cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of themes as retrieval cues in children's memory for stories

Abstract Developmental changes in the use of themes as retrieval cues were examined by having children and adults listen to stories containing two themes. One theme was summarized in a theme-statement prior to story presentation. After an initial recall test, either the old theme-statement was repeated or the alternate theme-statement was presented, and a second recall test was given. In Experiment 1, kindergartners demonstrated theme-switching. On the second recall test, they recalled old-theme information better than new-theme information following the old theme-statement, whereas this pattern was reversed following the new theme-statement. Limited evidence for theme switching was found for second-graders, but no evidence was found for fourth-graders. In Experiment 2, adults also failed to switch themes in both an immediate and a delayed recall condition. The results support developmental differences in the use of story themes as retrieval plans. Adults and fourth-graders but not younger children spontaneously generated thematic retrieval plans which enabled them to remember information from both themes, thus their recall was not influenced by the thematic retrieval cues.
High-Energy Shock Waves: In Vitro Effects

To date, there have been multiple studies on the effects of high-energy shock waves (HESW) on benign and malignant cells under in vitro conditions. The major problem in comparing and contrasting these studies has been the wide range of mechanical, biological, and analytical variables facing the investigator. However, if one takes the time to select out only those studies in which a wide range of experimental variables have been defined or controlled, then it becomes possible to begin to understand the effects of HESW on cells in vitro. With this in mind, the literature has been thoroughly reviewed. It would appear that HESW do cause cellular damage regardless of the cells's doubling time. The cell damage is likely due to the impact of cavitation and the attendant shear forces and jets that are produced by the shock wave as it passes through the cell suspension. The damage occurs both at the cell membrane and within the cell itself. With regard to the latter, it would appear that the mitochondria are most sensitive to HESW; however, damage also occurs within the nucleus and along the endoplasmic reticulum and in other cell organelles (eg, lyosomes). Applications of HESW to other clinical situations are currently being studied. One example of interest is the in vitro combination of chemotherapeutic agents and HESW to enhance the effect of a specific chemotherapeutic regimen on a given tumor cell line. Several investigators have noted a beneficial effect of this combination therapy in vitro; however, similar favorable results have not been obtained when the same or similar tumor system was studied in vivo.
Origin of hummingbird faunas

Abstract Ecological studies of hummingbird communities have emphasized the importance of local conditions and contemporary interactions in the development of these varied faunas. A time-calibrated, DNA hybridization-based phylogeny of the principal hummingbird lineages was used to examine historical aspects of hummingbird faunas in the species-rich tropical lowlands and Andes, and the relatively depauperate West Indies and temperate regions of Central and North America. Parsimony reconstructions of ancestral distributions indicate that these faunas are polyphyletic in origin, comprising several to many independent lineages. Based on the timing of geologic and cladogenic events, hummingbird faunas appear to have arisen more often by colonization than by large-scale vicariance, with multiple dispersals across water gaps, elevational gradients, and latitude. The extent to which particular lineages colonized different regions depended, however, on lineage ecology as well as on the habitat and age of the fauna. In general, the oldest extant trochilofauna, which today occupies the tropical lowlands, was the principal source of colonizing taxa. However, all regions except possibly the West Indies contributed taxa now found elsewhere, including in the tropical lowlands. The Andean fauna comprises several lineages with lowland origin (hermits, Mangoes, Brilliants, Coquettes, Emeralds) as well as at least one that arose in temperate regions outside South America (Bees). At least two lineages that colonized the West Indies gave rise to endemic genera (Mangoes to Eulampis , and Emeralds to Orthorhyncus ). Even groups that diversified in the highlands (Brilliants and Bees) gave rise to taxa that subsequently reinvaded the tropical lowlands. As the result of these varied histories, hummingbird communities cannot be arranged easily with respect to organizational complexity and coevolution with nectar sources. Although the physically insular faunas in the Andes and West Indies differ markedly in diversity, both were more strongly affected by colonization than the other faunas. A high potential for coevolution between hummingbirds and plants probably facilitated the successful establishment and radiation of the several Andean-associated lineages. However, coexistence between the two most diverse Andean clades may have been favoured initially through different habitat preferences by their extra-Andean ancestors. In the tropical lowlands, by comparison, the basic separation between the forest-dwelling hermits and canopy and edge-dwelling nonhermits appears to have evolved in situ. The low species and morphologic diversity of hummingbirds breeding north of Mexico reflects the predominance there of a single relatively recent lineage. The regional coexistence of numerous unrelated lineages implies that patterns of ancestry, colonization, and extinction contribute to the make-up of contemporary species-rich hummingbird faunas and serves to qualify the view that hummingbird communities are coadapted assemblages that resist change.
Asymptotic expansions for transmission eigenvalues for media with small inhomogeneities

