cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vertical Vorticity Generation and Mesocyclone Sustenance in Tornadic Thunderstorms: The Observational Evidence

Abstract Doppler radar observations concerning the generation of vertical vorticity in tornadic thunderstorms are documented for two case studies and the role of downdrafts in intensifying vertical vorticity is examined. The observations, supporting recent numerical simulations, show that production of vertical vorticity begins at the very roots of updraft as horizontal vorticity in low-level inflow regions is tilted toward the vertical. Then, as the flow passes through the updraft, the tilted vorticity and preexisting vertical vorticity is amplified by convergence to create the tornado parental circulation or mesocyclone. The low-level mesocyclone intensification that heralds tornadogenesis seems to result from interaction between spreading rainy downdraft air and inflow air from the storm's right flank. Amplification of vertical vorticity by convergence surges in the region of interaction. Rear downdrafts, which develop at approximately the time of tornadogenesis, do not transport significant vorticity;...
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SQUIRRELFISH SOUND-PRODUCING MUSCLE.

Abstract 1. 1. The sound-producing (sonic) muscles of the squirrelfish, Holocentrus rufus , in response to motor nerve stimulation, are capable of contraciting at a frequency of 100/sec witn no mechanical summation and achieve mechanical fusion at frequencies above 200/sec. 2. 2. A fast white dorsal muscle of the same fish was similarly studied for comparative purposes. This muscle showed considerable summation at 50/sec and complete fusion at 100/sec. 3. 3. Thus the sonic muscle is capable of vibrating the swimbladder at 100/sec in order to produce sounds with fundamental frequencies at this value. 4. 4. There were no significant differences between the squirrelfish sonic and white dorsal muscles with respect ot the amplitudes and time courses of their resting, end-plate and action potentials. 5. 5. The only electrophysiology difference found was that after a neurogenically evoked action potential, the sonic muscles produced a prolonged after-conductance lasting 10–15 msec. while the white dorsan muscles' after-conductance lasted only 1–2 msec. 6. 6. This prolonged after-conductance in sonic muscles may be attributed to an elaborated sarcoplasmic reticulum in those systems.
Optimization of PWR fuel assembly radial enrichment and burnable poison location based on adaptive simulated annealing

Abstract The focus of this paper is to present a concurrent optimization scheme for the radial pin enrichment and burnable poison location in PWR fuel assemblies. The methodology is based on the Adaptive Simulated Annealing (ASA) technique, coupled with a neutron lattice physics code to update the cost function values. In this work, the variations in the pin U-235 enrichment are variables to be optimized radially, i.e., pin by pin. We consider the optimization of two categories of fuel assemblies, with and without Gadolinium burnable poison pins. When burnable poisons are present, both the radial distribution of enrichment and the poison locations are variables in the optimization process. Results for 15 × 15 PWR fuel assembly designs are provided.
Properties of PC-EA Solvent and Its Solution of LiBOB Comparison of Linear Esters to Linear Carbonates for Use in Lithium Batteries

A binary solvent of propylene carbonate (PC) and ethyl acetate (EA) was measured for its liquid phase boundaries made of bubble point and liquidus lines, its glass transition temperature (T g ) for the evaluation of its viscosity, and its dielectric constant. Its solution of lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) was measured for its T g and its electrolytic conductivity. The results were compared with their counterparts in a binary solvent of PC-diethyl carbonate (DEC) and its solution of LiBOB obtained in previous studies. The advantages and disadvantages in general of using linear esters in the place of linear carbonates for lithium battery electrolytes are discussed based on the results of this study and on the literature values of properties of the PC-EA and PC-DEC solvents.
Sticky Information: The Impact of Different Information Updating Assumptions

Vector auto-regressions applied to U.S. data find that inflation and output experience persistent and hump-shaped responses to unanticipated monetary shocks. One monetary model that can generate these responses employs sticky information. Under sticky information, a firm may costlessly change its nominal price every period; however, the firm can only occasionally update the information upon which it bases decisions. We show that this result hinges critically on the assumption that each firm receives information updates randomly. If, on the other hand, each firm updates its information at infrequent but fixed intervals: (a) the output response is not persistent and only weakly hump-shaped under one-year price contracts; (b) the inflation response suffers diminished persistence and a reduced hump-shape; (c) the inflation response remains unrealistic under longer durations.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine and carcinoid tumors: what's new, what's old, and what's different?

Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can be subdivided into carcinoid and pancreatic NETs (panNETs). Recently, two therapies have been FDA approved for progressive well-differentiated pancreatic NETs but have not been submitted for use in carcinoid tumors (Yao, Shah, Ito, et al. N Engl J Med 364:514–23, 2011••; Raymond, Dahan, Raoul, et al. N Engl J Med 364:501–13, 2011••). The first is sunitinib (Sutent®, Pfizer, Inc.), an orally administered, multitargeted receptor kinase inhibitor. The second targeted agent is everolimus (Afinitor®, Novartis Pharmaceuticals), a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor (Yao, Shah, Ito, et al. N Engl J Med 364:514–23, 2011••). Both agents demonstrated improved progression-free survival but can also result in non-trivial toxicities and therefore, should only be considered in patients with progressing or symptomatic pancreatic NET. This review will discuss “new” NET therapies and provides an overview of liver directed and “older” cytotoxic treatment options. We also briefly outline “what’s different” by describing a recent genetics report identifying genetic mutations in panNETs. Such a discovery could potentially be used to stratify treatment and such studies are currently being investigated.
Real-time synthesis of sparsely interconnected neural associative memories

Abstract The problem of implementing associative memories using sparsely interconnected generalized Brain-State-in-a-Box (gBSB) network is addressed in this paper. In particular, a “designer” neural network that synthesizes the associative memories is proposed. An upper bound on the time required for the designer network to reach a solution is determined. A neighborhood criterion with toroidal geometry for the cellular gBSB network is analyzed, in which the number of adjacent cells is independent of the generic cell location. A design method of neural associative memories with prespecified interconnecting weights is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed synthesis method is demonstrated with numerical examples.
Vibrational Spectra of Pentachlorocyclopropane

Infrared spectra (4000–400 cm−1) of pentachlorocyclopropane have been recorded for all three of its physical states. A liquid-phase Raman spectrum of this molecule has also been observed. Based on the Raman depolarization data, gas-phase infrared band contours and expected group frequency correlations, it has been possible to propose an assignment for 20 of the 21 normal vibrations of pentachlorocyclopropane. This assignment agrees well with those proposed for hexachlorocyclopropane, the three isomeric tetrachlorocyclopropanes, 1,1-dichlorocyclopropane and chlorocyclopropane. Further, the vibrational assignment for pentachlorocyclopropane has identified characteristic vibrational frequencies for the three CH(X) modes: CH stretch, 3040 cm−1; in-plane CH bend, 1296 cm−1; and out-of-plane CH bend, 1088 cm−1.
Differential monocyte microrna expression profiles in children with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is an autoinflammatory disease of childhood, and the predominant effector cells are mononuclear phagocytes rather than lymphocytes as in autoimmune diseases such as RA. Previous gene expression data has shown that monocytes in SJIA have a novel phenotype with clear proinflammatory activation as well as features of alternative activation. This aberrant phenotype may contribute to the potential of these children to develop macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). What controls monocyte/macrophage differentiation in SJIA is unknown. MicroRNA are small, non-coding RNA that serve as transcriptional negative regulators to fine-tune gene expression programs involved in cell differentiation, metabolism and immunity. There is growing evidence that miRNA contribute to the pathogenesis of human disease, including adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These regulators have also been implicated in controlling differentiation of monocytes and macrophages. However, miRNA expression in SJIA has not been examined.
The problem of the psychopharmacologist.

Objective The psychopharmacologist designation currently pervades and heavily influences the practice, perception, and teaching of clinical psychiatry. The authors hope to make a case and provide the raw material for informed discussion of this role during psychiatric residency training.
The structure of rubredoxin at 1.2 Å resolution

Structural details of the model of Clostridium pasteurianum rubredoxin are presented, based on the refined model at 1.2 A resolution. The molecule contains no extensive regions of pleated-sheet or helical structure. Regular secondary structure consists primarily of residues 3 to 7, 11 to 13 and 48 to 52 in a small region of pleated-sheet; and residues 14 to 18, 19 to 23, 29 to 33 and 45 to 49 in 310 helical corners. Interbond angles in the helical corners average as much as 10 ° greater than normally accepted values and a number of the peptide groups deviate significantly from planarity. Rubredoxin has a pronounced asymmetry in the distribution of charged groups on its surface. This would lead to highly favored molecular orientations when the protein interacts with other charged molecules. Bond lengths in the iron-sulfur complex range from 2.24 a to 2.33 A, and bond angles range from 104 ° to 114 °.
The changing Chinese culture and business behavior: The perspective of intertwinement between guanxi and corruption

Abstract Despite the enormous economic progress it has made over the past thirty years, China is increasingly demoralized, manifested in part in the intertwinement between guanxi and corruption. This change has fundamental repercussions on business culture, practices, and performance, and even more so in years ahead if corruption continues to be ubiquitous there. In this article I briefly explain why and how guanxi and corruption are intertwined, define the level of intertwineability that differs between weak form and strong form, and provide the taxonomy along the level of power abuse and the strength of intertwineability. This taxonomy can be used as a reference framework by future research within which to analyze the dynamics of guanxi-corruption interrelationships as well as organizational responses to such dynamics.
The Liberty Principle and Universal Health Care

