cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental allergic orchitis in mice. V. Resistance to actively induced disease in BALB/cJ substrain mice is mediated by CD4+ T cells.

Previous studies have shown that differential susceptibility to actively induced experimental allergic orchitis (EAO) exists among various BALB/c substrains. Of 13 substrains studied, BALB/cJ mice consistently exhibit greater resistance to disease induction. Such resistance is associated with a single recessive genotypic difference in an immunoregulatory locus which is unlinked to any of the known alleles distinguishing the BALB/cJ substrain. In this study, gene complementation protocols were used to study the genetics of susceptibility and resistance to EAO. The results indicate that resistance in BALB/cJ mice is not due to a mutation in theH-2D d linked gene which governs the phenotypic expression of autoimmune orchitis. The mechanistic basis for disease resistance was examined using reciprocal bone marrow radiation chimeras generated between the disease-susceptible BALB/ cByJ (ByJ) substrain and BALB/cJ (Jax) mice. All constructs, including Jax →- Jax and Jax →- ByJ, developed severe EAO following inoculation with mouse testicular homogenate (MTH) and adjuvants whereas control chimeras immunized with adjuvants alone did not. These results suggest that an active immunoregulatory mechanism rather than a passive one, such as the lack of T cells and/or B cells with receptors for the aspermatogenic autoantigens relevant in the induction of EAO, is responsible for disease resistance in BALB/cJ mice. The role of immunoregulatory cells was examined by pretreating BALB/cJ mice with either cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg) or low-dose whole body or total lymphoid irradiation (350 rads) 2 days prior to inoculation. BALB/cJ mice immunized with MTH plus adjuvants generate immunoregulatory spleen cells (SpCs) that, when transferred to naive BALB/cByJ recipients, significantly reduce the severity of autoimmune orchitis observed during actively induced EAO. Treatment of such cells with either cytotoxic monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 or anti-CD4 plus C' before transfer abrogates the ability of BALB/cJ spleen cells to inhibit disease. In contrast, neither SpCs from adjuvantimmunized BALB/cJ nor MTH plus adjuvant-primed BALB/cByJ donors significantly influenced the severity of disease observed in recipients. Taken together, these results suggest that genetically controlled resistance to EAO in BALB/cJ mice is associated with a mutation in an immunoregulatory locus whose effects appear to be mediated through a cyclophosphamide and low-dose radiation-sensitive CD4+ T-cell population.
Unexpected traction retinal detachment: a complication of an animal model of pars plana vitrectomy

We evaluated a rabbit model of the vitrectomized eye. In 16% of eyes the surgical procedure leads to the development of traction detachment of the vascularized portion of the retina (medullary ray). The traction originates in the vitreous base and is probably transmitted to the posterior retina via a sheet of detached vitreous cortex. In time course and morphology this differs from the experimental traction detachment seen after the injection of cells. Provided this complication is recognized, the vitrectomized rabbit eye is a useful and economic model for experimental studies.
Analysis of crash test and computer aided engineering pulses for airbag sensor development

The concept of frequency analysis to extract a representative signal that is experienced by a vehicle during a crash for sensor development is described. The method of Fourier series is used, as an illustration, for characterising crash sensor signal to derive a base crash curve for developing sensing algorithms in airbag fire/no-fire decision making. Based on the signals from various crash test data, a cut-off frequency of 300 Hz is found to give accurate representation of signals. Results indicate that low frequency band in signals dominates the crash behaviour. This desired cut-off frequency can be used in sensor studies for sensing algorithm development as well as for assessing current computer aided engineering capability in predicting sensor crash pulses in the frequency domain. Crash signal predictions from finite element analysis (FEA) models correlate fairly well at low frequency range up to this cut-off frequency. In addition, improvements of FEA methods for sensor development are proposed.
Some Aspects of Aeroacoustics: From Rayleigh Until Today

An overview of aeroacoustics is provided, beginning with a discussion of the properties of point sources of sound of various orders. This is followed by treatment of the sound generated by a free aerodynamic flow (in the absence of rigid surfaces), and finally by a discussion of the effects of surfaces—very small (aeolian tones), very large (boundary layers), and the important effect of the edge of a large surface (trailing edge noise). In the first part, it is assumed that the aerodynamic flow is given, and that the sound produced by the flow does not act on the flow itself. In the second part, there is a reaction on the flow, and the effect is first order. Then a flow resonance occurs, even though no physical resonator is present; and of course, a physical resonator can be present, as in the familiar case of the organ pipe.
The Chemistry and Mode of Action of the Insecticide O,O-Diethyl O-p-Methylsulfinylphenyl Phosphorothionate and Its Analogues

