cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing anxious self-talk in youth: The Negative Affectivity Self-Statement Questionnaire-Anxiety Scale

Investigated the development and utility of the Negative Affectivity Self-Statement Questionnaire—Anxiety Scale (NASSQ-A) for youth. Participants in the initial anxiety-disordered (AD) sample were 68 children with a principal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social phobia (SP), and participants in the non anxiety-disordered (NAD) sample were 37 children with no anxiety or mood disorder. Findings were then cross-validated on an additional sample of 138 children with a principal diagnosis of GAD or SP. Thirty-three negative self-statements were found to separate anxious from non-anxious participants, and were combined to form the NASSQ-A. Using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analyses, a NASSQ-A cutoff score of 49 was determined to be optimal for identifying anxiety-disordered youth. Findings are discussed with regard to the assessment of self-talk in anxiety disorders.
Azo substituted 1,2,4-oxadiazoles as insensitive energetic materials

5,5′-Diamino-3,3′-azo-1,2,4-oxadiazole (3) was synthesized by reacting 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-oxadiazole with potassium permanganate in the presence of an organic solvent. Nitration of 5-amino-3-azo-1,2,4-oxadiazole gave rise to the 1,2,4-oxadiazolone (4) directly rather than the nitramine compound. Energetic salts of oxadiazolone 4 were prepared by treating with amine bases. These high nitrogen compounds were fully characterized using IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and, in case of 3, with single crystal X-ray structuring. All the azo-substituted 1,2,4-oxadiazoles are impact insensitive materials.
Gas movement through sea ice

UNLIKE ices from pure or freshwater, sea ice is a highly permeable medium for gases. We have found that: (1) the migration of these gases along the grain boundaries (probably in brine channels) was 2 to 6 times as great as that at right angles to the principal axis of the grain boundaries; (2) the rate of penetration is ∼ 30 cm h−1 at −15 °C for halogenated gases (in nl ml−1 quantities) and 60 cm h−1 at −7 °C for carbon dioxide (in μl ml−1 quantities); (3) the vertical migration is about twice as fast as horizontal migration at −15 °C, and (4) for one experiment with a block of semi-fresh pressure ridge ice, the migration rate was ∼ 60 cm h−1 at −15 °C. The permeation constants are estimated to be 10−7 cm2 s−1 atm−1 at −15 °C for SF6, and 2 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 atm−1 for CO2 at −7 °C. These data strongly indicate that gas migration through sea ice is an important factor in ocean–atmosphere winter communication particularly when the surface temperature is > −10 °C.
Nonthermal Effects of Photon Illumination on Surface Diffusion

Nonthermal influences of photon illumination on surface diffusion at high temperatures have been measured experimentally for the first time. Activation energies and preexponential factors for diffusion of germanium and indium on silicon change substantially in response to illumination by photons having energies greater than the substrate band gap. Results depend on doping type. Ionization of surface vacancies by photogenerated charge carriers seems to play a key role. The results have significant implications for aspects of microelectronics fabrication governed by surface mobility. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society }
Double rolling isolation systems: A mathematical model and experimental validation

Abstract Rolling isolation systems (RISs) protect fragile building contents from earthquake hazards by decoupling horizontal floor motions from the horizontal responses of the isolated object. The RISs in use today have displacement capacities of about 20 cm. This displacement capacity can be increased by stacking two systems. This paper presents and evaluates a complete non-linear model of the coupled dynamics of double RISs. The model is derived through the fundamental form of Lagrange׳s equation and involves the non-holonomic constraints of spheres rolling between non-parallel surfaces. The derivation requires the use of two translating and rotating reference frames. The proposed model is validated through comparisons between experimentally measured and numerically predicted time histories and peak response quantities—total acceleration and relative displacement. The effects of the initial conditions, the mass of the isolated object, and the amplitude and period of the disturbance on the system׳s performance are assessed.
Relative Value of Transdermal and Oral Estrogen Therapy in Various Clinical Situations

Objective In this study, we reviewed the comparative effectiveness of transdermal and oral estrogen therapy in various groups of women. Design On the basis of published data and personal clinical experience, we compiled recommendations for use of the various modes of estrogen replacement therapy. Material and Methods The use of injectable estrogen or implantable estrogen pellets can no longer be recommended because of their expense, inconvenience, and unphysiologic pattern of serum estrogen response. The two main estrogen preparations currently used in the United States—orally administered conjugated estrogens and transdermals administered estradiol—undergo different metabolism, and these processes are reflected in differing levels of circulating hormones and hepatic by-products, including blood clotting factors, binding proteins, renin substrate, and apolipoproteins, and in varied composition of the bile. Results At least theoretically, transdermal estrogen therapy might be more beneficial than oral estrogen therapy for women who smoke cigarettes or who have migraine headaches, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatobiliary disorders, fibrocystic breast disease, or a history of thromboembolism. In contrast, women with hypercholesterolemia might respond better to oral than to transdermal estrogen therapy. Conclusion Additional properly designed clinical studies are necessary before these recommendations for estrogen replacement therapy can be validated or refuted.
Phase equilibria in horizontal pneumatic transport