A universal entitlement to health care can be grounded in the liberty principle. A detailed examination of Rawls's discussion of health care in Justice as Fairness shows that Rawls himself recognized that illness is a threat to the basic liberties, yet failed to recognize the implications of this fact for health resource allocation. The problem is that one cannot know how to allocate health care dollars until one knows which basic liberties one seeks to protect, and yet one cannot know which basic liberties to protect until one knows how health care dollars will be allocated. The solution is to design the list of basic liberties and the health care system in tandem so as to fit each other, such that every citizen is guaranteed a set of basic liberties and access to the health services needed to secure them.
The Effects of Equivalent Doses of Tromethamine or Sodium Bicarbonate in Healthy Horses

Objective—To describe the effects of tromethamine, a putative treatment for metabolic acidosis, and to compare its biochemical effects with those of sodium bicarbonate. Design—Randomized intervention study with repeated measures. Animals—16 healthy horses, 3 to 17 years old, weighing 391 to 684 kg. Methods—Ten horses received 3 mEq/kg tromethamine and six received 3 mEq/kg sodium bicarbonate. Samples of venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected at intervals before and after drug administration. Heart rate and breathing rate were also recorded at intervals. Results—Median standard base excess increased significantly (P < .05) from baseline immediately after both bicarbonate and tromethamine. These increases were not significantly different between treatments. Standard base excess returned toward baseline but remained significantly increased 3 hours after infusion of either treatment. After tromethamine, there was a significant decrease in plasma sodium concentration that lasted for at least 90 minutes. After sodium bicarbonate, no change in plasma sodium concentration was detected. Both sodium bicarbonate and tromethamine increased carbon dioxide tension in venous blood and CSF. Despite venous alkalemia, the pH of CSF decreased after both treatments. Conclusions—Tromethamine and sodium bicarbonate have similar alkalinizing ability. Tromethamine causes hyponatremia, whereas both tromethamine and sodium bicarbonate increase carbon dioxide tension in venous blood and CSF. Clinical Relevance—If hyponatremia, hypercarbia, and acidosis of the CSF occur after tromethamine is given to horses with existing metabolic acidosis, some of the potential advantages of tromethamine may prove theoretical rather than practical.
A primary culture system for biochemical analyses of neuronal proteins

Low-density cultures of embryonic rat hippocampal neurons have been widely used to investigate localization and function of neuronal proteins using immunocytochemistry and electrophysiology. These cultures provide a relatively homogeneous population of hippocampal pyramidal neurons and interneurons compared to post-natal mixed neuron/glial cultures from hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum. However, the limited quantity of neurons and the difficulty in harvesting adequate amounts makes biochemical analyses of endogenous neuronal proteins in these low-density cultured neurons difficult. Here, we provide detailed methods to prepare cultures of embryonic rat hippocampal neurons suitable for biochemical analyses of both endogenously and exogenously expressed proteins. The procedures described here are also suitable for comprehensive studies of expression, localization, post-translational modification, and function of neuronal proteins in the same neuronal culture system.
Hrp12, a novel heat‐responsive, tissue‐specific, phosphorylated protein isolated from mouse liver

Previous studies from this laboratory identified a 28-kd nonreducible protein, liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor (LDIF) from the mouse liver. Isolation of this protein resulted in the co-purification of another unique protein called heat responsive protein 12 kd (Hrp12). In contrast to LDIF, Hrp12 was totally reducible to a protein of 12 kd suggesting a dimer. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) purification, followed by sequencing of an in situ cyanogen bromide digest of membrane bound Hrp12, yielded an internal 20-amino acid polypeptide. Degenerate oligonucleotides made from this peptide were used to screen a murine liver complementary DNA (cDNA) library. A 1240-bp cDNA clone was obtained with an internal 521-bp open reading frame (ORF). Sequence analysis of the 173-amino acid ORF of mouse Hrp12 showed a high degree of homology with a 99 amino acid rat liver-kidney perchloric acid-soluble protein (LKPS) and a 136-amino acid perchloric acid soluble rat protein (PSP). Transcripts for Hrp12 were mainly restricted to the liver and kidney in mouse and man. The protein was estimated to be approximately 0.8% of the total liver-soluble cytosolic protein. A zoo-blot probed at moderate stringency with labeled cDNA revealed a strong conservation of the gene in all of the mammalian species tested. Analysis of the protein structure of Hrp12 revealed motifs predicted to be targets for protein kinase C (PKC). More importantly, purified mouse Hrp12 could be phosphorylated in vitro with PKC. The protein had significant similarity to DnaK heat shock protein (Hsp)70 and contained a 54-amino acid stretch with sequence similarity to Hsp90. This prompted us to investigate the heat shock response of Hrp12. Isolated hepatocytes and hepatoma cells were exposed to different heat shock temperatures (39.5 degrees C, 42.5 degrees C, and 44.5 degrees C); and then total RNA was extracted and Northern analysis carried out. The message for this novel protein responded atypically to heat shock. Although the steady-state level of the message increased after heat shock, a marked oscillatory pattern was superimposed on it. In contrast, the steady-state levels of Hsp90 and Hsp70 messenger RNA (mRNA) were found to respond to heat shock in the expected manner. Finally, the amount of Hrp12 protein was also found to increase after heat shock in a manner that was consistent with heat-responsive proteins.
Photosensitized oxidation of tryptophan and hepatic dysfunction in neonatal gerbils

