cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Motivational influences on cognitive control: behavior, brain activation, and individual differences.

What changes in brain activity are associated with changes in motivational state? The present study addressed this question by having participants perform a cognitive task (AX variant of the Continuous Performance Test; AX-CPT) under three different blocked motivational conditions (reward-incentive, penalty-incentive, and baseline). Behavioral data showed that the incentive conditions modulated task performance, potentially by altering participants’ cognitive control strategy. Neuroimaging data indicated that the reward condition was associated with a sustained increase in a primarily right-lateralized network that included parietal and prefrontal cortex. Additionally, individual differences were observed, such that activation in both reward-related brain regions and frontopolar cortex was linked to the degree of motivation-induced performance enhancement and to motivation-related personality variables. These results suggest that changes in motivational state may modulate performance through sustained activity in cognitive control regions and that the effect of incentives may be affected by the personalities of the participants.
CORR Insights ®: Does early functional outcome predict 1-year mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture?

This CORR Insights®is a commentary on the article “Does Early Functional Outcome Predict 1-year Mortality in Elderly Patients With Hip Fracture?” by Raspopovic and colleagues, available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-013-2955-1. Each author certifies that he or she, or a member of his or her immediate family, has no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. This CORR Insights® comment refers to the article available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-013-2955-1.
Differentiation of estradiol receptors in rat uterine cytosol by sensitivity to tamoxifen

Abstract Analysis of rat uterine cytosol by means of immobilized antibody discloses the presence of two distinct high affinity, low capacity estradiol binding components. One of these is readily saturable by the antiestrogen tamoxifen (TS = tamoxifen sensitive), the other is tamoxifen insensitive (TI). Only TS-estradiol binding shows positive cooperativity at low ligand concentration. TS but not TI is lost when frozen tissue is thawed at 4°C then refrozen and stored for an additional 12 hours. Experiments with ovariectomized rats show that TI is formed only in the presence of estradiol. In the estrus cycle TS increases in the order: metestrus, diestrus, proestrus and estrus. The quantity of TI is the same in metestrus and diestrus and also the same but fractionally higher in proestrus and estrus.
A versatile cis-blocking and trans-activation strategy for ribozyme characterization

Synthetic RNA control devices that use ribozymes as gene-regulatory components have been applied to controlling cellular behaviors in response to environmental signals. Quantitative measurement of the in vitro cleavage rate constants associated with ribozyme-based devices is essential for advancing the molecular design and optimization of this class of gene-regulatory devices. One of the key challenges encountered in ribozyme characterization is the efficient generation of full-length RNA from in vitro transcription reactions, where conditions generally lead to significant ribozyme cleavage. Current methods for generating full-length ribozyme-encoding RNA rely on a trans-blocking strategy, which requires a laborious gel separation and extraction step. Here, we develop a simple two-step gel-free process including cis-blocking and trans-activation steps to support scalable generation of functional full-length ribozyme-encoding RNA. We demonstrate our strategy on various types of natural ribozymes and synthetic ribozyme devices, and the cleavage rate constants obtained for the RNA generated from our strategy are comparable with those generated through traditional methods. We further develop a rapid, label-free ribozyme cleavage assay based on surface plasmon resonance, which allows continuous, real-time monitoring of ribozyme cleavage. The surface plasmon resonance-based characterization assay will complement the versatile cis-blocking and trans-activation strategy to broadly advance our ability to characterize and engineer ribozyme-based devices.
1/f Noise in the superconducting transition of a MgB2 thin film

The noise voltage spectral density in the superconducting transition of a MgB2 thin film on a SiN-coated Si thick substrate was measured over the frequency range 1 Hz-to-1 KHz. Using established bolometer noise theory the theoretical noise components due to Johnson, 1/f(excess) and phonon noise are modeled to the measured data. It is shown that for the case of a MgB2 thin film in the vicinity of the mid-point of transition, coupled to a heat sink via a fairly high thermal conductance (approximately equal to 10(sup -1) W/K)) that the measured noise voltage spectrum is 1/f limited and exhibits lit dependence with a varying between 0.3 and 0.5 in the measured frequency range. At a video frame rate frequency of 30 Hz the measured noise voltage density in the film is approximately equal to 61 nV /the square root of HZ, using this value an upper limit of electrical NEP approximately equal to 0.67pW / the square root of Hz is implied for a practical MgB2 bolometer operating at 36.1 K.
Generic kanban systems for dynamic environments

Abstract Kanbans have shown successful results in lowering inventory and shortening lead time in repetitive production systems. Unfortunately, such systems are not applicable to production environments with dynamic characteristics. Here a modified kanban system, the generic kanban system, is proposed for such dynamic environments. The generic kanban system behaves similarly to the push system except that it is more flexible with respect to system performance and more robust as to the location of the bottleneck. The simulation results that the generic kanban system is dominant over the dedicated kanban system and the CONWIP system. The adaptability of such a system to dynamic environments is justified.
Monitoring the adsorption of volatile corrosion inhibitors in real time with surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy

Abstract The adsorption of volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) was studied in-situ and in real time using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Two commercially available VCI emitter product...
The relationship between posttraumatic and depressive symptoms during prolonged exposure with and without cognitive restructuring for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Objective: In the present study, we examined the relationship between posttraumatic and depressive symptoms during prolonged exposure (PE) treatment with and without cognitive restructuring (CR) for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: Female assault survivors (N = 153) with PTSD were randomized to either PE alone or PE with added CR (PE/CR). During treatment, bi-weekly self-report measures of posttraumatic and depressive symptoms were administered. Results: Multilevel mediational analyses indicated that during PE, changes in posttraumatic symptoms accounted for 80.3% of changes in depressive symptoms, whereas changes in depressive symptoms accounted for 45.0% of changes in posttraumatic symptoms. During PE/CR, changes in posttraumatic symptoms accounted for 59.6% of changes in depressive symptoms, and changes in depressive symptoms accounted for 50.7% of changes in posttraumatic symptoms. Conclusions: This pattern of results suggests that PE primarily affects posttraumatic symptoms, which in turn affect depressive symptoms. In contrast, PE/CR results in a more reciprocal relationship between posttraumatic and depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Studies on Incubator Hygiene IX. The Disinfecting Properties of Formaldehyde for Hemophilic Bacteria Associated with Avian Coryza, the Filtrable Viruses of Infectious Laryngotracheitis and Infectious Bronchitis

Abstract DURING the past four years the occurrence of an acute, highly contagious and fatal respiratory syndrome in chicks three days to 10 weeks of age has been responsible for many inquiries regarding the nature as well as effective methods of prevention and control. Natural outbreaks coming to the attention of the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station have been observed in broiler-feeding plants as well as in chicks on farms. In some outbreaks studied, the infection apparently originated in commercial hatcheries, while in others exposure during transit or following arrival at the farm or plant could not be excluded. Methods of control suggested to owners of infected chicks for the suppression of acute respiratory diseases place emphasis on the value of sanitary measures including complete isolation or destruction of clinically affected, exposed, and recovered chicks together with cleaning and disinfection of quarters and equipment. In fact, the value of these measures was . . .
Parameter estimates and tests of fit for infinite mixther distrirutions

Al though mixtures form a rich class of probability models, they often present difficulties for statistical inference. Likelihood functions are sometimes unbounded at certain values of the parameters, and densities often have no closed form. These features complicate hoth maximum-likelihood estimation and tests of fit based on the empirical distribution function. New inferential methods using sample characteristic functions (Cfs) and moment generating functions (MGFs) seem well-suited to mixtures. since these transforms often take simple form/ This paper reports a simulation study of the properties of estimators and tests of fit based on CFs, MGFs, and sample moments when applied to three specific families of thick tailed mixture distributios.
Examples of non-Kähler Hamiltonian torus actions

An important question with a rich history is the extent to which the symplectic category is larger than the Kahler category. Many interesting examples of non-Kahler symplectic manifolds have been constructed [T] [M] [G]. However, sufficiently large symmetries can force a symplectic manifolds to be Kahler [D] [Kn]. In this paper, we solve several outstanding problems by constructing the first symplectic manifold with large non-trivial symmetries which does not admit an invariant Kahler structure. The proof that it is not Kahler is based on the Atiyah-Guillemin-Sternberg convexity theorem [At] [GS]. Using the ideas of this paper, C. Woodward shows that even the symplectic analogue of spherical varieties need not be Kahler [W].
Fine-mapping subtelomeric deletions and duplications by comparative genomic hybridization in 42 individuals†

Human subtelomere regions contain numerous gene-rich segments and are susceptible to germline rearrangements. The availability of diagnostic test kits to detect subtelomeric rearrangements has resulted in the diagnosis of numerous abnormalities with clinical implications including congenital heart abnormalities and mental retardation. Several of these have been described as clinically recognizable syndromes (e.g., deletion of 1p, 3p, 5q, 6p, 9q, and 22q). Given this, fine-mapping of subtelomeric breakpoints is of increasing importance to the assessment of genotype-phenotype correlations in these recognized syndromes as well as to the identification of additional syndromes. We developed a BAC and cosmid-based DNA array (TEL array) with high-resolution coverage of 10 Mb-sized subtelomeric regions, and used it to analyze 42 samples from unrelated patients with subtelomeric rearrangements whose breakpoints were previously either unmapped or mapped at a lower resolution than that achievable with the TEL array. Six apparently recurrent subtelomeric breakpoint loci were localized to genomic regions containing segmental duplication, copy number variation, and sequence gaps. Small (1 Mb or less) candidate gene regions for clinical phenotypes in separate patients were identified for 3p, 6q, 9q, and 10p deletions as well as for a 19q duplication. In addition to fine-mapping nearly all of the expected breakpoints, several previously unidentified rearrangements were detected.
A Handheld Noninvasive Sensing Method for the Measurement of Compartment Pressures

