cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous human metastin 45-54 infusion desensitizes G protein-coupled receptor 54-induced gonadotropin-releasing hormone release monitored indirectly in the juvenile male Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta): a finding with therapeutic implications.

The effect of continuous administration of the C-terminal fragment of metastin, the ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR54, on GnRH-induced LH secretion was examined in three agonadal, juvenile male monkeys whose responsiveness to GnRH was heightened by pretreatment with a chronic pulsatile iv infusion of synthetic GnRH. After bolus injection of 10 μg human (hu) metastin 45–54 (equivalent to kisspeptin 112–121), the GPR54 agonist was infused continuously at a dose of 100 μg/h and elicited a brisk LH response for approximately 3 h. This rise was then followed by a precipitous drop in LH despite continuous exposure of GPR54 to metastin 45–54. On d 4, during the final 3 h of the infusion, single boluses of hu metastin 45–54 (10 μg), N-methyl-dl-aspartic acid (NMDA) (10 mg/kg) and GnRH (0.3 μg) were administered to interrogate each element of the metastin-GPR54-GnRH-GnRH receptor cascade. Although the NMDA and GnRH boluses were able to elicit LH pulses, that of hu metastin 45–54 was not, demonstrati...
Gene expression of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase in the course of puromycin-induced nephrosis

Gene expression of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase in the course of puromycin-induced nephrosis. Cholesterol conversion to and biliary excretion of bile acids represents the principal pathway of cholesterol catabolism in mammals. Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Ch-7α-H) is the first and the rate limiting step in bile acid production. Recently, Ch-7α-H enzymatic activity has been shown to be normal in rats with established puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephrosis (NS). To our knowledge, the gene expression of Ch-7α-H in NS has not been investigated. We measured hepatic Ch-7α-H mRNA and protein (by Northern and Western blot analyses) in rats at baseline and longitudinally during the course of induction and chronic phase of puromycin (PAN) induced NS. Groups of placebo-treated (controls) and diet-induced hypercholesterolemic (DHC) rats were included for comparison. The NS and DHC animals exhibited severe hypercholesterolemia of similar magnitude. Hepatic Ch-7α-H transcript and protein remained virtually unchanged throughout the study period in the NS group. In contrast, Ch-7α-H gene expression was markedly up-regulated in the DHC group. These observations suggest that hepatic Ch-7α-H gene expression may be inappropriately low for the degree of the associated hypercholesterolemia in the NS group. It should be noted, however, that hepatic tissue cholesterol concentration was normal in the NS group and greatly increased in the DHC group. This can account for the disparity in Ch-7α-H mRNA levels between the two groups since intracellular rather than extracellular cholesterol modulates Ch-7α-H gene expression. In conclusion, the present study revealed that hepatic Ch-7α-H gene expression remains unchanged during the course of PAN-induced NS in rats. It thus appears that generation and maintenance of hypercholesterolemia in this model of NS does not involve significant alteration of Ch-α-H gene expression.
Proliferation signal inhibitor toxicities after thoracic transplantation.

Introduction: Thoracic transplantation represents the definitive therapy for end-stage lung and heart diseases. Over the life of the allograft, upregulation of profibroproliferative mechanisms result in the advancement of chronic rejection. These take the form of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in a lung recipient and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in a heart recipient. The proliferation signal inhibitors (PSI), sirolimus and everolimus, represent a therapeutic option to downregulate this fibroproliferative effect. Additionally, these drugs may result in renal sparing and express potent anti-viral activity. However, they are fraught with substantial and complex toxicities that limit their use. Areas covered: In this review, the authors first describe the mechanism of immunosuppression and pharmacokinetics of the PSIs. Subsequently, their use in thoracic transplant recipients for the purposes of renal sparing, anti-cytomegalovirus effect, and antifibroproliferative effects to prolong the onse...
Dielectric properties of defects on wood surfaces

Previous research on the dielectric properties of wood concentrated on clear wood or specific chemical components of wood. Practice, however, requires data not only on the dielectric properties of normal wood but also for typical defects associated with wood. Research was conducted to determine the magnitudes of the complex dielectric constant and loss tangent for typical wood features. In addition, their sensitivities to a range of excitation frequencies and wood moisture levels were examined. This paper presents examples that illustrate the type of data obtained for various wood features. This information will eventually help determine optimal operational parameters for dielectric-based scanning devices for wood products.
Uveitis-associated flap edema and lamellar interface fluid collection after LASIK.

