cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adrenal medulla grafts in the hemiparkinsonian rat: profile of behavioral recovery predicts restoration of the symmetry between the two striata in measures of pre- and postsynaptic dopamine function

Following unilateral striatal dopamine depletion, the hemiparkinsonian rat exhibits rotational behavior in response to amphetamine and apomorphine. The rotational behaviors induced by these drugs are thought to reflect an asymmetry in presynaptic striatal dopamine release and an asymmetry in postsynaptic striatal dopamine receptor function, respectively. Grafts of adrenal medulla cells in the lateral ventricle of hemiparkinsonian rats have been reported to reduce behavioral asymmetry. More than one profile of behavioral recovery, however, is observed. Some animals show a graft-induced decrease only in the response to apomorphine, but others show a decrease in the response to amphetamine, and still others show a decrease in the behavioral responses to amphetamine and apomorphine. In this report, amphetamine- and apomorphine-induced turning behaviors were determined in hemiparkinsonian rats prior to and following intraventricular grafts of adrenal medulla or control tissue. Both bilateral intrastriatal microdialysis in freely moving animals and quantitative dopamine receptor autoradiography procedures were conducted in each animal so as to determine the relations between pre- and postsynaptic dopaminergic measures as well as the association between these measures and the different profiles of behavioral recovery after adrenal medulla grafts. We report here that in animals with an adrenal medulla graft-induced decrease in the behavioral response to amphetamine, the balance between the two striata in extracellular striatal dopamine concentrations and D2 dopamine receptor binding was restored. Furthermore, enhanced extracellular striatal dopamine concentrations were highly correlated with the graft-induced symmetry in striatal D2 dopamine receptor binding. In contrast to animals with decreased amphetamine-induced turning, in animals with a graft-induced decrease exclusively in response to apomorphine, the presynaptic symmetry was not restored and there was a significantly smaller effect on D2 receptor binding. We conclude that those animals that show decreased amphetamine-induced turning after adrenal medulla grafts had the most effective grafts, and suggest that methods designed to optimize this behavioral profile are most likely to lead to enhanced clinical efficacy with this procedure.
Synthesis of novel polyesters for potential applications in skin tissue engineering

BACKGROUND In this study, polyesters of glycerol, aconitic acid and cinnamic acid were synthesized and studied for their potential application as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Aconitic acid can be recovered from molasses, while glycerol and cinnamic acid can be recovered from pretreated sugarcane bagasse used for bio-ethanol production. Polyester synthesis was carried out at different molar ratios of reactants at a temperature of 120 °C for 5 h. Synthesized polyesters were characterized chemically and mechanically, and evaluated for their cytotoxicity and chemical stability towards human adipose derived mesenchymal pluripotent stem cells (hASC). RESULTS Several cytocompatibility tests such as mass loss over a period of time, alamar blue to analyze growth and viability of hASC on polyester scaffolds, picogreen for total DNA content synthesized, indicated that these polyesters hold promise as tissue engineering scaffolds. For skin tissue engineering, especially for wound repair, thin film polyester scaffolds laden with hASC were grown in stromal medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). For all the scaffolds, the amount of collagen synthesized in bFGF supplemented medium was significantly higher than the scaffolds with hASC in control (stromal) medium (P<0.05) CONCLUSION Based on the amount of collagen synthesized and DNA quantification data, it was concluded that the polyesters are cytocompatible and support fibroblastic differentiation by the addition of bFGF. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Plane stress shakedown analysis by finite elements

Abstract The determination of the maximum load domain that is safe with respect to shakedown is formulated as a mathematical programming problem by means of a finite element technique for plane stress problems. The method is applied to a slab with a circular opening subjected to biaxial loading. Results obtained show that slabs with openings shake down under loads considerably greater than the elastic limit loads.
Radiographic image enhancement. Part I: spatial domain techniques

Digital image enhancement techniques provide a multitude of choices for improving the visual quality of diagnostic images. Appropriate choice of such techniques is greatly influenced by the imaging modality, task at hand and viewing conditions. This sequence of two articles will provide an overview of underlying concepts, along with algorithms commonly used for radiographic image enhancement. The first article focuses on spatial domain techniques for radiographic image enhancement, with particular reference to point processing methods, histogram modification and unsharp masking.
Uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG) loss enhances DNA double strand break formation in human cancer cells exposed to pemetrexed