We consider the transmission eigenvalue problem for an inhomogeneous medium containing a finite number of diametrically small inhomogeneities of different refractive index. We prove a convergence result for the transmission eigenvalues and eigenvectors corresponding to media with small homogeneities as the diameter of small inhomogeneities goes to zero. In addition we derive rigorously a formula for the perturbations in the real transmission eigenvalues caused by the presence of these small inhomogeneities.
An open-label, prospective trial of cryospray ablation for Barrett's esophagus high-grade dysplasia and early esophageal cancer in high-risk patients

Background Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a treatment option for patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and intramucosal carcinoma (IMCA). Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of a unique noncontact method of liquid nitrogen cryoablation as measured by histologic response rate and cancer-free survival. Design Single-center, nonrandomized cohort study. Setting Referral center, conducted between September 2005 and September 2008. Patients Patients with BE and HGD or IMCA who were deemed inoperable or who refused esophagectomy. Age, length of BE, and previous ablation were not exclusion criteria. Intervention Cryoablation every 6 weeks until endoscopic resolution. EMR was used for pathologic staging of nodular areas before cryoablation and focal residual areas during the follow-up period. Main Outcome Measurements Histologic response was defined by the worst pathology obtained at any level of the esophagus or gastric cardia in 1 of 3 categories: (1) incremental=absence of HGD and IMCA in all biopsy specimens, (2) partial=residual IMCA with absence of any dysplasia, and (3) complete=absence of any intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia. Results Thirty patients underwent ablation; 9 had undergone previous ablation or mucosectomy. Twenty-seven of 30 patients (90%) had downgrading of pathology stage after treatment. Elimination of cancer or downgrading of HGD at last follow-up was 68% for HGD and 80.0% for IMCA, with a median follow-up period of 12 months (25th percentile, 6; 75th percentile, 24). Minor adverse events included mild pain (n = 7), a low incidence of mild strictures (n = 3), and lip ulcer (n = 1). One major adverse event (perforation) in a patient with Marfan syndrome occurred with the prototype system. During follow-up, 3 of 6 patients with complete response had recurrence of dysplasia or cancer in the gastric cardia. Limitations A nonrandomized, single-center study with a heterogeneous cohort of patients. Conclusions Patients with BE and HGD or IMCA have a positive response to endoscopic cryotherapy at 1-year follow-up.
Application of nonlocal continuum models to nanotechnology

A version of nonlocal elasticity theory is employed to develop a nonlocal Benoulli/Euler beam model. Some representative problems are solved to illustrate the magnitude of predicted nonlocal effects. Particular attention is paid to cantilever beams which are often used as actuators in small scale systems.
Design of long heat regenerators by use of the dispersion model

Abstract This paper describes the behavior of the long packed bed heat regenerator in terms of the simple axial dispersion model which has so successfully accounted for nonideal flow of fluids. Thus instead of trying to determine the shape of the evolving temperature front by rigorous or semi-rigorous analytical methods this model characterizes the spreading phenomenon by the moments of its associated Gaussian distribution. This procedure, though approximate, allows one to account for all the factors which contribute to the spreading of the temperature front: axial dispersion of gas, film heat transfer and conduction into the particles. Efficiencies of heat recovery are directly calculable with this model for all sorts of operations: single pass, periodic cocurrent and periodic counter Practically all past analyses of the regenerator assumed that film heat transfer was the dominant mechanism in causing a lowering in performance of the
Sarcomeric proteins and familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: linking mutations in structural proteins to complex cardiovascular phenotypes.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a relatively common primary cardiac disorder defined as the presence of a hypertrophied left ventricle in the absence of any other diagnosed etiology. HCM is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people which often occurs without precedent symptoms. The overall clinical phenotype of patients with HCM is broad, ranging from a complete lack of cardiovascular symptoms to exertional dyspnea, chest pain, and sudden death, often due to arrhythmias. To date, 270 independent mutations in nine sarcomeric protein genes have been linked to Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC), thus the clinical variability is matched by significant genetic heterogeneity. While the final clinical phenotype in patients with FHC is a result of multiple factors including modifier genes, environmental influences and genotype, initial screening studies had suggested that individual gene mutations could be linked to specific prognoses. Given that the sarcomeric genes linked to FHC encode proteins with known functions, a vast array of biochemical, biophysical and physiologic experimental approaches have been applied to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of this complex cardiovascular disorder. In this review, to illustrate the basic relationship between protein dysfunction and disease pathogenesis we focus on representative gene mutations from each of the major structural components of the cardiac sarcomere: the thick filament (β MyHC), the thin filament (cTnT and Tm) and associated proteins (MyBP-C). The results of these studies will lead to a better understanding of FHC and eventually identify targets for therapeutic intervention.
Effects of Disrupting Calcium Homeostasis on Neuronal Maturation: Early Inhibition and Later Recovery