Abstract In an analogy to thermodynamics, the phase behavior of horizontal pneumatic systems is discussed. Two separate phases are described which can be termed dilute and dense. These two phases can and do exist in equilibrium states dependent on the chosen state variables of gas flux, solids flux, and solids volume fraction. Experimenal data from 0.0266-m and 0.0504-m diameter pipes is described using a van der Waals analog equation which is capable of predicting the coexistence of the dilute and dense phases.
Use of hemoglobin A1c as an early predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess an early hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) value from 5.7-6.4% as an early predictor of progression to gestational diabetes (GDM). Study Design A retrospective cohort study was performed on all women who delivered at a single institution over 2 years who had an early screening HgbA1c test performed at ≤20 weeks of gestation. Women with known preexisting diabetes mellitus or HgbA1c values ≥6.5% were excluded. The primary outcome was GDM development. Secondary outcomes included delivery route, maternal weight gain, birthweight, and neonatal morbidities. Women with an HgbA1c value of 5.7-6.4% were compared with those with an HgbA1c level of Results Nearly one-third of those patients in the HgbA1c 5.7-6.4% group (27.3%) experience the development of GDM compared with only 8.7% in the HgbA1c Conclusion More than 10% of patients in our cohort had an early screening HgbA1c value of 5.7-6.4%. Women in this group have a significantly higher risk of progression to GDM compared with women with normal HgbA1c values and should be considered for closer GDM surveillance and possible intervention.
Water relationships among wetland habitat types in the Mingo Swamp, Missouri

The hydrologic relationships of 15 lowland hardwood wetland habitat types in the Mingo Swamp of southeastern Missouri were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering multivariate techniques. Both the PCA and cluster analyses defined significant differences among wetland types. In all PCAs, the percentage of total water coverage, percentage of water 30 cm deep had the highest loading in factor I and were most useful in separating wetland types. Typically, open water habitats were classified at one extreme in the analyses and pin oak/hickory habitats at the opposite extreme. Dead tree, open marsh, ditch, and river habitats were usually closely grouped; however, all green-tree reservoir habitats were hydrologically shifted toward deeper, more permanently flooded conditions, especially in fall and early winter.
A Stylometric Foray into the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879

The most celebrated feat of arms during the reign of Queen Victoria was arguably the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and, in particular, the heroic defence of the mission station at Rorke's Drift. The senior officer, Lieutenant John Chard, was asked to write a report of the battle in its immediate aftermath which he duly submitted, yet suspicions have arisen concerning the true authorship of this “official” report, which deflects the blame for the horrifying tragedy at Isandlwana that same day away from the Commander-in-Chief Lord Chelmsford. This article describes how stylometry can shed light on a possible Victorian conspiracy.
Magnesium suppresses neuropathic pain responses in rats via a spinal site of action

We tested the ability of Mg2+ therapy to block the heat-hyperalgesia, mechano-allodynia and mechano-hyperalgesia that are seen in rats with an experimental painful peripheral neuropathy (the CCI model of Bennett and Xie). Systemic Mg2+ (magnesium sulfate, 600 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly reduced heat-hyperalgesia and mechano-allodynia for 2-24 h post-injection, but had no effect on mechano-hyperalgesia. Intrathecal (i.t.) injections of Mg2+ (185-750 micrograms) at the level of the lumbar spinal cord significantly reduced heat-hyperalgesia, but perineural application (750 and 7,000 micrograms) to the site of nerve injury had no effect. Neither s.c. nor i.t. Mg2+ had any effect on the responses from the control, sham-operated side. We conclude that Mg2+ has a spinal site of action. Mg2+ therapy may be of limited use in the treatment of human painful peripheral neuropathy.
The Boogie-Woogie Illusion

A grid of vertical and horizontal lines, each composed of light and dark squares, is moved rigidly at 45° to the vertical on a gray surround. When the luminance of the background is set midway between the luminances of the light and dark squares, the squares appear to race along the lines even though they are actually ‘painted’ on the lines. The effect arises from the unequal apparent speeds of the lines and their textures. The light and dark squares along the lines define a first-order pattern whose apparent speed, parallel or along the line, is close to veridical. The lines themselves have no overall luminance difference from the background so that they are defined by a second-order difference. As reported elsewhere, apparent speed is reduced for second-order motion so that the motion perpendicular to the line is perceived as slower than the motion along the line even though they are physically equal. The imbalance creates the impression that the small squares are moving along the lines rather than movi...
Support for decentralized computers