Misincorporation of genomic uracil and formation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are known consequences of exposure to TS inhibitors such as pemetrexed. Uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG) catalyzes the excision of uracil from DNA and initiates DNA base excision repair (BER). To better define the relationship between UNG activity and pemetrexed anticancer activity, we have investigated DNA damage, DSB formation, DSB repair capacity, and replication fork stability in UNG+/+ and UNG−/− cells. We report that despite identical growth rates and DSB repair capacities, UNG−/− cells accumulated significantly greater uracil and DSBs compared with UNG+/+ cells when exposed to pemetrexed. ChIP-seq analysis of γ-H2AX enrichment confirmed fewer DSBs in UNG+/+ cells. Furthermore, DSBs in UNG+/+ and UNG−/− cells occur at distinct genomic loci, supporting differential mechanisms of DSB formation in UNG-competent and UNG-deficient cells. UNG−/− cells also showed increased evidence of replication fork instability (PCNA dispersal) when exposed to pemetrexed. Thymidine co-treatment rescues S-phase arrest in both UNG+/+ and UNG−/− cells treated with IC50-level pemetrexed. However, following pemetrexed exposure, UNG−/− but not UNG+/+ cells are refractory to thymidine rescue, suggesting that deficient uracil excision rather than dTTP depletion is the barrier to cell cycle progression in UNG−/− cells. Based on these findings we propose that pemetrexed-induced uracil misincorporation is genotoxic, contributing to replication fork instability, DSB formation and ultimately cell death.
A Novel Molecular Solution for Ultraviolet Light Detection in Caenorhabditis elegans

For many organisms the ability to transduce light into cellular signals is crucial for survival. Light stimulates DNA repair and metabolism changes in bacteria, avoidance responses in single-cell organisms, attraction responses in plants, and both visual and nonvisual perception in animals. Despite these widely differing responses, in all of nature there are only six known families of proteins that can transduce light. Although the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has none of the known light transduction systems, we show here that C. elegans strongly accelerates its locomotion in response to blue or shorter wavelengths of light, with maximal responsiveness to ultraviolet light. Our data suggest that C. elegans uses this light response to escape the lethal doses of sunlight that permeate its habitat. Short-wavelength light drives locomotion by bypassing two critical signals, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and diacylglycerol (DAG), that neurons use to shape and control behaviors. C. elegans mutants lacking these signals are paralyzed and unresponsive to harsh physical stimuli in ambient light, but short-wavelength light rapidly rescues their paralysis and restores normal levels of coordinated locomotion. This light response is mediated by LITE-1, a novel ultraviolet light receptor that acts in neurons and is a member of the invertebrate Gustatory receptor (Gr) family. Heterologous expression of the receptor in muscle cells is sufficient to confer light responsiveness on cells that are normally unresponsive to light. Our results reveal a novel molecular solution for ultraviolet light detection and an unusual sensory modality in C. elegans that is unlike any previously described light response in any organism.
Short-term effects of omega-3 fatty acids on exercise stress test parameters, angina and lipoproteins

The short-term effects of omega-3 fatty acids on exercise test parameters in patients with known coronary artery disease are poorly defined. Therefore, we administered a preparation containing 5.4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 3.6 g docosahexaenoic acid to 8 patients in a random order, double-blind, crossover design. The patients were given either fish oil or a vegetable oil control for 6 wk and then crossed over to the other treatment for a second 6-wk period, after a 2-wk wash-out interval. Exercise test parameters, angina frequency, and lipoprotein composition were measured at baseline and at the end of each trial phase. No significant changes were found in resting or peak exercise heart rate or double product, exercise duration or ischemic electrocardiographic changes at peak exercise. Angina frequency and sublingual nitroglycerin usage did not change during either the fish oil or the control oil phase. Plasma triglyceride levels decreased significantly with fish oil treatment and HDL cholesterol levels rose slightly. Total and LDL cholesterol levels were unchanged. We conclude that relatively high dose, short-term administration of omega-3 fatty acids does not alter exercise test parameters.
Analysis of Flow and Heat Transfer in the End-Wall Region of a Turbine Blade Passage

A numerical study has been performed to predict a three-dimensional turbulent flow and end-wall heat transfer in a blade passage. The complex three-dimensional flow in the end-wall region has an important impact on the local heat transfer. The leading edge horseshoe vortex, the leading edge corner vortices, the passage vortex, and the trailing edge wake cause large variations in the entire end-wall region. The heat transfer distributions in the end-wall region are calculated and the mechanism for the high heat transfer region has been revealed. The calculations show that the algebraic turbulence model lacks the ability to predict the heat transfer in the transition region, but it is valid in other flow region. The local high heat transfer downstream of the trailing edge is enhanced by the wake downstream of the trailing edge. The horseshoe vortex results a high heat transfer region near the leading edge and induces the leading edge corner vortices which cause high heat transfer on the end-wall at both sides of blade end-wall corner.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
Family measurement techniques: Beavers-timberlawn family evaluation scale

Abstract Over the past 20 years, the clinical evaluation of family systems has been spearheaded by Robert Beavers and his colleagues at the Southwest Family Institute in Dallas, Texas. Out of their research and clinical work has evolved the Beavers System Model for Family Assessment (BSM). The BSM is a collection of three instruments the first of which was the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale (1972) featured in the widely popular book, No Single Thread (Lewis et al, 1976). The Centripetal/Centrifugal Family Style Scale shortly followed (1974), and more recently (1983) the Self-Report Family Instrument was added to the BSM. Although the focus of the following critique is on the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale (BT), the measure is designed to be used in conjunction with the other scales to more fully identify the health/competence of a particular family.
Experimental hyperbilirubinemia: effect on glomerular filtration.

