisher in ihrer diagnostischen und auch prognostischen Bedeutung unterschatzt. Das Fehlen der direkten mechanischen Muskelerregbarkeit deutet auf Schadigung des Muskels oder seines motorischen Nerven hin. Da das Phanomen nicht auf dem Umweg uber einen Reflexbogen zustande kommt, sollte man nicht von „Muskelreflexen“ in diesem Sinne reden. Bei fehlenden Sehnenreflexen spricht die vorhandene direkte mechanische Muskelerregbarkeit im entsprechenden Muskelgebiet fur eine Storung im zentripetalen Teil des Reflexbogens oder fur eine hoher gelegene Hemmung des Reflexes; bei Schadigung der Vorderhornzellen scheint sich — doch hier sind wertere Nachprufungen erforderlich — die direkte mechanische Muskelerregbarkeit lange zu erhalten. In manchen Stadien einer peripheren Erkrankung und bei ungleichmasiger Schadigung des Muskels ist die mechanische Erregbarkeit der Waden, das Gastrocnemiusphanomen, trotz fehlendem Achillessehnenreflex ausnahmsweise nachweisbar. Das Gastrocnemiusphanomen ist fur die Differentialdiagnose bei Ischiadicusneuritis und anderen Erkrankungen im Bereich des Plexus sacralis einerseits, bei Tabes dorsalis, Konusbzw. Epikonuserkrankungen und bei schlaffen Monoplegien andererseits von Bedeutung.
Texture and Microstructure Variation in Severe Plastic Deformed OFHC Cu Wires

The texture and microstructure resulting from heavily drawn and annealed oxygen-free high conducting (OFHC) copper wires have been investigated using several microscopical techniques including orientation imaging microscopy and nano-indentation. In the as-drawn condition, the microstructure and texture were heterogeneous across the wires, and consisted of three distinct concentric regimes: the inner core, the mid section, and the outer region. Whilst the microtexture of the inner core was dominated by a strong +weak duplex fiber texture, the mid section and the outer region had a comparatively weak fiber texture. Analysis using a Taylor-type viscoplasticity model revealed that the weak texture observed in this material was a direct consequence of shear deformation during drawing. The recrystallization kinetics of the wires upon isothermal annealing at various temperature was influenced by the deformation heterogeneity, and can be accurately described by a modified JMAK-Microhardness model. In this approach, the JMAK model is expressed in terms of microhardness data, from which the parameters of the different restoration kinetics were determined.
Occlusal interferences and functional disturbances of the masticatory system

Abstract A total of 282 patient histories and occlusal analyses made by students for instructional purposes were evaluated. An attempt was made to correlate the slide from centric relation to centric occlusion (maximum intercuspation), and occlusal interferences in eccentric movements, to pain and/or symptoms of functional disturbances of the masticatory system. A slide in combination with balancing interference(s) was found almost twice as frequently in patients with pain and/or symptoms compared to patients with no symptoms. Neither the amount nor the direction of the slide was correlated with the pain and/or symptoms. The balancing interferences tended to be located on the pain and/or symptom side.
Essure perforation and chronic pelvic pain.

Hysterosalpingography confirmed bilateral tubal occlusion, while showing the left microinsert in an abnormal configuration (Arrow). Transcervical (hysteroscopic) sterilization with Essure has become a common technique for permanent sterilization that is rapidly replacing traditional laparoscopic sterilization [1]. Performance of hysteroscopic sterilization in the office setting has been shown to be safe and feasible, with obvious advantages over laparoscopic sterilization with the patient under general anesthesia [2–7]. Evaluation of the Food and Drug Administration’s Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE), which is a voluntary reporting database, revealed 20 reports released between January 2004 and January 2009 of pelvic pain requiring treatment after Essure placement. Most cases were related to poor placement. In 5 cases, the pain was attributed to a malpositioned device without perforation, and in 5 others, unilateral or bilateral cornual perforation was noted [8]. Other cases of tubal or cornual perforation with the Essure microinserts are reported in the literature [9,10]. Confirmation of tubal occlusion through hysterosalpingography (HSG) 3 months after insertion is still required per device labeling. Incorrect positioning of Essure has been associated with tubal patency on the 3-month HSG [11]. However, evidence of tubal occlusion on HSG does not necessarily rule out perforation or malposition. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman G4P2022 who presented with chronic pelvic pain for 1 year. The pain started after uncomplicated hysteroscopic sterilization with Essure by her primary gynecologist. The patient denied any history of pelvic pain before Essure placement. She had been on oral contraceptives (OCPs) for 10 years before Essure placement but decided to stop OCPs after a new diagnosis of
Effects of isolation on aggression in the Mongolian gerbil.