Compartment syndrome is a major concern in cases of extremity trauma, which occur in over 70% of military combat casualty. Without treatment, compartment syndrome can lead to paralysis, loss of limb, or death. This paper focuses on the development of a handheld sensor that can be used for the non-invasive diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Analytical development of the sensing principle is first presented in which a relation is obtained between the pressure in a fluid compartment and the stiffness experienced by a handheld probe pushing on the compartment. Then a handheld sensor that can measure stiffness of an object without requiring the use of any inertial reference is presented. The handheld sensor consists of an array of three miniature force-sensing spring loaded pistons placed together on a probe. The center spring is chosen to be significantly stiffer than the side springs. The ratio of forces between the stiff and soft springs is proportional to the stiffness of the soft object against which the probe is pushed. Small mm-sized magnets on the pistons and magnetic field measurement chips are used to measure the forces in the individual pistons. Experimental results are presented using an in-vitro test rig that replicates a fluid pressure compartment. The sensor is shown to measure pressure accurately with a resolution of 0.1 psi over the range 0.75 psi to 2.5 psi.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Ordered GaInP by atomic layer epitaxy

Abstract We report on the successful growth of both ordered and disordered GaInP by atomic layer epitaxy on GaAs substrate. Photoluminescence and transmission electron microscopy are used to characterize the ordering. The composition of the GaInP was self-regulating; close lattice-matching to the substrate was observed for the range of fluxes used in this study. Double crystal X-ray diffraction is used to give indications of the important growth parameters necessary for the self-regulation of the composition. The quality of the atomic layer epitaxy grown material is assessed in a preliminary investigation of GaInP/GaAs/GaInP quantum wells.
Incompressible Laminar Boundary Layers on a Parabola at Angle of Attack: A Study of the Separation Point

Abstract : The laminar boundary-layer equations were solved for incompressible flow past a parabola at angle of attack. Such flow experiences a region of adverse pressure gradient and thus can be employed to study the boundary-layer separation process. The present solutions were obtained numerically using both implicit and Crank Nicholson type difference schemes. It was found that in all cases the point of vanishing shear stress (the separation point) displayed a Goldstein type singularity. Based on this evidence, it is concluded that a singularity is always present at separation independent of the mildness of the pressure gradient at that point. (Author)
Degassing and microlite crystallization of basaltic andesite magma erupting at Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Abstract Volcanoes can erupt explosively in Plinian style or effusively as lava flows. Most models for such ranges in activity are based on silicic magma, which may not be appropriate for less viscous basic magma. Although basic magma erupting at Arenal volcano has not varied significantly in bulk composition, the volcano has exhibited a full range in eruptive style, from Plinian activity in 1968 to Strombolian bursts to lava flows. We examined groundmass textures of samples erupted over that range of activity to investigate the controls on the variability. Microlite textures in lavas collected both hot (rapid quenched) and cold show that most samples have textures that are overprinted by crystallization as a result of cooling. Despite that overprint, microlites in the Plinian sample have unique crystal morphologies and vesicles that are much smaller and more spherical than those in the other samples. We interpret those differences as recording a change in degassing style as a result of changing ascent rate in the conduit. To constrain the potential changes in ascent rate, a limited number of decompression experiments were run at rates from 0.0013 to 0.25 MPa/s. Crystal textures and morphologies vary greatly as decompression rates change, and compared to our observed differences in the natural groundmass, it appears that magma erupted in the Plinian event decompressed between 0.0013 and 0.025 MPa/s, whereas magma erupted in non-Plinian events decompressed slower than 0.0013 MPa/s. The change in eruptive style from explosive Plinian to lava effusion thus resulted from an order of magnitude decrease in magma ascent rate. Plinian magma probably rose too quickly to allow bubbles to coalesce and allow the magma to degas efficiently, whereas at other times magma rose more slowly, which allowed bubbles to coalesce and gas to escape leading to less explosive activity.
Accurate azimuth estimates from a large aperture hydrophone array using T-phase waveforms

A simple method is described whereby station-to-source azimuths are estimated by fitting a plane wave to envelope functions of T-phases observed on a 5-element hydrophone array around Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean. When applied to a data set of 55 earthquakes of known location ranging between 2 and 45 degrees distance from Ascension Island, estimated azimuths have a standard deviation of 3.3 degrees from reference azimuths when 3 or more hydrophone elements are used. The standard deviation decreases to 1.8 degrees if T-phase data from all 5 hydrophone elements are used. We also investigate variations in predicted errors for different array geometries and arrival azimuths. This simple method is amenable to automation and can easily be incorporated into a global monitoring system.
THE RESIDUAL BOUND OF A FINITE ALGEBRA IS NOT COMPUTABLE

