cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theoretical foundations of purely semi-empirical quantum chemistry. II. Molecular properties

Abstract Explicit expressions are presented enabling the ab initio evaluation of the true effective operators for molecular properties that are customarily only empirically determined in purely semi-empirical quantum chemical theories of molecular electronic structure. These true effective operators are obtained under the condition that they reproduce exact expectation values and transition matrix elements when used in conjunction with the eigenfunctions of the true effective valence shell hamiltonian which operates solely in the space spanned by a minimum basis set of valence shell orbitals. Properties of these true effective operators and the methods currently available for their computation from first principles are briefly discussed.
Retroperitoneoscopically assisted repair of an abdominoscrotal hydrocele

We present a 2-month-old boy with a primary obstructive megaureter and a giant abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) on the left side. The ASH was initially misdiagnosed as a fornix rupture with infrarenal urinoma, but clinical and radiological examination led to the right diagnosis. Retroperitoneoscopically assisted mobilization combined with the inguinal approach allowed the successful resection of this large ASH.
Gulf Stream Ring Trajectories

Abstract During the period 1976–78, the movement of 14 Gulf Stream rings, including two anticyclonic and 12 cyclonic rings, was measured with satellite-tracked free-drifting buoys. The buoys in the cyclonic rings showed a tendency to move out toward the high-velocity region of the ring and to remain there circling the center. One buoy stayed in a ring as long as 8 months and completed 86 loops. Periods of rotation ranged from less than 2 days up to 10 days. The movement of the rings was complicated and appears to be related to the Gulf Stream and strong topographic features such as the New England Seamounts. Rings that were not touching the Stream generally moved westward with typical speeds of 5 cm s−1. Rings that were attached to the Stream generally moved downstream in the Stream with speeds up to 75 cm s−1. Frequently rings coalesced with the Gulf Stream and one of the following three things seemed to happen: 1) the ring turned into an open meander of the Stream and was lost; 2) the ring was advected ...
Topological superconducting phase and Majorana fermions in half-metal/superconductor heterostructures

As a half-metal is spin polarized at its Fermi level by definition, it was conventionally thought to have little proximity effect to an $s$-wave superconductor. Here we show that with interface spin-orbit coupling ${p}_{x}+i{p}_{y}$ superconductivity without spin degeneracy is induced on the half-metal, and we give an estimate of its bulk energy gap. Therefore, a single-band half-metal can give us a topological superconductor with a single chiral Majorana edge state. Our band calculation shows that two atomic layers of VTe or CrO${}_{2}$ is a single-band half-metal for a wide range ($\ensuremath{\sim}$0.1 eV) of Fermi energy and thus is a suitable candidate material.
RADIAL BASIS FUNCTION COLLOCATION FOR THE CHEMICAL MASTER EQUATION

The chemical master equation (CME), formulated from the Markov assumption of stochastic processes, offers an accurate description of general chemical reaction systems. This paper proposes a collocation method using radial basis functions to numerically approximate the solution to the CME. Numerical results for some systems biology problems show that the collocation approximation method has good potential for solving large-scale CMEs.
Two-dimensional ELDOR in the study of model and biological membranes

Recent studies on model and biological membranes by two-dimensional (2-D) electronelectron double resonance (ELDOR) are reviewed and discussed. The studies include (1) the phase behavior of dispersions of phospholipid-cholesterol membrane vesicles; (2) the effect of the ion-channel-forming peptide gramicidin A on the lipid membrane; and (3) the effects of stimulation by antigen of the immunoglobulin E receptors in plasma membrane vesicles upon the lipid structure. In the first studies it is shown that the 2-D ELDOR spectra enable clear distinctions amongst the different phases, and this leads to a reliable temperature and composition-dependent phase diagram. In the second studies it is possible to distinguish bulk and boundary lipids and to describe their different dynamic structures. In the third studies we could distinguish both liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered spectral components, and one finds that the fraction of the latter increases as a result of stimulation. Emphasis is placed on the new “full Sc — method” of processing the 2-D ELDOR data to significantly enhance spectral resolution, which is particularly important in studying the spectra from coexisting phases or components. In the full Sc — method, one utilizes both the real and imaginary parts of the signal, instead of their magnitude; the needed phase corrections are obtained as part of the nonlinear least-squares fitting of the 2-D ELDOR data.
Planned and actual spending among owners of home computers

