cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 and forskolin modulate gap junctional communication and cellular phenotype of cultured Schwann cells

Following peripheral nerve injury, Schwann cells undergo a series of cellular alterations that are thought to assist the regenerative process. Some of these changes are stimulated by the local release of cytokines and mitogenic factors. To test the hypothesis that cytokine regulation of gap junctional communication between cells helps to coordinate Schwann cell responses, cultured rat Schwann cells, from sciatic nerve, were utilized to study phasic changes induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1), a cytokine released after nerve injury, or forskolin in combination with bovine pituitary extract (F-BPE), known for its mitogenic effects in vitro. In mitotically quiescent cultures, TGF beta 1 significantly decreased both electrical and dye coupling mediated by gap junctions. Single-channel analysis revealed that cultured Schwann cells expressed gap junctions with two distinct channel sizes of about 26 pS and 44 pS. TGF beta 1 treatment reduced coupling due to both populations of channels. Exposure to TGF beta 1 had a minimal effect on proliferation but significantly altered cellular morphology; cell bodies became flattened with multipolar processes within 72 hr. Additionally, immunolabeling for both low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (L-NGFR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were reduced, suggesting increased differentiation. In contrast, treatment with F-BPE significantly enhanced both electrical and dye coupling and stimulated Schwann cell proliferation. Additionally, cell bodies became more rounded with polarized, cytoplasmic processes contiguously aligned with adjacent cells. F-BPE reduced immunolabeling for L-NGFR but increased expression of both GFAP and the major peripheral myelin protein, P0. These data indicate that TGF beta 1 and/or F-BPE induce phenotypic changes in Schwann cells, including the coordinated regulation of proliferation and modulation of intercellular communication via gap junctions. Such mechanisms may underlie phasic responses that orchestrate recovery from nerve injury, indicating that Schwann cell gap junctions may be critical for peripheral nerve function.
PAYMENT SCALE ECONOMIES, COMPETITION, AND PRICING 1

Payment scale economies affect banking costs, competition in payment services, and pricing. Our scale measure relates operating cost to physical measures of European banking "output", finding large economies. This differs from relating total cost to the value of balance sheet assets (the conventional approach). Interest expenses are excluded since differences here are primarily due to mix, not scale. Also, since standard indicators of competition can give inconsistent results, a revenue-based frontier measure is developed and applied to European banks, with little difference evident across countries. Existing differences in bank prices (EC report) are associated with small differences in competition.
BIASES IN COMPUTED RETURNS An Application to the Size Effect

Abstract Previous estimates of a ‘size effect’ based on daily returns data are biased. The use of quoted closing prices in computing returns on individual stocks imparts an upward bias. Returns computed for buy-and-hold portfolios largely avoid the bias induced by closing prices. Based on such buy-and-hold returns, the full-year size effect is half as large as previously reported, and all of the full-year effect is, on average, due to the month of January.
Chromatic and achromatic vision of macaques: role of the P pathway

Chromatic and achromatic contrast sensitivity were measured in a human observer, 2 normal macaque monkeys, and 3 monkeys with severe toxicant-induced damage to the parvocellular projecting retinogeniculate pathway (P cell-deficient monkeys). Damage to the P pathway was produced by the oral administration of acrylamide monomer (Eskin and Merigan, 1986). Contrast sensitivity was measured in all subjects with isochromatic luminance gratings, as well as isoluminant chromatic gratings, modulated along several directions of a color space that represents color-opponent and luminance contrast (Krauskopf et al., 1986). The chromatic and achromatic sensitivity of the control monkeys was virtually identical to that of the human observer. Chromatic sensitivity of the P cell-deficient monkeys, measured at a low spatial frequency (0.3 c/deg), along a constant-blue color axis, was 0.9-1.5 log units lower than that of controls. Similar losses were seen along a tritanopic confusion axis and along 2 intermediate axes of color direction. Chromatic thresholds measured at higher spatial frequency (2.0 c/deg) were similarly reduced. Counterphase-modulated chromatic gratings were used to test color sensitivity over a range of temporal frequencies up to 15 Hz, and the loss of color vision was substantial over the entire range of frequencies. The luminance contrast sensitivity of the P cell-deficient monkeys for stationary gratings decreased after exposure by 0.5-0.8 log units. These results indicate that the chromatic and achromatic spatial vision of macaques is very similar to that of humans. They also suggest that the P pathway plays an important role in macaque chromatic sensitivity at all spatial frequencies, as well as achromatic sensitivity at high spatial and lower temporal frequencies.
Investigation of influential factors on the purification of zone‐refined germanium ingot