Purpose To report two cases of corneal pathology associated with anterior uveitis after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Design Observational case report. Methods A 47-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman who experienced vision loss and corneal changes associated with acute anterior uveitis after LASIK were examined. Results The 47-year-old man, who had undergone LASIK for low myopia developed an interlamellar fluid pocket at the level of the flap interface, whereas the 50-year-old woman, who underwent LASIK for hyperopia, developed marked flap edema without interface fluid collection. Conclusions These two cases demonstrated acute corneal fluid accumulation associated with episodes of acute anterior uveitis in eyes that had undergone LASIK. Uveitis should be considered a risk factor for vision threatening corneal complications after LASIK.
Drop size-dependent S(IV) oxidation in chemically heterogeneous radiation fogs

Abstract Six radiation fog episodes were sampled in the Central Valley of California during winter 1998/1999. Drop size-resolved fog samples were sampled using a size-fractionating Caltech active strand cloudwater collector (sf-CASCC). The sf-CASCC collects a large fog drop sample, comprised mainly of drops larger than 17 μm diameter, and a small fog drop sample, comprised mainly of drops with diameters between 4 and 17 μm. The fog pH was found to vary between approximately pH 5.3 and 6.8, with the pH of the large fog drop sample typically several tenths of a pH unit higher than the simultaneously collected small fog drop sample. At these high pH values, dissolved sulfur dioxide can be rapidly oxidized by a variety of chemical pathways and also can react quickly with dissolved formaldehyde to form hydroxymethanesulfonate. The amount of sulfate produced by aqueous-phase oxidation during each fog episode was determined by application of a tracer technique. The ratio of large : small drop S(IV) oxidation was compared with theoretically predicted ratios of large : small drop S(IV) oxidation rates. Although the higher pH of the large fog drops should promote more rapid S(IV) oxidation by ozone, finite rates of mass transport into the large drops and an increasing rate of complexation of S(IV) by formaldehyde at high pH combine to depress theoretically predicted rates of aqueous sulfate production in large fog drops below rates expected for small fog drops. This prediction is supported by the tracer results that indicate the concentration of sulfate resulting from aqueous-phase S(IV) oxidation in small drops generally exceeded the concentration formed in large drops. These findings stand in sharp contrast to observations in acidic clouds at Whiteface Mountain, New York, where hydrogen peroxide was determined to be the dominant S(IV) oxidant and the rate of S(IV) oxidation was found to be independent of drop size.
Global and parenting-specific social support as protective factors for the well-being of Mexican American mothers of toddlers

This study applies an ecodevelopmental stress process model to consider the extent to which social support buffers mothers from experiencing depressive symptoms and parenting stress among a community sample of 81 Mexican American mothers of toddlers. Specifically, we examine how mother-reported perceived global and parenting-specific social support interact with economic strain and child negative affectivity in the prediction of maternal depressive symptoms and parenting stress. We also examine the extent to which both forms of social support interact with mothers’ familism support beliefs. Findings indicate that parenting-specific social support interrupts the positive associations between economic strain and negative child affect and maternal depressive symptoms, above and beyond the influence of global social support. Moreover, the combination of high familism beliefs and global social support reduces risks for maternal depressive symptoms.
Bicommutants of multiplication operators

We consider the well-known problem: when does an analogue of von Neumann Double Commutant Theorem hold for a multiplication operator on a Banach space of functions? We get an affirmative answer to the above problem for multiplication operators on C(K), where K is a locally connected continuum. In the second part of the paper we solve the above mentioned problem for multiplication operators on C(1)[0, 1] in the case when the multiplier is either a polynomial or a non-decreasing function.
Cognitive consensus in recent mainstream American sociology: An empirical analysis

A number of observers have commented that American sociology has recently experimenced a shift in its cognitive structure. In order to empirically investigate these observations, citations in the two most prominent sociological journals during 1955 and 1970 are examined. The data indicate that (a) various theory groups account for a relatively small percentage of authors cited during either period, (b) a number of the earlier theory groups are less prominent than they once were, and (c) there is evidence of the emergence of one new theory group.
Computational Approaches for Predicting Protein---Protein Interactions: A Survey

Discovery of the protein interactions that take place within a cell can provide a starting point for understanding biological regulatory pathways. Global interaction patterns among proteins, for example, can suggest new drug targets and aid the design of new drugs by providing a clearer picture of the biological pathways in the neighborhoods of the drug targets. High-throughput experimental screens have been developed to detect protein---protein interactions, however, they show high rates of errors in terms of false positives and false negatives. Many computational approaches have been proposed to tackle the problem of protein---protein interaction prediction. They range from comparative genomics based methods to data integration based approaches. Challenging properties of protein---protein interaction data have to be addressed appropriately before a higher quality interaction map with better coverage can be achieved. This paper presents a survey of major works in computational prediction of protein---protein interactions, explaining their assumptions, main ideas, and limitations.
Effects of interactive vocabulary instruction on the vocabulary learning and reading comprehension of junior-high learning disabled students.

