cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of wear mechanisms in grinding media

The effect of grinding media composition, mineral type, and slurry environment on the wear rate of various grinding media (balls) are discussed. Sufficient wear data have been obtained and correlated. Modes of wear were determined from examination of the ball surfaces using scanning electron microscopy. Five modes of wear have been identified to be operative under certain slurry conditions for the various ball compositions studied.
Distinct effects of early-life experience and trait aggression on cardiovascular reactivity and recovery.

Abstract We previously demonstrated independent effects of early-life experience (ELE) and trait aggression (TA) on resting heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in rats. The present study examined the effects of TA and ELE on stress-evoked cardiovascular reactivity and recovery. Pups born to Wistar-Kyoto dams were exposed to daily 180-min periods of maternal separation (MS) during the first two weeks of life, and aggression was assessed in adult offspring using the resident-intruder test. Radiotelemetry was then used to record stress-evoked HR and MAP responses in response to: strobe light, novel environment, intruder rat, or restraint. Maximal HR and MAP responses were quantified as indices of reactivity, and exponential decay curves were fitted to determine decay constants as a measure of recovery. Strobe light was the weakest stressor, evoking the lowest increases in MAP and HR, which were significantly greater in MS-exposed rats irrespective of TA. In contrast, reactivity to and recovery from exposure to a novel environment or an intruder were significantly influenced by TA, but not ELE. TA animals exhibited greater reactivity in both of these paradigms, with either decreased (novel environment) or increased (intruder) recovery. Restraint stress induced the largest changes in HR and MAP with the slowest recovery, and these responses were shaped by a significant ELE x TA interaction. These data indicate that cardiovascular reactivity and recovery are influenced by ELE, TA, or ELE x TA interaction depending on stressor aversiveness as well as its physical and psychological dimensions.
Operation-Dependent Frequency Scaling Using Desynchronization

Asynchronous circuits are inherently more robust than their synchronous counterparts. Desynchronization is a way to obtain asynchronous circuits from a synchronous specification using standard design tools while improving circuit for variation tolerance, electromagnetic interference, and resulting in similar area, delay, and energy as the synchronous baseline. This paper proposes a novel operation-dependent desynchronization technique, which desynchronizes the circuit and improves performance beyond the limits of synchronous design. We perform a case study of our proposed technique on RISC-V rocket core and show significant improvement in performance with minimal power and area overheads.
Abstract TP556: Role of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Diabetes-related Vascular Cognitive Impairment

The incidence of vascular cognitive impairment is increased 2-3 folds in type 2 diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The present study examines whether chronic hy...
Separation of β-Amyloid Tryptic Peptide Species with Isomerized and Racemized l-Aspartic Residues with Ion Mobility in Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations.

Accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. The deposition of β-amyloid plaques is likely to start years in advance of manifestation of clinical symptoms, although the exact timing is unknown. Over the years, Aβ peptides undergo both post-translational modification and stereoisomerization. Analysis of the resulting stereoisomers is particularly challenging because of their identical elemental composition and similar physicochemical properties. Herein, we have utilized our recently developed structures for lossless ion manipulations ion mobility-mass spectrometry platform (SLIM IM-MS), in conjunction with serpentine ultralong path with extended routing (SUPER), to baseline resolve four distinct sets of Aβ17–28 tryptic peptide epimers on a rapid (∼1 s) time scale. We discovered that sodium adduct ions, [M + H + Na]2+, allowed baseline SLIM SUPER IM resolution for all Aβ epimer sets assessed, while such baseline separations were unachievable for their [M + 2H]2+ doubly prot...
The Failure of Critical Thinking in the Statistization of Experimental Psychology

This chapter is focused on that historical development, beginning early in the twentieth century, through which experimental psychologists gradually abandoned the original ‘Leipzig’ model of investigation, in which research findings were fully defined for individual subjects, in favor of a treatment group model of investigation, in which research findings were defined by statistical comparisons of group averages. Conspicuously absent over the several decades of that historical development was a critical discussion of the conceptual implications of the obvious procedural differences between the two models. The rightful place of such a discussion was taken by a widespread but completely unexamined assumption of full epistemic continuity between the two models, i.e., the assumption that treatment group experimentation is formally suited to the same overarching knowledge objective as had been established by the original Leipzig model experimentalists: that of discovering the general laws presumed to regulate the psychological functioning of individuals. The present chapter first documents the underlying presence of that paradigmatic belief and then explains its implicit conceptual requirements. In this way, the stage is set for the critical analysis to follow in the next chapter.
LOW EXPANSION CERAMIC MATERIAL FOR CATALYSIS SUPPORTS