It has become increasingly clear that agents that disrupt calcium homeostasis may also be toxic to developing neurons. Using isolated primary neurons, we sought to understand the neurotoxicity of agents such as MK801 (which blocks ligand-gated calcium entry), BAPTA (which chelates intracellular calcium), and thapsigargin (TG; which inhibits the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase pump). Thus, E18 rat cortical neurons were grown for 1 day in vitro (DIV) and then exposed to vehicle (0.1% DMSO), MK801 (0.01–20 μM), BAPTA (0.1–20 μM), or TG (0.001–1 μM) for 24 h. We found that all three agents could profoundly influence early neuronal maturation (growth cone expansion, neurite length, neurite complexity), with the order of potency being MK801 BAPTA > TG. Thus, mechanistically distinct ways of disrupting calcium homeostasis differentially influenced both short-term and long-term neuronal maturation. These observations suggest that agents that act by altering intracellular calcium and are used in obstetrics or neonatology may be quite harmful to the still-developing human brain.
Effects of targeted γ-Ni + γ′-Ni3Al-based coating compositions on oxidation behavior

Abstract The 1150 °C oxidation behavior of γ + γ′-based alloys containing up to 20 at.% Pt and 15–22 at.% Al was investigated in an effort to further develop and optimize alternative bond coating compositions for advanced thermal barrier coating systems. It was found that the co-addition of Pt and Hf was extremely beneficial to oxidation resistance, to the extent that Ni–20Al–20Pt–Hf and Ni–20Al–10Pt–Hf alloys oxidized at significantly slower rates than a Ni–50Al–15Pt β-NiAl alloy. Moreover it was found that there is an optimum Hf content that depends on Pt content in the alloy. A feasible method to deposit Pt + Hf-modified γ + γ′ coatings having overall compositions closely approaching those targeted (Ni–Al 15–20 –Pt 15–20 –Hf) on the basis of the bulk-alloy study was subsequently developed. Cyclic oxidation testing of a representative γ + γ′ coating at 1150 °C in air revealed the absence of surface rumpling and excellent compatibility with the superalloy substrate as major advantages compared to traditional Pt-modified β-NiAl coatings.
Direct measurement of entrainment in reacting/nonreacting turbulent jets

The entrainment of a turbulent jet in coflow, with and without reaction, is directly measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). By measuring the velocity at the outside of the main jet, the entrainment measurement does not suffer from density fluctuations that exist in reacting jets. The direct measurement technique is verified by measuring the entrainment of a nearly free jet, and comparing it with the results of previous measurements. Both averaged and instantaneous velocity fields surrounding jets are observed and the effects of coflow speed, heat release, and buoyancy on the entrainment rate are investigated. The increase in coflow speed reduces the entrainment for both reacting and nonreacting jets. Heat release suppresses entrainment by a factor of approximately 2.5 (for a typical hydrocarbon fuel in air) when compared to the nonreacting jet, but buoyancy recovers the entrainment to a faster rate. Therefore, for the initial part of a reacting jet where the jet is momentum driven, heat release has the dominant effect on entrainment, but buoyancy eventually compensates the reduction further down-stream. The entrainment rate of a lifted flame in coflow is measured as a further example of the experimental method. As a practical application, the NOX emission of hydrogen flames in different coflow speeds is predicted with the Two-Stage Lagrangian (TSL) model by using the measured entrainment rate of reacting jets in coflow.
Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and lethal prostate cancer

AbstractPurpose: Reports in the osteoporosis literature demonstrating the increased activity of specific alleles of the vitamin D receptor and epidemiological data linking vitamin D levels with prostate cancer have stimulated research into possible associations between vitamin D receptor genotype and the development of prostate cancer. Recent studies showed that patients homozygous for a less active vitamin D receptor have a 4 to 5 times increased risk of localized prostate cancer. In 1 study this association was strongest in patients with advanced disease. To understand better the relationship between advanced disease and the vitamin D receptor we compared the vitamin D receptor genotype of 41 patients who died of prostate cancer to 41 controls with no clinical evidence of prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Noncancerous deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated from lethal prostate cancer and control cohorts. To determine the TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism a 740 base pairs (bp) segment of the...
On the algorithmic complexity of the Mastermind game with black-peg results

In this paper, we study the algorithmic complexity of the Mastermind game, where results are single-color black pegs. This differs from the usual dual-color version of the game, but better corresponds to applications in genetics. We show that it is NP-complete to determine if a sequence of single-color Mastermind results have a satisfying vector. We also show how to devise efficient algorithms for discovering a hidden vector through single-color queries. Indeed, our algorithm improves a previous method of Chvatal by almost a factor of 2.
Amphetamine-induced locomotion in a hyperdopaminergic ADHD mouse model depends on genetic background.