Abstract The hyperbilirubinemia state, as shown in a canine shunt model producing bilirubin levels comparable to those high levels seen in clinical practice, was associated with a 54% decrease in renal creatinine clearance. The amount of deterioration in glomerular function was proportional to the extent of hyperbilirubinemia obtained. Plasma volume in the jaundiced animal was decreased 21% from control values. Decreased renal perfusion may have been responsible for the descreased glomerular filtration rate observed.
Repeatability of mate preference functions in Enchenopa treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae)

Patterns of variation in mate preferences provide information about the processes influencing the evolution of mate choice behaviour. We measured variation in female mate preferences using preference functions, which are curves that describe female responses across variation in male signals. Over 3 weeks of testing, we repeatedly measured female Enchenopa binotata ‘Ptelea’ treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae) for their preference for male signal frequency (Hz). We then calculated the consistency of differences in mate preference functions among females (i.e. repeatability) and variability across females for the preference functions. We then measured traits describing different aspects of variation in mate preferences, including peak preference and selectivity. We found repeatability in the overall preference functions, indicating a potential for preference functions to respond to selection. Furthermore, we found substantial repeatability and variability in selectivity traits and low repeatability and variability in peak preference. Finally, we found only weak covariation between peak preference and selectivity. We discuss the implications of our results within the framework of the evolution of mate preferences, both in terms of past selection shaping mate preferences, and the potential for preferences to respond to current selection.
A 45nm SOI-CMOS PLL with a wideband LC-VCO

A 45nm SOI-CMOS PLL with a wideband LC-VCO is presented. The proposed PLL uses the advantage of SOI technology such as small parasitic capacitance and high Q-factor. The frequency range of the PLL is maximized because of a high maximum-to-minimum capacitance ratio of a capacitor bank. Measurement results show that the VCO generates 4.87-to-9.65GHz frequency signals with 65.8% frequency coverage. Fabricated chip occupies 0.09mm2 of active area and consumes less than 7mA current from single 1.0V supply.
Dopamine, cocaine and the development of cerebral cortical cytoarchitecture: A review of current concepts

Exposure of the developing fetus to cocaine produces lasting adverse effects on brain structure and function. Animal models show that cocaine exerts its effects by interfering with monoamine neurotransmitter function and that dopamine is cocaine's principal monoamine target in the fetal brain. This review will examine the role of dopamine receptor signaling in the regulation of normal development of the cerebral cortex, the seat of higher cognitive functions, and discuss whether dopamine receptor signaling mechanisms are the principal mediators of cocaine's deleterious effects on the ontogeny of cerebral cortical cytoarchitecture.
Teaching ethical and social issues in CS1 and CS2

The discussion of whether ethical and social issues of computing should be explored in undergraduate computer science education has resulted in most academic institutions and educators agreeing that they are important topics that must be included. Further support has been provided by Curricula '91 [16], the CSAC/CSAB accreditation [2] and ImpactCS [12]. Many books [7, 8, 9, 10] and papers [6, 14] have discussed what topics should be covered and what techniques can be used either in a dedicated course or in modules across the curriculum. However, explicit detailed examples that have worked successfully, particularly in lower level computer science courses, are still rare. This paper will discuss several examples that have been successfully used in CS1 and CS2 at a medium-sized university.
Male Territoriality in the Bumblebee Wolf, Philanthus bicinctus (Mickel) (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae): Observations on the Behaviour of Individual ♂♂

Observations were made on the behaviour of male Philanthus bicinctus (Mickel) which defend territories around the nesting burrows of ♀♀. ♂♂ were individually identified with small number tags and focal-animal samples were taken of the behaviour of these ♂♂. Intense interactions were observed between territorial ♂♂ and 1) conspecifics and 2) intruding insects which resembled conspecifics. Evidence is presented which suggests that ♂♂ scent mark their territories.
A simulation of unsteady-state filtration via nanofiber media at reduced operating pressures

Abstract In this work, 3-D structures resembling nanofiber ( d f 200 nm ) filter media are simulated and challenged with nanoparticle aerosols at reduced operating pressures. For the range of fiber diameters considered in this paper, the free molecular flow regime is dominant. Therefore, the disturbances to the air flow field caused by the fibers are neglected. Nanoparticle capture efficiency of nanofiber webs, due to Brownian diffusion and interception, is calculated for particle diameters ranging from 50 to 500 nm. Our simulations show that by decreasing the fiber diameter, the minimum collection efficiency of filtration media having identical pressure drops increases. This effect is accompanied by a decrease in the particle diameter associated with these minimum efficiencies—the most penetrating particle diameter. Moreover, it is demonstrated that increasing the flow temperature enhances the nanoparticle capture efficiency of nanofiber filters. Allowing the particles to deposit on the fibers as well as each other, the caking process of such nanofiber filters is simulated for different monodisperse and polydisperse aerosols at different temperatures. The statistical information regarding the composition of nanoparticle cakes formed at high and low temperatures is presented and discussed.
Relationship between localized strain and irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking in an austenitic alloy