The characteristics of cordierite type compositions and the relationship between thermal expansion and raw materials, processing, and gross composition are examined. Other possible support materials are reviewed briefly. These included mullite, zircon, beryl, spodumene, aluminum titanate, silicon nitride, and other low expansion compositions. Raw material cost, processing, and reactivity with the catalysis are discussed for these materials.
Catalysts for the Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Derived from l-Prolinamide and (p-CymeneRuCl2)2 or (Cp*RhCl2)2

The combination of l-prolinamide with (p-CymeneRuCl2)2 or (Cp*RhCl2)2, in the presence of KOH/2-propanol, has been found to generate catalysts in situ that are capable of enantioselectively reducing aryl ketones to the respective (R)-alcohols. Furthermore, when the catalyst derived from (p-CymeneRuCl2)2/l-prolinamide was applied to the asymmetric reduction of 1‘-tetralone at −24 °C, (R)-tetralol was produced in 93% ee.
Event-Based Re-configurable Hierarchical Processors for Smart Image Sensors

This paper presents a reconfigurable hierarchical hardware architecture at the pixel and region level for smart image sensors to accelerate machine vision applications. This architecture maintains hierarchical processing that begins at the pixel level. It reduces the computational burden on the sequential processor and accelerates the overall processing. There are three hierarchical layers, and each layer passes only the relevant information to the next layer by removing redundant information. This method facilitates the final processor to respond if there is an event in the scene. Identifying relevant information is complex, and we adapted different bio-inspired algorithms in the hierarchical layers to meet this purpose. Besides, these processors are made runtime reconfigurable to different applications, and it adds flexibility after fabrication. This hierarchical processing breaks the traditional sequential image processing and introduces parallelism for the machine vision applications. We evaluate the design in FPGA and achieve the GDSII file in ASIC platform at 800MHz. Simulation results show that the area overhead and power penalty for adding reconfiguration feature stay in an acceptable range. Besides, removing redundant information 84.01% and 96.91% dynamic power can be saved at the pixel-level and region-level, respectively.
A Descriptive Study of COVID-19-Related Experiences and Perspectives of a National Sample of College Students in Spring 2020.

Abstract Purpose This is one of the first surveys of a USA-wide sample of full-time college students about their COVID-19–related experiences in spring 2020. Methods We surveyed 725 full-time college students aged 18–22 years recruited via Instagram promotions on April 25–30, 2020. We inquired about their COVID-19–related experiences and perspectives, documented opportunities for transmission, and assessed COVID-19's perceived impacts to date. Results Thirty-five percent of participants experienced any COVID-19–related symptoms from February to April 2020, but less than 5% of them got tested, and only 46% stayed home exclusively while experiencing symptoms. Almost all (95%) had sheltered in place/stayed primarily at home by late April 2020; 53% started sheltering in place before any state had an official stay-at-home order, and more than one-third started sheltering before any metropolitan area had an order. Participants were more stressed about COVID-19's health implications for their family and for American society than for themselves. Participants were open to continuing the restrictions in place in late April 2020 for an extended period of time to reduce pandemic spread. Conclusions There is substantial opportunity for improved public health responses to COVID-19 among college students, including for testing and contact tracing. In addition, because most participants restricted their behaviors before official stay-at-home orders went into effect, they may continue to restrict movement after stay-at-home orders are lifted, including when colleges reopen for in-person activities, if they decide it is not yet prudent to circulate freely. The public health, economic, and educational implications of COVID-19 are continuing to unfold; future studies must continue to monitor college student experiences and perspectives.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Small-Group Training in Teaching Medical Students Integral Clinical Eye Examination Skills

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive, small-group ophthalmology clinical training session by assessing medical students' self-confidence with eye examination skills and long-term retention of direct ophthalmoscopy skills. Methods The second-year medical students participated in a one-time small-group clinical training session that taught essential components of the eye examination. Students reported their confidence with each component in pre- and postsession surveys. Eight months later, direct ophthalmoscopy skills were reassessed by having students visualize the optic nerves of standardized patients and identify the matching optic nerve photograph in a multiple-choice quiz. Results Among 197 second-year medical students who participated in the training session, 172 students completed the presession survey (87.3% response rate) and 108 students completed the postsession survey (54.8% response rate). Following the training session, students reported increased self-confidence (p Conclusion Our comprehensive, one-time eye examination skills training session seeks to prepare students to incorporate these skills in future patient care. Students' overall confidence improved in each aspect of the eye examination that was covered. A follow-up assessment on students' direct ophthalmoscopy skills suggests that the PanOptic ophthalmoscope allows for superior skills retention as compared with the traditional direct ophthalmoscope. We believe that the PanOptic ophthalmoscope should be further integrated into medical education and clinical practice.
Adherence to behavioral treatments and parent stress in families of children with ASD