The extraordinarily rapid advance of microelectronics is causing a rapid drop in both the cost and economy of scale of computing equipment. In less than a decade, the powerful economic incentive for centralizing the production of computing cycles has reversed. Simultaneously, the productivity of computing professionals has not kept pace with inflation, and it appears that staff productivity gains will be difficult to achieve in a decentralized environment.Distribution of computing equipment is making support for the individual computer user more difficult in the following ways:-- There is a need for support of multiple types of small computer hardware.-- There is a need to maintain multiple operating systems and versions of applications software.-- There is little knowledge and experience in providing documentation, user training, and consulting support in a highly distributed multi-architecture computing environment.This paper outlines Cornell's response to the challenge of decentralized computing. The paper details the rationale, planning, organization, financing, and staffing for the new Decentralized Academic Computer Support group in Cornell Computing Services. In addition, the responsibilities of that group and its interaction with the other groups in Computing Services is described. Finally, attention is given to the relationship between Computing Services and the Cornell community regarding small computers.The accelerating trend of decentralizing the production of computing cycles presents user support groups with both a challenge and an opportunity. Failure to respond will result in more expensive and lower quality computing for the university community as well as declining utilization of user support services.
Monoethylarsine pyrolysis alone and with trimethylgallium

Pyrolysis of monoethylarsine (C2H2AsH2), alone and with trimethylgallium ((CH3)3Ga), has been studied at atmospheric pressure in a flow tube reactor using mass spectrometry. He and D2 were selected as the carrier gases to determine the ambient effects and to isotopically label the pyrolysis products. Supplemental C2H5 and CH3 radicals, produced from pyrolysis of azoethane ((C2H5)2N2) and azomethane ((CH3)2N2), were added for some experiments to investigate the role of radicals in pyrolysis. No ambient effect appeared; however, the pyrolysis could be enhanced by addition of either C2H5 or CH3 radicals. Enhanced pyrolysis also occurred when (CH3)3Ga was added. The products for pyrolysis alone and with (C2H5)2N2 were nearly identical, mainly C2H6 and small amounts of diethylarsine ((C2H5)2AsH) and AsH3. However, with (CH3)2N2 and (CH3)3Ga, in addition to the major products C2H6 and CH4, other CH3-associated species were observed. These results suggest that (1) C2H5AsH2 alone pyrolyzes via C2H5 radical reactions and (2) with (CH3)3Ga, CH3 radical reactions are important decomposition pathways. Pyrolysis of (C2H5)2AsH and triethylarsine ((C2H5)3As), alone and with (CH3)2Ga, are compared. A generalized theory for pyrolysis in all three ethylarsine systems is suggested. The main role of (CH3)3Ga during growth of GaAs using (CH3)3Ga and any of the ethylarsines is probably the supply of CH3 radicals which abstract H or C2H5 ligands from the ethylarsine parent molecules.
The Voice from the Void: Wireless, Modernity and the Distant Dead

This piece examines the proliferation of paranormal discourses around wireless and radio in the early decades of the century. Engaging popular fiction and parapsychological literature of the era, the article gives particular emphasis to the period's reigning image of ‘the etheric ocean’, discussing the symbolic importance of this metaphor in stories casting radio as a medium of the dead and of telepathy. Linking these often sinister stories to the vast social transformations of modernity, the article argues that the generally enthusiastic reception of the new medium was tempered by these occult stories of death, despair, and separation. Even as popular culture celebrated radio as a means of creating new electronic communities, there remained a subtext of atomization and alienation in the new technology. The article argues, in closing, that this paradox has continued to inform speculative, paranormal accounts of telecommunications across the century.
Adolescent Pathways to Adult Smoking: Ethnic Identity, Peer Substance Use, and Antisocial Behavior

African-Americans and Puerto Ricans were interviewed during adolescence, in their early twenties, and then again in their mid-twenties. Results indicated that earlier adolescent smoking, family conflict, and weak ethnic identity were significantly related to antisocial behavior, which in turn was related to associating with friends who smoked and/or used illegal drugs, and ultimately, to their own smoking. Results further indicate that early interventions in the development of tobacco use should focus on decreasing parental and adolescent smoking and parent-child conflict. If intervention occurs at a later time point, the emphasis should be on increasing ethnic identity and decreasing antisocial behavior. (Am J Addict 2010;00:1-9).
Exact memory size estimation for array computations

This paper presents a new algorithm for exact estimation of the minimum memory size required by programs dealing with array computations. Based on parametric partitioning of the iteration space and formalized live variable analysis, our algorithm transforms the minimum memory size estimation into an equivalent problem: integer point counting for intersection/union of mappings of parameterized polytopes. A heuristics was then proposed to solve the counting problem. Experimental results show that the algorithm achieves the exactness traditionally associated with totally unrolling loops while exploiting reduced computation complexity by preserving the original loop structure.
E-Commerce and e-Government: How Do They Compare? What Can They Learn From Each Other?