Abstract The degree of correspondence that actually obtains between intentions and behavior remains controversial. Two opposing views can be distinguished: the cognitive perspective associated with Fishbein and Ajzen (1975) holds that intentions will be the best predictor of consumer spending, while the behaviorist perspective associated with Foxall (1983) rejects the value of intention measures. This study compares buying plans and the prior behavior of consumers as alternative explanations for subsequent action. The results support a middle position (Triandis 1977); neither intentions alone,nor prior behavior alone, afford an optimal prediction of behavior. Market researchers are advised to question consumers about both their cognitions and their past actions.
Elemental analysis of water and air solids by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine the elemental concentrations in water and air solid samples collected on Nuclepore and Whatman filters from the Walker Branch Watershed. The results from this study show that the trace element concentrations removed by water from the watershed vary seasonally, as well as geographically. The data point up the usefulness and versatility of absolute neutron activation analysis. The NBS Standard Orchard Leaves was assayed in a similar manner, and good agreement was obtained between results here and standard values.
Properties of Host Galaxies of Powerful Radio Sources

This paper describes those properties of the host galaxies of powerful radio sources that are unique to radio galaxies. The radio galaxies have redshifts up to z = 0.5 and radio powers, P408 MHz, ranging from 1025 to 1028 W Hz–1 (H0 = 50 km s–1 Mpc–1 and q0 = 0.0). We find that the magnitudes, colors, and surface brightness profiles of these radio galaxies are very diverse. Their rest frame V magnitudes range from -24th to -20th magnitude and are 0.55 ± 0.06 mag fainter than those of brightest cluster members. Their (B - V) colors can be as red as those of brightest cluster members but may also be ~ 1 mag bluer. The optical structure of the low-redshift (0.03 < z < 0.25) radio galaxies may vary ranging from cD to N galaxy behavior. Although the host galaxies of the low-redshift radio sources are generally "elliptical-like" galaxies, a comparison of the overall structure of radio galaxies to those of radio-quiet "generalized elliptical galaxies" of Schombert shows that only 17% are genuine elliptical galaxies, 9% have elliptical profiles with truncated halos, 26% are roughly elliptical but have disturbed surface brightness profiles, 16% are cD or D galaxies, 7% have double nuclei, and 21% are N galaxies. The only property that radio galaxies, as a class, have in common is that their sizes are relatively larger than those of normal elliptical galaxies of the same absolute magnitude. At the 22d isophote (in V) radio galaxies are 11% larger, at the 24th isophote they are 15% larger, and at the 25th isophote they are 20% larger. The host galaxies of the low-redshift (0.03 < z < 0.25) FR I and FR II sources have different properties. Sixty-nine percent of all FR I's are associated with cD-like or double nucleus galaxies, 19% with smooth ellipticals, and 13% with disturbed ellipticals; no FR I's are associated with N galaxies. Forty-one percent of all FR II's are associated with N galaxies, 26% with smooth ellipticals, and 26% with disturbed ellipticals; no FR II's are associated with cD-like galaxies. The colors and color gradients are also different, with the FR II's having both bluer colors and a larger dispersion in their color gradients. Powerful FR I and FR II sources exhibit differing cosmological evolutions in their number counts. At low redshifts, almost all powerful sources are FR I's, and at high redshifts they are predominantly FR II's. We suggest that powerful FR I's prefer host galaxies that are the dominant central galaxies of relaxed groups and clusters, while FR II's are most often associated with violent galaxy encounters.
Measurement of the performance of film badge services.

Abstract A film badge performance test has been devised to generate data sufficiently broad in scope to serve as the basis for control limits to be applied in the periodic examination of film badge services. Irradiation procedures, dosimetry, and a measure of film badge accuracy appropriate to the practical use of film badges are discussed. Approximately 2000 film badges were irradiated with various types and energies of radiation. Exposures ranged from 2 milliroentgens to 497 roentgens. Private, industrial, and federal suppliers of film badge services (1) helped design the test procedures, (2) submitted badges for exposure, (3) reported exposure interpretations, and (4) assisted in determining provisional performance control limits.
Heat capacity (150–300 K) and anisotropic magnetic susceptibility (5–300 K) of single-crystal La2CuO4+x

Abstract Heat capacity measurements from 150 to 300 K were carried out on a single crystal of La 2 CuO 4+ x synthesized by subjecting an La 2 CuO 4 crystal to 3 kbar oxygen pressure at 575 °C. The data reveal three small (about 1%) anomalies at temperatures ( T ) of 206, 222 and 259 K. The first two are tentatively attributed to CuO inclusions in the crystal. The third is observed on warming, but not on cooling, and is attributed to the previously documented first-order transition from the orthorhombically distorted K 2 NiF 4 structure to a low T mixture of nearly stoichiometric La 2 CuO 4 and oxygen-rich superconducting La 2 CuO 4+ y ( y > x ). The size of the anomaly at 259 K is about one-seventh of that observed previously for a single crystal of La 2 CuO 4 at the second-order tetragonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition temperature of about 530 K. Magnetization measurements from 5 to 300 K and from 50 G to 50 kG are also reported for the La 2 CuO 4+ x crystal. The normal state magnetic susceptibility χ ( T ) is quite anisotropic, with χ ( T ) for H perpendicular to the CuO 2 layers ( χ c ) in good agreement with previous data on a different, but similarly prepared, crystal. The anisotropy in χ is nearly independent of T from 40 to 300 K and the magnitude of χ c - χ ab per CuO 2 layer is very similar to that at high T in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.1 , La 2 CuO 4 , Sr 2 CuO 2 Cl 2 and La 2− x M x CuO 4 (MSr, Ba).
The effects of standardized tax rates, average tax rates, and the distribution of income on tax progressivity