Hepatic dysfunction is a common metabolic complication of parenteral nutrition. Studies in animals have suggested that several amino acids, especially tryptophan, may play a role in the development of hepatic dysfunction. Further, photoirradiation of amino acids in the presence of photosensitizers, such as riboflavin, causes photooxidative changes in several amino acids. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of tryptophan, after photoirradiation in the presence of riboflavin, on hepatic function in neonatal gerbils. Two-week-old suckling gerbils received approximately 4 mmol/kg/day of light-exposed or nonlight-exposed tryptophan or received saline intraperitoneally for 4 days. An increase in the activity of serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was found in gerbils receiving both light-exposed and nonlight-exposed tryptophan compared to control. Concentrations of tryptophan were significantly higher in animals receiving saline than in the other two groups. There were no significant difference...
Active control of flexible systems by a mathematical programming approach

A class of control problems for a damped distributed parameter system governed by a system of partial differential equations with side constraints (equality and/or inequality) is considered. The proposed approach approximates each control force of the system by a Fourier-type series. In contrast to standard linear optimal control approaches, the method used here is based on the mathematical programming approach, in which the necessary condition of optimality is derived as a system of linear algebraic equations. The proposed approach is easy to apply to a large class of control problems. A vibrating beam excited by an initial disturbance is studied numerically in which the effectiveness of the control and the amount of force spent in the process are investigated in relation to the reduction to the dynamic response.
Carbon Tetrachioride Induced Changes in Ultrasonic Properties of Liver

This paper presents a study of rat livers excised at 1, 5, and 24 h after injection of the toxic agent carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The CCl4 damage results in a swollen, fatty liver at 24 h postinjection, with some necrosis localized in centrilobular regions. Measurements of ultrasonic absorption, attenuation, and backscatter were obtained over a frequency range of 1-11 MHz, and the values were compared to those obtained from a control group of rats who received no injections. Significant changes in absorption and attenuation were observed as a function of time; however, little change in backscattered signal strength was noted. These data are presented along with a description of structural and biochemical changes that are typical of the rat liver response to CCf4 poisoning. The results may provide an explanation for the variation among preliminary attenuation estimates obtained from humans, as reported by different investigators.
A socioeconomic analysis of professional hockey salaries

Since the work of Simon Rottenberg [JPE, 1956], economists continue to write analyses of the labor market for professional athletes, contributing a series of socioeconomic studies of salaries for professional sports players. Hockey is the latest, with its own particular characteristics. It is a sport split between Canada and the U.S. with the predominance of Canadian players diminishing. Earlier work on minorities in this sport focused on Franco-phonic players and no significant other minority was defined and analyzed. We found that a significant part of the variation in professional hockey salaries could be accounted for by experience and draft choice. The extreme scarcity of African-American and African players provides little confidence in our finding of no discrimination against these seven or so players. There was no confirmation of the weak result of bias against Franco-phonic athletes as found elsewhere. Certain cities paid their players less, as was shown by dummy variable analysis. These results could be supplemented by the more standard decomposition into positions and consequent skills application. Another possible extension of this work would be to use a Scully-Medoff model to check for exploitation.
Japanese international marketing strategy

In the last 30 years, Japan has come from a second‐rate status to the world′s economic giant, leading the world in electronics, automobiles, steel, shipbuilding and virtually anything else to which she has set her mind. The Japanese aim was and still is to be world‐class suppliers of the major high volume items in the largest international markets. This focus on middle‐ to lower‐end volume markets made increased efficiency essential. The mentality of jimae shugi – Japan should be virtually self‐sufficient in all important product areas – is as strong as ever. How did the Japanese become such superb marketers? What is their international marketing strategy? Examines the Japanese international marketing strategy from its evolution; and analyses its strengths and weaknesses in allowing Western corporations to be able to compete more effectively against it.
Abstract A52: Mechanisms of 1,25‐dihdyroxyvitamin D‐mediated growth arrest and apoptosis in transformed mammary cells