Summary.-Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of prior isolation upon sg~;rc;rion when gerbils are introduced into the cages of conspecifics. In Exp 1 bolat ti on sharply increased aggression, and in Exp. 2, olfaction was a critical stimulus dimension accounting for this finding. It was also concluded that it was probably the odor of isolates rather than their behavior which was responsible. Recent work has indicated that established groups of gerbils attack and frequently kill unfamiliar conspecifics placed in their home area. The attack of the group has been related to territoriality (Thiessen, 1968; Wechkin & Cramer, 1971), and it has been hypothesized by Thiessen and Dawber ( 1972) that it may serve a reproductive isolating function. However, the mechanics of the aggression are poorly understood, and it is not clear what physical characteristics of the intruder elicit attack, nor what role the intruder's behavior plays. In Exp. 1 an attempt was made to assess the effect on one variable, that of the extent of recent social interactions on the part of the intruder, in determining the level of aggression. Support for the possible significance of this variable comes from work with mice (reviewed by Valzelli, 1969) which indicates a posirive correlation between aggression and length of social isolation. If this relationship is also true for gerbils, Ss maintained in isolation prior to being placed with a group might be expected to be involved in more aggression than intruders maintained socially. EXPER~MENT 1 Method Ss were 78 adult male gerbils obcained from Tumblebrook Farm (West Brookfield, Mass.). Of these, 46 were designated as residents and randomly formed pairs were placed in 23 glass tanks measuring 50 X 25 X 30 cm. containing bedding material (San-i-cel), food and water. No visual access was allowed between tanks, and the animals were so housed for 4 wk. prior to the beginning of testing. The remaining 32 animals were designated as intruders and randomly assigned to either the isolation or group-housed condition. Under isolation housing, Ss were mainrained singly in galvanized sheet metal and mesh cages measuring 10 X 23 X 15 cm. for a minimum of 4 wk. before testing, and
Probing the mechanisms of the metabolic effects of weight loss surgery in humans using a novel mouse model system

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal weight loss surgery, especially Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), is the most effective treatment for severe obesity. RYGB is associated with a remarkable decrease in the rate of death from obesity-related complications, such as diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and cancer. Dissecting the mechanisms of RYGB effects could augment our understanding about the pathogenesis of obesity and its complications. Objectives and methods In this study, we describe in detail a mouse model of RYGB that closely reproduces the surgical steps of the human procedure. Results We show that RYGB in mice has the same effects as in human patients, proving the high translational validity of this model system. We present an intraoperative video to facilitate the widespread use of this complex and difficult method. Conclusions The study of the mechanisms of RYGB using this model system can greatly facilitate our understanding about the effects of RYGB in human patients. The reverse engineering of the physiological mechanisms of RYGB could lead to discovery of new, effective, and less invasive treatments.
Measurements of the steady streaming flow around oscillating spheres using three dimensional particle tracking velocimetry

Granular particles vibrated in a fluid have been found to exhibit self-organization with attractive and repulsive interactions between the particles. These interactions have been attributed to the steady streaming flow around oscillating particles. Here we examine the steady streaming flow surrounding a vertically oscillating sphere using three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry. We present measurements of the flow with the sphere far from boundaries, close to the bottom wall of the tank, and near another oscillating sphere. For parameters of interest for granular self-organization, the flow around a single sphere far from boundaries differs significantly from an analytical calculation that has been applied to granular organization. Measured positions of the stagnation point support previously observed scaling at small amplitudes, and demonstrate how this scaling changes at large amplitudes. When the sphere is oscillated near the bottom wall, the topology of the flow changes, resulting in a larger repulsive flow region than expected. Previous experiments saw attraction in the region where the flow around a single sphere is repulsive. We conclude that advection in the streaming flow due to a single sphere cannot explain the observed granular attractive and repulsive interactions; rather, nonlinear interactions between the flows around two or more spheres must be responsible.
Does type-D personality predict outcomes among patients with cardiovascular disease? A meta-analytic review

