cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 01/26/2001 Bhuj, India, Earthquake: Intraplate or Interplate?

The Mw=7.7 Republic Day (01/26/2001) earthquake near Bhuj in western In-dia killed nearly 20,000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. The cause and the tectonic implication of this earthquake have been the subject of in-tensive debate. Located ~400 km from the plate boundary, the Bhuj earthquake bears significant similarities with some intraplate earthquakes such as those in the New Madrid seismic zone in central United States. On the other hand, the plate boundary in western India is known to be diffuse, thus the Bhuj earthquake may reflect broad plate boundary deformation. To investigate the cause of the Bhuj earthquake and numerous other historic earthquakes concentrated in this part of the Indian plate, we have developed a viscoelastic finite element model to simulate the stress state within the lithosphere of western India. Our results indi-cate that the intracontinental thrusting and shearing along the northwestern Indian plate boundary may have caused deviatoric stresses to broadly diffuse into the Indian continent. When the internal rheologic heterogeneities of the Indian plate, such as the inherited mechanical weakening in the Kutch rift basin, is included, the model predicts a broad earthquake-prone zone extending hundreds of kilome-ters into the interior of the Indian plate that includes the Bhuj earthquake and most historic earthquakes in western India.
Ocean Acoustic Propagation: Fluctuations and Coherence in Dynamically Active Shallow-Water Regions

Abstract : LONG TERM GOALS. The goals are to understand the nature and causes of acoustic signal fluctuations in the shallow water environment. This will allow prediction of acoustic system performance and exploitation of acoustic signal properties. Here, signal means any identifiable acoustic reception, including noise of unknown origin, identified signals, and intentional signals. OBJECTIVES. An objective is to probe deeper into an acoustic transmission data set from past continental shelf-edge shallow water experiment to better define signal stability and fluctuation in terms of multiple parameters. Such parameters are, for example, intensity variance of randomly chosen multipath amplitudes, variance of peak intensity selected from multipath interference patterns, and decorrelation time scales of each of these. Both established and newer parameters related to signal variability will be employed. Another objective is to gain theoretical understanding of the fluctuation behavior.
The Chaplain's Path in Cultural and Spiritual Sensitivity: A Response to Anderson, Fukuyama, and Sevig

(2004). The Chaplain's Path in Cultural and Spiritual Sensitivity: A Response to Anderson, Fukuyama, and Sevig. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy: Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 71-82.
Kinesin's IAK tail domain inhibits initial microtubule-stimulated ADP release.

Kinesin undergoes a global folding conformational change from an extended active conformation at high ionic concentrations to a compact inhibited conformation at physiological ionic concentrations. Here we show that much of the observed ATPase activity of folded kinesin is due to contamination with proteolysis fragments that can still fold, but retain an activated ATPase function. In contrast, kinesin that contains an intact IAK-homology region exhibits pronounced inhibition of its ATPase activity (140-fold in 50 mM KCl) and weak net affinity for microtubules in the presence of ATP, resulting from selective inhibition of the release of ADP upon initial interaction with a microtubule. Subsequent processive cycling is only partially inhibited. Fusion proteins containing residues 883–937 of the kinesin α-chain bind tightly to microtubules; exposure of this microtubule-binding site in proteolysed species is probably responsible for their activated ATPase activities at low microtubule concentrations.
Intrauterine electroencephalogram of the sheep fetus.

Abstract The fetal electroencephalogram was recorded in a chronic fetal sheep preparation. Two characteristic patterns of activity were seen, one of slow-wave high voltage and a second with a rapid frequency and low voltage. The second pattern was associated with other phenomena characteristic of rapid eye movement sleep.
Electronic resources preferred by pediatric hospitalists for clinical care.

Most physicians agree that clinical decisions should be supported by accurate, non-biased, and current scientific evidence [1]. This proves challenging for busy clinicians who strive to practice evidence-based medicine (EBM) but have limited time to keep up with the rapidly expanding amount of medical knowledge [2]. Until recently, it was commonly felt that physicians answered most of their clinical questions by consulting peers and referencing textbooks or peer-reviewed sources such as MEDLINE. A recent study, however, showed that 90% of physicians now use the Internet to answer clinical questions [3]. Physicians have access to a vast number of online search engines such as Google [4] and “pre-filtered” or “evidence-based” databases in which the evidence is already summarized [5]. These resources have the potential to help physicians overcome the most common obstacle to practicing EBM, which is lack of time [6]. The practice of EBM requires an understanding of the hierarchical system of classifying evidence, commonly referred to as the levels of evidence. A variety of EBM hierarchical models have been developed to rank and organize the myriad of resources that are available to clinicians [7–10]. Generally, the quality of evidence moves upward through synopses of studies, syntheses, synopses of syntheses, and summaries. The lowest level includes “background information/expert opinion” resources such as UpToDate™ [10]. In 2010, the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Core Competencies formally defined the standards for knowledge and skills that are expected of all pediatric hospitalists. The document states that hospitalists should “be proficient in an EBM literature search using electronic resources such as PubMed” [11]. Given the paucity of data in this area, the primary aim of the authors of this study was to determine the patterns of electronic resources preferred by pediatric hospitalists to support medical decisions. The secondary aim was to determine physician characteristics associated with reported use of higher-quality electronic resources.
The inaccuracy of total uterine volume measurements: sources of error and a proposed solution

