cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Beliefs and Practices Related to Cancer Screening Among Arab Muslim Women in an Urban Community

In this exploratory study I investigated the participation status in breast and cervical cancer screening of a group of American immigrant Arab Muslim women (AMW). Perceived knowledge of and barriers to screening participation, relationships among demographic variables, health practice and beliefs, and self-reports of traditionalism and acculturation also are studied. Factors including religious and cultural beliefs, economic concerns, and modesty and embarrassment were considered. To reach the goals of Healthy People 2010 (HP 2010), an effective and meaningful educational initiative to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancer of AMW will require specific interventions consistent with their cultural and religious traditions.
A consistent method for quantitative XPS peak analysis of thin oxide films on clean polycrystalline iron surfaces

Abstract We report a method for the quantitative analysis of the Fe(2p) and O(1s) core level XPS spectra which allows the determination of the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio within a thin oxide film. The method involves the determination of the intensity of specific shake-up features within the Fe(2p) spectrum. This analytical method is demonstrated by comparing the Fe(2p) spectra of electrochemically modified Fe2+-rich and Fe3+-rich electrodes in a combined UHV-XPS-electrochemical system. Exposure of clean polycrystalline Fe surfaces to low pressures of O2 gas for different time intervals has also been carried out. Quantitative XPS analyses of the oxide films produced by O2 exposures reveal that the oxide films are predominantly trilayers of FeO, Fe3O4 and FeOOH phases, the latter due to ambient background contamination. The analyses demonstrate that a multiplicity of Fe2+ and/or Fe3+ chemical environments and binding energies is present in such films, and this must be explicitly accounted for during quantitative analyses.
A note on equivalent mathematical models.

A mathematical model of a process contains parameters supposedly characterizing the system which manifests the process. If the parameters are statistically distributed in a population of such systems, the process manifested by the entire population will in general be described by a different mathematical model. Thus a choice is always at hand between two or more mathematical models, depending on which parameters (if any) are assumed to be distributed and, if so, how. Examples of such alternative interpretations are given for mathematical models of some behavioral processes.
STUDIES ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE ONAGRACEAE VI. ANOGRA PALLIDA

The genus Anogra, as its relationships are at present understood, stands somewhat isolated in the family Onagraceae. Its closest affinities are doubtless with Hartmannit (2) and Ratimannita, but Anogra seems to have become separated from related genera so long ago that many profound changes have occurred during the intervening period, which changes have made it somewhat difficult to recognize other than superficial resemblances. Hartmannit and Raimannia in all likelihood originated in the high plateau region of central Mexico and thence at least one group of species in each genus spread northward. Later expanding into what is now southern California and thence as far north as Alberta, some species inevitably entered the arid regions of this stretch of territory. It is from such species that Anogra perhaps originated. Nearly all the species of Anogra are today restricted to desert or at least to very arid regions. It is well known that adaptation to a desert environment invariably requires structural modifications in plants, and Anogra is no exception to that principle. This fact is revealed primarily in a greatly decreased ability to produce viable seeds; in some cases no seeds at all are formed, the perennial plant reproducing itself by means of offshoots at the ends of subterranean stolons. One species that exhibits both phenomena clearly is Anogra pallida (Lindl.) Britton, which has a rather wide geographical range for a species of Anogra, this being from southern Arizona through California northwards to the eastern part of Washington and adjacent Idaho. MATERIAL
Kinetics of gold cementation on copper in ammoniacal thiosulfate solutions

Abstract The rate of cementation of gold on rotating copper discs was investigated in ammoniacal thiosulfate solutions as a function of rotational speed of the copper disc, initial gold concentration, initial copper concentration, and temperature. The cementation reaction exhibited two distinct kinetic regions, an initially slow rate followed by an enhanced rate. With a disc rotating at 1500 rpm in a solution containing 0.25 M [S 2 O 3 2− ], 30 ppm [Au] 0 , and 30 ppm [Cu] 0 , the apparent rate constant was 4.7×10 −3 and 1.1×10 −2 cm s −1 for the initial and enhanced regions, respectively. At low initial copper concentrations, the temperature dependence was well behaved, yielding an activation energy of 5.9 kJ mol −1 . In a solution containing 30 ppm [Cu] 0 , there was a noticeable decrease in the reaction rate between 25 and 50 °C. This may be attributed to the decomposition of Cu(S 2 O 3 ) 3 5− and the formation of Cu 2 S, which creates a passivating film. The deposit morphology is relatively nodular under the conditions of this investigation. Importantly, EDS and XRD analysis confirmed that the deposits are Au–Cu alloys instead of pure gold. The composition ranged from Au 3 Cu to AuCu 3 intermetallic alloys depending on the initial Cu/Au ratio in solution.
Achieving Communicative Competence in the Beginning Classroom: Some Suggested Conversational Activities.