Zone refining is one of the most important procedures to purify germanium crystals for the fabrication of detectors in our laboratory. In order to properly zone refine high-purity germanium crystals, it is important to develop perfect cleaning procedures for raw materials, quartz tubes, and the containers holding raw materials. Additionally, vacuum levels, container types, the correct combination of ambient gases, the speed of zone travel, and the ratio of ingot length to molten zone length, all need to be carefully studied in order to obtain the best results possible. In this work, we investigate a number of influential factors in perfecting high-purity germanium crystal growth, specifically: cleaning procedures, boat composition, vacuum levels in the chamber, zone travel speed, and the ratio of ingot length to molten zone length. Using the van der Pauw Hall technique, we were able to measure the electrical properties of zone-refined ingots and analyze the origin and distribution of three main impurity elements (boron, aluminum and phosphorus) thereby allowing us to study potential contamination sources. After detailed analysis on the various influential factors, we were able to optimize the zone-refining procedures.
Textbase for humanities applications: Wordcruncher

The compilation of concordances was one of the earliest applications of computers to research in the humanities. It is only fitting, therefore, that concordance programs be written for the increasing power of microcomputers and their peripherals. One of these, WordCruncher, uses the interactive immediacy of microcomputers in an impressive fashion. Called a "text indexing and retrieval" system, the package is aimed at manipulative very large bodies of text. Its developer, Electronic Text Corporation (ETC), claims the ability to accommodate texts great than 250 megabytes. Married to optical disk or CD-ROM' technology, then, this software will allow the user to interactively query concorded texts that would be difficult to work with even on a mainframe. In the meantime, widely available hard disk technology that can store large bodies of text should make WordCruncher very effective for research and teaching. The program is enthusiastically recommended to scholars requiring a concordance system as well as a more general text retrieval system. WordCruncher is a renamed and slightly updated version of the successful Brigham Young University Concordance Program (4.0). Not only has ETC rewritten the documentation and improved on some of the BYU Concordance package, it has also undertaken an impressive program to publish electronically a wide range of scholarly texts. The first
Supine Cycling in Pediatric Exercise Testing: Disparity in Performance Measures

Supine cycling may be an important alternative modality for exercise testing. Subtle differences in supine and upright exercise physiology have been suggested but not fully explored in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to compare peak and submaximal metabolic data in the upright and supine exercise positions. Healthy children (N = 100) performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests using supine and upright cycle ergometry. Recruitment was governed by grant funding and not based on sample size calculations. Subjects exercised to exhaustion. Paired Student’s t-tests were used to compare upright and supine data; simple linear regression analyses examined correlations between the two modalities. Peak heart rate was similar in both testing positions. Although peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2@AT), VO2 when the respiratory exchange ratio is consistently at or above 1.0 (VO2@RER1.0), and the oxygen uptake efficiency slope were significantly higher in the upright position, no difference was considered of practical significance when applying Cohen’s effect size criteria. Therefore, it may be reasonable for pediatric exercise laboratories to use established normative data and predictions for upright cycling position and apply them to metabolic measures obtained in supine exercise testing. Supine cycling with submaximal parameters may allow objective assessment of exercise capacity in children who undergo exercise echocardiography or cannot perform upright exercise testing.
Pulmonic Stenosis with Intact Ventricular Septum

Pulmonic stenosis unassociated with a ventricular septal defect of significant size is often a complex abnormality. The stenosis may be valvular, infundibular, or both, and may be associated with an atrial septal defect or even with a small ventricular septal defect. Preoperative studies cannot accurately predict these variations. The surgical approach selected for such patients should permit the correction of each of the cardiac defects encountered. That this can be accomplished by means of extracorporeal circulation and open cardiotomy is demonstrated by the presented series of 10 cases without operative mortality.
The Seldinger approach to percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stent placement

The Seldinger approach to percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stent placement involves needle-puncture, guide wire introduction, tract dilation and catheter placement as in angiography. We have used this approach on 101 obstructed renal units without significant complication. Techniques are described in detail with special attention given to those for negotiating tortuous ureters. A guide wire through the kidney to the bladder can be used to place an indwelling stent either from above or below in order to free the patient completely from external appliances. These techniques afford exciting new alternatives in the management of common urological problems. Most of all, they offer nonoperative palliation to terminal cancer patients and suitable alternatives to patients too ill to undergo surgery.
Patterns of follicular growth during the four-day estrous cycle of the rat.