Drawing upon theory-driven vocabulary instruction and the vocabulary-reading comprehension connection, this study compared the effectiveness of three interactive vocabulary strategies derived from the knowledge hypothesis with definition instruction derived from the access and instrumental hypotheses. Subjects were 61 learning disabled junior-high students. Using content-area texts, students participated in one of three interactive strategies — semantic mapping (SM), semantic feature analysis (SFA), and semantic / syntactic feature analysis (SSFA) — or in definition instruction (DI). Learning was measured both at short and long term by vocabulary and comprehension multiple-choice items and written recalls. Results from the multiple-choice items suggested that students participating in the interactive strategies demonstrated greater comprehension and vocabulary learning than students receiving definition instruction. Results of the written recalls indicated qualitatively and quantitatively greater recalls ...
Short-term prediction of wind power with a clustering approach

Abstract A clustering approach is presented for short-term prediction of power produced by a wind turbine at low wind speeds. Increased prediction accuracy of wind power to be produced at future time periods is often bounded by the prediction model complexity and computational time involved. In this paper, a trade-off between the two conflicting objectives is addressed. First, a set of the most relevant parameters (predictors) is selected using the underlying physics and pattern immersed in data. Five scenarios of the input space are created with the k-means clustering algorithm. The most promising clustering scenario is applied to produce a model for each clustered subspace. Computational results are compared and the benefits of cluster–specific (customized) models are discussed. The results show that the prediction accuracy is improved the input space is clustered and customized prediction models are developed.
Iconic memory requires attention

Two experiments investigated whether attention plays a role in iconic memory, employing either a change-detection paradigm (Experiment 1) or a partial-report paradigm (Experiment 2). In each experiment, attention was taxed during initial display presentation, focusing the manipulation on consolidation of information into iconic memory, prior to transfer into working memory. Observers were able to maintain high levels of performance (accuracy of change detection or categorization) even when concurrently performing an easy visual search task (low load). However, when the concurrent search was made difficult (high load), observers’ performance dropped to almost chance levels, while search accuracy held at single-task levels. The effects of attentional load remained the same across paradigms. The results suggest that, without attention, participants consolidate in iconic memory only gross representations of the visual scene, information too impoverished for successful detection of perceptual change or categorization of features.
Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Cognitive Status of Children at Age 10

Background: The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on measures of intelligence have been well documented in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. However, deficits in general intellectual ability in children with low to moderate PAE are less well understood. The objective of this study was to assess the association between moderate PAE and cognitive ability in children at age 10 controlling for other prenatal and birth factors, maternal and child psychosocial factors, and environmental characteristics. Methods: Data were collected as part of the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development Project, a prospective study of prenatal substance use with 636 mother–child pairs. Women were assessed during each trimester of pregnancy and with their children at birth; 8 and 18 months; and 3, 6, and 10 years. Each phase included an evaluation of growth, development, cognitive, and psychological functioning. At age 10, cognitive ability was assessed using the composite score and verbal, abstract/visual, quantitative, and short-term memory area scores of the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Test, fourth edition. Maternal intellectual ability, maternal prenatal and current drug use, maternal and child psychosocial characteristics, demographics, and home environment were included in the analysis. Results: A significant relation was found between alcohol exposure during the first and second trimesters and the composite score of the Stanford–Binet for African American children at age 10. Significant relations were also found for the verbal, abstract/visual, and quantitative subscales. Additional predictors of IQ at age 10 included mother's IQ, home environment, and child's report of depression. Conclusions: There is a significant association between PAE and cognitive ability at age 10 among African American offspring. There was no relation between PAE and scores on the Stanford–Binet scales among the Caucasian offspring.
Benefit from combining blood conservation measures in cardiac operations

Conventional blood conservation techniques have been insufficient to decrease transfusion needs in increasingly complex cardiac operations. To evaluate combinations of conservation techniques, 300 patients were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 had intraoperative autotransfusion and return of mediastinal drainage for 4 hours postoperatively. Group 2 had these measures plus intraoperative plasmapheresis. These two groups were given a transfusion for a hematocrit of less than 0.21 on Cardiopulmonary bypass. Group 3 was treated with the same measures as group 2 but did not receive transfusions while on pump unless the hematocrit decreased to less than 0.15. The percentage of patients in each group given transfusions in the operating room was 34% in group 1, 28% in group 2, and 7% in group 3 (p < 0.05). The percentage of all patients receiving transfusions during hospitaliization was 68% in group 1, 36% in group 2 (p < 0.05), and 18% in group 3 (p < 0.05). Average total units transfused were 2.16 ± 0.25 in group 1, 0.7 ± 0.15 in group 2 (p < 0.05), and 0.37 ± 0.07 in group 3 (p < 0.05). The perioperative morbidity rates including myocardial infarctions and strokes were similar. There were no deaths in group 3. Combining complementary conservation measures is effective in reducing homologous blood transfusions, and the need for transfusion can be safely reduced by allowing profound hemodilution during bypass.
Synaptotagmin IV: A Multifunctional Regulator of Peptidergic Nerve Terminals

