cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Green's functions for multiple cracks: Numerical extension of single crack analytical Green's functions to multiple cracks

The Green's functions for the line force and dislocation that satisfy the traction free boundary condition on the surfaces of arbitrary multiple straight cracks in the isotropic solids are obtained. We develop the hybrid Green's functions combining the analytical and numerical Green's function methods. The Green's function is split into the singular and the image terms. The crack opening displacement, represented as the continuous distribution of dislocation dipoles over each crack, serves as the source of the image term. It is proposed that the image term from each crack is further split into two parts: analytical image term for the individual single crack and the additional numerical image term caused by the presence of other cracks. Although, for the single crack problem, the analytical image term is the only image term needed to satisfy the traction free boundary condition, additional image term is needed to satisfy the boundary condition for multiple cracks. The advantage of the analytical image term is its ability to absorb high stress gradient when the singularity is located near one of the cracks. The additional image term, given in terms of the additional dislocation dipole distribution, needs only to provide small and smooth perturbation, due to the presence of other cracks, to satisfy the traction free boundary condition.
Treatment of Established Tumors with a Novel Vaccine That Enhances Major Histocompatibility Class II Presentation of Tumor Antigen

Presentation of antigenic peptides by MHC class II molecules to CD4+ T cells is critical to the generation of antitumor immunity. In an attempt to enhance MHC class II antigen processing, we linked the sorting signals of the lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP-1) to the cytoplasmic/nuclear human papilloma virus (HPV-16) E7 antigen, creating a chimera (Sig/E7/LAMP-1). Previously, we found that expression of this chimera in vitro and in vivo with a recombinant vaccinia vector targeted E7 to endosomal and lysosomal compartments and enhanced MHC class II presentation to CD4+ T cells compared to vaccinia expressing wild-type E7. In the current study, we tested these recombinant vaccinia for in vivo protection against an E7+ tumor, TC-1, which was derived from primary epithelial cells of C57BL/6 mice cotransformed with HPV-16 E6 and E7 and c-Ha-ras oncogenes. All mice vaccinated with 1 x 10(7) plaque-forming units of wild-type E7-vaccinia showed progressive tumor growth when challenged with a tumorigenic dose of TC-1 tumor cells; in contrast, 80% of mice vaccinated with the chimeric Sig/E7/LAMP1 vaccinia remained tumor free 3 months after tumor injection. Furthermore, treatment with the Sig/E7/LAMP-1 vaccinia vaccine cured mice with small established TC-1 tumors, whereas the wild-type E7-vaccinia showed no effect on this established tumor burden. These findings point out the therapeutic limitations of recombinant vaccinia expressing unmodified tumor antigens. Further, they demonstrate that modifications that reroute a cytosolic tumor antigen to the endosomal/lysosomal compartment can profoundly improve the in vivo therapeutic potency of recombinant vaccines.
Inverse relationship between serum calcium concentration and serum lactic dehydrogenase activity

Abstract During the study of eight patients with hypocalcemia of varying etiology an inverse relationship between serum calcium concentration and serum lactic dehydrogenase activity (SLDH) was noted. Initial serum calcium concentrations ranged from 3.7 to 7.1 mg per 100 ml and were associated with elevated SLDH activity of 151 to 400 U. In all patients the SLDH returned to the normal range as the serum calcium concentration rose with treatment. This occurred regardless of the type of therapy, which included parathyroid extract, vitamin D and oral calcium salts. The addition of calcium to hypocalcemic serum in vitro failed to alter the elevated SLDH activity. Studies of serum LDH isoenzymes from two patients indicated that the elevated LDH activity was localized to bands 1, 2, and 3 in approximately equal distribution. While the physiologic significance of these observations remains to be elucidated, an inverse relationship between serum calcium and SLDH has been demonstrated and warrants consideration in the evaluation of elevated SLDH levels in clinical situations.
Mentoring for Talent Development, Creativity, Social Skills, and Insider Knowledge: The APA Catalyst Program:

The mentoring component of the American Psychological Association Catalyst Program, and the Pinnacle Model upon which it was built, was derived from Bloom's (1985) model of talent development. According to Bloom and his associates, optimal instruction for talent development takes place in three stages. During the first stage, young people are guided to fall in love with a topic, idea, or discipline. The second stage involves instruction in the skills, knowledge, and values of the domain. In the third and final stage, the talented young person learns to apply his or her passion and technical mastery to create a unique style and message, and to explore original problems. The Catalyst Program is a yearlong program designed to support the transition from the second to the third stage of Bloom's talent development model though instruction by renowned masters in science and the arts and places a premium on the mentor/scholar relationship in guiding participating adolescents in their scientific interests and car...
SU-GG-T-415: Improved Critical Structure Sparing with Biologically-Based Treatment Planning Systems