Female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent laporatomy during metestrus at 70 to 75 days of age or remained untreated to study the effects of surgical stress on follicular growth. Groups of rats were killed on each day of a 4-day estrous cycle, serial sections of the ovaries were prepared histologically and the number and size of follicles with one or more complete layers of cuboidal granulosa cells were determined. Since no differences due to surgery were found, the data were pooled by day of the estrous cycle (17 or 18 rats/day of cycle) for characterization and comparison of size distribution of follicles on different days of the estrous cycle. Follicles were classified as atretic or healthy and divided into groups by increments of 20 pm of diameter for graphing. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and least squares means. Significant differences were found in the distribution of both healthy and atretic follicles among days of the estrous cycle. At least 2b follicles/ovary were recruited from 260 pm in diameter between proestrus and estrus, and the follicles for ovulation were selected by diestrus. A greater number of growing follicles of 70 to 100 pm in diameter were present at diestrus. From the disappearance of follicles >260 pm between estrus and proestrus, it appears that arresia is a very rapid process.
Effects of coping style and negative body image on eating disturbance

Objective Relationships among coping strategies, negative body image, and eating disturbance were studied. Method: Subjects were 128 college women; measures included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and three indices of negative body image. Results: Higher use of both emotion-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping via distraction was associated with higher EAT scores; higher use of emotion-oriented coping also was associated with more negative body image. Findings agree with data associating these coping styles with other measures of psychological distress and psychopathology. Task-oriented coping also was high, but unrelated to negative body image or eating disturbance. Hierarchical regression analysis yielded a significant interaction between emotion-oriented coping and negative body image: The higher the use of emotion-oriented coping, the less the level of negative body image appeared to affect EAT score. Discussion: Both the main effect for coping and the interaction suggest that high use of emotion-oriented coping should be considered a risk factor for eating disturbance. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 22: 51–56, 1997.
A New Species Of Plummerella (Homoptera, Cicadellidae) From Mexico

The genus Plummerella was recently described by the writer (Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer., 35:200, 1942) to include a species alpina which has been found only at high altitudes in the mountains near Mexico City. Another species not available for study at the time alpina was described is being described at this time from specimens collected at a lower altitude, some 200 miles west of Mexico City. P. alpina occurs in the tall clumps of bunch grasses which are common in the pine and fir forests at some 10,000 feet elevation. P. lineata occurs on the tall grasses growing in the oak-pine forests at an elevation of some 7500 feet. They are closely related but may be distinguished by their coloration, shape and by the male genital structures.
HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF URETHRAL HEALING AFTER TUBULARIZED INCISED PLATE URETHROPLASTY

Purpose: Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty has rapidly gained popularity for treating hypospadias. It is presumed that healing occurs with the postoperative migration of epithelial cells into the incised urethral plate. We describe the time course and histology of the healing urethral wound in an animal model after dorsal incision and stenting.Materials and Methods: A procedure was developed for use in an immature porcine model. The ventral aspect of the urethra was opened and a dorsal incision was made in the urethra to the level of the corpus spongiosum. The urethra was then catheterized and closed ventrally. Animals were sacrificed at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Slides were made from multiple cross sections taken from each penis, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson trichrome before analysis.Results: Migration of epithelial cells into the dorsal epithelial defect was evident on postoperative day 2 with apparent complete re-epithelialization by postoperative day 5. Re...
Mapping the Perceptual Grain of the Human Retina

In humans, experimental access to single sensory receptors is difficult to achieve, yet it is crucial for learning how the signals arising from each receptor are transformed into perception. By combining adaptive optics microstimulation with high-speed eye tracking, we show that retinal function can be probed at the level of the individual cone photoreceptor in living eyes. Classical psychometric functions were obtained from cone-sized microstimuli targeted to single photoreceptors. Revealed psychophysically, the cone mosaic also manifests a variable sensitivity to light across its surface that accords with a simple model of cone light capture. Because this microscopic grain of vision could be detected on the perceptual level, it suggests that photoreceptors can act individually to shape perception, if the normally suboptimal relay of light by the eye's optics is corrected. Thus the precise arrangement of cones and the exact placement of stimuli onto those cones create the initial retinal limits on signals mediating spatial vision.
In vivo modulation of acetylcholine in the nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats: II. Inhibition by γ-aminobutyric acid

Abstract Our earlier studies suggest dopamine and serotonin interact with acetylcholine (ACh) in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) as part of a system for motivation and reinforcement. The purpose of the present experiment was to characterize a possible link between GABA and acetylcholine in the nucleus accumbens using microdialysis in freely moving rats. Different doses of GABA, muscimol, baclofen, saclofen and bicuculline were locally infused into the nucleus accumbens through the microdialysis probe. GABA and its agonists dose-dependently decreased extracellular levels of acetylcholine in the nucleus accumbens. In contrast the GABA A antagonist, bicuculinne, dose-dependently increased extracellular ACh while the GABA B antagonist, saclofen, was without effect. Co-infusion of bicuculline or saclofen was shown to block the decrease in recoverable ACh produced by muscimol or baclofen, respectively. The results demonstrate an inhibitory action of GABA on acetylcholine interneurones in the nucleus accumbens involving both GABA A and GABA B receptor subtypes. In addition a tonic inhibitory GABAergic tone is probably mediated through GABA A receptors.
Equity valuation in a changing institutional climate: evidence from multinational utilities