Inaccuracies in total intrauterine volumes calculated using the prolate ellipse equation have been reported. No previous study has examined all the sources of error. In this study, a comprehensive approach was undertaken. Measurements were obtained from scans of the pregnant uterus in the prone position using an automated water-path scanner (Octoson) and in the supine position using standard static B-mode scanners. Several conclusions could be drawn: 1) From the Octoson prone scans, uterine volumes obtained using the prolate ellipse formula were markedly different from the true uterine volumes obtained by the summation of stepped areas. This showed that the prolate ellipse formula was inaccurate. 2) From the static supine scans, many observer inconsistencies were found in uterine volumes obtained from the prolate ellipse formula. This made the prolate ellipse formula unreliable. 3) Previously published graphs calculated from the prolate ellipse equation, comparing fetal age with total intrauterine volume, were found to vary accuracy, presumably as a result of 1 and 2. A more accurate approach is proposed. Using the outer uterine wall as the boundary, the stepped area-to-volume values of transverse scans taken at 3-cm intervals were found to closely approximate true volumes, with an average error of only 3.5 per cent. Since these measurements encompass the intrauterine contents and the myometrium, it is suggested that the term "total uterine volume" be used instead of "total intrauterine volume."
Diaqua­tetra­kis­(1H‐imidazole)copper(II) bis­[tris­(1H‐imidazole)(pyridine‐2,4,6‐tricarboxyl­ato‐κ3N,O2:O6)cuprate(II)] dihydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [Cu(C3H4N2)4(H2O)2][Cu(C8H2NO6)(C3H4N2)3]2·2H2O, contains half of a centrosymmetric diaqua­tetra­kis­(1H-imidazole)copper(II) cat­ion and a complex anion comprising copper(II) coord­inated by a pyridine-2,4,6-tricarboxyl­ate anion and three imidazole ligands, together with a water molecule.
Visual dissociation of digitized photographs

Visual dissociation occurs when a visual marker from one display in a rapidly presented sequence (e.g., 9 item/sec) is perceived as having occurred in a temporally adjacent display. Three experiments that evaluated the application of computer graphics technology to study this phenomenon with digitized color photographs are reported. The primary concern was that visible phosphor persistence might artificially increase the frequency of integration errors. In Experiment 1, visible phosphor persistence was assessed using a multiple-repetition shutter test to determine which stimulus conditions did not yield reportable persistence. On the basis of these results, visual dissociation performance when the same color photographs were presented using mechanical 16-mm projection (as in previous research) and when they were presented on a computer monitor were compared in Experiments 2 and 3. The results supported computer application, in that computer presentation yielded the same pattern of errors and accuracy levels as did research using mechanical projection.
Exemplar spacing and infants' memory for category information

Abstract In novelty preference studies of categorization, all exemplars are exposed within a single session, and category information is retained for only a few minutes. In mobile studies of categorization, one exemplar is exposed per day, and category information is retained for many days. In five experiments, we asked if exemplar timing affects this retention difference by exposing infants in the mobile paradigm to all category exemplars within each session. Three-month-olds did not recognize a novel category member after 24 hours (Experiment 1) because they did not acquire the category when exemplars were massed (Experiment 2). Six-month-olds recognized a novel category member after 24 hours when the daily exemplar order was random (Experiment 4), and both ages recognized the individual exemplar from Serial Position 1 after 24 hours when the daily exemplar order was constant (Experiment 3 and 5). As a rule, greater spacing between successive items protracts retention. This factor appears largely responsible for paradigmatic differences in infants' long-term memory for category information.
Viral messenger RNA unmethylated in the 5'-terminal guanosine in interferon-treated HeLa cells infected with vesicular stomatitis virus.