Abstract This study examines the changes in US individual income tax progressivity over the 1986–2003 period using the indexes developed by [Kakwani, N.C., 1976. Measurement of tax progressivity: An international comparison. Economic Journal 87(March), 71–80]. Although progressivity over this time frame has generally been studied in the literature, we provide additional insights by decomposing the changes in index values to account for the effects of concurrent changes in the standardized tax rates, average tax rates, and the income distribution. The decomposition should prove to be particularly useful when different summary indexes lead to conflicting conclusions about progressivity changes, as is often the case. From a policy standpoint, we show that it is the standardized tax rates, a derivative of the legislated tax rates, which need to be monitored and managed to offset the negative progressivity effects of increasing before-tax income inequality.
Morphology-dependent transmission through photonic crystals

Periodic intensity variations as a function of incident and azimuthal angles were observed upon rotating a face-centered-cubic photonic crystal with respect to a linearly polarized microwave beam. These intensity variations also depended on the radiation frequency. We have studied propagating wavelengths that were smaller than, comparable with, and larger than the crystallographic pitches. It is suggested that the observed transmission variations arise from the combination of a periodic structure with transverse confinement of the propagating wave. Such diffraction configurations may permit spatial filtering techniques with subwavelength periodic structures.
Photorefractivity in liquid crystals doped with a soluble conjugated polymer

Photoconductive polymers are doped into liquid crystals to create a new mechanism for space-charge field formation in photorefractive liquid crystal composites. The composites contain poly(2,5-bis(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4- phenylenevinylene) (BEH-PPV) and the electron acceptor N,N'- dioctyl-1,4:5,8-naphthalenediimide, NI. Using asymmetric energy transfer (beam coupling) measurements that are diagnostic for the photorefractive effect, the direction of beam coupling as a function of grating fringe spacing inverts at a spacing of 5.5 micrometers . We show that the inversion is due to a change in the dominant mechanism for space-charge field formation. At small fringe spacings, the space-charge field is formed by ion diffusion in which the photogenerated anion is the more mobile species. At larger fringe spacings, the polarity of the space charge field inverts due to dominance of a charge transport mechanism in which photogenerated holes are the most mobile spaces due to hole migration along the BEH-PPV chains coupled with interchain hole hopping. Control experiments are presented, which use composites that can access only one of the two charge transport mechanisms. The results show that charge migration over long distances leading to enhanced photorefractive effects can be obtained using conjugated polymers dissolved in liquid crystals.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Two cultures of teacher preparation: Effects on teacher candidates' world view

The present study investigates the observations that teacher candidates majoring in elementary education exhibit a world view very different from teacher candidates majoring in a science discipline while obtaining teacher certification in elementary education. Teacher candidates from two different elementary teacher preparation programs were asked to describe their experiences in two different discipline courses, one in which they do very well and one in which they generally do less well. Analysis of the papers revealed the presence of two distinct world views among the teacher candidates with regard to education and the learning of different discipline courses. Many of the attitudes inherent in these world views appear to have their roots in early experiences in and out of school. Implications for elementary science teaching and teacher education are discussed.
Test Apparatus for Powered Saw Chain Systems

The emergence of battery operated landscaping equipment has driven increased scrutiny of the energy usage of such devices. Energy consumption is a primary design constraint for these new yard tools due to the low energy density of current battery technology compared to gasoline. Consumer battery-powered electric chain saws are an example. In order to provide both portability and usability the system’s power use must be understood in detail. Power use associated with cutting, friction, vibration, chip removal, and parasitic loads are all relevant entities in cutting system design. Interface friction between the cutting chain and bar as well as increases in cutting force due to chain vibration are of particular interest.In this work, a test apparatus capable of determining the efficiency of cutting systems for use on chain saws is designed and constructed. Cutting power and frictional losses can be determined with the device under automated, user specified conditions. Operational parameters including chain velocity, feed velocity, and feed load may be used as feedback for device control. A universal mounting and drive system allows for testing with a wide range of off-the-shelf chains, bars, and drive sprockets. Input torque to the chain and reaction forces on the cutting media are recorded outputs which are used to analyze system efficiency. Preliminary work with the machine confirms trends found in existing research literature. Future research performed with the test apparatus will aid in new product design and enhance understanding of energy consumption in chainsaw cutting systems.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Long-wave-induced flows in an unsaturated permeable seabed