Purpose: To compare commercially‐available biologically‐based and physically‐based IMRTtreatment planningsystems.Method and Materials: For representative cases of various anatomic sites, four IMRT plans were generated for each case. Two plans used physical optimization only (pIMRT): CMS Xio and Philips Pinnacle physical optimization (Pinn_Phy). Two other plans included biological optimization (bIMRT): CMS Monaco and Pinnacle's combined biological optimization (Pinn_bio). For a given case, the same CTimages and structures were used for all four plans. The numbers of beams and beam orientations were the same. The dose‐volume‐histogram (DVH), mean dose, minimum and maximum doses, Vx (the percent volume receiving at least x dose), heterogeneity index (HI), equivalent uniform doses (EUD), and an EUD‐based plan ranking index (fEUD) were used to compare these IMRT plans. The greater fEUD values suggest superior plans. Results: For all the cases studied, the four IMRT plans had acceptable target coverage and organs‐at‐risk (OAR) sparing. The bIMRT plans, however, led to improved OAR sparing as indicated by DVHs and EUDs. For a prostate case, the mean rectum doses for the four plans were 29.6 Gy (Xio), 24.1 Gy (Monaco), 27.9 Gy (Pinn_phy), 25.0 Gy (Pinn_bio), while the target coverage was consistent within 3.4% (ranged from 96.1% for Xio to 99.5% for Pinn_phy), the target EUDs were comparable (within 2.5%, between 76.1 Gy for Xio to 78.0 Gy for Monaco). The fEUDs were calculated to be 0.26 (XiO), 0.31 (Monaco), 0.27 (Pinn_phy), 0.29 (Pinn_bio), indicating that bIMRTs are generally better than the pIMRTs. Conclusion: Unlike physical optimization, biological optimization utilizes biological quantities that can work in the entire dose range in non‐linear proportional fashion. The biological optimization can generate plans with equivalent target coverage but with improved critical structure sparing as compared to the physical optimization.
Change of density of states at Fermi level and superconductivity in YNi2−x(Co/Cu)xB2C

Abstract The density of states at the Fermi level N(EF) was determined from normal-state static magnetic-susceptibility measurements on a series of YNi2−x (Co/Cu)xB2C compounds. N(EF) decreases for both Co and Cu substitution in a manner similar to that observed previously for the superconducting transition temperature Tc. However, for a given value of N(EF), Tc is significantly higher for Cu than for Co substituted compounds. This indicates that, other than changing N(EF), substitution also modifies the electron-phonon coupling strength.
Behavioral and Physiological Analyses of Ultrasound Production by Female Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

synopsis. The results of behavioral studies suggest specific roles for high-frequency vocali? zations (ultrasounds) in courtship and copulatory interactions among golden hamsters. In addition, these results, and functional interpretations based on them, can help to guide studies of physiological mechanisms controlling ultrasonic communication. For example, interpretations of rodent ultrasounds as sexual or agonistic signals suggest that ultrasound rates depend on gonadal hormones. This prediction has been verified for several rodent species, including hamsters. Similar reasoning should apply to the analysis of brain mecha? nisms for ultrasound production. In particular, the consideration of hamster ultrasounds as sexual behaviors and vocalizations, as well as hormone-dependent responses, suggests several brain areas as especially likely participants in neural circuits mediating hormonal effects on ultrasonic communication. The preliminary results of a study in which we lesioned one of these areas, the mesencephalic central grey, confirm this structure's involvement in the control of hamster ultrasounds, and, more generally, support the utility of behavioral data in phvsiological studies.
Determination of iron in wine using 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine

Abstract Procedures are described for the determination of iron in wine using 2,4,6-tripyridyl- s -triazine, a new ferroine reagent. One procedure involving wet ashing with nitric and perchloric acids gives results comparable to those obtained using the usual 1,10-phenanthroline method while a direct extraction procedure often gives low but reproducible results indicating the presence of “complexcd iron” in the sample.
Seasonal Patterns of Stress, Disease, and Sickness Responses

The combined challenge of low food availability and low temperatures can make winter difficult for survival, and nearly impossible for breeding. Traditionally, studies of seasonality have focused on reproductive adaptations and largely ignored adaptations associated with survival. We propose shifting the focus from reproduction to immune function, a proxy for survival, and hypothesize that evolved physiological and behavioral mechanisms enable individuals to anticipate recurrent seasonal stressors and enhance immune function in advance of their occurrence. These seasonal adaptations, which have an important influence on seasonal patterns of survival, are reviewed here. We then discuss studies suggesting that photoperiod (day length) and photoperiod-dependent melatonin secretion influence immune function. Our working hypothesis is that short day lengths reroute energy from reproduction and growth to bolster immune function during winter. The net effect of these photoperiod-mediated adjustments is enhanced ...
Organic microstructures as products of Miller-Urey electrical discharges

Abstract Massive yields of discrete groups of highly structured morphological entities are formed by sparking methane and nitrogen over a water surface. These structures were studied by light microscopy and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Chemical studies suggest the presence of a cross-linked kerogenous polymer matrix. These findings suggest that organized elements in carbonaceous chrondrites and microstructures in Early Precambrian sedimentary rocks appear to be abiological organic particles which are precursors to the first living cell.
Recovery of Schistosoma mansoni from hormonally imbalanced hosts.