Abstract We previously generated a knock-in mouse line with a cocaine-insensitive dopamine transporter (DAT-CI mice). These mice lost several behavioral responses to cocaine, but retained their response to amphetamine. DAT-CI mice are hyperdopaminergic due to reduced DAT function, and may thus be a good model for studying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These mice had been behaviorally characterized while they were on a mixed genetic background. However as the colony was propagated over time, the mixed genetics were shifted toward a pure C57Bl/6J background — via a common breeding scheme known as “backcrossing.” Several phenotypes appeared to have changed during this time frame. In this study, we investigated whether backcrossing altered the hyperlocomotive phenotype and behavioral responses to amphetamine, a drug used to treat ADHD. C57-congenic DAT-CI mice had high spontaneous locomotor activity that could be suppressed by low doses of amphetamine. Furthermore, their locomotion was not stimulated by very high doses of amphetamine (20 mg/kg). After the reversion to a mixed genetic background by breeding with the 129 strain, the C57:129 hybrid DAT-CI mice displayed reduced basal locomotor activity compared to the C57-congenic mutant mice, and regained locomotor stimulation by high-dose amphetamine. The calming effect of amphetamine at low doses was retained in both strains. In summary, reduced DAT function in DAT-CI mice leads to a hyperdopaminergic state, and an ADHD-like phenotype in both strains. The data show that the genetic background of DAT-CI mice affects their locomotor phenotypes and their responses to amphetamine. Since the differences in genetic background between the strains of mice have a significant impact on the ADHD-like phenotype and the response to amphetamine, further study with these strains could identify the genetic underpinnings affecting the severity of ADHD-related symptoms and the treatment response.
Development of polyaniline-polypyrrole composite coatings on steel by aqueous electrochemical process

Abstract Polyaniline–polypyrrole composite coatings were formed on low carbon steel using oxalic acid as electrolyte by a potentiostatic method under aqueous conditions. A passive layer of iron (II) oxalate is deposited on the steel surface prior to the formation of composite coatings. The electrochemical process shows three distinct regimes — formation of passive layer, dissolution of passive layer and formation of polymeric composite coatings. These three regimes have been studied in depth using spectroscopic techniques and electron microscopy. Quantitative analysis of the current–time transient ( I – t ) curves show that the nucleation and growth of the passive layer occur by three-dimensional (3D) instantaneous nucleation and that of the composite coatings occur by 3D progressive nucleation. It has also been shown that the morphology of the composite coatings depends upon the electrochemical deposition parameters.
Monitoring regional cerebral oxygen saturation using near-infrared spectroscopy during pulsatile hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in a neonatal piglet model.

Impairment of cerebral oxygenation in neonates and infants after hypothermic nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support is well documented. The objectives of this study were: 1) using a neonatal piglet model to continuously monitor the regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO 2 ) by near-infrared spectroscopy during pulsatile hypothermic CPB; and 2) to quantify the pulsatile flow in terms of energy equivalent pressure (EEP). After initiation of CPB, all piglets (n = 5) were subjected to 15 minutes of core cooling, reducing the rectal temperature to 25°C, followed by 60 minutes of hypothermic CPB, then 10 minutes of cold reperfusion, and 30 minutes of rewarming. During CPB, mean arterial pressures (MAPs) and pump flow rates were maintained at 40-45 mm Hg and 150 ml/kg/min, respectively. During normothermic CPB, the rSO 2 was significantly increased, compared with the pre-CPB level (56.8 ± 5.2% vs. 41.8 ± 5.5%, p < 0,01). At the end of cooling, the rSO 2 level was 76.8 ± 8.6% (p < 0.001 vs. pre-CPB). After 60 minutes of hypothermic CPB and 30 minutes of rewarming, the rSO 2 level was decreased to 38.6 ± 4.2%, which was not significantly different compared with the pre-CPB level. The average increase in pressure (from MAP to EEP) was 5 ± 1%, and the average increase in extracorporeal circuit pressure (from ECCP to EEP) was 13 ± 2%. This extra pressure may help to provide better regional cerebral oxygen saturation. During pulsatile CPB, there was no rSO 2 deficiency in this high flow model. Near-infrared spectroscopy responded well to changes in rSO 2 during different stages of these experiments and might be a helpful tool for intraoperative monitoring.
Antiplasmodial activity of extracts and quassinoids isolated from seedlings of Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae)

Extracts and isolated compounds from seedlings of Ailanthus altissima, were assessed for antiplasmodial activity in vitro. Two quassinoids, ailanthone and 6alpha-tigloyloxychaparrinone, isolated from the active extracts showed activity against both chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Only ailanthone demonstrated low toxicity against the Vero cell line (kidney cells from the African green monkey). This is the first report of the isolation and antiplasmodial activity of 6alpha-tigloyloxychaparrinone from this species.
VASOPRESSIN-ACTIVATED CALCIUM-MOBILIZING (VACM-1) RECEPTOR mRNA IS PRESENT IN PERIPHERAL ORGANS AND THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE LABORATORY RAT