We present both analytical and numerical solutions describing seepage flows in an unsaturated permeable seabed induced by transient long waves. The effects of compressibility of pore water in the seabed due to a small degree of unsaturation are considered in the investigation. To make the problem tractable analytically, we first focus our attention on situations where the horizontal scale of the seepage flow is much larger than the vertical scale. With this simplification the pore-water pressure in the soil column is governed by a one-dimensional diffusion equation with a specified pressure at the water–seabed interface and the no-flux condition at the bottom of the seabed. Analytical solutions for pore-water pressure and velocity are obtained for arbitrary transient waves. Special cases are studied for periodic waves, cnoidal waves, solitary waves and bores. Numerical solutions are also obtained by simultaneously solving the Navier–Stokes equations for water wave motions and the exact two-dimensional diffusion equation for seepage flows in the seabed. The analytical solutions are used to check the accuracy of the numerical methods. On the other hand, numerical solutions extend the applicability of the analytical solutions. The liquefaction potential in a permeable bed as well as the energy dissipation under various wave conditions are then discussed.
Cyclic thermal shock in SiC-whisker-reinforced alumina composite

Abstract Cyclic thermal shock damage in SiC whisker-alumina ceramic-ceramic composites was monitored non-destructively via elastic modulus and internal friction measurements. Thermal-shock-damage-induced changes in internal friction were found to be a linear function of a crack damage parameter (which in turn is a function of crack density and crack size). The linear relation between internal friction changes and the damage parameter is explained if one assumes that internal friction is proportional to the integrated surface area of damage-induced cracks. Thermal shock damage, as measured by both elastic modulus and internal friction, was observed to saturate as a function of an increasing cumulative number of thermal shock cycles. This saturation damage level increases in proportion to ΔT p , where ΔT is the shock temperature difference. The exponent p has a value of approximately 6 for the range of ΔT included in this study. This power-law relation in ΔT implies a fatigue-like power-law relation in stress (or alternatively, a power-law relation in stress intensity K).
An in vitro pharmacological model of vascular smooth muscle.

Abstract In order to develop an in vitro model of vascular tissue for pharmacological studies, segments of porcine coronary arteries were incubated in culture media under sterile conditions in cell culture incubator at 37°C with 95% O 2 + 5% CO 2 . After 3 days of incubation, changes in isometric tension were measured in vascular rings and compared with the fresh tissue. KCl (10–75 mM) and prostaglandin F 2α (1–20 μM) produced a similar concentration-dependent contraction in the incubated and fresh arteries. The concentration-dependent relaxation curves produced by 2-chloroadenosine (10 −8 to 10 −4 M) and isoproterenol (10 −8 to 10 −5 M) were unaltered in the incubated tissue versus fresh. Similarly, the relaxation responses to forskolin and sodium nitroprusside (10 −8 to 10 −5 M) were unaffected in the incubated arteries. The relaxations produced by substance P (10 −12 to 10 −8 M) and bradykinin (10 −7 M)—the endothelium-dependent agents—were also unaltered in the incubated rings versus fresh. Therefore, we conclude that after the incubation of porcine coronary artery for 3 days, the contraction/relaxation responses to various agonists acting through different mechanisms were unaltered in porcine coronary artery. This in vitro model of vascular smooth muscle provides a potential for pharmacological and toxicological studies.
Large strain analysis of rubber-like materials based on a perturbed Lagrangian variational principle

A mixed finite element method is presented for the large strain analysis of rubber-like materials, which are considered to be nearly incompressible. Two types of constitutive relations are included: generalized Rivlin and Ogden's models. The finite element equations are derived on the basis of a perturbed Lagrangian variational principle from which both the displacement and pressure fields are independently approximated by appropriate shape functions. A physically meaningful pressure parameter is introduced in the expression of complementary energy. In the paper, a special effort is made to split the deformation energy into two distinct parts: isochoric and hydrostatic parts. By doing this, a quadratic convergence rate of nonlinear iterative solution is achieved, particularly for problems deformed in the large strain range. The finite element equations are specialized for a two-dimensional 9-node Lagrange element with three-term pressure parameters. Five examples are given to demonstrate the application of the proposed numerical algorithm.
Appearance and Effect of the Debye-Waller Factor in the Transport Coefficients of Simple Normal Metals

S>Analceous to the theory of the diffraction of x rays and neutrons by the lattice vibratloas of crystals, the scattering of electrons in a metal by thermal vibrations gives rise to a temperatare-dependent Debye-Waller factor in the matrix element. The factor was derived and its possible effects on electrical resistivity discussed for the case where Bloch functions are used for the electron wave function. A detailed numerical calculatlon for an umklapp process involving a particular phonon was performed for rubidium at room temaperatare, with the result that the new matrix element is about 0.7 times the 1937 Bardeen result, and consequently the contribution to the resistivity about 0.5 times the Bandeen value. It is even a possibility that, for some phonons, the matrix element may increase. (auth)
Genetics of vestibulopathy and migraine.

