cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic background determines behavioral responses during fear conditioning.

Abstract Freezing behavior is used as a measure of a rodent’s ability to learn during fear conditioning. However, it is possible that the expression of other behaviors may compete with freezing, particularly in rodent populations that have not been thoroughly studied in this context. Rearing and grooming are complex behaviors that are frequently exhibited by mice during fear conditioning. Both behaviors have been shown to be stress-sensitive, and the expression of these behaviors is dependent upon strain background. To better understand how genetic background impacts behavioral responses during fear conditioning, we examined freezing, rearing, and grooming frequencies prior to fear conditioning training and across different stages of fear conditioning testing in male mice from eight inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, SWR/J, BTBR T + ltpr3Tf/J, SM/J, LP/J, 129S1/SvlmJ) that exhibited diverse freezing responses. We found that genetic background determined rearing and grooming expression throughout fear conditioning, and their patterns of expression across stages of fear conditioning were strain dependent. Using publicly available SNP data, we found that polymorphisms in Dab1, a gene that is implicated in both grooming and learning phenotypes, separated the strains with high contextual grooming from the others using a hierarchical clustering analysis. This suggested a potential genetic mechanism for the observed behavioral differences. These findings demonstrate that genetic background determines behavioral responses during fear conditioning and suggest that shared genetic substrates underlie fear conditioning behaviors.
Overviews of Synthesis of Nanomaterials

In this chapter, authors discuss two preparation methods to precisely control the materials structure and elemental composition. These methods are classified into a “top-down” and “bottom-up” fabrication process. In “bottom-up” synthesis, the material is constructed from atom or molecules to the cluster until the designed shape is achieved, akin to building a house from bricks (simply saying from small to big). In the “top-down” synthesis, the corresponding material is reconstructed or deformed, ablated to form different structures, akin to a sculptor chiseling a block of marble to create a statute of definite shape and size.
The social side of personal engagement in healthcare

The recent trend toward patient participation in their own healthcare has opened up numerous challenges and opportunities for research related to collaborative systems. In this paper, I summarize interdisciplinary efforts to create “shared understandings of personal health” — in which collaborative systems are designed through ongoing efforts to assess and support patients' information and communication needs. In particular, these efforts address needs as they are made evident in healthcare settings, such as the need to stay informed about care processes, track and communicate symptoms, and learn about treatments and therapies to participate in shared decision-making. I discuss a research program focused on the design of collaborative systems to support shared understandings of a patient's health and discuss a range of current projects in this unique interdisciplinary space.
Ethical Problems, Conflicts and Beliefs of Small Business Professionals

This paper presents the results of a national study of the beliefs and perceptions of small business professionals concerning ethics within their company and business in general. The study examined their views on the relationship between success and ethical conduct as well as the extent and nature of ethical conflicts experienced by the respondents. Some comparisons are made with similar studies that have been conducted in the past. Respondents have the most ethical conflicts with customers and employees, and with regard to honesty in contracts/agreements. Most also believe that ethical standards are lower than they were 10 and 20 years ago, primarily because society's moral standards are lower. Additionally, they believe that the behavior of top management has the most influence on decisions in ethical situations. Finally, consistent with prior studies, they believe that they have the most responsibility to customers, ahead of employees and stockholders.
Prefaci: Per què fer història de les emocions?

L'ampliacio del camp de la historia de les emocions per tenir una major participacio dels academics espanyols i una major atencio a la seva aplicacio a la historia espanyola -que aquest volum reflecteix i promou- es un fet que mereix ser celebrat. Un dels diversos senyals de l'exit d'aquest vibrant sotscamp es l'ampliacio del seu abast geografic, i Espanya apareix aqui com un exemple clau. Agraeixo la invitacio per realitzar algunes aportacions sobre aquest camp a tall d'introduccio.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI evaluates the early response of human head and neck tumor xenografts following anti-EMMPRIN therapy with cisplatin or irradiation.

Purpose To assess the early therapeutic effects of anti-EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer) antibody with/without cisplatin or X-ray radiation in head and neck cancer mouse models using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Materials and Methods Mice bearing SCC1 (or OSC19) tumor xenografts were treated with anti-EMMPRIN antibody, radiation, cisplatin, or anti-EMMPRIN antibody plus cisplatin (or radiation) for a week (n = 4–5 per group). DCE-MRI was carried out on a 9.4T small animal MR scanner on days 0, 3, and 7, and Ktrans values were averaged in a 0.5-mm-thick peripheral tumor region. Ki67 and CD31 staining were implemented for all tumors after imaging. Results The Ktrans changes of SCC1 and OSC19 tumors treated with anti-EMMPRIN antibody for 3 days were −18 ± 8% and 4 ± 7%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of control groups (39 ± 5% and 45 ± 7%; P = 0.0025 and 0.0220, respectively). When cisplatin was added, those were −42 ± 9% and −44 ± 9%, respectively, and with radiation, −45 ± 9% and −27 ± 10%, respectively, which were also significantly lower than those of control groups (P < 0.0001 for all four comparisons). In the eight groups untreated (served as control) or treated with anti-EMMPRIN antibody with/without cisplatin or radiation, the mean Ktrans change for 3 days was significantly correlated with the mean tumor volume change for 7 days (r = 0.74, P = 0.0346), Ki67-expressing cell density (r = 0.96, P = 0.0001), and CD31 density (r = 0.84, P = 0.0084). Conclusion DCE-MRI might be utilized to assess the early therapeutic effects of anti-EMMPRIN antibody with/without chemotherapy or radiotherapy in head and neck cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:936–945.
Assembly of IFT trains at the ciliary base depends on IFT74.