Abstract Objective Research generally indicates that psychological variables are stronger predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in healthy populations than in those with preexisting illness. Studies of Type-D personality, however, suggest that it may also be predictive of negative health outcomes in cardiovascular patient populations. To date, no independent, comprehensive meta-analysis centered specifically on Type-D has integrated this literature and provided quantitative estimates of these relationships. The present meta-analysis investigated the associations between Type-D personality and (a) major adverse cardiac events (MACE), (b) health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and (c) biochemical markers of cardiovascular disease among cardiovascular patients. Method Two independent reviewers abstracted data from 15 separate studies. A random effects meta-analytic model was utilized to calculate omnibus effect sizes for each set of related studies, i.e., for the MACE (N of patients=2903), HRQOL (N of patients=1263) and biochemical marker (N of patients=305) measures. Results A positive association was found between Type-D personality and MACE, whereas a negative association was observed between Type-D personality and HRQOL. There was a trend toward significance in the association between Type-D personality and cardiovascular disease biomarkers. Conclusion Type-D personality is a promising construct for understanding psychological relationships with important outcomes among cardiovascular patients. Subsequent investigations undertaken by a more diverse group of unaffiliated scientists are important for further development in this line of research.
The use of continuous infusions of calcium45 and strontium85 to study skeletal function.

Intravenous infusions of calcium45 of high specific activity were given for 1.7 to 3.3 hours at constant rates to patients with osteoporosis, Paget's disease, parathyroid diseases, and other disorders of skeletal metabolism. During each infusion, the specific activity of the calcium of plasma was found to increase at a constant rate—a result which allowed calculation of the amount of calcium with which the administered Ca45 appeared to mix during the infusion (the miscible calcium). The results of this test were reproducible in any given patient, were similar in normal subjects, and appeared to vary characteristically in several different states of altered skeletal metabolism. Similar results were obtained when strontium85 was substituted for calcium45.
Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate-Dependent Protein Kinases Of Neonatal Human Skin

Three forms of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinases have been isolated from neonatal human skin. An analysis of their properties indicates that they resemble those of cyclic AMP*-dependent protein phosphotransferases of adult skin.
Time, Photography, and Optical Technology in Nabokov's Speak, Memory

In her article "Time, Photography, and Optical Technology in Nabokov's Speak, Memory" Tetyana Lyaskovets discusses how Vladimir Nabokov narrates time in his autobiography by invoking photography and optical instruments. Photography and optical technology function in Speak, Memory as metaphors and probe the limits of chronological time. Nabokov portrays time as personal and reversible time that collapses the past and the present and allows one to glimpse the future. Because this temporal collapse is not possible physically but, as Nabokov believes, can be achieved through one's will, he engages optical technologies which provide a spatial form for his project to re-enter his past. Optical technologies become a source of both imagery and narrative structure when Nabokov writes about creating, enlarging, and bringing images closer to the viewer in order to diminish spatial and temporal distances between observer and object. Lyaskovets argues that Nabokov's autobiography narrated through optical metaphors allows us to engage in a response to our own past. Tetyana Lyaskovets, "Time, Photography, and Optical Technology in Nabokov's Speak, Memory" page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 16.3 (2014):
New insights into the role of native point defects in ZnO

Using first-principles methods based on density functional theory and pseudopotentials, we have performed a detailed study of native point defects in ZnO. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, we find that native point defects are unlikely to be the cause of the frequently observed unintentional n-type conductivity. Oxygen vacancies, which have most often been invoked as shallow donors, have high formation energies in n-type ZnO, and are actually deep donors with a very high ionization energy. Zinc interstitials are shallow donors, but have high formation energies in n-type ZnO; in addition, they are fast diffusers, and thus unlikely to be stable in n-type ZnO. Zn antisites are also shallow donors, and have even higher formation energies than zinc interstitials. They may play a role under non-equilibrium conditions such as in irradiation experiments. Zinc vacancies are deep acceptors and may act as compensating centers in n-type ZnO. Oxygen interstitials are stable in the form of electrically inactive split interstitials as well as deep acceptors at the octahedral interstitial site under n-type conditions. Our results may provide a guide to more in-depth experimental studies of point defects in ZnO and their influence on the control of doping.
Engineering information release prior to final design freeze

The purpose of the research was to develop methods for shortening the procurement time for complex components by releasing some engineering information prior to the final design freeze. The investigation covered review and analysis of records of engineering and procurement at a major defense contractor, interviews with key contractor personnel, and a literature search. The study, concluded that early release of engineering information should be used only if necessary to meet schedule requirements and if carefully controlled.
Supercuspidal Gelfand pairs