We exhibit a construction which produces for every Turing machine , an algebra (finite and of finite type) such that the Turing machine halts iff the variety generated by is residually finite.
Immunolocalization of dendritic cells and pattern recognition receptors in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cell (DC) activation and antigen presentation to T cells are critical to innate and adaptive immunity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known to bind pathogen-associated molecular patterns in addition to sinonasally secreted surfactant proteins (SP) such as SP-A and SP-D. TLR binding is known to activate DCs. Based on these observations, we sought to establish the presence, in sinonasal mucosa, of DC and the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), CD14, TLR2, and TLR4. METHODS: Sinonasal biopsy specimens were taken from patients with eosinophilic nonatopic nasal polyposis (n = 4), allergic fungal sinusitis (n = 1), and nondiseased patients undergoing cerebrospinal fluid leak repair or pituitary tumor resection (n = 2). Tissue samples were stained immunohistochemically for PRR (CD14, TLR2, and TLR4), mature DC marker (CD208), iDC marker (CD209), or isotype controls. RESULTS: Immature and mature DC were immunolocalized to the subepithelial stroma and ciliated epithelial surface, respectively. Diffuse staining of CD14 was observed throughout the stroma with additional staining in the ciliated epithelium. The TLR markers showed no staining in the ciliated epithelium. TLR2 primarily localized in stroma immediately deep to the ciliated epithelial surface. TLR4 immunolocalized to submucosal seromucinous gland ductal epithelium. Data from nondiseased patients were mixed, with one patient showing minimal staining of any of the tested cellular markers. CONCLUSION: This study indicates progressive DC activation and emigration of mature antigen-presenting cells from the epithelial surfaces of sinonasal mucosa. The presence of TLR known to bind SP-A and SP-D suggests a link between SP expression and immune response in sinonasal mucosa.
Magnetic amplifiers serve to teach power modulators

MAGNETIC AMPLIFIERS are an example of a whole group of devices having common characteristics and being amenable to a common method of analysis. The common characteristics of this class of equipment are that they control and modulate the flow of power and energy and are mechanically static. This article describes a method of analyzing such static power modulators by applying the techniques to magnetic amplifiers in particular.
Numerical modeling of spray cooling-assisted dermatologic laser surgery for treatment of port wine stains

Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) provides thermal protection to the epidermis during dermatologic laser surgery (DLS) for removal of port wine stain (PWS) birthmarks. The objectives of this study are: to improve the thermal modeling of skin undergoing CSC-assisted DLS for PWS treatment; and, to address the effect of temporal and lateral variations in surface heat transfer during CSC on epidermal protection. The finite element method is used to solve the light and heat diffusion equations in a skin-cross section composed by epidermis, dermis and two blood vessels. Thermal conductivities of each biological structure are modeled as temperature dependent functions. The model accounts for the latent heat of fusion and vaporization, and temporal and spatial thermal variations---due to the inherent non-homogeneous nature of sprays---in surface cooling. Thermal damage due to laser irradiation is evaluated by an Arrhenius integral model. For a 60 ms cryogen spurt, temperature maps of epidermis show that at the end of the spurt there are significant temperature differences, which resulted in epidermal damage after a 5 J/cm 2 0.45 ms laser pulse at 585 nm on light color skin type. A 60 ms delay between end of spurt and laser onset produced a relative more homogeneous temperature distribution at the epidermis, and, subsequently, a more effective CSC-DLS for which only the blood vessels were thermally damaged. Temporal and lateral variations in surface cooling must be taken into account to guarantee that enough epidermal protection is provided.
Recombinant Expression of Caveolin-1 in Oncogenically Transformed Cells Abrogates Anchorage-independent Growth

Caveolae are plasma membrane-attached vesicular organelles. Caveolin-1, a 21–24-kDa integral membrane protein, is a principal component of caveolae membranes in vivo. Both caveolae and caveolin are most abundantly expressed in terminally differentiated cells: adipocytes, endothelial cells, and muscle cells. Conversely, caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expression are lost or reduced during cell transformation by activated oncogenes such as v-abl and H-ras(G12V); caveolae are absent from these cell lines. However, its remains unknown whether down-regulation of caveolin-1 protein and caveolae organelles contributes to their transformed phenotype. Here, we have expressed caveolin-1 in oncogenically transformed cells under the control of an inducible-expression system. Regulated induction of caveolin-1 expression was monitored by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy. Our results indicate that caveolin-1 protein is expressed well using this system and correctly localizes to the plasma membrane. Induction of caveolin-1 expression in v-Abl-transformed and H-Ras (G12V)-transformed NIH 3T3 cells abrogated the anchorage-independent growth of these cells in soft agar and resulted in the de novo formation of caveolae as seen by transmission electron microscopy. Consistent with its antagonism of Ras-mediated cell transformation, caveolin-1 expression dramatically inhibited both Ras/MAPK-mediated and basal transcriptional activation of a mitogen-sensitive promoter. Using an established system to detect apoptotic cell death, it appears that the effects of caveolin-1 may, in part, be attributed to its ability to initiate apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells. In addition, we find that caveolin-1 expression levels are reversibly down-regulated by two distinct oncogenic stimuli. Taken together, our results indicate that down-regulation of caveolin-1 expression and caveolae organelles may be critical to maintaining the transformed phenotype in certain cell populations.
Thermal Transitions of Actomyosin and Surimi Prepared from Atlantic Croaker as Studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate thermal transitions of fish mince (surimi) and actomyosin from croaker. Three endothermic peaks were observed in DSC thermograms of surimi. After addition of salt, transition temperatures shifted to lower temperatures. Preheating samples containing 3% salt at various temperatures showed that 40°C heating caused the first peak to disappear, and preheating at temperatures higher than 50°C caused virtual disappearance of all transition peaks. Low temperature storage (4°C) of samples caused no significant change in thermograms of salted or unsalted surimi over a 5-day storage period. Evidence suggests that changes of fish protein during low temperature “setting” are different from those occurring during high temperature “setting.”
Role of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in the acquisition and expression of flavor-preference conditioning in sham-feeding rats

