cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth of the Cranial Vault in Rabbits with Congenital Coronal Suture Synostosis

Craniofacial growth data from craniosynostotic children have shown that suture immobilization results in predictable restrictions of cranial vault growth in a direction perpendicular to the affected suture and compensatory growth at sutures perpendicular to the affected one. This study tests these predictions by using rabbits with nonsyndromic congenital coronal suture synostosis. Data were collected from 96 rabbits divided into three groups: 42 unaffected litter mate controls, 33 partially synostosed rabbits, and 21 completely synostosed rabbits. Markers were placed bilaterally on either side of the vault sutures at 1.5 weeks of age. Serial radiographs were taken at 1.5, 6, 12, and 18 weeks of age for assessment of growth at the vault sutures and of various cranial landmarks. Results revealed that completely synostosed animals had significantly (p < .05) shorter cranial vaults, reduced growth at the coronal suture, and increased growth at the sagittal, frontal, and squamosal sutures compared with unaffected rabbits. Results also showed that the calvarial growth observed in this craniosynostotic rabbit model closely reflects predicted compensatory patterns seen in human clinical populations and that this rabbit model is valuable for understanding the pathogeneses and craniofacial growth patterns of humans with premature cranial suture synostosis.
Modeling and Analysis of Thyristor and Diode Reverse Recovery in Railgun Pulsed Power Circuits

As pulsed-power systems used to drive EM launchers evolve from laboratory to operational environments, high- power solid-state devices are emerging as the leading switch technology for these systems. These devices, specifically high-power thyristors and diodes, offer the advantages of improved energy efficiency, reduced volume, and reduced auxiliaries over spark-gaps and ignitrons. Proper application of these devices requires understanding of their behavior both during forward conduction and during reverse recovery. The semiconductor device models available in most circuit simulation software packages do not accurately characterize large power thyristors and diodes for thermal management and snubber design. A semiconductor- device model is presented that captures device reverse- recovery and on-state conduction behavior utilizing a time-varying resistance that depends on the solid-state device properties and operating circuit parameters. The information needed to construct this model can be extracted from the device datasheet or obtained from the manufacturer. This circuit model is used to analyze pulsed-power circuits typically used to drive railguns. Of key interest in these simulations are the voltage transients and energy losses in the solid-state devices during the reverse- recovery process. This behavior is analyzed for different circuit element values and device parameters such as peak reverse current, and reverse recovery charge.
Argento/aurophilic bonding in organosulfur complexes. The molecular and electronic structures of the heterobimetallic complex AgAu(MTP)2

The heterobimetallic complex AgAu(MTP)2 ,( 1), was obtained from the reaction of PPN(Au(MTP)2) with AgNO3 (MTP/ diphenylmethylenethiophosphinate; PPN/bis(triphenyl-phosphoranylidene)ammonium). Compound 1 was found to be isomor- phous with but not isostructural to the previously reported compounds Au2(MTP)2 ,( 2) and Ag2(MTP)2 ,( 3). Surprisingly, 1 has a very short intramolecular Ag/Au distance (2.912 A ˚ ), which is much shorter than the intramolecular metal/metal distances in 2 and 3 ( � /3.0 Ain both). The three compounds form extended one-dimensional chain structures in the solid state. The intermolecular interactions in 1 were found to be Ag/Au interactions (3.635 A ˚ ), as opposed to Au/Au and Ag/Ag interactions. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to study the stability of the geometrical isomers with different coordination modes of the MTP ligand in models of 1/3. Isomers with Ag/C bonds were found much higher in energy than those with Au/C bonds, which explains the stability of 1 and 2, which hav eA u/C bonds, relativ et o3, which has two Ag/C bonds. Dilute solutions of the three compounds showed virtually identical absorption spectra in which the lowest-energy band is due to a p/p* intraligand transition. The electronic spectra for concentrated solutions and the solid state show lower energy bands due to intermolecular interactions. The relative energies of the absorption edge followed the order Au2� /AgAu B/Ag2. DFT calculations demonstrate that monomer models cannot describe this trend. However, DFT calculations for dimer and trimer models of the three compounds give excellent agreement with the experimental results, as the HOMO/LUMO gap follows the same order as the absorption edge. The importance of intermolecular metal/metal interactions is further manifested by the presence of emission bands in the visible region for the three compounds. Crystal data for AgAu(CH2P(S)Ph2)2: monoclinic, space group C 2/c ; Z/8; a/24.384(2) A ˚ ; b/6.5472(6) A ˚ ; c/ 16.4884(18) A ˚ ; b/113.356(5)8. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Algorithms in the Diagnosis and Management of Exotic Diseases. XII. Prevention of Exotic Diseases: Advice to Travelers