If G is a totally disconnected group and H is a closed subgroup then, according to the Gelfand–Kazhdan Lemma, if the double coset space H⧹G/H is preserved by an antiautomorphism of G of order two then (G,H) must be a Gelfand pair in the sense that HomH(π,1) has dimension at most one for each irreducible, admissible representation π of G. Under certain rather general restrictions, we show that if the symmetry property holds only for almost all double cosets, then (G,H) is a supercuspidal Gelfand pair in the sense that dimHomH(π,1) for all irreducible, supercuspidal representations π of G. There exist examples of supercuspidal Gelfand pairs which are not Gelfand pairs.
AN APPROACH TO HIGHLY FUNCTIONALIZED DENDRIMERS FROM CHIRAL, NON-RACEMIC SYNTHETIC MONOMERS

Abstract An approach to dendrimers with highly functional interiors constructed from chiral, non-racemic hydrobenzoin monomer units is presented. An optically pure monomer unit is prepared using asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) and a representative dendrimer is constructed by a convergent growth strategy.
Faster FAST: multicore acceleration of streaming financial data

By 2010, the global options and equity markets will average over 128 billion messages per day, amounting to trillions of dollars in trades. Trading systems, the backbone of the low-latency high-frequency business, need fundamental research and innovation to overcome their current processing bottlenecks. With market data rates rapidly growing, the financial community is demanding solutions that are extremely fast, flexible, adaptive, and easy to manage. This paper explores multiple avenues to deal with the decoding and normalization of Option Price Reporting Authority (OPRA) stock market data feeds encoded with FIX Adapted for Streaming (FAST) representation, on commodity multicore platforms, and describes a novel solution that encodes the OPRA protocol with a high-level description language. Our algorithm achieves a processing rate of 15 million messages per second in the fastest single socket configuration on an Intel Xeon E5472, which is an order of magnitude higher than the current needs of the financial systems. We also present an in-depth performance evaluation that exposes important properties of our OPRA parsing algorithm on a collection of multicore processors.
The use of living mulches for weed management in hot pepper and okra

ABSTRACT The study evaluated white clover (Trifolium rapens), red clover (T. pratencis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium pratense) and canola (Brassica napus) as living mulches for weed management in hot pepper (Capsicum annum) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Perennial rye-grass and white clover provided the best weed control. Weed control was similar when living mulches were newly planted in the spring (NP) or in the previous year and overwintered (OW). In the NP treatment, weeds were suppressed similarly both in the tilled crop rows and within the mulch. Yields of okra and hot pepper were greatest in the conventional tillage (CT). Mowing of living mulches improved hot pepper yields in red clover but not okra yields.
Stress analysis of anisotropic laminated cylinders and cylindrical segments

Abstract A stress analysis of fiber-reinforced composite cylinders and cylindrical segments is presented. The analysis applies to thin as well as to thick walled cylinders with no restriction on fiber orientation, other than that an individual fiber must remain at the same radial distance from the axis. The cylinder may be subjected to hygrothermal and mechanical loads which may vary in the radial and circumferential, but not in the axial directions. Equations are derived which can be used to calculate the displacements, strains and stresses inside the material.
On an inequality of Minkowski for mixed volumes

Using a recently established stability result regarding the Brunn-Minkowski theorem and simple facts about convex functions we find strengthened versions of known inequalities for the mixed volumes of convex bodies. These results improve previously known inequalities of this type.
The sodium and hydrogen gas clouds of Io

Models are developed to describe the spatial distribution of gases emitted by Io and are applied to recent observations which indicate extensive gas clouds of hydrogen and sodium in orbit around Jupiter. Hydrogen and sodium atoms are emitted from Io with velocities in the range from 2 to 3 km/sec, with fluxes of about 10 billion and 100 million per sq cm/sec for hydrogen and sodium, respectively. Hydrogen atoms may be formed by photodecomposition of gases such as NH3 or H2S released from the satellite surface and may escape thermally from an exosphere whose temperature is about 500 K. Sodium may be ejected from the surface by energetic particles or by ultraviolet radiation, and it appears that a nonthermal mechanism drawing energy from Jupiter's magnetic field is required in order to account for its release to space.
Ring−Chain Equilibrium in Reversibly Associated Polymer Solutions: Monte Carlo Simulations

Living polymers formed by reversible association of spacers (oligomers) terminated by one donor and one acceptor group at the ends are studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations (using the bond-fl...
Not all fisheries will be collapsed in 2048