The distribution of viral mRNA between polysomal and nonpolysomal fractions was investigated in interferon-treated cells infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). More than half of the viral mRNA synthesized by these cells is in the nonpolysomal fraction, whereas less than one-third of the mRNA synthesized by control cells is found in this fraction. Polysomal and nonpolysomal mRNA sediment identically on sucrose density gradients, but the nonpolysomal mRNA from interferon-treated cells in under-methylated, as shown by labeling experiments with [methyl-3H]methionine. Analysis of VSV mRNA after digestion with nucleases shows that all molecules are capped but about 60% of the nonpolysomal mRNA isolated from interferon-treated cells is unmethylated in the 5′-terminal G. When tested in an assay for initiation of protein synthesis, only 45% of this mRNA binds to ribosomes, as compared to 80% binding for polysomal mRNA from either control or interferon-treated cells.
Hard Limiting of Gaussian Noise Having a First-Order Butterworth Bandpass Spectrum

This correspondence is concerned with the closedform computation of tight upper and lower bounds to the primary zone spectrum existing at the output of a symmetrical hard limiter driven by stationary zero-mean Gaussian noise whose spectral shape is that of a narrow-band first-order Butterworth bandpass filter.
Multimodal sexual selection in a warbler: plumage and song are related to different fitness components

Many species possess multiple sexual signals that are produced in different modalities. Signals from different modalities may convey different or similar (redundant) information, or be intended for different receivers. We studied sexual selection on two such signals (plumage and song) in the common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas. We measured the coloration and size of both a carotenoid-based and a melanin-based plumage ornament and defined singing consistency as the lack of variability between repeated renditions of the same song. Overall, we found that plumage ornaments predicted within-pair mating success, while song consistency predicted extrapair success. Only plumage was related to male condition but, among experienced males, consistent singers had higher survival rates. Singing consistency was more variable than plumage, as performance varied across observations of the same male in relation to social context and date. Our results suggest that visual and acoustic signals in this species are most important in different sexual selection contexts.
Spatial ability as a predictor of math achievement: the importance of sex and handedness patterns.

Abstract In accordance with major theories of handedness and brain organization [1, 10], differential predictors for math achievement were found as a function of sex and handedness subgroups among eighth graders. Although there was no difference in absolute levels of performance as a function of either sex or handedness, predictive structures did differ. Regression analyses showed that spatial ability predicts math achievement for: (1) girls with anomalous dominance (non-right- handers and right-handers with non-right-handed relatives), and (2) all boys (independent of handedness group). In contrast, for the standard dominance girls who are right-handed with all right- handed relatives (considered strongly left-hemisphere dominant for language), spatial ability did not predict for math achievement. These findings occurred, even when scholastic aptitude and verbal achievement factors were controlled. It was concluded that further studies of sex differences in math achievement should consider subgroup differences within the sexes, based on handedness patterns.
On noise analyses in bulk semiconductors

Abstract Three different noise analyses, the field impedance method of Shockley et al., the diffusion-noise of van der Ziel and van Vliet, and the transmission line analog, are compared and shown to be equivalent in the common regime of application. Limits of applicability are pointed out and extensions of the transmission line model are demonstrated.
Nanoparticle oxygen delivery to the ischemic heart

Objective:Currently there are no medications that can be administered to help deliver more oxygen to the myocardial region experiencing abnormal perfusion. The purpose of this study was to look at the nanoparticle dodecafluoropentane in an emulsion as an oxygen carrier. Using nanoparticles as an oxygen carrier is advantageous because they are able to carry oxygen past blockages that are obstructing red blood cells (6-8 µm) due to their smaller size (250 nm). With the reintroduction of oxygen to the ischemic muscle tissue, a reduced infarct size should be seen.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice underwent left anterior descending artery (LAD) ligation using 8-0 monofilament nylon suture. Immediately after ligation of the LAD, the control group received a 200-µl intravenous injection of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The treated group received a dose of 0.6 ml/kg of dodecafluoropentane diluted to a total volume of 200 µl in PBS. The mice were then allowed to recover from anesthesia and were sacrificed 24 hours aft...
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a review of major studies and a proposed uniform reporting system.

The scientific literature from January 1970 to June 1979 was reviewed for articles reporting outcomes from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated by paramedic programs. Only articles appearing in refereed professional journals and reporting 25 or more attempted resuscitations were included. A total of 21 articles from 15 U.S. locations were found. Four separate case definitions were distinguished. Methods and reporting formats varied considerably. Few studies used an experimental or quasi-experimental design, or control or comparison groups. The range of attempted resuscitations varied from 26 to 1.106 patients. Patients admitted to hospital varied between 22 per cent and 65 per cent (mean 38 per cent, S.D. +/- 12.4 per cent). Patients discharged alive varied from 3.5 per cent to 31 per cent (mean 17.2 per cent, S.D. +/- 7.1 per cent). Post discharge survival was either not reported or reported in different formats. A simplified reporting format is proposed using factors known to be associated with succes...
Cat scratch disease in the United States: an analysis of three national databases.