1,25‐Dihdyroxyvitamin D (1,25D), the biologically active form of vitamin D, exerts pro‐differentiating and anti‐proliferative actions on epithelial cells, but the exact role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in mediating these effects remains to be defined. The goal of this project is to link specific functional domains of the VDR with regulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Epithelial cell lines derived from DMBA induced mammary tumors generated in VDR knock‐out (KO) mice and their wild‐type (WT) littermates were characterized for growth arrest and apoptosis following 1,25D treatment. Cells derived from WT tumors expressed VDR and exhibited growth arrest and apoptosis in response to 1,25D. In VDR positive cells, 1,25D mediated apoptosis was associated with activation of multiple caspases and calpain, resulting in PARP cleavage. In contrast, cells derived from KO tumors lacked VDR and failed to undergo growth arrest and apoptosis upon 1,25D treatment. To recreate VDR signaling in KO cells, human VDR was stably expressed in the KO240 cell line, generating the KOhVDR cell line. KOhVDR cells expressed transcriptionally active VDR protein at levels comparable to that of WT cells. Re‐introduction of VDR did not affect doubling time of KOhVDR cells in the absence of ligand, but did sensitize cells to growth arrest and apoptosis in response to VDR agonists. PCR screening arrays and independent qPCR validation were used to identify VDR target genes in this model system. In WT cells, 6‐24h treatment with 100nM 1,25D induced PDGF‐B (up to 10 fold) and VEGF‐A (up to 5 fold). No changes in PDGF‐B or VEGF‐A expression were observed in KO cells treated with 1,25D, but both genes were inducible by 1,25D in KOhVDR cells stably expressing hVDR. Thus, 1,25D can activate either human or murine VDR to induce endogenous PDGF‐B and VEGF‐A gene expression in these murine cells. In summary, these data indicate that VDR does not exert ligand‐independent effects on mammary cell growth, but is essential to trigger gene expression, growth arrest and apoptosis in response to 1,25D. Supported by NIH CA69700. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):A52.
Impact of work stress on female nurse educators.

Factors predictive of work-related stress in 287 female nurse educators were studied in a randomly selected sample of 18 U.S. (NLN) accredited schools of nursing. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Form Ed, the Hardiness of Personality Inventory, the Blair Exercise Activity Index, a demographic tool and an administrator-completed questionnaire were used. Moderate levels of stress were found to exist, with five individual variables (hardiness, age, education, years in nursing education and exercise) and five organizational variables (student contact hours for part-time faculty, task complexity, economic environment of school, number of full-time faculty and percentage of tenured faculty) combining to best predict the occurrence of work-related stress.
The Rationale for IPO Lockup Agreements: Agency or Signaling?

Most Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) feature share lockup agreements, which prohibit insiders and other pre-IPO shareholders from selling their shares for a specified period of time following IPO. We explore possible reasons why some IPO firms voluntarily agree to have a much longer lockup period than other firms. We find evidence that lockup agreements are used to control agency costs. Longer lockups are significantly related to inferior long-run returns and this relationship is stronger for firms that have less reputable underwriters. We find no evidence that lockup agreements are used to signal firm quality and we are unable to relate firm quality, as measured by long-run returns, to information asymmetry variables.
Regulation of acetylcholine receptor clustering by the tumor suppressor APC

At the developing neuromuscular junction, motor neuron-derived agrin triggers the differentiation of postsynaptic membrane into a highly specialized structure, where the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are aggregated into high-density clusters. Agrin acts by activating the muscle-specific kinase MuSK and inducing coaggregation of the 43-kDa protein rapsyn with AChRs on muscle cell membrane. The signaling mechanism downstream of MuSK is poorly defined. We report here that the mouse tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) has a role in AChR clustering and that the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway may crosstalk with agrin signaling cascade during synapse formation.
Omphalocele and partial trisomy 1q syndrome.

A male infant with partial trisomy 1q syndrome (46,XY,der(21),t(1;21)(q25;q22)pat) is described. Clinical findings include small for gestational age, hypoglycemia, ocular hypertelorism, microphthalmia, coloboma of the iris, low-set ears, beak nose, micrognathia, micropenis, cryptorchidism, presacral dimple, flexion contractures of the fingers, bifid thumb, Simian crease, and overriding toes. In addition, he had a large omphalocele not previously seen in trisomy 1q. Postmortem findings include underdeveloped cerebellum, a thymus with moderate depletion of thymocytes, a large PDA, ASD, small adrenal, and fatty change of the liver. The grandfather, father, and a male sibling have translocation t(1;21)(q25;q22). A family history of repoeated spontaneous abortions is present.
Plasma-surface interactions in large tandem mirror devices - MFTF-B

Abstract Present experiments on TMX-U and modeling of MFTF-B indicate that plasma-surface interactions can be controlled in MFTF-B. The MFTF-B configuration uses a hot electron population created by ECRH and a sloshing-ion population created by neutral beams in the thermal barrier region to create a potential that confines the central cell ions. Neutral beams and ICRH are used to heat the central cell ions. Plasma-surface interactions can be minimized at radial surfaces by control of the axial confinement of the edge plasma. The thermal barrier configuration is sensitive to the background neutral density, and requires low wall reflux and efficient shielding by the edge plasma. Glow discharge cleaning, titanium gettering, and control of the gas from neutral beams will be used to provide wall conditioning and to reduce the background gas pressure. The shielding efficiency of the plasma edge has been modeled in MFTF-B by comparing computer codes with current experimental measurements. In addition, it is very important to reduce high-energy neutral-beam-injected impurities; this is accomplished by using gettering or magnetic separation in the injector systems. Plasma-edge scrapers, diverter-like devices, and direct-conversion equipment will be located in the end region. Major disruptions are not anticipated. Finally, MFTF-B will also test some technological issues that are relevant to reactors: superconducting magnet systems and nearly steady-state (30 s) operation.
Matters of life and death in the songbird forebrain.