Abstract Irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking may be linked to the local slip behavior near grain boundaries that exhibit high susceptibility to cracking. Fe–13Cr–15Ni austenitic steel was irradiated with 2 MeV protons at 360 °C to 5 dpa and strained in 288 °C simulated BWR conditions. Clusters of grains from the experiment were created in an atomistic simulation and then virtually strained using molecular dynamic simulation techniques. Cracking and grain orientation data were characterized in both the experiment and the simulation. Random high angle boundaries with high surface trace angles with respect to the tensile direction were found to be the most susceptible to cracking. Grain boundary cracking susceptibility was also found to correlate strongly with slip continuity, indicating that the strain accommodation at the boundary is related to cracking resistance. Higher cracking susceptibility was also found at grain boundaries adjacent to grains with low Schmid factor or high Taylor factor. The basic trends reported here are supported by both the experiments and the simulations.
Defective neutrophil chemotaxis in patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

The PMNs of five infants and children with homozygous alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZZ phenotype) revealed defective chemotactic migration, and their PiZZ sera generated a higher quantity of chemotactic factor(s).
Hospital Librarians and the Johns Hopkins Tragedy

Abstract The death of a healthy volunteer in a clinical trial raised many questions about the process of active protocols, especially the oversight role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the responsibility of the principal investigator (PI) in performing preliminary research on the compound used, in this instance, hexamethonium. While few hospital librarians have been directly involved in clinical trials, our research skills are relied upon in other areas touching on patient care, staff research, root cause analyses, and quality improvement projects.
Perturbative QCD predictions for inclusive production of heavy mesons in e+e- annihilation.

Within the framework of a particular model for meson production, we have performed a perturbative QCD analysis for inclusive production of heavy mesons D, B, and T at an energy range of 20--110 GeV. At the high-energy limit, analytic calculations of total cross sections, fragmentation functions, and angular distributions are presented. For T mesons, all mass terms in the leading-order perturbative calculation are included in numerical estimates. We found these terms give 20--30% corrections for D- and B-meson production at \ensuremath{\surd}s \ensuremath{\sim}60 GeV. The forward-backward asymmetry from weak-electromagnetic interference is found to be large at KEK TRISTAN energy.
Joint inversion of shear wave travel time residuals and geoid and depth anomalies for long‐wavelength variations in upper mantle temperature and composition along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge

Measurements were carried out for SS-S differential travel time residuals for nearly 500 paths crossing the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, assuming that the residuals are dominated by contributions from the upper mantle near the surface bounce point of the reflected phase SS. Results indicate that the SS-S travel time residuals decrease linearly with square root of age, to an age of 80-100 Ma, in general agreement with the plate cooling model. A joint inversion was formulated of travel time residuals and geoid and bathymetric anomalies for lateral variation in the upper mantle temperature and composition. The preferred inversion solutions were found to have variations in upper mantle temperature along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge of about 100 K. It was calculated that, for a constant bulk composition, such a temperature variation would produce about a 7-km variation in crustal thickness, larger than is generally observed.
Effects of tributyltin on biomembranes: alteration of flow cytometric parameters and inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase two-dimensional crystallization.

Abstract Carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) is a lipophilic nonfluorescent molecule that readily crosses the cell membrane. In the cytoplasm, it is hydrolyzed by nonspecific esterases to carboxyfluorescein (CF), a negatively charged fluorescent molecule, which is retained incompletely by cells with an intact plasma membrane. Exposure (4 hr) of the murine erythroleukemic cell (MELC) to micromolar quantities (0.1 to 5.0 μ m ) of tributyltin (TBT) results in increased cellular CF fluorescence. The increase occurs within a range below a critical value of the product (CPV) of the concentration ( C ) of TBT × duration ( T ) of exposure to TBT. Fluorescence increase is a sensitive indicator of the interaction of TBT with the cell: it is observed following exposure to 0.1 μ m TBT for 4 hr at 37°C. In the range above the CPV, cellular CF fluorescence is reduced apparently resulting from perturbation of membrane structure. For example, exposure of MELC to 2.5 μ m TBT for 4 hr at 37°C produces resistance to detergent-mediated cytolysis and inhibition of vanadate-mediated two-dimensional crystallization of Na + , K + -ATPase molecules in porcine renal microsomal membrane preparations, a process requiring molecular mobility within the membrane. Taken together, the increased cellular CF fluorescence and resistance of the MELC to cytolysis along with the inhibition of Na + , K + -ATPase crystallization in the microsomal membrane preparations suggest fixation (protein denaturation, cross-linking, etc.) at the level of the plasma membrane as a mode of toxic action of TBT.
AutoPhotobook: using technology to streamline photobook creation