Exotic diseases are usually acquired by travelers to exotic places. Many of these diseases can be prevented by consultation with a physician prior to departure. To assess the risk of travel and to institute the necessary prophylactic measures, the physician must obtain the information shown in figure 1. Initially, the purpose of the trip should be ascertained, since the usual tourism and business travel on well-beaten paths tend to be associated with little risk. The destinations should be
Growth factor and oncogene signalling pathways as targets for rational anticancer drug development

There is a critical need for new targets, in addition to DNA, for anticancer drug development. A recently discovered target is the intracellular signalling pathways that mediate the actions of gowth factors and oncogenes on cell proliferation. Two important pathways, the myo -inositol and protein tyrosine kinase signalling pathways are reviewed. Three classes of compounds that modulate myo -inositol signalling are discussed. These are: 1) the D-3-substituted-3-deoxy- myo -inositol analogues that act as antimetabolites of myo -inositol and show selective growth inhibition of some transformed cells; 2) the alkaloid staurosporine that acts as a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C and of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity; 3) the ether lipid analogues that block growth factor signalling at several points by acting as inhibitors of protein kinase C, phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C and inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate-induced Ca 2+ release. It is suggested that inhibition of signalling pathways may explain the growth inhibitory effects of these compounds. Other potential signalling target sites for anticancer drug development are discussed.
Preoperative concurrent paclitaxel-radiation in locally advanced breast cancer: pathologic response correlates with five-year overall survival

We have previously demonstrated high pathologic response rates after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). We now report disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the context of pathologic response. 105 LABC patients (White 46%, Non-White 54%) were treated with paclitaxel (30 mg/m2 intravenously twice a week) for 10–12 weeks. Daily radiotherapy was delivered to breast, axillary, and supraclavicular lymph nodes during weeks 2–7 of paclitaxel treatment, at 1.8 Gy per fraction to a total dose of 45 Gy with a tumor boost of 14 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction. Pathological complete response (pCR) was defined as the absence of invasive cancer in breast and lymph nodes and pathological partial response (pPR) as the persistence of <10 microscopic foci of invasive carcinoma in breast or lymph nodes. Pathologic response (pCR and pPR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation was achieved in 36/105 patients (34%) and was associated with significantly better DFS and OS. Pathological responders had a lower risk of recurrence or death (HR = 0.35, P = 0.01) and a longer OS (HR = 4.27, P = 0.01) compared with non-responders. Median DFS and OS were 57 and 84 months for non-responders, respectively, and have not yet been reached for responders. Importantly, pathologic response was achieved in 54% of patients with HR negative tumors (26/48). In conclusion, pathologic response to concurrent paclitaxel-radiation translated into superior DFS and OS. Half of the patients with HR negative tumors achieved a pathologic response.
Mating Call Phonotaxis in Female American Toads: Lesions of Central Auditory System

Female American toads were tested for mating call phonotaxis (prostaglandin-induced) after brain lesions. The pretrigeminal nucleus, all of the telencephalon (except the preoptic area and immediately
Experimental small-bowel homografts.

Small-bowel homografts were transplanted into 18 adult mongrel dogs. Immediately, the transplanted bowel assumed a normal color and exhibited vigorous peristalsis. Seven of the recipient animals died as a result of circulatory arrest involving the superior mesenteric vein, while the remainder of the animals (except 1) died as a result of changes associated with the homograft rejection phenomenon. The technic is sufficiently advanced to permit the successful homotrans-plantation of small bowel. Intestinal homotransplants satisfactorily withstood periods of ischemia of sufficient length to ensure the satisfactory execution of necessary technical details. Successful clinical utilization of small-bowel homotransplants will follow the solution of the complex problems associated with the rejection phenomenon.
Elastic scattering of hydrogen atoms at low temperatures.

The elastic scattering of two hydrogen atoms interacting at very small energies is explored numerically using the most accurate potential-energy curves available for the X $^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{g}}^{+}$ and $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}$ states of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$. The scattering lengths and low-temperature-averaged cross sections are determined and compared with previous calculations. The scattering lengths are 0.41${\mathit{a}}_{0}$ for the singlet case and 1.91${\mathit{a}}_{0}$ for the triplet. The predicted total triplet cross section at 2 K is 5.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ but it could be lower, at 4.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, with a different fit to the triplet potential between 12${\mathit{a}}_{0}$ and 15${\mathit{a}}_{0}$. A more accurate triplet-state potential is needed at these separations.
Antichemokine immunotherapy for allergic diseases