The function of Synaptotagmin IV (Syt IV) in vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmitter release is debated, as Syt IV does not bind calcium. Here, Zhang et al. show that Syt IV localizes to the vesicles of neuropeptide-secreting nerve terminals in the posterior pituitary and regulates the kinetics of calcium-triggered exocytosis.
Sound, color and meaning in the metallurgy of Ancient West Mexico

Abstract West Mexican metallurgy developed between AD 600 and the Spanish invasion. Laboratory evidence shows that metalworkers used a variety of metals and alloys, including copper‐tin and copper‐arsenic bronze, to craft both tools and status items. None the less, the primary technical focus was on two non‐utilitarian properties of metal, its sound in bells and its golden and silvery colors in bells and sheet metal ornaments. Ethnohistoric and linguistic evidence indicates that the sounds of bells offered protection in war and structured rituals that celebrated fertility and regeneration. Metallic colors, especially of gold and silver, were associated with the solar and lunar deities and a shimmering sacred paradise. In focusing on metallic sounds and metallic colors, this metallurgical technology in large measure constituted a system of visual and aural symbols that created and recreated the experience of the sacred.
The international politics of national parks

National parks are the keystone institutions of environmental conservation. Because national parks make certain lands part of the state itself, international agencies and nongovernmental organizations that promote national parks propose, in effect, to alter the state, as well as the local economy and state relations with social groups. Has international political pressure caused states to create national parks? I consider whether countries highly involved in international politics have the largest proportions of land in national parks. I conclude that many states create minimal park systems as symbolic gestures to the international community. Field researchers may find it easier to explain the success or failure of parks if they identity why state officials decide that adopting international conservation norms will enhance state authority over people and state sovereignty over land.
Diet versus Exercise in “The Biggest Loser” Weight Loss Competition

Background: Obesity experts have criticized The Biggest Loser television show for its portrayal of an unrealistic intervention that raises false expectations for weight loss. However, the magnitude of the diet and exercise intervention has not been previously quantified. Design and Methods: Using a validated computational model of metabolism, I quantified the diet and exercise intervention by integrating data on energy expenditure, body weight and fat mass collected during The Biggest Loser competition. Results: Participant body mass index, weight, and percent body fat at baseline were 48.7 ± 10.1 kg/m2, 144.9 ± 39.4 kg, and 49 ± 6% (mean ± SD), respectively. During the first phase of the competition when the contestants were isolated in a boot camp environment, the average rate of weight loss was 0.4 ± 0.1 kg/d and decreased to 0.19 ± 0.1 kg/d after returning home. Total weight loss was 58.2 ± 26 kg with 81.6 ± 8.4% coming from body fat. The computer simulations closely matched these data and calculated that average energy intake decreased by 65% during the first phase to 1300 kcal/d while participating in 3.1 h/d of vigorous exercise. After returning home, energy intake increased to 1900 kcal/d and vigorous exercise decreased to 1.1 h/d. Simulation of diet alone resulted in 34 kg of weight loss with 65% coming from body fat, whereas exercise alone resulted in a loss of 27 kg with 102% from fat. Conclusion: The intense diet and exercise intervention during The Biggest Loser competition were not sustainable. However, a relatively modest permanent lifestyle intervention of 20% caloric restriction and 20 min/d of vigorous exercise could maintain the massive weight loss.
A Cellular Homolog of Hepatitis Delta Antigen: Implications for Viral Replication and Evolution

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a pathogenic human virus whose RNA genome and replication cycle resemble those of plant viroids. However, viroid genomes contain no open reading frames, whereas HDV RNA encodes a single protein, hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg), which is required for viral replication. A cellular gene whose product interacts with HDAg has now been identified, and this interaction was found to affect viral genomic replication in intact cells. DNA sequence analysis revealed that this protein, termed delta-interacting protein A (DIPA), is a cellular homolog of HDAg. These observations demonstrate that a host gene product can modulate HDV replication and suggest that HDV may have evolved from a primitive viroidlike RNA through capture of a cellular transcript.
The renal lesion of congenital hepatic fibrosis: pathologic and morphometric analysis, with comparison to the renal lesion of infantile polycystic disease.