The insecticide O,O -diethyl O-p -methylsulfinylphenyl phosphorothionate (Bayer 25141) was studied with regard to its chemical instability to heat, hydrolysis, and oxidation and to the effect of the products formed upon insect toxicity. The compound is readily oxidized to the sulfone and upon heating undergoes internal oxidation-reduction to also form the sulfide. Additionally, the compound apparently isomerizes very readily to form the S -ethyl-isomer. The oxidation and isomerization products also form in aqueous systems such as the insect body and as they possess enhanced anticholinesterase activity apparently contribute to the mechanism of toxic action which appears to be that of inhibition of cholinesterase. The bimolecular rate constant for reaction with cholinesterase and the hydroxide-ion catalyzed hydrolysis constant for p -substituted methylthio-, methylsulfinyl-, and methylsulfonylphenyl diethyl phosphates and phosphorothionates can be satisfactorily correlated with the electron-withdrawing capacities of the aryl substituents.
Testing evolutionary models of senescence: traditional approaches and future directions

From an evolutionary perspective, the existence of senescence is a paradox. Why has senescence not been more effectively selected against given its associated decreases in Darwinian fitness? Why does senescence exist and how has it evolved? Three major theories offer explanations: (1) the theory of mutation accumulation suggested by PB Medawar; (2) the theory of antagonistic pleiotropy suggested by GC Williams; and (3) the disposable soma theory suggested by TBL Kirkwood. These three theories differ in the underlying causes of aging that they propose but are not mutually exclusive. This paper compares the specific biological predictions of each theory and discusses the methods and results of previous empirical tests. Lifespan is found to be the most frequently used estimate of senescence in evolutionary investigations. This measurement acts as a proxy for an individual’s rate of senescence, but provides no information on an individual’s senescent state or “biological age” throughout life. In the future, use of alternative longitudinal measures of senescence may facilitate investigation of previously neglected aspects of evolutionary models, such as intra- and inter-individual heterogeneity in the process of aging. DNA methylation data are newly proposed to measure biological aging and are suggested to be particularly useful for such investigations.
Statistical modeling of in situ hiss amplitudes using ground measurements

[1] Plasmaspheric hiss is a naturally occurring extremely low frequency electromagnetic emission that is often observed within the Earth's plasmasphere. Plasmaspheric hiss plays a major role in the scattering and loss of electrons from the Earth's radiation belts, thereby contributing to the maintenance of the slot region between the inner and outer electron belt. Traditionally, in situ satellite observations have been the measurement modality of choice for studies of plasmaspheric hiss due to their ability to directly measure the hiss source region. However, satellite studies are relatively short-lived and very few satellite receivers remain operational for an entire 11-year solar cycle. Ground stations, in contrast, may collect multiple solar cycles' worth of data during their lifetime, yet they cannot directly measure the hiss source region. This study aims to determine the extent to which measurements of hiss at midlatitude ground stations may be used to predict the mean amplitude of in situ measurements of plasmaspheric hiss. We use coincident measurements between Palmer Station, Antarctica (L = 2.4, 50°S invariant latitude) and the THEMIS spacecraft from June 2008 through May 2010, during solar minimum. Using an autoregressive multiple regression model, we show that in the local time sector from 00 < MLT < 12, when the ionosphere above Palmer Station is in darkness and hiss is observed at Palmer, the amplitude of plasmaspheric hiss observed by the THEMIS spacecraft is 1.4 times higher than when hiss is not observed at Palmer. In the same local time sector when the ground station is in daylight and hiss is observed, the THEMIS observed amplitudes are not significantly different from those when hiss is not observed on the ground. A stronger relationship is found in the local time sector from 12 < MLT < 24 where, when Palmer is in daylight and hiss is observed, THEMIS plasmaspheric hiss amplitudes are 2 times higher compared to when hiss is not observed at Palmer. There are insufficient statistics for the 12 < MLT < 24 sector during nighttime conditions. These results suggest that hiss emissions observed at Palmer in the dusk sector are likely plasmaspheric hiss, while those observed in the dawn sector may in fact be an emission other than plasmaspheric hiss, such as either ELF hiss or dawn chorus which has originated at high L-shells. Though these results suggest that ground measurements of plasmaspheric hiss are not likely to be a viable replacement for in situ measurements, we believe that the predictive ability of our 12 < MLT < 24 sector model may be improved by including measurements taken during geomagnetically disturbed intervals that are characteristic of solar maximum.
Synthesis, structure and properties of (BMDT-TTF)2Au(CN)2☆

Abstract A novel 2:1 salt, di[bis(methylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene] dicyanoaurate(I) (BMDT-TTF) 2 Au(CN) 2 , has been prepared by electrochemical oxidation. The structure was monoclinic, P2 1 /a, with a = 10.824(7), b = 8.420(5), c = 15.614(8) A and β = 102.46(4)°, V = 1390 A 3 , and Z = 2, having an unusual packing motif. The electrical conductivity is metallic down to 76 K at which point an apparent structural phase transition to a semimetallic state occurs. The spin susceptibility is relatively large and independent of temperature above 70 K as expected for a metal. Below 70 K the susceptibility is Curie-like suggesting 0.1 localized spins per unit cell.
Skeletal Effects of Estrogen