Abstract Background Recent studies suggest that parent involvement with behavioral treatment for behavior problems may reduce parent stress in families with a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is not known whether high treatment adherence to protocols is associated with reduced parent stress nor what perceptions of treatment may moderate this relation. Method The current study examined the relation between parents’ adherence to behavioral treatments and parent stress, and whether parents’ perceptions toward treatment moderate this association. Participants were 190 mothers, fathers, or caregivers of a child with ASD. A bivariate correlation matrix examined associations between each variable, and three separate linear regression models regressed parent stress on treatment adherence, perceptions of treatment, and the interaction of the two. Covariates included child age and severity of behavior problems. Results Treatment adherence had a significant negative relation with parent stress. Treatment demandingness, but neither treatment relevance nor treatment effectiveness, emerged as a moderator for the association between treatment adherence and parent stress. Conclusions Evidence was found for an association between treatment adherence and parent stress with partial support that perceptions of treatment moderate the association. Specifically, high treatment adherence was associated with lower parent stress, and the effect was most pronounced when treatment demandingness was low. These findings have implications for clinicians and treatment providers who are well-positioned to monitor and address parent attitudes to aid positive treatment outcomes for both the child and the parent. Moreover, clinicians can consider the impact of treatment demandingness on the whole family system.
In vitro characterization of engineered red blood cells as potent viral traps against HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2

Engineered red blood cells (RBCs) expressing viral receptors could be used therapeutically as viral traps as RBCs lack nuclei and other organelles required for viral replication. Here we show that the combination of a powerful erythroid-specific expression system and transgene codon optimization yields high expression levels of the HIV-1 receptors CD4 and CCR5, as well as a CD4-glycophorin A (CD4-GpA) fusion protein on enucleated RBCs. Engineered RBCs expressing CD4 and CCR5 were efficiently infected by HIV-1, but CD4 or CD4-GpA expression in the absence of CCR5 was sufficient to potently neutralize HIV-1 in vitro. To facilitate continuous large-scale production of engineered RBCs, we generated erythroblast cell lines stably expressing CD4-GpA or ACE2-GpA fusion proteins, which produced potent RBC viral traps against HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Our results suggest that this approach warrants further investigation as a potential treatment against viral infections.
You Didn’t Drink During Pregnancy, Did You?

BACKGROUND Accurate characterization of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is challenging due to inconsistent use of screening questionnaires in routine prenatal care and substantial underreporting due to stigma associated with alcohol use in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to identify self-report tools that are efficient in accurately characterizing PAE. METHODS Participants meeting eligibility criteria for mild-to-moderate PAE were recruited into the University of New Mexico Ethanol, Neurodevelopment, Infant and Child Health cohort (N = 121) and followed prospectively. Timeline follow-back (TLFB) interviews were administered at baseline to capture alcohol use in the periconceptional period and 30 days before enrollment; reported quantity was converted to oz absolute alcohol (AA), multiplied by frequency of use and averaged across 2 TLBF calendars. The interview also included questions about timing and number of drinks at the most recent drinking episode, maximum number of drinks in a 24-hour period since the last menstrual period, and number of drinks on "special occasions" (irrespective of whether these occurred within the TLFB reported period). Continuous measures of alcohol use were analyzed to yield the number of binge episodes by participants who consumed ≥4 drinks/occasion. The proportion of women with ≥1 binge episode was also tabulated for each type of assessment. RESULTS Average alcohol consumption was 0.6 ± 1.3 oz of AA/day (≈ 8.4 drinks/wk). Only 3.3% of participants reported ≥1 binge episode on the TLFB, 19.8% had ≥1 binge episode when asked about "special occasions," and 52.1% when asked about the number of drinks the last time they drank alcohol. An even higher prevalence (89.3%) of bingeing was obtained based on the maximum number of drinks consumed in a 24-hour period. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported quantity of alcohol use varies greatly based on type of questions asked. Brief targeted questions about maximum number of drinks in 24 hours and total number of drinks during the most recent drinking episode provide much higher estimates of alcohol use and thus might be less affected by self-reporting bias.
A 3-D Winding Structure for Planar Transformers and Its Applications to LLC Resonant Converters