Chemokines have emerged as critical regulators of leukocyte function and as such represent attractive new targets for the therapy of allergic diseases. Recent studies have revealed important roles for the chemokine family in both the afferent and efferent limbs of the immune system, orchestrating and integrating innate and acquired immune responses. A subset of chemokines including eotaxin-1 (also called CCL11), eotaxin-2 (CCL24), eotaxin-3 (CCL26), MCP (monocyte chemoattractant protein)-3 (CCL7), MCP (monocyte chemoattractant protein)-4 (CCL13), TARC (thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine) (CCL17), and MDC (macrophage-derived chemokine) (CCL22) are highly expressed in allergic inflammation and are regulated by T helper type 2 cytokines. Receptors for these chemokines, including CCR3 (CC chemokine receptor 3), CCR4 (CC chemokine receptor 4) and CCR8 (CC chemokine receptor 8) are expressed on key leukocytes associated with allergic inflammation, such as T helper type 2 cells, eosinophils, mast cells and basophils, establishing a subset of chemokine/chemokine receptors potentially important in allergic inflammation. Recent data using inhibitory antibodies and chemokine antagonists support the concept that interfering with this subset of chemokines and their receptors represents a new approach to allergy immunotherapy.
Inhibition of non-reversible d-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from pea shoots by l-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate

Abstract A non-reversible d -glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase which does not require phosphate for activity has been partially purified from pea shoots. The substrates for the enzyme are d -glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and NADP. Strong inhibition is caused by l -glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate.
Radiation dermatitis after spinal arteriovenous malformation embolization: case report

Few cases of radiation injury related to lengthy interventional neuroradiologic procedures have been reported, although concern has been heightened, as evidenced by a 1994 FDA Public Health Advisory. We report a case of radiation-induced dermatitis in a patient undergoing multiple diagnostic and embolization procedures for treatment of a spinal arteriovenous malformation.
Digital image processing at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory part II — Biomedical applications

The biomedical image analysis system at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory is being developed specifically to aid in the cytophotometric analysis of human chromosomes. Chromosomes carry genetic information in the form of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Our goal is to measure the amount of DNA in each of the 46 chromosomes in normal human cells, and to use such measurements to detect any departures from normal that may be associated with disease or aging, or with exposure to radiation, drugs, pollutants, or other noxious agents.
The existence of rational expectations equilibria in a large economy with noisy price observations

Abstract Non-revealing rational expectations equilibria exist in microeconomic pure exchange economies in which a continuum of uninformed agents have suitably distributed noisy price observations. Slight dispersion in the prices observed by the subset of uninformed consumers is the key condition for continuity (and smoothness) of aggregate excess demand, although individual demands are discontinuous. It leads to equilibria in which markets approximately clear in a strong sense. The equilibria are obtained by applying a fixed point argument to state-dependent excess demand functions.
Metastasis: wherefore arf thou?

Summary The small GTP-binding protein Arf6 is known to be an important regulator of the actin cytoskeleton and of cell motility associated with metastasis. A recent study identifies yet another role for Arf6 in metastasis — as a regulator of plasma-membrane-derived microvesicle release.
The impact of age on reproductive potential: lessons learned from oocyte donation

Abstract Objective: Oocyte donation allows a unique opportunity to separately study the effect of aging on uterine receptivity and oocyte quality. The purpose of this report is to review the published experience on reproductive aging in both laboratory animals and humans as it pertains to oocyte and embryo donation. Methods: A review of the published medical literature. Results: Natural fertility rates decline in most animals with age, becoming dramatically apparent in women as they enter the fifth decade of life. By the time of the perimenopause, pregnancy rarely occurs, whether or not assisted reproductive techniques are initiated. However, if oocytes are donated by young women to older women, both embryo implantation and pregnancy rates are restored to normal levels in recipients. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest the pregnancy wastage experienced by older women is largely a result of degenerative changes within the aging oocyte, rather than senescent changes in the uterus. The poor prognosis for fertility in older women can be reversed through oocyte donation from younger individuals.
Electrophoresis of isolated mitochondria.

Abstract Isolated respiring mitochondria suspended in an isotonic medium migrate to the anode when they are exposed to an electric field. A simple method has been devised to visualize this electrical property of the organelles utilizing a modified zone electrophoresis technique. Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation inhibit this anaphoretic property of isolated mitochondria.
Discovering the discovery of the No-Search Approach

No-Search Approach is a component of Linguistic Geometry (LG), a type of game theory for extensive discrete games scalable to the level of real life defense systems. LG is a formal model of human reasoning about armed conflict, a mental reality “hard-wired” in the human brain. LG, an evolutionary product of millions of years of human warfare, must be a component of the Primary Language of the human brain (as introduced by J. Von Neumann). Experiences of development of LG must be instructive for solving another major puzzle, discovering the algorithm of discovery, yet another ancient component of the Primary Language. This paper reports results on discovering mental processes involved in the development of the major result in LG, the No-Search Approach. Those mental processes manifesting execution of the algorithm of discovery are called visual streams. It seems that those streams are the only interface of the algorithm of discovery. This paper demonstrates a typical situation in discoveries in mathematics and computer science when the original result (an idea) has been envisioned via one type of semi-formal visual streams and later proved via different streams that involve formal mathematical theories.
Adopting Local Climate Policies: What Have California Cities Done and Why?