Summary Intraflagellar transport (IFT) moves IFT trains carrying cargoes from the cell body into the flagellum and from the flagellum back to the cell body. IFT trains are composed of complexes IFT-A and IFT-B and cargo adaptors such as the BBSome. The IFT-B core proteins IFT74 and IFT81 interact directly through central and C-terminal coiled-coil domains, and recently it was shown that the N termini of these proteins form a tubulin-binding module important for ciliogenesis. To investigate the function of IFT74 and its domains in vivo, we have utilized Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ift74 mutants. In a null mutant, lack of IFT74 destabilized IFT-B, leading to flagella assembly failure. In this null background, expression of IFT74 lacking 130 amino acids (aa) of the charged N terminus stabilized IFT-B and promoted slow assembly of nearly full-length flagella. A further truncation (lacking aa 1–196, including part of coiled-coil 1) also stabilized IFT-B, but failure in IFT-A/IFT-B interaction within the pool at the base of the flagellum prevented entry of IFT-A into the flagellum and led to severely decreased IFT injection frequency and flagellar-assembly defects. Decreased IFT-A in these short flagella resulted in aggregates of stalled IFT-B in the flagella. We conclude that IFT74 is required to stabilize IFT-B; aa 197–641 are sufficient for this function in vivo. The N terminus of IFT74 may be involved in, but is not required for, tubulin entry into flagella. It is required for association of IFT-A and IFT-B at the base of the flagellum and flagellar import of IFT-A.
Suppression of spin density wave by isoelectronic substitution in PrFe1-xRuxAsO

Abstract We have studied the effects of the isoelectronic substitution of Ru for Fe in polycrystalline samples of the spin density wave (SDW) material PrFeAsO. Crystal structures from powder X-ray diffraction at room temperature and transport properties from 2 to 300 K are reported. The SDW is completely suppressed upon Ru substitution. The distortion of the tetrahedral coordination environment of the transition metal site increases as the Ru concentration increases, which may be related to the absence of superconductivity above 2 K. Band structure calculations show that the larger size of Ru 4 d orbitals is primarily responsible for the suppression of magnetism as Ru is substituted into the Fe layer. The experimental results indicate that long-ranged magnetic order of Pr moments is suppressed at Ru concentrations as low as 10%.
Iron acyl thiolato carbonyls: structural models for the active site of the [Fe]-hydrogenase (Hmd).

Phosphine-modified thioester derivatives are shown to serve as efficient precursors to phosphine-stabilized ferrous acyl thiolato carbonyls, which replicate key structural features of the active site of the hydrogenase Hmd. The reaction of Ph2PC6H4C(O)SPh and sources of Fe(0) generates both Fe(SPh)(Ph2PC6H4CO)(CO)3 (1) and the diferrous diacyl Fe2(SPh)2(CO)3(Ph2PC6H4CO)2, which carbonylates to give 1. For the extremely bulky arylthioester Ph2PC6H4C(O)SC6H3-2,6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)2, oxidative addition is arrested and the Fe(0) adduct of the phosphine is obtained. Complex 1 reacts with cyanide to give Et4N[Fe(SPh)(Ph2PC6H4CO)(CN)(CO)2] (Et4N[2]). 13C and 31P NMR spectra indicate that substitution is stereospecific and cis to P. The IR spectrum of [2]− in νCN and νCO regions very closely matches that for HmdCN. XANES and EXAFS measurements also indicate close structural and electronic similarity of Et4N[2] to the active site of wild-type Hmd. Complex 1 also stereospecifically forms a derivative with TsCH...
Evanescently coupled mid-infrared photodetector for integrated sensing applications: Theory and design

Abstract We present theory and simulation of a mid-infrared (λ = 3.2 μm) chalcogenide waveguide monolithically integrated with an evanescently coupled PbTe photodetector for lab-on-a-chip sensing applications. A spacer layer is used to modify effective index of the structure, enabling a waveguide-detector mode to propagate in the chalcogenide waveguide and be absorbed in the PbTe detector. The relation between quantum efficiency and detector dimensions is analyzed showing that the design geometry can be optimized to maximize signal to noise ratio. In addition, the location of metal contacts is optimized to minimize loss while maintaining good device performance. The design is compatible with standard planar lithographic processing and its flexibility suggests multiple applications in the fields of biological and chemical sensing.
Effects of Different Protein Supplements on Milk Production and Nutrient Utilization in Lactating Dairy Cows

