cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cholinergic modulation of cortical associative memory function

1. The effect of cholinergic modulation on associative memory function was studied in a computational model based on the physiology and anatomic structure of piriform cortex. Both the cholinergic suppression of intrinsic fiber synaptic transmission and the cholinergic changes in postsynaptic excitability described in the companion paper were examined. 2. Distributed input patterns representing odors were stored in the model with the use of a synaptic modification rule dependent on pre- and postsynaptic activity (i.e., Hebbian). Associative recall of these patterns was tested by presenting the model with degraded versions of the learned patterns and testing whether these degraded patterns evoked the same network response as the full learned input pattern. Storage was evaluated with the use of a performance measure designed to reflect how well degraded input patterns could be recognized as a particular learned input pattern. 3. When memory function was evaluated with a selective cholinergic suppression of intrinsic fiber synaptic transmission during learning, associative memory performance was greatly enhanced. Cholinergic suppression during learning prevents previously stored patterns from interfering with the storage of new patterns. 4. When memory function was evaluated with a cholinergic mediated enhancement in cell excitability during learning, the speed of learning increased, but so did the decay in performance due to interference during learning. 5. When suppression of intrinsic fiber synaptic transmission was coupled with an increase in cell excitability, the best memory performance was obtained. 6. These results provide a possible theoretical framework for linking the neuropharmacological effects of acetylcholine to behavioral evidence for a role of acetylcholine in memory function. This could help describe how memory deficits might arise from cholinergic dysfunction in diseases such as Alzheimer's dementia.
Autopathography: Women, Illness, and Lifewriting

The word “pathography” first caught my attention not in its clinical context, in which it simply refers to writing about illness, such as case histories, but in a review by Joyce Carol Oates of David Roberts’s recent biography of Jean Stafford. There Oates adapted the clinical term to denote—and to denigrate—what she described as “hagiography’s diminished and often prurient twin, [whose] motifs are dysfunction and disaster, illnesses and pratfalls, failed marriages and failed careers, alcoholism and breakdowns and outrageous conduct” (3). According to Oates—not entirely a disinterested party, since, as a famous writer, she is sure to be a biographer’s subject eventually—we are in the midst of an outbreak of diseased biography that dwells obsessively on its subjects’ (psycho)pathology.
The effect of white‐tailed deer browsing on wheat quality and yields in Delaware

Locally overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter, deer) have caused increased damage to agronomic crops across their range. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) is grown in >60% of the states in the United States where white-tailed deer occur. Although the effect of deer browsing on corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) yields has been documented, research on the effect of deer browsing on winter wheat yields and quality is limited. In 2007–2009, we investigated the effect of deer browse timing and wheat type (bearded and unbearded) on yields and quality in Delaware, USA. We randomly stratified 3 treatments (i.e., no protection, protected at planting, or protected prior to heading) in 1,680 plots. After head emergence, we surveyed the plots weekly to estimate browse rates and biomass removed by deer. We harvested a 1-m2 area in the middle of each plot to determine the deer impact on yield. Browsing increased in intensity as head development progressed and more browsing occurring on the unbearded wheat. Unprotected plots had 195 kg/ha greater wheat yield than did protected plots in 2007 (P = 0.08). We found no difference in wheat yield among treatments during 2008 and 2009 (P = 0.38). Bearded wheat fields had 379 kg/ha greater wheat yield during 2007 and 399 kg/ha greater yield during 2008 and 2009 than did unbearded wheat fields (P 0.417). Our browse surveys suggested avoidance of bearded wheat but the overall browsing was not intense enough to affect yield. Our results demonstrated that white-tailed deer had no impact on wheat yield at a deer density of 15 deer/km2. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Cheating Behavior, Situational Influence, and Moral Development

AbstractUsing the Hartshorne and May circles test, cheating behavior was detected among 152 undergraduates under two situations: high threat, high supervision (HTHS) and low threat, low supervision (LTLS). Rest’s Defining Test was used to assess level of moral development. Among all subjects and across both situations it was found that subjects high in moral development cheated less than other subjects (p >.01). However, it was also found that in the LTLS situation, subjects high in moral development were just as likely to cheat as subjects low in moral development. The implications of the findings for moral education and the cognitive developmental theory of moral development are discussed.
A Sacred thread : modern transmission of Hindu traditions in India and abroad

This collection of 13 essays provides an account of the problems and promises of an ancient tradition in new lands.
Partnering to prepare urban math and science teachers: Managing tensions

Abstract Although the need for university–school partnerships in preparing teachers is widely accepted, studies of research universities working with teacher unions and urban school districts to respond to the local needs are rare. This case study reveals the tensions that arose when the colleges of education and arts and sciences from a research institution partnered with an urban school district school district and teachers’ association to prepare qualified math and science teachers for its high-need schools. Using a range of data, we identify and analyze the tensions that emerged for each of the partner organizations in planning and implementing a middle school math/science licensure program and offer cautionary advice and support for those who wish to undertake similar efforts.
Complexation of Na+ and K+ to Aromatic Amino Acids: A Density Functional Computational Study of Cation-π Interactions