Climate action at the local level represents an important and unique complement to global and national-level policies. This study provides one of the first systematic analyses of local climate acti...
Robust Control for Microgravity Vibration Isolation using Fixed Order, Mixed H2/Mu Design

Many space-science experiments need an active isolation system to provide a sufficiently quiescent microgravity environment. Modern control methods provide the potential for both high-performance and robust stability in the presence of parametric uncertainties that are characteristic of microgravity vibration isolation systems. While H2 and H(infinity) methods are well established, neither provides the levels of attenuation performance and robust stability in a compensator with low order. Mixed H2/H(infinity), controllers provide a means for maximizing robust stability for a given level of mean-square nominal performance while directly optimizing for controller order constraints. This paper demonstrates the benefit of mixed norm design from the perspective of robustness to parametric uncertainties and controller order for microgravity vibration isolation. A nominal performance metric analogous to the mu measure, for robust stability assessment is also introduced in order to define an acceptable trade space from which different control methodologies can be compared.
Is drowning a serious public health problem in Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China? - results from a retrospective population-based survey, 2004-2005

The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of fatal drowning in Guangdong Province during the period 2004-2005. Twelve areas were randomly chosen by stratified cluster sampling, and a retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2006 to collect death cases during the 2004-2005 period. Causes of death relating to drowning were coded according to International Classification of Diseases, the tenth version. During 2004-2005, 849 unintentional drowning deaths occurred, representing a drowning rate of 5.6/100,000 per year. The rate was higher in rural areas (6.4/100,000) than in city (3.7/100,000), and the rate ratio of male to female was 1.5. The elderly aged 80 years and over and children aged 5-9 years had higher mortalities among all age groups, representing rates of 28.8 and 11.0 per 100,000 person years. For children aged 5-9 years, deaths from drowning accounted for the highest proportion (62.5%) of all injury deaths. The most common site of drowning was natural bodies of water (60.8%), and summer was the highest risk season for drowning. The results suggest drowning is an important public health problem, and it primarily threatens children in Guangdong province. Drowning intervention programs should be a health priority in Guangdong province.
Grazing intensity influences the strength of an associational refuge on temperate reefs

Recent studies have emphasized the role of positive interactions in ecological communities, but few have addressed how positive interactions are mediated by abiotic stress and biotic interactions. Here, I investigate the effect of a facilitator species on the abundance of macroalgae over a gradient of herbivory. Grazing by sea urchins can be intense on temperate reefs along the California coast, with benthic macroalgae growing exclusively in physical refuges and interspersed within colonies of the strawberry anemone, Corynactis californica. Field experiments indicated that the net effect of C. californica on turf algae was strongly nonlinear over a gradient in density of sea urchins. At low intensities of urchin grazing, the anemone and macroalgae competed for space, with algae capable of overgrowing C. californica. At intermediate grazing intensities, C. californica provided a refuge for turf algae but not for juvenile kelp. Neither turf algae nor kelp benefited from the presence of C. californica at the highest levels of grazing intensity, as sea urchins consumed nearly all macroalgae. The hump-shaped effect observed for C. californica contrasts with the prevailing view in ecological theory that positive interactions are more common in harsh environmental conditions. The results reported here qualify this view and underscore the need to evaluate positive interactions over a range of abiotic stress and consumer pressure.
Timing of terrane accretion in eastern and east-central Maine

The Norumbega fault zone is often cited as a post-Acadian suture between exotic blocks, even though stratigraphic, structural, and metamorphic data indicate that there is little offset of the Silurian-Devonian strata that the zone cuts in eastern Maine. Similarly, the Kingman fault zone has been shown by gravity and geochemical studies to separate distinct crustal blocks, whereas mapping shows that it lies entirely within a Silurian turbidite package. These conflicts are resolved if the two fault zones represent boundaries between Ordovician or older crustal blocks that had accreted to form a composite terrane prior to deposition of the cover sequences. The faults now mapped within these younger rocks formed by reactivation of the pre-Silurian boundaries during late Acadian time; movement continued until the late Carboniferous. Most of the accretionary history of Maine had thus ended before the Silurian. A complex composite terrane may have formed during Cambrian-Ordovician time that (1) interacted with cratonic North America during the Taconian orogeny and (2) became the “basement” upon which the Silurian and Lower Devonian strata of eastern Maine were deposited.
mGlu5 receptors are involved in the discriminative stimulus effects of self-administered ethanol in rats.