Purpose of reviewOur understanding of the genetics of vestibular loss lags far behind advances in the genetics of hearing loss, in large part because a basic awareness of hearing is a universal human experience, in those without congenital deafness, whereas public awareness of vestibular function is
NH3 and PH3 molecular quadrupole moments and the signs of molecular g-values

Abstract Molecular Zeeman effect data for NH 3 and PH 3 was reviewed and reanalyzed to obtain molecular quadrupole moments. Since the signs of molecular g -values were not directly measured, molecular quadrupole moments were also calculated using ab initio SCF programs to remove ambiguities in the signs of g -values. For NH 3 , Q cc (measured) = −3.4(4) buckingham and Q cc (calculated) = −2.8 buckingham. For PH 3 , Q cc (measured) = −2.3(12) buckingham and Q cc (calculated) = −2.4 buckingham. These values support positive g -values for NH 3 ( g aa = g bb =0.568(2), g cc =0.500(2)), and for PH 3 g aa = g bb =−0.325(9), and g cc =0.011(1).
The Time Line Technique Teaching Tool in Accounting.

(1977). The Time Line Technique Teaching Tool in Accounting. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 52, No. 7, pp. 318-322.
An ex vivo model of left ventricular dilation and functional mitral regurgitation to facilitate the development of surgical techniques.

Objective: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is a common sequelae of myocardial ischemic disease. It results from annular dilation and outward rotation of the posterior papillary muscle. Different surgical techniques are under investigation for the treatment of FMR. However, an ex vivo model of FMR would be valuable to develop and compare the effect of techniques on the geometry of the left ventricle and the correction of FMR.Methods: FMR was induced in explanted ovine hearts (n = 12) by manual dilation of the mitral annulus or by posterior papillary muscle repositioning with a patch. Left ventricular dimensions were measured. Mitral regurgitant volume (MRV) was measured in a continuous flow system.Results: Annular dilation significantly increased MRV from 93.0 ± 110.4 to 472.2 ± 211.8 mL/min (P = 0.031), and the patch increased it from 37.8 ± 55.2 to 365 ± 189.6 mL/min (P = 0.031), with no significant differences between the 2 groups. When both techniques were applied, MRV significantly increased to 1383.5 ± 567.0 mL/min (P = 0.0005). The left ventricular sphericity index decreased from 3.25 ± 0.7 to 2.34 ± 0.6 (P = 0.0025) after application of the patch. The posterior papillary muscle was displaced after patch placement, following an outward rotation.Conclusion: This ex vivo model reproduces annular dilation and outward rotation of the posterior papillary muscle, which are both present during FMR after ischemic myocardial disease. This model could be used to evaluate and compare interventions to treat FMR.
The Effects of Modeling and Immediate and Delayed Feedback in Staff Training

This study examined the differential effects of instructions, modeling, and feedback in the training of tutors in a remedial education program. The training program was designed to teach the correct use of descriptive social reinforcers to tutors of grade school and high school students. A multiple baseline design was employed to determine the experimental effects. Modeling and feedback occurred either immediately following the completion of a tutorial session or immediately prior to the next session. Instructions alone had little effect (2% to 12% correct), modeling produced a marked and rapid improvement (42% to 100% correct), and feedback produced a slight additional improvement (72% to 100%). The use of modeling as a methodological control for the instructional effect of feedback is discussed.
Optical Rotatory Dispersion of 2,3-Hexadiene and 2,3-Pentadiene

The specific rotation of (P)-2,3-hexadiene (1) was measured as a function of wavelength for the gas phase, the neat liquid, and solutions. There was a surprisingly large difference between the gas phase and condensed phase values. The specific rotation was calculated using B3LYP and CCSD, and the difference in energy between the three low energy conformers was estimated at the G3 level. The Boltzmann-averaged CCSD-calculated rotations using the gauge independent velocity gauge representation, as well as the B3LYP values, are in agreement with the gas-phase experimental values. In order to avoid possible problems associated with the conformers of 1, 2,3-pentadiene (2) also was examined. Here again, there was a large difference between the gas-phase and condensed-phase specific rotations, with the CCSD velocity gauge (and B3LYP) results being close to the gas-phase experimental values. The possibility that 2,3-pentadiene could be distorted on going from the gas to liquid phase, thereby accounting for the effect of phase on the specific rotation, was examined via a Monte Carlo statistical mechanics simulation. No effect on the geometry was found. Specific rotations of 1 found in solutions were similar to those for the liquid phase, indicating that the phase difference was not due to association.
Components for Composite Material Customization System