The present study examined the effects of D(1) and D(2) antagonists on flavor-preference conditioning by the sweet taste of sucrose. All sessions were conducted under sham-feeding conditions to minimize post-ingestive influences. The rats were trained in alternating, one-bottle sessions to sham-feed a 16% sucrose solution containing one novel flavor (CS+) and a less-preferred 0.2% saccharin solution containing a different flavor (CS-). Three groups of food-restricted rats were treated with either vehicle (control group), the D(1) antagonist, SCH23390 (200 nmol/kg), or the D(2) antagonist, raclopride (200 nmol/kg) during one-bottle training. A fourth group (yoked group) was vehicle-treated and its training intakes were matched to that of the D(1) and D(2) drug groups. Preferences were assessed in two-bottle tests with the CS+ and CS- flavors presented in mixed 8% sucrose+0.1% saccharin solutions following systemic doses of 0, 200, or 800 nmol/kg of either the D(1) or D(2) antagonists. All groups significantly preferred the CS+ flavor in vehicle tests, although the preferences were weaker in the D(1), D(2), and yoked groups compared to the control group. All groups selectively reduced their CS+ intakes when treated with either D(1) or D(2) antagonists during two-bottle testing, and the CS+ preference was blocked at the higher doses. These data show that D(1) and D(2) receptor antagonists block the expression of a sucrose-conditioned preference, but produces substantially lesser effects upon the acquisition of this form of flavor conditioning.
Nestling sex ratios do not support long-term parity in two species with different life-history strategies

ABSTRACT To maximize fitness, breeding adults may respond to environmental processes by adjusting their progeny's sex ratios. R. A. Fisher in 1930 hypothesized that frequency-dependent selection would result in equal investment in sons and daughters over the long term, yielding a balanced sex ratio if the costs of raising a son and daughter are equal. Diverse hypotheses have tried to explain population and brood-by-brood deviations from this mean as well as annual variation by focusing on adult sex ratios, resources, abiotic conditions, and female and male quality. We collected data in 2002–2010 to explore population-level variation in nestling sex ratios in 2 migratory grassland songbird species: the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). These species differ in migratory strategy (long-distance vs. short-distance), and morphological dimorphism. Fisher's hypothesis was rejected for Savannah Sparrows (n = 684 nestlings; 39% male) but not rejected for Bobolinks (...
The SmartCane system: an assistive device for geriatrics

Falls are currently a leading cause of death from injury in the elderly. The usage of the conventional assistive cane devices is critical in reducing the risk of falls and is relied upon by over 4 million patients in the U.S.. While canes provide physical support as well as supplementary sensing feedback to patients, at the same time, these conventional aids also exhibit serious adverse effects that contribute to falls. The falls due to the improper usage of the canes are particularly acute in the elderly and disabled where reduced cognitive capacity accompanied by the burden of managing cane motion leads to increased risk. This paper describes the development of the SmartCane assistive system that encompasses broad engineering challenges that will impact general development of individualized, robust assistive and prosthetic devices. The SmartCane system combines advances in signal processing, embedded computing, and wireless networking technology to provide capabilities for remote monitoring, local signal processing, and real-time feedback on the cane usage. This system aims to reduce risks of injuries and falls by enabling training and guidance of patients in proper usage of assistive devices.
The OZI rule in charmonium decays above DD threshold

Abstract A drastic change in OZI-violating transitions is predicted for charmonium as one crosses the D D threshold. A new source of OZI violation is introduced by the opening of the OZI-allowed D D channel which enables the forbidden process to occur in two OZI-allowed steps with the intermediate D D state on shell. A simple estimate using unitarity shows that the sum of the branching ratios for the OZI-forbidden final states can be the same order of magnitude as the branching ratio for the allowed D D state. It is therefore dangerous to assume that charmonium decays just above D D threshold are 100% D D , and similarly for the bottomonium decays above the B B threshold.
INTRODUCTION: COOPERATIVE LEARNING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

(1997). INTRODUCTION: COOPERATIVE LEARNING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM. Reading & Writing Quarterly: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 3-5.
Hurricane Wind Shelter Retrofit Room Guidelines for Existing Houses