Abstract In a recently published paper, Worm et al. [Impacts of biodiversity loss on ocean ecosystem services. Science 2006;314:787–90.] project “the global collapse of all taxa currently fished” by 2048. Using their criteria and data, this paper shows that the number of not-collapsed fisheries actually increased over time to a plateau of about 5600 in 1985–2003. Furthermore, if trends are projected into the future, more than half of the world's fisheries would always be in a recovered state.
Modeling the structure of the combining site of an antisweet taste ligand monoclonal antibody NC10.14

We report the predicted combining site structure of the monoclonal antibody fragment, NC10.14, which is specific for the superpotent sweetener, N-(p-cyanophenyl-N'-(diphenylmethyl) guanidine acetic acid, using computer-aided molecular modeling and experimental methods, such as fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism. This is the first computer-aided modeling study on a lambda-chain antibody fragment. We have also identified the amino acids that are involved in ligand binding. Aromatic residues, L:91(W), L:96(W), and H:100G(Y) are predicted to make van der Waals contacts with the p-cyanophenyl moiety of the ligand. Residue H:56(K) is predicted to provide a counterion for the acetic acid moiety, and H:50(E) provides the negatively charged potential for interaction with the positive guanidinium group. We also make a comparison of the binding site architecture of NC10.14 with that of a related monoclonal antibody fragment NC6.8.
Prosthetic replacement of the mitral valve. Preoperative and postoperative clinical and hemodynamic assessments in 100 patients.

Mitral valve replacement was carried out in 100 patients with acquired mitral valvular disease. Preoperatively, two patients were in functional class II (NYHA), 64 in class III, and 34 in class IV. Fifty patients had predominant mitral stenosis, and 50 predominant mitral regurgitation. All were studied before operation by right and left heart catheterization, and the clinical and hemodynamic abnormalities were defined in detail and related to the valvular malformation. Seventeen patients died at or shortly after operation; seven others died in the late postoperative period. Operative methods employed, causes of death, and incidence and significance of nonfatal complications are presented. The 76 surviving patients have been followed for intervals of 15 months to 5 years; 47 are asymptomatic (class I), 26 are in class II, and three in class III. Postoperative hemodynamic assessments uniformly demonstrated regression of pulmonary hypertension, and intracardiac pressures and cardiac index were usually normal at rest. Hemodynamic responses to muscular exercise, however, were abnormal in most patients. Mitral valve replacement provides gratifying symptomatic and hemodynamic improvement in patients with mitral regurgitation or calcific mitral stenosis. Because prosthetic valves presently available are responsible for a significant number of late deaths and serious complication, operation is indicated only in severely disabled patients in whom life expectancy is limited.
Integrating small power plants into agricultural projects

The integration of small geothermal power generation projects (< 5 MWe) with agribusiness and agriculture product production, processing, distillation or dehydration facilities is rapidly growing in popularity. This trend is a result of advancements in the generation of electricity from low- to moderate temperature geothermal resources (100-150 °C) and the economic advantage that full use of the resource, once pumped from the well(s), provides. Developers are evaluating or building projects that use both topping as well as bottoming cycles. Generation technologies include Organic Rankine Cycle, Kalina Cycle and low temperature flash steam.
Proteasome inhibition results in increased poly-ADP-ribosylation: implications for neuron death.

This study demonstrates the ability of proteasome inhibitors (lactacystin, MG 115, MG 132) adenosine diphosphate to induce a time- and dose-dependent increase in poly-ADP-ribosylation (PAR) in the neural PC6 cell line, a subclone of PC12 cells. Elevated levels of PAR contribute to the toxicity associated with impaired proteasome activity, based on the ability of PAR inhibitors to ameliorate the toxicity associated with the application of lactacystin, MG 115, and MG 132. Proteasome inhibitors induced the accumulation of PAR and neuron death in primary hippocampal neuron cultures, which were both ameliorated by treatment with PAR inhibitors. Together, these data indicate a role for increased PAR in the toxicity associated with proteasome inhibition, and suggest that inhibitors of PAR may provide neuroprotection in conditions where proteasome inhibition occurs.
Type A score (Jenkins activity Survey) and risk of recurrent coronary heart disease in the aspirin myocardial infarction study

The Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS), a questionnaire developed to assess the type A behavior pattern, was administered to 2,314 participants in the Aspirin Myocardial Infarction Study. All had a myocardial infarction (MI) before entering the study and were followed for at least 3 years. The JAS type A score was not significantly related to risk of recurrent major coronary events (definite nonfatal MI and coronary death) in the group of 244 women, the group of 2,070 men, or the subgroup of 671 men who were employed full-time in professional, technical or managerial positions. These results indicate that the JAS type A score is not useful in assessing prognosis after MI. By inference, traits measured by the JAS type A score, such as competitiveness, orientation toward achievement and preference for a rapid pace of life, appear not to be associated with increased risk of recurrent major coronary events.
Targeting cholesterol-rich microdomains to circumvent tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer

Introduction Adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen substantially improves survival of women with estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) tumors. Tamoxifen resistance (TAMR) limits clinical benefit. RRR-α-tocopherol ether-linked acetic acid analogue (α-TEA) is a small bioactive lipid with potent anticancer activity. We evaluated the ability of α-TEA in the presence of tamoxifen to circumvent TAMR in human breast cancer cell lines.
Elective versus routine postoperative clinic appointments after circumcisions performed under local anesthesia.

Objective To evaluate a model of elective postoperative clinic appointments after a minor urological procedure and to compare it to the traditional practice of routine appointments. Methods A total of 104 consecutive patients undergoing adult circumcision under local anesthesia were divided into 2 groups; group A (n = 45) received routine postoperative clinic appointments and group B (n = 59) were given the option to make an appointment on an as-needed basis. Both groups received detailed postoperative instructions on the early signs of symptoms of potential adverse events. The 2 groups were compared regarding demographics, clinical profile, postoperative recovery, and outcome. Results Group A patients ("routine appointments") were younger (51 vs 60 years, P P P = .36). Conclusion The traditional practice of routine clinic appointments after uncomplicated adult circumcision is medically unnecessary and provides little value in the majority of cases. The practice of open access elective postoperative evaluation based on clearly defined clinical criteria is efficacious, safe, convenient, and enhances resource utilization.
Rank-based selection strategies for the random walk process

Abstract In many decision situations such as hiring a secretary, selling an asset, or seeking a job, the value of each offer, applicant, or choice is assumed to be an independent, identically distributed random variable. In this paper, we consider a special case where the observations are auto-correlated as in the random walk model for stock prices. For a given random walk process of n observations, we explicitly compute the probability that the j -th observation in the sequence is the maximum or minimum among all n observations. Based on the probability distribution of the rank, we derive several distribution-free selection strategies under which the decision maker's expected utility of selecting the best choice is maximized. We show that, unlike in the classical secretary problem, evaluating more choices in the random walk process does not increase the likelihood of successfully selecting the best.
Is foreign direct investment beneficial for Mexico? An empirical analysis, 1960–2001

Summary This paper examines the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on labor productivity growth in Mexico. Using cointegration analysis, a dynamic labor productivity function for the 1960–2001 period is estimated that includes, inter alia, the impact of changes in the stock of private and foreign capital per worker. The error correction model (ECM) estimates suggest that increases in both private (lagged) and foreign (lagged) investment per worker have a positive and economically significant effect on the rate of labor productivity growth. However, after taking into account the growing remittances of profits and dividends, there is a marked decrease in the economic effect of foreign capital per worker on the rate of labor productivity growth. The paper assesses the short-term interactions of the relevant variables via impulse response functions (IRFs) and variance decompositions (VDCs) based on a decomposition process that does not depend on the ordering of the variables.
Assessing diversity in plant communities: The importance of within-species variation

Abstract While the measurement of plant species diversity continues to play a central role in ecology and conservation, few formal attempts have been made at defining the concept of diversity, and, specifically, at evaluating the utility of taxonomic species as units for diversity indices. Ecological diversity is defined here as a measure of the degree of biotic and/or abiotic dissimilitude within a community that is perceivable and utilizable by organisms. Although indices based merely on ‘species' may be useful for cataloging taxonomic diversity in communities, plant taxa are generally unreliable units for quantifying the ecological diversity perceived and utilized by most organisms in communities. Recent research highlights the shortcomings of the unit of species for characterizing ecological diversity, and we advocate the further exploration of alternative diversity classes with which to describe plant communities.
A Spiral-Beam Method for the Amplitude Modulation of Magnetrons