With the advancements of composite materials and research in nano-composites, designers have the flexibility to select materials from a wide range of properties to meet their specific design needs. Even with all these advancements, the material selection process during design follows a very conventional approach. The conventional approach to material design is to select a certain material from a given pre-set material list that allows the attainment of nearest properties required for the product. One of the disadvantages of this approach is that the trade-off inherent in the selection of material, when multiple properties are targeted, can be cumbersome to achieve or addressed at all. In this paper we present an approach to select and design composite materials, where the designer will have flexibility to select multiple properties of materials during the design of a new product. This approach employs an index for selection combined with heuristic optimization techniques to select the optimized combination of composite materials that could meet closest possible property goals. In the case study presented in this paper, we did not perform any optimization; rather, emphasize is given to the explanation of material selection technique, and an RMS value is introduced as an index for the selection.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Effects of Reproductive Experience on Central Expression of Progesterone, Oestrogen α, Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor mRNA in Male California Mice (Peromyscus californicus)

Fatherhood in biparental mammals is accompanied by distinct neuroendocrine changes in males, involving some of the same hormones involved in maternal care. In the monogamous, biparental California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), paternal care has been linked to changes in the central and/or peripheral availability of oestrogen, progesterone, vasopressin and oxytocin, although it is not known whether these endocrine fluctuations are associated with changes in receptor availability in the brain. Thus, we compared mRNA expression of oestrogen receptor (ER)α, progesterone receptor (PR), vasopressin receptor (V1a) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) in brain regions implicated in paternal care [i.e. medial preoptic area (MPOA)], fear [i.e. medial amygdala (MeA)] and anxiety [i.e. bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST)] between first-time fathers (n = 8) and age-matched virgin males (n = 7). Males from both reproductive conditions behaved paternally towards unrelated pups, whereas fathers showed significantly shorter latencies to behave paternally and less time investigating pups. Furthermore, fathers showed significantly lower PR, OTR and V1a receptor mRNA expression in the BNST compared to virgins. Fathers also showed a marginally significant (P = 0.07) reduction in progesterone receptor mRNA expression in the MPOA, although fatherhood was not associated with any other changes in receptor mRNA in the MPOA or MeA. The results of the present study indicate that behavioural and endocrine changes associated with the onset of fatherhood, and/or with cohabitation with a (breeding) female, are accompanied by changes in mRNA expression of hormone and neuropeptide receptors in the brain.
Pigment Analysis of “Candidatus Chlorothrix halophila,” a Green Filamentous Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacterium

The pigment composition of "Candidatus Chlorothrix halophila," a filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium found in Baja California Sur, Mexico, was determined. Previous work showed that bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) was the major pigment in "Ca. Chlorothrix halophila," but it was not clear if this bacterium also contains BChl a (J. A. Klappenbach and B. K. Pierson, Arch. Microbiol. 181:17-25, 2004). Here we show that in addition to BChl c, a small amount of a pigment that is spectrally indistinguishable from BChl a is present in cell extracts of "Ca. Chlorothrix halophila." Nevertheless, the BChl a-like pigment from "Ca. Chlorothrix halophila" has a different molecular weight and a different high-performance liquid chromatography elution time than BChl a from other photosynthetic bacteria. Based on mass spectrometry and other spectroscopic analysis, we determined that the BChl a-like pigment in "Ca. Chlorothrix halophila" contains a tetrahydrogeranylgeraniol tail rather than the phytol tail that is present in BChl a. The carotenoids and major BChl c homologs in "Ca. Chlorothrix halophila" were also identified. BChls c were found to be farnesol esterified and geranylgeraniol esterified.
Fatigue Fracture of the Stem–Cement Interface With a Clamped Cantilever Beam Test

A clamped cantilever beam test was developed to determine the fatigue crack propagation rate of the CoCr alloy/PMMA cement interface at high crack tip phase angles. A combination of finite element and experimental methods was used to determine the fatigue crack growth rates of two different CoCr alloy/PMMA cement surfaces. A crack tip phase angle of 69 deg was found, indicating that loading at the crack tip was mixed-mode with a large degree of in-plane shear loading. The energy required to propagate a crack at the interface was much greater for the plasma-sprayed CoCr surface when compared to the PMMA-precoated satin finish (p < 0.001). Both interface surfaces could be modeled using a Paris fatigue crack growth law over crack propagation rates of 10(-4) to 10(-9) m/cycle.
SAMPL4 & DOCK3.7: lessons for automated docking procedures