For more than a decade e-Commerce and eGovernment applications have made major impacts in their respective sectors, private and public. Some time ago, we presented early insights from a comparative study of the two phenomena. This paper reports on more robust findings from an ongoing empirical investigation and deepens our understanding of similarities and differences between e-Commerce and e-Government. The findings show that despite major similarities the two phenomena follow quite separate and distinct trajectories.
Study of behavior of digital modulations for beam steerable reflectarray antennas

This paper investigates the bit error rate (BER) performance of digital modulations in a system with a scanning reflectarray antenna. A reflectarray causes intersymbol interference (ISI) in a digitally modulated signal, its phase shifters' phase errors cause signal distortion, and its phase shifters' phase transient causes beam pattern degradation during direction switching. In this paper, composite signal models of the reflectarray are established for both static and transient states. Due to different feed-to-element distances and the element-to-observation distances, different delays exist in signal components. These delays cause ISI whose effect is analyzed and evaluated. Effects of phase shifters' phase errors and phase transient during beam switching are also analyzed and evaluated. Numerical calculations and simulations are performed. The analytical and simulation results for an example reflectarray at f/sub c/=26.5 GHz and bit rate of 1.325 Gbps show that the BER degradation due to ISI is proportional to the symbol rate and the loss ranges from about 1 dB to around 2 dB in E/sub b//N/sub o/, depending on original E/sub b//N/sub o/, for BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, and 16QAM. The phase error effect is negligible for lower order modulations and is unacceptable for higher order modulations such as 64QAM and 256QAM. The degradation due to phase transient effect is about 2 dB for BPSK and QPSK.
Competition and Future Needs of International Clients

The world is increasingly becoming a single marketplace. To compete well, design and construction firms must better understand international customers and their needs in order to strategically plan to meet those needs. A project conducted by the International Task Force of the Construction Industry Institute (CII) investigated this topic by interviewing a wide range of international client organizations. Interviews were conducted in the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America, The Middle East, and the United States. The objectives of these interviews were to (1) identify significant future needs of the international client; (2) evaluate needs along with the plans/visions of engineering and construction clients to determine trends and expectations of the engineering/construction (E/C) community; and (3) make recommendations to E/C contractors as to how they can better serve clients in the year 2000 and beyond. This paper reports on the findings of this study and the conclusions presented in the CII report entit...
Role of SGK in hormonal regulation of epithelial sodium channel in A6 cells.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase (SGK) in the activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by aldosterone, arginine vasopressi...
How surgeon age affects surveillance strategies for extremity soft tissue sarcoma patients after potentially curative treatment.

Background. The optimal strategy for follow-up of extremity soft tissue sarcoma patients after potentially curative treatment remains unknown. We investigated whether the date of completion of formal surgical training affects choice of surveillance strategy. Materials and methods. The 1592 members of the Society of Surgical Oncology were asked how often they use 12 separate surveillance modalities during years 1–5 and 10 postsurgery. The motivation underlying follow-up was assessed separately. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare practice patterns by the year in which the surgeon's formal surgery training was completed, controlling for tumor grade, tumor size, and year postsurgery. Results. Of the 716 respondents, 318 performed surgery and also provided long-term postoperative surveillance for their patients. These respondents were considered evaluable. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, extremity X ray, and bone scan were the follow-up tests which differed significantly among physician age groups. Surgeons who completed training more than 30 years ago ordered erythrocyte sedimentation rate more frequently (P < 0.001). Surgeons in the 21–30 year category ordered extremity X ray and bone scan more frequently (P < 0.05), but the absolute differences among age groups were quite small. Older surgeons were also significantly more likely to believe that follow-up is clinically worthwhile. Conclusions. The posttreatment surveillance practice patterns of the members of the Society of Surgical Oncology caring for extremity soft tissue sarcoma patients vary only marginally with the length of time since completion of training. Postgraduate education may be one factor homogenizing surgeon behavior in this important aspect of cancer patient care.
Was Gandhi “charismatic”? Exploring the rhetorical leadership of Mahatma Gandhi

Abstract This study explores a deceptively simple question: was Gandhi a “charismatic” leader? We compare Gandhi's rhetorical leadership to social movement leaders and charismatic U.S. presidents to examine whether any consistencies in charismatic rhetoric emerge across historical and cultural contexts. Our findings indicate that charismatic themes of articulating the intolerable nature of the present and appealing to values and moral justifications emerged in similar levels across all three samples. In addition, Gandhi's speeches contained comparable levels of language that emphasized his similarity to followers, followers’ worth, links between the past and future, and abstract, intangible themes as compared to other leaders. In contrast, themes of collective focus and active, aggressive speech varied significantly across the three samples. Recognizing that content analysis should be utilized with caution across cultural settings, we suggest a number of possible explanations for Gandhi's pervasive appeal and implications for future research into the universality of visionary rhetoric.
Subjective Invulnerability, Risk Behavior, and Adjustment in Early Adolescence

