cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cosmic-ray propagation through the disturbed heliosphere

Abstract The stationary, source-free, one-dimensional solution to the cosmic-ray heliospheric transport equation was solved using Runge–Kutta methods. These calculations have been applied to the treatment of Forbush decreases and the evolution of the solar cycle through the heliosphere. Forbush decreases calculated by this method produce spectra that are in good agreement with both the theoretical heliocentric potential and the potential as determined from neutron monitor data. During solar modulation, the effect of the travelling disturbance is to flatten the gradient of the cosmic ray flux in the inner heliosphere at solar minimum and steepen the gradient at solar maximum, as the incoming cosmic rays see solar activity up to a year earlier. The resulting spectra at the earth's orbit are in good agreement with the heliocentric approximation. The heliocentric approximation is an accurate and convenient method of accounting for solar modulation.
Infrared spectrum and vibrational potential function of the chlorite anion in the matrix-isolated M+ClO2− species

Abstract The chlorite anion, ClO 2 − , was prepared for spectral investigation by depositing alkali metal atoms and chlorine dioxide at high dilution in argon onto a 15°K optical surface. Intense infrared absorptions near 820, 790, and 420 cm −1 , which exhibited small alkali metal effects, are due to the three intraionic modes of the chlorite anion in the M + ClO 2 − species. The ClO force constant for ClO 2 − (4.11 mdyn/A) is less than the value for ClO 2 (6.61 mdyn/A), which is consistent with the antibonding character of the additional electron on ClO 2 − .
On the Theory of the Temperature Variation of the Specific Heat of Hydrogen

Quantum theory of rotational and vibrational specific heats of an elastic, non-gyroscopic model of a diatomic gas.---To account for the abnormally large specific heat of hydrogen at high temperatures, the molecule is assumed to have an internal vibrational degree of freedom. Assuming a dumb-bell model and the following law of force $F=\frac{a(r\ensuremath{-}{r}_{0})}{{r}^{3}}$, the energies of the stationary states are derived on the basis of the Bohr-Sommerfeld form of the quantum hypothesis, and an expression for the specific heat obtained. When suitable values of the two adjustable constants are chosen, satisfactory agreement is obtained with the experimental results for hydrogen throughout the entire range, to 1300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} K.Constants of the hydrogen molecule, computed from the empirical constants of the specific heat equation are: Nuclear spacing, 0.488 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ cm; moment of inertia, 1.975 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}41}$ gm ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$; wave-length corresponding to normal vibration, 2.05 \ensuremath{\mu}.Specific heats of hydrogen and water vapor; new empirical formulas for temperatures between 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 2300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} K derived from Pier's data, are given: For hydrogen: ${c}_{v}=4.87+0.539\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}t+0.146\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}{t}^{2}$; for water vapor: ${c}_{v}=6.03+4.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}t\ensuremath{-}4.07\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}{t}^{2}+1.95\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}{t}^{3}$.
Effects of cochlear-implant pulse rate and inter-channel timing on channel interactions and thresholds

Interactions among the multiple channels of a cochlear prosthesis limit the number of channels of information that can be transmitted to the brain. This study explored the influence on channel interactions of electrical pulse rates and temporal offsets between channels. Anesthetized guinea pigs were implanted with 2-channel scala-tympani electrode arrays, and spike activity was recorded from the auditory cortex. Channel interactions were quantified as the reduction of the threshold for pulse-train stimulation of the apical channel by sub-threshold stimulation of the basal channel. Pulse rates were 254 or 4069 pulses per second (pps) per channel. Maximum threshold reductions averaged 9.6 dB when channels were stimulated simultaneously. Among nonsimultaneous conditions, threshold reductions at the 254-pps rate were entirely eliminated by a 1966-μs inter-channel offset. When offsets were only 41 to 123 μs, however, maximum threshold shifts averaged 3.1 dB, which was comparable to the dynamic ranges of cortical neurons in this experimental preparation. Threshold reductions at 4069 pps averaged up to 1.3 dB greater than at 254 pps, which raises some concern in regard to high-pulse-rate speech processors. Thresholds for various paired-pulse stimuli, pulse rates, and pulse-train durations were measured to test possible mechanisms of temporal integration.
Motorcyclists' Brake Operation, Motorcycle Brake Controls and a Case Study: The Need for Human Factors Engineering

A survey was made of the braking techniques reportedly used by 180 motorcyclists in a variety of conditions. Overall, the motorcyclists indicated that they used both front and rear brakes in hard braking 75% of the time on dry pavement and 47% on wet, but in other conditions they mostly used the rear brake first or exclusively. That the rear brake is preferred is not surprising because of the design of the brake controls and other reasons. Reliance on the rear brake at the expense of the front wheel brake leads to reduced deceleration. A crash case study exemplifies the effect. Integrated brakes, in which each brake control simultaneously activates the brakes on the front and rear wheels, are indicated by good human factors design and by motorcyclist's braking performance and should improve safety, especially when the brakes incorporate anti-locking mechanisms
Λ-Nucleon scattering in K--deuterium capture reactions at rest