The objective of this study was to develop design and construction techniques for an in-home hurricane room shelter, which is an alternative to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tornado safe room. Such a room will be able to withstand hurricane or tornado wind speeds up to 225 km∕h (140 mph) and associated windborne debris. Structural calculations for known material strengths, expected wind pressures, and missile impact capacity from previous research were used as the basis for the hurricane room technology. The retrofitting is achieved through reinforcing existing walls and roofs of typical small interior rooms with plywood sheets, steel plates, anchor bolts, hurricane straps and impact resistant doors. The in-house shelter, which can also be constructed as a stand-alone unit, will offer significant occupant protection and reduce the demand on public shelters in the event of mid-Category-4 hurricane. The total cost of a hurricane room is about $3,000 including readily available materials and...
Assimilation of Observed Soil Moisture Data in Storm Rainfall-Runoff Modeling

Estimation of antecedent wetness conditions is one of the most important aspects of storm rainfall-runoff modeling. This study investigated the use of observations of near-surface soil moisture carried out in a small experimental plot to estimate wetness conditions of five nested catchments, from 13 to 137 km2 in area, in Central Italy, including the plot itself. In particular, the relationship between the observed degree of saturation, θe , and the potential maximum retention parameter, S , of the soil conservation service-curve number (SCS-CN) method for abstraction was investigated using 15 rainfall-runoff events (ten for calibration and five for verification) that occurred in the period 2002–2005. Two antecedent precipitation indices (API) and one base flow index (BFI) were also considered for the estimation of wetness conditions. When interpreting S as the mean soil water deficit of the catchment, an inverse linear relationship with θe was found with the coefficient of determination decreasing with c...
Role for the molecular chaperones Zuo1 and Ssz1 in quorum sensing via activation of the transcription factor Pdr1

Zuo1 functions as a J-protein cochaperone of its partner Hsp70. In addition, the C terminus of Zuo1 and the N terminus of Ssz1, with which Zuo1 forms a heterodimer, can independently activate the Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor pleiotropic drug resistance 1 (Pdr1). Here we report that activation of Pdr1 by Zuo1 or Ssz1 causes premature growth arrest of cells during the diauxic shift, as they adapt to the changing environmental conditions. Conversely, cells lacking Zuo1 or Ssz1 overgrow, arresting at a higher cell density, an effect overcome by activation of Pdr1. Cells lacking the genes encoding plasma membrane transporters Pdr5 and Snq2, two targets of Pdr1, also overgrow at the diauxic shift. Adding conditioned medium harvested from cultures of wild-type cells attenuated the overgrowth of both zuo1Δssz1Δ and pdr5Δsnq2Δ cells, suggesting the extracellular presence of molecules that signal growth arrest. In addition, our yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed an interaction between Pdr1 and both Zuo1 and Ssz1. Together, our results support a model in which (i) membrane transporters, encoded by Pdr1 target genes act to promote cell–cell communication by exporting quorum sensing molecules, in addition to playing a role in pleiotropic drug resistance; and (ii) molecular chaperones function at promoters to regulate this intercellular communication through their activation of the transcription factor Pdr1.
Cross-resistance phenotypes of fluconazole-resistant Candida species: Results with 655 clinical isolates with different methods

Candida species test results with two broth macrodilution antifungal susceptibility methods were compared using 655 clinical isolates, and the frequency of fluconazole resistance and phenotypes of azole cross resistance are detailed. A method with an 80% inhibition endpoint (as compared to clear tube endpoint) suggested greater fluconazole susceptibility to C. albicans but had a less pronounced effect on C. glabrata, and seemed to have a negligible influence on results with C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. The latter were grouped as susceptible and resistant (based on achievable blood levels), respectively, by both methods. Cross resistance was method dependent and more pronounced with itraconazole than ketoconazole. In vivo correlations are needed to validate the groupings proposed by any in vitro method.
6-Hydroxydopamine lesions of the anteromedial ventral striatum impair opposite-sex urinary odor preference in female mice.

Abstract Rodents rely upon their olfactory modality to perceive opposite-sex pheromonal odors needed to motivate courtship behaviors. Volatile and nonvolatile components of pheromonal odors are processed by the main (MOS) and accessory olfactory system (AOS), respectively, with inputs converging in the medial amygdala (Me). The Me in turn targets the mesolimbic dopamine system, including the nucleus accumbens core (AcbC) and shell (AcbSh), the ventral pallidum (VP), medial olfactory tubercle (mOT) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). We hypothesized that pheromone-induced dopamine (DA) release in the ventral striatum (particularly in the mAcb and mOT) may mediate the normal preference of female mice to investigate male pheromones. We made bilateral 6-OHDA lesions of DA fibers innervating either the mAcb alone or the mAcb + mOT in female mice and tested estrous females’ preference for opposite-sex urinary odors. We found that 6-OHDA lesions of either the mAcb alone or the mAcb + mOT significantly reduced the preference of sexually naive female mice to investigate breeding male urinary odors (volatiles as well as volatiles + nonvolatiles) vs. estrous female urinary odors. These same neurotoxic lesions had no effect on subjects’ ability to discriminate between these two urinary odors, on their locomotor activity, or on their preference for consuming sucrose. The integrity of the dopaminergic innervation of the mAcb and mOT is required for female mice to prefer investigating male pheromones.
Young Adults’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior About Abortions in Young Women