A new method is described for the amplitude modulation of magnetrons. Although the method has been applied to the modulation of an existing cw magnetron at 900 Mc, scaling to higher frequencies should prove to be perfectly feasible. In principle, a beam of electrons spiraling in a longitudinal magnetic field varies the conductance presented by a resonant cavity coupled to the magnetron, and so varies the power delivered to the load. The peak power output of the system is at present 400 to 500 watts, while the necessary modulating power is only about 1/2 watt. The linearity of the system is reasonably good, and the bandwidth is at least 20 Mc. The depth of voltage modulation realized is 85 to 90 per cent, while the frequency variation during the amplitude-modulation cycle is only ±15 kc. A television picture free from obvious defects has for the first time, it is believed, been produced by the electronic amplitude modulation of a magnetron.
Observation of Rheed Intensity Oscillations During PbSe/CaF2/Si(111) MBE

RHEED intensity oscillations observed during MBE growth of CaF 2 on Si(111) and PbSe on CaF 2 /Si(111) are presented. The effects of substrate temperature and initial nucleation procedure are investigated. Strong temporal oscillations of the specular beam intensity are found to be most readily observed at temperatures below 200°C for both CaF 2 and PbSe. Growth rates measured as a function of cell temperatures exhibit Arrhenius behavior with activation energies of 5.0 eV and 1.93 eV for CaF 2 and PbSe, respectively. The relatively high activation energy obtained for CaF 2 is consistent with the high melting point and sublimation energy of ionic fluorides.
The inorganic sulfate transport system of Penicillium chrysogenum.

Abstract Inorganic sulfate enters the mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum against an apparent concentration gradient by a temperature-, energy-, pH-, and concentration-dependent transport system that is regulated by the degree of sulfur-deficiency of the mycelium. Sulfate transport can take place in the absence of sulfate reduction and organic sulfur formation. The rapid conversion of sulfate to organic sulfur in the absence of N -ethylmaleimide suggests that the newly-transported 35 SO 4 −− does not completely equilibrate with the pre-existing sulfate pool. Only about half of the transported sulfate could be removed by exhaustive washing or exchanged with unlabeled extracellular sulfate. The kinetics of transport and exchange also suggest the presence of two distinct intracellular sulfate pools. Inorganic thiosulfate, a suggested intermediate and overflow product of fungal sulfate reduction is an extracellular inhibitor of sulfate transport. Sulfite is an extracellular inhibitor at pH 5 but not at pH 6.5. Methionine and cysteine are not extracellular inhibitors of sulfate transport, but are rapidly converted intracellularly to a feedback inhibitor. The V max and apparent K m of the sulfate transport system (in the presence of NEM) are 0.5 – 1.0 μ mole/gmminute and 3–7 × 10 −5 m , respectively, at pH 6.5. Inorganic selenate inhibits sulfate transport and is taken up by the mycelium via the sulfate transport system. In the absence of net transport, sulfate will still adsorb to the mycelial surface very rapidly (or penetrate into a free space) by a DNP- and temperature-insensitive process.
Reusable semantic differential scales for measuring social response to robots

This paper presents eight novel reusable semantic differential scales measuring a variety of concepts relevant to the field of social HRI: Understandability, Persuasiveness, Naturalness, Appropriateness, Welcome, Appeal, Unobtrusiveness and Ease. These scales were successfully used in two HRI experiments, and were found to have acceptable (> 0.7) or higher levels of internal reliability. These scales are reusable and were designed to simplify comparison between HRI studies, especially in the area of social robotics, where measuring the quality of interaction and social response to robots is of paramount importance.
Attempted Isolation of Hepatitis Viruses in Marmosets

In a study being reported concurrently, we confirmed the observation of Deinhardt et al. [1] that a pool of fifth passage sera from marmosets originally inoculated with human hepatitis material was transmissible in marmosets and produced a hepatitislike picture [2]. That study characterized the infection in marmosets following inoculation with the Barker strain of marmoset hepatitis virus and reported some physical characteristics of the agent. Histological studies demonstrated in the livers of infected animals a characteristic inflam-
Single-cell isolation using a DVD optical pickup

A low-cost single-cell isolation system incorporating a digital versatile disc burner (DVD RW) optical pickup has been developed. We show that these readily available modules have the required laser power and focusing optics to provide a steady Gaussian beam capable of optically trapping micron-sized colloids and red blood cells. Utility of the pickup is demonstrated through the non-destructive isolation of such particles in a laminar-flow based microfluidic device that captures and translates single microscale objects across streamlines into designated channel exits. In this, the integrated objective lens focusing coils are used to steer the optical trap across the channel, resulting in the isolation of colloids and red blood cells using a very inexpensive off-the-shelf optical component.
Effect of Arsenite on the Induction of CYP1A4 and CYP1A5 in Cultured Chick Embryo Hepatocytes