Sixteen (8 ruminally cannulated) multiparous and 8 primiparous lactating Holstein cows were used in 6 replicated 4 x 4 Latin squares to test the effects of feeding supplemental protein as urea, solvent soybean meal (SSBM), cottonseed meal (CSM), or canola meal (CM) on milk production, nutrient utilization, and ruminal metabolism. All diets contained (% of DM) 21% alfalfa silage and 35% corn silage plus 1) 2% urea plus 41% high-moisture shelled corn (HMSC), 2) 12% SSBM plus 31% HMSC, 3) 14% CSM plus 29% HMSC, or 4) 16% CM plus 27% HMSC. Crude protein was equal across diets, averaging 16.6%. Intake and production were substantially reduced, and milk urea, blood urea, and ruminal ammonia were increased on urea vs. the diets supplemented with true protein. Although intake was lower in cows fed SSBM compared with CM, no differences were observed for milk yield among SSBM, CSM, and CM. Yields of fat and protein both were lower on CSM than on CM, whereas SSBM was intermediate. Milk urea and milk protein contents also decreased when CSM replaced SSBM or CM. Diet did not affect ruminal volatile fatty acids except that isobutyrate concentration was lowest on urea, intermediate on CSM, and greatest on SSBM and CM. Urinary excretion of urea N and total N was greatest on urea, intermediate on SSBM and CM, and lowest on CSM. Apparent N efficiency (milk N/N intake) was lower on the CSM diet than on the SSBM diet. Overall, production and N utilization were compromised when the diets of high-yielding dairy cows were supplemented with urea rather than true protein and the value of the true proteins.
Beyond core and periphery: the myth of regional political-economic restructuring and sectionalism in contemporary American politics

Abstract The central thesis of this paper is that the geographical restructuring of the United States economy and polity of the past 20 years has taken a localized form. Consequently, thinking in terms of interregional competition and restructuring, such as evidenced by much of the social science literature, is intellectually and politically misleading. The concepts of ‘core’ and ‘periphery’ or ‘sunbelt’ and ‘snowbelt’ and associated claims for a continuing or revived political sectionalism will no longer bear the intellectual traffic that has been imposed upon them.
Residual-mechanical behavior of thermomechanically fatigued Sn-Ag based solder joints

Thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) due to the mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion between solder and substrate gradually degrades the mechanical properties of electronic solder joints during service. This study investigated the role of TMF on the residual-mechanical behavior of solder joints made with eutectic Sn-Ag solder and Sn-Ag solder with Cu or Ni additions. The TMF tests were carried out between -15°C and + 150°C with a ramp rate of 25°C/min for the heating segment and 7°C/min for the cooling segment. The hold times were 20 min at the high extreme and 300 min at the low extreme. Residual shear strength was found to drop significantly during the first 250 TMF cycles, although it did remain relatively constant between 250 and 1000 cycles. Alloying elements were found to affect the residual creep strength of solder joints after TMF.
Activation of GABAA Receptors: Views from Outside the Synaptic Cleft

Some GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)Rs) are activated by low transmitter levels present in the extracellular space and generate an uninterrupted conductance referred to as "tonic." This tonic conductance is highly sensitive to all factors regulating the amount of GABA surrounding the neurons. Only a few GABA(A)Rs with particular subunit combinations are well suited to mediate the tonic conductance. These same receptors constitute important and specific targets for various endogenous and exogenous neuroactive compounds and possible therapeutic targets.
Avionic WDM LAN node utilizing wavelength conversion

A wavelength-routed WDM node was demonstrated to allow error-free transmission of digital optical signals between 4 inputs and outputs at all tested data rates. Even with the addition of 29.4 dB loss, data transmission through the node remained below 10e-12 at the target data rates of 1.25 and 2.5 Gbps. Though developed to support the cross-cube topology, this node is flexible enough to work within other network architectures, including ring, bus, or additional mesh topologies.
Impacts of Daily Bag Limit Reductions on Angler Effort in Wisconsin Walleye Lakes

Abstract Angler effort is an important factor affecting recreational fisheries. However, angler responses are rarely incorporated into recreational fisheries regulations or predictions. Few have attempted to examine how daily bag limit regulations affect total angling pressure and subsequent stock densities. Our paper develops a theoretical basis for predicting angler effort and harvest rate based on stock densities and bag limit regulations. We examined data from a management system that controls the total exploitation of walleyes Sander vitreus (formerly Stizostedion vitreum) in northern Wisconsin lakes and compared these empirical results with the predictions from a theoretical effort and harvest rate response model. The data indicated that higher general angler effort occurs on lakes regulated with a 5-walleye daily limit than on lakes regulated with either a 2- or 3-walleye daily limit. General walleye catch rates were lower on lakes with a 5-walleye limit than on lakes with either a 2- or 3-walleye ...
The Inductive Properties of Human Dentin and Cementum