OBJECTIVES. Current knowledge of the epidemiology of cat scratch disease is based primarily on information from case series. We used three national databases to obtain more representative data to determine the incidence and demographics of cat scratch disease. METHODS. Records coded with the diagnosis of cat scratch disease from two hospital discharge databases and an ambulatory care database were analyzed. Costs of diagnostic tests and hospitalization were obtained from a sample of providers and published data. RESULTS. The incidence of patients discharged from hospitals with a diagnosis of cat scratch disease was between 0.77 and 0.86 per 100,000 population per year. Fifty-five percent of the case patients were 18 years of age or younger. Males accounted for 60% of cases. Incidence varied by season; approximately 60% of case patients were discharged in the months September through January. The estimated incidence of disease in ambulatory patients was 9.3 per 100,000 population per year. On the basis of ...
Fibrinolytic activity associated with cultured human neoplastic and normal cells.

Fibrinolytic activity was studied in a number of different established as well as secondary human cell cultures derived from both malignant and normal tissues. The ability to degrade [125I]-labeled fibrin was found to be characteristic of some malignant cultures as well as some normal cultures, and to be dependent upon the presence of serum. For the most part, this activity was detected in cultures with a relatively shortin vitro passage history ( 100 passages) cultures of malignant cells (colon carcinoma, HeLa, Hep-2, KB) as well as normal cells (HEI, AV3) were negative. It is proposed that although some normal cells synthesize plasminogen activators, the fibrinolytic capability of both malignant and normal cells may be lost on prolongedin vitro cultivation.
USE OF THE NEODYMIUM: YAG LASER FOR INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

ABSTRACTPurpose: Interstitial cystitis is a disorder of the bladder characterized by urgency and frequency of urination, and pelvic pain. The classic type of interstitial cystitis is characterized by Hunner’s ulcers, which are focal regions of severe bladder inflammation. Patients with Hunner’s ulcers tend to have more severe symptoms and are often refractory to medical management. We present a prospective series of patients who underwent ablative therapy of Hunner’s ulcers using a neodymium (Nd):YAG laser.Materials and Methods: A total of 24 patients with interstitial cystitis underwent ablative therapy for Hunner’s ulcers. Medical therapy had failed in all cases. Using regional or general anesthesia the Nd:YAG laser under cystoscopic control was used to ablate the ulcers. The power setting was 15 W. with a firing duration of between 1 and 3 seconds. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis. Symptoms were noted preoperatively and postoperatively.Results: All patients had symptom improvement wit...
Why do we not yet have a human immunodeficiency virus vaccine

A 2-day meeting to explore why we do not yet have a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine was held under the joint sponsorship of the Simons Center for Systems Biology at the Institute for Advanced Study and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, with additional support from Merck & Co., at
Elastic photon scattering 209Bi: Meson exchange contributions to the dipole sum and the orbital g factor

Abstract Elastic photon scattering cross sections have been measured for 209Bi in the region of the GDR. The enhancement to the TRK sum rule is extracted and shown to be similar to that of neighboring nuclei. The mesonic contribution to the nucleon orbital magnetic moment, as determined from the GDR contribution to this enhancement, is found to be smaller than previously reported.
Arms Race Modeling: Causality Analysis and Model Specification

The Richardson model has been employed frequently in the study of arm races, but seldom with empirically satisfactory results. For each of twelve pairs of arms expenditure series which are commonly proposed as arms races, we consider two potential sources for the failure of Richardson modeling efforts. First, they may not constitute arms races. Second, for those which do, the Richardson model specification may not be adequate. The methodology which enables us to explore these issues is "statistical causality analysis," as recently promulgated in time series research. Using this methodology, we find that arms expenditures are independent in a majority of the twelve cases examined. For those cases where interdependence is found, those which exhibit arms competition, the traditional Richardson model specification is not empirically supported. Finally, we provide a specific methodology for improved model specification derived from a general distributed lag model for any proposed arms race.
When Aggressive Individuals See the World More Accurately The Case of Perceptual Sensitivity to Subtle Facial Expressions of Anger

Previous research has suggested that aggressive individuals exhibit a bias to perceive nonangry expressions as angry. Another line of thinking, however, posits that aggression is a learned response to hostile environments and should be linked to social-cognitive skills suited to such environments. If so, aggressive individuals may exhibit greater perceptual sensitivity to subtle facial cues of anger. Three studies were conducted to test this proposal. In them, participants’ ability to discriminate between subtly different intensities of facial anger was tested. Aggressive participants generally displayed greater perceptual sensitivity to subtle cues of facial anger. This pattern could not be explained in terms of response bias and was specific to angry expressions. The results thus support the idea that aggression is associated with social-cognitive skills rather than bias and ineptitude.
In Situ Evaluation of Fatigue Damage Growth and Healing of Asphalt Concrete Pavements Using Stress Wave Method