The design of a computer-assisted photobook authoring solution continues to be a challenging task, since consumers want four things from such an application: simplicity, quality, customizability and speed. Our AutoPhotobook solution uses technology to enable a system that preserves all four characteristics, providing high quality custom photobooks while keeping complexity and authoring time modest. We leverage both design knowledge and image understanding algorithms to automate time-consuming tasks like image selection, grouping, cropping and layout. This streamlines the initial creation phase, so the user is never stuck staring at a blank page wondering where to begin. Our composition engine then allows users to easily edit the book: adding, swapping or moving objects, exploring different page layouts and themes, and even dynamically adjusting the aspect ratio of the final book. Our technologies enable even novice users to easily create aesthetically pleasing photobooks that tell their underlying stories. AutoPhotobook provides advances over prior solutions in the following areas: automatic image selection and theme-based image grouping; dynamic page layout including text support; automatic cropping; design-preserving background artwork transformation; and a simple yet powerful user interface for personalization. In this paper, we present these technologies and illustrate how they work together to improve the photobook authoring process.
Dynamic Response of Ground Surface Due to External Disturbance: Analytical Solution

In this investigation the propagation of a harmonic disturbance on the surface of ground is considered. The medium is assumed to be a homogeneous and isotropic, continuous and infinite which can be modeled as an elastic half space medium. Implementing elasto-dynamics analysis, the governing equation of motion for the system is developed. The developed mathematical model formulates the displacement and stresses in the medium in terms of elastic dilatation and rotations and reduces the governing equations into three wave equations in terms of elastic dilatation and rotations. These equations are solved and boundary stresses are satisfied in Fourier domain and the displacement on the surface are provided in this domain.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Ionic coupling among cells in the organ of Corti

Gap junctions have been demonstrated morphologically among the supporting cells of the mammalian organ of Corti but, in contradistinction to reptiles, evidence for their existence between the supporting cells and hair cells is equivocal. The literature is ambiguous with respect to electrical coupling and dye coupling among the supporting cells, and no coupling of either kind has been demonstrated for the hair cells. We found strong coupling of both kinds among the supporting cells in the cochleas of live Mongolian gerbils and a less stable coupling between the supporting cells and the outer hair cells. The electrical coupling was established by recording alternating receptor potentials in the hair cells and following their decrement in the population of Hensen's cells; the dye coupling, by injecting Lucifer yellow electrophoretically into the hair cells or the supporting cells and investigating its spread to the neighboring cells. The electrical recordings were made by means of microelectrodes filled with either 1.5 or 3 M KCl or 1 M LiCl with 6% Lucifer yellow, the latter used for dye injection. The electrode resistances ranged from about 20 to 60 M omega in the first instance, and from about 50 to 110 M omega, in the second. The electrodes were inserted into the organ of Corti through scala media according to the method of Dallos, Santos-Sacchi and Flock (1982) modified by us. The alternating potential in Hensen's cells was usually larger than in the outer tunnel of Corti and remained practically constant up to the outer margin of the Hensen's-cell population. Its phase was the same as in the outer hair cells. When the dye was injected into a Hensen's cell, it always spread to neighboring Hensen's cells and often to Deiter's cells. Dye injected into outer hair cells (identified according to anatomical and physiological criteria) also spread to Deiter's and Hensen's cells and, usually, to other outer hair cells. Stained cells were identified in surface preparations and, on two occasions, in serial sections from plastic embedded cochleas.
Partial‐Thickness Wedge and Advancement Flap for Upper Lip Repair

Reconstruction of upper lip defects demands careful attention in order to reconstitute both normal function and normal appearance. These defects may involve mucosa, orbicularis oris muscle, skin, vermilion, or any combination of these structures. We will describe five cases in which there were defects created by Mohs micrographic surgery and present the concept of partial-thickness wedge in combination with a flap to repair these wounds.
Instrumentation and computers for brain single photon emission computed tomography

Cerebral single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) requires attention to the instrumentation because of the anatomical location of the head at one end of the body, with a generally narrower diameter than the rest of the body. For a number of years, there have been SPECT units designed especially for head work, as well as general-purpose units that have performed well in imaging the head. The current emphasis on cerebral perfusion, using either agents that wash in and out with blood flow or agents that reflect blood flow in their static distribution, has allowed a concentration on imaging hardware and computer hardware and software for this purpose.
Flow limits of Kedem-Katchalsky equations for fluid flux

The Kedem-Katchalsky equations for fluid flux across membranes may not be adequate for large solvent flows. In particular, for an example of two membranes in series, it is argued that they would predict physically unreasonable behavior. An alternate equation for solute flow is proposed for a simple sieving membrane. For the same example, this equation predicts more physically reasonable results.
Subjective risk vs. objective risk can lead to different post-cesarean birth decisions based on multiattribute modeling