The distribution and physiological role of the neuropeptide, arginine vasopressin (AVP), and its three receptor subtypes, V1a, V1b and V2, has been well described. A fourth AVP receptor, VACM-1, was recently discovered and appears to be a member of the cullin gene family. The objective of this research is to characterize VACM-1 receptor mRNA expression in the CNS as well as in various tissues and organs of the laboratory rat. Northern blotting of poly(A)+ RNA from various tissues demonstrated the size of VACM-1 mRNA in the rat is approximately 6.3 kb. RT-PCR indicated the transcript is present in all twelve tissues examined: brainstem, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hypothalamus, aorta, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney medulla, liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and spleen. Quantitative realtime PCR confirmed RT-PCR results that VACM-1 mRNA is in all organs and tissues and expression levels are similar in all tissues examined. The transcript encoding VACM-1, a novel AVP receptor, appears to be ubiquitously ...
A Simplified Approach to the Determination of Induction Machine Dynamic Response

Utilizing non-dimensional parameters based on the rotor transient time constant, a set of curves and a number of useful approximate expressions are presented for determining the small signal dynamic response of induction machines. These results permit rapid estimation of damping and oscillation frequency for a wide range of operating conditions including variations in line frequency. Stability and minimum damped operation are studied in detail and curves are presented to allow accurate determination of the operating condition, the degree of damping, and the oscillation frequency at the minimum damped operating point.
Rapid identification of RT-PCR clones containing translation-terminating mutations

The technique of in vitro transcription/translation (IVTT) has become an important method of detecting mutations that result in a prematurely terminated protein. Subsequent characterization of the mutations by cloning and sequencing the RT-PCR products, however, is often difficult and time consuming. This is due in large part to the altered metabolism to which transcripts containing translation terminating mutations are subject. Recent data has shown that mRNAs with nonsense or frame shift mutations are often selectively degraded, so that mutation bearing transcripts are significantly less abundant that wild-type transcripts and, after cloning, mutant clones are correspondingly scarce. We have developed a reliable method of identifying the cDNA clones containing translation terminating mutations by a 'second round' of IVTT. Clones are subjected to PCR and IVTT using similar conditions as in the initial IVTT reaction and are identified unequivocally as either wild-type or mutant prior to sequencing. Wasteful 'blind' sequencing is thus avoided as well as possible misidentification of taq polymerase errors as the mutation of interest.
Imagery assessment by self-report and behavioral measures.

Summary Potential imagery assessment procedures were examined with the intent of providing the behavior therapist with a prognostic tool to aid in the evaluation of the applicability and/or progress of an imagery intervention. The procedures included: recall performance on a paired-associate learning (PAL) task using imagery mediation, self-report and behavioral results from a Block Test of pattern recall, and self-report data from an imagery questionnaire (QMI). Correlations among the various measures were computed with attention given to the overlap of behavioral and self-report measures. Behavioral measures of imagery behavior were found to have low correlations with each other while demonstrating considerable within-measure correspondence. In contradistinction, significant correlations were established both among the imagery ratings of the several experimental tasks and also on within-measure comparisons. Self-report and behavioral measures were found to be significantly correlated only within the Block Test. It was concluded that the proposed imagery assessment procedures require further evaluation for both convergent and discriminant validity before being integrated into a program of behavioral diagnosis. In addition, the expansion of the procedures to include the training and assessment of both somatic and visual sensory awareness was proposed. Heuristic directions towards these ends were noted.
Te doping with dimethylditelluride during organometallic vapor phase epitaxy of GaAs

Abstract Dimethylditelluride has been used as a dopant source for GaAs epilayers grown by atmospheric pressure oganometallic vapor phase epitaxy. The highest electron concentration obtained, n = 2.7 × 10 19 cm −3 , appears to be the highest electron concentration ever obtained in VPE GaAs consistent with mirror-like morphology. The electron and Te concentrations are virtually the same, as determined by SIMS, CV, and Hall effect. Electron concentrations are routinely obtained above 1 × 10 19 cm −3 over a range of growth temperatures and low frsol |V/III ratios of 5–10. The relationship between electron concentration and dopant mole fraction, group V mole fraction, growth temperature and growth rate have been studied. A model of Fermi-level pinning at the surface is consistent with the observed Te incorporation. Excellent morphology combined with high electron concentration requires the use of high growth rates, r g ≥ 6 μ m/h. We have extended the measured mobility vs electron concentration curve to n = 3.3 × 10 19 cm −3 . Our results also indicate that the highest Te concentrations obtained are in excess of the solubility limit.
Block and Bigraft copolymers by Carbocation Polymerizaation

Abstract The recent observation that the rate of methylation of t-BuCl by Me3Al is several orders faster than that of t-bubr, Which in turn is much faster than that of t-BuI, Provides the basis of a new synthetic method for the preparation of block and bigraft copolymers. This presentation concerns the synthesis and characterization of the first well-defined block and bigraft copolymers produced by the carbenium ion mechanisum i. e., poly(styrene-b-isobutylene), poly[(ethylene-co-propylence)-gStyrence-g-α-methylstyrence)]. The synthesis of the block copolymers involved three key steps: 1)the synthesis of a chlorobrominated alkane initiator, 2) the selective initiation of styrence polymerization by the chlorobrominated alkane in conjunction with alkylayuminum halide under conditions of no chain transfer, and 3)selective initiation of isobutylence polymerization by the polystyrence-Br in conjuction with alkylaluminum halide. Selective solubility, DSC, and GPC data indicate pure block copolymer. The effect o...
2-Hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin for the enhanced performance of dual function extraction and detection systems in complex oil environments