The SAMPL4 challenges were used to test current automated methods for solvation energy, virtual screening, pose and affinity prediction of the molecular docking pipeline DOCK 3.7. Additionally, first-order models of binding affinity were proposed as milestones for any method predicting binding affinity. Several important discoveries about the molecular docking software were made during the challenge: (1) Solvation energies of ligands were five-fold worse than any other method used in SAMPL4, including methods that were similarly fast, (2) HIV Integrase is a challenging target, but automated docking on the correct allosteric site performed well in terms of virtual screening and pose prediction (compared to other methods) but affinity prediction, as expected, was very poor, (3) Molecular docking grid sizes can be very important, serious errors were discovered with default settings that have been adjusted for all future work. Overall, lessons from SAMPL4 suggest many changes to molecular docking tools, not just DOCK 3.7, that could improve the state of the art. Future difficulties and projects will be discussed.
Modelling soil map-unit inclusions by Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract Error and uncertainty in spatial databases have gained considerable attention in recent years. The concern is that, as in other computer applications and, indeed, all analyses, poor quality input data will yield even worse output. Various methods for analysis of uncertainty have been developed, but none has been shown to be directly applicable to an actual geographical information system application in the area of natural resources. In spatial data on natural resources in general, and in soils data in particular, a major cause of error is the inclusion of unmapped units within areas delineated on the map as uniform. In this paper, two alternative algorithms for simulating inclusions in categorical natural resource maps are detailed. Their usefulness is shown by a simplified Monte Carlo testing to evaluate the accuracy of agricultural land valuation using land use and the soil information. Using two test areas it is possible to show that errors of as much as 6 per cent may result in the process of...
Periventricular anteroventral third ventricle lesions diminish the pressor response produced by systemic injection of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801.

This study examined whether electrolytic ablation of the periventricular anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) would affect the increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in conscious rats produced by systemic injection of the centrally acting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ion-channel blocker, (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine (MK-801; 250 microgram/kg, i.v.). MK-801 produced a smaller increase in MAP in rats with AV3V lesions than in sham-lesion rats (+36+/-2% vs. +52+/-5%, respectively, P 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the MK-801-induced pressor response is dependent upon the integrity of the AV3V region, whereas the MK-801-induced tachycardia is not. Copyright 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.
Design of gracefully degradable hypercube-connected systems

We address the problem of modifying a hypercube computer by the addition of spare nodes and links to improve its fault tolerance, while maintaining a specified level of performance. The hypercube is modeled by a graph in which nodes represent processors and edges represent communication links. A new graphbased measure of performance degradation is introduced. This characterizes a fault-tolerant hypercube as k-fault-tolerant (L-FT) g-step-degradable (g-SD) if the removal of any k nodes reduces the dimension of the largest fault-free subcube by at most g. We show how to construct k-FT g-SD hypercubes for values of k up to 16 and g = 0, 1, or 2. Many of these designs are shown to be link- or degree-optimal. We also propose a construction method that uses small k-FT g-SD designs as seeds to construct k-IT g-SD designs of larger sizes. This results in fault-tolerant hypercubes in which reconilguration can be first done locally and then easily extended to the entire system. The small number of added links and nodes is shown to be useful not only in increasing the fault tolerance of the underlying hypercube, but also in reducing the average internode distance.
The dilemma of the late-onset "dystrophy".

A case of late-onset (age 51) visual loss and night-blindness is presented to illustrate the challenges of diagnosis. This patient had anti-enolase antibodies, and demonstrates the importance of auto-immune retinopathy as a potential cause of late-onset retinal “dystrophy.”
Understanding curriculum modifications and embedded learning opportunities in the context of supporting all children's success.

Purpose The primary purpose of this article is to provide a closer look at the individualization process whereby early childhood professionals ensure that the individualized learning priorities for...
Surgical management of chronic pancreatitis

Abstract 1. 1. Fifty-eight operative procedures in thirty-nine patients with chronic pancreatitis are reviewed. 2. 2. The most consistent good results were obtained in patients in whom a clear pancreatic ductal system was demonstrated at the time of surgery. 3. 3. Adequate internal drainage procedures, coupled with pancreatic ductal clearance, have yielded good results up to nine years after surgery. 4. 4. Indirect procedures, such as sphincterotomy, are successful only in early cases of pancreatitis with disease of the biliary tract. Sphincterotomy will fail in most cases in the presence of pancreatic ductal obstruction if the obstruction is not relieved. 5. 5. In the thirty-nine cases reviewed, there was one operative death and eight late deaths. In four of the eight late deaths, the patient continued the use of large amounts of alcohol. 6. 6. Our preference at the present time is clearance of the pancreatic ductal system with adequate internal drainage, and preservation of functioning pancreatic tissue whenever feasible.
Limitations of Experimental Evaluation of Batterer Programs

Most previous evaluations of batterer programs have been quasi-experimental designs or evaluations with no comparison group. Two recent experimental evaluations attempted more rigorous science and produced little or no evidence of program effect for conventional batterer counseling compared to a control group. These experimental evaluations must be viewed with caution because of methodological limitations of their own. As with many experimental evaluations, there were difficulties in implementing the random assignment of subjects and reliance on an intention-to-treat approach amid substantial dropout rates. Also, the response rates to the follow-up are relatively low, leaving one study to use probation records rather than victim reports for the outcome. Other studies have shown the influence of a variety of contextual factors on program outcome. There are alternative analytical methods and research designs to address some of these problems. These alternatives, along with practitioner and clinical experience, need to be weighed in the balance. Language: en
Factor analysis techniques for assessing sufficient unidimensionality of cancer related fatigue