Recent work has identified a role for metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) in the discriminative stimulus properties of investigator-administered ethanol. The purpose of this study was to determine if mGlu5 receptors modulate the discriminative stimulus properties of self-administered ethanol. Results show that the mGlu5 receptor antagonist 6-Methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP; 10 mg/kg) inhibited the discriminative stimulus properties of consumed ethanol during a self-administration test session. Further, 10 mg/kg MPEP increased and 1 mg/kg MPEP decreased the amount of self-administered ethanol required to produce full substitution. These results indicate that mGlu5 receptors are involved in the expression of the discriminative stimulus properties of self-administered ethanol.
Observation of phase fluctuations and electron-electron scattering in weakly disordered superconducting aluminum films.

Phase fluctuations and electron-electron scattering in weakly disordered, two-dimensional superconducting Al films have been observed through their effects on the resistance of low-resistance Al-${\mathrm{AlO}}_{\mathrm{x}}$-Cu tunnel junctions. These are the uniform-film analog of the fluctuations in percolating films and in Josephson junctions. Disorder-enhanced electron-electron scattering has the magnitude and temperature dependence expected theoretically.
A Factorial Study of the Moral Content Components Test

The Moral Content Components Test was administered to 425 students enrolled at Brigham Young and Iowa State Universities and their parents. Through a factor analysis it was found that the eight component scales described by Boyce and Jensen could be reduced to three factors. The three moral content factors were Act, Rule, and Deontological orientations. These three factors are viewed as the fundamental units of the theoretical model proposed by Boyce and Jensen.
Myth as political and social performance

Abstract Myth is a narrative that can preserve or alter social and political structures by its authoritative utterance under appropriate conditions. This kind of narrative shares the same normative rules as perlocutionary or performative speech acts. A performative is a category of speech act which, by its very pronouncement, can change a person's role, status or identity, or an object's significance or meaning. Speech acts have the performative power to change behavior if they are institutionalized and taken seriously by a community.
Boltzmann-equation approach to the negative magnetoresistance of ferromagnetic-normal-metal multilayers.

The Boltzmann equation is solved for a system consisting of a ferromagnetic--normal-metal--ferromagnetic metallic trilayer. The in-plane conductance of the film is calculated for two configurations: the ferromagnetic layers aligned (i) parallel and (ii) antiparallel to each other. The results explain the giant negative magnetoresistance encountered in these systems when an initial antiparallel arrangement is changed into a parallel configuration by application of an external magnetic field. The calculation depends on (a) geometric parameters (the thicknesses of the layers), (b) intrinsic metal parameters (number of conduction electrons, magnetization, and effective masses in the layers), (c) bulk sample properties (conductivity relaxation times), (d) interface scattering properties (diffuse scattering versus potential scattering at the interfaces), and (e) outer surface scattering properties (specular versus diffuse surface scattering). For perfect specular scattering at the surfaces the problem becomes identical to an infinite multilayer, periodic system. It is found that a large negative magnetoresistance requires, in general, considerable asymmetry in the interface scattering for the two spin orientations. All qualitative features of the experiments are reproduced. Quantitative agreement can be achieved with sensible values of the parameters. The effect can be conceptually explained based on considerations of phase-space availability for an electron of a given spinmore » orientation as it travels through the multilayer sample in the various configurations.« less
My Team Members Are Everywhere! A Critical Analysis of the Emerging Literature on Dispersed Teams

Workforce expansions in terms of dispersed teams have enabled social service organizations to meet objectives anywhere. This article critically analyzes the emerging literature on dispersed teams, the relevance of a transformational leadership style, and resulting implications for future research.
Growth of juvenile Macrocystis pyrifera (Laminariales) in relation to environmental factors

Instantaneous relative growth rates, μ (d-1), were measured for juveniles of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera transplanted to study sites in Southern California kelp forests between 1978 and 1982. Growth rates ranged from negative values (indicating loss of tissue) to 0.03 (doubling of total frond length every 19 d). Multiple regression analysis of growth versus irradiation, temperature, nitrogen concentration and amount of fouling revealed that all these factors had significant effects, together accounting for about 50% of the total variance. Elevated irradiation and nitrogen levels had strongly stimulatory effects (tissue nitrogen may have been more critical than ambient nitrogen for growth), while high temperature and fouling had strongly inhibitory effects. Irradiation was the most important factor influencing growth in 6 of the 8 transplant experiments. During these 6 experiments, the compensating irradiation level (below which there was no growth) was between 0.4 and 0.7 E m-2 d-1, and saturating irradiation was between 2 and 3 E m-2 d-1. During two of the experiments, growth was apparently limited by extremely high temperatures or low nitrogen levels. Quantum irradiation levels in the kelp forest were generally between the compensation and saturation levels. However, irradiation levels occasionally dropped below the compensation point for several months. Irradiation was occasionally low enough to limit the distribution of juvenile kelp by inhibiting growth, especially in the deeper portions of the kelp forest and under dense canopies formed by adult plants.
Proteases stimulate mouse erythroleukemia cell differentiation and multiplication