Accurate in situ evaluation of the changes in material properties of an asphalt surface layer due to fatigue loading and rest periods is important for a better understanding of fatigue mechanisms of asphalt concrete in the field and therefore more realistic prediction of the fatigue life of asphalt pavements. A nondestructive technique based on the stress wave propagation method is presented as a means of measuring the changes in the "apparent" modulus of an asphalt surface layer due to fatigue damage growth and healing during rest periods. The method was applied to four asphalt pavements in the FHWA Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center that were loaded by the Accelerated Loading Facility to induce fatigue damage. The dispersion analysis is performed using the Short Kernel Method on the wave transients measured at different loading cycles and after rest periods. The results indicate that (a) the test and analysis technique used provides a sensitive means of evaluating the changes in asphalt surface lay...
Response of Ants to a Deterrent Factor(s) Produced by the Symbiotic Bacteria of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

The production of an ant-deterrent factor(s) (ADF) by Xenorhabdus nematophila and Photorhabdus luminescens, the symbiotic bacteria of the nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, respectively, was examined. In addition to an in vivo assay in which bacteria were tested for their ability to produce ADF within insect cadavers (M.E. Baur, H. K. Kaya, and D. R. Strong, Biol. Control 12:231-236, 1998), an in vitro microtiter dish assay was developed to monitor ADF activity produced by bacteria grown in cultures. Using these methods, we show that ADF activity is present in the supernatants of bacterial cultures, is filterable, heat stable, and acid sensitive, and passes through a 10-kDa-pore-size membrane. Thus, ADF appears to be comprised of a small, extracellular, and possibly nonproteinaceous compound(s). The amount of ADF repellency detected depends on the ant species being tested, the sucrose concentration (in vitro assays), and the strain, form, and age of the ADF-producing bacteria. These findings demonstrate that the symbiotic bacteria of some species of entomopathogenic nematodes produce a compound(s) that deters scavengers such as ants and thus could protect nematodes from being eaten during reproduction within insect cadavers.
Influence of thermal conditions and presence of additives on fat bloom in chocolate

This study focused on the analysis of the effects of thermal history and presence of additives on fat bloom in chocolate. Magnetic resonance data obtained on specific chocolate samples were useful in evaluating the effect of thermal history on the appearance of fat bloom and also in understanding the underlying mechanism. Fat bloom was induced by thermal history such as storage for 3 d at 32 or 28°C. Increasing storage time at 21°C after each thermal treatment also promoted fat bloom. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments confirmed the appearance of polymorphic form VI in the bloomed samples. Also, three different components were added separately to the initial composition of dark chocolate and the appearance of fat bloom was monitored. 1,3-Dibehenoyl, 2-oleoylglycerol (BOB) did prevent fat bloom. However, magnetic resonance and differential scanning calorimetry data collected on chocolate samples did not confirm that either added sucrose or milk powder prevented fat bloom. Indeed, fat bloom occurred for these samples, but its characteristics were different from those with pure chocolate.
The α-decay rate of 188Pb

Abstract As part of our investigation of the reported anomalous α-decay rates of even-even lead nuclei with A ≦ 192 we have measured the α-decay branching ratio of 188 Pb. The isotope was produced in the 180 W( 16 O, 8n) reactions, and its decay properties were investigated with the use of the Oak Ridge on-line isotope separator facility. Gamma-ray and α-particle spectra were measured with the detectors placed in calibrated geometries. From these measurements the 188 Pb α-decay branching ratio was determined to be (22 ± 7)%, a value about seven times greater than that available in the literature. This result, together with our recent data for 190 Pb and 192 Pb, is discussed within the context of α-decay-rate systematics in the lead region.
Consumer Frustration in the Customer-Server Exchange: The Role of Attitudes Toward Complaining and Information Inadequacy Related to Service Failures:

Based on the customer-server exchange, this investigation examines the phenomenon of consumer frustration. Specifically, this investigation examines consumers' perceptions of frustration as it relates to service failure in service-based transactions. The results indicate that consumers'(a) propensity to complain was related to their perceptions of receiving adequate information in the customer-server exchange regarding service failures, (b) negative attitudes toward complaining was not significantly related to information inadequacy or perceptions of consumer frustration, and (c) perceptions of information inadequacy were significantly related to perceptions of consumer frustration in the customer-server exchange.
Prophylaxis With Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for Prevention of Local Reactions to the Fifth Diphtheria-Tetanus Toxoids-Acellular Pertussis Vaccination: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background The frequency of local vaccination reactions increases with successive doses of diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, and local reactions occur for the majority of children receiving the fifth DTaP vaccination. It is not known whether these reactions can be prevented with prophylactic use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Methods In this 3-group, randomized, blinded, controlled trial, 372 children were assigned randomly, in a 2:2:1 ratio, to receive 3 doses of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or placebo. The first dose of study medication was administered within 2 hours before the fifth DTaP vaccination, and the remaining 2 doses were given at 6-hour intervals. The primary outcome measures included a local reaction with an area of redness or discoloration > or =5 cm in diameter on the evening of or during the 2 days after vaccination, an increase in mid-limb circumference of > or =2 cm on the evening of or during the 2 days after vaccination, and a persistent local reaction, defined as an area of redness or discoloration present on the third day after vaccination. Results Local reactions with a > or =5-cm area of redness or discoloration were reported for 35% of children in the placebo group, compared with 33% of children in the acetaminophen group and 37% of children in the ibuprofen group. There was also no significant difference between the placebo and treatment groups in the proportions of children with a > or =2-cm increase in mid-limb circumference or with a persistent local reaction. Conclusions We did not find evidence that prophylaxis with acetaminophen or ibuprofen offers a clinically significant benefit in prevention of local reactions to the fifth DTaP vaccination.
Reproductive Success and Body Size in the Cricket Gryllus firmus