Abstract Objective To document opinions and decisionmaking strategies of young adults regarding abortions for young women. Methods Eighty-nine male and 215 female college students completed a questionnaire on abortion during routine visits to their university health center. Results Among the salient findings, most respondents took a pro-abortion stance for girls under 18 in cases of rape (92% of students), incest (90%), or danger to the girl's health (90%). A much lower priority was given for abortion in cases of fetal abnormalities (55% of students), economic hardship (51%), or for girls who were married (55%). Abortion was considered acceptable regardless of circumstances by 46% of students and never a good idea by 18%. The outcome of unplanned pregnancies for minors should be decided by the girl (90% of students), partner (55%), parents (29%), and state or federal law (8%). Abortions for minors should require parental notification (45%) or consent (33%). Although only one student felt illegal abortions were safe, 19% would seek this kind of abortion and 4% of females would try to cause their own miscarriage if abortions were outlawed in the United States. Conclusions The vast majority of young adults believed that girls under 18 should retain the right to decide the outcome of their pregnancy and should not be subjected to governmental restrictions. The highest priority for abortion was given to girls who had been victimized or whose health was at risk. Although nearly all respondents are aware of the hazards of criminal abortions, many would resort to such unsafe practices if legal alternatives were no longer available.
Module to perform multiplication, division, and square root in systolic arrays for matrix computations

A module that performs multiplication, division, and square root is presented. The implementation is compact because most of the components are shared by all three operations, the complexity being similar to a radix-2 divider. All three operations have the same execution time: one bit of the result is produced per cycle, beginning with the most significant bit. The cycle time is kept small by using redundant addition (carry-save or signed-digit) and a result-digit selection based on a low-precision estimate of the partial remainder. These properties make the module suitable for systolic arrays for matrix computations. Moreover, the communication between these modules in systolic arrays is bit-serial, yet the delay is the same as that for systems with bit-parallel communication
Paul Patterson: in memoriam.

Caltech neuroscientist Paul Patterson, whose career spanned developmental neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, and neuroimmunology, passed away on June 25th at the age of 70 from an aggressive brain tumor. Patterson was a pioneer and an iconoclast who was not afraid to work outside of the scientific mainstream; consequently, he made a number of important and seminal contributions that opened up entire fields of research. As his colleague of almost 30 years at Caltech, I watched his scientific evolution and transformations with curiosity, some skepticism, and ultimately admiration.
Attraction of deer flies (Chrysops) (Diptera: Tabanidae) to traps baited with dry ice under field conditions in Louisiana.

Since the first reports on the attraction of Tabanidae to CO2 appeared (Wilson et al. 1966, Smith 1966) subsequent observations by us as well as other investigators (Adkins 1968, pers. commun.) have indicated that CO2 might not be as attractive to deer flies ( CHRYSOPS ) as to most Tabanus species. In view of these observations the present study was conducted to obtain some information on the attractancy of CO2 to Chrysops spp. in and adjacent to the estaurine area of Louisiana.
Cyber-physical product manufacturing

Abstract The U.S. and E.U. countries still can lead international manufacturing by exploiting Cyber Physical System (CPS) technologies such as wireless system integration, wireless controls, machine learning, and sensor-based manufacturing. This deeper level of sensing, cross-platform-communication and control enhances a product’s design, its production systems, its in-service performance, and its sustainability over its life cycle.
A cytological study of a chonotrichous ciliate protozoan, Lobochona prorates, from the gribble

The Ciliophora are unique in that they are heterokaryote. In certain ciliates, namely the Chlamydodontidae and Dysteriidae of the Order Holotrichida and Order Chonotrichida, the macronucleus has a chromophilic portion and a chromophobic portion. The similarities in structure and behavior of the macronucleus of Lobochona prorates to that of some lower holotrichs as well as the genesis of the ciliary mechanism suggest the close affinities of the Order Chonotrichida to the lower holotrichs — the cyrtophorine gymnostomes. Budding, a somewhat modified binary fission preserving the fundamental structure of the parent individual, appears to be an adaption to the sessile life of the Chonotrichida. Throughout the order the process is basically similar, but there are noticeable differences from genus to genus. There appear to be two distinct patterns of budding in the Chonotrichida: (1) the parent retains its fundamental structure, and (2) the parental cytosome diminishes. Both patterns may produce one or more (multiple) buds. Diminutive budding appears to be a mechanism of these sessile organisms which enables them to abandon the exuvium of the crustacean host and to reinfest the original host or a new host. Sexual reproduction is by conjugation. In L. prorates it occurs between adjacent individuals on the same pleopod of Limnoria tripunctata and not between a stationary individual and a “swarming” larva.
Stationary phase characterization and method development