This article proposed a new 3-D parallel winding method (also named planar-Litz), which just requires minimal interleaving between primary and secondary windings. Low ac resistance and low parasitic capacitance can both be achieved. A general 1-D analytical model is developed to predict parallel winding circulating/eddy current in planar transformers. The analytical model shows that there is high circulating current in direct-parallel windings in high-frequency planar transformers. Direct-parallel windings and planar-Litz windings have been compared both in finite-element analysis (FEA) and experimental prototypes, which proves that the $d\Phi / dt$ -induced voltage cancellation in planar-Litz winding can minimize circulating current. A 3.0-kW and a 3.2-kW 500-kHz $LLC$ resonant converter are built to compare the direct-parallel winding and planar-Litz winding structures. More than 98.5% peak efficiencies are achieved in both converters. The comparisons of thermal images and efficiencies further verify the effectiveness of planar-Litz winding. The 98.6% peak efficiency and the 97.8% full-load efficiency are measured. The planar-Litz windings planar transformer demonstrated a 26% winding loss reduction and 0.25% converter efficiency improvement over the direct-parallel winding planar transformer on 3 kW. The hot spot inside the transformer can be relieved and hence allow more power delivery.
Political Godmother: Nackey Scripps Loeb and The Newspaper That Shook the Republican Party: by Meg Heckman, Lincoln, Potomac Books, 2020, 194 pp

Elizabeth “Nackey” Scripps Loeb sat at the helm of New Hampshire’s Union Leader newspaper, known for its ultra-conservative views and political clout, for nearly two decades (1981–1999), serving as...
Stage-dependent effects of intermittent hypoxia influence the outcome of hippocampal adult neurogenesis.

Over one billion adults worldwide are estimated to suffer from sleep apnea, a condition with wide-reaching effects on brain health. Sleep apnea causes cognitive decline and is a risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Rodents exposed to intermittent hypoxia (IH), a hallmark of sleep apnea, exhibit spatial memory deficits associated with impaired hippocampal neurophysiology and dysregulated adult neurogenesis. We demonstrate that IH creates a pro-oxidant condition that reduces the Tbr2+ neural progenitor pool early in the process, while also suppressing terminal differentiation of adult born neurons during late adult neurogenesis. We further show that IH-dependent cell-autonomous hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1a) signaling is activated in early neuroprogenitors and enhances the generation of adult born neurons upon termination of IH. Our findings indicate that oscillations in oxygen homeostasis, such as those found in sleep apnea, have complex stage-dependent influence over hippocampal adult neurogenesis.
Gamification in education: a mixed-methods study of gender on computer science students’ academic performance and identity development

Underrepresentation of women in computer science (CS) increasingly demands the necessity to find and enhance current learning engagement approaches to bring more women into computing fields. Some researchers have been exploring the influence of gamification on female students as one of these possible learning engagement strategies. Gamification refers to the introduction of video game elements into non-game activities to enhance engagement and motivation. Previous studies have reported mixed results of the impact of gamification on women. In this study, we introduce SEP-CyLE (Software Engineering and Programming Cyberlearning Environment), an online gamified tool that was designed to provide supplemental computing content to students. This paper presents a convergent mixed-methods study guided by social identity theory and self-efficacy to understand women's experiences with this gamified tool. More specifically, this study explores virtual points' and leaderboards' effects on CS identity development, self-efficacy, and performance. The results show that virtual points and the leaderboard contributed to improved performance for students of all genders, suggesting that gamification is a gender-neutral learning engagement strategy that improves female students' performance as much as male students. Regardless of improved performance, most women did not actively enjoy or were motivated by the virtual points or leaderboard in SEP-CyLE. Additionally, gamification had no significant impact on CS identity development or self-efficacy constructs and had little to no impact on women's interest and engagement in the field of computing.
History of Diversity in Europe I: Septimius Severus: The First African Emperor of Rome

PowerPoint Webinar for middle and high school students and teachers discussing the history of diversity in Roman Europe, with a particular emphasis on Septimius Severus, the first North African Emperor of the Roman Empire, and, in historiographical perspective, why this history was 'forgotten' for so long.
Soil health conceptualization differs across key stakeholder groups in the Midwest

Stakeholder conceptualizations of soil health inform agricultural decision-making. Currently, diverse sources of soil health knowledge have resulted in divergent conceptualizations of soil health across groups. Using a combination of mail and online surveys of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), and wheat (Tritcum aestivum L.) farmers (n = 89); USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel (n = 134); and agricultural researchers (n = 42) in the Midwest; we (1) investigated how members of these groups perceived prioritization of soil health by farmers, (2) explored conceptual linkages with soil health, and (3) assessed the efficacy of soil testing methods. Farmers ranked soil health as a much higher priority (8.5/10) than NRCS personnel and researchers expected (4.9 and 5.7, respectively). While there were many areas of shared conceptualization, there were also key systematic differences across groups. Use of specific types of soil tests was positively associated with their valuation, with the exception of farmer use of soil health tests. Farmers ranked soil health tests as providing highly valued information but reported low use, suggesting barriers to adoption rather than a lack of interest. These findings have implications for both communication and research strategies for soil health.
HEALTH Regulation and Construction of Hospitals and Other Health Care Facilities: Require Nursing Homes to Perform Criminal Record Checks on Applicants for Employment