Male body size influences mate choice and sexual selection in many animal species. Here we investigate the role of male body size in the reproductive success of the field cricket Gryllus firmus. This species hybridizes with a close smaller relative, G. pennsylvanicus, and it is thought that this size difference may affect reproductive isolation between these species. We paired large and small G. firmus males with a single G. firmus female and genotyped the resulting offspring. Overall, larger males sired a greater proportion of offspring and in a majority of the crosses the larger male sired all of the offspring. For crosses in which both males sired offspring, there was no difference in the proportion of offspring sired by small and large males. Intrasexual competition, female choice, and differences in ejaculates between males could all influence the patterns we observe. We discuss the implications of our findings within the context of reproductive isolation between G. firmus and G. pennsylvanicus.
Stability of interfaces with ion or dipole layers

Electrostatic energies of various planar and nearly planar arrays of charges and image charges, dipoles and image dipoles are calculated on the assumption of a discontinuity in dielectric constant nearby. Changes in electrostatic energy and interfacial energy are evaluated for small amplitude, wavy perturbations of a flat interface. Electrical contributions are destabilizing and, because of the discreteness of charge, marginal configurational stability occurs when total interfacial tension is still positive but small—a few dynes per centimeter or less. The effect of an adsorbed or deposited layer of ions depends strongly on how they rearrange when the interface is deformed; the generally weaker effect of a layer of dipoles depends greatly on how they reorient.
Writing Like a Scientist: Exploring Elementary Teachers’ Understandings and Practices of Writing in Science

This qualitative study examined the connections between elementary teachers’ conceptions of how scientists use writing and how the teachers used writing during science lessons. Data collected included lesson observations, interviews, handouts to students, and curriculum resources. The findings revealed that teachers in this study thought scientists write for several purposes: the presentation of data, observations, experiences, procedures, and facts. The teachers used writing tasks that mirrored this with their students. The teachers also had a limited definition of creativity in writing, and when they had students write creatively in science it was to add in fictional elements. Implications of this study include providing teachers with better models for how and why scientists write, including these models in more inquiry-based science lessons, and directly relating concepts of nature of science to elementary science writing.
Attribution Patterns of Learning Disabled Adolescents

This study compared the general self-esteem and attributions of LD and non-LD junior high-school students and the general attributions and task-specific attributions of LD students. Subjects were 35 LD students and 99 non-LD students. All subjects completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Scale (IAR). LD students also completed a spelling task and gave reasons for their success or failure on the task. Mean scores for the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Scale were not significantly different for LD and non-LD students. However, LD students' internal responses to the IAR were not mirrored on the spelling task. LD students gave internal responses to the general attribution measure, but not to the task-specific attribution measure. It was concluded that LD students' attribution patterns help explain why LD students may verbalize a desire to do well in school, but fail to expend the effort necessary to complete work and...
Prospective randomized comparison of single-incision and two-incision carpal tunnel release outcomes.

Background This study analyzes both the subjective and objective symptom and functional outcomes of patients who underwent either traditional single-incision or two-incision carpal tunnel release (CTR).
Thermal expansion and magnetovolume effects in the heavy-fermion system Ce 2 RhIn 8