Abstract 1. 1. Experiments are described in which male mouse hosts of Schistosoma mansoni were castrated, injected with testosterone, or subjected to these treatments simultaneously, and the survival rates of the worms compared to those of controls. 2. 2. Certain effects of the experimental treatments are described, but they were not consistently obtained, and differed from others reported. 3. 3. It is concluded that the possibility exists of changing the survival rates of schistosomes by disturbing the hormonal balance of the hosts, but that all the conditions required for a predictable change are not known.
Effects of cave gating on population trends at individual hibernacula of the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)

Installing gates at cave entrances to protect hibernating bat colonies is a widespread conservation action, particularly for endangered bat species such as the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). However, there is surprisingly little evidence on the efficacy of gates for improving population growth rates. We used change-point models to determine the effects of gate construction on Indiana bats. We estimated population growth rates at 20 hibernacula pre- and post-gating and quantified the change in population growth rates after gate installation. Hibernacula with increasing growth rates prior to gate placement all experienced decreased growth rates after installation. For hibernacula with declining growth rates prior to construction, growth rates increased moderately after installation. When weighted by population size, average change in growth rates across all 20 hibernacula was negative. Our results suggest that use of gates at hibernacula with growing populations may relate to unintended declines in growth rates but that, at hibernacula with declining populations, installation of gates may lead to moderate increases in local population growth rates.
Packet-switched WANs: more with less

During Operation Desert Storm, the US military used a packet-switched wide area network (WAN) to support the Army Central Forces Command and Control Information System (AC2IS) for the first time. The lessons learned from the difficulties encountered connecting a digital computer network using tactical signaling and switching equipment are outlined. The communications support which was available in Saudi Arabia, the AC2IS WAN configuration, and the performance of the packet switches used in the network are described. Operational statistics of circuit performance are presented. >
Determining biological noise via single cell analysis

Single cell analysis techniques describe the cellular heterogeneity that originates from fundamental stochastic variations in each of the molecular processes underlying cell function. The quantitative description of this set of variations is called biological noise and includes intrinsic and extrinsic noise. The former refers to stochastic variations directly involved with a given process, while the latter is due to environmental factors associated with other processes. Mathematical models are successful in predicting noise trends in simple biological systems, but it takes single cell techniques such as flow cytometry and time lapse microscopy to determine and dissect biological noise. This review describes several approaches that have been successfully used to describe biological noise.
The phase equilibria of N 3 Al evaluated by directional solidification and diffusion couple experiments

Three solid phases are involved in the phase equilibria of the important intermetallic compound N13Al near its melting point, β, γ′(Ni3AI) and γ. The generally-accepted phase diagram involves a eutectic reaction between γ′ and γ, but some recent studies agree with an older diagram due to Schramm, 5 which has a eutectic reaction between the β and γ′ phases. This work uses diffusion couple experiments to evaluate the equilibria at temperatures just below the liquidus, and it examines the liquidus region using quenched, directional solidification experiments that preserve the microstructures formed at the solidification front. At the growth rate studied, 61 μm/s, the eutectic forms between the γ and γ′ phases, as in the Schramm diagram.
A micro-sterile inflammation array as an adjuvant for influenza vaccines

There is an urgent need of adjuvants for cutaneous vaccination. Here, we report that micro-sterile inflammation induced at inoculation sites can augment immune responses to influenza vaccines in animal models. The inoculation site is briefly illuminated with a handheld, non-ablative fractional laser before the vaccine is intradermally administered, which creates an array of self-healing microthermal zones (MTZs) in the skin. The dying cells in the MTZs send 'danger' signals that attract a large number of antigen-presenting cells, in particular, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) around each MTZ forming a micro-sterile inflammation array. A pivotal role for pDCs in the adjuvanticity is ascertained by significant abrogation of the immunity after systemic depletion of pDCs, local application of a TNF-α inhibitor or null mutation of IFN regulatory factor7 (IRF7). In contrast to conventional adjuvants that cause persistent inflammation and skin lesions, micro-sterile inflammation enhances efficacy of influenza vaccines, yet with diminished adverse effects.
Comparison of therapeutic effects of coronary drugs in the USSR