The Act provides for criminal record checks of all persons who wish to become employed by nursing home facilities. It also provides that the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) is immune from liability for faulty reporting. Additionally, the Act immunizes nursing homes from liability for certain claims an employee or employment applicant may have based on a GCIC report to the nursing home facility.
PREDICTING RISK FOR ADVERSE OUTCOMES FOLLOWING DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE

26 Introduction 27 Clinical implications for hand therapists for assessment and treatment in rehabilitation of patients with DRF 36 Assessment Implications 38 Treatment Implications 42 Outcome Evaluation 45
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis of Plant Proteins

Development is characterized by an ordered, controlled sequence of changes that occur within an organism at the molecular, cell, tissue and organ levels. Differentiation of cells and tissues involves processes that give rise to a variety of cell types within different tissues. Such cells within a particular tissue or organ are characterized by a unique morphological and chemical makeup.
Setting Single-Period Optimal Capacity Levels and Prices for Substitutable Products

In this paper, we consider how a company that has the flexibility to produce two substitutable products would determine optimal capacity levels and prices for these products in a single-period problem. We first consider the case where the firm is a price taker but can determine optimal capacity levels for both products. We then consider the case where the firm can set the price for one product and the optimal capacity level for the other. Finally, we consider the case where capacity is fixed for both products, but the firm can set prices. For each case, we examine the sensitivity of optimal prices and capacities to the problem parameters. Finally, we consider the case where each product is managed by a product manager trying to maximize individual product profits rather than overall firm profits and analyze how optimal price and capacity decisions are affected.
Five principles that will determine the new mainstream

Purpose – This paper aims to present an emerging, human‐resource‐based paradigm in organizational thinking.Design/methodology/approach – Reviews macro changes of the first decade in the twenty‐first century, focuses on previous‐century mainstream thinking and its weaknesses, and then presents the five principles that encompass the “new” mainstream.Findings – Calls for organizational leaders, particularly principals in human resources, to seriously consider nurturing these principles in order to contribute to the better general well‐being of the organization and all its stakeholders.Practical implications – Argues that an outdated mindset still lies at the foundation of managerial thinking in many organizations, and that this mindset should be rectified, so that recurrences of past‐decade corporate calamities can be avoided.Social implications – Highlights the interconnected approach and influence of the SMILE principles for corporate workers and the society at large.Originality/value – Introduces, in an e...
A Binding Contract for Anthrax

As the anthrax bioterrorism attacks demonstrated last year, individuals infected with the causative organism, Bacillus anthracis , may still die even after successful antibiotic treatment because of the production of large amounts of the anthrax toxin. In their Perspective, Bull and Parrish discuss new work published elsewhere that identifies an antitoxin antibody that could be used to passively immunize infected individuals and neutralize the anthrax toxin.
Almost jitter-free feedforward symbol timing recovery for GMSK modulations

A novel nondata-aided feedforward symbol timing estimator was recently proposed by Morelli and Vitetta for minimum-shift keying (MSK) modulations in S. J. Lee et al., May 2002. This estimator represents an approximate maximum likelihood (ML) method, and at low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) it approaches the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB). However, at medium and high SNRs, the performance of this estimator is far from CRB especially for partial response modulations. In this paper, a new prefilter is proposed to improve the medium and high SNR performance of this estimator by reducing its self-noise (jitter) and without compromising its good low SNR performance. An improved version of the timing recovery scheme introduced by Wu and Ng for GMSK modulations (Y. Wu et al., May 2001) is also proposed. Computer simulations are shown to illustrate the merits of the proposed prefilter based timing recovery schemes.
Truck and tractor pulls: Plowing into the future of recreation, leisure, and tourism

With a fan base of over 1.4 million direct and an additional 28 million enthusiasts through various media capacities, truck and tractor pulling is a growing leisure activity. More than just an event, truck and tractor pulling have evolved into a recreation experience with fans spending a considerable amount of time and money engaging in other activities beyond the pull. The purpose of this study was to acquire information from attendees to better understand large events, such as a truck and tractor pulls. Research indicated that many truck and tractor pull fans rely on positive and negative word of mouth to make the decision to attend. This study of a large recreation event will further assist professionals in the field of recreation, leisure, and tourism as they continue to understand the characteristics of successful event experiences.
Gender-based Systematics in HST Proposal Selection