Binding energies were calculated for the complexes of Na+ and K+ with phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and tryptophane (Trp), along with energies of low-energy conformers of the neutral amino acids. Structures were optimized and energies determined by density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP functional, using a basis set of 6-31+g(d) on all, or nearly all, heavy atoms. For all but one cation/ligand system, the most energetically favorable binding geometry was the tridentate N/O/Ring chelate. For K+/Trp, however, the advantage of placing the metal ion over the phenyl region of the indole side chain was dominant, leading to a most favored bidentate O/Ring binding geometry. All of the systems, and particularly the Trp systems, have multiple conformers with stabilities within a few kcal mol-1 of the most stable. Zwitterion forms of the complexes were not unreasonable, but were less stable than the normal forms by ∼5 kcal mol-1. To assess the importance of cation−π interactions, conformers were exami...
Effects of host size experience on sex ratios in the parasitoid wasp Spalangia cameroni

Abstract Abstract. The sex ratio response of a female parasitoid wasp Spalangia cameroni is affected both by the size of the host that she is parasitizing and by the size of hosts that she has previously encountered. When given small and large hosts simultaneously, S. cameroni females oviposit a greater proportion of sons in the small hosts (King, 1988, Evolution, 42, 1190-1198). Two hypotheses were tested to examine how a female's offspring sex ratio is affected by her previous host size experience. First, van den Assem et al.'s (1984, Neth. J. Zool., 34, 33-62) life expectancy hypothesis was tested. This hypothesis suggests that when females encounter only small hosts, the production of daughters will be inhibited initially and then, as no large hosts become available, production of daughters will increase. This hypothesis was not supported. The second hypothesis tested was that in their sex ratio responses, females will judge hosts as small or large relative to other hosts encountered. This hypothesis was supported under some conditions. Females judged hosts as small or large relative to previously encountered hosts when parasitizing large hosts and when the previous experience with hosts was immediately prior. When a female received only one host size, females that were given small hosts produced either a greater proportion of sons or the same sex ratio as females that were given large hosts.
Economic benefits of spider (Araneae) and insect (Hemiptera: Miridae) predators of cotton fleahoppers

Spiders constitute some of the most important predators of the cotton fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter), in cotton fields in East Texas. Simulation studies showed that spiders were worth three times the value of insects as predators of the cotton flea-hopper. To assess the economic value of spiders, the TEXCIM40 model was used to forecast the benefits of spiders and predaceous insects in the management of cotton fleahoppers. Forecasts of crop losses attributable to cotton fleahoppers cannot be accurate if the effects of spiders and other predators are not assessed. Benefits of generalist predators ranged from $0.86 to $15.50/0.4047 ha (1 acre) during the 5 yr of data used in simulations. However, potential benefits of > $60.0010.4047 ha may be possible in certain cotton fields.
Development and initial psychometric assessment of the rape avoidance inventory

Abstract Rape is a traumatic event with severe consequences for women. Therefore, women may have evolved psychological mechanisms that motivate them to avoid circumstances linked with rape. We present the development and initial psychometric assessment of an inventory designed to assess women’s rape avoidance behaviors. In Study 1 ( N = 99 ) , we conducted an act nomination procedure to identify specific behaviors for inclusion in a preliminary rape avoidance inventory. In Study 2 ( N = 144), we secured performance reports for the behaviors assessed by the inventory. We present the results of principal components analyses and the construction of the rape avoidance inventory (RAI). We identified four components of women’s rape avoidance behaviors as assessed by the RAI: avoid strange men, avoid appearing sexually receptive, avoid being alone, and awareness of surroundings/defensive preparedness. We demonstrate that, as predicted, performance of rape avoidance behaviors is negatively associated with a measure of interest in and pursuit of short-term sex. We conclude that the RAI is a useful tool for future research on rape avoidance and rape prevention.
The spectrum of translational stroke research

Translational stroke research occurs at the interface between basic science and clinical research, and encompasses contributors with varied backgrounds and areas of expertise. The traditional approach to translational stroke research is to take novel discoveries of basic researchers about the mechanisms and consequences of ischemic brain injury and evaluate the potential of these discoveries to enhance clinical stroke diagnostics and therapeutics. Animal stroke modeling and imaging are key steps in this traditional bench-to-bedside paradigm for translational stroke research. Newer approaches to translational research include reverse and lateral translation. With these paradigms, basic researchers are stimulated to improve our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie a clinically observed phenomenon or treatment effect or improve upon an observed treatment effect by determining if drug modification can enhance a clinically beneficial effect. No matter how translational stroke research is conducted, this type of research is critical for the future and involves multidisciplinary teams that need to have productive and insightful ideas and communications.
Solving assembly scheduling problems with tree-structure precedence constraints: A Lagrangian relaxation approach