BONE differs from reproductive tissues in that many aspects of skeletal growth, turnover, and function occur in the absence of gonadal hormones. Nevertheless, sex steroids have an important impact on bone physiology: they participate in the sexual dimorphism of the skeleton, play a role in maintenance of mineral homeostasis during reproduction, and are essential to maintaining bone balance in adults. Insufficient levels of certain sex steroids predispose the human skeleton to bone loss and to osteoporotic fractures. Estrogen appears to be the most important sex steroid in preventing osteoporosis in women and is the subject of this review. Serious difficulties must be overcome to understand the action of estrogen on mineralized tissues. The skeleton is heterogeneous and contains many cell types. The cells that synthesize (osteoblasts), lie within (osteocytes), and degrade (osteoclasts) bone matrix are present in small numbers, are difficult to isolate as pure populations, and probably do not proliferate.
Scalar soliton stars and black holes

Explicit solutions of scalar soliton stars and scalar black holes are given. The former has no horizon and the latter does. The soliton stars are cold, stable, and coherent states of very large mass M\ensuremath{\sim}(${l}_{P}$m${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$m, with ${l}_{P}$ the Planck length, m the mass of the relevant scalar field, and \ensuremath{\Elzxh}=c=1.
Intelligent marketing strategies for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas; market segmentation and customer analysis

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (HRHC) in Las Vegas, NV hopes to implement customer relationship management (CRM) strategies to increase overall customer value. This paper discusses our process of analyzing historical customer data and creating incentives tests in order to create accurate and useful customer segments. These customer segments can be used to target customers based on their interests, increasing both revenue and the customer's satisfaction.
Logical context of nonlinear filtering

The mathematical structure of binary nonlinear filtering is expressed in the context of binary cellular logic and the relevance of existing image algebras is discussed. Operator properties such as antiextensively and idempotence are examined from a discrete logical perspective, as are the classical Matheron representations. The simplicity of the operational properties is exposed by such an approach, as is the use of commonplace logic design methods for the composition and decomposition of nonlinear filters, in particular, binary morphological filters.
Composite Models of Quarks and Leptons and Strong Coupling Lattice Gauge Theories

We extend a previous variational block-spin analysis of the realization of chiral symmetry in a strong-coupling lattice gauge theory to models which have been suggested as possibly describing massless composite fermions. In all cases we find massive fermion composites and spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry. We also discuss the relevance of this result to the continuum limit.
ALPHA-CHYMOTRYPSIN AND THE NATURE OF ENZYME CATALYSIS.

The problem of enzyme catalysis is considered in terms of the behavior of a single hydrolytic enzyme.
What did “theory” mean to nineteenth-century chemists?

Some recent philosophers of science have argued that chemistry in the nineteenth century “largely lacked theoretical foundations, and showed little progress in supplying such foundations” until around 1900, or even later. In particular, nineteenth-century atomic theory, it is said, “played no useful part” in the crowning achievement of nineteenth-century chemistry, the powerful subdiscipline of organic chemistry. This paper offers a contrary view. The idea that chemistry only gained useful theoretical foundations when it began to merge with physics, it will be argued, is based on an implicit conception of scientific theory that is too narrow, and too exclusively oriented to the science of physics. A broader understanding of scientific theory, and one that is more appropriate to the science of chemistry, reveals the essential part that theory played in the development of chemistry in the nineteenth century. It also offers implications for our understanding of the nature of chemical theory today.
Registration of Seventeen Spring Two-Rowed Barley Germplasm Lines Resistant to Russian Wheat Aphid

STARS 0637B (Reg. No. GP-189, PI 642923), STARS 0638B (Reg. No. GP-190, PI 642924), STARS 0639B (Reg. No. GP-191, PI 642925), STARS 0640B (Reg. No. GP-192, PI 642926), STARS 0641B (Reg. No. GP-193, PI 642927), STARS 0642B (Reg. No. GP-194, PI 642928), and STARS 0643B (Reg. No. GP-195, PI 642929), are spring, two-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) lines developed cooperatively by the USDA-ARS, in Stillwater, OK, and Aberdeen, ID, as sources of resistance to Russian wheat aphid (RWA) [Diuraphis noxia, (Mordvilko)]. Each resistant line is in one of three, two-rowed, feed barley cultivar backgrounds ('Bowman', 'Hector', or 'Otis'). They are comparable to their recurrent parents in yield, test weight, plant height, and heading date in the absence of RWA and superior in grain yield to their recurrent parents in the presence of RWA.
Glass Ceiling Effect or Cohort Effect? A Longitudinal Study of the Gender Earnings Gap for Engineers, 1982 to 1989

Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Natural and Social Scientists and Engineers (SSE), the author investigates whether what appears to be a glass ceiling in cross-sectional analyses of the gender earnings gap for engineers results instead from a cohort effect. Two findings are reported : (1) for each of three cohorts, within-cohort effects of being female remained relatively constant over the seven years of the SSE (1982-1989). This suggests that earnings penalties for women engineers result from cohort rather than glass-ceiling effects - that the earnings penalty to women is more a matter of when they, started their careers than of how long they have worked. (2) In absolute terms, the earnings penalties for younger cohorts of women are essentially zero. These findings indicate that multi-cohort longitudinal designs should be used in investigations of the glass-ceiling hypothesis, in particular, and of women's progress in management and the professions, in general
Glucose transporters serve as water channels.