Abstract In response to student dissatisfaction with traditional methods of instruction and the subsequent decline in enrollments, there is a growing emphasis on the teaching of communicative competence in the foreign language classroom. This article presents several guidelines for the organization of conversation groups and then suggests a number of conversational activities. The suggestions are intended for use in the first year of language study. Some points which are emphasized are: the importance of teacher supervision of, rather than participation in conversational activities; advantages and justifications for not over-correcting students' grammatical errors, the need for the creation of a relaxed, non-competitive environment in the classroom. Suggested activities include several which encourage free conversation as well as more structured exercises designed to facilitate the acquisition of certain skills.
Involvement of Rad51C in two distinct protein complexes of Rad51 paralogs in human cells

Genetic studies in rodent and chicken mutant cell lines have suggested that Rad51 paralogs (XRCC2, XRCC3, Rad51B/Rad51L1, Rad51C/Rad51L2 and Rad51D/Rad51L3) play important roles in homologous recombinational repair of DNA double-strand breaks and in maintaining chromosome stability. Previous studies using yeast two- and three-hybrid systems have shown interactions among these proteins, but it is not clear whether these interactions occur simultaneously or sequentially in vivo. By utilizing immunoprecipitation with extracts of human cells expressing epitope-tagged Rad51 paralogs, we demonstrate that XRCC2 and Rad51D, while stably interacting with each other, co-precipitate with Rad51C but not with XRCC3. In contrast, Rad51C is pulled down with XRCC3, whereas XRCC2 and Rad51D are not. In addition, Rad51B could be pulled down with Rad51C and Rad51D, but not with XRCC3. These results suggest that Rad51C is involved in two distinct in vivo complexes: Rad51B-Rad51C-Rad51D-XRCC2 and Rad51C-XRCC3. In addition, we demonstrate that Rad51 co-precipitates with XRCC3 but not with XRCC2 or Rad51D, suggesting that Rad51 can be present in an XRCC3-Rad51C-Rad51 complex. These complexes may act as functional units and serve accessory roles for Rad51 in the presynapsis stage of homologous recombinational repair.
A system for studying accelerator-produced short-lived alpha emitters☆

Abstract A target assembly and detection system is described which has applications for studying accelerator-produced short-lived alpha activities with good efficiency and excellent alpha particle resolution. The system is simple and fast and allows for the continuous recording of alpha particle spectra at the same time the activity is produced.
Surface-barrier analysis for niobium and tantalum and tantalum-on-niobium from periodic deviations in the thermionic Schottky effect☆

Abstract The Richardson emission constants and periodic deviations in the Schottky effect have been used to investigate the surface barrier for thermionic electron emission from polycrystalline tantalum and niobium and thin films of tantalum-on-niobium. The data have been fit to the Miller and Good theory and a Herring and Nichols complex reflection coefficient, μ, for the surface potential has been determined. The following conclusions can be drawn: The one-dimensional image nature of the barrier in the region of the barrier maximum has been confirmed. The tantalum and niobium experimental amplitudes increased faster than predicted by the theory. This would indicate: either a field-dependent error exists in the theoretical amplitude; or the surface reflection process should be described by an energy-dependent reflection coefficient. The average μ = 0.35 exp (0.63 i ) for niobium and μ = 0.36 exp (0.75 i ) for tantalum indicate the Sommerfield surface bandwidth model proposed to fit the periodic deviations from molybdenum and rhenium is inadequate for tantalum and niobium. The controlled deposition of tantalum-on-niobium lowered the work function of niobium, and the experimental results confirm work on the molybdenum-on-rhenium surface alloy system that : (a) Richardson emission constants are strongly dependent on the micropatch distribution of the emitter surface while (b) the periodic deviations parameters appear to be independent of it.
Trace-element accumulation by Hygrohypnum ochraceum in the upper Rio Grande Basin, Colorado and New Mexico, USA†

Accumulation of 12 trace elements by transplanted aquatic bryophytes (Hygrohypnum ochraceum) was determined at 13 sites in the Rio Grande and tributary streams in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico as part of the US Geological Survey`s National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The purposes of the study were to determine the spatial distribution of trace elements in relation to land-use practices in the upper Rio Grande Basin, compare accumulation rates of metals in bryophytes at sites contaminated by trace elements, and evaluate transplanted aquatic bryophytes as a tool for examining the bioavailability of trace elements in relation to concentrations in water and bed sediment. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in bryophytes, water, and bed sediment were significantly higher at sites that receive drainage from mining areas than at sites near agricultural or urban activities. Concentrations of most trace elements were lower in a tributary stream below an urban source than at sites near mining or agricultural use. Concentrations of Cu and Zn in bryophytes correlated with concentrations in water and bed sediment. In addition, bryophyte concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb correlated with concentrations in bed sediment. Transplanted bryophytes can provide an indication of bioavailability. Rates of accumulation weremore » related to the magnitude of ambient trace-element concentrations; maximal uptake occurred during the first 10 d of exposure. Trace-element concentrations in transplanted bryophytes could potentially be used to predict water and sediment concentrations that represent an integration of conditions over short to intermediate lengths of time, rather than instantaneous conditions as measured using water samples.« less
Development of animal models of aging at the national institute on aging