Proposal success rates are calculated for HST Cycles 11 through 21 as a function of the gender of the Principal Investigator (PI). In each cycle, proposals with male PIs have a higher success rate, with the disparity greatest for Cycles 12 and 18. The offsets are small enough that they might be ascribed to chance for any single cycle, but the consistent pattern suggests the presence of a systematic effect. Closer inspection of results from Cycles 19, 20 and 21 shows that the systematic difference does not appear to depend on the geographic origin of the proposal nor does it depend on the gender distribution on the review panels. Segregating proposals by the seniority of the PI, the success rates by gender for more recent graduates (Ph.d. since 2000) are more closely comparable. There is also a correlation between success by gender and the average seniority of the review panel for Cycles 19 and 20, but not Cycle 21. We discuss these results and some consequent changes to the proposal format and additions to the HST TAC orientation process.
Restructuring to achieve integration in the medical technology development process

The authors establish a framework where determinants are identified that can influence the proficiency of the medical technology development process. The framework emphasizes the potential for highly integrated relationships between manufacturers, suppliers, users, and other organizations within the medical technology industry. Most importantly, the framework stresses the integration of medical technology users into all stages of the new product development (NPD) process. The authors also develop several propositions that can guide future research as well as suggest managerial implications for those working to meet the many challenges facing this rapidly changing industry. >
Prospective evaluation of vitamin E for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSEHot flashes represent a substantial clinical problem for some breast cancer survivors. Although estrogen or progesterone preparations can alleviate these symptoms in many patients, concern remains regarding the use of hormonal preparations in such women. Thus, there is a perceived need for nonhormonal treatments for hot flashes for breast cancer survivors. Based on anecdotal evidence that vitamin E was helpful, we designed a trial to investigate this matter.METHODSWe developed and conducted a placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial where, after a 1 week baseline period, patients received 4 weeks of vitamin E 800 IU daily, then 4 weeks of an identical-appearing placebo, or vice versa. Diaries were used to measure potential toxicities and hot flashes during the baseline week and the two subsequent 4-week treatment periods.RESULTSThe 120 patients evaluated for toxicity failed to show any. The 105 patients who finished the first treatment period showed a similar reduction in hot flash frequenci...
Controlling mechanisms and performance of coal burning rijke type pulsating combustors

This paper describes an investigation which has been concerned with the determination of the performance and mechanisms which control the operation of coal burning, Rijke type pulsating combustors. The combustor consisted of a vertical tube open at both ends. Air entered the combustor through its lower end and unpulverized coal was burned on a metal grid located at the center of its lower half. Heat released by the combustion process excited the fundamental acoustic mode of the combustor. The interaction between the acoustic oscillations and the combustion process resulted in high combustion efficiencies and high combustion intensities. Furthermore, the presence of pulsations in the flow increased convective heat transfer rates to the combustor walls. Results obtained in this study showed that the amplitude of the pulsations increased as the steady temperature ratio between the combustion products and the cold air, TH/Tc, at the combustion bed increased. Also, the amplitude of pulsations depended upon the acoustic losses in the combustion bed. For a given air/fuel ratio, most of the combustion occurred in the bed for low coal feed rates. However, as the coal feed rate increased, a fraction of the coal particles burned in spouting type combustion above the bed. Combustion efficiencies higher than 95% were attained when the combustor was operated with 13% excess air; performance which compares very favorably with other combustors (e.g., stokers) which burn unpulverized coal. Measurements indicated that NOx production in the developed combustor could be controlled by combustion stating. Finally, the simplicity of the combustor, its high combustion intensity, high convective heat transfer rate and low excess air operation suggest that the utilization of this combustor would involve low capital investment and low operating costs.
Tierexperimentelle Untersuchungen über die Bedeutung der Purine als Leberschutzfaktoren

Es wurde die Wirkung von Leberhydrolysat (Prohepar), Adenin, Xanthin und Hypoxanthin auf die akute CCl4-Vergiftung untersucht. Die histologischen Untersuchungen wurden durch planimetrische Auswertung der Nekrosen und durch Zellkernmessungen erganzt. Es zeigte sich eine deutliche antinekrotische Wirksamkeit von Leberhydrolysat, Adenin und Xanthin. Eine Normalisierung der Kerngrosenverteilung ist eindeutig nur nach Behandlung mit Leberhydrolysaten festzustellen. Der Wirkungsmodus der verwendeten Stoffe wird diskutiert.
Basis for failure of cimetidine in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

When and why does the medical management of the gastric secretory activity of patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome fail? (Editor's note). In the November issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences, a paper by Ziemniak and associates discussed the reasons for failure of cimetidine in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The editors have invited Dr. R.T. Jensen of the Intramural Program in Digestive Diseases at the National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to comment on this important problem.
THE BUNDLE SHEATH EXTENSION IN LEAVES OF DICOTYLEDONS