Abstract Water traverses the plasma membranes of some eukaryotic cells faster than can be explained by the water permeability of their lipid bilayers. This has led to a search for a water channel. Our previous work identified glucose transporters as candidates for such a channel. We report here that Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with mRNA encoding the brain/Hep G2, adult skeletal muscle/adipocyte, or liver forms of the glucose transporter exhibit an osmotic water permeability of their plasma membranes larger than that of untreated oocytes. The osmotic water permeability component attributable to glucose transporters increased an average of 4.8-fold in the injected oocytes. These studies provide direct evidence that the facilitative, sodium-independent mammalian glucose transporters serve as membrane water channels.
Interfacial Localization and Voltage-Tunable Arrays of Charged Nanoparticles

Experiments and computer simulations provide a new perspective that strong correlations of counterions with charged nanoparticles can influence the localization of nanoparticles at liquid–liquid interfaces and support the formation of voltage-tunable nanoparticle arrays. We show that ion condensation onto charged nanoparticles facilitates their transport from the aqueous-side of an interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions to the organic-side, but contiguous to the interface. Counterion condensation onto the highly charged nanoparticles overcomes the electrostatic barrier presented by the low permittivity organic material, thus providing a mechanism to transport charged nanoparticles into organic phases with implications for the distribution of nanoparticles throughout the environment and within living organisms. After transport, the nanoparticles assemble into a two-dimensional (2D) nearly close-packed array on the organic side of the interface. Voltage-tunable counterion-mediated interactio...
Determination of N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Steric and Electronic Parameters using the [(NHC)Ir(CO)2Cl] System

Complexes of iridium bearing NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands were synthesized and fully characterized. The series [(NHC)Ir(cod)Cl] were obtained by simple cleavage of [Ir(cod)Cl]2. The [(NHC)Ir(cod)Cl] complexes were reacted with excess carbon monoxide, leading to [(NHC)Ir(CO)2Cl]. The infrared carbonyl stretching frequencies of these were recorded to quantify the electronic parameter of NHC ligands. X-ray diffraction study results allow for determination of NHC steric parameters within this series. These data allow for comparison with other ligand families.
Adoption of IPM groundnut production technologies in Eastern Uganda

Groundnut ( Arachis hypogea L) is the second most widely grown food legume in Uganda. Currently average yield of groundnuts at farm level is about 800 kg ha -1 , but up to 3,000 kg ha -1 can be achieved. The most important constraints to its production are pests and diseases. Integrated pest management (IPM) technologies have been developed and demonstrated to farmers in Mayuge district. However, many farmers in the district have not adopted these technologies, for reasons not well known. The study was done to establish factors affecting adoption of IPM technologies. Socio-demographic and groundnut production data were collected for the second crop season of the year 2000 from a purposively and randomly selected sample of 76 farmers consisting of both IPM technology adopters and non-adopters. Adopters used improved technologies while the non-adopters used traditional technologies for groundnut production. Data analysis using the probit model indicated that adoption was significantly influenced by education (P Key words : Arachis hypogea, pests and diseases, probit model RESUME L'arachide ( Arachis hypogea ) est la seconde nourriture legume la plus largement plantee en Ouganda. Presentement la production moyenne des arachides au niveau de la ferme est d'environ 800 kg ha -1 , mais jusqu'a 3000 kg peut etre atteinte. Les plus importantes contraintes a sa production sont les pestes et maladies. Les technologies de gestion integree des pestes (IPM) ont ete developpees et demontrees aux fermiers dans le district de Mayuge. Cependant, beaucoup des fermiers dans le district n'ont pas adopte ces technologies, pour des raisons non connues. L'etude etait faite pour etablir les facteurs affectant l'adoption des technologies de l'IPM. Les donnees sociodemographiques et de production d'arachide etaient collectees pour la deuxieme saison agricole de l'an 2000 a partir d'un echantillon deliberement et hasardeusement selectionne de 76 fermiers consistant a ceux qui ont adopte et non adopte l'IPM. Les adoptants ont utilise les technologies ameliorees pendant que les non adoptants ont utilise les technologies traditionnelles pour la production d'arachide. L'analyse des donnees utilisant le modele de sondage a indique que l'adoption etait significativement influencee par l'education (P Mots cles : Arachis hypogea, pestes et maladies, modele de sondage African Crop Science Journal Vol.12(4) 2004: 383-391
THE IMPACT OF INVESTMENT CLIMATE INDICATORS ON GROSS CAPITAL FORMATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