The suitability of various animal species as experimental models of aging has been a continuing concern of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) for over 20 years. The history of the decisions made by NIA in providing aged animals for research may be helpful to individual investigators seeking to understand why certain models are available and which of them to choose for their work.
A Quantitative Evaluation of Potential Radio Identifications for 3EG EGRET Sources

The method of Mattox et al. for identifying EGRET sources with 5 GHz radio sources has been applied to the 3EG EGRET catalog of Hartman et al. Complete results are tabulated. We tabulate separately 46 EGRET sources with radio identifications which we expect to have a high probability of being correct. We suggest that these sources are appropriate for most studies of the properties of γ-ray blazars as a class. All but one of these 46 sources were classified by Hartman et al. as high-confidence identifications; and the additional source was classified by Hartman et al. as a plausible identification. We also tabulate separately 37 additional "plausible identifications of EGRET sources with radio sources." These less secure possibilities include the remaining 21 "high-confidence identifications" of Hartman et al., three of the 27 "lower confidence potential blazar identifications" of Hartman et al., and an additional 15 plausible identifications which have not been suggested previously. Many of these sources require new radio and optical observations to establish them as blazars. We suggest that the 23 "lower-confidence potential blazar identifications" of Hartman et al. which we do not find plausible should not be used in studies of the properties of the EGRET blazars. For this analysis, we have made elliptical fits to the 95% confidence contours of the position uncertainty regions of the 3EG sources which are tabulated in an Appendix.
Micro Cavity Effect in GaN-Based Light-Emitting Diodes Formed by Laser Lift-Off and Etch-Back Technique

Electroluminescence measurements were performed on GaN-based micro-cavity light-emitting diodes (MCLEDs) which had different cavity thickness. The MCLEDs were fabricated by laser lift off (LLO) technique to remove the sapphire substrate and were thinned with reactive ion etching (RIE) followed by chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). The number of multiple peaks in the electroluminescence spectrum caused by interference effects decreased as the cavity thickness decreased. A far-field pattern measurement of the thin cavity sample showed a "rabbit ears" pattern, specific of microcavity emission.
An improved synthetic method and vibrational study of (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) dicarbonylrhenium dihalides (η5-C5Me5)Re(CO)2X2 (X = C1, Br and I)

An improved synthetic method has been found for the preparation of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhenium dicarbonyldihalide complexes. From the reaction of (η5-C5Me5)Re(CO)3 with Br2 or I2 in THF-H2O a mixture of cis and trans isomers of (η5-C5Me5)Re(CO)2X2 X = Br and I is formed. On the other hand, the reaction of [(η5-C5Me5)Re(CO)3C1][SbC16] in water gives the cis-(η5-C5Me5)Re(CO)2C12 complex. The solid IR spectra of the dicarbonyldihalide complexes are recorded and an assignment of the normal modes in terms of local symmetry is suggested by comparison with those observed in analogous molecules. A normal coordinate analysis performed using a modified general valence force field and considering simplified models, confirms most of the experimental assignments. The set of valence force constants reflects the structure of the isomers under study.
Mapping of Contributions From Collateral Ligaments to Overall Knee Joint Constraint: An Experimental Cadaveric Study

Understanding the contribution of the soft-tissues to total joint constraint (TJC) is important for predicting joint kinematics, developing surgical procedures, and increasing accuracy of computational models. Previous studies on the collateral ligaments have focused on quantifying strain and tension properties under discrete loads or kinematic paths; however, there has been little work to quantify collateral ligament contribution over a broad range of applied loads and range of motion (ROM) in passive constraint. To accomplish this, passive envelopes were collected from nine cadaveric knees instrumented with implantable pressure transducers (IPT) in the collateral ligaments. The contributions from medial and lateral collateral ligaments (LCL) were quantified by the relative contribution of each structure at various flexion angles (0-120 deg) and compound external loads (±10 N m valgus, ±8 N m external, and ±40 N anterior). Average medial collateral ligament (MCL) contributions were highest under external and valgus torques from 60 deg to 120 deg flexion. The MCL showed significant contributions to TJC under external torques throughout the flexion range. Average LCL contributions were highest from 0 deg to 60 deg flexion under external and varus torques, as well as internal torques from 60 deg to 110 deg flexion. Similarly, these regions were found to have statistically significant LCL contributions. Anterior and posterior loads generally reduced collateral contribution to TJC; however, posterior loads further reduced MCL contribution, while anterior loads further reduced LCL contribution. These results provide insight to the functional role of the collaterals over a broad range of passive constraint. Developing a map of collateral ligament contribution to TJC may be used to identify the effects of injury or surgical intervention on soft-tissue, and how collateral ligament contributions to constraint correlate with activities of daily living.
Detection of Sub-Cellular Reactive Oxygen Species in Skeletal Muscle