The current study investigated whether invulnerability manifests with adaptive and maladaptive outcomes during early adolescence. We sampled 248 (53% female; 63% Caucasian; [X¯]age=13.2 years) earl...
Understanding 2D-BarCode Technology and Applications in M-Commerce - Design and Implementation of A 2D Barcode Processing Solution

With the swift increase of the number of mobile device users, more wireless information services and mobile commerce applications are needed. Since various barcodes have been used for decades as a very effective means in many traditional commerce systems, today people are looking for innovative solutions to use barcodes in the wireless world. Recently, the mobile industry began to pay more attention to barcode applications in m-commerce because 2D-barcodes not only provide a simple and inexpensive method to present diverse commerce data, but also improve mobile user experience by reducing their inputs. This paper first discusses 2D-barcode concepts, types and classifications, major technology players, and applications in mobile commerce. Then, it reports a research project to develop a 2D-barcode processing solution to support mobile applications. Moreover, the paper also presents the application examples, and case study using the solution.
Adaptable molecular interactions guide phosphorylation of the SR protein ASF/SF2 by SRPK1.

Abstract The SR (arginine-serine rich) protein ASF/SF2 (also called human alternative splicing factor), an essential splicing factor, contains two functional modules consisting of tandem RNA recognition motifs (RRMs; RRM1–RRM2) and a C-terminal arginine-serine repeat region (RS domain, a domain rich in arginine-serine repeats). The SR-specific protein kinase (SRPK) 1 phosphorylates the RS domain at multiple serines using a directional (C-terminal-to-N-terminal) and processive mechanism—a process that directs the SR protein to the nucleus and influences protein–protein interactions associated with splicing function. To investigate how SRPK1 accomplishes this feat, the enzyme–substrate complex was analyzed using single-turnover and multiturnover kinetic methods. Deletion studies revealed that while recognition of the RS domain by a docking groove on SRPK1 is sufficient to initiate the processive and directional mechanism, continued processive phosphorylation in the presence of building repulsive charge relies on the fine-tuning of contacts with the RRM1–RRM2 module. An electropositive pocket in SRPK1 that stabilizes newly phosphorylated serines enhanced processive phosphorylation of later serines. These data indicate that SRPK1 uses stable, yet highly flexible protein–protein interactions to facilitate both early and late phases of the processive phosphorylation of SR proteins.
Improving the estimation of bacterial allele frequencies.

RANNALA et al. ([2000][1]) develop a useful Poisson process model for estimating allele frequencies in bacterial populations using presence/absence data on infected hosts. However, they also show that the estimators they derive suffer from bias. In this letter we derive different estimators from the
A simulation-based framework for risk assessment and probabilistic sensitivity analysis of base-isolated structures

A versatile, simulation-based framework for risk assessment and probabilistic sensitivity analysis of base-isolated structures is discussed in this work. A probabilistic foundation is used to address the various sources of uncertainties, either excitation or structural, and to characterize seismic risk. This risk is given, in this stochastic setting, by some statistics of the system response over the adopted probability models and stochastic simulation is implemented for its evaluation. An efficient, sampling-based approach is also introduced for establishing a probabilistic sensitivity analysis to identify the importance of each of the uncertain model parameters in affecting the overall risk. This framework facilitates use of complex models for the structural system and the excitation. The adopted structural model explicitly addresses nonlinear characteristics of the isolators and of any supplemental dampers, and the effect of seismic pounding of the base to the surrounding retaining walls. An efficient stochastic ground motion model is also discussed for characterizing future near-fault ground motions and relating them to the seismic hazard for the structural site. An illustrative example is presented that emphasizes the results from the novel probabilistic sensitivity analysis and their dependence on seismic pounding occurrences and on addition of supplemental dampers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preoperative evaluation of the mandible in patients with carcinoma of the floor of mouth

Preoperative evaluation of the mandible for invasion by tumor has always been a difficult problem. Various methods have been used, including clinical evaluation, panoramic x-rays, dental films, routine mandible films, bone scans, computed tomographic (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The diagnostic accuracy of these methods has not been totally satisfactory from the clinical standpoint. We compared the diagnostic effectiveness of clinical evaluation, panorex films, and CT scans in 60 patients with carcinoma of the floor of mouth. The relative value of these tests was studied in relation to marginal or segmental mandibulectomy. Our data showed that CT scanning was not very helpful, mainly because of the presence of irregular dental sockets and artifacts. Clinical evaluation was the most accurate, both to determine bone invasion and to decide the type of mandibular resection necessary in association with the primary tumor. Panoramic films were helpful in evaluating the gross extent of mandibular invasion. However, they were not of any help in determining minimal bony invasion or cortical invasion. Even though CT scanning has made a tremendous impact in other areas of head and neck surgery, it is not of much help in making the critical decisions in the type of mandible resection, marginal or segmental, in patients with carcinoma of the floor of mouth. Our experience demonstrates that clinical evaluation is superior in preoperative evaluation of the mandible, and especially in deciding the type of mandible resection.
Bactericidal Action of Daptomycin against Stationary-Phase and Nondividing Staphylococcus aureus Cells