This paper examines the impact of investment climate indicators on gross capital formation in developing countries. Based on data from the World Bank Investment Climate Surveys for a sample of thirty-six developing countries, we find that corruption constraint as measured by the share of senior managers that ranked "corruption" as a major or very severe constraint, courts constraint as measured by the share of senior managers that ranked "courts and dispute resolution systems" as a major or very severe constraint, tax administration constraint, loss as a share of sales for those firms reporting a crime such as theft, vandalism or arson in the previous year, management time dealing with officials with regard to requirements imposed by government regulations (e.g. taxes, customs, labor regulations, licensing and registration etc.) as a percent of management time in a given week, and the share of firms with less than 20 employees that have a loan from a formal financial intermediary, linearly affect the share of gross capital formation in the GDP of a developing country. We also note that the coefficient estimate for corruption, loss as a share of sales, and the share of small firms has the unexpected sign and attribute this finding to the severe multicollinearity that exists among these variables and between them and the other variables.
A mathematical programming approach for scheduling equipment in a surface coal mining operation

A mathematical programming model for scheduling open pit mining was developed and validated using data from a surface mining operation. A two-phase solution procedure was used involving repeated evaluations of an integer scheduling model and a simple transportation model.
The appearance of β-1,3-glucanohydrolase activity during the differentiation of the gut of sand dollar plutei

Abstract The appearance and the increase of the activity of a β-1,3-glucanohydrolase (β-glucanase) was found to be coincident with the differentiation of the gut of the pluteus of the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus . The β-glucanase is extremely stable and is not inactivated by 2.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or trypsinization. The enzyme releases glucose from laminarin, a polysaccharide composed mainly of β-1,3-linked glucose. The β-glucanase activity can be eluted from acrylamide gels containing SDS. The enzyme is bound to membranes or particles that sediment readily, and SDS or sodium deoxycholate is needed to solubilize the activity. The increase in β-glucanase activity during development was completely blocked by cycloheximide; 10 hr after removal of the drug, enzyme activity rises again at more than twice the rate of the control and attains a specific activity 15% higher than the controls. Larvae recovered from cycloheximide also show an increase in total RNA synthesis compared to controls. It is postulated that control mechanisms that regulate the transcriptional and translational events necessary for β-glucanase synthesis have been altered by cycloheximide. β-Glucanase accumulation is depressed by treating plutei with actinomycin D. The pH optimum of the larval β-glucanase is 6.0 while that of the adult is 5.5. The larval β-glucanase resolves into a major and minor peak of 50, 500, and 75,300 apparent molecular weight. The adult β-glucanase migrates as a single peak of 75,300 MW. It is possible that both isozymes are aggregates of a 25,000 MW unit that is inactive in these assay conditions. Alternatively, it is proposed that different sets of β-glucanase genes are operative in larval and adult stages and that a transition from larval genomic to adult genomic activity must occur at metamorphosis.
The maze III procedure for atrial fibrillation: should the indications be expanded?

Abstract Background . We favor the maze III procedure over nonsurgical treatments for atrial fibrillation and have advocated addition of the maze in symptomatic patients with other compelling indications for cardiac surgery. Methods . Characteristics and perioperative outcomes of our 76 cumulative maze recipients between 1993 to 1998 were reviewed. The original maze III technique was employed without modification. Results . Isolated maze III was performed in 19 patients (25%) and combined with other procedures in 57 patients (75%), 49 of these involving one or more valves. Patients having combined procedures were taking fewer antiarrhythmics ( p p p p Conclusions . The maze III can be performed alone or as a combined procedure with equivalent success, and technical modifications may be unnecessary. A lower threshold for its expanded use in symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation who require isolated or combined operations is appropriate.
Administration of eliprodil during ethanol withdrawal in the neonatal rat attenuates ethanol-induced learning deficits