T he prevalence of coronary artery disease in urban Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) population appears to be similar to that in Western European countries and the United States and, therefore, is a problem of major concern. Numerous articles, proceedings of conferences, and monographs on coronary heart disease appeared during the past decade. Naturally, drug therapy plays a substantial part, as demonstrated in the articles by Goldberg,’ Doshitsyn and co-workers2 and in the monographs of Kissin and VotchaL4 However, there does not seem to be a project in the USSR comparable in scale to the National Institutes of Health supported “Coronary Drug Project.” In the United States a massive double-blind therapeutic trial of lipid lowering drugs in coronary disease is in progress. This study known as the Coronary Drug Project has 8,341 male myocardial infarction patients enrolled in 55 centers throughout the country. At the time of enrollment they were between the ages of 30 and 64 years. The drugs under study are: nicotinic acid, clofibrate (Atromid S), estrogen, D-thyroxine (Coloxin), and placebo. The duration of follow-up is set at five years. Events studied include recurrent myocardial infarction, acute coronary insufficiency, angina, and other manifestations of arteriosclerosis, such as electrocardiographic changes, serum lipids, and mortality rates. The study will have completed five years for all patients by 1974 and should answer the question whether such drugs are useful in the therapy of arteriosclerosis, particularly coronary arteriosclerosis. The large control group of patients will provide invaluable information on the natural history of male coronary patients, a necessary yardstick for comparison with coronary patients treated by any means. One of the best controlled recent studies is the comparison of the therapeutic effect of several drugs used in the USSR for treatment of coronary heart disease by Votchal and Goldberg5 of the Central Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education in Moscow. In double-blind technique, the therapeutic effect of preparations-Papaverin, Nospa,* Segontin,t Ustimon,$ Intensain,§
Observations on naturally and artificially diseased tropical corals: A scanning electron microscope study

Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of naturally and artificially diseased corals reveal that the disease is characterized by a filamentous matrix of cyanobacterial andBeggiatoa filaments. Spiral bacteria are commonly embedded in the matrix. The artificial disease is not manifested as the characteristic “black line disease” and does not contain filaments of cyanobacteria. This suggests that cyanobacteria are necessary for the black line phenomenon. The colorless, sulfide-oxidizing bacteriumBeggiatoa, however, is always associated with the disease.
Ashkenazi Jewish genetic disorders.

The frequency of several genes responsible for "single-gene" disorders and disease predispositions is higher among Ashkenazi Jews than among Sephardi Jews and non-Jews. The disparity is most likely the result of founder effect and genetic drift, rather than heterozygote advantage. The more common Mendelian Ashkenazi Jewish genetic disorders are summarized, and examples of variable expressivity and penetrance, inconsistent genotype–phenotype correlation, and potential modifiers are presented. The importance of genetic counseling in both the pre- and post-test phases of population screening is emphasized.
Regular Approximations of Singular Sturm-Liouville Problems with Limit-Circle Endpoints

For any self-adjoint realization S of a singular Sturm-Liouville equation on an interval (a,b) with limit-circle endpoints, we construct a family of self-adjoint realizations S r ,r ∈ (0,∞), of this equation on subintervals (a r ,b r ) of (a,b) such that every eigenvalue of S is the limit of a continuous eigenvalue branch of this family. Of particular interest are the cases when at least one endpoint is oscillatory or the leading coefficient function changes sign. In these cases, we show that the index determining each continuous eigenvalue branch has an infinite number of jump discontinuities and give an explicit characterization of these discontinuities.
Orthogonality of cosets relative to irreducible characters of finite groups

Studied is an assumption on a group that ensures that no matter how the group is embedded in a symmetric group, the corresponding symmetrized tensor space has an orthogonal basis of standard (decomposable) symmetrized tensors.
Donor-specific tolerance permits burn allografting without increased sepsis.

Abstract Early excision and allografting of massive burns is beneficial. However, chronic immunosuppression, utilized to prolong allograft survival, increases the potential risk of infection. We have previously shown long-term skin allograft survival in mice with a 30% total body surface area (TBSA) burn by inducing donor-specific tolerance (DST) using only perigrafting administration of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and donor bone marrow (DBM). Chronic immunosuppression is avoided. This study tests whether induction of DST compromises host resistance to infection. Resistance to a septic challenge created by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) 10 days after a 30% TBSA burn was investigated in the following groups of mice: Group Mortality ∗ I. CLP, eschar intact ( n = 18 ) 83% II. CLP, burn excision, isograft ( n = 14 ) 43% III. CLP, burn excision, allograft, ATG ( n = 15 ) 40% IV. CLP, burn excision, allograft, ATG, DBM ( n = 14 ) 50% Positive blood cultures were documented for 97% of mortalities. Burn excision and grafting significantly ( P ⩽ 0.05) decreased mortality. No increased mortality was seen in allografted mice receiving ATG or ATG and DBM compared to isografted mice receiving no immunosuppression. These studies suggest that skin allografting with DST may permit the benefits of burn excision without the risks of infection seen with chronic immunosuppression.
A note on the Tiebout-Tullock hypothesis: The period 1975–1980

Numerous earlier studies have, for the most part, found empirical support for the Tiebout-Tullock hypothesis for the periods of the 1950s and 1960s. The present study draws on more recent data, including the 1980 Census of the Population, to find additional new support for the Tiebout-Tullock hypothesis. Apparently, there is strong evidence to indicate that, for the period 1975–1980, geographic differentials in state and local government tax and expenditure policies significantly influenced geographic mobility (migration). These findings should be of special importance and interest to policymakers in view of the fact that internal migration is the single most important determinant of population and labor force redistribution in the United States.
Threshold voltage of small-geometry Si MOSFETs