Most antibiotics with bactericidal activity require that the bacteria be actively dividing to produce rapid killing. However, in many infections, such as endocarditis, prosthetic joint infections, and infected embedded catheters, the bacteria divide slowly or not at all. Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic with a distinct mechanism of action that targets the cytoplasmic membrane of gram-positive organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus. Daptomycin is rapidly bactericidal against exponentially growing bacteria (a 3-log reduction in 60 min). The objectives of this study were to determine if daptomycin is bactericidal against nondividing S. aureus and to quantify the extent of the bactericidal activity. In high-inoculum methicillin-sensitive S. aureus cultures in stationary phase (10(10) CFU/ml), daptomycin displayed concentration-dependent bactericidal activity, requiring 32 micro/ml to achieve a 3-log reduction. In a study comparing several antibiotics at 100 microg/ml, daptomycin demonstrated faster bactericidal activity than nafcillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and vancomycin. In experiments where bacterial cell growth was halted by the metabolic inhibitor carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone or erythromycin, daptomycin (10 microg/ml) achieved the bactericidal end point (a 3-log reduction) within 2 h. In contrast, ciprofloxacin (10 microg/ml) did not produce bactericidal activity. Daptomycin (2 microg/ml) remained bactericidal against cold-arrested S. aureus, which was protected from the actions of ciprofloxacin and nafcillin. The data presented here suggest that, in contrast to that of other classes of antibiotics, the bactericidal activity of daptomycin does not require cell division or active metabolism, most likely as a consequence of its direct action on the bacterial membrane.
GABAA Receptor Regulation of Voluntary Ethanol Drinking Requires PKCε

Protein kinase C (PKC) regulates a variety of neural functions, including ion channel activity, neurotransmitter release, receptor desensitization and differentiation. We have shown previously that mice lacking the epsilon-isoform of PKC (PKCepsilon) self-administer 75% less ethanol and exhibit supersensitivity to acute ethanol and allosteric positive modulators of GABA(A) receptors when compared with wild-type controls. The purpose of the present study was to examine involvement of PKCepsilon in GABA(A) receptor regulation of voluntary ethanol drinking. To address this question, PKCepsilon null-mutant and wild-type control mice were allowed to drink ethanol (10% v/v) vs. water on a two-bottle continuous access protocol. The effects of diazepam (nonselective GABA(A) BZ positive modulator), zolpidem (GABA(A) alpha1 agonist), L-655,708 (BZ-sensitive GABA(A) alpha5 inverse agonist), and flumazenil (BZ antagonist) were then tested on ethanol drinking. Ethanol intake (grams/kg/day) by wild-type mice decreased significantly after diazepam or zolpidem but increased after L-655,708 administration. Flumazenil antagonized diazepam-induced reductions in ethanol drinking in wild-type mice. However, ethanol intake by PKCepsilon null mice was not altered by any of the GABAergic compounds even though effects were seen on water drinking in these mice. Increased acute sensitivity to ethanol and diazepam, which was previously reported, was confirmed in PKCepsilon null mice. Thus, results of the present study show that PKCepsilon null mice do not respond to doses of GABA(A) BZ receptor ligands that regulate ethanol drinking by wild-type control mice. This suggests that PKCepsilon may be required for GABA(A) receptor regulation of chronic ethanol drinking.
Minimizing the Supply Sensitivity of a CMOS Ring Oscillator Through Jointly Biasing the Supply and Control Voltages

A method to minimize the supply sensitivity of a CMOS ring oscillator is proposed through joint biasing of the supply and the control voltage. The technique can supplement a number of common supply rejection techniques and can be exploited to compensate for the noise coupling caused by the parasitic capacitance in the loop filter of a phase-locked loop (PLL). The proposed CMOS ring oscillator is designed and implemented with a charge-pump based PLL in 65-nm technology to demonstrate the robustness against the supply fluctuation. Taking advantage of the negative static supply sensitivity of the ring oscillator with proper combination of the bias voltages, the rms jitter of the 5.12-GHz output clock is reduced from 6.41 ps to 2.38 ps while subject to supply noise at 90 MHz.
Histological observations on experimentally induced degeneration of articular cartilage.

A histological comparison of rabbit knee joints subjected to continuous compression, and relief of contact by resection of one femoral condyle, revealed common changes in articular cartilage, consisting in loss of matrix metachromasia and nuclear staining characteristics. Those joints subjected to compression showed hypertrophy of the subchondral bone while the joints relieved of contact demonstrated local osteoporosis. Persistence of the zone of calcified cartilage characterized the compressed joints, while the resected joints showed early subchondral vessel invasion and loss of the zone of calcified cartilage and tidemark.
Smoking cessation strategies in vascular surgery.