IN LEAVES of many dicotyledons, vertical layers of colorless cells are often closely associated with certain of the lesser veins. These are obvious in transections of the blade and appear as columns or sheets of cells depending upon their angle to the plane of the section. While lacking in many species they are found in leaves of both herbaceous and woody plants of temperate and tropical regions and are most common in leaves of northern deciduouis trees. More or less similar specializations are often associated with the veins in other broadleaved vascular plants.
Efflux of dipicolinic acid from human erythrocytes, sealed membrane fragments, and band 3-liposome complexes: A fluorescence probe for the erythrocyte anion transporter

Abstract The greatly enhanced fluorescence of Tb 3+ when complexed with dipicolinic acid affords a simple and highly sensitive method for monitoring continuous anion flux through the erythrocyte anion transporter, band 3. Dipicolinic acid (pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) is entrapped in human erythrocytes and other band 3-membrane preparations. Efflux of dipicolinic acid from preequilibrated systems into Tb 3+ -containing medium is monitored fluorometrically. Dipicolinic acid efflux is demonstrated in intact erythrocytes, sealed red cell membrane fragments, and band 3-liposome complexes. In each system, dipicolinic acid efflux is blocked by the band 3 inhibitor 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid. The technique is highly sensitive and reproducible, and is applicable to hemoglobin-containing and hemoglobin-free systems of widely varying surface area to volume ratios.
Mode of Operation Induced by Rapid External Chest Wall Stimulation in Patients with Normally Functioning QRS‐Inhibited (VVI) Pacemakers

The effects of rapid external chest wall stimulation were evaluated in 10 patients with normally-operating unipolar, lithium-powered, QRS-inhibited pacemakers functioning in their control VVI (QRS-inbibtted) mode. Stimuli delivered at slow rates resulted in the expected pacemaker inhibition, On the other hand, during rapid (greater than 900/min) external chest wall stimulation, 8 pacemakers reverted to a VOO mode, 1 to a VVI mode and 1 to either a VVI or VOO mode. No pacemaker was totally inhibited by rapid chest wall stimulation. In accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, the rate to which the implanted pacemakers reverted during the VOO modes produced by the fast external stimuli were the same as those of the VOO modes induced by proper application of an external magnet. Although rapid external chest wall stimulation proved to be a safe procedure, more studies are necessary to determine its usefulness in the follow-up of patients with implanted QRS-inhibited (VVI) pacemakers, At present, conclusions cannot be drawn regarding whether these pacemakers will revert to a mode of operation similar to that induced by rapid external chest wall stimulation when subjected to extrinsic sources of strong electromagnetic interference. (PACE, Vol. 2, January-February, W79)
New probe of intermediate reaction times: Near-scission emission of 4He for 334 MeV 40Ar + 238U

Abstract We have investigated the emission of 4 He in coincidence with mass-selected fragments from fission for 334 MeV 40 Ar + 238 U. Upper-limit multiplicities are assigned for fragment evaporation and composite-nucleus evaporation, but additional mechanisms are also required. A new low-energy component is found at backward angles; it is sensitive to the fragment masses but does not reflect their full kinematic shifts. Thus it must be due to near-scission emission (prior to full fragment acceleration).
Erythropoietin in the neurology ICU.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is an approved drug that is used in the treatment of chronic anemia associated with chronic renal failure. In the Neuro ICU, there are 2 potential uses for treatment with EPO. Anemia is common in patients with acute neurological disorders and may be a cause of secondary insults. Studies of EPO to treat anemia associated with critical illness have not conclusively shown a beneficial risk/benefit ratio. The relatively small reduction in transfusion requirement with EPO in critically ill patients is likely due to the 7–10 days required to see an effect of EPO on hematocrit. For these reasons, EPO is not recommended to treat anemia of critical illness. Neuroprotection is the other potential use for EPO in the Neuro ICU. Many experimental studies demonstrate neuroprotective effects with EPO in a variety of acute neurological disorders. To date, no clinical studies have confirmed beneficial effects of EPO on neurological outcome although some studies have suggested a reduction in mortality rate in trauma patients treated with EPO. Additional clinical studies are needed before EPO administration can be recommended for cytoprotection in neurological disorders.
Structural basis of ion permeation gating in Slo2.1 K+ channels.