Our recent studies suggest that sub-cellular site-specific ROS production is likely to play an important role in the response of skeletal muscle to oxidative stress. Using redox active probes we have targeted NADPH oxidase (Nox2), mitochondria, cytosolic glutathione, and the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum to investigate these various sources of ROS under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We show that mechanical stretch increases ROS produced from Nox2. Repetitive contractile activity increases ROS produced from Nox2 and results in activation of the cytosolic glutathione redox cycle. Under conditions that promote ER stress and apoptosis our ER/SR redox probe becomes more oxidized. Understanding the sub-cellular signaling pathways by which oxidants influence muscle function will allow for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions to combat the deleterious effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation, sustained contractile activity as well as skeletal muscle diseases.
What Do the MMPI–2 Restructured Clinical Scales Reliably Measure? Answers From Multiple Research Settings

The Restructured Clinical (RC; Tellegen et al., 2003) scales were developed to improve measurement of the core constructs of the MMPI-2 (Butcher et al., 2001) Clinical scales by removing "demoralization," hypothesized to affect these scales adversely. Using 25 samples with MMPI-2 responses from 78,159 subjects across diverse clinical settings, we found that each RC scale was highly correlated with a Supplementary, Content, or Personality Psychopathology 5 (PSY-5; Harkness, McNulty, & Ben-Porath, 1995) scale: higher, in fact, than the correlation between the RC scale and its parent scale. Furthermore, for over half the RC scales (i.e., RC1, RC3, RC7, RC8, and RCd), the correlations were strong enough to conclude that the RC scales replicate MMPI-2 scales with rich empirical foundations; the remaining RC scales were not redundant. Next, we examined reliability estimates using alpha coefficients and interitem correlations and did not reveal superior reliability for most of the RC scales over existing MMPI-2 scales.
Transition from Solution to the Solid State in Polymer Solar Cells Cast from Mixed Solvents

Certain solvent additives significantly affect the morphology of the active layer in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) conjugated polymer solar cells and improve the device performance. Previous examinatio...
Method for Retrieving the True Backscattering Coefficient from Measurements with a Real Antenna

Measurements made of the power backscattered by a surface at angles near nornal incidence include contributions due to both coherent and incoherent scattering. Additionally, these contributions are weighted by the antenna pattern. Using a theoretical model to describe the backscattering from a rough soil surface, a procedure is developed for retrieving the true angular pattern of the backscattering coefficient ?0 from measured estimates of a ?0 , where the measured estimate is based on the usual assumption that ?0 is approximately constant over the angular extent of the antenna beam for narrowbeam systems. The retrieved patterns of ?0 were then used to evaluate the dependence of ?0 on soil surface roughness at 1.5, 4.25, and 7.25 GHz.
Mobile Elemental Power Plant (MEPP): MEPP

Research into the feasibility of combining multiple renewable energy resources into a portable system led to the development of the Mobile Elemental Power Plant, MEPP. MEPP is a unique solution that currently utilizes two forms of renewable energy through cogeneration to provide portable power. The MEPP replaces a typical transportable gas powered generator combining photovoltaic solar energy and wind turbine energy to provide both AC and DC output from four 250 Amp-hour rechargeable batteries. The entire system is compactly mounted on a custom road-rated trailer, ready for quick and easy deployment on location. The development of MEPP has significant potential for remote area medical services, disaster relief situations, military operations, recreational locations and remote government and commercial sites.
Impact of thermal and structural effects on EUV lithographic performance

Thermal and structural effects will be an important consideration for all advanced lithography approaches targeting the 100nm technology generation and beyond. Such effects can contribute to loss of CD control, decrease in process latitude and reticle-wafer overlay error. This necessitates a system approach to account for thermo- mechanical effects in a complete system performance analysis of an EUV lithography tool. Multilayer-coated mirrors will typically absorb 35-40 percent of the in-band radiation causing thermal deformation of the mirror figure. In addition, Mo-Si multilayer films are deposited with compressive stress of approximately 350 MPa, which will also serve to deform the mirror substrate. To study these effects, we have inter-connected the capabilities of several software packages which include thermal and structural finite element, optical, and lithographic analysis. This enables us to determine the impact of mechanical effects on lithographic metrics such as the exposure-defocus process window, pattern placement and throughput. This paper includes result from a theoretical study of an EUV alpha tool with a wafer throughput of 20 200 mm wafers per hour for the 100nm technology generation.
Exact and approximate task assignment algorithms for pipelined software synthesis

Pipelined execution of streaming applications enable processing of high-throughput data under performance constraint. We present an integrated approach to synthesizing pipelined software for dual-core architectures. We target streaming applications modeled as task graphs that are amenable to static analysis. We develop a versatile task assignment algorithm that considers the combined effect of workload imbalance between processors and inter-processor communication. Our technique, which runs in pseudo-linear time, provably maximizes application throughput. Furthermore, we develop an approximation algorithm for task assignment whose complexity is strictly polynomial. It provides the designer with an adjustable knob to controllably trade solution quality with algorithm runtime and memory requirement. Empirical throughput measurements using an FPGA-based dual-core system validate our theoretical results. Our exact algorithm consistently outperforms a recent competitor. Compared to exact task assignment, the approximate method runs about 3 times faster, requires about 20 times less memory, and results in only 1% to 5% throughput loss.
Inconstant association of aequorin luminescence with tension during calcium release in skinned muscle fibres.