In this paper, we consider an assembly scheduling problem (ASP) with tree-structured precedence constraints. In our problem, there are a number of work centers. Each work center contains a number of machines of the same functionality. The job to be processed via this system is a job with tree-structure precedence constraints. Each operation in the job has a designated work center. We propose a mixed integer linear programming formulation and solve the problem with a Lagrangian relaxation (LR) approach. We solve the subproblems of the LR problem via a heuristic method and generate feasible solutions via a randomized list scheduling algorithm. Near-optimal results are obtained and the computational time is within a few seconds for problems with size up to 20 machines and 300 operations.
Optimized Weighting of Uniform Subarrays of Unequal Sizes

Amplitude weighting at the subarray outputs alone causes grating lobes in array factors. An approach that disrupts the periodic quantization by dividing the array into subarrays of unequal sizes and amplitude weighting at the subarray ports is presented. A hybrid genetic algorithm optimizes the subarray size and subarray weights to minimize the maximum sidelobe level
Protective effect of berberine on cyclophosphamide-induced haemorrhagic cystitis in rats

The urotoxicity of cyclophosphamide and the protective effect of the herb berberine were investigated in this study. Administration of 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally caused a serious haemorrhagic cystitis in rats after 12 hr, including bladder oedema, haemorrhage, and dramatic elevation of nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite+nitrate) in urine and in plasma. To explore whether cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis could be prevented by berberine, rats were pretreated with a single dose or two doses of berberine at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally then challenged with cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The results indicated that pretreatment of rats with berberine could reduce cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that two doses of berberine showed greater protection against cyclophosphamide urotoxicity than when given a single dose. In addition, our data shows that a single dose of 200 mg/kg berberine, or two doses of 100, and 200 mg/kg berberine could completely block cyclophosphamide-induced bladder oedema and haemorrhage, as well as nitric oxide metabolites increase in rat urine and plasma. In conclusion, our findings suggest that berberine could be a potential effective drug in the treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis, and provides us with the bright hope in the prevention and treatment of cyclophosphamide urotoxicity.
Student-led review sessions to reinforce pharmacotherapy knowledge prior to APPEs

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of student-led pharmacotherapy review sessions for third-year pharmacy students in preparation for their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). Methods A needs assessment survey was administered to determine which pharmacotherapy topics should be reviewed. A pre-test and a post-test consisting of five multiple-choice questions based on the topic being reviewed were administered to students at three of the review sessions. Attendees also completed a subjective evaluation following each review session. Results A total of 56 students in the third-year class (45%) responded to the needs assessment survey expressing interest in Infectious Diseases, Cardiology, and Endocrine review sessions. Students who attended the sessions had the following pre-test and post-test scores: Infectious Diseases ( n = 23) 43% and 89%, Cardiology ( n = 46) 54% and 85%, and Endocrine ( n = 17) 33% and 79%; all of which were statistically significant ( p Conclusions A student-led educational program designed to assist third-year pharmacy students in preparing for APPE rotations had a positive effect on students' pharmacotherapy knowledge base of the disease states reviewed. The review sessions helped the students feel more prepared before starting their APPEs.
Fast Light-Pulse Measurement Schemes

An ultrafast circuit for photodiodes makes it possible to realize the highest fidelity and fastest time domain response capabilities (on the order of 100 ps rise-time response) for measuring fast light pulses. The circuit utilizes triaxial cable as a simple improved means of overcoming the inherent response limitations posed by customary photodiode circuits and components. The triaxial cable circuit can be utilized for both solid-state and vacuum photodiodes, and can be readily adapted to various light-pulse measurement schemes. This paper includes a description of the basic triaxial cable circuit, a calculation of its response capability with a typical photodiode, and an adaptation to a scheme for measuring interpulse intervals of several sequential light-pulse sources.
The formation of GaAs/Si photodiodes by pulsed-laser deposition

Hetero-pairing of thin-film GaAs on Si is of considerable interest for novel applications in optoelectronics. However, the formation of high-quality GaAs is difficult and requires expensive top technologies such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and related methods. In general, MBE forms high-quality epitaxial layers but is not capable of the straightforward formation of GaAs on Si because of the 4.1% lattice mismatch between both materials. We have developed and explored the possibilities of pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) for the formation of GaAs films on (100) n-type Si substrates. The films have been produced in vacuum (10 -6 torr) employing the fundamental (1064 nm), second (532 nm), and third (355 nm) harmonic emission of a Nd:YAG laser with a repetition rates of 10 Hz and a pulse duration of 6 ns. The laser was focused on (100) p-type (10 19 cm -3 ) GaAs wafers with an energy fluence of 0.79-0.84 J/cm 2 . During the deposition, the substrate was not heated. The current-voltage characteristic of the samples showed rectification, i.e., the doping of the GaAs target was successfully maintained in the PLD film and a diode was formed in conjunction with the oppositely doped Si substrate. The observation of photocurrent without bias is an additional proof that an operating junction was achieved. The crystallographic quality of the films was checked by x-ray analysis and revealed that the films show [111]-oriented crystalline parts. The realization of GaAs/Si photodiodes reveals the potential of PLD to be used for the monolithic integration of GaAs photonic devices with Si circuits.
Flake-filled reactive membranes