Abstract This paper uses an accurate, three-dimensional geometrical model for calculation of the threshold voltage of short-channel and narrow-width (small-geometry) silicon MOSFETs. The model expresses the threshold voltage as a function of channel length, channel width, source- and drain-junction depth, backgate bias, drain voltage, gate-oxide thickness and substrate doping concentration. The model also predicts the backgate and drain voltages for punch-through to occur for small-geometry MOSFETs.
Isoenzymes of bacterial β-galactosidases: Purification and characterization of a nonisoenzyme forming β-galactosidase of Aerobacter cloacae

Abstract The β-galactosidase (β- d -galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.23) of an inducible strain of Aerobacter cloacae does not form isoenzymes unlike several strains examined to date. The single band of enzymatic activity on polyacrylamide disc gels had a lower mobility than the tetramer of E. coli and could be detected only if divalent cations had been added to the running gel during their preparation. The enzyme was purified by several gel filtration steps, with a final purification on a column of anti-β-galactosidase antibody which had been linked to Sepharose. Its amino acid composition, sedimentation coefficient, and K m were not detectably different than that of the E. coli tetramer. The A. cloacae β-galaetosidase was weakly cross-reactive immunologically with that of E. coli , had a slightly shifted pH optimum, was more heat labile, and was more sensitive to urea denaturation. Sedimentation velocity analyses in the presence of various concentrations of urea showed that the urea-induced loss of activity correlated precisely with dissociation of the tetramer into subunits. Exposure to ion-exchange resins or extended storage at 4 ° also dissociated the A. cloacae β-galactosidase into its subunits. Therefore, the increased sensitivity to urea (and presumably to heat) of this nonisoenzyme-forming β-galactosidase reflects lower bond strengths between monomers in the tetramer.
Mutagenicity of neocarzinostatin in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Neocarzinostatin (NCS) is an acidic, single-chain polypeptide of 109 amino acids that has own some antitumor activity in clinical trials. NCS is mutagenic in recA+ strains of Escherichia coli, but not in recA strains; on the other hand, a defect in the nucleotide-excision-repair pathway has no effect on the mutagenicity of NCS in E. coli. Similar results are seen in mammalian cells. Excision-repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cells repair NCS-induced DNA damage at the same rate as repair-proficient XP heterozygotes, and X-ray-sensitive ataxia telangiectasia are also sensitive to NCS. I have investigated the mutagenicity of NCS in the ad-3 forward-mutation test in nucleotide excision-repair-sufficient and -deficient heterokaryons of Neurospora crassa. Resting conidia from a repair-sufficient strain, H-12, and a nucleotide-excision-repair-deficient strain (uvs-2) H-50, were exposed to NCS. These conidia were assayed for survival and ad-3 forward mutation. The results show that H-59 is more sensitive to the killing and mutagenic activities of NCS than is H-12. These data indicate, in contrast to E. coli and mammalian cells, that the nucleotide-excision-repair pathway of N. crassa does repair NCS-induced lesions. In other experiments, ad-3 mutants induced by NCS in H-59 were characterized to determine the spectrum of NCS-induced mutation. The results show that NCS induces both intracistronic mutations and multilocus deletions in H-59.
Organically Templated Zirconium Fluorides: Hydrothermal Syntheses, Structural Relationships, and Thermal Behavior of (C2H10N2)Zr2F10·H2O and (C4H12N2)ZrF6·H2O

Abstract The organically templated Zr(IV) fluorides, (C2H10N2) Zr2F10·H2O (AU2-6) and (C4H12N2)ZrF6·H2O (AU1-6) have been prepared from the reaction of ZrO2 with HF and ethylenediamine or piperazine under mild hydrothermal conditions. These compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, DSC, TGA, and elemental analysis. AU2-6 consists of dodecahedral ZrF8 units that share three edges with neighboring dodecahedra to form 2∞[Zr2F10]2− sheets that are separated by diprotonated ethylenediamine cations. AU1-6 contains edge-sharing ZrF8 dodecahedra that form 1∞[ZrF6]2− chains that further hydrogen bond with diprotonated piperazinium cations and water molecules. Application of dimensional reduction theory demonstrates that 1∞[ZrF6]2− chains can be derived from the 2∞[Zr2F10]2− parent structure through the addition of one equivalent of fluoride. Thermal analyses indicate that the water molecules in AU2-6 are more tightly bound than those in AU1-6 as endotherms corresponding to water loss occur at 226 and 117°C in AU2-6 and AU1-6, respectively. Crystallographic data: AU2-6, monoclinic, space group P21/n, a=6.164(1), b=15.612(3), c=11.227(2) A, β=95.31(3)°, Z=4, MoKα, λ·0.71073, R(F)=2.94% for 155 parameters with 3294 reflections with I>2σ(I); AU1-6, monoclinic, space group C2/m, a=12.190(5), b=12.732(6), c=6.356(2) A, β=107.64(3)°, Z=4, MoKα, λ=0.71073, R(F)=1.68% for 77 parameters with 869 reflections with I>2σ(I).
Cortico-limbic response to personally challenging emotional stimuli after complete recovery from depression