We present the results of thermal expansion $\ensuremath{\alpha}(T),$ magnetostriction $\ensuremath{\lambda}(H,T),$ and specific-heat ${C}_{p}(T)$ measurements made on the heavy-fermion antiferromagnet ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{2}{\mathrm{RhIn}}_{8}.$ The effects of magnetic order are clearly evident as anomalies in $\ensuremath{\alpha}(T)$ at ${T}_{N}=2.8\mathrm{K}$ and at ${T}_{m}=1.65\mathrm{K}.$ ${C}_{p}(T)$ data indicate that the upper transition corresponds to the onset of long-range antiferromagnetic order while the lower transition involves only a subtle rearrangement of the ordered state. Both ${C}_{p}/T$ and $\ensuremath{\alpha}/T$ grow with decreasing temperature below 20 K in a manner consistent with Kondo renormalization. Kondo interactions appear to be responsible for the large electronic Gr\"uneisen parameter which extrapolates to ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{e}\ensuremath{\approx}48$ as $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{T}0,$ while the characteristic Kondo energy is ${T}_{K}\ensuremath{\approx}10\mathrm{K}$ as determined from the ${C}_{p}/T$ ratio at ${T}_{N}.$ Above 20 K $\ensuremath{\alpha}(T)$ is dominated by crystalline-electric-field (CEF) effects. The data are consistent with a CEF level scheme consisting of excited ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}^{(1)}$ and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{6}$ doublets lying $71\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6\mathrm{K}$ and $195\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10\mathrm{K}$ above a ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}^{(2)}$ ground state. In the paramagnetic state $(Tg{T}_{N})$ the volume magnetostriction follows a simple scaling law, $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\propto}[{H/(T+T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}){]}^{2}.$ The scaling parameter ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}=5\mathrm{K}$ is consistent with the Kondo temperature determined from $\ensuremath{\alpha}(T)$ and ${C}_{p}(T)$ data. Analysis of $\ensuremath{\lambda}(H,T)$ data also indicates that the magnetic and electronic energy scales associated with the Kondo state in ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{2}{\mathrm{RhIn}}_{8}$ are equivalent. These thermodynamic data indicate that the physical properties of ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{2}{\mathrm{RhIn}}_{8}$ result from competition between magnetic exchange, Kondo, and CEF interactions.
Corticosteroidogenesis in isolated adrenal cells of rats. I. Effect of corticotropins and 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides on corticosterone production.

By the use of trypsin digestion, a modified method for the preparation of isolated adrenal cells (IAC) from the rat has been described. The response of IAC to varying concentrations of ACTH,1 β1-24-corticotropin (Synacthen) and the ribonucleoside 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate of adenosine (c-AMP), cytidine (c-CMP), guanosine (c-GMP), inosine (c-IMP), thymidine (c-TMP), and uridine (c-UMP), as well as N6-2′-O-dibutyryl-adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (dc-AMP), has been assessed by measuring corticosterone production. ACTH, Synacthen, c-AMP, dc-AMP, c-IMP and c-GMP all stimulated corticosteroidogenesis in IAC. The halfmaximal dose calculated from their respective sigmoid dose-response curves for ACTH, Synacthen, c-AMP, dc-AMP, c-IMP and c-GMP was 6 μU, 70 pg, 2.3 μumoles, 0.08 μmole, 2.5 μmoles, and 8.0 μmoles/ml of incubation, respectively. The noncyclic ribonucleoside-5′-phosphate of adenosine, guanosine and inosine, as well as c-TMP, c-UMP and c-CMP, had no steroidogenic effect on IAC. Hormones such as glucagon, ...
The morphological and physiological properties of a regenerating synapse in the C.N.S. of the leech.

Regeneration of an electrical synapse between particular interneurons in the medicinal leech was traced physiologically and morphologically using intracellular recording the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection. The synapse between S-cell interneurons lies in the connective midway between segmental ganglia, so crushing near one ganglion severs only one S-cell's axon. The severed distal stump remains connected to the adjacent uninjured S-cell and continues for weeks to conduct impulses. The injured cell regenerates, while its uninjured "target" neuron in the next ganglion does not grow. After the sprouts of the regenerating neuron cross the crush, one or a few branches grow along the surviving distal stump toward the original synapse. After about one month when the region of original synapse has been reached, regenerating neurons form electrical junctions and stop growing. Thereafter electrical coupling improves in stages. Within two months the regenerated neuron attains full caliber, the stump degenerates and function is normal. In some instances within days or weeks of crushing, the regenerating neuron forms a basket of synapses upon its severed distal stump and then continues growing to synapse with the target. When this occurs, electrical coupling and subsequent impulse transmission between S-cells rapidly resumes. These experiments indicated that the regenerating neuron is guided to its proper synaptic target by recognizing and following its severed distal stump. Sometimes the distal stump itself becomes an intermediate synaptic target.
Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction for the separation of hyperforin and adhyperforin in St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with neat CO2 was optimized for selective removal of hyperforin and adhyperforin from St. John’s wort. High extraction efficiencies were achieved when the fluid density was 0.60 g ml−1 or above. The maximum extraction efficiency of hyperforin and adhyperforin could be achieved with a very mild condition such as 30 °C and 80 atm (density = 0.64 g ml−1). Under these conditions, the amount of hyperforin extracted was comparable to the results of conventional solvent-based extractions (ultrasonic or boiling). The maximum quantity of hyperforin extracted from the St. John’s wort was around 12 mg/g dry plant and the reproducibility of the SFE method was comparatively good (RSD = 10%). Hyperforin and adhyperforin were isolated from the crude SFE extract (using HPLC) with purities of 98.7 and 93.3%, respectively. The identity of the isolated hyperforins was confirmed by NMR and MS methods.
Effects of Hot-Gas Composition on Temperature Distribution in a Flat Plate Cooled by Internal and Film Cooling