In the multiple scattering formalism, A-nucleon interactions in K--deuterium absorption processes for K--capture at rest are discussed as functions of A-N scattering parameters. It is found that the pion-momentum spectrum and the A-productions rate are surprisingly insensitive to the details of A-nucleon interactions.
Absence of isochromosome 12p in a pineal region malignant germ cell tumor

We report the first cytogenetic investigation of a rare pineal region mixed germ cell tumor. The mean modal number was 78. Multiple numerical and structural abnormalities were noted. Chromosomes 21 and 1q were consistently overrepresented, and chromosome 13 was underrepresented. A translocation involving chromosome 11 occurred in all metaphases examined. The Y chromosome was lost, and three copies of the X chromosome were present. No isochromosome 12p was identified, but four copies of chromosome 12 were present.
Microstructure of Barium Titanate Ceramics

The microstructure of polycrystalline barium titanate as seen in polished and etched specimens is more complicated than that in the single crystal. The greater complexity is revealed in the form of a banded structure which is considered to be due to the stress configuration arising from mutual impingement of randomly oriented grains during the cubic-tetragonal phase transformation.
Kinetics of diffusion in a spherical cell. II. Solute buffering included

Abstract This paper on diffusion kinetics in neurons presents an analysis of diffusion in the presence of solute buffering. Computational rather than theoretical methods are usually necessary since buffering generally precludes an analytical solution to the diffusion equations. As in the companion paper, our methods are illustrated in the context of calcium diffusion in a spherical cell. However, the same methods can be applied to the spread of any second messenger and other geometries. Analytical or computational predictions of the time course of diffusion and buffering may help guide further experiments and simulations. For example, simulations of calcium diffusion in a model of the bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cell show that buffering at depths greater than 5–6 μm is almost instantaneous compared to diffusion from sources at the cell membrane. Since buffering complicates the design of multicompartmental models, we demonstrate that a few compartments designed on the basis of diffusion alone (Carnevale and Rosenthal, 1992) may be a satisfactory framework for a model that includes bimolecular buffering. An analytical solution may be possible if the buffering reaction can be linearized. We describe a method for linearizing bimolecular saturating buffering, i.e., approximating it by a unimolecular non-saturating process that immobilizes solute. The analytical solution for the linearized reactive diffusion problem fits a non-linear model of calcium movement in the bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cell quite well after a few milliseconds.
Factors associated with preventive care practice among adults with diabetes

Adherence to annual preventive care (foot, eye, and dental examinations) in this group of study participants with diabetes (n=253) was suboptimal. Participants were 2.6-5.8 times more likely to have a specific preventive care in the past 12 months if they were told to do so by a health care professional.
Multiple levels of steroid hormone-dependent control of osteocalcin during osteoblast differentiation: glucocorticoid regulation of basal and vitamin D stimulated gene expression

We have examined the contribution of transcriptional mechanisms to the pleiotropic effects of glucocorticoids on basal and vitamin D stimulated expression of the developmentally regulated bone-specific osteocalcin (OC) gene. OC expression was systematically investigated at the level of protein, mRNA, and newly synthesized transcripts during maturation of the bone cell phenotype in cultures of fetal rat calvarial-derived osteoblasts. Our results indicate that transcriptional control of basal and hormone-regulated OC expression predominates in immature osteoblasts prior to matrix mineralization. However, in mature osteoblasts OC expression is controlled primarily by posttranscriptional mechanisms reflected by elevated mRNA levels with a decline in transcription. Vitamin D, alone or in combination with Dex, is a significant factor contributing to mRNA stabilization in mature osteoblasts with a mineralized extracellular matrix. Transcriptional modifications in response to Dex are reflected by quantitative differences between proliferating and mature osteoblasts in the formation of glucocorticoid receptor binding complexes at the proximal OC glucocorticoid response element. Vitamin D and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA levels are significantly higher in mature osteoblasts than in early stage bone cells. However, receptor complexes do not appear to be rate limiting in proliferating osteoblasts when the OC gene is not transcribed. Our results indicate (1) developmental stage-specific effects of steroid hormone on transcriptional regulation of bone expressed genes, and (2) inverse relationships between levels of transcription and cellular representation of mRNA with OC message stabilized in mature osteoblasts.
Psychosocial effects of jejunoileal bypass for obesity: Six-month follow-up

Abstract The authors present the six-month results of a planned five-year follow-up study of 68 patients who underwent jejunoileal bypass for obesity. Eating behaviors changed remarkably, in the direction of conventional eating patterns. Patients generally became more active physically and socially and less embarrassed and socially avoidant. Nearly half showed changes–some better, some worse–in mental status. These changes were not related primarily to operative results, but to a complex set of interpersonal and situational factors.
Defining rules and roles in instructional contexts: A preliminary assessment of student perceptions