Abstract We had reported previously that 2.5–5 μM sodium arsenite decreased the phenobarbital-mediated induction of CYP2H activity and protein but not CYP2H1 mRNA in chick-embryo hepatocyte cultures. Induction of a CYP1A activity and protein by 3-methylcholanthrene was also decreased by low arsenite concentrations; however, CYP1A mRNAs were not measured in those studies. We report here that low concentrations of arsenite decreased induction of activities and mRNAs of two chicken cytochromes P450, CYP1A (1A4 and 1A5), by 3-methylcholanthrene in chick-embryo hepatocyte cultures. Arsenite treatment did not affect the turnover of either mRNA, nor did it decrease the superinduction of each mRNA caused by treatment with cycloheximide in addition to 3-methylcholanthrene. Glutathione depletion enhanced the effect of arsenite to decrease induction of CYP1A4. These results indicate the induction of CYP1A4 and 1A5 is inhibited by sodium arsenite at the level of transcription, suggesting that the Ah receptor complex may be involved.
CdZnSe/ZnSe strained layer superlattices disordered by germanium diffusion

We have investigated the phenomenon of layer disordering in CdZnSe/ZnSe strained layer superlattices (SLSs) by Ge diffusion and have fabricated CdZnSe/ ZnSe optical waveguides using the Ge-induced disordering. Both the as-grown sample and the sample annealed without a Ge layer showed several orders of well-resolved double crystal x-ray satellite peaks due to SLS periodic structure. However, the satellite peaks completely disappeared in the Ge-diffused sample, indicating that the SLS structure was disordered by the Ge diffusion and not caused by the annealing process. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements at 1.4K of both the as-grown and the annealed samples without Ge diffusion show intense, sharp excitonic emission around 483 nm in CdZnSe/ZnSe SLS. After Ge diffusion, the PL peaks shift to higher energy confirming the layer disordering of the SLS. The blue shift due to disordering was also observed in the PL at room temperature (RT). The optical guided mode in the SLS guiding layer confined by the disordered alloy was confirmed. Lateral optical confinement in the stripe geometry laser was also confirmed by observing the RT stimulated emission produced by optical pumping.
Tricks with clicks: modification of peptidomimetic oligomers via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne [3 + 2] cycloaddition

This tutorial review examines recent developments involving use of Copper-catalyzed Azide-Alkyne [3 + 2] Cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions in the synthesis, modification, and conformational control of peptidomimetic oligomers. CuAAC reactions have been used to address a variety of objectives including: (i) ligation of peptidomimetic oligomers; (ii) synthesis of ordered “foldamer” architectures; (iii) conjugation of ligands to peptidomimetic scaffolds; and (iv) macrocyclization of peptidomimetics using triazole linkages as conformational constraints. Variations in synthesis protocols, such as the use of different solvent systems, temperatures and copper species are evaluated herein to present a range of variables for the optimization of CuAAC reactions. The overall objectives of these studies are assessed to highlight the widespread applications of the products, which range from bioactive ligands to new materials.
Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: A Gastroenterology Perspective

Total proctocolectomy with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice in medically refractory ulcerative colitis. Patients with an IPAA are at risk of developing pouch disorders, ranging from pouchitis, Crohn disease of the pouch, cuffitis, pouch neoplasia, and irritable pouch syndrome. Pouchitis is an aberrant mucosal immune response to altered luminal microflora and constitutes the leading cause of pouch dysfunction. A combination of clinical, serologic, and genetic factors may predict the likelihood of developing pouchitis. Endoscopy remains the gold standard in diagnosing pouch disorders. Inflammatory markers in blood as well as stool are useful in monitoring disease activity and can be followed for accurate prognostication. Most patients with pouchitis respond to a course of antibiotics; however, a few develop chronic relapsing pouchitis that may require long-term antibiotics or probiotics. All patients with chronic antibiotic refractory pouchitis should undergo evaluation for underlying enteric infections as well as Crohn disease. Treatment of Crohn disease of the pouch may require immunomodulators or biological agents. IPAA decreases but does not eliminate the risk of subsequent neoplasia in the residual rectal mucosa or the pouch itself. A systematic approach to diagnosing and classifying pouch disorders is imperative in managing patients' post-IPAA.