Aligned mica flakes and colloidal zinc oxide can combine to reduce the acid permeability and increase the lag time in polyvinylalcohol (PVA) membranes. The permeability is reduced up to 10 times by the flakes, but is affected much less by the zinc oxide. The lag times are increased by up to 1000 times by a combination of flakes and reaction. The results can be estimated with theories for this transport, including variations with the square of the volume fraction of flakes and the first power of the zinc oxide concentration. These estimates are successful only when the flakes are evenly distributed within the membrane. When they are unevenly distributed, the apparent membrane permeability behaves differently. While the experiments use only polyvinylalcohol as a polymer, the same flakes and reactants will give the same relative permeability reductions with other, less permeable polymers.
Cholinergic projections to the basolateral amygdala: A combined Evans Blue and acetylcholinesterase analysis

The origins and acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) content of neurons projecting to the AChE-rich basolateral amygdala were studied by infusing Evans Blue (EB), a retrogradely transported fluorescent label, into that neural region and, following microscopic evaluation of labelled somata, staining the same tissue sections for AChE according to the pharmacohistochemical regimen. The following basal forebrain areas contained cells labelled with EB: the lateral preoptic area, ventral pallidum, nuclei of the diagonal band, medial septal nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and substantia innominata. The majority of the basal forebrain neurons projecting to the basolateral amygdala stained intensely for AChE, suggesting that they were cholinergic. In the brainstem, EB-labelled neurons staining intensely for AChE were found less frequently, but a few were observed in the nucleus tegmenti pendunculopontis, locus ceruleus, subcerulear region, and reticular formation. Cells accumulating EB after basolateral amygdala infusion but demonstrating no, weak, or moderate AChE activity were seen in the orbitofrontal, anterior cingulate, temporal, and insular cortices; the mediodorsal, paraventricular, and parataenial nuclei of the thalamus; the periventricular gray substance; the ventromedial mesencephalic tegmentum; the lateral and compact portions of the substantia nigra; the dorsal raphe; the dorsal tegmental nucleus; and the dorsal parabrachial nucleus. On the basis of staining intensity, intracellular organization of the AChE reaction product, and previous results in the literature, we conclude that the major cholinergic input to the basolateral amygdala derives from the basal forebrain.
Some observations of reinforcer preference in children

Proportions of samples of nursery school through fifth-grade children choosing each of a constant set of twelve alternative rewards are reported. These observations on reinforcer preference were incidental to a series of learning experiments conducted over the past four years.
The Role of Social Mechanisms in Demand and Supply Integration: An Individual Network Perspective

In many industries, including retail, increased complexity of marketing strategies needs to be met with increased efficiency in product delivery, requiring integration across demand and supply facing functions of the firm. For frontline logistics employees (FLEs) of manufacturing firms who are delivering and marketing products in retail stores daily, the ability to understand both the marketing and supply implications of their actions is essential. Despite the importance of cross-functional integration at the retail frontline, little logistics research has explored how logistics frontline employees interact with managers and each other to integrate knowledge and information. The purpose of this research is to examine the antecedents to cross-functional integration across demand and supply functions in multiple social networks of the FLE. Mixed methods, including social network analysis, structural equation modeling, and analysis of variance, are applied to test social capital theory hypotheses regarding the impact of relational embeddedness and social mechanisms, socialization and shared interpretation, on individual demand and supply integration across friendship, key enabler, and ideation networks of the frontline employee.
Study of the propensity for hemorrhage in Hispanic Americans with stroke.

Objective Multiple sources document a higher proportion of intraparenchymal hemorrhage (HEM) in Hispanic (HIS) than white (WHI) patients with stroke. We sought an explanation for this phenomenon through analysis of multiple variables in our hospital-based stroke population. Methods We performed univariate and multivariate analysis of risk factors in our HIS and WHI patients with stroke to identify differences that might account for a greater propensity for HEM in HIS patients. Results Multivariate analysis disclosed that the risk of HEM correlated significantly with untreated hypertension (HTN), HIS ethnicity, and heavy alcohol intake. A negative correlation was found for hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Our HIS patients with stroke had a greater prevalence of untreated HTN and heavy alcohol intake, with HIS men being at greatest risk. Conclusions HIS patients with stroke in our hospital-based population appear relatively more prone to HEM than do WHI patients. This risk correlates with a greater likelihood of having untreated HTN and heavy alcohol intake, more so for HIS men. The explanation appears to be a relative lack of health awareness and involvement in our health care system. The possibility that HIS ethnicity itself constitutes a biological risk factor for HEM remains a matter of speculation. Validation of this work with community data should lead to remediation through a community-based effort.
Regional calibration of a watershed model