Background: Fatigue is the most common unrelieved symptom experienced by people with cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine whether cancer-related fatigue (CRF) can be summarized using a single score, that is, whether CRF is sufficiently unidimensional for measurement approaches that require or assume unidimensionality. We evaluated this question using factor analysis techniques including the theory-driven bi-factor model. Methods: Five hundred and fifty five cancer patients from the Chicago metropolitan area completed a 72-item fatigue item bank, covering a range of fatigue-related concerns including intensity, frequency and interference with physical, mental, and social activities. Dimensionality was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) techniques. Results: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) techniques identified from 1 to 17 factors. The bi-factor model suggested that CRF was sufficiently unidimensional. Conclusions: CRF can be considered sufficiently unidimensional for applications that require unidimensionality. One such application, item response theory (IRT), will facilitate the development of short-form and computer-adaptive testing. This may further enable practical and accurate clinical assessment of CRF.
The Contributions of Different Groups of Individuals to Employees’ Creativity:

This article provides a current review of the research on the social factors for creativity and explores the relevance of sets of other individuals, both inside and outside the boundaries of the or...
What the philosopher may learn from the study of law

At the entrance of the Academy, Plato had placed the inscription ‘No one may enter unless he be trained in geometry’; in the same fashion, Descartes and Spinoza proposed the geometrical method to philosophers as a model of rationality. Leibniz dreamt of being able to terminate philosophical disputes by having recourse to counting — calculemus— and hoped to put an end to differences of opinion among philosophers by means of those procedures which bring mathematicians to agreement. Other thinkers with empirical tendencies, from Hume to Piaget, have proposed that philosophers follow the methods of the experimental sciences.
Activating the DNA damage checkpoint in a developmental context.

Abstract Background: Studies in unicellular systems have established that DNA damage by irradiation invokes a checkpoint that acts to stall cell division. During metazoan development, the modulation of cell division by checkpoints must occur in the context of gastrulation, differential gene expression and changes in cell cycle regulation. To understand the effects of checkpoint activation in a developmental context, we examined the effect of X-rays on post-blastoderm embryos of Drosophila melanogaster . Results: In Drosophila , DNA damage was previously found to delay anaphase chromosome separation during cleavage cycles that lack a G2 phase. In post-blastoderm cycles that included a G2 phase, we found that irradiation delayed the entry into mitosis. Gastrulation and the developmental program of string (Cdc25) gene expression, which normally regulates the timing of mitosis, occurred normally after irradiation. The radiation-induced delay of mitosis accompanied the exclusion of mitotic cyclins from the nucleus. Furthermore, a mutant form of the mitotic kinase Cdk1 that cannot be inhibited by phosphorylation drove a mitotic cyclin into the nucleus and overcame the delay of mitosis induced by irradiation. Conclusions: Developmental changes in the cell cycle, for example, the introduction of a G2 phase, dictate the response to checkpoint activation, for example, delaying mitosis instead of or in addition to delaying anaphase. This unprecedented finding suggests that different mechanisms are used at different points during metazoan development to stall cell division in response to checkpoint activation. The delay of mitosis in post-blastoderm embryos is due primarily to inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdk1, whereas nuclear exclusion of a cyclin–Cdk1 complex might play a secondary role. Delaying cell division has little effect on gastrulation and developmentally regulated string gene expression, supporting the view that development generally dictates cell proliferation and not vice versa.
Design for Step Motor Control System of Automatic Biochemistry Analyzer

Automatic biochemistry analyzer is a necessary instrument for clinical diagnostics. In this paper, a new scheme of concentrated control system for Automatic biochemistry analyzer based on FPGA (field programmable gate array) is put forward. As an important part of automatic biochemistry analyzer, motor control system is one of key parts. In the light of the problems of stepping motor in application, such as surge at low frequency, low torque at high frequency and bad frequency characteristic, the paper presents a kind of practical method of the constant flow chopping subdivision driving based on FPGA. This scheme solves oscillation of stepping motor, improves the control system of biochemistry analyzer instrument.
Survey of digital feedback systems in high current storage rings

In the last decade demand for brightness in synchrotron light sources and luminosity in circular colliders led to construction of multiple high current storage rings. Many of these new machines require feedback systems to achieve design stored beam currents. In the same time frame the rapid advances in the technology of digital signal processing allowed the implementation of these complex feedback systems. In this paper I concentrate on three applications of feedback to storage rings: orbit control in light sources, coupled-bunch instability control, and low-level RF control. Each of these applications is challenging in areas of processing bandwidth, algorithm complexity, and control of time-varying beam and system dynamics. I will review existing implementations as well as comment on promising future directions.