Abstract The transformation of U.S. utilities from purely domestic to multinational enterprises commenced in 1992 with the passage of The Energy Policy Act (EPAct). In response to the liberalized regulatory climate, 29 U.S. utilities have diversified their holdings through the acquisition of foreign utilities, many of which are located in emerging market countries. This study analyzes the impact of international diversification on the profitability and valuation of U.S.-based multinational utilities during the years 1996–2000. In order to control for the effects of aggregate economic and regulatory changes, purely domestic utilities are also included in the sample. The empirical tests are conducted utilizing an earnings-and-book value model. Compared to purely domestic utilities, multinational utilities report lower absolute and relative rates of profitability, exhibit higher levels of systematic risk and trade at higher market-to-book ratios. Taken together, these results suggest investors may be systematically overpricing the equities of U.S.-based multinational utilities. A further finding of this paper is that accounting information explains a lower percentage of the variation in equity prices for multinational utilities relative to their domestic counterparts.
Resonant multiphoton ionization detection of the NO2 fragment from infrared multiphoton dissociation of CH3NO2

Abstract Nitromethane in a pulsed supersonic molecular beam was decomposed by high-power CO 2 laser-induced multiphoton dissociation. The NO 2 fragments from this decomposition were detected with time, space, and spectroscopic resolution by pulsed tunable dye laser-induced multiphoton ionization. Simultaneous quadrupole mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the fragment ion identities.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA SEQUENCE EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE RECOGNITION OF TWO SUBSPECIES OR SPECIES OF THE FLORIDA SPINY LOBSTER PANULIRUS ARGUS

Samples of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus from populations in the western Atlantic and Caribbean were compared with spiny lobsters from Brazil for DNA sequence variation for 2 mitochondrial genes. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S sequence data reveal 2 distinct clades of P. argus, a clade consisting of Caribbean populations and a second clade of samples from Brazil. Mean sequence divergence estimates between Brazilian and western Atlantic/Caribbean populations were 8.32% for the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA (16S) and 19.82% for the cytochrome oxidase I subunit (COI). Levels of sequence divergence among sister species of Panulirus in the japonicus-group were similar to that observed between Brazilian and Caribbean/western Atlantic P. argus. In addition to large mitochondrial DNA sequence differences between western Atlantic/Caribbean and Brazilian P. argus, characteristic color patterns also distinguish Brazilian P. argus. Based on the results presented here, Brazilian P. argus is distinct from populations in the Caribbean and western Atlantic and may represent a complex of 2 species or subspecies. The degree of differentiation between the Caribbean and Brazilian clades indicates that formal recognition is warranted.
Video-based modeling: Differential effects due to treatment protocol

Abstract Identifying evidence-based practices for individuals with disabilities requires specification of procedural implementation. Video-based modeling (VBM), consisting of both video self-modeling and video modeling with others as model (VMO), is one class of interventions that has frequently been explored in the literature. However, current information related to differential effects that occur based on variations in procedural implementation is not available. The purpose of this study was to analyze VBM with individuals with disabilities using improvement rate difference meta-analytic procedures. The impact of type of VBM and type of model was investigated as well as the differential effects that occur when VBM is implemented alone or as a component of a package. In addition, the quality of research is assessed. Results yielded an overall large effect size of .81 CI .834 [.80, .82] with a range from −.26 to .96. No statistically significant differences were found based on type of VBM. However, when disaggregated by model, differential effects were indicated with VMO with adult as model demonstrating the greatest magnitude of change. Additionally, VMO with reinforcement demonstrated greater effects then when delivered alone or as part of a package. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Operational AMSU products and their applications

This report presents the atmospheric and surface products derived from the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) and the physical bases associated with all algorithms. An example of AMSU derived temperature structure in hurricane Bonnie is used to illustrate how cloud contamination on the AMSU measurements is corrected in temperature retrieval. NOAA and other agencies are routinely utilizing the AMSU products to monitor various high-impact weather events, storm-related flooding and hurricane wind-related damages.
Simulation of a Simplified Design for a Nanoscale Metal-Oxide Field Effect Transistor

We describe simulations on a simplified design for a metal-oxide nanoscale Field Effect Transistor (FET). The device features an oxide channel with a high dielectric constant ferroelectric as the gate insulator. In the present model, the gate and source/drain electrodes are unconventionally placed on opposite sides of the channel. Simulations are quantum mechanical and are based on a simplified transport model. Results on a 10 nm. channel device show adequate conductance and ON/OFF ratio, while simulation of a ring oscillator yields an estimated device switching time of 300 fs..
Adaptation of the Thermal Responses of Insects

SYNOPSIS. Some insects adjust heat production and heat loss, while others depend upon adjustments in location and posture to regulate body temperature. Many activities oE insects are tuned to internal temperature. These two features predict that the nature and form of temperature control in insects interact strongly in adaptation to climate, energy demand, niche specialization, and population size of insects.
FEEDBACK AS AN INDIVIDUAL RESOURCE: PERSONAL STRATEGIES OF CREATING INFORMATION