Studies of the inductive properties of human dentin and cementum have yielded differing results. Comparisons are difficult to draw because of variations in time, donor tissue, host immunologic status, implant site, decalcifying agents and degree of decalcification. Analysis of the many experiments intimates that the answers may lie in the use of citric acid and/or the degree of decalcification. The direction of future investigations is suggested.
Biology of Paroigolaimella Bernensis and Fictor Anchicoprophaga (Diplogasterinae) in Laboratory Culture

Members of seventeen of the twenty nematode genera isolated from the waste treatment piant at Urbana, Illinois, could be reared in the laboratory on bacterial-amoebic or nematode cultures. Morphometrics of laboratory populations of Fictor anchicoprophaga and Paroigolaimella bernensis differed considerably from those of populations collected in nature. Eggs of P. bernensis exhibited holoblastic spiral mode of division during development. Generation time varied from 46-48 hours at 30°C to 90-100 hours at 15° for P. bernensis and from 40-44 hours at 35° to 160-178 hours at 15° for F. anchicoprophaga. Maximum populations were reached in shorter times at higher temperatures for these two species and declined sharply after the maximum was reached. Progeny of five females averaged about 18,000 for each species after 10 days at 20°.
On interpretation of interactions

The principle focus of this paper is on interpretation of interactions that are obtained when response probability is used as a dependent variable. It is argued that results obtained with probability [or any dependent variable) are only interesting insofar as they reflect something about a corresponding theoretical component. It follows that the functional mapping of response probability [which is measured) onto the state of a theoretical component (which is inferred) must be somehow specified if conclusions are to be meaningful. Depending on the nature of such a mapping, various types of results, particularly results involving interactions, may or may not be interpretable.
Weight gain is associated with increased risk of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors

Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors (BCS) receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy are common, but risk factors for these symptoms are ill-defined. This study tested if body size is associated with hot flashes in BCS on AI therapy. A cross-sectional study of postmenopausal BCS receiving adjuvant AI therapy was performed. The primary outcome was occurrence of patient-reported hot flashes. The primary exposures of interest were current body size and weight change since breast cancer diagnosis. Three hundred participants were enrolled at a mean age of 61 years (range 33–86) after an average AI exposure of 23 months (range 1 month–9 years). Fifty-nine percent reported hot flashes, 32% reported moderate to severe hot flashes, and 25% reported significant worsening of hot flashes since starting AI therapy. Sixty-one percent experienced weight maintenance (±10 lb), while 27% had weight gain (gained 10 lb or more), and 11% had weight loss (lost 10 lb or more). In multivariable analysis, weight gain was independently associated with hot flash occurrence (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–4.4) and hot flash severity (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3–5.0) after adjusting for confounding. Current body size was not associated with hot flash occurrence, severity or change with AI therapy. In an outpatient BCS population on AI therapy, weight gain is a risk factor for hot flash occurrence. Women who gained at least 10 lb since breast cancer diagnosis were two times more likely to have hot flashes than women who maintained or lost weight. These results support the thermoregulatory model of hot flashes and argue against a protective effect of body fat in this population.
Psychosocial Treatments for Childhood and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder

Adjunctive psychosocial interventions are increasingly recognized as an important aspect of comprehensive treatment for bipolar disorder (BPD) in childhood and adolescence. Research in this area is relatively new, but psychosocial interventions being developed and tested include: multi-family psychoeducation groups for school-aged children with either BPD or depressive disorders; family-focused treatment, dialectical behavior therapy, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for adolescents with BPD; and child and family-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for school-aged children with BPD. Preliminary evidence, where available, indicates that these interventions are feasible, well-received by families, and associated with positive outcomes. The continued study of adjunctive psychosocial interventions will help identify critical treatment ingredients that target specific areas of functioning and enhance overall treatment effectiveness for children and adolescents with BPD and their families.
On estimating critical population size for an endangered species in the presence of environmental stochasticity

Abstract A stationary second order autoregressive process with Gaussian noise, which was linked to survivorship and reproductive success by logistic transformations, was used as a model for an environmental process. Computer experiments in Monte Carlo integration, with the objective of exploring the sensitivity of estimates of mean critical population size to variations in the parameters of the environmental process, were then conducted. These experiments suggest that estimates of mean critical population size are very sensitive to the form of the autocorrelation function of the stationary environmental process. For the most part, those experiments in which the autocorrelation function was strictly positive not only resulted in the largest estimates of mean critical population size but also led to the highest levels of environmental stochasticity as measured by its coefficient of variation. As in previous work, these experiments suggest that concerted efforts should be made to model those environmental factors that are critical to the survivability of an endangered species in assessing its chances for continued existence.
Effects of overtopping on growth of white spruce in Alaska