The renal lesion of congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF = Blyth and Ockenden's juvenile polycystic disease of liver and kidneys) was analyzed from 6 specimens from patients aged 3 3/12 to 19 3/12 years and compared with that of 5 patients with infantile polycystic disease (IPCD) aged 6 months to 14 4/12 years. Pathologic, microdissection, injection, and morphometric studies show that the predominantly medullary cystic lesion of CHF shows different distribution in medullary, cortico-medullary, and cortical zones of kidney from the lesion of IPCD, and shows a different time course, from early life to renal insufficiency, from that of IPCD. The renal cysts in CHF affect deep or central collecting tubules, in contrast to the involvement of more peripheral orders of collecting tubules in IPCD. Papillary pore counts, performed for 1 patient, gave significantly low values, in contrast to normal values reported for IPCD. The findings support the previously published conclusion, based on differences in the hepatic le...
Technical skills rotation for general surgery residents.

Background Technical skills are an important part of any general surgery residency curriculum. With the demands of limited work weeks, it is imperative that educators create novel methods of teaching technical skills to their residents. Our program utilizes a dedicated month to help accomplish this. This study hypothesized that general surgery residents would report a positive effect of a dedicated technical skills rotation. Methods Residents who had undergone a 1 mo rotation in technical skills during their first year were asked to fill out a survey concerning their experience. During the 1-mo rotation, the residents had almost no clinical responsibilities. Teaching of technical skills was performed with various activities, including video content (VC), virtual reality simulators (VR), open foam procedures (OF), laparoscopic box trainers (BT), surgical equipment in-service (SE), and animate sessions (AS). Responses were given on a Likert scale (1–10) with higher numbers being more positive responses. Results There were seven residents in this study. The residents gave a very positive response to the overall rotation (9.4) and exposure to laparoscopic procedures (9.6). The other responses were enthusiastic as well: exposure to open procedures (8.9) and preparation for operative room (9.4). After their rotation, the residents were comfortable performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (9.2), a hand-sewn anastomosis (8.7), and a stapled anastomosis (9.4). The residents found theses activities helpful in increasing order: VC (7.8), VR (8.0), BT (9.0), ES (9.7), OF (9.8), and AS (9.8). Conclusions A 1-mo dedicated technical skills rotations was perceived to be extremely positive by the residents. The residents felt very comfortable performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a hand-sewn anastomosis, and a stapled anastomosis. With the 80-h work week, alternatives to learning technical skills in the operating room are essential. Further studies need to be performed to determine if this rotation aids in accomplishing this goal.
Shock drift acceleration in the presence of waves

Attention is given to the initial results of a model designed to study the modification of the scatter-free, shock drift acceleration of energetic test particles by wave activity in the vicinity of a quasi-perpendicular, fast-mode MHD shock. It is emphasized that the concept of magnetic moment conservation is a valid approximation only in the perpendicular and nearly perpendicular regimes, when the angle theta-Bn between the shock normal and the upstream magnetic field vector is in the range from 70 deg to 90 deg. The present investigation is concerned with one step in a program which is being developed to combine the shock drift and diffusive processes at a shock of arbitrary theta-Bn.
The crystallization of magnesium hydroxide

Abstract The thermodynamic association constant for the formation of the ion-pair MgOH+ in solutions of magnesium hydroxide has been studied by potentiometric and conductometric methods. The growth of magnesium hydroxide seed crystals in supersaturated solutions over a range of concentrations of magnesium and hydroxide ions and in the presence of phosphonate additives has been investigated by a precision conductance method. After a rapid initial surge of growth, an equation first order with respect to supersaturation can be used to explain the experimental data. A surface diffusion process is proposed as the controlling step in the crystallization process.
Distribution of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat brain and molecular cloning of multiple cDNAs encoding structurally related proteins in humans

Abstract 3α-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the brain is responsible for production of neuroactive tetrahydrosteroids that interact with the major inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor complexes. Distribution of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in different regions of the brain in rats was evaluated by activity assay and by Western immunoblotting using a monoclonal antibody against liver 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as the probe. The olfactory bulb was found to contain the highest level of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, while moderate levels of the enzyme activity were found in other regions such as cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and pituitary. Some activity was found in the rest of the brain such as amygdala, brain stem, caudate putamen, cingulate cortex, hippocampus, midbrain, and thalamus. The protein levels of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in different regions of the brain as detected by Western immunoblotting are comparable to those of the enzyme activity. We used the rat cDNA as the probe to screen a human liver λ gt11 cDNA library. A total of four different cDNAs were identified and sequenced. One of the cDNAs is identical to that of the human chlordecone reductase cDNA except that our clone contains a much longer 5′-coding sequence than previously reported. The other three cDNAs display high degrees of sequence homology to those of both rat 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and human chlordecone reductase. We are currently investigating the functional relationship between the enzymes encoded by these human cDNAs and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.
A comparative study of the strength of aluminous porcelain jacket crowns constructed with the conventional and twin foil technique