Abstract As watershed models become increasingly sophisticated and useful, there is a need to extend their applicability to locations where they cannot be calibrated or validated. A new methodology for the regionalization of a watershed model is introduced and evaluated. The approach involves calibration of a watershed model to many sites in a region, concurrently. Previous research that has sought to relate the parameters of monthly water balance models to physical drainage basin characteristics in a region has met with limited success. Previous studies have taken the two-step approach: (a) estimation of watershed model parameters at each site, followed by (b) attempts to relate model parameters to drainage basin characteristics. Instead of treating these two steps as independent, both steps are implemented concurrently. All watershed models in a region are calibrated simultaneously, with the dual objective of reproducing the behaviour of observed monthly streamflows and, additionally, to obtain good rel...
Alcohol oxidation and aldol condensation during base-catalyzed reaction of primary alcohols with 1-chloroanthraquinone

Abstract When chloroanthraquinone is treated with primary alcohols under basic conditions, the notoriously low yields observed for substitution result in part from oxidation of the alcohol followed by aldol condensation.
The Economic Impact of the Baseball Strike of 1994

Using the seven weeks of canceled baseball games caused by the 1994 strike as a natural experiment, the author analyzes the degree to which the absence of baseball affected retail trade and hotel r...
Modeling dislocation nucleation strengths in pristine metallic nanowires under experimental conditions

The nature of dislocation sources in small-scale metals is critical to understanding and building models of size-dependent crystalline strength at the nanoscale. Pre-existing dislocations with one pinning point can be readily described as truncated Frank–Read sources, and modeling their operation strengths is straightforward. In contrast, simple and accurate models describing surface dislocation nucleation processes remain elusive. Here, we develop a computationally simple model of heterogeneous dislocation nucleation from free surfaces by combining a continuum description of the nucleation process with the atomistic inputs where accuracy is critical. This model is used to derive the upper strength limits of single-crystalline face-centered cubic nanopillars as a function of size, material and crystal orientation for uniaxial compression and tension. The output parameter space of this model is critically compared against direct atomistic simulations, as well as experiments on tension of pristine gold nanowires and compression of copper nanopillars to highlight its virtues and limitations.
A Single Dose of the Potent Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Acyline Suppresses Gonadotropins and Testosterone for 2 Weeks in Healthy Young Men

Acyline is a novel GnRH antagonist that reliably inhibits gonadotropins and testosterone (T) levels in men for 48 h after a single dose up to 75 microg/kg. In this study we examined gonadotropin and T levels in 28 healthy young men administered acyline as single doses of 150 or 300 microg/kg or serial injections of 75 microg/kg. A single 300 microg/kg dose of acyline suppressed gonadotropins and T to castrate levels for 15 d (baseline, 21.1 +/- 3.1; nadir, 1.95 +/- 0.4 nmol/liter; mean +/- sem; P < 0.05). Serum acyline levels peaked 90 min after the injection of 300 microg/kg acyline to a maximum concentration of 112.4 +/- 18 ng/ml (n = 7; t(1/2) = 4.9 d). Injections of 75 microg/kg acyline every 2 d for five doses suppressed gonadotropins for more than 20 d (nadir T, 1.06 +/- 0.17 nmol/liter; P < 0.05 compared with baseline). Adverse events were mild and included erythema and pruritus at the injection site. Acyline, therefore, is one of the most potent peptide GnRH antagonists studied to date with minimal adverse events. A twice monthly injection of acyline could be used as a potent suppressor of the GnRH axis to advance the development of a hormonal male contraceptive or for treatment of hormonally dependent disease.
Microstructures on graphite surfaces fabricated by intense single femtosecond laser pulses

Several types of center-symmetrical (elliptical) microstructures of multi-nanometer heights are fabricated on a surface of quasi-crystalline graphite ablated by single femtosecond laser pulses with peak intensities in the range of 1-10 2 TW/cm 2 . Potential underlying physical mechanisms for these micro-structuring ablative phenomena are discussed.
The effects of liquid holding on near-UV (300-400 nm) irradiated Escherichia coli strains differing in near and far-UV radiation sensitivity.

— Stationary phase cells from four Escherichia coli strains differing in near- (nur vs. nur +) and far-UV (recAl vs. recA+) radiation sensitivity were subjected to near-UV radiation (NUV) in 0.85% saline. Although the NUV-irradiated cultures yielded increased colony numbers following 24 h of liquid holding (LH), a fluctuation test for each experiment showed that the observed increases were not due to recovery but were in fact due to cell multiplication. The decline in viability observed after NUV with liquid holding using the fluctuation test was equivalent in strains RT2, 3 and 4 while the decline observed with RT1 was less marked. The discrepancy between LH involving cell densities of 108-109 and 1–4 cells/m/ can be resolved by assuming that with dense cell suspensions, NUV-induced membrane damage leads to leakage or lysis, supplying sufficient nutrients to allow growth of undamaged, surviving cells.
Plasma Absorption of Femtosecond Laser Pulses in Dielectrics