Abstract Seventeen different commercially available proteases stimulate both mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cell differentiation and multiplication. These are the first enzymes shown to stimulate these processes in Friend leukemia virus-infected MEL cells. The induction of differentiation by proteases can be synergistically enhanced by the addition of low concentrations of dimethyl sylfoxide or other low molecular weight inducers. Since proteases are the first inducers of differentiation with a known biochemical function, their study should facilitate the understanding of the molecular mechanism of this process.
STUDY OF THE HORMONAL CONTROL OF BODY AND ORGAN SIZE IN RATS WITH MAMMOTROPIC TUMORS.

Rats bearing large transplantable pituitary tumors (MtT) have high blood levels of prolactin, growth hormone and ACTH, which produce large mammary glands, accelerated body growth with splanchnomegaly, atrophy of the pituitary gland and ovaries to weights of less than 50 % of normal and virtual disappearance of the thymus and of body (white) fat. Adrenal weight, which increased 8-fold, was found to be correlated directly with the weight of the kidney, and with the logarithm of the weight of the liver and of the heart. All organ weights are expressed as a function of body weight. When rats with MtT were thyroidectomized, tumor growth was retarded; body and gut length and the weights of the body, spleen and preputial gland remained normal; the increased weights of the liver and kidney were reduced toward normal; the reduced weights of the pituitary, ovary and white fat were increased toward normal. The effects of the hormones from the tumor were present but were quantitatively altered by the absence of thyro...
Diet analysis of burbot (Lota lota) from eastern Lake Michigan: 1996–2012

Burbot (Lota lota) stomach content was analyzed from eastern Lake Michigan using 835 stomach samples collected from 1996 to 2012. Our results show alteration in the prey community consumed between the early study period (1996–2006) and the more recent period (2007–2012). In the early years, alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), and mottled sculpin (C. bairdii) were the most important prey items, with regional variation suggesting greater use of Cottus spp. in the southern lake sites compared to northern sites where alewives were predominant. Non-native round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) replaced Cottus spp. and alewives as the most frequently found prey item in the more recent years in the dataset, and other minor constituents of the prey assemblage nearly disappeared from the stomach samples. Round gobies first appeared in the diet in 1999 and became frequent by 2006, reaching 55.80% (±5.36) in 2012. The dominance of round goby as prey for burbot is important for the transfer of benthic nutrients into the upper food web in Lake Michigan. Our data highlight the striking food web shift linked to the non-native species invasion that has taken place in Lake Michigan since 2000 and emphasize its impact on native predator ecology.
Develop Oral Presentation Skills through Accounting Curriculum Design and Course-Embedded Assessment.

At present, oral communication and presentation skills are important components of accounting education. Students can improve their oral presentation skills when they know the expectations for effective presentations, give multiple group and individual presentations, and experience consistent instructor feedback. The authors use a case study methodology to describe a systematic approach to embed team and individual presentations in undergraduate and graduate accounting courses, include presentation competency descriptors, present an oral presentation assessment rubric with selected outcomes, and conclude with a discussion of the observed strengths and weaknesses of the case study.
Selected Resources for College Teachers of Psychology

Psychologists who teach in undergraduate programs are among the primary constituents of several organizations and offices that operate at the national level. Among these groups are the American Psychological Association (APA), APA's Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE), APA's Division Two, the APA headquarters office, the Council of Undergraduate Psychology Departments (CUPD), Psi Chi, and Psi Beta. By reviewing each organization's programs and publications this article introduces academic psychologists to valuable resources for their professional development.
Transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure for secondary prevention of paradoxical embolic events: acute results from the FORECAST registry.

Patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and paradoxical embolism are at increased risk for recurrent events. Percutaneous PFO closure is a new treatment modality aimed at secondary prevention. We report the multicenter experience of interventional closure of PFO using two different devices in 272 patients. The mean age was 51 ± 14.2 years and 52.9% were males. The implantation procedure resulted in an initial complete shunt closure rate of 74.3% with a periprocedural complication rate of 6.6%. There were no deaths or pericardial tamponade. The mean procedure time was less than 44 min under either conscious sedation, local or general anesthesia. This is the largest report to date demonstrating the procedural safety, reliability, and feasibility of the transcatheter PFO closure technique with the STARFlex and CardioSEAL septal implants. Randomized clinical trials are currently in progress to identify patients most likely to benefit from this intervention. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;62:512–516. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Studies on multicomponent solids mixing and mixtures II. Estimation of mixing index and contact number by spot sampling of a multicomponent mixture in an incompletely mixed state