The classroom across the academy suffers from a most unbalanced approach to instructional research. The vast majority of instructional research is grounded squarely in an instructor's point of view. The student perspective is often neglected or ignored. Adding a more robust student perspective to scholarly discourse on the rules and roles, the various procedural and behavioral patterns that emerge over time, appropriate to our understanding of the classroom would move us toward a more balanced understanding of the phenomena. This study employs a triangulated method to examine the views of rules and roles in the classroom held by 155 student participants. Results suggest that students view their own demands for rule‐following and role behavior as far less rigorous than those they perceive for instructors. The findings suggest that an overall re‐orientation of instruction to better facilitate classroom communication may well be in order.
On the effect of field structure on the duration of the movement after-image

Wir haben die Arbeitshypothese aufgestellt, das die Dauer des Bewegungsnachbildes von denselben Faktoren abhangt, welche die phanomenale Geschwindigkeit beeinflussen. Diese Hypothese wurde bestatigt; wir konnten uns die funktionellen Beziehungen zwischen der Dauer des Nachbildes und der Geschwindigkeit des Vorbildes fur ein auf bestimmter Weise struktuiertes Feld voraussagen auf Grund der bekannten Wirkung des Feldes auf die gesehene Geschwindigkeit.
Considerations in the use of difference scores to identify learning-disabled children.

Abstract Although difference scores are widely used in classifying children as learning-disabled, their psychometric properties are often not well understood. Such scores generally contain more error than single test scores. Reliability and standard error of measurement figures for several combinations of ability and achievement measures are presented. The rates and types of errors that occur when such scores are used to classify children as learning-disabled are discussed. Three recommendations for using difference scores are given: (a) combinations of ability and achievement tests that yield difference score reliabilities higher than .80 should be used when classifying children; (b) scores should be reported as a band of scores (± one standard error of measurement) to inform decision-makers regarding the amount of error estimated to be in the score, and (c) the criterion score for classifying the learning disabled should be set after consideration of the rate and types of errors likely to occur.
Pharmacokinetic studies in Tg.AC and FVB mice administered [14C] benzene either by oral gavage or intradermal injection.

Chronic benzene toxicity has been demonstrated to result in either aplastic anemia or acute myelogenous leukemia, a form of granulocytic leukemia, in exposed people (Snyder and Kalf, Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 24, 177-209, 1994). Aplastic anemia has been demonstrated in animal models following benzene exposure but, heretofore, it has not been possible to replicate benzene-induced granulocytic leukemia in animals. The Tg.AC mouse appears to be the first animal model in which a granulocytic leukemia was produced by treatment with benzene (Tennant et al., The Use of Short- and Medium-Term Tests for Carcinogenic Hazard Evaluation, 1999; French and Saulnier, J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 61, 377-379, 2000). Leukemia was observed in Tg.AC mice to which benzene was administered dermally. Neither orally dosed Tg.AC mice or mice of the parental FVB strain treated by either route of exposure developed leukemia. It is well established that benzene metabolism is required to produce benzene toxicity. To determine whether metabolic differences arising from differences in route of exposure or strain of mouse directed the development of leukemia, the pharmacokinetics of benzene were compared between the two strains and between the two routes of administration. Regardless of the route of exposure or the strain of mouse, seven major metabolites plus unmetabolized benzene were detected in most samples at most time points. Few differences were observed between the two strains following either route of administration. These results suggest that the genetic modification in the Tg.AC mouse, i.e., insertion of the v-Ha-ras construct into the genome, did not disrupt any major pathways involved in determining the pharmacokinetics of benzene. Two significant differences were observed between the two routes of exposure: first, benzene was absorbed more slowly after intradermal injection than after oral gavage, and second, the intradermally dosed mice produced more conjugates of hydroquinone than did the orally dosed mice. These differences in metabolism may be involved in the previously observed differences in hematotoxicity between the two routes of exposure.
Overview of stem cell therapy for Crohn's disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) therapy is rapidly evolving. Recent and ongoing clinical trials using immunologically active stem cells (SC) for the treatment of CD demonstrate the potential for this novel therapy to induce complete and long-lasting remission of symptoms in settings where ‘standard’ therapies have been unsuccessful. Objective/methods: This review of SC, including mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for CD discusses how the immunological effects of MSC may correct some of the pathophysiological defects underpinning CD, and examines the latest clinical trial data providing evidence of their efficacy in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Results/conclusions: Given the beneficial effects on mucosal healing seen in animal models of inflammation and results from early clinical trials, MSC may serve as a candidate therapy for patients who have failed to respond to biological therapy.
Fluorescence of saturated hydrocarbons. II. The effect of alkyl substituents

Abstract Fluorescence spectra and quantum yields have been determined for a variety of normal and cyclic alkanes and for some of their alkyl derivatives. In the case of normal alkanes, the quantum yield increases almost linearly with number of carbon atoms from pentane to heptadecane, whereas the emission spectrum remains unchanged. The addition ofa methyl group strongly reduces the quantum yield and shifts the spectrum to the red. For cycloalkanes, a relatively intense emission is observed only for cyclohexane and its alkyl derivatives, whereas cyclopentane, cycloeptane, cyclooctane, and cyclodecane exhibit no fluorescence.
Transborder information flow through human movement: implications for professional interactions