People vulnerable to depression are at increased risk of relapse if they live in highly critical family environments. To explore this link, we used neuroimaging methods to examine cortico-limbic responding to personal criticisms in healthy participants and participants with known vulnerability to major depression. Healthy controls and fully recovered participants with a past history of major depression were scanned while they heard praising, critical, and neutral comments from their own mothers. Prior to scanning, the formerly depressed and the control participants were indistinguishable with respect to self-reported positive, negative, or anxious mood. They also reported similar mood changes after being praised or criticized. However, formerly depressed participants responded to criticism with greater activation in the amygdala and less activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) than did controls. During praise and neutral commentary, amygdala activation was comparable in both groups, although lower levels of activation in the DLPFC and ACC still characterized formerly depressed participants. Vulnerability to depression may be associated with abnormalities in cortico-limbic activation that are independent of mood state and that remain even after full recovery. Criticism may be a risk factor for relapse because it activates the amygdala and perturbs the affective circuitry that underlies depression.
Group treatment: goals, tasks, and economic implications.

Objective In 1993, a replication of a 1983 survey of occupational therapists who used group treatment in practice was administered in order to determine whether economic and demographic changes during the 10-year period altered the use of group treatment in the delivery of occupational therapy services. Method The survey used in 1983 was updated with new questions regarding reimbursement and payment and was mailed to 307 practicing occupational therapists nationwide. Of the 188 respondents, who represented all areas of practice, 96 used group treatment and provided data on the 233 groups that they led. Results The two largest groups of occupational therapists who used group treatment worked in non-medical facilities (i.e., schools and community facilities). In general, group occupational therapy was activity oriented and small sized. Therapeutic goals included enhancing patients' task skills, communication and socialization skills, and physical abilities. Fifty-five percent of the 75 respondents to a reimbursement question indicated that there was no difference in the rate charged for individual versus group treatment. Conclusion Occupational therapists continue to use group treatment in a variety of facilities and with many different groups. The differences between the 1983 and 1993 studies were largely due to demographics (e.g., the decrease in the number of therapists working in mental health settings.) Recent documentation of the cost-effectiveness of group treatment may promote its use in times of staff member shortages and restricted funds.
Spelling Proficiency and Sensitivity to Word Structure.

Abstract The connection between spelling and pronunciation in many English words is somewhat remote. To spell accurately, a writer may need to appreciate that the orthography maps regularities of more than one kind. Two experiments explored the possibility that young adults who differ in spelling ability also differ in sensitivity to morphophonemic structure and word formational principles that underlie the regularities of English spelling. In the first, an analysis of misspellings showed that poor spellers were less able than good spellers to exploit regularities at the surface phonetic level and were less able to access the underlying morphophonemic structure of words. A second experiment used pseudowords to extend these findings and to confirm that spelling competence involves apprehension of generalizations that can be applied to new instances.
Modified Edgeworth and Cornish-Fisher Expansions with Unknown Cumulants and no Singularities

In this paper modified Edgeworth and Cornish-Fisher expansions are introduced. These expansions do not require knowing the cumulants of the distributions involved. More importantly, the new expansions have no singularities.
Stochastic models of fatigue crack growth

Abstract A number of stochastic models of fatigue crack growth under constant amplitude cyclic loading are assessed in the light of experimental data. Particular attention is paid to the predictive performance of the models under a change in the initial crack length and generally it is found that the models provide a poor estimate of the standard deviation of the number of cycles to failure. A new model is then introduced which shows improved agreement with the experimental data.
Formation of Cobalt Nitrate Hydrate, Cobalt Oxide, and Cobalt Nanoparticles Using Laser Vaporization Controlled Condensation

In this paper, we report for the first time the synthesis of cobalt nitrate hexahydrate, cobalt oxide, and cobalt particles formed from a high purity cobalt metal by a novel laser vaporization controlled condensation (LVCC) method under controlled pressures of N2 and O2. The metal vapor produced from a cobalt target in the presence of 50% N2 and 50% O2 results in the formation of cobalt nitrate. We also explored the possibilities of forming cobalt oxide and cobalt nanoparticles by altering the ratio of N2 and O2 present. For example, the synthesis of pure cobalt oxide (CoO) nanoparticles is of importance and challenging since a simple chemical route is complex. We believe that this work will be of significant importance since the present method is promising for the synthesis of metal mono oxides.
Notes on some Mimosae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) of the Chihuahuan Desert akin to M. zygophylla

TheMimosa of trans-Pecos Texas passing latterly asM. zygophylla Benth. is described as a new species.M. turneri Barneby. Its relationships to vicariantM. borealis A. Gray and to the gypsophileM. unipinnata Parf. & Pink. are thought to be closer than toM. zygophylla. Significant differences between these four species are discussed and summarized in a key, and the known range of each is mapped.
Time Estimation and Obesity