Male zebra finches learn a specific vocal pattern during a restricted period of development. They produce that song in stereotyped form throughout adulthood, and are unable to learn new song patterns. Development of the neural substrate for song learning and behavior is delayed relative to other brain regions, and neural song-control circuits undergo dramatic changes during the period of vocal learning due to both loss of neurons as well as incorporation of newly generated neurons. In contrast, canaries do learn new song patterns in adulthood and modify their vocal repertoires each breeding season. Adult canaries also maintain a large population of dividing cells in the ependymal zone of the telencephalon, and vast numbers of newly generated neurons migrate out to become incorporated into functional circuits and replace older neurons. We review the relationships between cellular and behavioral aspects of song learning in both zebra finches and canaries, as well as the role of gonadal hormones in regulating diverse aspects of the song-control system. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Velopharyngeal function in young and older adult speakers: Evidence from aerodynamic studies

Intraoral air pressure (P0), nasal airflow, and nasal air volume characteristics were determined from 63 adults speakers during production of oral and nasal consonants. The speakers were categorized into two age groups. Young speakers (21 males, 21 females) ranged in age from 18 to 37 years (mean = 24); older speakers (10 males, 11 females) ranged in age from 68 to 83 years (mean = 75). Speakers produced the syllables /pi/ and /si/ and the word "hamper" at self-determined loudness levels during reiterant speech tasks. Results indicated similar velopharyngeal function between young and older adults as reflected by nasal airflow and air volume measures. Older adults, however, exhibited significantly higher levels of P0 than younger adults during production of /p/ in "hamper." In addition (a) male speakers exhibited higher P0 than females during production of /p/ in "hamper," (b) all speakers demonstrated declination of P0 during production of /p/ in "hamper" as a function of word position in the utterance, and (c) male and female speakers exhibited different patterns of nasal air volume during production of "hamper" as a function of word position in the utterance. The intraoral air pressure results suggest differences in respiratory function between young and older speakers. The nasal air volume results suggest a gender specific velopharyngeal declination effect. Implications for velar motor control strategies are discussed.
Synthesis and DNA binding properties of an amidine-linked and phenyl-containing analogue of distamycin A

The synthesis of a novel amidine-linked analogue 1 of the phenyl-containing congener 2 of distamycin A and its DNA binding properties are described. The amidine group in 1 improves its water solubility while retaining the minor groove and AT sequence binding selectively. A phenyl-containing and amidine-linked analogue 1 of distamycin A has improved water solubility while retaining the minor groove and AT sequence binding selectivity to DNA.
The Color of Compliance: Red Effects Compliance with Donation Requests

Design and Procedure: •Students from Purdue’s Intro to Psychology course signed up for the study to earn extra credit. • Participants were told that the experiment would measure impression formation of organization and participation in altruistic requests. •Participants completed one of two within-subject conditions which randomized the color background associated with each representative for each organization. Each representative, statement and organization was pre-tested for neutrality. •In each condition, participants read and responded to four organizations requests for donations by a representative. Examples include:
The effects of atomic coherence on a three-level homogeneously broadened amplifier in the superradiant regime

The dynamics induced by a seed pulse, resonant with the upper to intermediate levels transition, propagating in an ensemble of homogeneously broadened three-level atomic systems initially pumped by a two-photon excitation is analyzed in the presence of a very weak cw background field that is resonant with the intermediate to lower levels transition. Coherently and incoherently prepared systems are shown to have a distinct time-development. In particular, we show that, for the case of coherent pumping, the amplification of the radiation resonant with the upper transition is smaller for weak pumping, and is more delayed than that from a similar system which is incoherently prepared. For the emitted radiation resonant with the lower transition, we show substantial differences in the time-delay and generation threshold between the coherently and incoherently prepared systems.
Altering comprehension: The effect of biasing titles on text comprehension

Titles can alter the comprehension of a text by affecting the selection of information from a text and the organization of this information in memory. Text comprehension is assumed to involve an organizational process that results in the formation of a text base, an ordered list of semantic units-propositions. The text base can be used as a retrieval scheme to reconstruct the text. Procedures for assigning propositions as more relevant to some themes as compared to other themes are developed and applied to texts. Texts with biasing titles were used in an experiment to demonstrate that immediate free recall is biased toward the theme emphasized in the title. The comprehension process which is guided by the text's thematical information is described.
High reliability Ta/Al thin-film hybrid circuits