Early establishment of competing vegetation often presents an obstacle to the success of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings. We followed growth and development of white spruce and associated vegetation for up to 17 years in Alaska's boreal forests to quantify roles of overtopping plant cover in suppressing conifers. The three study areas represented a range of site conditions of varying productivity and species of competing cover, different site preparation and release treatments, and different bare-root and container white spruce stock types. Herbaceous overtopping peaked early after planting and decreased as white spruce were able to outgrow competitors. Overtopping by shrubs and hardwoods, especially aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and resin birch (Betula neoalaskana Sarg.) peaked somewhat later than herbaceous overtopping and decreased over time for most sites and treatments. In a model that combined all sites, vegetation management treatments, and years, overtopping and previous year's volume explained approximately 85% of the variation in volume growth. Increasing the size of planting stock helped reduce overtopping, hence suppression, even in treatments dominated by hardwood species. Results suggested that control of overtopping was essential for maximum growth and long-term or increasing levels of overtop- ping severely suppressed white spruce seedling growth.
Intraurban Population Estimation with Remotely Sensed Imagery: A Developing World Perspective

According to the United Nations, this year (2008) over 50% of Earth's 6.6 billion human inhabitants will be living in urban areas. Given the increasing importance of cities as human habitat, there is a critical need for accurate population count data to support urban decision-making. Models driven by remotely sensed imagery are one of the few economically viable alternatives available to countries with developing economies needing to measure intraurban population on a repeating basis. This article discusses the current methods to gather basic intraurban population counts from remotely sensed imagery and suggests avenues for future study. More methodological development and testing are necessary before any of the discussed methods can be operationalized for use in the developing world.
Systems modeling for laser IFE

A systems model of a laser-driven IFE power plant is being developed to assist in design trade-offs and optimization. The focus to date has been on modeling the fusion chamber, blanket and power conversion system. A self-consistent model has been developed to determine key chamber and thermal cycle parameters (e.g., chamber radius, structure and coolant temperatures, cycle efficiency, etc.) as a function of the target yield and pulse repetition rate. Temperature constraints on the tungsten armor, ferritic steel wall, and structure/coolant interface are included in evaluating the potential design space. Results are presented for a lithium cooled first wall coupled with a Brayton power cycle.
Dispersal of juveniles and variable recruitment in sessile marine species

MARINE species commonly have broadly dispersing juveniles called larvae. Their return to the adult populations is highly variable1–3, often generating large fluctuations in population size4–6, yet the causes of the variation are poorly understood. Historically, attention has been focused on the roles of variable reproductive output by adults and variable mortality during larval development7,8. The limited success of these factors as general explanations prompted a more recent focus on the influence of variable transport of the larvae9–13. Here we show that nearly a decade of settlement variation of the barnacle, Semibalanus balanoides (L), closely matched predictions based solely on a transport hypothesis: differences in transport generate recruitment variation by determining whether larvae complete development near a favourable habitat. The irregular nature of coastlines, particularly the presence of bays and estuaries, generates substantial regional variation in coastal transport that may generate correspondingly large variation in recruitment to marine populations.
Rarefied Flow past a Sphere

levels are reached as altitude increases, the corresponding re- ductions in recombination and attachment rates (reactions 10 and 17 in Table 2) and diffusion rates produce a slower decay downstream of the peak and therefore a longer plume. A study of the rates of electron production from reactions 10 and 14 shows that chemi-ionization does not make a significant contribution to the electron density level throughout much of the afterburning plume.** However, chemi-ionization dominates just downstream of the nozzle exit (within 1-2 ft). The total radar attenuation along a paths through the plume was computed from the simplified expression,
Liver disease in the morbidly obese: a review of 1000 consecutive patients undergoing weight loss surgery

Abstract Background Liver disease among the morbidly obese is increasingly prevalent, contributing to significant morbidity. Obesity-related liver pathologies including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have become a leading cause for liver transplant. However, risk factors for developing severe liver disease in the morbidly obese remain unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of abnormal liver pathology and any relationship to patient-related factors. Methods One thousand consecutive patients undergoing weight loss surgery were reviewed. All patients had a liver biopsy at the time of surgery. Frequency of benign pathology, steatosis, NASH, and fibrosis on pathologic examination of liver biopsy specimens were recorded. Pathologic findings were compared and analyzed to age and body mass index (BMI) of all patients. Results All patients in the study population had a BMI>35 kg/m 2 . Of these patients, 80.2% had liver disease related to obesity on pathology, including 65.9% with steatosis (grade 1–3), and 14.3% with NASH and/or fibrosis. Mean BMI of patients with liver disease was 48.1 compared to a BMI of 47.7 with benign pathology ( P = .523). Mean age of patients with and without abnormal pathology was 48.3 and 47.3, respectively ( P = .294). Conclusion Liver disease is highly prevalent in the obese, but is not associated with increased age or BMI. Although all morbidly obese patients appear at significant risk for developing severe liver pathology, further risk factors are unknown.
Survey of lens design courses