Dielectric (high bandgap) materials represent an important and diverse class of materials in micro and nanotechnology, including MEMS devices, biomedical and bioengineering systems, multilayer thin film coatings, fiber optics, etc. Micromachining dielectrics using ultrafast lasers is an exciting and promising new research area with many significant advantages, including precision material removal, negligible heating of the workpiece, micron and sub-micron-size feature fabrication, and high aspect ratio features. During ultrafast laser processing of dielectrics, the intense laser pulse ionizes the irradiated material and produces an optical breakdown region, or plasma, that is characterized by a high density of free electrons. These high-density electrons can efficiently absorb a large fraction of the laser irradiance energy, part of which will then be coupled into the bulk material, resulting in material removal through direct vaporization. The energy deposited into the material depends on the time and space-dependent breakdown region, the plasma rise time, and the plasma absorption coefficient
Early attachment-figure separation and increased risk for later depression: potential mediation by proinflammatory processes

Early maternal separation and other disruptions of attachment relations are known to increase risk for the later onset of depressive illness in vulnerable individuals. It is suggested here that sensitization involving proinflammatory processes may contribute to this effect. This argument is based on: (1) current notions of the role of proinflammatory cytokines in depressive illness; (2) evidence that proinflammatory cytokines mediate depressive-like behavior during separation in a rodent model of infant attachment; and (3) comparisons of the effects of early proinflammatory activation versus maternal separation on later proinflammatory activity and biobehavioral processes related to depression. The possible interaction of proinflammatory processes and corticotropin-releasing factor in the sensitization process is discussed.
Dissolution of cholesterol gallstones by bile acids in the prairie dog

The effect of chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid on gallstone dissolution was studied in the prairie dog. Cholesterol gallstones were found in all animals after feeding a semipurified diet plus 1.2% cholesterol for six wk. Gallstone regression was examined by feeding a chow diet containing the bile acids (chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid or hyodeoxycholic acid) alone (30 mg/kg/day) or in combination (chenodeoxycholic acid plus ursodeoxycholic acid) for an additional six wk. Chenodeoxycholic acid was effective in dissolving established cholesterol gallstones (two out of 16 animals still had stones) and cholesterol crystals (six out of 16 animals had crystals); the hydrophilic bile acids, ursodeoxycholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid, were ineffective in the six-wk regression study. The lithogenic indices averaged 1.09 at the end of the induction period: all biles became unsaturated with respect to cholesterol after the six-wk regression period (group 1, 0.82; group 2, 0.66; group 3, 0.81; group 4,0.84; group 5, 0.66). Cholesterol levels in liver, plasma and bile were elevated after the six-wk induction phase (4.59 mg/g, 610 mg/dl and 0.36 mg/ml, respectively) but returned to near normal levels after the six-wk regression period. Biliary bile acids contained increased levels of the dietary bile acid administered to each group. This experiment shows that relatively hydrophobic bile acids may be more effective than hydrophilic bile acids for gallstone dissolution during the period studied.
Addressing Risk Behaviors, Service Needs, and Mental Health Issues in Programs for Young Fathers

Young fathers (N = 143) ages 16-33 participated in an assessment of risk behaviors, service needs, and mental health issues upon entering a fatherhood program. Almost 70% were unemployed, 39% were ...
Restoration of the deformability of "irreversibly" sickled cells by procaine hydrochloride.

Summary Irreversibly sickled red cells may be produced in vitro by incubating deoxygenated sickle cells at 37°C. The deformability of oxygenated irreversibly sickled cells produced in this way may be restored by pre or post treatment with 0.09M procaine hydrochloride. The loss of deformability associated with metabolic depletion of normal erythrocytes in vitro is minimized in the presence of 0.006M procaine hydrochloride. Displacement of membrane-bound calcium by procaine is suggested as a possible mechanism for the observed effects.
The State of Leadership Studies

This article begins a symposium in the Journal of Leadership Studies on the subject of a formal review process for academic programs in leadership studies. The authors argue that such a process would be a way for the field to achieve more legitimacy in higher education, establish itself as a discipline, and delineate parameters of its intellectual distinctiveness. In so doing, the authors present a brief history of the development of leadership studies literature, a central question to theory building and program development, and common goals pursued by academic programs in leadership studies. Finally, the authors call for the development of standards that can help leadership programs expand their curricular and cocurricular initiatives to reflect the intellectual maturity of the field.
Program needs and change orientation: Implications for counselor turnover