Abstract This paper proposes a model of individual feedback seeking behaviors (FSB). Individuals are posited to seek feedback while negotiating their organizational environments in the pursuit of valued goals. The model portrays several motivations for FSB based on the value of feedback to individuals and outlines two predominant strategies of FSB, monitoring and inquiry. The costs and benefits of each strategy are discussed. Hypotheses concerning both an individual's level of FSB and subsequent strategy choice are subsequently derived. FSB is proposed as an important component of the feedback process. The concluding discussion focuses on the contribution of this perspective to the current organization behavior feedback literature.
Resonant charge transfer in He/+/-He collisions studied with the merging-beams technique

Absolute cross sections are reported for the resonant charge-transfer reaction He(+) + He yields He + He(+) at collision energies between 0.1 and 187 eV. The results, obtained using a new merging-beam apparatus are in agreement both with theory and with measurements made using other experimental techniques. The experimentally determined cross sections between 0.5 and 187 eV fall about a line given by sigma exp 1/2(sq-A) = 5.09-2.99 lnW, where W is the collision energy in eV. Considerable attention is paid to the configuration and operation of the apparatus. Tests and calculations which confirm the interpretation of the experimental data in a merging-beam experiment are discussed.
Serial dexamethasone suppression tests (DST) in recently hospitalized children

To investigate hospitalization as a stressor impacting cortisol production in acutely psychiatrically disturbed children, we measure postdexamethasone cortisol and concomitant dexamethasone (DEX) levels on Day 2 and Day 7 following admission
Psychological need satisfaction, intrinsic motivation and affective response to exercise in adolescents

ObjectivesTo further understanding of the factors influencing adolescents’ motivations for physical activity, the relationship of variables derived from Self-Determination Theory to adolescents’ affective response to exercise was examined.DesignCorrelational.MethodAdolescents (N = 182) self-reported psychological needs satisfaction (perceived competence, relatedness, and autonomy) and intrinsic motivation related to exercise. In two clinic visits, adolescents reported their affect before, during, and after a moderate-intensity and a hard-intensity exercise task.ResultsAffective response to exercise and psychological needs satisfaction independently contributed to the prediction of intrinsic motivation in hierarchical linear regression models. The association between affective response to exercise and intrinsic motivation was partially mediated by psychological needs satisfaction.ConclusionsIntrinsic motivation for exercise among adolescents may be enhanced when the environment supports perceived competence, relatedness, and autonomy, and when adolescents participate in activities that they find enjoyable.
The Resonance Raman Spectrum of the Metalloprotein Ovotransferrin

Using ovotransferrin it is shown that amino-acid side chains forming the metal binding site in coloured metalloproteins can be identified and monitored by resonance Raman spectroscopy. All major fe...
Properties of copper-dependent O-diphenol oxidase activity in the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas)

Potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) was found to contain high amounts of o-diphenol oxidase activity. Enzyme activity was largely distributed into the postmitochondrial supernatant from Brij-35 extracted aphids and occurs in a latent form that was activated up to 45-fold by pretreatment with isopropanol. The aphid enzyme has a broad pH optimum near 6, and utilized L-dopa (Km = 1.4 mM, Vmax = 348 nmol/min-mg protein), dopamine, and 4-methylcatechol the best out of the twelve substrates tested. In addition, this activity is a typical copper-dependent oxidase in that it is potently inhibited by phenylthiourea (50% inhibition at 30nM) and other copper chelators, including salicylhydroxamic acid. The above properties are common to most insect tyrosinases. However, the aphid enzyme lacked the o-hydroxylase and laccase components and the optimal activity at higher temperatures that are typical of cuticular tyrosinases of other insects. The high levels of o-diphenol oxidase in aphids compared to other insects is surprising, since the major function associated with these enzymes, that of melanization and sclerotization of cuticle, is of much less importance to aphids. The possibility that aphids use this enzyme to metabolize dietary phenolics is discussed.
Individual prepacemaker neurons can modulate the pacemaker cycle of the gymnotiform electric fish, Eigenmannia.