In an attempt to determine what other teachers of lens design teach, I constructed a short questionnaire and sent it by e- mail to a wide range of schools that are listed in the SPIE's 'Optics Education 1997.' I wanted to see what commonality there was between lens design courses and where the emphases are placed. This paper describes the types of courses that are taught, their content, the approaches used, and the tools the teachers used to introduce a fairly narrow technical subject to novices.
Courts and Compliance in International Regulatory Regimes

International regulatory regimes are increasingly important parts of interstate politics. As these regimes multiply, the question of what exactly governments are agreeing to is becoming increasingly important. Some scholars see the high levels of observed compliance with these regimes as a sign that they are transforming interstate relationships. Others argue that compliance rates are uninformative since governments will only choose a depth of agreement that is self-enforcing. This study demonstrates that even seemingly deep agreements with well developed, and seemingly effective, adjudicating mechanisms can suffer from severe enforcement problems. The relevance of this model for a real world deep agreement, the European Union, is demonstrated, and predictions that can determine if a regulatory regime suffers from enforcement problems are derived.
Use of bipolar energy for transurethral resection of bladder tumors: pathologic considerations.

Background and Purpose: Bipolar electrocautery has recently been introduced as a modality for transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT). The primary benefits of bipolar TURBT stem from the use of saline irrigant rather than glycine or water. TURBT should be conducted in a fashion such that the resected tissue can be used for proper grading and staging, so excessive cauterization of the tissue should be avoided. In this study, we compared the pathologic characteristics of bladder tumor specimens resected with bipolar versus standard monopolar energy to determine specimen quality. Patients and Methods: Bipolar TURBT (Gyrus Medical Inc., Maple Grove, MN) was performed in 11 patients. Pathologic specimens were compared with the specimens from 11 patients who had previously undergone standard monopolar TURBT. Resected tissue was examined by a pathologist who recorded tumor size, grade, location, presence of muscularis propria, presence of muscle invasion, and final diagnosis. The pathologist also deter...
Problem hepatitis viruses: The mutants

Genetic variations in the known human hepatitis viruses are probably the result (a) of high viral replication rates and poor or absent proofreading ability intrinsic to RNA viruses (HAV, HCV, HDV, HEV) and (b) to a DNA virus (HBV) that uses a reverse-transcription mechanism for genomic replication. Nucleotide substitutions, deletions, duplications, insertions, and rearrangements resulting in amino acid changes may have no consequences, may impair replication, change host susceptibility, or may lead to escape from immune attack. Genetic diversity has been identified in each of the known hepatitis viruses. The importance of mutant viruses in pathogenicity, immunity, natural history, clinical outcomes, vaccine production, and responsiveness to treatment has emerged as an area for intensive study.
Broadband challenge facing global competitiveness

Broadband has become a vital tool for producers and distributors of goods as it is for people plugging into all the social and cultural opportunities offered by the web. As a military superpower and the world's top economy, the USA is losing the race to Europe and East Asia in developing high-speed broadband. While the USA has a substantial number of broadband subscribers, it is mostly in 'basic' broadband which is too slow to run the many innovative applications necessary to maintain economic competitiveness. This paper discusses how the USA is falling behind in offering high-speed broadband and compares its lagging performance to the successes of countries such as Japan and South Korea. It concludes by stating that future economic and country competitiveness could well be determined by the successful adoption of these new technologies.
Central regulation of thyroidal status in a teleost fish: nutrient stimulation of T4 secretion and negative feedback of T3.

Several experiments were conducted to investigate the dynamics of central regulation of thyroid function in the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, by manipulating a well-characterized circadian rhythm of T4 secretion. In the first experiment, red drum were reared under either a long (16L:8D) or short (8L:16D) photoperiod and fed at the same time relative to dawn. The same feeding time under different photoperiods maintained the same phase relationship between T4 cycles under each photoperiod. This suggests that the circadian clock that determines when the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is activated is comprised of a feeding-entrained oscillator and a light-entrained oscillator that interact to determine the phase of the T4 rhythm. Additionally, the amplitude of the main T4 peak of the cycle was inversely related to the frequency of feeding, while the duration of the main T4 peak was directly related to feeding frequency under a long photoperiod. Feeding time appears to modify the diurnal profile of circulating T4 by stimulating post-prandial T4 secretion that subsequently results in negative feedback on the HPT axis to regulate thyroidal status. In following experiments, red drum immersed in T3, in lieu of a meal at a specific time that would diminish the main T4 peak, exhibited a dose-dependent decline in amplitude of the T4 cycle. This demonstrates that T3 can exert negative feedback on the HPT axis of red drum to maintain appropriate thyroid hormone concentrations. These data are consistent with a dynamic and physiologically important central component of the regulation of thyroid function in fish. J. Exp. Zool. 298A:32–43, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Early Detection of Lubrication Anomalies in Oil-Lubricated Bearings