IT is now generally accepted that the release of calcium ions from intracellular stores (presumably the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)) is a key step in excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle1–4. One of the most useful preparations for studying the mechanism of release is the mechanically skinned muscle fibre preparation, originally devised by Natori5, and subsequently modified for use in aqueous solutions 6–9. The skinned fibre has the advantage that the cell membrane is removed, allowing free access of substances placed in the bathing medium to intracellular structures, but at the same time causing minimal disruption of these structures. The partially skinned (split) fibre has the further advantage that the patency of the T tubules is maintained13.
HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE IN INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS: LATE EMERGENCE OF ANTI-EA(R) AND EFFECTS OF STEROID THERAPY

HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE IN INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS: LATE EMERGENCE OF ANTI-EA(R) AND EFFECTS OF STEROID THERAPY
Evaluating otolith Sr/Ca as a tool for reconstructing estuarine habitat use

There is no standard method to determine the applicability of otolith Sr/Ca ratio to reconstructing estuary use. We have developed a novel method to determine the response of otolith Sr/Ca to changes in water Sr/Ca and salinity in San Francisco Estuary (California, USA). We perform correlated, spatially resolved Sr/Ca and Sr isotope measurements us- ing otoliths from adult striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the San Francisco Estuary to estimate the otolith-water Sr/Ca partition coefficient (DSr = 0.305 ± 0.009). DSr did not vary significantly with salinity, and therefore the salinity-otolith Sr/Ca model was constructed by substituting the partition coefficient into the nonlinear salinity-water Sr/Ca mixing model for the system. The model demonstrates that the primary factor controlling the response of Sr/Ca to salinity is the Ca concen- tration in the freshwater source flowing into the estuary. A concentration of 60 ppm Ca is an approximate threshold below which estuary Sr/Ca increases rapidly to near the marine Sr/Ca at low salinities (5%-15%), thereby providing sharp delinea- tion of estuary entrance, but little to no discrimination among higher salinity habitats. Our approach provides a general frame- work for assessing the potential utility of Sr/Ca in estuarine systems and specifically for the San Francisco Estuary. Resume ´ : Il n'y a pas de methode standard pour determiner l'applicabilitedu rapport Sr/Ca dans les otolithes pour la re- constitution de l'utilisation d'un estuaire. Nous avons mis au point une nouvelle methode pour determiner la reponse de Sr/Ca des otolithes aux changements de Sr/Ca et de salinitede l'eau dans l'estuaire de San Francisco (Californie, E ´ .-U.). Nous avons obtenu des mesures correlees et a resolution spatiale de Sr/Ca et de l'isotope Sr apartir d'otolithes du bar d'Amerique (Moxone saxatilis) dans l'estuaire de San Francisco afin d'estimer le coefficient de partitionnement otolithe- eau de Sr/Ca (DSr = 0,305 ± 0,009). DSr ne varie pas de facon significative en fonction de la salinite ´; nous avons donc construit le modele salinite ´-Sr/Ca de l'otolithe en substituant le coefficient de partitionnement dans le modele de melange non lineaire de salinite ´-eau Sr/Ca du systeme. Le modele demontre que le facteur principal de controle de la reponse de Sr/Ca ala saliniteest la concentration de Ca dans la source d'eau douce qui se deverse dans l'estuaire. La concentration de 60 ppm de Ca represente le seuil approximatif sous lequel le Sr/Ca de l'estuaire augmente rapidement pour s'approcher du Sr/Ca de la mer asalinites basses (5-15 %), ce qui produit une nette delimitation de l'entree de l'estuaire, mais peu ou pas de discrimination entre les habitats de plus forte salinite ´. Notre methodologie fournit un cadre general pour l'eva- luation de l'utilitepotentielle de Sr/Ca dans les systemes estuariens et en particulier dans l'estuaire de San Francisco. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Involvement of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Somatostatin in Stress-Induced Inhibition of Growth Hormone Secretion in the Rat*

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which is released into the pituitary portal blood during exposure to noxious stimuli, can act centrally to inhibit GH secretion. We have investigated a possible role of endogenous CRF in mediating the stress-induced inhibition of GH release in the rat. While exposure to electroshocks markedly lowered plasma GH levels measured 20 min later, the central administration of the CRF antagonist alpha-Hel CRF-(9-41) totally abolished the effect of stress. To examine possible mechanisms through which CRF might mediate the inhibitory action of various stimuli on GH secretion, we have administered antisomatostatin (anti-SS) serum to CRF-injected rats and observed that immunoneutralization of endogenous SS blocked the inhibitory action of CRF on basal plasma GH values. Additionally, we have shown that CRF acted centrally to prevent the stimulatory action of both exogenously administered GH-releasing factor and the endogenous GH-releasing factor released by morphine sulfate. These effects were abolished by previous treatment with anti-SS serum. Such observations support the hypothesis that in the rat, endogenous CRF mediates the inhibitory action of noxious stimuli on GH secretion and further suggest that this effect may involve an increased release of endogenous SS.
How much was your shopping basket? Working memory processes in total basket price estimation