Developing turbine technologies to operate on coal-derived synthesis gas (syngas) and hydrogen fuels is critical to the development of advanced power generation systems that can lead to the capture and separation of carbon dioxide (CO2 ). One issue that arises from burning such fuels is the change in the hot-gas constituents, which differ in specific heats, thermal conductivity, and molecular weight. Another issue is increased heat-transfer rate from the hot-gas side from increased volumetric flow rate. In this study, CFD simulations were performed to examine the heat transfer and temperature distributions in and about a flat plate with and without thermal-barrier coating that is cooled by internal and film cooling in which the hot-gas constituents are from the products of combustion of natural gas, syngas, hydrogen, and oxyfuel. Also examined is the effect of Biot number from negligible resistance by conduction heat transfer to when the resistance by conduction and convection is comparable. This computational study is based on the ensemble average continuity, species balance, compressible Navier-Stokes, and energy equations closed by the realizeable k-e turbulence model (wall functions were not used) for the gas phase and the Fourier equations for conduction in the solid phase.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Shared mental models in improvisational performance

This paper describes the mental structures called shared mental models, which are heavily related to group problem solving and cognition, and reports how they are related to theatrical improvisation based on our empirical findings. We have conducted a series of studies on real life improvisers aimed at uncovering the underlying cognition involved in improvisation, with the end goal of having a clear understanding of how to build improvisational synthetic characters. We describe cognitive divergence, when improvisers have conflicting mental models of what is occurring on stage, and cognitive convergence, which is the process of resolving such conflicts within the performance. These findings are supported by examples from our study and are used to make conclusions about improvisational synthetic character design.
Clinical validation of a sleep assessment device.

Abstract We have previously reported on the use of a sleep assessment device (SAD) with non-insomniac subjects. The SAD works by generating a brief, soft tone about every 10 min throughout the night and tape recording verbal responses to these cues. The sleep patterns reconstructed from the night's tape recordings proved highly concordant with EEG records. The present study tested the SAD against the EEG standard in 20 nights of monitoring chronic insomniacs. No significant differences were found between the SAD and EEG records with respect to sleep latency, duration of awakenings during the night, total sleep time and sleep efficiency percentage. The EEG detected many more very brief awakenings during the night than did the SAD due to the continuous monitoring by the former. The SAD proved to be a non-intrusive measure of sleep according to three independent measures. The usefulness of the SAD as a measure of sleep in the natural environment was discussed.
Preparation and characterization of diesel exhaust particles for biological experiments

Abstract Bioassays of diesel engine exhaust components are being conducted at IITRI to determine toxic and carcinogenic potentials of the exhaust. The bioassay method, intracheal instillation of saline suspensions of test materials in hamsters, requires preparation of stable suspensions of test materials. A method to prepare suspensions of whole particle diesel exhaust in saline has been developed. The diesel exhaust particle material was supplied to IITRI as a dry, loose powder by the U.S. EPA from a light duty diesel test engine. Preliminary characterizations of the powders indicated aggregation of exhaust particles had occurred both before and during capture on collection substrates. Flake-like sheets and hollow spheres of aggregated particles up to 150 μm in sie present in the powders. Therefore, the powder were ball-milled to geometric particle sizes more amenable to the animal administration technique to be employed. Grinding, suspension preparation and particle concentration assaying methods have been developed. Particle (geometric) size and morphological characterizations have also been performed on the as-received powders and prepared suspensions. A method to prepare emulsions (liquid-liquid suspensions) of the dichloromethane extracts of whole particle diesel exhaust has also been developed.
Structure-energy correlation for grain boundaries in F.C.C. metals—I. Boundaries on the (111) and (100) planes

Abstract The zero-temperature energies and equilibrium volume expansions of point-defect free grain boundaries (GBs) on the two densest planes of f.c.c. Cu have been determined using an Embedded Atom Method (EAM) and a Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential. It is found that the energies and volume expansions of the (100) boundaries are about 2–3 times larger than those of the (111) boundaries. This correlation between the GB energy and the densest planes is analyzed in terms of the structural disorder in the interface region. A close correlation between large volume expansion and high GB energy is observed. Since both potentials yield qualitatively very similar results it is concluded that the short-range repulsion between atoms is the dominating contribution to the energy in the GB region and that therefore, electronic effects arising from a local volume dependence of the interatomic interactions are relatively unimportant.