The prepacemaker nucleus (PPN) in the midbrain of the gymnotiform electric fishEigenmannia provides the only known neuronal input to the medullary pacemaker nucleus, which triggers each electric organ discharge (EOD) cycle by a single command pulse. Electrical stimulation of the PPN elicited two distinct forms of modulations in the pacemaker activity, brief accelerations, hence referred to as ‘chirps’, and gradual frequency shifts with a time constant of approximately one second. The associated EOD modulations were indistinguishable from natural communication signals. Depending upon the site of stimulation, the two forms of modulation could be elicited alone or superimposed (Fig. 1). Stimulation sites eliciting only chirps could be separated from sites eliciting only gradual shifts by as little as 60 μm. The magnitude of the elicited chirps depended upon the timing of the pulse stimulus with reference to the phase of the pacemaker cycle (Figs. 2, 3).
Mixed plate bending elements based on least‐squares formulation

A finite element formulation for the bending of thin and thick plates based on least-squares variational principles is presented. Finite element models for both the classical plate theory and the first-order shear deformation plate theory (also known as the Kirchhoff and Mindlin plate theories, respectively) are considered. High-order nodal expansions are used to construct the discrete finite element model based on the least-squares formulation. Exponentially fast decay of the least-squares functional, which is constructed using the L2 norms of the equations residuals, is verified for increasing order of the nodal expansions. Numerical examples for the bending of circular, rectangular and skew plates with various boundary conditions and plate thickness are presented to demonstrate the predictive capability and robustness of the new plate bending elements. Plate bending elements based on this formulation are shown to be insensitive to both shear-locking and geometric distortions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognosis of regional enteritis

1. Chronic regional enteritis is a serious disease which may originate at any point in the small intestine. In 92 per cent of our cases the disease originated in the terminal portion of the ileum. 2. The disease is characterized by remissions and exacerbations similar to those encountered among patients who have peptic ulcer and chronic ulcerative colitis. 3. The disease tends to progress, either orad or caudad, with increasing failure of absorption, even to the point of actual starvation of the patient because of failure to absorb food. 4. It is a disease which may affect persons of any age but is more common among youths and young adult persons. 5. In the light of present knowledge—or lack of it —the treatment of choice is surgical removal of the diseased segment of bowel. Our study would suggest that the two-stage procedure is better than a one-stage operation. 6. The most important feature in post-operative care is maintenance of a high protein diet which is supplemented with components of the Vitamin B group.
Myriapod-like ambulation of a segmented microrobot

Segmented myriapod-like bodies may offer performance benefits over more common fixed body morphologies for ambulation. Here, the design of a segmented ambulatory microrobot with a flexible backbone is presented. A dynamic model describing the motion of the microrobot is used to determine body parameters. A three-segment microrobot was fabricated using the Smart Composite Microstructures process and piezoelectric bimorph actuators, and forward locomotion on a flat surface was demonstrated. The footprint of the 750 mg microrobot is 3.5 by 3.5 cm, and it has potential advantages over rigid body hexapedal microrobots in climbing, versatility, and stability.
Malignant epidural spinal cord compression associated with a paravertebral mass: Its radiotherapeutic outcome on radiosensitivity

Abstract Purpose : To evaluate clinical characteristics and functional outcome of malignant epidural spinal cord compression associated with a paravertebral mass. Methods and Materials : Between 1987 and 1990, 136 patients with epidural spinal cord compression were treated with irradiation. Of these, 25 patients (18%) had epidural spinal cord compression associated with a paravertebral mass. This report is based on analysis of these 25 patients. Fourteen patients received 3000 cGy in 10 fractions. Seven received 4000 cGy in 16 fractions. Four received 2000 cGy in 5 fractions. Motor function was evaluated by five grades. Results : Lung cancer accounted for the majority of epidural spinal cord compression with a paravertebral mass (60%) followed by lymphoma (8%) and kidney tumor (8%). This pattern of epidural spinal cord compression has a longer duration of pain before developing neurologic symptoms and has a high propensity of the upper thoracic spine involvement by an apical lung cancers. The functional outcome of radiation treatment reveals a significant difference between moderately radiosensitive tumors (lung, prostate, cervix, esophagus) and very radiosensitive tumor (lymphoma). None of the nonambulatory patients became ambulatory following radiotherapy except for the very radiosensitive tumors. Higher doses of radiation treatment (4000 cGy in 16 fractions) did not improve functional outcome. Conclusion : Due to the larger tumor burden, radiation treatment for epidural spinal cord compression associated with a paravertebral mass is not as effective as treatment of epidural spinal cord compression without a paravertebral mass except for the very radiosensitive tumor. Therefore, combined treatment modality might be beneficial for improving functional outcome.
Sulfur participation in solvolysis involving four-membered ring intermediates

Neighboring group participation via four-membered ring intermediates resulting in complete rearrangement occurs in the methanolysis of R1R2C(SCH2C6H5)CH2CH(R3)OTs when R1=R2=R3=Me and when R1=R2=Me, R3=H. No rearrangement is found for R1=R2=R3=H or R1=R2=H, R3=Me. The case of R1=Me, R2=R3=H is intermediate.
Bringing Online Slavic and East European Resources In-House

Abstract Because of prohibitive costs, small to mid-sized academic libraries often do not have the resources to develop their own Slavic and East European digital collections. This article describes how to build an online collection of Slavic and East European electronic resources by taking advantage of what is already available on the Web. The author focuses on collection development strategies and the technical implementation of cataloging and displaying electronic material through a Web OPAC.
2012 ACCF/AATS/SCAI/STS expert consensus document on transcatheter aortic valve replacement: executive summary.