Tobacco abuse is a highly prevalent modifiable risk factor in vascular surgery patient populations. Despite the known benefits of smoking cessation, quitting smoking is difficult for most patients. Physician advice to stop smoking can help, though more intensive or multifactorial interventions have greater impact. Smoking cessation initiatives based in vascular clinics are feasible, although currently there is significant variation in physician delivery of smoking cessation interventions. Vascular surgeons are optimally poised to be able to capitalize on the “teachable moment” of the vascular procedure to encourage smoking cessation. Concise and effective smoking cessation strategies include standardized physician "very brief advice" (a standardized advice delivery developed and validated by the National Health Service), referral to telephone counseling, and prescription of pharmacotherapy, all of which are best utilized together. This review will discuss different smoking cessation strategies, as well as their inclusion in multicenter trials designed to study delivery of smoking cessation interventions in vascular surgery patients.
Pseudacteon calderensis, a new fly species (Diptera: Phoridae) attacking the fire ant Solenopsis interrupta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in northwestern Argentina

A new species of Pseudacteon phorid fly, Pseudacteon calderensis (Diptera: Phoridae), is described from females attacking worker ants of Solenopsis interrupta Santschi in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. P. calderensis differs from almost all other South American Pseudacteon species by the structure of the female ovipositor. This new species is morphologically similar to Pseudacteon borgmeieri Schmitz, but it differs slightly in the shape of the apex of the ovipositor and differs strongly because of the absence of large and stout ventral hairs under the ovipositor.
Do osmotic forces play a role in renin secretion

Secretory granules swell during exocytosis. Swelling may follow fusion and assist in extrusion of the granular content, or swelling may cause granular fusion with the plasmalemma. A granular proton gradient has been suggested to be involved in such preexocytic granular swelling. Exocytosis of renin from juxtaglomerular cells of isolated preparations is very sensitive to changes in the extracellular osmolality. Extracellular hyposmolality causes swelling of secretory granules, fusions between peripherally located granules and plasmalemma, and an increased number of release episodes. Induction of granule swelling at constant extracellular osmolality also stimulates renin release. Newly recruited renin granules are osmosensitive, and a high extracellular osmolality blocks secretion induced by other means (low calcium). Dissipation of granular proton gradients inhibits renin release without affecting the osmosensitivity. Thus, in renin release in vitro, a granular swelling precedes fusion and exocytosis, and a granular proton gradient may contribute to preexocytic swelling when extracellular osmolality is constant. The osmosensitivity may be important for macula densamediated renin release.
Restorative effects of stimulating medullary raphe after spinal cord injury.

Serotonin in the spinal cord acutely modulates noci- ceptive transmission and motor reflexes and may also assist functional restoration after spinal cord injury (SCI). It is released there mainly by descending axons of the medulla's nucleus raphe magnus (NRM). We examined whether mechani- cal allodynia (cutaneous hypersensitivity) after incomplete SCI is sustainably reversed by prolonged, intermittent electrical stimulation of the NRM and whether altered NRM activity accounts for the allodynia. NRM stimulation was given to rats over several days (average 3.2), beginning about 1 hour after moderate thoracic contusion injury. This stimulation reduced mechanical allodynia in forepaws but not hindpaws at 6 weeks after injury (vs nonstimulated controls). Histologically, the stim- ulation augmented white matter and reduced astrocytosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining) in injured segments at 15 weeks. Cavity volume and perilesion neuron numbers were unchanged. Single-cell extracellular recording 12 to 14 weeks after thoracic contusion injury revealed generally higher sponta- neous firing and weaker responses to above-injury noxious stim- ulation in both inhibited and excited NRM neurons; unresponsive neurons were fewer. Neurons inhibited from der- matomes above the injury were excited from below. Altered NRM activity is unlikely to cause SCI allodynia, since inhibited and excited classes are believed to oppositely modulate nocicep- tion. Prolonged, early NRM stimulation probably reverses above-injury allodynia by facilitating qualitative recovery of remaining tissue.
A One-Year Review of SEC Interpretive Release on Climate Change Disclosures

In February, 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Interpretive Release 33-9106 "to provide guidance to public companies regarding… existing disclosure requirements as they apply to climate change matters." In its release, the SEC identified climate change-related issues potentially requiring disclosure under Regulation S-K, including the impact of legislation and regulation, the effect of international accords or treaties, the indirect consequences of regulation, and the physical impacts of climate change. One year later, this paper examines the effect of 33-9106 by exploring the extent to which Fortune 500 firms have disclosed these and other matters related to climate change. The paper also considers whether and what additional apposite regulation or legislation may be necessary to clarify disclosure obligations.
Further Consideration of the Theoretical Role of Predation in Sterile Insect Release Programs