Although evidence suggests that turnover rates are higher in high-stress/high-needs work environments, it is unclear whether agencies' attempts at improving practices influence individuals' decisions to stay at or leave a job. The purpose of this study was to examine whether program needs and change orientation influence individual decisions to quit. A sample of 206 counselors from 25 outpatient substance abuse treatment programs completed the Survey of Organizational Functioning, rating the organization on program needs, leadership, and change. They also rated themselves on stress, burnout, and job satisfaction. Multilevel modeling indicated a significant interaction between program needs and change orientation, even after controlling for stress, burnout, job satisfaction, tenure, and selected program characteristics. When perceptions of program needs were high, counselors were more likely to stay if they felt that the organization was making progress toward change. These findings suggest that an orientation toward change can counteract negative effects of perceived need within the workplace.
Should informed consent for cancer treatment include a discussion about hospital outcome disparities

Background to the Debate Several studies have found disparities in the outcome of medical procedures across different hospitals—better outcomes have been associated with higher procedure volume. An Institute of Medicine workshop found such a “volume–outcome relationship” for two types of cancer surgery: resection of the pancreas and esophagus (http://www.iom.edu/?id=31508). This debate examines whether physicians have an ethical obligation to inform patients of hospital outcome disparities for these cancers.
Beryllium fluoride coating as a corrosion retardant for beryllium

High temperature modified Be fluoride, rhombic tridymite, protects Be against aqueous corrosion
Bringing it all back home: insourcing what you do well

Outsourcing library operations is a commonly discussed management technique in library literature. This article examines one library’s ability to insource some of its operations. Insourcing, or retaining services and, perhaps, providing them for others, can be successful if proper analysis is conducted before the process is begun. Constant evaluation is necessary, basic services must be enhanced, and some savings or revenues must be generated for insourcing to become a way of life in today’s rapidly changing library environments.
Histone methylation as a marker of chondrocyte phenotype

Maintaining articular chondrocyte phenotype is important in terms of pathological conditions and cartilage development, but is complicated and challenging. Epigenetic modifications are one kind of those factors which have effect on cell phenotype regulation. However, the extent to which epigenetics marks in forms of trimethylation of histone H3 Lysine 4 and 27 (H3K4me3 and H3K27me3) regulate chondrocytes phenotype and characteristic gene expression remains largely unknown. In this study, we studied H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 level in the Sox9 promoter in human articular chondrocytes (hACs) comparing human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs), and global H3K4me3 level in hACs comparing dedifferentiated hACs. Our ChIP-qPCR data showed largely lower H3K27me3 in the Sox9 promoter in hACs than in hASCs, suggesting that repressive chromatin in the Sox9 promoter decreases in the chondrocyte phenotype. Western blotting data showed higher H3K4me3 level in hACs during dedifferentiation. In summary, our results suggest that these epigenetic marks may regulate chondrocyte phenotype, and could be used as unique marks distinguish the hACs phenotype from other lineages and change during dedifferentiation.
Recurrent Abdominal Pain

1. Paul N. Thiessen, MD* 1. *Editorial Board. Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, B.C. Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, B.C., Canada After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Characterize the epidemiology and classification of recurrent abdominal pain. 2. List the major clinical conditions that manifest with recurrent abdominal pain. 3. Describe the most important findings in the history and physical examination of the child who has recurrent abdominal pain that suggest an organic medical condition. 4. Outline a targeted approach to ordering investigations that will confirm or disprove suspected organic disease. 5. Delineate the prognosis of recurrent abdominal pain. Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a frequent and troublesome complaint in childhood and adolescence, and the search for a cause and a credible approach to management can be taxing for both family and physician. The term “recurrent abdominal pain” was coined by the British pediatrician John Apley, who first published on the subject in 1958. His definition included at least three attacks of pain occurring over a period of 3 months that were severe enough to affect activities and for which no organic cause was identified. In practice, the definition may include any child or adolescent who has RAP for which the family seeks medical attention and explanation, even if the duration of the pain does not adhere strictly to the Apley definition. The definition explicitly excludes the many causes of acute abdominal pain, which lie outside the scope of this review. There is wide variation in the threshold of severity and frequency that must be crossed before a family will seek medical attention for a child who has RAP. Inevitably, parents want a clear explanation and reassurance that no sinister causes lurk undetected, and the clinician wants to oblige but often lacks the conviction that organic causes have been excluded. The most difficult challenge for the clinician is to determine to what extent diagnostic studies should be employed before the label “recurrent abdominal …
Target limitation of resolution and signal/noise in mesh storage tubes

By assuming that the mesh holes are square and that the electron beams are Gaussian, both the sine-wave and the cross-scan response may be calculated for a mesh-type storage tube. The sine-wave response is the product of a function of the form \sin x/x . from the mesh holes and a Gaussian function from the electron beams. Cross-scan response always exceeds sine-wave response; the resolution at 50 percent cross-scan response is 5/3 times the resolution at 50 percent sine-wave response. The signal current through a mesh hole is directly proportional to the area of the hole. Variations in mesh hole size from point-to-point on the mesh produce errors or disturbance on the output signal. For example, a peak-to-peak signal to peak-to-peak disturbance ratio of 20 dB requires that the variation in mesh hole width be ± 2.5 percent. The disturbance may be observed in the output of an electrical-output mesh storage tube by photographing 50 to 100 superimposed traces from a line-selector oscilloscope display.
Evidence for metasomatism of the lunar highlands and the origin of whitlockite