Human flow across national boundaries is a significant landmark in global communications. Without taking human flow into account, the theory of international flow of information is incomplete. This study indicates that human flow may contribute to the transborder information flow by increasing awareness and receptiveness of non-indigenous information. People who have been educated abroad tend to function not only as gatekeepers in filtering information flow across national boundaries, but also as mediators between their home and host countries. The “magnetic effect” of these people in the transborder information flow is ubiquitous where the direction of information flow is influenced by the physical location of these people.
The Impact of Polar Stratospheric Clouds on the Heating Rates of the Winter Polar Stratosphere

The perturbation affecting IR radiative heating rates of the lower stratosphere that are prompted by the occurrence of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) during the Arctic and Antarctic winter are presently calculated by means of a multispectral radiative transfer code that allows for scattering, absorption, and thermal emission by particles and gases. Attention is given to perturbations arising from both the particulate opacity of the PSCs and the decrease of H2O vapor accompanying their formation. For plausible values of model parameters, the former, direct effect is always one of increased radiative cooling, while the indirect effect is always one of decreased cooling.
Bailout from the Space Shuttle

Studies to investigate the bailout characteristics from the Space Shuttle Orbiter at low-subsonic speeds have been made in the Langley 12-foot Low-Speed Tunnel and the Langley 4- by 7Meter Tunnel with 0.03-scale models. The effect of crew-model exit velocity, body posture, and body weight were studied with egress from the Orbiter main side hatch and from the upper cabin hatch. Force tests were made to determine the high angle-of-attack trim characteristics of the Orbiter in an attempt to improve bailout conditions. A computer simulation was made to evaluate the maneuver necessary to attain the high-angle trim.
Predicting Long-Term Developmental Outcomes From Maternal Perceptions of Infant and Toddler Behavior

The purpose of this study wos to examine the long-term developmental correlates of maternal perceptions of infant and toddler behavior. Maternal ratings of children’s social behavior and developmental progress were obtained when the children were 13 and 24 months of age, using the Maternal Perceptions Questionnaire. These early perceptions measures were intercorrelated with follow-up measures of children’s developmental competence .and behavioral adjustment ot age 6. Maternal evaluations of child characteristics in the 2nd year predicted not only their own ratings of child behavioral adjustment but also teacher, examiner, and laboratory performance measures of cognitive competence and social odiustment. Although predictive correlations were generally modest, maternal perceptions stoles showed meaningful patterns of relationships with later child chorocteristics, pointing to the desirability of further research on this topic.
Validation of quantitative ELISAS for measuring anti-Yersinia pestis F1 and V antibody concentrations in nonhuman primate sera.

This study systematically validated two quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for determining Yersinia pestis anti-F1 or anti-V IgG concentration in cynomolgus macaque sera. The results demonstrated that these ELISAs are reliable, reproducible, and suitable for their intended use to measure both anti-F1 and anti-V IgG in monkey sera following vaccination with a heterologous recombinant fusion F1-V protein (rF1-V). Statistical analysis demonstrated assay precision, accuracy, specificity, linearity/dilutional linearity, and robustness for both assays. The quantitative ranges of standard curves were defined as 40–700 ng/mLfor both anti-F1 and anti-V IgG. Either serological assay could be used to determine potency of F1/V antigen-based vaccines in surrogate clinical studies or to define correlates of protective immunity against plague under the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) two-animal rule.
Urban development in the Athens metropolitan area using remote sensing data with supervised analysis and GIS

In this study, a set of multi‐spectral satellites images were used to locate and identify the irregular settlements zones in the Athens metropolitan area. To achieve this goal, indexes—Brightness Index and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index—and supervised classifications are computed and applied to the images. In order to locate and identify these regions, common biophysical characteristics related to the urban and suburban landscape structures were identified. Five types of biophysical class were distinguished: (1) inner dense city with high buildings and absence of vegetation; (2) suburban areas with recent construction of buildings and absence of vegetation; (3) green suburban areas; (4) high‐density vegetation zones; and (5) recent forest fire regions. Some limitations are presented and discussed due to confusion of land‐cover types between bare land and recent constructed areas, or between various types of vegetation and some urban green zones. Results are integrated within a Geographical Informa...
Time-trend analysis of plasma 11-desoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone in fetal and maternal sheep during the last 18 days of gestation