Abstract Objective To compare birth recommendations for pregnant women with a prior cesarean produced from a decision model using absolute risks vs. one using subjective interpretation of the same risks: (1) a multiattribute decision model based on patient prioritization of risks (subjective risk) and (2) a hybrid model that used absolute risks (objective risk). Study Design and Setting The subjective risk multiattribute model used the Analytic Hierarchy Process to elicit priorities for maternal risks, neonatal risks, and the delivery experience from 96 postnatal women with a prior cesarean. The hybrid model combined the priorities for delivery experience obtained in the first model with the unadjusted absolute risk values. Results The multiattribute model generated more recommendations for repeat cesarean delivery than the hybrid model: 73% vs. 18%, ( P -value Conclusion This study highlights the importance of patients and clinicians discussing the patient's priorities regarding the risks and other nonclinical considerations that may be important to her in the birthing decision.
Evidence of a role for insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 in metabolic regulation.

IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 is a metabolic regulator that has been shown to inhibit insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in murine models. This finding contrasts with epidemiological evidence of decreased serum IGFBP-3 in patients with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of IGFBP-3 in metabolism. Four-week-old male IGFBP-3−/− and control mice were subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 wk. IGFBP-3−/− mice were heavier before the initiation of HFD and at the end of the study period. Resting metabolic rate was significantly decreased in knockout mice; however, respiratory exchange ratio was not significantly different. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were significantly elevated in IGFBP-3−/− mice. However, IGFBP-3−/− mice had relatively normal glucose tolerance because the relative glucose excursion over time was not different between the groups. During hyperinsulinemic clamps, IGFBP-3−/− mice had increased basal hepatic glucose production, but after insulin stimula...
An interpretation of multigraviton amplitudes

Abstract We obtain alternative expressions for the multigraviton tree level amplitudes and discuss their general properties. In particular, by analogy with Yang–Mills theory, we find that some combinatoric structure can be carried by a Chan–Paton factor of general relativity as a gauge theory.
Light-induced metastable changes in defect density and photoconductivity of a-Si:H between 4.2 and 300 K

Abstract The creation kinetics of light-induced defects (LIDs) in intrinsic a-Si:H are found to be quite independent of exposure temperature, T e , between 4.2 and 300 K and exposure light intensity. The findings suggest that LID creation is a very robust process. The creation efficiency of LIDs varies by a factor 2.5 with T e and has a broad minimum between 80 and 200 K. 10 5 V/cm electric fields at 4.2 K decrease the creation efficiency by 30%. A spectral relaxation of subgap absorption due to LIDs created below 200 K is found above 200 K prior to the anneal of LIDs.
Detection of bacteria by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The detection and identification of dilute bacterial samples by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been explored by mixing aqueous suspensions of bacteria with a suspension of nanocolloidal silver particles. An estimate of the detection limit of E. coli was obtained by varying the concentration of bacteria. By correcting the Raman spectra for the broad librational OH band of water, reproducible spectra were obtained for E. coli concentrations as low as approximately 103 cfu/mL. To aid in the assignment of Raman bands, spectra for E. coli in D2O are also reported.
D‐xylose absorption in the growing foal

Seven healthy foals (five ponies and two horses) were maintained on grass pasture with their dams. All foals had normal faeces at the time of testing. An oral xylose absorption test was performed on each foal at one, two and three months of age. Following an 8 h fast, 0.5 g/kg D-xylose as a 10 per cent solution was given via a nasogastric tube. Control and 30 min interval plasma samples were collected for 3 h and the plasma was analysed for xylose using the phloroglucinol microassay technique. Maximum xylose concentration levels were reached between 30 and 60 mins for each of the foals. The mean (+/- sem) peak xylose concentration at one, two and three months of age was 3.14 +/- 0.29, 2.19 +/- 0.30 and 1.25 +/- 0.22 mmol/litre respectively, which were all significantly different from each other. Xylose absorption capacity decreased, therefore, with age, becoming similar to the adult horse by three months of age. The oral xylose absorption test can be used to evaluate small intestinal absorptive capacity in the foal provided that the results are compared with foals of the same age group.
A limitation on the pseudopotential method

Abstract Self-consistent KKR energy-band calculations for different phases at constant atomic volume show significant differences in the core wavefunctions between f.c.c. and b.c.c. Be. The difference in the core contribution sign to the change in total energy. Since these core contributions are ignored in pseudopotential calculations of phase stability, the pseudopotential method cannot be used with confidence for the prediction of structural stability.
Family Control, Two-Tier Boards and Firm Performance: Lessons from the Taiwanese Experience