INTRODUCTION The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), along with 11 other professional societies, participated in the writing and approval of a consensus document on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which was recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in March 2012 (and also published online in its entirety on the JTCVS and AATS Web sites). The 55-page document provides a review of the current status of TAVR, including patient evaluation, decision making regarding treatment options, implantation details, postoperative considerations, and future directions. The work serves as a reference for practitioners directly involved in TAVR, and also as a resource for the larger group of physicians seeking to understand this technology and its role in the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS).
THE INTERRUPTION OF TASKS: METHODOLOGICAL, FACTUAL, AND THEORETICAL ISSUES.

After describing the criterion scores which have been used to assess behavior in the interrupted task paradigm (ITP), a summary of the research literature is presented. ITP as a source of data for evaluating the psychoanalytic theory of repression is found not to allow for the separation of learning and retention effects, and so is not well suited to the study of repression. Similarly, the mediation-avoidance hypothesis makes predictions only concerning interrupted task recall and while it is partially consistent with indirect data, it has yet to receive direct experimental test. The need-achievement conception predicts interrupted task recall satisfactorily but is inapplicable to completed task recall or relative recall scores. Finally ITP is considered as a source of data for a developmental conception of success-failure reactions, Repetition choice scores are found to be consistent with the developmental theory, but some recall results are not.
Child abuse potential among mothers of substance-exposed and nonexposed infants and toddlers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine whether there were differences in child abuse potential among mothers who were nonusers, drug users who accepted treatment, and drug users who rejected offers of treatment, over the first 2 years of their children's lives. METHOD: Participants were mothers of 140 infants, classified into Nonuser (n = 48), Treatment (n = 72), or Refuser (n = 20) groups. The Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory Milner, J. S. 1980. The Child Abuse Potential Inventory: Manual. Webster, NC: Psytec Corporation was administered when infants were 4, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: Results of mixed-model analyses of variances showed no group differences on CAP Inventory abuse scale scores. There were significant group differences in lie scale scores on the CAP Inventory, such that lie scale scores for the Nonuser group were significantly higher than lie scale scores for the Treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results support the position that low-income women with many risk factors in their lives are at high risk for potential child abuse, but that their drug use status and drug treatment status does not differentiate them from their nonuser peers from a similar social and demographic background. Language: en
Asymmetric membranes with modified gold films as selective gates for metal ion separations

Abstract Thin layers of gold (700 A) were deposited on manufactured alumina pourous supports to yield nanopores with openings of + , and Ca 2+ , NO 3 − , and CH 3 COO − . When an aqueous feed solution of 4.2 mM uranyl nitrate and 1 M lithium nitrate pH 4, and a receiving solution of 1 M sodium acetate pH 5.5 were used 100% of the metal was transported across the membrane by facilitated transport via the phosphate or phosphine oxide carrier. The thin gates transported metal ions as neutral nitrate complexes with fluxes high enough to be limited by the alumina support. The flux rates of 200,000 metal ions per pore per second are only a factor of 5 below that observed for the potassium channel. High selectivity of U over Eu is observed until the [U] is
Evolving real-time agent control for large-scale MAS

Control for agents situated in multi- agent systems is a complex problem. This is particularly true in hard, open, dynamic environments where resource, privacy, bandwidth, and computational limitations impose restrictions on the type of information that agents may share and the control problem solving options available to agents. The MQor motivational quantities framework addresses these issues by evaluating candidate tasks based on the agent's organizational context and by framing control as a local agent optimization problem that approximates the global problem through the use of state and preferences.
The missing left atrial appendage

A 34 year old man underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) prior to implantation of a biventricular ICD and DC cardioversion, to exclude left atrium and left atrial appendage thrombus. He had a history of repaired tetralogy of Fallot as a child, Stickler syndrome, atrial flutter and was status post recent mitral valve replacement, pulmonary valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair. The left atrial appendage was not visualized on TEE. A cardiac CT clarified that there was a left atrial appendage and provided an explanation as to why it was not visualized on TEE, highlighting the importance of multimodality imaging in patients with complex congenital heart disease.
On the mechanism of radiation-induced segregation in austenitic Fe–Cr–Ni alloys