The activation gate of ion channels controls the transmembrane flux of permeant ions. In voltage-gated K+ channels, the aperture formed by the S6 bundle crossing can widen to open or narrow to close the ion permeation pathway, whereas the selectivity filter gates ion flux in cyclic-nucleotide gated (CNG) and Slo1 channels. Here we explore the structural basis of the activation gate for Slo2.1, a weakly voltage-dependent K+ channel that is activated by intracellular Na+ and Cl−. Slo2.1 channels were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and activated by elevated [NaCl]i or extracellular application of niflumic acid. In contrast to other voltage-gated channels, Slo2.1 was blocked by verapamil in an activation-independent manner, implying that the S6 bundle crossing does not gate the access of verapamil to its central cavity binding site. The structural basis of Slo2.1 activation was probed by Ala scanning mutagenesis of the S6 segment and by mutation of selected residues in the pore helix and S5 segment. Mutation to Ala of three S6 residues caused reduced trafficking of channels to the cell surface and partial (K256A, I263A, Q273A) or complete loss (E275A) of channel function. P271A Slo2.1 channels trafficked normally, but were nonfunctional. Further mutagenesis and intragenic rescue by second site mutations suggest that Pro271 and Glu275 maintain the inner pore in an open configuration by preventing formation of a tight S6 bundle crossing. Mutation of several residues in S6 and S5 predicted by homology modeling to contact residues in the pore helix induced a gain of channel function. Substitution of the pore helix residue Phe240 with polar residues induced constitutive channel activation. Together these findings suggest that (1) the selectivity filter and not the bundle crossing gates ion permeation and (2) dynamic coupling between the pore helix and the S5 and S6 segments mediates Slo2.1 channel activation.
The importance of the Ross Shelf-Ice to structural geology

Displacement over long distances of sheets of rock that are thin in comparison to their lateral extent plays a larger role in orogenic deformation than is generally recognized. The shape of “thrust-sheets” is, of course, well enough understood, as the word itself shows. But we find it still difficult to think concretely of the processes involved in their movement when we are confronted with specific cases. In the so-called “Cumberland thrust-block”, which lies athwart the tristate corner of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, a slice of rock about 18 miles wide, 127 miles long, and little over one mile thick was sheared off nearly parallel with the bedding and shoved a distance of at least seven miles [see 1 of “References” at end of paper]. The slice was torn from its flat-lying environment along tear faults that bound it at either end, the Jacksboro [2] and Russell Fork [3] faults. They dip more or less steeply toward the thrust-slice. As the latter moved forward on a slightly inclined plane, older rocks came to lie on younger ones along the tear-faults giving them the false appearance of high-angle thrust-faults. In addition, however, the whole slice was rotated which introduced an actual thrust-component across the southwestern tear-fault and produced cross-wrinkles, features which have been analyzed by WENTWORTH and RICH [1, 3].
Left ventricular stress-dimension-shortening relations before and after correction of chronic aortic and mitral regurgitation

Mechanical characteristics of the left ventricle in chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) differ from those in chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). The differences are thought to be responsible, in part, for the changes in left ventricular (LV) function observed after surgical correction of AR or MR. To test this hypothesis, LV stress-dimension-shortening relations were determined before and after valve replacement in patients with compensated and decompensated chronic AR and MR. Echocardiographic data from 32 patients with AR and 20 patients with MR were used; preoperatively, all 52 patients had LV enlargement. Based on postoperative data, 2 subgroups were defined for each lesion: Patients in group A achieved a normal end-diastolic dimension (less than 3.3 cm/m2) and patients in group B had persistent LV enlargement. Preoperatively, the patients in group A with AR had increased peak systolic stress, but end-systolic stress and fractional shortening were normal; the patients in group B with AR had increased peak systolic stress, increased end-systolic stress and depressed shortening. One year after aortic valve replacement the patients in group A had normal systolic wall stresses and normal shortening, whereas those in group B had persistently abnormal wall stresses and a decrease in shortening. Preoperatively, patients in group A with MR had only modest elevations of peak stress, while end-systolic stress and fractional shortening were normal; in patients in group B with MR the peak stress was similar to that seen in group A, but end-systolic stress was increased and shortening was depressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Modeling the relationship between lexico-grammatical and discourse organization skills in middle grade writers: insights into later productive language skills that support academic writing

Learning to write in middle school requires the expansion of sentence-level and discourse-level language skills. In this study, we investigated later language development in the writing of a cross-sectional sample of 235 upper elementary and middle school students (grades 4–8) by examining the use of (1) lexico-grammatical forms that support precise and concise academic writing and (2) paragraph-level structures for organizing written discourse, known as micro-genres. Writing studies typically elicit and analyze long compositions, instead the present study employed two brief writing tasks that allowed for the evaluation of language skills while minimizing the influence of topic knowledge and other non-linguistic factors. Results of structural equation modeling revealed that the two facets of language proficiency studied—lexico-grammatical skills and skill in producing paragraph-level structures (micro-genres)—represented distinguishable dimensions of productive language skill in this sample. On both dimensions, older writers (grades 6–8) demonstrated greater skill than 4th and 5th graders. These findings, which provide an initial proof of concept for the use of short writing tasks to study language skills that support academic writing, are discussed in relation to writing theory and pedagogy.