A Dirichlet-multinomial model is proposed for the distribution of the random vector (Y1, Y2,…, Yp) in a spot sample of size n from a multicomponent mixture in an incompletely mixed state where Yj (j = 1, 2,…, p) denotes the number of particles of component Aj. Estimates of model parameters are derived and a mixing index based on contact number is defined. Computer simulations are included to support the effectiveness of the derived model.
High-resolution 3D imaging of surface damage sites in fused silica with optical coherence tomography

In this work, we present the first successful demonstration of a non-contact technique to precisely measure the 3D spatial characteristics of laser induced surface damage sites in fused silica for large aperture laser systems by employing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). What makes OCT particularly interesting in the characterization of optical materials for large aperture laser systems is that its axial resolution can be maintained with working distances greater than 5 cm, whether viewing through air or through the bulk of thick optics. Specifically, when mitigating surface damage sites against further growth by CO{sub 2} laser evaporation of the damage, it is important to know the depth of subsurface cracks below the damage site. These cracks are typically obscured by the damage rubble when imaged from above the surface. The results to date clearly demonstrate that OCT is a unique and valuable tool for characterizing damage sites before and after the mitigation process. We also demonstrated its utility as an in-situ diagnostic to guide and optimize our process when mitigating surface damage sites on large, high-value optics.
Modulation of multiple photon energies by use of surface plasmons.

A form of optical modulation at low pulse rates is reported in the case of surface plasmons excited by 1.55?µm photons in a thin gold foil. Several visible-photon energies are shown to be pulsed by the action of the infrared pulses, the effect being maximized when each visible beam also excites surface plasmons. The infrared surface plasmons are implicated as the primary cause of thermally induced changes in the foil. The thermal effects dissipate in sufficiently small times so that operation up to the kilohertz range in pulse repetition frequency is obtained. Unlike direct photothermal phenomena, no phase change is necessary for the effect to be observed.
Stimulating student interest in optics via a versatile optics demonstration laboratory

Funding from a NSF-ILI grant has been used to establish an Optics and Laser Demonstration Laboratory at Murray State University. This facility is proving to be very versatile, with experiments and demonstrations supporting undergraduate courses in geometrical and physical optics, modern physics, and an advanced laboratory instrumentation course. The lab includes a CCD camera system which is used by upper level students to investigate diffraction effects, signal/noise ratios of detection systems, and efficiency of binary optical elements. Also, the lab supports two new courses which have been developed to accompany the grant. One course, Laser Physics, is for upper level physics majors, while the second course, Light and Lasers in Action, will use optical phenomena to introduce physical concepts to non-majors of various disciplines. The lab is receiving recognition as the centerpiece for departmental outreach into the public schools. Local elementary, middle, and high school classes visit the lab on field trips and are given demonstrations in optics and lasers. Faculty also transport lab equipment to area schools for demonstrations, and have loaned equipment to schools for use in the classroom and at science fairs. The content, activities, and reception of the lab are described.
Technical Variations in Low-Input RNA-seq Methodologies

Recent advances in RNA-seq methodologies from limiting amounts of mRNA have facilitated the characterization of rare cell-types in various biological systems. So far, however, technical variations in these methods have not been adequately characterized, vis-a-vis sensitivity, starting with reduced levels of mRNA. Here, we generated sequencing libraries from limiting amounts of mRNA using three amplification-based methods, viz. Smart-seq, DP-seq and CEL-seq, and demonstrated significant technical variations in these libraries. Reduction in mRNA levels led to inefficient amplification of the majority of low to moderately expressed transcripts. Furthermore, noise in primer hybridization and/or enzyme incorporation was magnified during the amplification step resulting in significant distortions in fold changes of the transcripts. Consequently, the majority of the differentially expressed transcripts identified were either high-expressed and/or exhibited high fold changes. High technical variations ultimately masked subtle biological differences mandating the development of improved amplification-based strategies for quantitative transcriptomics from limiting amounts of mRNA.
Combined chemical and biosynthetic route to access a new apoptolidin congener.

Glycosylation of a synthetic aglycone using precursor-directed biosynthesis is facilitated by a chemical ketosynthase “knockdown” of the apoptolidin producer Nocardiopsis sp. This synthetic approach facilitated the preparation of an unnatural disaccharide derivative of apoptolidin D that substantially restores cytotoxicity against H292 cells and deconvolutes the role of the decorating sugars in apoptolidin bioactivity.
Stressors on the Childbearing Family

Bronfenbrenner's model of the ecology of human development is used as a framework for organizing and examining research on stressors in childbearing families. The stressors identified are classified using the four systems in the model. The patterns that emerge are used to identify trends for research and to suggest appropriate nursing interventions from each system that may be used by nurses in their care of childbearing families.
Water permeability of bilipid membranes in presence of nitric acid and nitrogen dioxide

The water permeabilities of phosphotidyl choline bilipid membranes have been measured in absence and presence of nitric acid and N02 respectively. The permeability coefficients increase on addition of nitric acid but decrease eventually to zero on addition of nitrogen dioxide. These results have a bearing on respiration processes involving membranes of the alveoli in the lung and also membranes of blood capillaries.
Optimizing treatment for chronic congestive heart failure in children.