The origin of whitlockite, a REE-rich mineral present in lunar highlands, is investigated using available experimental results of elemental partitioning between whitlockite and melt and between two immiscible liquids. A comparison with occurrences in mare basalt mesostasis assemblages demonstrated that whitlockite in the lunar highlands has not resulted from crystallization from the residual interstitial melt, and the nature of REE partition coefficients for whitlockite showed that they cannot have crystallized from KREEP melts. The only lunar melt which contains REE abundances compatible with whitlockite composition is the basic immiscible melt derived from a KREEPy liquid. It is suggested that whitlockite found in the lunar highlands is a post-cumulus metasomatic phase that precipitated from a melt formed when the urKREEP underwent silicate liquid immiscibility.
INTERCELLULAR ADHESIONS IN THE POLLEN-STIGMA SYSTEM: POLLEN CAPTURE, GRAIN BINDING, AND TUBE ATTACHMENTS

A B S T R A C T Four independent pollen-stigma binding forces are differentiated after pollen contacts stigmas of Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Identification is based on their different rates and sequence of appearance during gametophyte development; on their differential occurrence after compatible and incompatible pollinations; and on their different stabilities to NaOH and hexane. The first binding force develops most rapidly, begins seconds after pollen-stigma contact, is complete within minutes, occurs on compatible or incompatible papillae, and dissociates in methanol. A second slower binding reaction begins about 15 min after contact, continues for at least 90 min (when pollen tubes emerge), results in a binding structure termed the ocreatine, develops only on compatible papillae, and is dissociated by NaOH. A third attractive mechanism binds the tip of the emerging tube to a cuticle, is detected only on incompatible papillae, and is not dissociated by NaOH or methanol. Ocreatine formation and tube development beyond the emergence stage are prevented by the incompatibility response. A fourth attraction mechanism occurs between the surfaces of papilla and elongating tubes. Reviews of physical and biochemical evidence indicate that van der Waals forces and enzymatically mediated lipid polymerization are alternatives to agglutination as mechanisms for binding male gametophyte to papilla.
Taking Drosophila Rad51 for a SPiN.

A recent paper reports that Spn-A is the Rad51 ortholog in Drosophila melanogaster. This and other findings in this study open the door to genetic analysis of Rad51 functions in a model metazoan.
Flat and low dispersion in highly nonlinear slot waveguides.

We propose highly nonlinear slot waveguides with flat and low dispersion over a wide wavelength range. Si nano-crystal and chalcogenide glass are considered as slot materials. Over a 244-nm bandwidth, dispersion of 0±0.16 ps/(nm∙m) is achieved in a silicon nano-crystal slot waveguide, with a nonlinear coefficient of 2874 /(W∙m). The As2S3 slot waveguide exhibits dispersion of 0±0.17 ps/(nm∙m) over a bandwidth of 249 nm, with a nonlinear coefficient 16 times larger than that of As2S3 rib waveguides and a nonlinear figure of merit three times larger than that of Si strip waveguides.
Neuropeptide Y expression in rat brain: Effects of adrenalectomy

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) messenger RNA was measured by hybridization of mRNA from the cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus and striatum of rat brains. Adrenalectomized rats showed lowered level of NPY message in the striatum. A similar decline was found in the hypothalamus, while the cortex and hippocampus were unchanged. Levels of NPY message per unit total RNA were about the same for hypothalamus, cortex and striatum and about 50% less for hippocampus. Adrenalectomized rats that received replacement corticosterone had levels of NPY message that had returned to the levels found in rats receiving sham operation. Response elements consistent with our findings are reported in the NPY genomic sequence.
Enhanced Cell Adhesion and Alignment on Micro-Wavy Patterned Surfaces

Various micropatterns have been fabricated and used to regulate cell adhesion, morphology and function. Micropatterns created by standard photolithography process are usually rectangular channels with sharp corners (microgrooves) which provide limited control over cells and are not favorable for cell-cell interaction and communication. This paper proposes a new micropattern with smooth wavy surfaces (micro-waves) to control the position and orientation of cells. To characterize cell growth and responses on the micro-patterned substrates, bovine aortic endothelial cells were seeded onto surfaces with micro-grooves and micro-waves for 24 h. As a result, the cells on the micro-wavy pattern appeared to have a lower death rate and better alignment compared to those on the micro-grooved pattern. In addition, flow-induced shear stress was applied to examine the adhesion strength of cells on the micro-wavy pattern. Results showed that cells adhered to the wavy surface displayed both improved alignment and adhesion strength compared to those on the flat surface. The combination of increased alignment, lower death rate and enhanced adhesion strength of cells on the micro-wavy patterns will offer advantages in potential applications for cell phenotype, proliferation and tissue engineering.