Abstract We examined the time trend effects of approaching parturition on fetal and maternal concentrations of cortisol, corticosterone, 11-desoxycorticosterone and aldosterone in eight chronically catheterized pregnant sheep preparations. Fetal plasma cortisol describes a continuously incrementing, straight log-linear function from at least 18 days prior to delivery. Fetal plasma corticosterone describes a time trend effect similar to that of fetal plasma cortisol. Fetal plasma 11-desoxycorticosterone shows no overall time trend effect except for a terminal rise beginning at approximately delivery — 2 days. Maternal plasma cortisol, corticosterone, and 11-desoxycorticosterone concentrations show no overall time trend effects except for similar terminal rises beginning at approximately delivery — 3 days. Both fetal and maternal plasma aldosterone concentrations show wide random fluctuations with no discernible time trend effects. Concentrations of fetal and maternal 11-desoxycorticosterone and aldosterone respectively do not correlate with one another ( P > 0.05) or with cortisol and corticosterone ( P > 0.10) and must therefore be regulated through different control mechanisms. Maternal cortisol, corticosterone, 11-desoxycorticosterone and aldosterone concentrations bear no apparent relationship over time to their fetal counterparts with the approach of parturition.
Effect of gastric mucosal injury on ornithine decarboxylase in young and aged rats

The present investigation examines the changes in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, level of the enzyme, and the expression of its gene in gastric mucosa of young (4-month) and aged (24-month) Fischer-344 male rats 6 h after intragastric administration of either 2 M NaCl (1 ml/130 g b.w.) or an equivalent volume of water (controls). In addition, electromicroscopy was performed to evaluate the ultrastructural changes in the gastric mucosa. Although administration of 2 M NaCl virtually eliminated the surface epithelium in both young and aged rats, the extent to injury in older animals extended beyond the surface epithelium. In aged rats, epithelial cells in the deeper parts of the gastric glands demonstrated severe swelling with vacuolization and disintegration of the cell organelles, with dying and dead cells. Basal gastric mucosal ODC activity (data from the controls) in aged rats was found to be 118% (p < 0.001) above the young animals. This was also associated with similar increases in the concentration of ODC (as determined by Western-blot analysis) and a steady-state rise in ODC mRNA. Intragastric administration of 2 M NaCl (which caused gastric mucosal injury) resulted in a 625% increase in mucosal ODC activity in young rats, but in aged rats it produced a 112% increase when compared with the corresponding controls. In young rats, the increase in gastric mucosal ODC activity after injury was also associated with about a 2-fold rise in the enzyme protein concentration and a 4-fold increase in steady-state ODC mRNA levels. In contrast, gastric mucosal injury in aged rats, which resulted in a 112% increase in ODC activity, produced about a 30% reduction in the concentration of ODC and a 15–20% reduction in steady-state mRNA levels, when compared with the respective controls. The current data demonstrate that aging is associated with decreased responsiveness of gastric mucosal ODC to injury which may in part be responsible for diminished regenerative capacity of the gastric mucosa in aged animals. Furthermore, in aged rats the injury-induced stimulation of mucosal ODC activity is not associated with increased activation of its gene.
The Director of Physical Activity and Staff Involvement.

(2012). The Director of Physical Activity and Staff Involvement. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 83, No. 7, pp. 13-26.
Methodology for converting a functional manufacturing system into a cellular manufacturing system

Abstract This paper reports the development of a suitable model and a solution algorithm as well as the findings of a comprehensive analysis performed to convert an existing functional manufacturing (FM) system in the parts manufacturing plant (PMP) of Freightliner Corporation, a major truck manufacturing company in Portland, OR, USA, into a cellular manufacturing (CM) system. Past experiences of the PMP management show parts which have one or more operations scheduled to be performed on punching machines requiring significantly higher material handling costs than those that did not. As a result, only a subset of 810 different parts that have one or more operations needed to be performed on punching machines and 62 different machine types are included in the analysis. A planning horizon of one year is used, and the objective function of the model is formulated as minimization of total moves evaluated as a weighted sum of inter- and intracell moves exhibited by parts, taking into consideration the part routings. All of the operational constraints are included in the model, and a heuristic solution algorithm is proposed to determine the best part machine assignments to manufacturing cells. Computer programs, written in microsoft-quickc. are implemented on a COMPAQ-386 microcomputer. Based on the results of the study, a suitable solution is recommended to the PMP management.
Ethnicity and the pain experience

The first objective of this investigation was to examine interethnic differences and similarities in the reported pain experience of Black, Irish, Italian, Jewish and Puerto Rican facial pain patients. Responses, attitudes and descriptions were found to be relatively similar after controlling for most variables shown by previous studies to influence reported pain experience. These variables include symptom history, signs elicited on physical, radiographic and laboratory examination, as well as social, cultural and psychological data. A thirty-five item scale was employed to measure patients' pain experience. Using analysis of variance and covariance, no significant interethnic differences were found for twenty-three (65.7%) of the items. The majority of the twelve items for which interethnic differences were found concerned the patients' emotionality (stoicism vs expressiveness) in response to pain, and interference in daily functioning attributed to pain. The pain experiences reported by the Black, Italian and Jewish patients were found most similar as measured by the twelve items. Irish and Puerto Rican patients appeared relatively distinct from the other groups as well as from each other. The second objective of this study was to identify particular variables that influence intraethnic variation in the pain experience. These were determined by multiple regression analysis of two summary indices previously derived by factor analysis of the thirty-five items. The specific variables which were most influential differed according to ethnicity, as follows: degree of medical acculturation for Black patients; degree of social assimilation for Irish patients; duration of pain for Italian patients; and level of psychological distress for Jewish and Puerto Rican patients. Thus, it appears that, in our study population, interethnic homogeneity is present for most aspects of the pain experience, while intraethnic heterogeneity exists for factors that may influence that experience. That is, the five ethnic groups were generally found to be similar in their reported responses to pain. Yet, each group was quite different with regard to factors which influence the responses.
Incorporating Open-Ended, Service-Oriented Projects Into a Senior Product Design Class: Methodology and Outcomes