Abstract The relative importance of the vacancy and interstitial contributions to radiation-induced segregation (RIS) in Fe–Cr–Ni alloys is studied to better understand the mechanisms causing changes in grain boundary composition and to improve the capability to predict RIS in austenitic Fe–Cr–Ni alloys. The primary driving mechanism for segregation in Fe–Cr–Ni alloys is shown to be the inverse Kirkendall (IK) mechanism, specifically the coupling between alloying elements and the vacancy flux. To study grain boundary segregation, seven alloys were irradiated with 3.2 MeV protons at temperatures from 200°C to 600°C and to doses from 0.1 to 3 dpa. Grain boundary compositions were measured using both Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM/EDS). Grain boundary compositions were compared to model predictions that assume segregation was driven either by preferential interaction of solute atoms with the vacancy flux alone or in combination with binding of undersized solutes to the interstitial flux. Calculations that assume the segregation is caused by preferential interaction of solute atoms with the vacancy flux generally followed the trends of the segregation measurements. However, the inclusion of interstitial binding to the IK model causes poor agreement between model predictions and segregation measurements, resulting in severe overprediction of Ni enrichment and Fe depletion. Comparisons of segregation models with RIS in alloys irradiated with neutrons also show that preferential interaction of solutes with the vacancy flux sufficiently describes segregation in Fe–Cr–Ni alloys.
A Note on Fibrations

In this paper we generalize a theorem of McAuley-Tulley [2] to show that small homotopies of any topological space can be lifted to small homotopies for any Hurewicz fibration between arbitrary topological spaces.
Experimental and theory studies of the oxidation reaction of neutral gold carbonyl clusters in the gas phase

Abstract Neutral gold carbonyl clusters, Aum(CO)n (m = 3–9, n = 2–7, m ≥ n), are generated by laser ablation of Au into a mixture of CO/He, cooled in a supersonic expansion, and reacted with O2 and N2O in a fast flow reactor. The neutral reactants and products are detected in a time of flight mass spectrometer through single photon ionization by a 193 nm laser. Signal intensities of Au3(CO)2,3, Au5(CO)4, and Au7(CO)4,5 decrease significantly following reaction of these clusters with O2 in the fast flow reactor; only Au3(CO)2 and Au3(CO)3 signals decrease moderately following reaction with N2O. The reaction cross section for Aum(CO)n with N2O is significantly smaller than that with O2. Density functional theory calculations with and without explicit consideration of relativistic effects are performed to investigate the reaction mechanisms for the oxidation of Au3(CO)2 and Au3(CO)3 clusters with O2 and N2O. Both calculational algorithms predict a considerable barrier for the reactions of Au3(CO)2,3 with N2O. Non relativistic density functional theory calculations predict a positive overall barrier for the reactions of Au3(CO)2,3 with O2, in disagreement with experimental observations. Relativistic density functional theory calculations for the reactions Au3(CO)2,3 with O2 predict that they are thermodynamically allowed, although the barrier heights are not in the appropriate order to support the apparent relative reactivities of Au3(CO)2 and Au3(CO)3 with O2.
The Reciprocal of the Decapitated Negative Binomial Variable

Abstract The i-th inverse moment of a decapitated negative binomial variable is expressed as an integral, the integrand of which involves its (i − 1)th inverse moment. A bound on the cumulative round off error involved in using the recurrent formulae for the inverse moments of the decapitated negative binomial variable is obtained. The cumulative error is found to be not serious. Various approximations for these moments have also been obtained. Among these, the gamma approximations seem to be accurate to two or more decimal places for values of m and p such that mp > 5, provided the gamma approximations are applicable. An application of these moments is also considered.
A comparison of various 3-D approaches for the analysis of laminated composite structures

Abstract Three computational approaches for 3-D analysis of laminated composite plates are presented. These are displacement assumed approach, displacement assumed/equilibrium approach and mixed two-field approach. The fundamental concept in all of the three approaches is that “deficient” polynomials have to be used for the through-the-thickness displacement approximation. Bernstein polynomials, having discontinuous first derivatives at the interfaces, are used as approximation functions in the through-the-thickness direction. The examples of a double-sine distributed surface load on 3-ply, 9-ply, and sandwich plates examined by Pagano are solved. It is shown that the results obtained with all three present approaches agree excellently with the closed form solution, for the length-to-thickness aspect ratios ranging from 2–100. A comparison between the results obtained with the deficient and with the continuously differentiable displacement approximations is also presented. This reveals that polynomial approximations that are continuously differentiable through the whole thickness of a laminate, provide qualitatively incorrect transverse stresses at the interfaces. By increasing the degree of the polynomial, one gets two distinct from the top and from the bottom limits for any transverse stress component on the interfaces. On the contrary, when using deficient approximation functions one obtains the same from the top and from the bottom limits for the transverse stresses on the interfaces.
P300 Latency Correlates with Digit Span

P300 latency from a simple auditory discrimination counting task was obtained along with a digit span memory task for a large group of neurologically normal subjects. Moderate significant negative correlations between the peak latency of the P3a and P3b subcomponents and total memory score were found, although no relationship was observed for other waveform component latencies and memory score. The data suggest that the P300 component of the event-related brain potential may index individual variations in memory ability.