Although much attention has been paid to recall of a single price, research is lacking in understanding the process of how consumers estimate the total price of a shopping basket. Drawing on research on numeric cognition, memory processes, and mental accounting, we show in five studies that the accuracy of total price estimation as well as the timing of such estimation is systematically influenced by several factors. We find that the length (in syllables) of the prices in the basket and the attention that consumers pay to the prices influence the accuracy of the calculation of the total basket price. Furthermore, our studies also show that the timing of the calculation is influenced by the nature of the items in the basket (i.e., unrelated vs. complementary items).
Microcomputer based information storage on burned patients

The paper describes a package of programmes designed to store, retrieve and search simple descriptive data on burn patients. The computer system used is a Commodore Pet 8032 with 8050 disk drive and compatible printer. The programmes also have the ability to produce summary tables of certain patient characteristics either on a yearly or cumulative basis.
A preclinical system for focused microwave thermal therapy with integrated real-time 3D microwave thermal monitoring

The use of focused microwave thermal therapy as an adjuvant to radiatior and chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment continues to be an active a of research with the aim of reducing local recurrence, as well as reducing harmful side effects and cosmetic harm of traditional treatments. With it, there is a clinical need for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of subcutaneous heat deposition.
Depth dose enhancement of electron beams subject to external uniform longitudinal magnetic fields: a Monte Carlo study.

We studied the dose distributions from electron beams subjected to a longitudinal magnetic field applied to them before they reach the phantom. We found that specific combinations of the length and intensity of the magnetic field produced enhancement of the peaks of the central-axis depth-dose distributions. The EGS4 Monte Carlo system was used in this study. In the simulations, a uniform axial magnetic field parallel to the electron beam direction was applied to the air gap between the collimation and the phantom. We extensively studied the simplified case of an 18 MeV electron beam point source. Dose deposition was calculated for various magnetic field strengths, distances through which the magnetic field was applied, collimation sizes, and source to collimation distances. The magnetic field strengths varied from 0 to 3 T, the source-to-collimation distances studied were 50 and 95 cm, the collimation sizes studied were 10×10 and 20×20 cm2, and the distance through which the field was applied ranged from 10 to 20 cm. Specific combinations of these variables resulted in as much as a 70% enhancement of the peak dose relative to the surface dose. Finally, to determine how the geometry of a real accelerator affects the resulting dose distribution, we performed a full simulation of an Elekta SL20 linear accelerator and compared the results with the ideal case.
Effect of Furazolidone on Plasma Enzyme and Protein Levels in Turkey Poults

Furazolidone (FZ) at a dose of 700 ppm was fed to turkey poults beginning at 2 weeks of age. In trial 1, plasma collected by venipuncture was assayed for glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total protein at 19, 23, 26, and 30 days of age. Significant (P less than or equal to .05) differences were noted only in levels of plasma LDH, which were elevated in FZ-fed poults at all stages studied. In Trial 2, plasma collected by venipuncture was assayed for creatine phosphokinase (CPK), GOT, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and LDH daily from 15 through 19 days of age and for protein at 19 days of age. Significant elevations (P less than or equal to .05) were noted in levels of plasma a) CPK at 15 days, b) GOT at 18 days, and c) LDH at 17 and 19 days. A significant (P less than or equal to .01) depression in plasma protein was observed at 19 days. Plasma GPT was either absent or present in very low concentrations. These data suggest that FZ exerts its primary effect on the myocardium. THe initial myocardial changes occur prior to their detection by known electrocardiographic (ECG) technics.
Morphologic determinants of coronary blood flow in the hypoplastic left heart syndrome

The diameters of the ascending aorta, coronary ostia, and proximal coronary arteries were measured in autopsy specimens from 51 infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and 18 normal infant heart specimens. Standard cross sections were prepared from 35 of the hypoplastic left heart syndrome hearts, and histologic indices of myocardial viability and fibrosis were determined. The diameters of the coronary arteries and ostia in hypoplastic left heart syndrome were not different from the values in control specimens. Little fibrosis was found but extensive myocardial necrosis was present. The degree of fibrosis and necrosis did not correlate significantly with any of the arterial or ostial diameters. The extent of myocardial preservation in the hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which may substantially limit the success of surgical palliation, cannot be predicted from these morphologic measurements. The observed myocardial damage appeared to be acquired postnatally, implying that early vigorous treatment of these infants may be necessary to preserve myocardial function.
Nuer Dilemmas: Coping with Money, War, and the State