The senior-level mechanical engineering design class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 2.009: Product Engineering Processes. Students work in large teams over a semester to develop mechanical and electro-mechanical alpha prototypes for a wide variety of novel consumer products. Class features include a comprehensive, interactive web site; a theme-based approach to project scoping; and the early stages of product development from opportunity identification to product definition to designing and building an alpha prototype. To further enhance the applied learning focus of the class, a service learning teaching approach has been adopted and studied for the past four years. While the approach initially posed some challenges, most students responded positively and, after some course infrastructure adjustments, there have been strong positive outcomes in 2004 and 2005, particularly in student attitudes. Assessment over the four years shows certain trends including particular benefits for female students. Additionally, in 2004, students’ interest in engineering-oriented careers increased significantly over the course of the semester. This impact appears to have carried over into students’ job choices upon graduation, and may have positively shaped the goals and expectations of students entering the class in the subsequent year.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The photometric functions of Phobos and Deimos. I - Disc-integrated photometry

Abstract We have used the integrated brightnesses from Mariner 9 high-resolution images to determine the large phase angle (20° to 80°) phase curves of Phobos and Deimos. The derived phase coefficients are β = 0.032 ± 0.001 mag/deg for Phobos and β = 0.030 ± 0.001 mag/deg for Deimos, while the corresponding phase integrals are q Phobos = 0.52 and q Deimos = 0.57. The predicted intrinsic phase coefficients of the surface material are β i = 0.019 mag/deg and β i = 0.017 mag/deg for Phobos and Deimos, respectively. The phase curves, phase coefficients and phase integrals are typical of objects whose surface layers are dark and intricate in texture, and are consistent with the presence of a regolith on both satellites. The relative reflectance of Deimos to Phobos is 1.15±0.10. The presence of several bright patches on Deimos could account for this slight difference in average reflectance.
Self-reported Deviant Computer Behavior: A Big-5, Moral Choice, and Manipulative Exploitive Behavior Analysis

The current study examined differences between individuals self-reporting computer-related deviant behaviors and those reporting no computer-related deviant behaviors. The study focused on the Big-5 personality characteristics, moral decision making, and exploitive manipulative amoral dishonesty characteristics. It was hypothesized that computer deviants would be more introverted, exploitive and manipulative, neurotic, less open to experience, and lower on social moral choice than individuals not reporting deviant computer-related behavior. As predicted, computer deviants scored lower on social moral choice and were more exploitive and manipulative. Implications of these findings and suggestions for further research in this area are discussed.
LECITHIN SYNTHESIS, INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, AND SECRETION IN RAT LIVER : IV. A Radioautographic and Biochemical Study of Choline-Deficient Rats Injected with Choline-3H

Injection of choline-3H into choline-deficient rats resulted in an enhanced incorporation of the label into liver lecithin, as compared to the incorporation of label into liver lecithin of normal rats. The results obtained with the use of different lecithin precursors indicate that in the intact liver cell, both in vivo and in vitro, exchange of choline with phosphatidyl-choline is not significant. The synthesis and secretion of lecithins by the choline-deficient liver compare favorably with the liver of choline-supplemented rats, when both are presented with labeled choline or lysolecithin as lecithin precursors. Radioautography of the choline-deficient liver shows that 5 min after injection of choline-3H the newly synthesized lecithin is found in the endoplasmic reticulum (62%), mitochondria (13%), and at the "cell boundary" (20%). The ratio of the specific activity of microsomal and mitochondrial lecithin, labeled with choline, glycerol, or linoleate, was 1.53 at 5 min after injection, but the ratio of the specific activity of phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), labeled with ethanolamine, was 5.3. These results indicate that lecithin and PE are synthesized mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum, and are transferred into mitochondria at different rates. The site of a precursor pool of bile lecithin was studied in the intact rat and in the perfused liver. Following labeling with choline-3H, microsomal lecithin isolated from perfused liver had a specific activity lower than that of bile lecithin, but the specific activity of microsomal linoleyl lecithin was comparable to that of bile lecithin between 30 and 90 min of perfusion. It is proposed that the site of the bile lecithin pool is located in the endoplasmic reticulum and that the pool consists mostly of linoleyl lecithin.
Coating Formulations for Microneedles

Purpose To develop a rational basis for designing coating solution formulations for uniform and thick coatings on microneedles and to identify coating strategies to form composite coatings, deliver liquid formulations, and control the mass deposited on microneedles.
Scavenger receptor class B type 1 gene polymorphisms and female fertility.