Several ways of using sterile insects for their own destruction have been suggested (Knipling 1955, 1959, 1966). With regard to releasing sterile insects into natural population, Monro (1963, 1966) suggested and obtained data to support the suggestion that adding large numbers of such insects to an environment could also contribute materially to control by causing the population to disperse because the supply of resources essential to all the insects present would become overloaded. However, a significant additional insect population suppression factor might result if necessary resources were added to the environment to permit an increase in the rate of predation. This was recently suggested by Shipp and Osborn (1966). I have also suggested in personal communications to the staff of the Entomology Research Division that an increase in the rate of parasitism or predation might be achieved by adding sterilized insects to the environment. The suggestion pertained particularly to the addition to the environment of sterile eggs within or on which parasites or predators might develop. The purpose of this paper is to support the views of Shipp and Osborn and to present the results of studies with hypothetical insect population models subjected to population suppression by releasing both sterile males and sterile egg-laying females.
Contour Mode Deterministic Microgrinding

The development of next generation asphere manufacturing technology is being finalized at the Center for Optics Manufacturing (COM). The Nanotech™ 150AG aspheric grinder produces optical surfaces with less than 1.0 wave p-v figure error, surface roughness of 100 A rms, and less than 1 pm of sub-surface damage. This paper discusses COM’s recent manufacturing technology advances and describes the capabilities of the newly developed 2-axis contour grinding machine for glass and IR materials.
Theoretical tracking of resonance-enhanced multiple ionization pathways in X-ray free-electron laser pulses.

We present an extended Monte Carlo rate equation approach to examine the inner-shell ionization dynamics of atoms in an intense x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulse. In addition to photoionization, Auger decay, and fluorescence processes, we include bound-to-bound transitions in the rate equation calculations. Using an efficient computational scheme, we account for ``hidden resonances'' unveiled during the course of an XFEL pulse. For Ar, the number of possible electron configurations is increased ten-billion-fold over that required under nonresonant conditions. We investigated the complex ionization dynamics of Ar atoms exposed to an 480-eV XFEL pulse, where production of ions above charge state $10+$ is not allowed via direct one-photon ionization. We found that resonance-enhanced x-ray multiple ionization pathways play a dominant role in producing these nominally inaccessible charge states. Our calculated results agree with the measured Ar ion yield and pulse-duration dependence. We also predict the surprising ion yields reported earlier for Kr and Xe. The Monte Carlo rate equation method enables theoretical exploration of the complex dynamics of resonant high-intensity x-ray processes.
Adiabatic release measurements in α-quartz between 300 and 1200 GPa: Characterization of α-quartz as a shock standard in the multimegabar regime

$\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz has been used prolifically in recent years as an impedance matching standard in the multimegabar regime (1 Mbar $=$ 100 GPa). This is due to the fact that above $\ensuremath{\sim}$90--100 GPa along the principal Hugoniot $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz becomes reflective, and thus shock velocities can be measured to high precision using velocity interferometry. This property allows for high-precision measurements, however, the accuracy of impedance matching measurements depends upon the knowledge of both the Hugoniot and the release or reshock response of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz. Here, we present the results of several adiabatic release measurements of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz from $\ensuremath{\sim}$300--1200 GPa states along the principal Hugoniot using full density polymethylpentene (commonly known as TPX), and both $\ensuremath{\sim}$190 and $\ensuremath{\sim}$110 mg/cc silica aerogel standards. These data were analyzed within the framework of a simple, analytical model that was motivated by a first-principles molecular dynamics investigation into the release response of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz. Combined, this theoretical and experimental study provides a method to perform impedance matching calculations without the need to appeal to any tabular equation of state for $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz. As an analytical model, this method allows for propagation of all uncertainty, including the random measurement uncertainties and the systematic uncertainties of the Hugoniot and release response of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz. This work establishes $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-quartz for use as a high-precision standard for impedance matching in the multimegabar regime. We also note that the experimentally validated model framework should prove to be useful in the development of wide range equations of state for silica, a major constituent in the Earth's crust and mantle. Such models are crucial for accurate simulations of high-velocity giant impacts that are thought to be prevalent in the final stages of terrestrial planet formation.
Microvascular permeability to endogenous plasma proteins in the jejunum

Steady-state lymph flow and lymph (CL) and plasma (CP) protein concentrations were measured at venous outflow pressures of 0, 10, 20, and 30 mmHg in an autoperfused segment of cat jejunum. In addit...
Computer Aided Design and analysis of Unidirectional Fibrous Composites

A Unidirectional fibrous composite consists of parallel fibers embedded in a matrix. Several unidirectional layers can be stacked in a specified sequence to fabricate a laminate.
Gromov hyperbolicity and convex tessellation graph

In [7] the following conjecture is stated: every tessellation of the Euclidean plane with convex tiles induces a non-hyperbolic graph. It is natural to think that this statement holds since the Euclidean plane is non-hyperbolic. Furthermore, there are several results supporting this conjecture. However, this work shows that the conjecture is false.