Nuer Dilemmas: Coping with Money, War, and the State. SHARON A. HUTCHINSON. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996. xviii + 408 pp., illustrations, appendix, bibliography, index.
Microtektites on Mars: Volume and Texture of Distal Impact Ejecta Deposits

Abstract Microtektites, small blobs of ejecta formed in the shock melt and vapor plume of an impact, can be dispersed far from the source crater only if the impact is violent enough for the ejecta plume to pierce the atmosphere; they are therefore formed in far smaller (and more numerous) impact events on Mars than on Venus and Earth, which have thicker atmospheres. Microtektite abundances from the Chicxulub and Bosumtwi craters on Earth suggest that the volume of this material is ∼5 × 10 −5 D c 3.74 km 3 , with D c the crater diameter in kilometers, similar to the observed volumes of the dark parabolic ejecta deposits on Venus. Corresponding volumes on Mars are ∼2.5 × smaller, but even so this result implies that even only a 15-km crater can produce a layer of microtektites with a global average thickness on Mars of 40 microtektites per square centimeter. I use a trajectory code and a thermal model to show that these particles are easily dispersed globally on Mars and that micrometeoroids of the same size will be unmelted by reentry heating. The uniform size and glassy texture of microtektites may allow such ejecta layers to be identified by the remote arm cameras on Mars landers, particularly in the polar layered terrain where they may be preserved against abrasion.
Early Aneurysm Formation After Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation

A 65-year-old woman with hypertension and dyslipidemia presented with rest chest pain in the setting of 2 mm ST depression in ECG leads V3-V6 and a troponin T level (TnT) of 0.92 ng/mL (normal, <0.08 ng/mL). Emergent cardiac catheterization, performed for the non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), revealed a 60% proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) bifurcation lesion involving an 80% lesion in the first diagonal branch (D1) and a 90% first obtuse marginal artery (OM1) lesion (Figure [A]). Fractional flow reserve (FFR) of the LAD was 0.78, and the LAD was successfully treated with a bifurcation approach using a 2.75×12 mm everolimus-eluting stent (EES, Xience Prime, Abbott Vascular, Redwood City, CA) in the LAD and a 2.25×20 mm EES (Promus Element, Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) in D1; both deployed at 10 atmospheres (atm). The OM1 was treated with a 2.25×12 mm EES (Xience Prime) deployed at 10 atm. Full details of coronary interventions are available in the Data Supplement. There was no angiographic evidence of dissection or incomplete expansion after stent placement. She was discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy. Figure. A , left , A left anterior oblique (LAO) caudal view of the …
Systems Modeling of Chemical Hydride Hydrogen Storage Materials for Fuel Cell Applications

A fixed bed reactor was designed, modeled and simulated for hydrogen storage on-board the vehicle for PEM fuel cell applications. Ammonia Borane (AB) was selected by DOE's Hydrogen Storage Engineering Center of Excellence (HSECoE) as the initial chemical hydride of study because of its high hydrogen storage capacity (up to {approx}16% by weight for the release of {approx}2.5 molar equivalents of hydrogen gas) and its stability under typical ambient conditions. The design evaluated consisted of a tank with 8 thermally isolated sections in which H2 flows freely between sections to provide ballast. Heating elements are used to initiate reactions in each section when pressure drops below a specified level in the tank. Reactor models in Excel and COMSOL were developed to demonstrate the proof-of-concept, which was then used to develop systems models in Matlab/Simulink. Experiments and drive cycle simulations showed that the storage system meets thirteen 2010 DOE targets in entirety and the remaining four at greater than 60% of the target.
Tricuspid atresia. An electrocardiographic study.

Abstract Electrocardiographic studies in patients with tricuspid atresia are reported with reference to the significance and frequency of normal and right axis deviation, the factors which affect axis deviation, and the electrocardiographic changes after palliative operations. The common electrocardiographic pattern of tricuspid atresia is reviewed. Left axis deviation, tall, peaked and occasionally notched P II waves, and left ventricular predominance in precordial leads were found in the majority of cases. The P-R interval is usually normal, but either abnormal prolongation or shortening may be present. The lack of consistent electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy is contrasted with the anatomic left ventricular hypertrophy which is invariably present. The majority of cases in which there is a normal axis, and all cases in which there is right axis deviation, are associated with either pulmonic atresia or transposition of the great vessels with large pulmonary artery. These electrical axes are as common as left axis deviation among these two subgroups. The electrical axis shows no significant change with age. Normal and mild right axis deviation is not limited to early infancy in patients with tricuspid atresia. After successful shunting procedures, the height of the P wave tends to decrease; T waves tend to become upright in left precordial leads. It is suggested that an increase in the size of the P wave after shunt operations should be evaluated as a criterion for enlargement of the atrial septal defect in these patients.
Surgeons underestimate their influence on medical students entering surgery