Prenatal exposure to alcohol can disrupt brain development, leading to a variety of behavioral alterations, including learning deficits. We have postulated that some central nervous system damage may be due to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitotoxicity that occurs during ethanol withdrawal. Consistent with this hypothesis, we previously demonstrated that administration of MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, during ethanol withdrawal attenuates ethanol-related learning deficits using an animal model of fetal alcohol effects. However, MK-801 binds to the phencyclidine site, which affects all NMDA receptor subtypes and can cause adverse side effects and toxicity. Eliprodil is a more selective NMDA receptor antagonist that acts at the polyamine modulatory site of NMDA receptors. The purpose of this study was to determine if administration of eliprodil during ethanol withdrawal would reduce the severity of learning deficits associated with developmental alcohol exposure. Male rat pups were randomly assigned to ethanol-exposed or control treatments. On postnatal day (PD) 6, during a period of brain development similar to that of the mid-third trimester in humans, subjects were exposed to 6.0 g/kg ethanol or isocaloric maltose solutions via oral gavage. Twenty-four hours after the end of the ethanol treatment, during ethanol withdrawal, all subjects received an intraperitoneal injection of one of three doses of eliprodil (5, 10, or 25 mg/kg) or vehicle. On PD 40, all subjects were tested on a serial spatial discrimination reversal learning task. Ethanol-exposed subjects treated with vehicle committed a significantly greater number of errors compared to controls. Administration of eliprodil during ethanol withdrawal significantly decreased the number of errors in the ethanol-exposed groups, but had no significant effect on the performance of controls. These data support the hypothesis that NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity during ethanol withdrawal contributes to fetal alcohol effects.
Analysis of first-order kinetic data by a differential technique

A differential method for analyzing first-order kinetic data is presented. While the essence of this approach has been known for almost a century, the use of computers to collect, store, and manipulate data has reenergized this innovative idea. Based on the equation ln |dA1/dt| = ln |k(Ao - A(infinity))| − kt, plots of ln |dAt/dt| vs. t were found to be lienar for both simulated kinetic data and data collected for the reaction of [(en)2Co(SCH2CH2NH2)]2+ with acrylamide. The rate constants for the reaction obtained by this method are identical to those obtained by the infinite-time method of analysis but do not require infinite-time measurements in their evaluation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 333–338, 1997
Cognition and Motivation Assessnent in Dietetics Courses Among Non-Nutrition and Nutrition Majors

Abstract Multicollinearity (among 15 scales to measure motivation and cognition) was evaluated using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation. Data were analyzed for 770 volunteer respondents (n 1 =555 nutrition majors, n 2 =64 food service majors, n 3 =151 "other" majors) enrolled in food or nutrition courses at randomly selected DPD programs. Analysis showed moderately strong (r≥0.50, p=0.0001) correlations among the following Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) scales: critical thinking, metacognition, intrinsic motivation, rehearsal, elaboration, organization learning strategies, effort and time management. High multicollinearity suggests that these MSLQ scales are measuring similar constructs. Correlations between extrinsic motivation and the other 14 MSLQ scales were weak (r=≤20, p=.01). MSLQ scale ♯4 (Control of Learning Beliefs) and scale ♯6 (Test Anxiety) were not significantly related to the other 13 MSLQ scales, suggesting MSLQ scale ♯4 and ♯6 were measuring constructs substantively different than the other 13 MSLQ scales. Weak correlations (r≤|.28|, p=.01) also explained ≤8.0% of the variation between respondents' age, grade point ratio or years of work experience, and MSLQ scale scores. We concluded that educators can assess motivation and self-regulated learning in the nutrition curriculum using the following six MSLQ scales: task value, control of learning beliefs, self-efficacy, test anxiety, effort, and help-seeking behaviors. Restricting assessment to MSLQ scales with low levels of multicollinearity should yield results similar to assessment involving all 15 MSLQ scales while saving time and money.
The effects of lot sizing and dispatching on customer service in an MRP environment

Abstract Results are presented of a simulation analysis of a hypothetical fabrication and assembly shop controlled by material requirements planning. The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of lot sizing on the customer service performance of dispatching techniques in an MRP-controlled assembly job shop operating near capacity. Six dispatching techniques are compared based on the tardiness of customer orders under four lot-sizing techniques, two levels of demand, and two levels of nervousness. The study is conducted with a stable product mix, limited production capacity, and fixed routings. Random shifts in short-term product mix cause short-term bottlenecks, but one of the 15 work stations has less than 10% idle time and is the most commonly encountered bottleneck. The interaction of lot-sizing and dispatching techniques was found to be a function of capacity utilization, a factor influenced by demand and nervousness level. Under low demand, earliest job due date yielded the best performance with regard to the percentage of tardy orders, average order tardiness, and maximum order tardiness. Under high demand, earliest job due date performed best with respect to average order tardiness and maximum order tardiness, but the best dispatching technique with respect to percentage of tardy orders depended on the lot-sizing technique and the nervous-ness level. Under high demand and high nervousness, effective capacity decreased and queues increased with economic order quantity, period order quantity, or least total cost. Economic order quantity generated the smallest batches. Period order quantity and least total cost generated extra set-ups under high nervousness. Use of either of the three lot-sizing techniques at high demand and high nervousness forced a choice between a dispatching technique that yields a low percentage of orders tardy (earliest modified operation due date) and one that generates low maximum order tardiness (earliest job due date). The Silver-Meal heuristic consumed less effective capacity than the other lot-sizing techniques. Using Silver-Meal at high demand and nervousness, earliest job due date performed best with respect to each tardiness measure. The bottleneck causes the plant to behave like a single machine shop. Since large queues are maintained at the bottleneck, that is where the choice of dispatching technique is critical. Earliest due date minimizes the percentage of tardy orders. Earliest modified operation due date, operating like the shortest processing time rule, minimizes the percentage of tardy orders, but maximum tardiness is high. These results may stimulate new interest in single-machine scheduling. The combination of least total cost and earliest job due produced the best overall performance at low demand. At high demand, Silver-Meal and earliest job due date achieved the best performance.
Encoding in anterograde amnesia.