This study was conducted to test Rodin's hypothesis that overweight individuals are generally less internally responsive than individuals of normal weight. Forty-six males and 51 females classified as normal, overweight, and obese estimated the duration of a 15-minute interval in a context with minimal external cues. Contrary to Rodin's data, which were based on male samples, overweight males in this study were not more variable or less accurate in their time estimates than normal males. Overweight females were more variable than normal females, but did not differ in accuracy. In general, the results offered little support for the existence of a generalized insensitivity to internal cues on the part of the overweight. Implications for future research on obesity are discussed.
Modeling and Analysis of the Effect of Fixture-Workpiece Conformability on Static Stability

This paper presents a model for analyzing the effect of global and local conformability on fixture-workpiece system static stability. Global conformability is defined as the geometric similarity between a workpiece and the smallest envelope fit over all contacts. Two conformability metrics, C 1 and C 2 , are introduced to quantify only global, and global plus local conformability, respectively. The model considers all stiffness components of the fixture-workpiece system, including workpiece bulk stiffness. The effect of both conformability metrics on fixture-workpiece static stability is analyzed by means of examples. These examples show that static stability can either increase or decrease with conformability depending on the position of the fixturing elements with respect to the line of action of the externally applied loads. The model is experimentally validated using a pin-array type flexible machining fixture.
Instrumentation and field monitoring of ground cracking

Abstract The results of a one-year-duration precision measurement program for monitoring horizontal and vertical movements of bedrock surfaces adjacent to a ground-cracking phenomenon are presented. The ground cracking extends in a relatively straight line about 1200 m across ridges and draws in a foothill area of northern California. The site is in a seismically active region, but the closest faults, about 0.8 km away, are considered inactive. Cracking generally followed the contact of a steeply dipping claystone bed with a massive sandstone bed. Precision monitoring lines, 30 m in length, were established at two distinctive topographical features along the cracking, a saddle area and a side hill area. The precision lines were supplemented by a 230-m control line and several isolated points to be monitored. Instrumentation included a portable micrometer beam extensometer and mechanical tiltmeter, a tape extensometer, and piezometers. Seasonal and artificially stimulated movements were observed during the monitoring period. Vertical ground movements of 75 mm and horizontal ground extensions of 55 mm in 3 m were observed during the study period. Data suggest moisture/volume change properties of the claystone unit as the principal mechanism.
Preoperative Screening and Case Cancellation in Cocaine-Abusing Veterans Scheduled for Elective Surgery

Background. Perioperative management of cocaine-abusing patients scheduled for elective surgery varies widely based on individual anecdotes and personal experience. Methods. Chiefs of the anesthesia departments in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system were surveyed to estimate how often they encounter surgical patients with cocaine use. Respondents were asked about their screening criteria, timing of screening, action resulting from positive screening, and if they have a formal policy for management of these patients. Interest in the development of VA guidelines for the perioperative management of patients with a history of cocaine use was also queried. Results. 172 VA anesthesia departments' chiefs were surveyed. Response rate was 62%. Over half of the facilities see cocaine-abusing patients at least once a week (52%). Two thirds of respondents canceled or delayed patients with a positive screen regardless of clinical symptoms. Only eleven facilities (10.6%) have a formal policy. The majority of facilities (80%) thought that having formal guidelines for perioperative management of cocaine-abusing patients would be helpful to some extent. Results. 172 VA anesthesia departments' chiefs were surveyed. Response rate was 62%. Over half of the facilities see cocaine-abusing patients at least once a week (52%). Two thirds of respondents canceled or delayed patients with a positive screen regardless of clinical symptoms. Only eleven facilities (10.6%) have a formal policy. The majority of facilities (80%) thought that having formal guidelines for perioperative management of cocaine-abusing patients would be helpful to some extent. Conclusions. There is a general consensus that formal guidelines would be helpful. Further studies are needed to help formulate evidence-based guidelines for managing patients screening positive for cocaine prior to elective surgery.
Distribution of α-amino-β-methylaminopropionic acid in Cycas

Abstract α-Amino-β-methylaminopropionic acid, previously isolated from seeds of Cycas circinalis , has now been identified either free or bound in all th
A method for reducing the effect of nuclear reactions in stopping detectors

Abstract The tail of lower energy pulses due to nuclear reactions of incident particles in a stopping detector causes difficulty in the measurement of inelastically scattered particles. But it is possible to separate lower pulse height events arising from nuclear reactions from those due to “true” low energy particles by comparing the spatial energy loss distribution observed in the detector to that predicted from the range-energy relation for “true” particles. This is accomplished by dividing the detector into a number of laminae, and recording the energy loss in each. Two methods of treating the information that is obtained are described in this paper. Results are presented for protons of energies up to 45 MeV incident on a Si detector stack consisting of four equal laminae.
Slaves waiting for sale: Abolitionist art and the American slave trade

by Maurie D. McInnis Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011, 280 pages ISBN: 978-0-2265-5933-9 (hardback) Price $40.00 Reviewed by Laura Krystal Porterfield, Temple University Slaves Waiting fo...
Variants of Streptococcus Lactis which do not Ferment Lactose