BACKGROUND: Positive surgical role models influence medical students to pursue a career in surgery. However, the perception by role models of their own effectiveness has yet to be examined. In this study, we evaluated the influence of surgical role models on medical student career choice, and how these role models perceive themselves. METHODS: We distributed a voluntary and anonymous survey to third-year medical students, general surgery resident applicants, general surgery residents, and attending surgery faculty during the 2010-2011 academic year. We performed statistical analysis using the chi-square and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests (P < 0.05 was significant). RESULTS: Medical students and resident applicants agreed that faculty and residents are important in shaping the career paths of students. The applicants were more likely to agree than were students that clerkship role models (P = 0.0049) and mentors (P = 0.0035) affected their interest in surgery. The applicants were also more likely to agree than the students that attending surgeons (P = 0.0004), senior (P = 0.0019) and junior (P = 0.0028) surgery residents served as positive role models. Although the surgical faculty and residents agreed with the students that each level of the surgical team served as positive role models, they did not agree as strongly with the students that they have an important role in shaping students' career path (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical faculty and residents serve as positive role models for medical students. They have an essential role in shaping students' career paths and should be more cognizant of their influence, which may draw a student toward or lead them away from the field of surgery.
Kinetics, limit cycles, and mechanism of the ethylene oxidation on platinum

The oxidation of ethylene on polycrystalline Pt films was studied in a CSTR at atmospheric pressure and temperatures between 200 and 400 °C. The new technique of solid electrolyte potentiometry (SEP) was used to monitor the activity of oxygen on the metal catalyst. To this end the platinum film catalyst also served as one of the electrodes of a solid-electrolyte oxygen concentration cell and the open-circuit emf of the cell was monitored during reaction. It was found that the steady-state surface oxygen activity a0 satisfies the equation a0 = KsPO2PET, where Ks depends on temperature only. The reaction rate is first order in ethylene and adsorbed oxygen. Over a certain range of temperature and gas-phase composition both the surface oxygen activity and the reaction rate exhibit self-sustained oscillations. Limit cycles appear only over a well-defined range of surface oxygen activity a0 values. The oscillations can be explained in terms of the stability of a surface platinum oxide. The reaction mechanism is discussed in light of these observations.
Disease, drug metabolism, and transporter interactions.

Drug metabolism is a highly complex process involving the cooperative function of drug transporter proteins and drug-conjugating and -metabolizing enzymes, as well as targeted programs of gene activation and the proteasomal degradation pathway. The transport and metabolism of drugs in intestine and liver mediates the systemic delivery of therapeutic compounds, protects the body from drug toxicity, and initiates droves of signaling cascades that collectively work to maintain the body’s homeostatic conditions. The multifaceted nature of drug homeostasis requires a high level of regulation on multiple levels, and thus a disturbance in homeostatic conditions can have major detrimental effects on patient health. There are several disease states (inflammation/diabetes/morbid obesity/cancer) that can profoundly alter key drug transport and/or drug metabolic pathways in liver and intestine. However, the specific molecular mechanisms responsible for producing aberrant drug handling by the body are only beginning to be fully understood. This special theme issue of Pharmaceutical Research entitled “Disease, Drug Metabolism and Transporter Interactions” focuses on the molecular impact that specific pathological states have upon the transport and metabolism of drugs in the body, with particular emphasis on disease states that affect the entero-hepatic system. Experts from multiple fields have presented the most recent advances pertaining to the effect of disease states on signaling cascades, drug transporter function and expression, gene transcription, and cellular stress with the intent of presenting novel therapeutic targets to aid in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of potentially fatal diseases.
The Effect of Incentive regulation on Infrastructure Modernization: Local Exchange Companies' Deployment of Digital Technology

This study examines the investment patterns of all large local exchange telephone companies in the United States over time. It identifies how different regulatoy environments have influenced the recent historical pattern of investment in modern infrastructure equipment. It focuses exclusively on the postdivestiture experience of local telephone exchange companies (LECs). It examines the growth of fiber-optic deployment and of complementary equipment associated with the modernization of today's information infrastructure. The study estimates the influence of different regulatory structures on infrastructure deployment by LECs. The study is unique in that if relates individual LEC investment patterns to LEC-specific regulatory, demographic, and economic characteristics. Thus, it isolates the contribution of state regulatory policies from that of other demographic and economic factors in the determination of infrastructure deployment at the state LEC rather than at the corporate level. Its main findings are as follows: First, price regulation (and, in particular, price caps) is a more potent regulatory mechanism than the standard earnings sharing scheme. Second, when associated with an earnings sharing scheme, price regulation is less effective in triggering infrastructure deployment than when it is implemented by itself. These results raise questions about the effectiveness of a popular regulatory instrument-earnings sharing schemes-and highlight the effectiveness of generic price-cap regulation. These results have implications for the design of regulatory policy at both the state and federal levels. In particular, given the importance currently being placed on the development of the information superhighway, regulatory emphasis should be focused more on price regulation than on regulating profits.
Impact of breather soliton in Kerr combs on the performance of communication systems

We study the impact of the breather soliton in the Kerr comb generation on the communication systems. The breather soliton is found to generate multiple sub-teeth which may bring the distortion to the transmitted signals.