The use of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HPCD) for the tandem extraction and proximity-induced energy transfer based detection of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is described herein. Previous work investigated γ-cyclodextrin for this purpose, but the lower cost and reduced toxicity of 2-HPCD made it an attractive target for investigation. 2-HPCD was found to be highly efficient in the extraction of PAHs from oil samples, but was equally or slightly less efficient in promoting intra-cavity energy transfer to a high quantum yield fluorophore. The detection of PAHs via this system results in a new fluorescent signal that can be used to identify different PAHs in aqueous solution. This dual-function system can be very beneficial for oil spill remediation efforts.
Numerical Simulations of Capillary Aerosol Generation: CFD Model Development and Comparisons with Experimental Data

For a capillary aerosol generation system, the mechanisms governing droplet transport from the capillary tip through deposition in an enclosed geometry have not been previously explored. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a CFD model of transport and deposition for capillary-generated albuterol in water aerosols in a standard USP induction port used for pharmaceutical aerosol testing. Within this system, comparisons have been made between experimental measurements and numerical predictions of the jet angle, aerosol deposition in a sectioned induction port model, and size distributions of exiting particles. The CFD model employed accounts for multiscale and multicomponent flow initialized at the 57 μ m capillary tip and extending through the USP induction port with 30 L/min of co-flow air. A discrete Lagrangian particle tracking algorithm with corrections for near-wall anisotropic turbulence has been implemented to model the polydisperse particle phase including the effects of turbulen...
Low-energy collisions of electrons with highly polar molecules: Orthogonalization and model exchange potentials

The importance of imposing orthogonality constraints on the continuum wave functions calculated from model exchange potentials for electron collisions with the highly polar systems LiH and LiF is demonstrated. The $\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ and $\ensuremath{\Pi}$ resonance features in $e$-LiF collisions, found in earlier model-exchange calculations, disappear upon imposing orthogonality; no evidence for these features is observed in the exact static-exchange calculations.
Timing is everything: a collection on how clocks affect resilience in biological systems.

Why do some people get sick, and others do not? This basic question, of vulnerability and resilience, is of crucial importance in physical and mental health research. Determining factors that impart resilience, or contribute to vulnerability, could be a turning point in our fundamental understanding of disease. This collection explores current data on the role of two systems that seem indispensible for health: Circadian rhythms, and Sleep. While we have learned a great deal about the mechanisms that control these two biological processes, we are only at the beginning of our understanding of how these systems impact mood, cognition, immune function, and metabolism. The concepts of resilience and vulnerability may be useful in understanding the myriad effects of circadian rhythm and sleep disruption on mental and physical health, and perhaps provide new insights to how we can predict – and protect against – negative outcomes while amplifying positive health effects.
Perceived Stress Is Associated With Incident Coronary Heart Disease and All-Cause Mortality in Low- but Not High-Income Participants in the Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Study

Background Perceived stress may increase risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and death, but few studies have examined these relationships longitudinally. We sought to determine the association of perceived stress with incident CHD and all-cause mortality. Methods and Results Data were from a prospective study of 24 443 participants without CHD at baseline from the national Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study cohort. Outcomes were expert-adjudicated acute CHD and all-cause mortality. Over a mean follow-up of 4.2 (maximum 6.9) years, there were 659 incident CHD events and 1320 deaths. Analyses were stratified by income level because of significant interactions with stress. For individuals with low income, 3529 (35.4%) reported high stress, and for those with high income, 2524 (22.1%) did so. Compared with reporting no stress, those reporting the highest stress had higher risk for incident CHD if they reported low income (sociodemographic-adjusted HR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.78) but not high income (sociodemographic-adjusted HR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.16); the finding in low income individuals attenuated with adjustment for clinical and behavioral factors (HR 1.29, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.69, P =0.06). After full adjustment, the highest stress category was associated with higher risk for death among those with low income (HR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.82) but not high income (HR 1.13, 95% CI: 0.88, 1.46). Conclusions High stress was associated with greater risks of CHD and death for individuals with low but not high income.
Strengthening the long-term care workforce: The influence of the WIN A STEP UP workplace intervention on the turnover of direct care workers