Condition monitoring of roller element bearings is of considerable interest to many industries since faulty roller element bearings are known to cause the majority of problems in rotating machinery. The class of failure modes in roller bearings that has received the most attention include spalling or localized defect in one or more of the bearing components. This refers to dislodgement of a portion of the contact surface in one or more of the bearing components in the presence of various kinds of stresses like rotor imbalance, speed, bad lubrication, heavy radial and axial loads. Whereas substantial work has been done in the detection of spalls in bearing components, studies show that one of the primary root causes of spalls in a bearing tends to be ineffective lubrication resulting either from lack of lubrication conditions or the presence of contaminants in the lubricant. Leading bearing companies have indicated that incorrect lubrication can account for more than 90% of bearing failures because of which lubrication can be a key influence that can make or break bearing service and life. This emphasizes the need to develop techniques to sense lubrication anomalies as well as provide information needed to act upon them. In other words, monitoring the health and effectiveness of the bearing lubricant should be at the forefront of a condition-monitoring program for bearings. In this paper, we describe experiments, analyses and results obtained for monitoring and detecting anomalies in bearing lubrication for oil-lubricated bearings. More specifically, we consider two kinds of lubrication anomalies: lack of lubrication and contamination of lubrication. Our work involves the use of techniques in sensing and analyses of acoustic emissions from the bearing housing for detection of anomalous lubrication conditions of the above classes. We explore these techniques by conducting controlled experiments where, conditions equivalent to the appropriate fault condition are simulated in a test rig and AE readings are recorded; as a baseline, we also record vibration readings using traditional accelerometers. Our analyses will consist of extracting features from the AE signal that can suitably distinguish between normal and abnormal lubrication conditions. Additional analyses that can potentially be used to understand the degree of severity of the abnormality will also be presented.Copyright © 2007 by General Electric Company
Boolean algebras and orbits of the lattice of r.e sets modulo the finite sets

An important program in the study of the structure E * , the lattice of r.e. sets modulo finite sets, is the classification of the orbits under Aut(E * ), the automorphism group of E * . We will show that there is no Boolean algebra C such that {A: A is r.e. and L * (A)≃C} forms a Δ 2 -orbit, where L * (A) is the principal filter of A in E * ; L * (A)={B: B⊆ * A&B E * }
Parameterized Verification of Linear Networks using Automata as Invariants

The paper proposes an induction based approach, that employs automata as inductive invariants, for verifying safety and liveness properties of linear networks of arbitrary size. The proposed method has been shown to be complete for verifying safety properties. Automated methods that check for correcteness of such families of networks are proposed. These methods are based on generating an invariant automaton from the correctness property which is also specified by an automaton. These methods have been implemented and successfully tested on some examples.
Synthesis of bifunctional ion‐exchange resins through the Arbusov reaction: Effect on selectivity and kinetics

Bifunctional ion-exchange resins are synthesized from vinylbenzyl chloride—styrne copolymers. The two types of functional groups are introduced by an Arbusov reaction followed by sulfonation. The effect of ligand ratios, macroporosity, and matrix rigidity on the complexation of Eu (III) from solutions of low pH is quantified. It is found that ion complexation kinetics and selectivity are maximized with resins having both sulfonic and phosphonic acid ligands. Maximum metal ion complexation rates depend on a balance between chemical interactions (i.e., a bifunctional network interacting with a given substrate through an access and a recognition mechanism) and physical parameters (i.e., matrix porosity and rigidity). Structural integrity must be maintained through an appropriate crosslink level in order for the advantage of bifunctionality to be maintained in low-pH solutions. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using Simulation Games to Increase Student and Instructor Engagement

Instructors are often reluctant to alter their current pedagogies in favor of engaged learning alternatives. In this article the author describes the development and implementation of an engaged learning, simulation-based pedagogy designed to increase student and instructor engagement. Student learning was examined across simulation and non-simulation classes. Results indicated that equivalent learning occurred across classes, with simulation classes reporting high levels of classroom engagement. The costs and benefits of this pedagogical change are examined.
Navigator: A psychologically based model of environmental learning through navigation

Abstract This paper describes an implementation of a computational process model of spatial learning. The model is designed to represent basic components of human information processing, as identified by contemporary psychological research and theory. The model comprises two modules, representing an objective view of a suburban environment and a cognitive view of the environment, together with the associated cognitive processes relating to spatial learning and navigation. The second module is based upon information-processing assumptions that relate, for example, to multiple sites of storage, filtering and selection, sensitivity to the importance of environmental features, and forgetting. The implications of the model concerning the processing stages that limit spatial learning, the incremental nature of learning, and the effects of both individual and environmental variation are tested in a series of simulations. By this means the model is of value in tracing out how the architecture of human information processing, in a broad sense, might limit and control the extraction and use of environmental information. More specific model-based predictions are also considered.
Studies on schistosomiasis. XVII. Non-reciprocal acquired resistance between Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosomatium douthitti in mice.