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of the Taiwanese modified two-tier board of directors and family control on firm performance. Similar to its German origin, the Taiwanese system separates the monitoring role from the strategic planning role of the board. Using firm-level fixed-effects panel analysis, we find evidence that family-ties between the Taiwanese supervisors and the CEOs have undermined the internal monitoring of the Taiwanese firms. Our results suggest that without majority ownership, family control of the internal monitoring mechanism impedes firm performance. The study has three major implications for the search for a more effective corporate governance structure.
Normal centrolineal myelination of the callosal splenium reflects the development of the cortical origin and size of its commissural fibers

Commissural white matter fibers comprising the callosal splenium are diverse. Subsections of the splenium myelinate at different times, in a centrolineal manner. The aims of this study are to depict the normal callosal splenium myelination pattern and to distinguish the transient age-related mid splenium hypointensity from pathology. We reviewed 131 consecutive brain MRIs in patients between ages 3 and 6 months from a single academic children’s hospital. Patients that were preterm, hydrocephalic, and/or had volume loss were excluded. Fifty total MR exams that included T1-weighted MR imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted MR imaging (T2WI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were reviewed. Regions of callosal splenium myelination manifested by T1 and T2 shortening were evaluated. Tractography was performed with seeds placed over the posterior, mid, and anterior splenium to define the origin, destination, and course of traversing fibers. Splenium signal varied significantly from 3 to 6 months, with distinct age-related trends. On T1WI, the splenium was hypointense at 3 months (12/13), centrally hypointense/peripherally hyperintense at 4 months (15/16), and hyperintense at 6 months (10/11). Tractography revealed three distinct white matter tract populations: medial occipital (posterior); precuneus, posterior cingulate, and medial temporal (middle); and postcentral gyri (anterior). Specific commissural fiber components of the splenium myelinate at different times. The transient developmental mid splenium hypointensity on T1WI corresponds to tracts from the associative cortex, principally the precuneus. Heterogeneous splenium signal alteration in patients ages 3–6 months is a normal developmental phenomenon that should not be confused with pathologic lesions.
Development of a soil moisture analysis for subseasonal forecasting: Soil moisture validation

[1] The goal of this study is to produce a new soil moisture analysis for subseasonal forecasting. An accurate soil moisture initialization is today widely recognized as having a great potential to increase summertime subseasonal forecasting skill. In this study, soil moisture initial conditions are generated using the Precipitation Assimilation Reanalysis (PAR) technique. This technique consists mainly of nudging precipitation in a coupled land-atmosphere model by adjusting the vertical air humidity profile based on the difference between model and observed precipitation rates in a continuous assimilation period of a few months. The effect of the PAR technique on the model soil moisture estimates is evaluated using (1) a benchmark in global soil moisture analysis produced by the Global Soil Wetness Project Phase 2 (GSWP-2) and (2) in-situ observations from the state of Illinois. Using PAR, we find that the coupled land-atmosphere FSU/COAPS model reproduces with a reasonable accuracy the seasonal cycle and the temporal variability of monthly soil moisture anomalies produced by GSWP-2 across most of the globe. The temporal structure of monthly soil moisture anomalies match also fairly well with in-situ observations from the Illinois state deep into the soil. Finally, overall the PAR technique shows better results than the NCEP/DOE Reanalysis 2. Therefore, in this study we have developed a new soil moisture analysis product that (1) is physically consistent with the atmospheric physics of the coupled land-atmosphere FSU/COAPS model, (2) is globally comparable with GSWP-2 and (3) better fits in-situ observed soil moisture characteristics than R2 over Illinois.
Bioavailability of freshly added and aged naphthalene in soils under gastric pH conditions

The bioavailability of hydrophobic organic chemicals decreases with aging in soil because of sequestration. However, assessments of the risk of exposure to contaminated soils are usually dependent on either chemical concentrations, which are measured using vigorous extraction methods, or models that assume an equilibrium without considering the actual conditions. The objective of this research was to determine the availability and desorption kinetics of freshly added and aged naphthalene from a peat and a mineral soil; naphthalene was desorbed into solutions with pH levels that approximate those found in different gastric regions. Soil and peat samples were spiked with radiolabeled and unlabeled naphthalene at 2 and 20 μg/g and were aged from 0 to 135 d. Desorption kinetics were determined using a simulated stomach solution (0.1 M NaCl, 0.1 M HCl, 0.01 M NH4Ac, pH = 1.0) and a neutral solution (0.2 M NaCl, pH = 6.7) that represented the pH of intestinal conditions and most soils. Peat sorbed much more naphthalene than did soil, and it allowed little desorption. Though both acidic and neutral extracting solutions could desorb naphthalene, little apparent effect of aging was observed in peat, whereas desorption from soil declined markedly with aging. In addition, the percentage of naphthalene that desorbed from soil was greater for the higher incubation concentration. The desorption of naphthalene from the peat and soil was higher into the neutral solution than into the gastric solution. These results suggest that aging, exposure conditions, concentration effect, and organic matter content should be taken into account in predictive models and risk assessments.
Congenital abnormalities in nickel poisoning in chick embryos