Abstract Amnesic patients were induced to engage in semantic, phonemic or graphic encoding and were then assesed with a recognition memory test. Depressed patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the patient N.A. did more poorly than controls, but exhibited a similar pattern of performance including superior retention of semantically encoded words. Normal control subjects tested three days after learning exhibited a pattern of performance similar to that of the amnesic patients. By contrast, patients with Korsakoff syndrome failed to exhibit superior retention of semantically encoded words, in keeping with previously reported results for this group of amnesic patients. The results suggest that amnesia is not a unitary disorder.
Regional information and market efficiency: the case of spread betting in United States college football

Using game results over a seven year span (1999–2006), we find that United States college football teams in arid regions “win” against the spread in 56.64% of games in which they host a team from a humid region. This result provides statistically significant evidence for both weak and strong form inefficiency in the spread betting markets of such games. By examining other cases of intraregional and interregional competition within the sport, we conclude that this inefficiency does not arise from the effects of travel or home field advantage. Rather, the result indicates that climate aridity is an observed characteristic for which college football betting markets do not accurately control. It is quite rare to find strong form market inefficiency arise from a single variable rather than from an elaborate, multivariable betting strategy. Therefore, the effect of climate aridity upon college football spread betting market efficiency can be characterized as dramatic. It is conjectured that remote market participants may need to “experience” certain types of relevant regional information, such as climate, to act in a market efficient manner.
Classroom Goal Orientation in High School Classrooms: Revealing Links between Teacher Beliefs and Classroom Environments.

Uncovering how teachers’ beliefs about teaching and learning influence their instructional practices and students’ goals in the classroom is important for understanding how to create learning environments focused on mastery and understanding. Most of the previous research on this topic has investigated these relationships in teachers, classrooms and students at either the elementary, middle or college level. Using this research as a guide, the current investigation examined relationships among teacher beliefs, instructional practices and classroom goal orientations in high school science classrooms. Path analysis techniques were used to analyze responses and revealed that personal teaching efficacy and teachers’ perceptions of a supportive school culture were related to teachers’ use of instructional practices focused on task mastery and understanding. Teachers’ perceptions of a supportive school culture were also related to teachers’ use of instructional practices focused on competition and to students’ ...
A plate bending finite element model with a limit analysis capacity

Abstract A knowledge of the reserve strength of plates will result in more economical designs, practical load capacity limits, and retrofit decisions that increase the strength of a structure. However, plates do not readily lend themselves to an elasto-plastic solution. One plate model, the grid framework, is the exception. The grid framework finite element models a plate through the use of grid members with a proven elasto-plastic analytical capability. The finite element mechanics of the grid-framework model are outlined with emphasis on the derivation process to generate the equivalent properties that force the grid-framework to conform to plate behavior. The concept of a limit analysis is introduced with a discussion of the elasto-plastic conversion procedure. An elasto-plastic solution to a plate structure is used to confirm the equivalent grid technique.
Moiré phototopography in the evaluation of anterior chest wall deformities

One of the major remaining problems in the management of children with anterior chest wall deformities is the lack of a widely accepted objective method of evaluating the severity of the deformity. This deficiency has made it difficult to evaluate indications for operation or the results of operative repair. Moire phototopography is a new method of accurately measuring human body contours utilizing recent developments in applied optics and has been used successfully in scoliosis screening programs. This technique has been applied to the evaluation of anterior chest wall deformities and the initial results of this study are presented. Moire phototopography has proven to be a sensitive, reproducible, and easy to perform method of quantitating pectus deformities. While further evaluation is required, this early experience suggests this technique may provide a means of accurately and objectively measuring chest wall deformities so that their physiologic significance can be precisely investigated and the results of therapy critically reviewed.
Improving the homogeneity of tissue-mimicking cryogel phantoms for medical imaging.