Summary Four cultures of Streptococcus lactis which did not ferment lactose were isolated from milk. These cultures were shown to agree with typical S. lactis strains in all other respects. It is believed that these cultures represent naturally occurring variants of S. lactis , and this view appears to be borne out by the fact that one strain, after cultivation in milk for ten months, is gradually acquiring the ability to ferment lactose.
Dual thermal ablation modality of solid tumors in a mouse model

Purpose: Develop a new combination therapy consisting of cryoablation and conductive high-temperature ablation for enhanced thermal ablation of solid tumors. Methods: We have constructed an invasive probe that can be used for consecutive cryoablation and hightemperature ablation (C/HTA), with a single insertion. The C/HTA probe was tested, in Balb/c mice bearing solid 4T1 tumors, in comparison to cryoablation and high temperature ablation, only. Three days after ablation, the diameter of the ablated zone was evaluated with pathological examination. Results: The C/HTA device can be used to induce larger ablation zones, in comparison to high temperature or cryoablation alone, and at lower thermal doses and temperatures than either modality alone. Conclusions: The relatively high thermal conductivity of ice, in comparison to water and native tissue, enables rapid heating of the ice-ball that result in improved conductive high temperature ablation. The new dual thermal modality improves ablation outcomes at lower thermal doses in comparison to a single ablation modality.
A role for the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in myocardial cell growth, sarcomeric organization, and cardiac-specific gene expression.

Three hallmark features of the cardiac hypertrophic growth program are increases in cell size, sarcomeric organization, and the induction of certain cardiac-specific genes. All three features of hypertrophy are induced in cultured myocardial cells by α1- adrenergic receptor agonists, such as phenylephrine (PE) and other growth factors that activate mitogen- activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In this study the MAPK family members extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 were activated by transfecting cultured cardiac myocytes with constructs encoding the appropriate kinases possessing gain-of-function mutations. Transfected cells were then analyzed for changes in cell size, sarcomeric organization, and induction of the genes for the A- and B-type natriuretic peptides (NPs), as well as the α-skeletal actin (α-SkA) gene. While activation of JNK and/or ERK with MEKK1COOH or Raf-1 BXB, respectively, augmented cell size and effected relatively modest increases in NP and α-SkA promoter activities, neither upstream kinase conferred sarcomeric organization. However, transfection with MKK6 (Glu), which specifically activated p38, augmented cell size, induced NP and α-Ska promoter activities by up to 130-fold, and elicited sarcomeric organization in a manner similar to PE. Moreover, all three growth features induced by MKK6 (Glu) or PE were blocked with the p38-specific inhibitor, SB 203580. These results demonstrate novel and potentially central roles for MKK6 and p38 in the regulation of myocardial cell hypertrophy.
Men’s and Women’s Health Beliefs Differentially Predict Coronary Heart Disease Incidence in a Population-Based Sample

Objective. To examine gender differences in the association between beliefs in heart disease preventability and 10-year incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a population-based sample. Methods. A total of 2,688 Noninstitutionalized Nova Scotians without prior CHD enrolled in the Nova Scotia Health Study (NSHS95) and were followed for 10 years. Risk factors, health behaviors, and incident CHD were assessed. Participants responded “yes” or “no” to a question about heart disease preventability. Survival models, adjusted for age, income, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure, were used to estimate the relation between health belief and incident CHD. Gender differences in the relation between health beliefs and health behaviors were assessed. Results. Gender was a significant moderator of the relation between belief and CHD incidence; specifically, women who believed heart disease could be prevented were less likely to have incident CHD events compared with women wh...
Infraorbital nerve blockade from birth does not disrupt central trigeminal pattern formation in the rat

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that patterned primary afferent impulse activity during early postnatal periods is necessary for central trigeminal pattern formation. Newborn rats had their whiskers trimmed daily and new slices of slow release polymer containing the sodium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin, were placed under the infraorbital nerve every 8 h for up to 9 days. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that trigeminal ganglion cells were unresponsive to peripheral stimuli and chronically silenced. Trigeminal ganglion cell numbers were unaffected by nerve blockade. Cytochrome oxidase staining patterns in the trigeminal brainstem complex, thalamus, and barrel cortex were normal on postnatal day 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 (n = 4 each). Whisker-related patches were of normal sizes and staining densities. Similar negative results were obtained in 9 rats in which whiskers were trimmed daily and the long-acting local anesthetic bupivicaine was injected into the whisker pad at 2.5- to 4-h intervals from birth to sacrifice on postnatal day 5–9. Cytochrome oxidase staining patterns and patch properties again did not differ from normal. Thus, trigeminal pattern formation occurs even when the entire infraorbital nerve is silenced from birth.