The properties of stationary phases and their characterization methods are reviewed. New and significant developments have occurred in the last few years, and new methods for stationary phase characterization have become available. The characterization methods are discussed, and the differences between the different methods are pointed out. In addition, method development approaches are reviewed, with special emphasis on recent developments that employ multiple parameters in parallel. Also, the renewed interest of temperature as a tool in method development is surveyed.
Pressure Modulation of Infrared Absorption.* I. Entire Vibration-Rotation Bands

The effects of pressure modulation on the total absorption ∫A(ν)dν of rotation-vibration bands of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and propane have been investigated. Although the ultimate limitations of pressure modulation as a detection technique have not yet been completely established, the present results are in qualitative agreement with predictions based on the earlier studies of Howard, Burch, and Williams. Modulation is of use in distinguishing weak absorption bands from background absorption in the atmosphere. In strong absorption bands, the wings are enhanced in the modulated spectrum; in weak bands, the modulated spectrum approximates that obtained by conventional methods. Possible applications of pressure modulation are suggested.
Changes in submaxillary gland ribonucleic acid following hypophysectomy, thyroidectomy and various hormone treatments.

Summary1) A histochemical study of location and concentration of RNA in the major salivary glands was made in animals which had been subjected to various experimental procedures. It was noted that only the acinar portion of the salivary gland exhibited RNA. None was found in the duct portion of any of the 3 major salivary glands. In the hypophysectomized rat RNA is strikingly reduced in the acini of all major salivary glands. Injection of cortisone does not appreciably affect this condition whereas thyroxine and testosterone in combination restore the RNA to normal concentration and location. 2) A progressive loss of thyroid function produced by injecting graded doses of I131 resulted in progressive loss of cytoplasmic RNA. This effect was obtained in submaxillary and sublingual glands. The parotid gland RNA was essentially unaffected by thyroidectomy.
A smoking cessation intervention for the methadone-maintained.

Aim To test, in combination with the nicotine patch, the incremental efficacy of a maximal, tailored behavioral treatment over a minimal treatment for smoking cessation. Design Randomized clinical trial with 6-month follow-up. Setting Five methadone maintenance treatment centers in Rhode Island. Participants Three hundred and eighty-three methadone-maintained smokers. Intervention Participants were assigned randomly to nicotine patch (8–12 weeks) plus either (1) a baseline tailored brief motivational intervention, a quit date behavioral skills counseling session and a relapse prevention follow-up session (Max) or (2) brief advice using the National Cancer Institute's 4 As model (Min). An intent-to-treat analysis with those lost to follow-up assumed to smoke was used. Measurements Carbon monoxide (CO)-confirmed 7-day point smoking cessation prevalence at 3 and 6 months, and self-reported numbers of cigarettes smoked per day. Findings Participants had a mean age of 40 years, were 53% male, 78% Caucasian, smoked 26.7 (± 12.2) cigarettes/day and had a mean methadone dose of 95.5 mg. At 3 months, 317 (83%) were reinterviewed; at 6 months, 312 (82%) were reinterviewed. The intent-to-treat, 7-day point prevalence estimate of cessation was 5.2% in the Max group and 4.7% in the Min group (P = 0.81) at 6 months. In logistic models with treatment condition, age, gender, race, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and cigarettes per day as covariates, males were more likely to be abstinent at 3 months (OR 4.67; P = 0.003) and 6 months (OR 4.01; P = 0.015). Conclusion A tailored behavioral intervention did not increase quit rates over patch and minimal treatment. Smoking cessation rates in methadone-maintained smokers are low, with men having greater success.
Early life nutritional deprivation, persistent alteration of blood and urine amino acids in mice.

SummaryFour of five adult DBA/2J mice subjected to severe protein-calorie malnutrition in early life showed a notable reduction of blood glutamine levels while adult mice who had suffered a less severe nutritional deprivation showed a marked diminution of urinary taurine. It is suggested that there is a persistent metabolic adjustment in response to the need for increased nitrogen retention.I thank Drs. Clark T. Randt and Douglas Gilmour for their valuable advice and constructive criticism. Also acknowledged are Mr. Gaston Veliz, Miss Virginia Hoagland and Miss Carroll Fisher for their technical assistance. This study was supported by the Grant Foundation and the American Institute for Mental Studies.
Interactions between Alcohol and Other Drugs

More than 75% of people age 65 and older use medications. Of the drugs most commonly used by older people, many have potential to interact adversely with alcohol. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and effects of drugs or alcohol may be affected. The major adverse clinical outcomes of drug-alcohol interactions are altered blood levels of the medication or of alcohol, liver toxicity, gastrointestinal inflammation and bleeding, sedation and delirium, disulfiram-like reactions, and interference with the desired effect of medications. Since alcohol is commonly used by elderly people, educating patients about the potential for these interactions should be a routine part of health care visits.