Given high rates of turnover among direct care workers in long-term care settings, it is important to identify factors affecting organizational-level turnover rates. In this study, the authors examine the impact of a workforce intervention program (Workforce Improvement for Nursing Assistants: Supporting Training, Education, and Payment for Upgrading Performance [WIN A STEP UP]) on turnover rates of direct care workers in nursing homes. Using data collected yearly between 2002 and 2006 from 405 nursing homes in North Carolina, the authors employ random effects modeling to predict a dichotomous outcome of “above-average” versus “below-average” turnover. Results indicate that nursing homes participating in the WIN A STEP UP program are 15% more likely to have below-average turnover than are nonparticipating nursing homes. Organizational factors such as ownership type and Medicaid participation also influenced turnover, whereas labor market factors had no independent effects. The results suggest that workfor...
Using prediction to accelerate coherence protocols

Most large shared-memory multiprocessors use directory protocols to keep per-processor caches coherent. Some memory references in such systems, however, suffer long latencies for misses to remotely-cached blocks. To ameliorate this latency, researchers have augmented standard coherence protocols with optimizations for specific sharing patterns, such as read-modify-write, producer-consumer, and migratory sharing. This paper seeks to replace these directed solutions with general prediction logic that monitors coherence activity and triggers appropriate coherence actions.This paper takes the first step toward using general prediction to accelerate coherence protocols by developing and evaluating the Cosmos coherence message predictor. Cosmos predicts the source and type of the next coherence message for a cache block using logic that is an extension of Yeh and Patt's two-level PAp branch predictor. For five scientific applications running on 16 processors, Cosmos has prediction accuracies of 62% to 93%. Cosmos' high prediction accuracy is a result of predictable coherence message signatures that arise from stable sharing patterns of cache blocks.
Preoperative sentinel lymph node mapping of the prostate using PET/CT fusion imaging and Ga-68-labeled tilmanocept in an animal model

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification with preoperative image guidance may improve pathological staging of prostate cancer by identifying nodes outside the standard template of dissection. Four anesthetized male dogs received an intra-prostatic injection of Ga-68-labeled tilmanocept. Every 20 min the pelvic lymph nodes were imaged using PET/CT fusion imaging. At 90 min post-injection a prostatectomy and extended lymphadenectomy were completed; ex vivo radioactivity was recorded for each node using a handheld gamma detector, and confirmed by calculation of percent-of-injected dose (%ID) via assay of Ga-68 radioactivity. SLNs were defined as containing >10 % of the maximum %ID. Preoperative PET/CT fusion imaging identified a mean of 4.25 lymph nodes per animal (range 3-7); the mean number of SLN per animal was 4.00 (range 2-6).Of the excised SLNs, 29 % were located in the standard external iliac and obturator distribution. The SLN %ID ranged from 0.07 to 2.40 % (mean 0.744 % ± 0.641 %); SLN ex vivo count rate ranged from 88 to 2,175 cpm (mean 896 ± 715 cpm); and the SLN standardize uptake values (SUVs) ranged from 13 to 237 (mean 79 ± 67).There was a high concordance of PET-CT imaging to SLN activity, with sensitivity of 93 %. In this feasibility study, pelvic SLNs attained SUVs within 60 min. PET/CT effectively identified SLNs with good anatomic specificity, and radioactivity by hand-held detection and scintillation counts demonstrated high concordance with preoperative imaging. Gallium-68-labaled tilmanocept was highly specific for sentinel nodes. Image-guided tumor resection and lymphadenectomy may become a promising future application in urologic oncology and warrants further investigation.
Improving the robustness of a surface integral formulation for wideband impendance extraction of 3D structures

In order for parasitic extraction of high-speed integrated circuit interconnect to be sufficiently efficient, and fit with model-order reduction techniques, a robust wideband surface integral formulation is essential. One recently developed surface integral formulation has shown promise, but was plagued with numerical difficulties of poorly understood origin. In this paper we show that one of that formulation's difficulties was related to the inaccuracy in the approach to evaluate integrals over discretization panels, and we present an accurate approach based on an adapted piecewise quadrature scheme. We also show that the condition number of the original system of integral equations can be reduced by differentiating one of the integral equations. Computational results on a ring and a spiral inductor are used to show that the new quadrature scheme and the differentiated integral formulation improve accuracy and accelerate the convergence of iterative solution methods.
Neural Substrates of Language Acquisition

Infants learn language(s) with apparent ease, and the tools of modern neuroscience are providing valuable information about the mechanisms that underlie this capacity. Noninvasive, safe brain technologies have now been proven feasible for use with children starting at birth. The past decade has produced an explosion in neuroscience research examining young children's processing of language at the phonetic, word, and sentence levels. At all levels of language, the neural signatures of learning can be documented at remarkably early points in development. Individual continuity in linguistic development from infants' earliest responses to phonemes is reflected in infants' language abilities in the second and third year of life, a finding with theoretical and clinical implications. Developmental neuroscience studies using language are beginning to answer questions about the origins of humans' language faculty.
Alcohol effects on cognitive change in middle-aged and older adults.