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the strength of aluminous porcelain jacket crowns made in the following manners: (1) the conventional technique, (2) the conventional technique with a pure alumina insert, (3) the twin foil technique, and (4) the twin foil technique with a pure alumina insert. The conclusions of this investigation can be summarized as follows: 1. Porosity was observed in all the restorations made by each of the techniques. 2. The porosity was greater at the porcelain-platinum foil interface than anywhere else throughout the restoration with both the conventional and twin foil techniques. 3. The porosity seemed to be evenly distributed along the interface, with no concentration in any area. 4. Regardless of the technique, crowns that were more porous fractured at lower values. 5. Crowns built by the twin foil technique were significantly more porous at the interface of the tin-plated platinum and the porcelain core than those built by the conventional technique. 6. Crowns constructed with the conventional technique were significantly stronger than those constructed with the twin foil technique. 7. There was no bond between the core porcelain and the platinum foil matrix in crowns constructed by the conventional technique. 8. There seemed to be a strong bond between the core porcelain and the tin-plated platinum matrix in crowns built by the twin foil technique. 9. The presence or absence of the alumina insert on crowns constructed with the conventional and twin foil technique did not affect the strength of the crowns when tested at the incisal edge.
A cantilever-free approach to dot-matrix nanoprinting

Scanning probe lithography (SPL) is a promising candidate approach for desktop nanofabrication, but trade-offs in throughput, cost, and resolution have limited its application. The recent development of cantilever-free scanning probe arrays has allowed researchers to define nanoscale patterns in a low-cost and high-resolution format, but with the limitation that these are duplication tools where each probe in the array creates a copy of a single pattern. Here, we report a cantilever-free SPL architecture that can generate 100 nanometer-scale molecular features using a 2D array of independently actuated probes. To physically actuate a probe, local heating is used to thermally expand the elastomeric film beneath a single probe, bringing it into contact with the patterning surface. Not only is this architecture simple and scalable, but it addresses fundamental limitations of 2D SPL by allowing one to compensate for unavoidable imperfections in the system. This cantilever-free dot-matrix nanoprinting will enable the construction of surfaces with chemical functionality that is tuned across the nano- and macroscales.
Statistical learning of action: the role of conditional probability.

Identification of distinct units within a continuous flow of human action is fundamental to action processing. Such segmentation may rest in part on statistical learning. In a series of four experiments, we examined what types of statistics people can use to segment a continuous stream involving many brief, goal-directed action elements. The results of Experiment 1 showed no evidence for sensitivity to conditional probability, whereas Experiment 2 displayed learning based on joint probability. In Experiment 3, we demonstrated that additional exposure to the input failed to engender sensitivity to conditional probability. However, the results of Experiment 4 showed that a subset of adults—namely, those more successful at identifying actions that had been seen more frequently than comparison sequences—were also successful at learning conditional-probability statistics. These experiments help to clarify the mechanisms subserving processing of intentional action, and they highlight important differences from, as well as similarities to, prior studies of statistical learning in other domains, including language.
PERSONALITY VARIABLES IN AUTOKINETIC FIGURE WRITING

Summary.-50 Ss in darkness perceived a fixed point of light as tracing letters, numerals, and geometric shapes according to suggestions given by E. Measures of movement and figure latency, letter, numeral, and shape frequency showed small correlations (P = .05) with 6 factors in the Cattell 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire: Ego Strength, Dominance, Superego Strength, Alaxia, Timidiry, and Ergic Tension. Since the report by Rechtschaffen and Mednick ( 1955 ) that Ss perceived a fixed pinpoint of light in darkness as writing words when given this suggestion, only two further studies of this phenomenon have appeared. Mednick, Harwood, and Wertheim (1957) found that words rated as disrurbing by Ss tended to be perceived as written by the pinpoint of light less frequently than neutral words. More recently, Rethlingshafer and Sherrer (1961) discovered a practice effect in which Ss showed an increase in frequency of letters and words perceived as written by the light upon successive occasions. Although the investigators first reporting the autokinetic word technique implied that it might serve as a projeccive device for the study of motivational and perceptual trends in personality, as yet no experimental studies concerned with the feasibility of such an application have been published. The purpose of the present study was to explore the usefulness of a modification of the autokinetic word technique as a projeccive indicator of variables in personality. The major hypothesis was that variables within the autokinetic illusion will correlate significantly with personality variables. In order to provide a broader opporti~nity for the manifestation of individual differences in this form of the illusion, it was felt that the suggestion given Ss should afford a wider range of possible figures that might be perceived as traced by the point of light. Accordingly, the suggestion was framed to include the following figures that might be seen: (a) numerals, (b) letters, and (c) geometric shapes, thereby providing a content variable within the illusion. A further hypothesis is that individual differences in latency of autokinetic phenomena will be related to personality variables. Therefore, the procedure was designed to permit the measurement of (a) movement latency (time from onset of the light to S's perception that it is moving) and (b) figure latency (time from the beginning of perceived movement to S's identification of the figure traced).
Recombination of methyl radicals at high temperatures