Purpose of review Multiple studies have demonstrated a role for scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) in female fertility. Recent studies have implicated specific SR-B1 gene polymorphisms in decreased progesterone production and suboptimal fertility outcomes. Recent findings The lipoprotein receptor SR-B1 has been known to mediate selective uptake of lipids into steroidogenic tissues such as the ovaries. SR-B1 plays a major role in the ability of the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, which is known to play a key role in sustaining early pregnancy. Animal studies have demonstrated that deficiency in SR-B1 results in subfertility that can be restored with addition of SR-B1 function. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in SCARB1, the gene encoding SR-B1, have been associated with human lipid levels. Women undergoing infertility treatment with low SR-B1 expression in granulosa cells were noted to have plasma estradiol levels half the normal levels and a significantly lower number of retrieved oocytes. In vitro, deficiency of SR-B1 is associated with lower progesterone secretion in human granulosa cells. Certain SR-B1 polymorphisms have been associated with lower follicular progesterone levels and a significantly lower clinical pregnancy rate. Summary Deficiency of SR-B1, particularly due to single-nucleotide polymorphisms, could explain some features of female human infertility.
A representation theorem for min-transitive fuzzy relations

Abstract We provide an abstract representation theorem for an arbitrary min-transitive fuzzy relation μ R ( x , y ) on a set X in terms of a specific min-transitive relation on the interval [0, 1]. The technique used here gives us a fuzzy lattice structure on F ( X )= the set of all fuzzy subsets of X. The underlying partial ordering on F ( X ), which can be regarded as a fuzzy subset-hood relation, satisfies the min-transitivity and is superior to Kosko's notion of subset-hood in the sense that the latter does not satisfy the min-transitivity.
p38 MAP Kinase Regulation of AP-2 Binding in TGF-β1-Stimulated Chondrogenesis of Human Trabecular Bone-Derived Cells

Collagenase-treated, explanted human trabecular-bone chips are an excellent source of osteoblast-like cells. We have recently shown the multiple differentiation potential of these cells; in addition to osteogenesis and adipogenesis, these cells also undergo chondrogenesis when maintained as high-density pellet cultures (250,000 cells/pellet) in a serum-free, chemically defined medium stimulated with TGF-beta1 (10 ng/mL). In this investigation, we have analyzed how transactivating nuclear transcription factors, specifically AP-2 and SP-1, may interact with common cis-acting elements found in the regulatory region of cartilage-specific genes as part of the signal transduction mechanism of TGF-beta1 and p38 during chondrogenesis of human trabecular bone-derived multipotential cells. Both TGF-beta1 stimulation and p38 MAP kinase activation affect the binding of AP-2 as well as SP-1 to oligonucleotides with sequence similarity to the overlapping AP-2/SP-1 sites found in the putative 52-bp immediate upstream regulatory region and the 5'-untranslated region of the human aggrecan gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays show that TGF-beta1 treatment of the bone-derived cells inhibits AP-2 DNA binding but enhances the DNA binding ability of SP-1. Additionally, treatment of these TGF-beta1-stimulated cells with p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB203580, rescued the AP-2 DNA binding but did not affect SP-1 DNA binding. These findings indicate that AP-2 DNA binding is the target of both TGF-beta1 and p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways and suggest a possible signal transduction cascade whereby TGF-beta1 induction of chondrogenesis involves the activation of p38 MAP kinase and the subsequent inhibition of DNA binding by AP-2, thereby preventing the transcriptional repression of the aggrecan gene.
The impact of age, biogenesis, and genomic clustering on Drosophila microRNA evolution

The molecular evolutionary signatures of miRNAs inform our understanding of their emergence, biogenesis, and function. The known signatures of miRNA evolution have derived mostly from the analysis of deeply conserved, canonical loci. In this study, we examine the impact of age, biogenesis pathway, and genomic arrangement on the evolutionary properties of Drosophila miRNAs. Crucial to the accuracy of our results was our curation of high-quality miRNA alignments, which included nearly 150 corrections to ortholog calls and nucleotide sequences of the global 12-way Drosophilid alignments currently available. Using these data, we studied primary sequence conservation, normalized free-energy values, and types of structure-preserving substitutions. We expand upon common miRNA evolutionary patterns that reflect fundamental features of miRNAs that are under functional selection. We observe that melanogaster-subgroup-specific miRNAs, although recently emerged and rapidly evolving, nonetheless exhibit evolutionary signatures that are similar to well-conserved miRNAs and distinct from other structured noncoding RNAs and bulk conserved non-miRNA hairpins. This provides evidence that even young miRNAs may be selected for regulatory activities. More strikingly, we observe that mirtrons and clustered miRNAs both exhibit distinct evolutionary properties relative to solo, well-conserved miRNAs, even after controlling for sequence depth. These studies highlight the previously unappreciated impact of biogenesis strategy and genomic location on the evolutionary dynamics of miRNAs, and affirm that miRNAs do not evolve as a unitary class.
Immune hemolytic anemia with drug-induced antibodies to carboplatin and vincristine in a pediatric patient with an optic pathway glioma