Purpose: Tissue-mimicking phantoms can help in uncovering potential weaknesses in medical imaging systems. This work presents a new approach to developing phantoms for magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Elastography requires sufficiently large and well-characterized phantoms to accurately validate motion estimation methods and to provide accurate stiffness measurements. Physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels, prepared by the freeze-thaw technique, have been extensively used as MRE phantoms. However, the large cryogels developed by this technique usually exhibit variations in properties due to the low thermal conductivity of the polymeric solution. This leads to variations in freezing-thawing rates across the gels. Therefore, designing homogeneous large cryogels with tissue-mimicking mechanical properties poses a challenge to medical imaging researchers. Methods: Unlike conventional freeze-thaw techniques that use either sudden freezing or ramp freezing, the authors have developed a modified freeze-thaw process featuring a combination of multiple ramps and isotherms within a single freeze-thaw cycle. Aiming to develop brain-mimicking phantoms, they have blended three different water-soluble polymers (polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agarose, and polyacrylic acid) with polyvinyl alcohol and produced cryogels with a wide range of mechanical properties and swelling characteristics. The effect of the modified process on mechanical properties, swelling, and melting enthalpy of the produced gels has been investigated in this study. Results: It was demonstrated that imposing additional isotherms at the vicinity of phase change temperatures could effectively reduce the variations in properties within a typical large phantom (diameter vs height: 100 mm × 100 mm). While the conventional freeze-thaw process resulted in ∼16% variation in the enthalpy of fusion across the produced gels, the modified process reduced this variation to below 8%. The homogeneity in mechanical properties was also improved by over 50% compared to the conventional process. Upon comparing the mechanical properties of the gels with those of brain white matter, the authors have shown that a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone can provide brain-mimicking properties, while leading to stable gels. Conclusions: The modified freeze-thaw process enabled to minimize the temperature gradient within the large cryogel phantoms during the freeze-thaw cycle. The results of this study can help to fill the gaps in the scientific literature with regard to developing homogeneous phantoms for medical imaging. This work also provides a solid foundation for future studies in this field and could facilitate formulating new hydrogels to replicate the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues.
Agonists for 13 Trace Amine-Associated Receptors provide insight into the molecular basis of odor selectivity

Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) are vertebrate olfactory receptors. However, ligand recognition properties of TAARs remain poorly understood, as most are "orphan receptors" without known agonists. Here, we identify the first ligands for many rodent TAARs and classify these receptors into two subfamilies based on the phylogeny and binding preference for primary or tertiary amines. Some mouse and rat orthologs have similar response profiles, although independent Taar7 gene expansions led to highly related receptors with altered ligand specificities. Using chimeric TAAR7 receptors, we identified an odor contact site in transmembrane helix III that functions as a selectivity filter. Homology models based on the β(2) adrenergic receptor structure indicate spatial proximity of this site to the ligand. Gain-of-function mutations at this site created olfactory receptors with radically altered odor recognition properties. These studies provide new TAAR ligands, valuable tools for studying receptor function, and general insights into the molecular pharmacology of G protein-coupled receptors.
Toward a second generation of statistical prediction rules in psychodiagnosis and personality assessment

Abstract Limitations of present-day statistical prediction rules are described. When rules for making diagnoses and describing personality and psychopathology are constructed, there is frequently no attempt to identify the best input information that is available. Furthermore, we do not know how accurate these statistical rules are because they have almost always been used to predict criterion scores that are of marginal importance and because they have been compared to clinical judges who have been given little information. Recommendations are made for (a) changing the way we build statistical rules and (b) changing the way we evaluate the validity of the rules.
The Appalachian-Ouachita rifted margin of southeastern North America

Promontories and embayments along the late Precambrian-early Paleozoic Appalachian-Ouachita continental margin of south-eastern North America are framed by a northeast-striking rift system offset by northwest-striking transform faults. Inboard from the continental margin, basement fault systems have two sets of orientation; one is northeast parallel with rift segments, and the other is northwest parallel with transform faults. Late Precambrian clastic and volcanic syn-rift rocks overlie Precambrian basement rocks along the Appalachian Blue Ridge. Lower Cambrian sandstone at the base of a transgressive passive-margin succession over-steps the rift-fill successions and basement rocks, defining the time of transition from an active rift to a passive margin along the Blue Ridge. Locally thick Early Late Cambrian and older sedimentary rocks fill downthrown blocks of the intracratonic Mississippi Valley-Rough Creek-Rome graben system and Birmingham basement fault system. These basement fault systems, which indicate north-west-southeast extension like the Blue Ridge rift, are overstepped by Upper Cambrian strata. The northwest-striking Southern Oklahoma fault system is interpreted to be a transform fault that propagated into the continent from the Ouachita rift. Early and Middle Cambrian rift-related igneous rocks along the fault system and adjacent Precambrian basement are overstepped by Upper Cambrian sandstone. The differences in age of rift-related rocks suggest a spreading-center shift at the beginning of the Cambrian Period from the Blue Ridge rift to the Ouachita rift southwest of the Alabama-Oklahoma transform fault. From Early to Early Late Cambrian, a small component of extension propagates north-eastward to form the intracratonic fault systems northeast of the transform fault, but most of the extension of the Ouachita rift was transformed along the Alabama-Oklahoma transform fault to the Mid-Iapetus Ridge outboard from the Blue Ridge passive margin.