Abstract The recombination of methyl radicals generated by pyrolysis of azomethane-Ar mixtures and detected by coincidence absorption of the zinc 213.9 nm atomic line was studied in incident shock waves at temperatures from 1300 to 1700 K and densities from 2 × 10 −6 to 9 × 10 −6 mol/cm 3 . A simultaneous regression analysis based upon large factorial design computer simulations was used to solve the inverse problem of parameter identification and to determine optimal values of rate coefficient and other parameters. The rate coefficient found for the recombination channel is in agreement with a previously published nine-parameter weak collision model.
A nomogram for estimation of the cardiac valve areas.

A nomogram for the estimation of cardiac valve areas by the Gorlin formula has been described. The advantages of the nomographic approach are four-fold: (1) it results in considerable time saving in doing mathematical calculations; (2) it lessens the chance of mathematical error; (3) it provides a rapid means of checking the accuracy of a valve area calculated in the conventional manner; (4) it facilitates the understanding of the relationships between the various factors employed in the valve area formula. As a result, the nomogram will be a useful adjunct in the operation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory and in the education of its physician personnel.
2,5-Dichloro-2,5-dihydrothiophene 1-oxide: determinaton of the complete stereochemistry

The title five-membered heterocycle, C4H4Cl2OS, adopts an envelope conformation with the S atom at the tip of the flap. All three ring substituents, viz. the sulfoxide O atom and the two Cl atoms, are cis to each other. The two C atoms alpha to the sulfoxide group are also bonded to chlorine. The electron-withdrawing chlorine substituents give rise to weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds with the sulfoxide O atom of a symmetry-related molecule [H...O = 2.44 (2) and 2.61 (2) A, C...O = 3.143 (3) and 3.302 (2) A and C-H...O = 129.9 (19) and 135.1 (19) degrees ]. There is also a possible weak C-H...Cl interaction. Chains of molecules held together by these weak interactions run parallel to the a axis.
Sample Frame and Related Sample Design Issues for Surveys of Physicians and Physician Practices

A sample frame is the listing of the units from which a sample is to be selected. When deciding upon a file to serve as a source for a sample frame for a survey, perhaps the most important consideration is the extent to which the target population will be covered by the frame. However, other issues also come into play such as the accuracy of contact and other information appearing on the file as well as its cost. The American Medical Association Masterfile has long been considered the preferred choice for surveys of physicians, although it does have drawbacks. Here we consider two alternative files, discussing their relative advantages and disadvantages. For surveys of physician practices (or other organizations that employ physicians), there have been no files that are obvious choices to serve as the basis for a sample frame. Here we discuss data collection on physician practices from an analytic perspective and consider how sampling physicians to obtain practice level data may be a desirable approach.
Intramolecular Photoinduced Electron Transfer to Anthraquinones Linked to Duplex DNA: The Effect of Gaps and Traps on Long-Range Radical Cation Migration

A series of duplex DNA structures was prepared that incorporate an anthraquinone group linked covalently to the 5‘-terminus of one strand and two GG steps separated by three base pairs in the complementary strand. Physical, chemical, and spectroscopic methods indicate that the quinone is associated with the DNA by end-capping rather than by intercalation. Irradiation of the linked anthraquinone leads to piperidine-requiring strand cleavage predominantly at the 5‘-G of the GG steps. The 5‘-G of the distal GG step is more than 40 A from the anthraquinone group. This long-range DNA damage is attributed to migration of a radical cation (hole) through the duplex DNA from its point of generation near the anthraquinone to its point of reaction at the GG step. This migration is not interrupted by imposition of a gap caused by an abasic site. However, the incorporation of 8-OxoG into the DNA duplex blocks migration by introducing a deep, reactive trap for the radical cation.
Improved cyclopropene reporters for probing protein glycosylation