Abstract Attempts to study “cross immunity” reactions between Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosomatium douthitti revealed a non-reciprocal, partial acquired resistance. Mice which were “immunized” by 5 exposures of 10 cercariae each to S. douthitti and challenged with 50 S. mansoni cercariae did not show any reduction in the number of S. mansoni adults recovered when compared with the challenge control. However, the reciprocal cross in which the mice were “immunized” with similar numbers of S. mansoni cercariae and challenged with S. douthitti , showed a highly significant reduction in S. douthitti in comparison with the challenge control. The homologous crosses showed little evidence of “immunity” upon challenge.
The biosynthesis of nicotine from nicotinic acid: chemical and radiochemical yields.

Abstract Chemical and radiochemical yields for the biosynthesis of nicotine from nicotinic acid-2-H3 as precursor have been investigated. Chemical yield was unaffected by additions to the experimental system of precursors of either the pyridine or the pyrrolidine rings. This effect did not result from rapid reduction of precursor concentration to rate-limiting levels by competing reactions. Radiochemical yields increased over a period of 30 days following single-batch addition of labeled precursor. Corrections for the radiochemical yield calculations of these and earlier experiments are derived to allow for (a) the duration of the incubation period, (b) the concentration of nicotinic acid in the culture fluids, and (c) the turnover rate of the labeled product.
Infant and adult grating acuity estimated by VEPs and heart-rate change

Abstract Heart rate (HR) responses to onset of reversing (6 Hz) sine wave gratings of various spatial frequencies (SFs) and concurrent steady-state visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitudes were used to estimate the grating acuities of infants, ages 10 to 13 weeks, and adults. For infants, HR acuity was estimated at 14 c/deg as compared to VEP acuity at 9 c/deg. Conservative (95% confidence) estimates of infant VEP and HR acuities from the same trials using comparable criteria were both 6 c/deg. Adult psychophysical and HR acuities did not differ significantly, but both were greater than VEP acuity, although all three estimates were within one octave. Thus, adults and 3-month-old infants make HR responses to SFs at least as high as the striate cortex grating resolution limit as indicated by VEP acuity. The HR response to a grating apparently originates after SF information has reached temporal lobe substrates essential for pattern perception. Therefore, the relatively high SFs that are resolved at striate cortex in infants are not trapped there but are accessed by the higher cortical visual pattern-processing stream. This suggests that the comparatively low behavioral looking acuities of infants may be due to more conservative criteria or relatively slow maturation of parietal and, especially, frontal cortex neural substrates necessary to produce integrated, goal-directed overt orientation to visual stimuli.
Cloning of the gene encoding the murine orphan receptor TAK1 and cell-type-specific expression in testis

We have cloned the gene encoding the mouse homologue of the orphan receptor, TAK1, a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, from a mouse testis cDNA library. The amino acid sequence of mouse TAK1 (mTAK1) is highly homologous to that of human TAK1, with an overall identity of 98%. Northern blot analysis using RNA from different testicular cell types showed that the mTAK1 transcript is predominantly expressed in pachytene spermatocytes at a low level in round spermatids, but not in germ cells at earlier phases of spermatogenesis or in Sertoli cells. Southern analysis using genomic DNA prepared from a panel of hamster/human and mouse/human hybrid cell lines indicated that the TAK1 gene is located on human chromosome 3.
Leadership Challenges Converting a Large High School to Small Schools: A Follow-Up Study.

This follow-up study presents findings from 11 structured interv iews that were conducted with principals engaged in a conv ersion from a large comprehensiv e high school to six small schools. Key findings are (a) the greatest barrier to improv ement was entrenched instructional patterns and (b) goals of college readiness and social/ emotional dev elopment, espoused by principals, only partially aligned with system-wide student assessments and school programs. The authors suggest that current accountability mechanisms fail to assess both college readiness and social/emotional dev elopment. For either goal to become more than a slogan, assessment of student learning must be substantially reinv ented.
Cruveilhier-Baumgarten disease with associated splenic artery aneurysms

Cruveilhier-Baumgarten Disease is a rare clinical entity. The distinction between C-B Disease and C-B syndrome rests solely on the liver morphology. In C-B Disease, the liver is morphologically normal. A case of a 27-year-old juvenile diabetic female with C-B Disease is presented. She manifested many of the metabolic and hemodynamic changes of cirrhosis including portal hypertension, encephalopathy, and a hyperdynamic cardiovascular state. There was also associated splenomegaly, hypersplenism, and splenic artery aneurysms. Splenectomy and splenic artery ligation were performed. Liver biopsies had normal morphology. The patient has had no recurrence of her symptoms. The pathogenesis of C-B Disease is unknown.