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the teratogenic potential of nickel chloride given to developing chick embryos. Nickel chloride was dissolved in saline and injected into chicken eggs at dosages ranging from 0.02 to 0.7 mg per egg. The injections were made into the air sacs of eggs at days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 of incubation. Control eggs were injected with an equivalent volume of saline (0.1 ml per egg); in all, 840 chicken eggs were used. All embryos were examined on day eight. The following malformations were observed: exencephaly, everted viscera, short and twisted neck, short and twisted limbs, microphthalmia, hemorrhage, and reduced body size. The dose-response relationship was observed in all of the groups tested. The toxicity and teratogenicity of nickel chloride was the highest in the embryos treated at day 2. The results of the present study indicate that nickel chloride is teratogenic.
Demonstration of DEFACTO: training tool for incident commanders

In the wake of large-scale national and international terrorist incidents, it is critical to provide first responders and rescue personnel with tools and techniques that will enable them to evaluate response readiness and tactics, measure inter-agency coordination and improve training and decision making capability. We focus in particular on building tools for training and tactics evaluation for incident commanders, who are in charge of managing teams of fire fighters at critical incidents. Such tools would provide intelligent software agents that simulate first responder tactics. decisions, and behaviors in simulated urban areas and allow the incident commander (human) to interact. These agents form teams, where each agent simulates a fire engine, which plans and acts autonomously in a simulated environment. Through interactions with these software agents, an incident commander can evaluate tactics and realize the consequences of key decisions, while responding to such disasters.
A novel inducible tyrosine kinase receptor to regulate signal transduction and neurite outgrowth.

Nervous system growth factor gene delivery can promote axonal growth and prevent cell death in animal models of CNS trauma and neurodegenerative diseases. The ability to regulate growth factor expression or signaling pathways downstream from growth factor receptors remains a desirable goal for in vivo gene transfer. To achieve precise pharmacological modulation of neurotrophin activity, we have generated a chimeric trkA receptor (ItrkA) by fusing the entire intracellular domain of the trkA high-affinity NGF receptor to two intracellular, modified FK506 binding domains for the synthetic small molecule dimerization ligand, AP20187. Rat PC12 cells were transduced with lentiviral vectors containing ItrkA and GFP (via an internal ribosome entry site). Treatment of ItrkA-expressing PC12 cells with AP20187 induced neurite outgrowth and differentiation in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, with a half-maximal response at a concentration of 1 nM AP20187. 70% of cells responded to AP20187 by day 3. Western blots demonstrated that AP20187 treatment resulted in phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt in ItrkA-transduced PC12 cells, but not in non-transduced, naive cells. Phosphorylation levels were comparable to levels obtained with 50ng/ml NGF. In addition, ItrkA lentiviral transduction of primary E15 dorsal root ganglion neurons significantly increased neurite growth 3–4-fold in the presence of AP20187 compared to control GFP transduced and naive neurons. These results demonstrate that small ligand-induced dimerization of the intracellular domain of trkA can efficiently simulate the biological activity of NGF and provide a means to regulate intracellular neurotrophin receptor signaling.
Social skills of adopted Chinese girls at home and in school: Parent and teacher ratings

Abstract This study examines adopted Chinese girls' social skills at home and in school as well as the effect of pre-adoption adversity on these skills. Parent ratings of 869 girls and teacher ratings of 611 of the 869 girls were obtained using the Social Skills Rating System for parent (SSRS-P) and teacher (SSRS-T) respectively. The girls were adopted on average at 15.6 months (SD = 13.9) and were in three age groups, including preschool, elementary school, and secondary school. Data on five indicators of pre-adoption adversity (i.e., signs/symptoms, delays at adoption, initial refusal/avoidance of adoptive mothers, crying/clinging behaviors, and age at adoption) were obtained from the same adoptive parents 2 years prior. Findings suggest that both parents and teachers rated the girls as either similar to or better than US norms on the SSRS. Parent–teacher agreement on SSRS subscales was significant but modest (rs = 0.12–0.25). Two indicators of pre-adoption adversity (i.e., delays at adoption and initial refusal/avoidance of adoptive mothers) predicted poorer social skills at home; two other indicators of pre-adoption adversity (i.e., signs/symptoms and age at adoption) predicted poorer social skills in school.
Transition to large aspect ratio convection

We describe experiments with aspect ratio \ensuremath{\Gamma} in the range 44\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\le}90 that characterize the transition from moderate- to large-\ensuremath{\Gamma} convection. Up to \ensuremath{\Gamma}=60, the flows are steady until well above the convective onset. For \ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\ge}60, we find a slow periodic state near the convective onset. A clear rise in the noise floor is seen just above onset for \ensuremath{\Gamma}=70. For \ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\simeq}90, the flows are irregular and time dependent arbitrarily close to the convective onset, and the amplitude of the noise signal is proportional to the Nusselt number.