Cyclopropenes have emerged as a new class of bioorthogonal chemical reporters. These strained rings can be metabolically introduced into target biomolecules and covalently modified via mild cycloaddition chemistries. While versatile, existing cyclopropene scaffolds are inefficient reporters of protein glycosylation, owing to their branched structures and sluggish rates of reactivity. Here we describe a set of cyclopropenes for the robust detection of glycans on cell surfaces and isolated proteins. These scaffolds comprise carbamate linkages that are compatible with cellular biosynthetic pathways and exhibit rapid cycloaddition rates. Furthermore, these probes can be used in tandem with other classic bioorthogonal motifs—including azides and alkynes—to examine multiple biomolecules in tandem.
The effect of a motivational intervention on weight loss is moderated by level of baseline controlled motivation

Background: Clinic-based behavioral weight loss programs are effective in producing significant weight loss. A one-size-fits-all approach is often taken with these programs. It may be beneficial to tailor programs based on participants’ baseline characteristics. Type and level of motivation may be an important factor to consider. Previous research has found that, in general, higher levels of controlled motivation are detrimental to behavior change while higher levels of autonomous motivation improve the likelihood of behavior modification. Methods: This study assessed the outcomes of two internet behavioral weight loss interventions and assessed the effect of baseline motivation levels on program success. Eighty females (M (SD) age 48.7 (10.6) years; BMI 32.0 (3.7) kg/m 2 ; 91% Caucasian) were randomized to one of two groups, a standard group or a motivation-enhanced group. Both received a 16-week internet behavioral weight loss program and attended an initial and a four-week group session. Weight and motivation were measured at baseline, four and 16 weeks. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to test for moderation. Results: There was significant weight loss at 16-weeks in both groups (p < 0.001); however there were no between group differences (p = 0.57) (standard group 3.4 (3.6) kg; motivation-enhanced group 3.9 (3.4) kg). Further analysis was conducted to examine predictors of weight loss. Baseline controlled motivation level was negatively correlated with weight loss in the entire sample (r = -0.30; p = 0.01). Statistical analysis revealed an interaction between study group assignment and baseline level of controlled motivation. Weight loss was not predicted by baseline level of controlled motivation in the motivation-enhanced group, but was significantly predicted by controlled motivation in the standard group. Baseline autonomous motivation did not predict weight change in either group. Conclusions: This research found that, in participants with high levels of baseline controlled motivation for weight loss, an intervention designed to enhance motivation for weight loss produced significantly greater weight loss than a standard behavioral weight loss intervention.
A comparison of temperature performance of SAW delay lines built on LST-cut quartz

SAW Resonator devices fabricated on the LST-cut of quartz have been reported to have a greater frequency-temperature stability than devices on the ST-cut of quartz. The temperature characteristics reported thus far has been sensitive to metallization thickness and the Euler angles for the cut. The delay lines we built on LST-cut quartz exhibited a center frequency shift of less than 200 ppm over a temperature range of 20/spl deg/C to 100/spl deg/C. This result is in agreement with previously published results. Herein we explore the temperature characteristics of LST-cut quartz SAW delay lines. We will explore various delay lines using both gold and aluminum metallization for the IDT.
Aspect-ratio effects on rotating wings: circulation and forces

We employ experiments to study aspect ratio ( ) effects on the vortex structure, circulation and lift force for flat-plate wings rotating from rest at 45° angle of attack, which represents a simplified hovering-wing half-stroke. We use the time-varying, volumetric data of Carr et al. (Exp. Fluids, vol. 54, 2013, pp. 1–26), reconstructed from phase-locked, phase-averaged stereoscopic digital particle image velocimetry (S-DPIV), and an volumetric data set matching the span-based Reynolds number ( ) of . For and of ( – ), we directly measure the lift force. The total leading-edge-region circulation for and 4 compares best overall using a span-based normalization and for matching rotation angles. The total circulation increases across the span to the tip region, and is larger for . After the startup, the total circulation for each has a similar slope and a slow growth. The first leading-edge vortex (LEV) and the tip vortex (TV) for move past the trailing edge, followed by substantial breakdown. For the outboard, aft-tilted LEV merges with the TV and resides over the tip, although breakdown also occurs. Where the LEV is ‘stable’ inboard, its circulation saturates for and the growth slows for . Aft LEV tilting reduces the spanwise LEV circulation for each . Both positive and negative axial flow are found in the first LEV for and 4, with the positive component being somewhat larger. This yields a generally positive (outboard) average vorticity flux. The average lift coefficient is essentially constant with from 1 to 4 during the slow growth phase, although the large-time behaviour shows a slight decrease in lift coefficient with increasing . The S-DPIV data are used to obtain the lift impulse and the spanwise and streamwise components contributing to the lift coefficient. The spanwise contribution is similar for and 4, due to similar trailing-edge vortex interactions, LEV saturation behaviour and total circulation slopes. However, for the streamwise contribution is much larger, because of the stronger, coherent TV and aft-tilted LEV, which will create a relatively lower-pressure region over the tip.