Background Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare, but important condition requiring specialized laboratory testing for diagnosis. We report a case of DIIHA with antibodies against carboplatin and vincristine (VCR) in a child with an optic pathway glioma. Platinum-based drugs are established to cause DIIHA; to our knowledge, this is the first report implicating VCR. Study Design and Methods A 35-month-old girl with an optic pathway glioma developed hemolytic anemia while receiving carboplatin and VCR. Specialized blood bank testing was performed to determine the presence of drug-dependent antibodies and thus DIIHA. Results Initial direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative. A repeat DAT 3 days later was positive, 3+ with polyspecific-antiglobulin sera, weak+ with anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and 2+ with anti-C3d. An eluate from the DAT-positive red blood cells (RBCs) was nonreactive. The patient's serum reacted without specificity to all RBC tested using papain-IgG-antiglobulin test (AGT) and polyethylene glycol-IgG-AGT. No alloantibodies to common RBC antigens were detected. When the serum was evaluated for the presence of drug-specific antibody, reactivity was shown with VCR and carboplatin using the drug addition solution method, but only with carboplatin using the drug-coating method. Conclusion The patient developed hemolytic anemia during chemotherapy. Initial detection of a panagglutinin suggested a warm-type autoimmune process. However, since DIIHA could not be excluded, chemotherapy was discontinued and further work-up was initiated. The findings confirmed the presence of antibodies to carboplatin and VCR. This case highlights the importance for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for DIIHA in patients with unexplained hemolysis and the importance of specialized serologic testing.
Differential Effects of Ethanol on γ‐Aminobutyric Acid‐A Receptor‐Mediated Synaptic Currents in Congenic Strains of Inbred Long and Short‐Sleep Mice

Background: Ethanol enhances γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor-mediated responses in the brain, and this enhancement is greater in a mouse line behaviourally more sensitive to ethanol (long sleep) than in a line (short sleep) hehaviorally less ethanol sensitive (assayed by loss of righting; sleep time). Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of inbred long sleep (ILS) and inbred short sleep (ISS) phenotypes revealed four chromosomal regions (Lorel, Lore2, Lore4, and Lore5) that together account for approximately 50% of ethanol-induced sleep-time variance. Congenic strains were generated, each of which is homozygous for one of four ISS Lore QTLs on the ILS background. These congenic mouse strains are ideally suited for asking which QTL regions might correlate with other phenotypes that differ between ILS and ISS mice. Here we used the congenics to investigate altered GABA A , responses to ethanol. Methods: Evoked GABA A receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were measured by whole-cell voltage-clamp recording procedures in CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal brain slices. Results: GABA A IPSC responses in hippocampal brain slices from ILS mice were significantly enhanced by 80 mM ethanol, whereas those from ISS mice were not affected. ILS.Lore2 S and ILS.Lore5 S congenic strains were significantly enhanced by 80 mM ethanol, similar to the background (control) ILS mice. However, ethanol had no significant effect on GABA A responses in ILS.Lore1 S and ILS.Lore4 S congenic mice, similar to the ISS mice, thus reflecting the influence of ISS alleles on the ILS phenotype. Conclusions: Our results suggest that alleles located in the Lorel and Lore4 QTL regions confer ethanol sensitivity of GABA A receptor-mediated IPSCs. Thus, for these QTLs, GABA A IPSCs may represent an endophenotype of sedative/hypnotic sensitivity to ethanol. Although the Lore2 and Lore5 QTL regions have a significant effect on sleep time, they do not play a significant role in the differential ethanol enhancement of GABA A IPSCs between ILS and ISS mice.
Drugs Used for Avian Anesthesia: A Review

Abstract This short review 1) names the most common drugs that have been used to anesthetize and tranquilize birds for both veterinary and experimental purposes and 2) provides a few details about each drug, its reported dosage, birds on which it has been used, recommendations and comments about its use, and the original source of the information. General descriptions of the use of some of these drugs can be found in a chapter by Sanford (1971) and in Lumb and Jones (1973). PURPOSE OF AN ANESTHETIC As asked by Arnall (1964), what is required of an anesthetic for birds? 1) An analgesic? 2) an adjunct method of restraint, i.e., a means of positioning or posturing a bird for manipulations, sampling, or surgery? 3) an agent to remove fear during prolonged handling that could produce shock or collapse? 4) a means of muscular relaxation? Although a general anesthetic fulfills all those criteria, . . .