Treatment strategies for chronic heart failure in children have generally been extrapolated from studies in adults with heart failure. This presentation reviews the existing knowledge and recommendations regarding the treatment of chronic heart failure in adults and the information that is available
Queues with group arrivals and exhaustive service discipline

Queues with compound Poisson arrivals, phase-type service and exhaustive service discipline are studied. An algorithmic method is developed to compute the steady-state probability distribution of the number of customers in the system with unlimited or limited queue capacities. Examples with different model parameters are given to show the computational efficiency of the method. In the Appendix, the stochastic decomposition property for the queues with single arrivals and with exhaustive service discipline is extended to queues with group arrivals.
Quantitative trait loci for peripheral blood cell counts: a study in baboons.

Increasingly, baseline peripheral blood cell counts are implicated as risk factors for common complex diseases. While genetic influences on these hematologic parameters are firmly established, the genetic architecture of the blood counts is still poorly understood. In this article we used data from 582 healthy pedigreed baboons and variance components methods to localize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing complete blood count variables. Besides performing genome-wide linkage scans for each trait individually, we conducted bivariate linkage analyses for all pairwise trait combinations to also identify pleiotropic QTLs influencing several blood counts. While significant and suggestive QTLs were localized throughout the genome (LOD range: 1.5–3.5), chromosomal regions associated with the expression of various hematologic parameters stand out. In particular, our results provide significant and consistent evidence for a QTL on the orthologous human chromosome 1p that is shared by several blood counts, mainly erythrocyte parameters. In addition, multiple suggestive evidence of linkage was detected on the orthologous human chromosomes 10 (near the q-terminus) and 19 (centromeric section). Future studies should help identify the genes responsible for these QTL and elucidate their role on baseline variation in hematologic indicators of health and disease.
Characterization of prototype perforated semiconductor neutron detectors

Abstract Semiconductor detectors whose surfaces are coated with neutron-reactive material can be made to detect thermal neutrons, but with efficiencies only of a few percent. However, perforating the semiconductor material, filling the perforations with neutron-reactive material, and then coating the detector surface can lead to neutron detectors of much higher thermal neutron detection efficiencies, perhaps approaching or exceeding 50%. Several perforated semiconductor neutron detectors have been constructed, both for dosimetry and for position-sensitive neutron detection. The characterization of prototype devices based on these detectors is described.
Adrenal insufficiency occurring during septic shock: incidence, outcome, and relationship to peripheral cytokine levels

Purpose In patients with septic shock, to (1) determine the incidence of adrenal insufficiency (AI), (2) observe the effects of glucocorticoid therapy on outcome in those with impaired adrenal function, and (3) investigate a possible correlation between adrenal function and peripheral cytokine levels. Patients and methods Twenty-one patients admitted to the medical and surgical intensive care unit with septic shock and 11 healthy volunteers were studied. Cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured before and after infusion of low (1 μg) and standard doses (250 μg) of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) within 24 hours of the diagnosis of septic shock. Patients with subnormal adrenal responses to ACTH were treated with stress doses of steroids. Hormone, cytokine, and survival data in patients with normal response were compared to those with subnormal adrenal function. Results Five patients (23.8%) exhibited AI by ACTH stimulation testing. Three of them received steroid supplementation with rapid improvement in hemodynamic parameters. Autopsies of 2 patients with AI revealed intact adrenal cortices. Sixteen patients had adequate adrenal responses (AAR) to the standard-dose ACTH infusion. TNF-α levels were inversely correlated with mean arterial pressure (MAP) ( r = −.52, P = 0.038) in AAR but not AI. There was no difference in mean peripheral TNF-α levels between AAR and AI. There was no correlation between TNF-α levels and mortality or adrenal function in those with septic shock. A trend toward lower IL-6 levels in AI suggests a link between reduced IL-6 levels and understimulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis in this group. Mortality in patients with AI was 80% at 4 weeks as compared with 43.8% in the group with normal adrenal response. Conclusions Adrenal hyporesponsiveness is a feature of septic shock in some patients. Its etiology is probably complex. Steroid supplementation appeared to improve short-term survival when AI occurred, although these patients' overall mortality was worse than that of patients with septic shock and AAR. The standard-dose (250 μg) rapid ACTH infusion test was adequate for detecting AI. Adrenal insufficiency should be suspected in patients with septic shock who do not respond to conventional treatment. Performing the ACTH infusion test and initiating a trial of stress doses of glucocorticoids pending the results is a reasonable strategy in this situation.