Abstract This paper outlines a manufacturing sequence for reliable thin film hybrid circuit production, from bare substrate to final encapsulation. The reasons why particular processes are used are given, and the choice of all materials of construction discussed. Chemical processing of the thin film has been eliminated during the manufacture of the basic resistor networks, to minimise the risk of contamination whilst the film is in a reactive state. This has been done by employing an efficient R.F. sputter etching process to form the resistive film pattern, and an “incontact” masking method for the contact film deposition. For good long term performance, “as fired” high alumina ceramic substrates are preferred to glass. The R.F. sputter etching with argon ions allows accurate patterns to be easily produced, on the relatively rough ceramic surface, from films which have been previously thermally stabilised in air. The circuits are designed for use in gas turbine engine control equipment, where difficult environmental conditions exist. Of equal importance to long term stability of component value, is the ability of the assembly to withstand high levels of shock and vibration. R.F. sputter cleaning of contact areas, together with the use of controlled hot gas reflow soldering, and a specially designed package, has allowed these conditions to be met.
Perceptions of affective communication and teaching effectiveness at different times in the semester

This report describes a study designed to assess the relationship of teachers’ affective communication with student evaluation of effectiveness at two times during a semester. Two questions were addressed: (1) Do student evaluations of affect and effectiveness change and (2) Does the relationship between affect and effectiveness change? The data suggests that there are moderate, but significant changes toward more negative perceptions from midterm and the end of the semester. The data also indicates that affect is significantly related to effectiveness overtime. Suggestions for future research are suggested.
Electroencephalography during pneumoencephalography.

Abstract There would appear to be no specific changes in the electroencephalogram during or following the pneumoencephalographic procedure. There was an increase in fast activity which was associated with subjective complaints of pain and which disappeared at the end of four hours although the subjective complaints had diminished only moderately. There was no evidence of increased abnormality nor was there masking of previous abnormalities. There would seem to be no indication for delay in doing electroencephalography after pneumoencephalography.
Chemically-Sensitive Imaging in Tapping Mode by Chemical Force Microscopy: Relationship between Phase Lag and Adhesion

Tapping mode atomic force microscopy has been used to record phase-lag images of patterned self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces in alcohol−water solutions using probe tips functionalized with SA...
Interest Group Success in the Courts: Amicus Participation in the Supreme Court

Over the past two decades there has been a rapid increase in the number of amicus curiae briefs filed in the Supreme Court. Some cases studied suggest that these briefs may have a substantial effec...
Elastic contour model-based analysis of structural deformations: toward time-sequenced regional lung parenchymal analysis

Time sequenced regional lung parenchymal analysis is dependent upon the successful registration of lung data sets that corrects for local distortions. An elastic model based image registration scheme is proposed and developed in 2D. It models the registration as a deformation process of an elastic material. An example of real lung image registration is given to show the process. The performance of the registration method is assessed by generating a pair of synthetic images with known matching points and comparing the actual matching points with the ones from our method. Three types of geometric transformation are applied to simulate different effects of distortions and the results show good promise to register images with both global and local distortions.
Assessment of barriers to bone marrow donation by unrelated African-American potential donors

Abstract African Americans have a lower registration rate for becoming potential bone marrow and stem cell donors. The same attitudes and behaviors are exhibited in regard to solid organ and blood donations, causing a serious under-representation of the African-American population in the donor pool. In our efforts to increase donor availability for African Americans through a project funded by the Medical University of South Carolina, we used a survey to determine the reasons African Americans do not participate as donors for bone marrow. We surveyed 589 African Americans, a great majority of whom were women. Our survey identified major barriers to donation to be the lack of awareness that transplantation can save lives, the cost of donation, and the lack of opportunities to donate. The most effective interventions in increasing donation have been to provide both educational programs preceding marrow drives and the opportunity to donate. Through these efforts, the number of potential African-American donors has increased from 768 (accrued over a period of 12 years) to 1977 in less than 2 years. We conclude that a minority recruitment program targeting African-American volunteers for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) should include an education component addressing the most common barriers before drives. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7(1):45-8.
Mouse models of fukutin-related protein mutations show a wide range of disease phenotypes.