Objectives: This study examines cognitive outcomes for alcohol drinking status over time, across cognitive ability and age groups. Methods: Data (1998–2005) from n = 571 Seattle Longitudinal Study participants aged 45+years (middle-aged: 45–64, young-old: 65–75, old-old: 75+) were analyzed to examine the alcohol drinking status effect (e.g., abstinent, moderate (less than seven drinks/week), at-risk (more than eight drinks/week)) on cognitive ability (e.g., memory, reasoning, spatial, verbal number, speed abilities). Results: Findings indicated that alcohol drinking status was associated with change in verbal ability, spatial ability, and perceptual speed. Decline in verbal ability was seen among alcohol abstainers and moderate alcohol consumers, but at-risk drinkers displayed relative stability. At-risk old-old adults and middle-aged adults (regardless of drinking status), displayed relative stability in spatial ability. Decline in spatial ability was however present among young-old adults across drinkin...
Electrical stimulation factors in potentiation of human quadriceps femoris

Potentiation is the enhancement of force seen after repetitive activation of skeletal muscle. The frequency and duration of stimulation, total number of pulses delivered to the muscle, and the peak forces or force-time integrals produced by the stimulation all have been suggested to affect the degree of potentiation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the electrical stimulation characteristics on the development of post-activation potentiation. Eleven subjects were tested with five potentiating trains, including 12-pulse 100-HZ, 31-HZ, 14-HZ, and 5-HZ, and 6-pulse 14-HZ trains. The potentiating trains differed in stimulation frequency, train duration, and total number of pulses. They also produced different peak forces and force time integrals from the activated muscles. Our results showed that the 12-pulse 5-HZ train produced about 50% less potentiation than the other four potentiating trains. At stimulation frequencies of 14 HZ or higher, the total number of pulses delivered to the muscle was the primary factor in potentiation development. Furthermore, peak force and force-time integral had no effects on the rate or amount of potentiation. These results should help clinicians and researchers to design protocols that control for the effects of muscle potentiation. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 271–279, 2002 DOI 10.1002/mus.10027
The effect of ball pad designs and substrate materials on the performance of second-level interconnects

The microelectronics industry has been driven to reduce the size of its semiconductors. As packages become smaller with finer ball pad pitches, smaller solder ball and pad sizes will also be needed. This emphasizes the importance of solder joint strength. The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect ball pad designs and substrate materials have on the performance of second-level interconnects. Ball shear testing is used to assess the joint strength in the following areas: soldermask defined (SMD) and non-soldermask defined (NSMD) ball pad designs; the impact of various pad sizes; the different core materials and soldermask materials inclusive of halogen-free materials; the different core material thicknesses. In general, the data shows that an NSMD ball pad design has a higher solder ball shear strength than an SMD with a smaller ball pad size. However, the strength of SMD ball pads exceeds NSMD as the pad size increases or the substrate thickens. The type and thickness of core material all significantly contribute to solder ball shear strength, thus, joint reliability. As a result, the proper choice for ball pad design and substrate materials enhances second-level interconnect reliability for packaging.
Penetrating injury to the oral cavity : a case report and review of the literature

Penetrating injury to the oral cavity, although rare, may cause serious morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Impalement injuries are known to cause delayed vascular injury to the internal carotid artery, leading to significant neurologic sequelae. We present an unusual case of impalement injury and make recommendations regarding the successful evaluation and management of such injuries.
Perceived structure and the maintenance of attention

It was hypothesized that people can attain complex, hierarchically organized structures for incoming task-relevant information; that the boundaries between the units of information highest in the hierarchy constitute major breaks in the processing and integration of information; and that these major “breakpoints” are times when people are especially vulnerable to distraction. Subjects were trained to perceive formally defined structures in sequences of stimuli. After training, subjects performed a continuous prediction/classification task, using the same sequences of stimuli. Distractors were present during some stimulus events, occurring at each level of the unit hierarchy. Subjects’ response times increased as unit level increased and in the presence of distraction. However, the major hypothesis was not confirmed: The effect of distraction did not vary with unit level. An alternative to this hypothesis is discussed, as well as limitations of the present test.
DNA Architectures for Templated Material Growth

A methodology that allows for the coupling of biology and electronic materials is presented, where double stranded DNA serves as a template for electronic material growth. Self-assembled DNA structures allow for a variety of patterns to be achieved on the nanometer size scale. These DNA architectures allow for feature sizes that are difficult to achieve using conventional patterning techniques. Herein, the procedures for the creation of self-assembled DNA nanostructures in aqueous and non-aqueous media are described, and these structures are subsequently deposited onto substrates of interest. DNA self assembly under non-aqueous conditions has yet to be presented in literature, and is necessary if unwanted oxidation of certain electronic substrates is to be avoided. Solubilization of the DNA in non-aqueous solvents is achieved by replacing charge stabilizing salts with surfactants. Retention of DNA hierarchical structure under both conditions will be presented by observing the structures using AFM imaging and circular dichroism spectroscopic studies.