Dystroglycanopathies are characterized by a reduction in the glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG). A common cause for this subset of muscular dystrophies is mutations in the gene of fukutin-related protein (FKRP). FKRP mutations have been associated with a wide spectrum of clinical severity from severe Walker–Warburg syndrome and muscle–eye–brain disease with brain and eye defects to mild limb–girdle muscular dystrophy 2I with myopathy only. To examine the affects of FKRP mutations on the severity of the disease, we have generated homozygous and compound heterozygous mouse models with human mutations in the murine FKRP gene. P448Lneo+ and E310delneo+ mutations result in severe dystrophic and embryonic lethal phenotypes, respectively. P448Lneo+/E310delneo+ compound heterozygotes exhibit brain defects and severe muscular dystrophies with near absence of α-DG glycosylation. Removal of the Neor cassette from the P448Lneo+ homozygous mice eliminates overt brain and eye defects, and reduces severity of dystrophic phenotypes. Furthermore, introduction of the common L276I mutation to generate transgenic L276Ineo+ homozygous and L276Ineo+/P448Lneo+ and L276Ineo+/E310delneo+ compound heterozygotes results in mice displaying milder dystrophies with reduced α-DG glycosylation and no apparent brain defects. Limited sampling and variation in functionally glycosylated α-DG levels between and within muscles may explain the difficulties in correlating FKRP expression levels with phenotype in clinics. The nature of individual mutations, expression levels and status of muscle differentiation all contribute to the phenotypic manifestation. These mutant FKRP mice are useful models for the study of disease mechanism(s) and experimental therapies.
Dimuon Production by Neutrons

A very narrow resonance with a mass of 3.1 GeV/${\mathit{c}}^{2}$ is observed in the reaction $n+\mathrm{Be}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}+{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}+X$. The total cross section for this process, as well as its ${{P}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}$ and $x$ distribution, are given.
Commentary on: Muscle dysmorphia: Could it be classified as an addiction to body image?

This commentary addresses a recent article on the characterization of muscle dysmorphia as an addiction. The commentary examines the larger issue of the possible relationship of compulsions to addictions. It also questions whether understanding the heterogeneity within disorders may be a useful tactic to develop more targeted treatment approaches.
Resonantly enhanced quantum decay: A time-dependent Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approach.

The WKB approach to quantum tunneling from a metastable well is generalized to include a weak oscillatory force. Both one-dimensional decay and multidimensional decay, appropriate for a system coupled to a dissipative environment, are considered. In both cases, general expressions are derived for the enhancement of the decay rate linear in the applied force. The enhancement is expressed exclusively in terms of the instanton trajectories of the unperturbed system. For a cubic potential with no damping, the decay rate exhibits sharp resonances when the applied frequency coincides with the energy spacing between the ground and excited states in the metastable well. In the strong-damping limit, this resonance structure is completely suppressed.
Happiness, depression, and the Pollyanna principle

People give precedence to pleasant over unpleasant events, a ubiquitous tendency called the Pollyanna principle. Thus, pleasant items are “spewed” early in list-generating tasks, and the more positive member of an antonym pair is uttered first. Not everyone does this. We have demonstrated modest correlations between the Pollyanna tendency on an antonym pair generation task and two happiness measures; a list-generation task yielded Pollyanna prin ciple results, but the two tasks were uncorrelated, and the list task was not correlated with happiness. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory correlated negatively with happiness but not with either Pollyanna measure.
On the Internal Structures of Mercury and Venus

Recent radar measures of the radius and mass of Mercury imply a composition for the planet containing about 60% iron. One or other of two conclusions seems inescapable: either that Mercury is a highly exceptional object among terrestrial planets, or that all measures to date of the planet involve substantial systematic error. In either case the situation is such that independent checking of the radius and mass of Mercury by some entirely different means has become of the greatest importance to planetary physics and cosmogony. The recent radar and other determinations of the solid radius of Venus imply an internal structure similar to that of the Earth, namely a liquid core surrounded by a solid mantle and outer-shell zone. The theory also implies that the temperatures within Venus should be slightly higher than at the corresponding parts of the Earth. The proportion of mass in the core of Venus (about 25% of the whole) is entirely consistent with the phase-change hypothesis as to its nature, as of course is also the absence of any liquid or iron core in both Mars and the Moon. On the older iron-core hypothesis, Venus with considerably less iron content by mass than the Earth, and Mars and the Moon with none, would all present problems in different degrees to account for the differences of composition. If Venus began as an all-solid planet, the initial radius would have been about 6300 km, and the total amount of surface reduction to date owing to contraction of the planet would have been almost 40 million km2, and as a proportion of the total area only slightly less than the contraction of the Earth. The theory thus predicts the existence of folded and thrusted mountain-systems of terrestrial type at the surface of Venus.
Conformational changes in the core structure of bacteriorhodopsin.

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is the light-driven proton pump found in the purple membrane of Halobacterium salinarium. In this work, structural changes occurring during the bR photocycle in the core structure of bR, which is normally inaccessible to hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange, have been probed. FTIR difference bands due to vibrations of peptide groups in the core region of bR have been assigned by reconstituting and regenerating delipidated bR in the presence of D2O. Exposure of bR to D2O even after long periods causes only a partial shift of the amide II band due to peptide NH → ND exchange only of peripheral peptide structure. However, the amide II band completely downshifts when reconstitution/regeneration of bR is performed in the presence of D2O, indicating that almost the entire core backbone structure of bR undergoes H/D exchange. Peripheral regions can then be reexchanged in H2O, leaving the core backbone region deuterated. Low-temperature FTIR difference spectra on these core-deuterated samples ...